"When it comes to Scouting & Evaluation... We are the Professional Grade!"

2005 SENIOR BOWL PRACTICE WEEK SUMMARY:
January 31st, 2005
By John Murphy (NextLevel Scouting):

Mobile, AL -- While many would opt to summarize the Senior Bowl's daily practice sessions it becomes far too easy to over or underrate an individual players potential/ability by basing it off of just one two-hour practice. However, I have found that by allowing the full-week of practices to take place before generating an evaluation on these top senior prospects that it allows you the opportunity to fully gauge their strengths, weaknesses and overall potential. "(I) believe that you can get too emotional or excited over how a player performs during some of these events… so it is best to keep all of the information you see and receive in proper perspective", explained one NFL scouting director.

The final two days of practice barely qualify as being more than glorified walkthroughs, while there will be roughly 30-40 NFL team representatives who will attend the actual game on Saturday afternoon, as most have returned to their team headquarters or home towns in order to prepare for next month's Combine. All 32 teams will receive a copy of each of the practice sessions, as well as the complete game film, which they can further evaluate, so the final thoughts on this year's Senior Bowl will not take place until after all of that information can be reviewed.

Here are a few other quotes that were solicited during the week or in preparation to review certain positions. "(I) would say that this (wide) receiver group is better than I expected… don't really see a standout yet at a few other positions, but some very good competition for those spots, so far… it's a good group overall, but may just lacking in terms of top-end talent", said one NFL scouting director. "(Mark) Clayton has thoroughly impressed me, but we are a little deep at wide receiver, so I doubt we would look at him unless he slipped and other positions were off the board… besides him (Reggie) Brown from Georgia has done some good things and (I) would have liked to have seen more of the (Roddy) White kid from UAB", explained one NFL wide receivers coach. "With so many underclassmen adding themselves to this draft it becomes important for more of these seniors to show us something this week… as it is the last time we will evaluate them without including the junior class to the mix", according to another NFL scouting director. "(I) have to admit… it surprised me to see guys like Ronnie Brown (Auburn, RB), Kevin Burnett (Tennessee, LB) and even David Pollack (Georgia, DE) not take advantage of this kind of opportunity… those are just three names that come to mind, as (I) am sure there are a few others that also skipped out on playing in this game", said one NFL college scouting director.

When asked to name the one player they felt should have been invited that was not, the following names were mentioned the most: Toledo offensive lineman NICK KACZUR… Oregon State quarterback DEREK ANDERSON… Southern Illinois running back BRANDON JACOBS… Montana fullback JUSTIN GREEN… Hampton wide receiver/return man JEROME MATHIS… Portland State tight end TONY CURTIS… Montana State linebacker ROGER COOPER and Northwestern defensive tackle LUIS CASTILLO.

With that being said, here is a breakdown, by position, of how this year's crop of talented prospects have performed after watching and evaluating the four two-plus hour practice sessions, which started on Monday afternoon and commenced at roughly 5pm on Thursday.

QUARTERBACK:
Auburn's JASON CAMPBELL (South) -- showed impressive arm strength and zipped many of passes into the waiting arms of his intended targets… good mobility for a 228-pound signal caller… lacked great definition, including in his arms… also carries a bit of a small gut… struggles some when rolling out to his left… can be a little heavy-footed when running the ball, but his size should allow him to gain short yardage when necessary… has a bit of a long release… some might look to alter some of his mechanics… carries himself well and his confidence seems to be at an all-time high… did well in most of the drills, but still had some trouble making quick decisions or proper reads when performing in the 9-on-7 or team portion of the practices… overall, he's a good, but not great athlete… has the arm strength to make all the necessary throws… little mechanical with his footwork and release… more effective when rolling out to the right… one-year breakout players can make many teams worry about a prospect's true upside potential… would see him as being more of David Garrard (Jaguars) type who has the ability to grow/mature into a borderline starter within 2-or-3 years, but is by no means a finished product at this stage… will start Saturday's game, and likely see action into the middle of the second quarter…

