Senior Bowl South Practice Day 2

[BigEasyTider]

I thought DJ looked pretty good with his route running and his hands.

If you go Thursday or Friday, could you watch Titus Brown and let me know how he performs. I believe they were going to try him at OLB instead of DE.

The big knock on Hall has been his struggles against physical coverage. He's on the lean side anyway -- plus he measured out a good bit shorter than his reported height -- and apparently he's struggled against it all week. Hall will make a dang good third or fourth receiver for someone, and he'll contribute positively to some team, but his lack of size, struggles against press coverage, and character issues will keep him from going all of that high. He'll probably be a mid-round pick who makes a roster, but that will likely be the extent of it.

As for Brown, I think some of the 3-4 teams are wanting to see how he would like at Jack linebacker.

 

[da_sack86]

As for Brown, I think some of the 3-4 teams are wanting to see how he would like at Jack linebacker.

That's where the 49'ers staff is working him with this week.
Saw the north team practice and Michigan Chad Henne was outperforming John David Booty from USC.
Kansas St.'s WR Jordy Nelson and Cal's WR Lavelle Hawkins were getting all the oohs and ahhs from both coaches and scouts. Made everything that was thrown and quite elusive on Hawkins's part.
WVU's RB O wen Schmitt is a beast, the next Mike Alstott.

 

[BigEasyTider]

Saw the north team practice and Michigan Chad Henne was outperforming John David Booty from USC.

No major shock there, honestly. Henne is a big-time quarterback: great size, huge arm, four-year starter, displays great pocket command, and he can make all of the throws. Booty, on the other hand, is really immobile, doesn't manipulate the pocket that well, has some injury concerns, doesn't have great arm strength, and won't have anywhere near the talent level surrounding him in the NFL, relative to the competition, as he did at USC.

The truth of the matter is that Booty never lived up to all of the hype. He wasn't near the bust that his brother was, but he wasn't the Mr. Everything stud that most thought he would be either.

WVU's RB Owen Schmitt is a beast, the next Mike Alstott.

Yep, that kid is likely to be the first fullback off of the board. Most don't think Hester could legitimately play fullback in the NFL, and it's a valid concern. Schmitt, though, is absolutely everything you would ever want in a smashmouth tailback, and he will do well at the next level. Moreover, his experience as a blocking back in passing situations really helps his stock, too. The harsh truth of the matter is that if all you can do in the NFL is be a lead blocker, you won't play very much. But Schmitt can do that, plus pass block very well, work as a short-yardage back, and play special teams. He'll be a valuable addition to any team.

 

[Big_Fan]

Honestly, these reports do not surprise me in the least. I have been screaming for two years that our talent level is way down...Saban is fixing it, but it will take time. When you look at the number of first day draft picks we have been putting out over the past few years compared to other top SEC programs, we are behind. Saban's boys at LSU have been a whole different level of player. Last year LSU had what...4 or 5 first rounders? They will have a few this season as well. Meanwhile, we have not had a first rounder since Shaun and big Sam. The only first day guy that comes to mind is Brodie...3rd round?

When your top receiver is being called a "late round steal," losing to La. Monroe and MSU should not be surprising.

In 2008 we will probably start weak (and the doom and gloomers will cry out) and improve as the season progresses...unlike the past few seasons where our talent level was maxed out to their abilities on day one. You can coach players up to a degree but you gotta have chickens to make chicken salad. I expect the 2008 Alabama team to resemble the 1990 team in a lot of ways. The 2007 team was more like the 1984 team with less talent on defense. 2009 will be ~1991...etc.

 

[BigEasyTider]

Honestly, these reports do not surprise me in the least. I have been screaming for two years that our talent level is way down...Saban is fixing it, but it will take time. When you look at the number of first day draft picks we have been putting out over the past few years compared to other top SEC programs, we are behind. Saban's boys at LSU have been a whole different level of player. Last year LSU had what...4 or 5 first rounders? They will have a few this season as well. Meanwhile, we have not had a first rounder since Shaun and big Sam. The only first day guy that comes to mind is Brodie...3rd round?

When your top receiver is being called a "late round steal," losing to La. Monroe and MSU should not be surprising.

In 2008 we will probably start weak (and the doom and gloomers will cry out) and improve as the season progresses...unlike the past few seasons where our talent level was maxed out to their abilities on day one. You can coach players up to a degree but you gotta have chickens to make chicken salad. I expect the 2008 Alabama team to resemble the 1990 team in a lot of ways. The 2007 team was more like the 1984 team with less talent on defense. 2009 will be ~1991...etc.

Yep, you pretty much nailed it. We have very little talent and it is plain as day to see. A bunch of our senior players like Caddell, Britt, Carter, Saunders, etc. have no legitimate chance at even making an NFL roster. Most of those guys wouldn't even be good enough to make a practice squad. Gilberry and Hall will make a roster, and that will be about it.

And you can get ready for it, that is not going to change very much in 2008 either. Zeke Knight will play at the next level, as will Caldwell, but neither of those two guys will be any higher than second or third round pick at best. Rashad Johnson will probably go late in the draft, but his lack of size is going to kill him with the NFL scouts.

Aside from that, though, the pickings are slim. Wilson has no chance, nor does Will Oakley. Marlon Davis is an average-at-best SEC player, so you can cross him off. Travis McCall won't, nor will Lionell Mitchell, Charles Hoke, or B.J. Stabler. Nick Walker, at best, may have a chance at being a very late pick with another decent year. Bobby Greenwood might not even start for us next year, so you can probably cross him off. Even if Jimmy Johns has a monster year at linebacker, he will be a very hard sell to NFL scouts with so little experience. Nikita Stover doesn't have great speed, struggled with drops, and hasn't even been able to crack the top three in our wide receiver corps, so you can cross him off.

Long story short, this NFL Draft drought is going to continue for us for the next couple of years. The talent just isn't there, regardless of how you want to spin it.