Senior Bowl Stuff...

boozeman

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Spotted: Jerry Jones Scouting Talent At Senior Bowl Bar

By Joe Kinsey January 22, 2014 11:40 am Posted in NFL





Tuscaloosa News reporter Aaron Suttles is in Mobile for the Senior Bowl and just happened to be at the bar the other night when he spotted Jerry Jones evaluating some local unidentified talent.

As you know by now, Jer enjoys his bar nights. Remember that time he tore up a Little Rock Bar Louie? The guy isn’t a stay-in-the-hotel-room kinda billionaire.
Hug me.
 

BipolarFuk

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His wife must have zero self esteem to stay with him.

Not like she couldn't take half and virtually destroy him.
 

Cowboysrock55

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Senior Bowl: Evaluating Carr, Garoppolo
January, 22, 2014

Jimmy Garoppolo and Derek Carr each have shown tantalizing flashes of talent at the Senior Bowl.

MOBILE, Ala. -- Quarterback play tends to be the focus of many NFL draft discussions, and the six at the 2014 Senior Bowl have certainly garnered their fair share of attention.

Some of these guys are relatively well-known commodities, and in the cases of Clemson's Tajh Boyd, Miami's Stephen Morris and Virginia Tech's Logan Thomas, their performances so far this week haven't significantly varied from what we expected coming in.

Boyd's best day of practice was Tuesday, when he wasn't great, but was more consistent throwing the ball than Morris and Thomas. But the bottom line with him is that he's a shorter QB who continues to struggle to see the field, go through his progressions and anticipate throws.

Morris measured as surprisingly small (just 6-foot-1, 208 pounds), and while he makes some throws that kind of keep you intrigued, he still needs a lot of work with his consistency.

Thomas is the most intriguing of all the QBs here in terms of his developmental potential, given his big arm (he makes a lot of “wow” throws) and 6-5, 250-pound frame, and he showed some improvement throughout the week. But his footwork is still all over the place and a team that drafts him is going to have to be very patient with him.

The two guys who are gaining a little more buzz, and perhaps carrying more varying opinions about them among NFL scouts, are Fresno State's Derek Carr and Eastern Illinois' Jimmy Garoppolo. As we wrote on Monday, this year's QB class isn't as deep as we expected it would be, and there's a question as to either of these guys could potentially emerge in that second tier of QBs behind UCF's Blake Bortles, Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater and Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel.

Let's take a look at what each of these guys does well, including how they've performed in Mobile, and what the remaining questions are about them as prospects. They certainly have scouts intrigued. But will they be deemed worthy of a high draft pick?

Carr: When Carr doesn't have to deal with pressure, he can be a very effective quarterback. He has pretty quick feet and can be very accurate on short and intermediate throws. That's why it isn't surprising that he's performed well this week in Mobile, as he isn't facing any fear of pressure in the drills. He has shown well in practices, doing exactly what you'd want to see out of him.

But the problem we're seeing when we watch Carr on tape is that his mechanics and throwing accuracy fail when pressure is a threat. We've studied seven tapes of him over a two-season span, and we've seen him consistently have trouble dealing with the pass rush. Additionally, his footwork can be sloppy at times, and he has some significant work to do on his lower-body mechanics.

In our experience, unless there's a specific reason for struggles while in college (and Carr had an ideal situation at Fresno State, with a good offensive coaching staff and skill-position players around him), performances at all-star games like the Senior Bowl should never trump what stands out about a player on tape. Which is why, even as he shines this week in Mobile, we have some concerns about Carr's game.

Garoppolo: Having come from a small school, there's a lot less known about Garoppolo, but he certainly has NFL scouts intrigued. We saw him at the East-West Shrine Game, and he stood out as the best QB there. We've watched only two tapes on him so far, but we liked what we've seen. He's light on his feet, has sound mechanics and a quick release. And while he doesn't have a big-time arm, his arm strength is adequate and he can make all the NFL throws.

He ha flashed anticipation as a passer this week in Mobile, but what has really stood out is his ability to marry his feet with his eyes, making him always ready to get the ball out as he goes through his progressions. He underwhelmed us on Wednesday after good showings Monday and Tuesday, but there are reasons to excuse that a bit, seeing as how he's in the midst of his second consecutive week of All-Star game practices, which can drain on you both physically and mentally. (A quarterback make a ton of throws at these events.)

The bottom line for us is that we're excited to study Garoppolo further (in particular, we'll be looking to see how he fares throwing the ball in bad-weather games, given his small hand size), but the limited amount we've seen so far makes us think that he could be a potential NFL starter. If teams end up feeling the same about him -- or Carr -- that could go a long way toward shaping the second tier of QBs in this draft.