Akron's CHARLIE FRYE (North) -- did some things well athletically… good footwork and agility for his position… his arm strength was not nearly as impressive in person as it was on prior game films… mechanics are a tad flawed… little bit of a long release at times… was holding onto the ball too long… and then showed just average velocity on some of his intermediate to longer passes… must learn to step into his throws more, as he was throwing off his back foot or only ¾ follow through… locked onto his primary target on a few occasions, including one pass that was picked off and two others that were incomplete… his head coach Norv Turner was quick to be vocal and get in his ear about that… was not nearly as consistent as he needed to be this week to help improve his final grade… comes off as being very coachable and a team leader on the field, but maybe not as mature as you would desire at times off the field… has the smallest hands (8 5/8") of the six signal callers in attendance… despite weighing in at 222 pounds he has a smaller lower body…

Purdue's KYLE ORTON (North) -- threw the ball well during the early stages of the week… especially during individual, 7-on-7 and even 9-on-7 drills… was inconsistent with his throws during team drills… also had trouble with fumbling/dropping the center exchange and with his footwork when dropping back from under center… has gotten into a good rhythm on occasion at both the East-West Shrine game and down here in Mobile… but can also look downright streaky too often… needs to get the ball out of his hand quicker… and improve his accuracy when under pressure… still having some trouble to adjusting to reading the whole field when dropping back rather than taking the snap direct from the shotgun formation… holds the ball a little lower when dropping back, as he is more comfortable receiving the ball out of the shotgun formation… shows good touch on some of his deeper throws… but only average footwork when trying to avoid pass rushers or moving out of the pocket… there were occasions this year where he looked to be a sure-fire mid-to-late first round choice, but has honestly played like more of a developmental 4-5th rounder, since the mid-way portion of his senior campaign… states 100% that there were no medical or injury issues that caused his decline, which almost worries me more in terms of his mental preparation and ability to handle stressful situations in the pros…

Connecticut's DAN ORLOVSKY (North) -- seemed a little overwhelmed and nervous the first few days… seemed to be holding the ball too tight, and even mentioned something about the slickness of throwing the new balls… was spraying the ball around the field during most of the practices… made a few good throws to the post… but his overall velocity was lacking… which made a number of his throws flutter or even drop in front of his intended receiver… has a long, drawn out release, which will need to be shortened or he will have too many passes batted down at the line of scrimmage… average footwork, as he more of a classic pocket passer… needs to step into his passes on a more consistent basis, as when he did that his passes showed better velocity and accuracy… did better in team drills (11-on-11) than in earlier action… might be more of a "Game Day" guy than practice player…

Georgia's DAVID GREENE (South) -- the could be the most experienced signal caller of this group… never seems to be overwhelmed by any portion of these type of events, having seen him at the SEC Championship and big-time college contests the past four years… very good intelligence, intangibles and can gain the confidence of his teammates in the huddle quickly… many of his former skill position teammates were known to be talkative types, but all have said they totally respected Greene and keyed in on his words/presence… showed only average arm strength on most of his throws… his velocity was diminished when he was called upon to attempt deeper throws, especially his out routes, as several turnovers were created by his fluttered throws… his overall accuracy has been streaky at best … while his overall athleticism would potentially put him near the bottom of this group… not well-defined in any one area… looks to have very average upper body strength… likely to see action late in the first half and all/most of the third quarter of Saturday's game… see him more as a future steady #2 than potential "Franchise" quarterback…

Miami's BROCK BERLIN (South) -- has some trouble getting the ball into small windows and with the overall velocity of his intermediate-to-deep throws… works best from the shotgun formation… does not make quick enough reads when dropping back from under center… will float a few of his pass attempts, which can allow for turnovers… average sized… has only mediocre athleticism, which keeps him from creating too many big plays out of the pocket… shows some toughness and intangibles in terms of bouncing back from a number of big hits and streaky play, while in college… likely to see action late in the third or possibly the whole fourth quarter in Saturday's game… smaller build in the chest and upper body… would do well for himself to bulk up over time… type of guy that could work his way into being a future #2, but right now is more of a #3 guy who would need time to develop in a new system and likely spend a season overseas in NFL Europe…

