From a practice standpoint today marks the second of only 3 days of practice this year. Still trying to get my head around that. But the skies were blue, the wind was light and I can think of no better way to spend a day than at Ladd-Peebles watching two practices.
AM PRACTICE NORTH
The Yankees hit the field under ideal conditions. By the 9:30 start time you really didn’t need a jacket if you stayed in the sunlight. The players warmed up quickly and we were off to the races.
Near the start of practice TOM OBARSKI/PK #6 got his chance to show his stuff. He did a nice job missing only 1 FG attempt that I could see and finished up from 52 yards out with a make. His teammates high-fived him and clearly the kicking game could be important in the game on Saturday, given the anticipated mediocre level of QB play. Mr. OBARSKI was not booming his kicks, but they had enough oomph, with nothing falling short.
It is hard to gauge what live action results will be, but I will comment that I like the looks of VINCE MAYLE/WR #15 as a kick returner. He accelerates quickly and has a long, but balanced stride. With a bit of blocking he could give the North some solid field position come Saturday. But then again who knows if he has actually won the job or not. MAYLE has also shown some nice flashes as a receiver as well.
At least in 1-on-1 pass protection drills I felt T.J. CLEMMINGS #68 had a poor day again on Wednesday. He was beaten on a regular basis in the drill. He seems to not show any strength either in anchoring his lower body or in using his arms effectively. Rushers are running around him or just plain over-powering him. Some of this is likely technique for a guy still transitioning from basketball to football, but it tells me it may a few years before he gets solid enough to earn a starting job. That does not put into first round consideration IMO.
CASEY PIERCE/TE #87 is making a case for himself as a dependable receiving target for underneath throws. He looks natural receiving he ball, then tucks it nicely and turns pretty smoothly upfield. THis from a guy who was a last minute add to the game rosters. I saw on the roster that he is from Parma, Ohio. Anyone else remember that as part of the lead line on the Drew Carey show theme song; Moon over Parma tonight?
Any fan looking for a high profile, glitzy DT for their team can look right past CARL DAVIS/DT #71. But if your team runs a 4-3 scheme and needs a solid anchor who can do a bit of everything he might be your guy at this game. DAVIS is looking athletic in drill work and steady and stout in scrimmaging. He might deserve to ranked as high as Round 2 when the week is over. I expect him to also make some plays on game day. He looks like a gamer and potential starter in the NFL.
Add my name to the QUENTIN ROLLINS/CB #22 runaway train fan list. I spent many minutes at this practice watching him in several drill situations and he is a natural folks. He has decent size and great natural athleticism. I like his confident style of play. I also like the lack of unnecessary, wasted movement in his play. He seems to be a natural at reading the play around him, making his decision and then making his play. It is also easy to see his anticipation skills in going to the ball in the air. He came close to several INT this morning. He has both playing speed and quickness. He turns his body naturally to change direction and he seems to see the whole field. If he blows up the Combine I see him in Round 1 come April/May.
I am a strong believer in the current trend of NFL teams finding roster slots and roles for players who do not fit the “standard size” criteria. Another example of that here in Mobile is HAYES PULLARD/ILB #11. He is not your standard sized ILB at 6’002/236. But he is a blur getting after the ball and his anticipation of where the ball is, or may be going, is uncanny. He also delvers a blow when he gets to the ball. I can see him causing more than his share of turnovers at the NFL level. And while the roles for him in a defense get defined, expect big things from him on Special Teams, and I mean all Special teams units.
TONY LIPPETT/WR #14 has been nicknamed Daddy Long Legs by yours truly because he reminds me of Fred Astaire with his very long, very lean frame. This man has been catching everything thrown his way this week and can really stretch the field with his long strides. More than a few DB have been able to catch him after the reception downfield. I am not sure that he will impress much at the Combine, but he could help any NFL team in need of a long receiver to balance out a smallish receiving corps. He is clearly helping himself this week.
PM Practice SOUTH
My first observation here is that I’m not sure what the South squad does at the QB position with NICK MARSHALL sliding over to the CB group. At tonight’s Presser HC GUS BRADLEY said that MARSHALL came to him after the Monday night QB group meeting and asked to be moved over to CB. Based on feedback he had been getting lately he felt it was his best chance to impress pro scouts of his versatility as an athlete. But it leaves the South squad a bit thin. It is possible they could play most of the game with BLAKE SIMS at the QB slot. Folks he ain’t no RUSSELL WILSON.
The most pleasant surprise of the South practice for me was when JUSTIN MANTON/K/P #17 was allowed to practice FG kicking. His first kick caught my attention because I hear that extra loud thump from the ball as his foot made contact and he punished the ball. I have heard that a few times in my many years coming to Mobile. He hit nothing but high, straight rockets all the way up to 50+ yards. He also stymied his teams attempt to polish up their Kick Return game. I counted 8 kick-offs from MANTON with 4 going out of the end zone and the other 4 all being more than half-way deep into the end zone. Thursday I will be grabbing the Pigskin Paul stop watch to check his punting hang times, as he is handling both chores for his team.
