BACH
Superbowl, Homeboy!
From Sporting News Draft Central:
MOBILE, Ala. -- Iowa safety Bob Sanders and USC cornerback Will Poole did not participate in Senior Bowl practices on Wednesday.
There was no report on Sanders' possible injury and it was not clear if he will play on Saturday. Poole strained a hamstring and is taking extra care with the injury because of the importance of upcoming tests and tryouts with scouts. If his leg is not 100 percent, he may not play Saturday. . . .
Alabama outside linebacker Derrick Pope and Mississippi State wide receiver Justin Jenkins were added to the roster on Wednesday.
Pope is a late-round prospect who had a terrific senior season, his first as a starter. He is athletic, instinctive and tough. Pope played on the outside on first and second downs and moved to the middle on obvious passing downs, where he showed good range and overall coverage skills. He doesn't have ideal size at 6-0, 223, which is why he isn't rated higher.
For Jenkins, the opportunity to participate in practices, interviews and Saturday's game could help him maintain the momentum he built with an excellent showing at the East-West Shrine Game two weeks ago. Jenkins has good size and speed. He is a tough receiver, runs sound routes and makes tough catches in traffic.
We think Jenkins is underrated. His stock might be higher had he played on a better team with a more consistent passing attack. . . .
Off the field, there has been talk about Bengals RB Corey Dillon. Bengals brass is counting on Rudi Johnson to be the featured back next season, making the disgruntled Dillon the subject of trade speculation.
The general consensus is that the Bengals will try to trade Dillon for a second- to fourth-round pick. However, they probably will release him if they don't get a good offer. Several teams could be pursing Dillon, including the Cowboys, Buccaneers and Redskins. Look for a bidding war among those teams -- and possibly others -- if Dillon is released.
It's more likely the Bengals will spark bidding before the draft in hopes suitors will improve their offers with more and/or higher picks.
This year's running back class is somewhat strong and has better-than-average depth with Oregon State's Steven Jackson, Kevin Jones of Virginia Tech, Chris Perry of Michigan, Florida State's Greg Jones, Quincy Wilson of West Virginia, Michael Turner of Northern Illinois, Notre Dame's Julius Jones and Cedric Cobbs of Arkansas as the best of the bunch.
However, Dillon is a proven commodity. It would be wiser to trade a second-round pick for Dillon instead of using that pick on a running back. As a result, the Bengals should get significant compensation for Dillon. . . .
Julius Jones made plays as a receiver out of the backfield on Tuesday, and we were impressed by how smooth he ran routes and how solid he was catching the ball. However, his weakness as a blocker in pass protection was exposed on Wednesday.
Jones lacks experience and technique as a pass blocker. He also is undersized at a shade under 5-10. He appears willing to mix it up but can't hold up at the point of attack.
Overall, it's been a good week for Jones. He has ran hard, displayed quickness, impressed us with his hands and showed a desire to improve as a pass blocker -- but Wednesday was not a good day for him. . . .
Auburn fullback Brandon Johnson is one of the toughest players we've ever scouted. He generally went unnoticed for his terrific lead-blocking skills, which paved the way for running backs Carnell Williams and Ronney Brown the past couple of seasons. He also has a great mentality for special teams.
However, there's a good chance that Johnson will go undrafted. For starters, fullback is a dying breed in the NFL. And while Johnson is an outstanding blocker, he has below-average running and receiving skills. . . .
Florida tackle Max Starks has a lot of upside because of his size and relatively quick feet. But he never reached his potential in college, where he didn't always show great effort on and off the field and was known for being somewhat soft. Starks also will have trouble against top speed rushers because he isn't effective in space.
However, you can't teach size, and at 6-7, 350, Starks has plenty of that. He has a great wingspan and can smother defenders when he gets in position. He has adequate initial quickness and does a good job against inside moves because he gets out of his stance quickly and can use his long arms to contain a stunting defensive end in the short area.
Because he has such a great frame and shows so much room for improvement, Starks could be drafted as high as the second round. . . .