BACKFIELD:
Auburn's CARNELL "CADILLAC" WILLIAMS (South) -- impressed most teams by actually accepting an invite to play in this year's game, as several other highly-touted running backs passed on the event in order to concentrate on training for the Combine… shows an excellent burst of second-gear speed in the open field… his ability to create plays out of the backfield, as a receiver have set him apart from his counterparts this week… was a little smaller than advertised, weighing in at 5101, 206 pounds… would probably be wise to bulk up to the 212-215 pound range between now and the combine… versatility has also clearly been a forte of his, since he can line up in the backfield, motion out to receiver and is also set to return kicks and punts in Saturday's game… very elusive moves in the open field… tends to take very few big shots… avoids contact and plays with very good forward lean for his size… might like to see some more power to his game… gives a good effort, as a blocker, as well… Tampa Bay's staff has seemingly paid special attention to him throughout the week…

West Virginia's KAY-JAY HARRIS (South) -- has really helped himself in several areas this week… good-looking physique; weighed in at 5116, 232 pounds, and also had second largest hands (10 1/8") of the ten backs in attendance… better-than-advertised hands… has run with very good straight-line speed and power, having run over a defender on one occasion and taken a few handoffs the distance during 9-on-7 drills… still runs a little too upright… leaves himself open to big hits… does not always play to his size/speed… needs to improve, as a blocker… raw in terms of all-around skills… needs to run with better patience and vision… little older prospect (25-26), as he played minor league baseball before heading to college… his overall durability along with some character questions still remain, although he was very cordial and well-mannered when I asked him to answer a few questions after two practices…

Citadel's NEHEMIAH BROUGHTON (South) -- More of a combo-type back, as he has received reps at both running back and fullback… might be most comfortable in a one-back set, but showed improved blocking skills this week, as both a lead blocker and in pass protection… like him as more of a on-the-move blocker than straight ahead guy, but at nearly 250 pounds (249) he should be able to improve with continued repetition… liked the small area burst he showed once getting past the line of scrimmage, but want to see his long-range speed against a higher level of competition… says he will break 4.5 range in the 40 at the Combine… college coaching staff said he had very good work ethic, while coming back from a knee injury two years ago… very stoutly built, not carrying too many bad pounds… the fact that he showed better hands than previously thought probably would be the top factor in his improved grade coming out of this week… will likely be tried at both positions, but could provide similar results to Jesse Chatman (Chargers) thanks to his thick frame and strong lower body…

Tennessee's CEDRIC HOUSTON (South) -- should have been able to make more of an impression on scouts/coaches this week… created a few good moments for himself with some cutback runs… been a little slow to hit the hole at times… has not shown a second gear of speed in the open field… has also put the ball on ground, and dropped a few passes out of the backfield… but did turn in an impressive one-handed catch on Thursday, although it was done in shorts and no pads… made a few plays, as a blocker during individual and team drills… pretty well-defined upper body, but not overly impressive in any one area… was likely a borderline first day prospect, especially after the addition of several underclassmen backs, so his average showing could cost him to slide into the late 3rd or 4th round…

California's J.J. ARRINGTON (North) -- Came into this game with a lot to prove, since he skipped the East-West Shrine game and hoped to solidify himself, as a possible day one selection with his play during this week's practices… was smaller than advertised, as he weighed in at 5083, 206 pounds… also had the second smallest hands (8 ½") of the ten backs in attendance… small in the chest and did not have great overall definition… has not showed the explosiveness or elusiveness that allowed him to lead the Pac-10 in rushing, as a senior… good hands, but some concern on whether his size could keep him from being too much of an asset in several categories, including blocking and special teams… does not have great experience on special teams, as a return man… which is an area he would have to prove valuable in order to improve his final grade… seemed to be faster on game film than in person… but I also think that he is a better "Game Day" guy than practice player…

UCLA's MANUEL WHITE (North) -- impressive size/build; weighed in at 6015, 242 pounds… well-developed, long arms (34 1/8") and the biggest hands (10 ¼") of the ten backs in attendance… more of a one-back type build… as he is more of a defined athlete than thickly built guy… little stiff in some drills… more of an upright runner… has some ability to make plays, as a pass catcher… gets too tall, as a blocker, needs to learn to breakdown and get more power in his blocking… attempted to make a few downfield blocks, but was easily shed by the opposing defender… does not show great upper body strength or balance when it comes to being a lead blocker… let defenders slip off of his initial contact too easily… shows some good quickness for his size, but not the type of power desired to gain consistent yardage between the tackles… will need to show more power and keep his pad level lower to be considered a short-yardage or red-zone contributor… over time he could develop into more of a Robert Holcombe (Titans) type…