Players not to lose sight of during the workout process

The Senior Bowl represents the last time in the draft process that we will see actual football being played –- from here on out, there will be a lot of focus on individual pro day workouts, interviews and the NFL combine.

The following four guys aren’t likely to do well when it comes to their measurements, but teams should continue to keep them in mind and remind themselves of how good they look on the field and on tape. Each stands out more as a football player than he will as an athlete.

Linebacker Chris Borland doesn't have prototypical size, but his instincts make him effective.
LB Chris Borland, Wisconsin: His measureables are lacking for the position, as he’s short (5-11⅜) and has really short arms (28⅞). Those are both big concerns for a linebacker, given the importance of being able to take on and get off of blocks. But as we’ve seen throughout his career with the Badgers, and in practices this week, Borland’s instincts allow him to overcome his lack of size. He appears to diagnose plays earlier than most other linebackers, and he takes really good angles as well.

The best comparison for him is Zach Thomas, who always jumped out for his intensity level and instincts, not just in the run game but also in coverage and as a blitzer (he had a knack for knowing when the crease would open and hitting it at the right time, like a running back). Borland has shown some of those similar qualities on tape and in practice this week, and while he’s not an elite athlete by any stretch, he’s quick and instinctive enough to hold up in coverage. And he packs a punch as a hitter. We think he belongs as a second- or third-round pick, ideally as a 4-3 middle linebacker.

OT Jack Mewhort, Ohio State: He isn’t an elite athlete, and he has less-than-ideal length (33-inch arms) and is on the lighter side (306 pounds) for a right tackle prospect. He’s not an overwhelming run blocker or the most athletic pass blocker, but he hasn’t been beat once here in Mobile. His footwork and hand placement have been impressive, and he frustrated defensive line prospects James Gayle (Virginia Tech) and William Clarke (West Virginia) in 1-on-1 drills.

Simply put: He’s a better football player than he is an athlete, and while he might not wow you on tape, he consistently gets the job done.

DT Will Sutton, Arizona State: At 6-foot, 315 pounds, he isn’t going to win any Mr. Universe contests, and his body type will likely be a concern for NFL teams. Even if he loses some weight between now and the draft, his height could be an issue, as it will for Pittsburgh’s Aaron Donald. But teams can’t forget about how well he performs on the field. He has a quick-first step for his size and he can disrupt running plays in the backfield, plus his girth and low center of gravity make it tougher for taller offensive linemen to get under him and move him off the ball, as we’ve seen in practices this week.

If NFL teams looking for a 3-technique defensive tackle can throw out his measurements and just watch the tape, they’ll see a guy who can make an impact early.

WR Jalen Saunders, Oklahoma: He’s small at 5-9, 170 pounds, has small hands, and he might not run a great 40 time (our best guess is he’ll run in the 4.5 range, which is good but not an elite time you might want to see from a smaller receiver like Saunders). But this guy plays faster than his times will indicate. He’s got really good feel as a route runner with the quickness and suddenness to separate, and he has caught the ball really well this week. He was productive as a receiver both at Fresno State and after he transferred to Oklahoma, and he’s a proven returner, which provides added versatility. Teams might be a little turned off by his slight frame and lack of elite speed, but we think his overall instincts at the position along with his quickness make him a guy who could end up being a pretty good no. 3 or no. 4 receiver in the NFL as a Day 2 or Day 3 prospect.
 

Cowboysrock55

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And you would be wrong. 3-4 teams won't even consider guys like Donald.
Mike Daniels
#76 DE 6' 0", 291 lbs Green Bay Packers

This guy is specifically the reason I think they would. Extremely similar player to Donald and he was a beast this past year as a 3-4 starting DE.
 

Smitty

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There may be a SPECIFIC reason why Aaron Donald can't cut it, but in general those 4-3 three technique DTs make easy conversions to 3-4 DEs.
 

Simpleton

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Could Donald get by as a 3-4 DE?

Perhaps, especially if you have a beast at NT like Raji, but his ideal position is quite obviously playing the Sapp role in a 4-3, attacking style of defense. Now, if we happen upon a DT/NT similar to Raji and want to switch to a 3-4 in a few years because that's the direction our HC wanted to go in (theoretically speaking obviously) and we have some other nice pieces which would fit, then that's one thing but realistically speaking, if we draft Donald we're going to be a 4-3 team going forward.

If we were to draft a guy like Tuitt he could seamlessly play either scheme most likely, and would arguably be better in a 3-4, but Donald in a 3-4 would be dependent on us having a huge NT like Raji first.
 

Clay_Allison

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There may be a SPECIFIC reason why Aaron Donald can't cut it, but in general those 4-3 three technique DTs make easy conversions to 3-4 DEs.
There aren't a lot of good examples of that happening. LaRoi Glover couldn't do it here and Warren Sapp didn't do very well in Oakland.
 