Defensive tackle Darrell Campbell of Notre Dame has helped himself this week. While playing end in practice, Campell showed quickness and the ability to be a backside chaser. Although he has less talent he reminds us of the Vikings' Kevin Williams, who played both end and tackle as a rookie in the 2003 season and also helped himself with a strong Senior Bowl week last year.
At 294 pounds, Campbell doesn't have ideal size for a tackle, but he is quick, instinctive and strong. He may not be drafted until late on Day 1 and probably won't be more than a backup, but Campbell's versatility could extend his pro career by years. . . .
Defensive end Shaun Phillips of Purdue has good quickness and a smooth running strike that allows him to change directions as a pass rusher. He was very productive in college, showing a great motor and instincts.
However, Phillips is undersized, runs the 40-yard dash in 5.0 seconds and plays too high. He consistently allowed offensive tackles to get into his body this week and has been engulfed at the point of attack on several occasions. . . .
Michigan cornerback Jeremy LeSueur practiced at free safety on Wednesday and understandably looked uncomfortable. LeSueur has great size and adequate speed at cornerback, and he could move to safety in the NFL, but he would need time to make the transition.
LeSueur is big, strong, fluid and instinctive enough to play cornerback, and he could thrive in a scheme that allows him to press receivers at the line in order to smother them and take them out of their routes -- the Eagles, for example. . . .
Cornerback Joey Thomas of Montana State is one of the better athletes present at the Senior Bowl and has a lot of upside because of his outstanding size-speed combination. And at a shade under 6-1 he is also one of the tallest cornerbacks on hand.
Thomas could become a solid No. 2 cover corner because of his terrific athleticism. However, he has struggled against the more talented receivers he has faced this week. The level of competition is higher than he is accustomed to, but a bigger problem is his poor technique. Thomas tends to get turned around too easily and must make significant improvement in his footwork.
He also has not been effective in run support. Instead of taking on blocks and shedding them with good technique, Thomas leaves his feet and wildly tries to swim past. He is not physical and tries to avoid contact on occasion.
MOBILE, Ala. -- Iowa safety Bob Sanders and USC cornerback Will Poole did not participate in Senior Bowl practices on Wednesday.
There was no report on Sanders' possible injury and it was not clear if he will play on Saturday. Poole strained a hamstring and is taking extra care with the injury because of the importance of upcoming tests and tryouts with scouts. If his leg is not 100 percent, he may not play Saturday. . . .
Alabama outside linebacker Derrick Pope and Mississippi State wide receiver Justin Jenkins were added to the roster on Wednesday.
Pope is a late-round prospect who had a terrific senior season, his first as a starter. He is athletic, instinctive and tough. Pope played on the outside on first and second downs and moved to the middle on obvious passing downs, where he showed good range and overall coverage skills. He doesn't have ideal size at 6-0, 223, which is why he isn't rated higher.
For Jenkins, the opportunity to participate in practices, interviews and Saturday's game could help him maintain the momentum he built with an excellent showing at the East-West Shrine Game two weeks ago. Jenkins has good size and speed. He is a tough receiver, runs sound routes and makes tough catches in traffic.
We think Jenkins is underrated. His stock might be higher had he played on a better team with a more consistent passing attack. . . .
Off the field, there has been talk about Bengals RB Corey Dillon. Bengals brass is counting on Rudi Johnson to be the featured back next season, making the disgruntled Dillon the subject of trade speculation.
The general consensus is that the Bengals will try to trade Dillon for a second- to fourth-round pick. However, they probably will release him if they don't get a good offer. Several teams could be pursing Dillon, including the Cowboys, Buccaneers and Redskins. Look for a bidding war among those teams -- and possibly others -- if Dillon is released.
It's more likely the Bengals will spark bidding before the draft in hopes suitors will improve their offers with more and/or higher picks.