Northwestern's NOAH HERRON (North) -- late addition to the roster has done a decent job in several areas… has shown good hands out of the backfield… willing blocker, although he does not seem to have the on-field strength currently for that to be a true asset of his… runs with good vision… had a few good cutback runs this week… but seems to lack true breakaway speed… shows good determination and work ethic in all of the drills… type of guy that should become a solid role player and special teams guy with the chance to contribute if called upon during the course of the season… sort of like a Marcel Shipp (Cardinals)… did not standout physically during the weigh-in… had to receive some extra stretching to his right leg, which seemed to be some tightening of his hamstring…

Kansas State's DARREN SPROLES (North) -- awkward moment for him, as one of the lead scouts at the official weigh-in had posted height chart, starting at 5'7"… after a few extra moments his actual weigh-in numbers were recorded as 5056, 185 pounds… has a good build for a diminutive back… pound-for-pound was one of the strongest guys on his college team… as quick/elusive as any available skill position player… can stop/change direction on a time without losing any speed… shows an extra gear of speed in the open field… being tried, as a return man on special teams… was able to hit the corner and accelerate up field on several occasions… took a vicious open field hit after one catch, but held onto the ball and bounced right back up… will never be a strong contributor, as a blocker… some teams wonder if he can be a valuable asset, as a receiver due to his lack of height… it can create a problem in terms of most quarterbacks being 6'2" to 6'5", so they will have to adjust their throws to a shorter target… will work best, as an all-purpose back, draw plays could create opportunities for him to gain big yardage, as he is so hard to find once he gets past the line of scrimmage… not as thickly built as Quentin Griffin (Broncos), but just as quick and elusive…

Washington's ZACH TUIASOSOPO (North) -- coming off a broken right leg that he suffered against Notre Dame during his senior campaign… started his career at linebacker before converting to fullback… made a few sharp blocks during Wednesday's practice, once he finally got fitted with his own helmet… bit of a straight/stiff athlete… good upper body strength… will block with power and aggressiveness… but can lose focus and release his blocks too quickly… decent hands out of the backfield… not a great threat in terms of running skills… will break through at times in short yardage situations… but needs to run with better balance and forward lean… can be taken off his feet too easily… named team captain this past season after returning from an off-field alcohol-related incident that has him currently completing a 12-month probation sentence…

Texas' WILL MATTHEWS (South) -- coming off a solid showing at the East-West Shrine game… sturdy built 250-pound blocker… physique is not overly developed in any one area… more of a traditional fullback; lead blocker type… but has also shown better-than-advertised hands out of the backfield… not much of a threat as a runner… tough to bring down in short yardage situations, but runs too upright and needs to lower his pads and run with better body lean… can be an aggressive kid on the field… but a little odd to gauge in some off-field conversations…

WIDE RECEIVER:
Oklahoma's MARK CLAYTON (North) -- was clearly the best pure route runner and most refined wide receiver in attendance at this year's game… shows superior quickness… gets in-and-out of his cuts very fast… smart, instinctive football player… knows how to setup defenders… made several double-moves that allowed him to get open… shows excellent acceleration and separation, while the ball is in the air… good leaper for his size… catches the ball with his hands… can start and stop on a dime after the catch… makes defenders miss in the open field, but is also stronger than you would expect and breaks tackles… weighed in at 5096, 187 pounds… very well defined athlete… strong for his size, would seem to have the ability to carry 192-195 pounds without sacrificing any of his speed/quickness… type of high character, smart, well-experienced skill position player that could step in and contribute right away next season… would currently earn a mid-to-late first round grade based on his career, which also might provide him the chance to play for a winning team… excellent prospect to team with a bigger, physical, possession type receiver… can also double, as a solid return man…