On a disappointing note I am still waiting to see the positive from TYLER SAMBRAILO/OT #51. Sambrailo had a pretty sloppy, undefined body at the weigh-in, and he’s practicing accordingly. I think he has NFL talent, but he needs a personal trainer and major weight room and dietary/nutrition help before he’s going to help any MFL team. He was overmatched in just about all of the OL drills, and got pushed around quite handily. I wish him the best, but he is far from NFL ready.
Conversely, a guy who is pro ready along the OL is LA’EL COLLINS/OT/LSU #60. COLLINS looks a bit light in the pants these days, weighing in at only 308 lbs Monday. He was listed at closer to 330-lbs back in pre-season college football reports. I will assume this is a conscious attempt to get quicker, but I caution him not to go too far. He might be moving a bit faster, but he’s not overpowering defenders like he once did. His game has not been quickness and never will be. I’d say get back up to 320 and at worst get moved to RT as a prospect. But I still would rate him as a mid-to-late Round 1 prospect based on what I have seen.
Many folks were disappointed when KEVIN WHITE/WR/WEST VIRGINIA opted out of the game a week or so ago. But we do have another KEVIN WHITE… CB/TCU #20 and he is the South’s version of STEVEN NELSON of the North. All WHITE is lacking is a few inches and a 10 lbs from being a top round prospect, because when it comes to coverage he is a dynamo. And for his size he is a willing participant in run defense as well. He’s quick in his backpedal, and catches balls with ease and dexterity. At the least, he should be able to help his pro team as a nickel Corner on the slot right away.
On the other side of the ball the South has a compact play-maker by the name of TYLER LOCKETT/WR/RS #22. LOCKETT has shown plenty of quicks and very soft hands. He is of course very explosive and elusive after the catch. I haven’t watched much punt and punt return action yet, but he has been a very dangerous Punt Returner during his college career. His size (5095/181) concerns folks, but I think that is just a matter of an NFL team being willing to limit his touches per game before an opposing team breaks him. LOCKETT is just too plain explosive to ignore and I expect some plays from him on Saturday to top off his solid practice work.
DEZMIN LEWIS/WR #15 was one of the small school players I was most interested in watching this week. I had seen some game tape of him and came away impressed. I was impressed again seeing him at the weigh-in Tuesday. He measured 6’034/215 with 668″ hands and arms of 3268″. Those are impressive numbers for any WR. He has followed up that appearance with a couple of very solid practices, but it is hard to overlook how raw he is as a receiver. He rounds off many of his patterns, and at times has a problem positioning his body for receptions. He is less than sophisticated at working the sideline when covered. Against small school corners he was wide open much of the time. This week DB are contesting just about every ball thrown his way. But he has responded well to coaching and is improving with each hour of practice. I am thinking he might make a play or two in game action on Saturday. But his best days are a couple of seasons away. He’ll be drafted on potential and that is hard to gauge. Right now I am thinking he’s an early Saturday pick, but some team may see so much upside that he gets into the Top 100.
SHAQ MASON/OG #70 continues to impress with his tenacity and energy level. Coach BRADLEY expressed admiration for his efforts and noted that he sees no reason that MASON with his strength and athleticism can’t improve in pass pro with time and reps. Playing on a team that runs the ball 90% of the time does not match up well with today’s NFL style of play, but talent and energy are always in style and MASON has plenty of both. MASON has been exceptional getting to second level blocks.
A late addition to the South squad looks to have become the 2nd starting S to team with CODY PREWITT. He’s ANTHONY JEFFERSON/S/UCLA #23. JEFFERSON was not a full time stater until his senior season with the UCLANS. He has been a very aggressive player in his first two days of practice. He has been very effective in run drills and used good quickness to shoot line gaps to record some TFL. He’s a bit light in the pants for a S in today’s NFL (6’011/194) and I certainly wouldn’t call him an in-the-box specialist, but he looks willing and able to play both the run and pass.
Since so many folks are interested in the QB position (could Fantasy Leagues have something to do with that) I thought I would give you my Senior Bowl QB rankings after two days of practice:
1) BRYCE PETTY/BAYLOR
2) SEAN MANNION/OREGON STATE
3) GARRETT GRAYSON/COLORADO STATE
4) SHANE CARDEN/EAST CAROLINA
5) BLAKE SIMS/ALABAMA
NR BRYAN BENNETT/SE LOUISIANA
That’s it for Wednesday folks. Good night from Mobile.
Pigskin Paul