Simpleton

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Saying taking Donald means we're a 4-3 team also assumes that Donald is a beast, obviously if he's just an above average player or worse then it doesn't matter. But for example, if you're the Bengals, Geno Atkins is your best defensive player, one of the best DL in the league, a DPOY candidate if healthy, do you switch to a 3-4?

Could he do it?

Probably but why would you want to?
 

Cowboysrock55

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Could Donald get by as a 3-4 DE?

Perhaps, especially if you have a beast at NT like Raji, but his ideal position is quite obviously playing the Sapp role in a 4-3, attacking style of defense. Now, if we happen upon a DT/NT similar to Raji and want to switch to a 3-4 in a few years because that's the direction our HC wanted to go in (theoretically speaking obviously) and we have some other nice pieces which would fit, then that's one thing but realistically speaking, if we draft Donald we're going to be a 4-3 team going forward.

If we were to draft a guy like Tuitt he could seamlessly play either scheme most likely, and would arguably be better in a 3-4, but Donald in a 3-4 would be dependent on us having a huge NT like Raji first.
285-295 lb 3-4 DEs are not that unusual. The part about someone like Donald or Daniels that is unusual is that they are only 6' tall. Usually in a traditional 3-4 DE you want the really tall guy with long arms who can two gap. Essentially the DE traditionally in a 3-4 reads and reacts. He holds up the O-lineman until he can make a tackle around the line of scrimmage or see's that it is a pass for sure and can then turn to pass rush mode. Long arms are ideal for that role.

That's why a guy like Donald isn't ideal, he doesn't have the long arms. It also means that his quickness sort of goes to waste. Of course most 3-4 defenses aren't traditional anymore. Most 3-4 DEs are now asked to attack. Teams want their 3 down lineman to get up field and make plays. It's why you are starting to see 3-4 DEs put up 6+ sack seasons. The defense has changed based on the passing tenancies of the NFL. Regardless I'd love to have Donald and if we want to switch back to the 3-4 someday I think he could be a stud 3-4 DE as well.
 

Simpleton

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285-295 lb 3-4 DEs are not that unusual. The part about someone like Donald or Daniels that is unusual is that they are only 6' tall. Usually in a traditional 3-4 DE you want the really tall guy with long arms who can two gap. Essentially the DE traditionally in a 3-4 reads and reacts. He holds up the O-lineman until he can make a tackle around the line of scrimmage or see's that it is a pass for sure and can then turn to pass rush mode. Long arms are ideal for that role.

That's why a guy like Donald isn't ideal, he doesn't have the long arms. It also means that his quickness sort of goes to waste. Of course most 3-4 defenses aren't traditional anymore. Most 3-4 DEs are now asked to attack. Teams want their 3 down lineman to get up field and make plays. It's why you are starting to see 3-4 DEs put up 6+ sack seasons. The defense has changed based on the passing tenancies of the NFL. Regardless I'd love to have Donald and if we want to switch back to the 3-4 someday I think he could be a stud 3-4 DE as well.
I appreciate this but honestly, do you really think you have to explain this to me?

Not to be an asshole but I already know this, recently you have been seeing guys who are 6-1 or 6-2, 295-300 or so playing 3-4 DE, not necessarily the traditional 6-5 to 6-6, 300 to 315 lbers, Corey Liuget is another decent example of it.

I'm just saying that if we take Donald and he ends up racking up 7-10 sacks a year and making Pro Bowls playing the 3 technique there is no reason to go to a 3-4, and even if we wanted to we'd have to somehow find a legit NT, which is rare in itself. On the other hand, a guy like Tuitt who could play either scheme despite what is around him.

Just so you know, I'm not arguing against Donald with our first, he might be at the very top of my list. I'm just making a point that I'm tired of taking guys who are ideal fits as one thing and putting them somewhere else just because they could probably do it, although probably not as well as what they can ideally do.
 

Smitty

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There aren't a lot of good examples of that happening. LaRoi Glover couldn't do it here and Warren Sapp didn't do very well in Oakland.
I don't recall Glover ever trying it here. I know Parcells kept him at NT for that one season and we all thought it was a stupid idea.
 

Smitty

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I'm just saying that if we take Donald and he ends up racking up 7-10 sacks a year and making Pro Bowls playing the 3 technique there is no reason to go to a 3-4
If you are only basing your defense decision around 1 player, there might be no reason to. What if, however, we had a perfect NT next to Donald, but lacked complete DEs and had more tweeners who would be better as stand up LBs? Maybe then your D is better overall as a 3-4.

Or maybe you hire a coach who specializes in the 3-4. Don't force him to coach the 4-3.

Donald can adjust and play both, is all I'm saying. I would guess, anyway.
 
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