Northern Colorado's VINCENT JACKSON (North) -- stood out initially at the weigh-in, as he was 6043, 238 pounds… well-developed upper body… had the look to excite after the eye-ball test… showed impressive acceleration while the ball was in the air… showed deceptive speed on several vertical routes… would have had posted one of the plays of the week during Tuesday's practice, as he glided past a pair of defenders only to drop what would have been a long touchdown catch… dropped a total of 4-5 very catchable balls during the practices… needs to work better on keeping focus and concentration… little slow out of his cuts at times… will not be able to get away with some of things he did against I-AA defenders the past few years… catches a few balls close to his body… long arms and strong upper body will allow him to continue making strides, as a blocker… has the body type to create mismatches if he fine tunes his game… but do not think he would accept a move inside to H-Back or motion tight end with open arms… has a wide receivers mentality despite his above-average size… there is a fine line between being the next "Big, physical wide receiver" and becoming a perennial tease like Mikhael Ricks…

Georgia's REGGIE BROWN (South) -- was very impressive throughout the week… caught the ball in traffic… showed better consistency with both his hands and route running skills for the duration of these practice sessions than he did during most of his senior campaign… had good strength, as a blocker… was able to get off the line against most defenders… had better acceleration and burst while the ball was in the air than previously seen… strong runner after the catch, but still need to see if he can be a vertical threat… the one drawback to his superb week was that the South defensive coaches were using a lot of soft zone coverage, which really did not play to the strengths of some of the team's cornerbacks… would have liked to see them attempt to jam/press more often, as it would have given a better read on the receivers, as well… gave a strong effort each day… well-defined chest, thinner arms, but showed some definition… has the ability to develop into a solid #2 type receiver…

UAB's RODDY WHITE (South) -- was having a superb first few days in Mobile before pulling up with a strained hamstring… decided to return to his pre-combine training site to start rehabbing rather than stay on-site for the rest of the week… showed even better-than-advertised straight-line speed… rolled past several top-rated defenders during individual and team drills… still rounds off some of his routes… and does not explode out of his cuts at times… gives a good effort, as a down field blocker, but could be very good in that area if he so desires… solidly built kid that could eventually carry 210-215 pounds without sacrificing any of his current speed… can get caught up with defenders at the line of scrimmage… needs to use his hands more to get off the jam… struggled at times against inferior defenders, but usually played up to the caliber of his opponents… can also provide an added dimension because he has impressive arm strength if asked to throw a pass off of a reverse… little rough around the edges, both on and off the field… emotional kid that can draw some flags, but also get into the mind of an opposing cornerback… plays best when he is under control, as he gets overly excited or temperamental at times… can come across the wrong way to some folks… likes to talk and brags a little too hard for some people's liking… not a really bad kid, but someone that seems overly influenced by the hype of this whole process…

Purdue's TAYLOR STUBBLEFIELD (North) -- has made all of the catches throughout both this week and his previous stop at the East-West Shrine game… really has benefited from playing with his college quarterback, Kyle Orton, at both contests… smallish frame, but catches everything with his hands… makes some quick/elusive moves after the catch… more quick than fast, overall… but gets himself into good position to make plays, and has a nose for the first down marker… very good body control… knows how to setup defenders… and runs very refined routes, which allows him to get open against tight coverage or faster foes… would almost have liked to have seen him play on the opposite roster of Orton, as he tends to be the primary focus when both players are on the field… plus, you would like to see him catching passes from a great variety of angles/arm strengths… none-the-less he cannot be overlooked, as he could find himself being a clutch third-down/slot receiver type in the league… although his 5110, 172-pound frame and below average hand size (7 ¾") could effect the high-end of his market value…

Oklahoma's BRANDON JONES (North) -- came into this week with a lot of focus projected for other wide receivers, including his fellow college teammate, Mark Clayton… while that has still been the case he has made strides in the areas necessary to improve his final grade, as well… was a bit smaller in terms of overall size than most expected; weighed in at 6007, 207 pounds, but had very big hands (10 1/8")… has not made any highlight reel plays… but has showed impressive straight-line speed… good leaping ability… made the most of his chances in both individual and team drills, catching the ball with good precision… and also proving that his route running ability has improved to the point where he could be considered more than just a vertical threat… likely has positioned himself as more of a mid-round than later round draft choice thanks to his progress…