This year's running back class is somewhat strong and has better-than-average depth with Oregon State's Steven Jackson, Kevin Jones of Virginia Tech, Chris Perry of Michigan, Florida State's Greg Jones, Quincy Wilson of West Virginia, Michael Turner of Northern Illinois, Notre Dame's Julius Jones and Cedric Cobbs of Arkansas as the best of the bunch.
However, Dillon is a proven commodity. It would be wiser to trade a second-round pick for Dillon instead of using that pick on a running back. As a result, the Bengals should get significant compensation for Dillon. . . .
Julius Jones made plays as a receiver out of the backfield on Tuesday, and we were impressed by how smooth he ran routes and how solid he was catching the ball. However, his weakness as a blocker in pass protection was exposed on Wednesday.
Jones lacks experience and technique as a pass blocker. He also is undersized at a shade under 5-10. He appears willing to mix it up but can't hold up at the point of attack.
Overall, it's been a good week for Jones. He has ran hard, displayed quickness, impressed us with his hands and showed a desire to improve as a pass blocker -- but Wednesday was not a good day for him. . . .
Auburn fullback Brandon Johnson is one of the toughest players we've ever scouted. He generally went unnoticed for his terrific lead-blocking skills, which paved the way for running backs Carnell Williams and Ronney Brown the past couple of seasons. He also has a great mentality for special teams.
However, there's a good chance that Johnson will go undrafted. For starters, fullback is a dying breed in the NFL. And while Johnson is an outstanding blocker, he has below-average running and receiving skills. . . .
Florida tackle Max Starks has a lot of upside because of his size and relatively quick feet. But he never reached his potential in college, where he didn't always show great effort on and off the field and was known for being somewhat soft. Starks also will have trouble against top speed rushers because he isn't effective in space.
However, you can't teach size, and at 6-7, 350, Starks has plenty of that. He has a great wingspan and can smother defenders when he gets in position. He has adequate initial quickness and does a good job against inside moves because he gets out of his stance quickly and can use his long arms to contain a stunting defensive end in the short area.
Because he has such a great frame and shows so much room for improvement, Starks could be drafted as high as the second round. . . .
Defensive tackle Darrell Campbell of Notre Dame has helped himself this week. While playing end in practice, Campell showed quickness and the ability to be a backside chaser. Although he has less talent he reminds us of the Vikings' Kevin Williams, who played both end and tackle as a rookie in the 2003 season and also helped himself with a strong Senior Bowl week last year.
At 294 pounds, Campbell doesn't have ideal size for a tackle, but he is quick, instinctive and strong. He may not be drafted until late on Day 1 and probably won't be more than a backup, but Campbell's versatility could extend his pro career by years. . . .
Defensive end Shaun Phillips of Purdue has good quickness and a smooth running strike that allows him to change directions as a pass rusher. He was very productive in college, showing a great motor and instincts.
However, Phillips is undersized, runs the 40-yard dash in 5.0 seconds and plays too high. He consistently allowed offensive tackles to get into his body this week and has been engulfed at the point of attack on several occasions. . . .
Michigan cornerback Jeremy LeSueur practiced at free safety on Wednesday and understandably looked uncomfortable. LeSueur has great size and adequate speed at cornerback, and he could move to safety in the NFL, but he would need time to make the transition.
LeSueur is big, strong, fluid and instinctive enough to play cornerback, and he could thrive in a scheme that allows him to press receivers at the line in order to smother them and take them out of their routes -- the Eagles, for example. . . .
Cornerback Joey Thomas of Montana State is one of the better athletes present at the Senior Bowl and has a lot of upside because of his outstanding size-speed combination. And at a shade under 6-1 he is also one of the tallest cornerbacks on hand.
Thomas could become a solid No. 2 cover corner because of his terrific athleticism. However, he has struggled against the more talented receivers he has faced this week. The level of competition is higher than he is accustomed to, but a bigger problem is his poor technique. Thomas tends to get turned around too easily and must make significant improvement in his footwork.
He also has not been effective in run support. Instead of taking on blocks and shedding them with good technique, Thomas leaves his feet and wildly tries to swim past. He is not physical and tries to avoid contact on occasion.