Arkansas' MATT JONES (South) -- former quarterback who is an outstanding all-around athlete… may be tried out as a jack-of-all-trades… lined up primarily at wide receiver during the practice sessions… some teams have said they would also like to see him run some routes inside, as a H-Back or motion tight end… since he weighed in at 6057, 242 pounds… solid in his shoulders, but not overly defined… was able to get off the line against top-notch defenders… showed some good acceleration, while the ball was in the air… made several impressive catches, one being a vertical route that he caught between two defenders… little mechanical in his routes… obviously still rounds off some routes and gives a defender too much room to make a play on the ball… an impressive portion of his versatility is that he dropped back to return a few kickoffs and stepped in, as the team's deep snapper for most of the Thursday afternoon practice… little bit a of a different kind of guy… can look like he is loafing or not paying full attention at times… might like to see less of a laid back attitude, especially for a guy that would be changing positions or learning multiple spots at the pro level… big enough frame to contribute in several ways on special teams… has rare speed and athleticism for his size, which gives him intriguing potential… Tampa Bay's offensive quality control coach Kyle Shanahan has spent time getting him extra reps and explaining the nuances of his new position throughout the week…

Indiana's COURTNEY ROBY (North) -- impresses because he was the "Go-To" guy on a team that lacked many other offensive weapons… still he managed to post impressive numbers over the past two seasons… road both the high-and-low wave of success this past week… had some difficulty hanging onto the ball in early practices… but then seemed to grow more confident… caught the ball with his hands… showed some good separation… and the ability to make plays after the catch with his straight-line speed… many expect him to run in the 4.4 range in the 40, although he does not seem to play to that speed on the field at all times… displays better toughness than most 185-pound receivers… not afraid to go up for tough catches in the middle of the field… made several of those type of grabs during the middle two practices… would also like to see him tried on kickoff returns, as he has good vertical speed… still catches a few too many balls close to his pads…

Georgia's FRED GIBSON (South) -- his slim build was noticeable during the weigh-in, as he as 6035, 194 pounds… has a very thin lower body and not very defined in his arms… excellent leaper who prefers to do most/all of his damage on the outside, as he has seemed to shy away from contact or attacking the middle of the field… likes to run fade, corner and out routes… can create some space with a good, but not great burst of speed, while the ball is in the air… has long arms… but could be challenged off the line by strong defenders… can also get knocked off his routes at times… does not offer great strength or balance, as a downfield blocker… little bit of a long strider at times… not as good on reverses, as his 40-time would indicate… also had some durability issues, while in college… made a few nice moves during the practices, which allowed him to get open and make plays… easily beat both Corey Webster (LSU) and Nick Collins (Bethune-Cookman) with double moves… and also shook off several other defenders when they lined square up on him in man coverage… has the body-type to mature into a 205-212 pound receiver… but will never reach his full potential until he decides to get more physical…

UCLA's CRAIG BRAGG (North) -- performed decently during the week… showed good elusiveness after the catch … adjusted well to the ball, as he made several catches on balls that were thrown low or inaccurately… did not show great acceleration… he's a better player than what he showed this week, which was just poor timing on his part to give a mediocre showing at an even that had so many good-to-above average receivers… has the ability to bounce back at the Combine by running early-to-mid 4.4's in the 40 at 200 pounds; was 194 pounds here in Mobile… going to get drafted later than some of the other receivers in this group, but has the ability to become a very solid pro, boarding on being a quality #2 to #3 type guy… felt that this was the guy that could have emulated the type of week had by fellow Pac-10 receiver Keary Colbert (Panthers) last season, but Bragg came up short in too many areas…

Florida State's CRAPHONSO THORPE (South) -- struggled too often this week to earn a high round grade… dropped too many catchable passes… seemed to slow up on a few that were overthrown rather than go all-out on the play… has a similar body-type to Georgia's Fred Gibson… and also plays a similar style of finesse receiver… prefers to make plays on the outside; fade, corner and out routes… can get knocked off his routes… struggles against press coverage… will tend to lend an eye towards the middle of the field when the ball is in the air… will occasionally brace himself for contact before or while also attempting to make the catch… very good leaping ability… more of a straight-line speed guy… does not show a lot of refined skill level in terms of his routes… leaves too much room for defenders to make plays… will lose focus/concentration at times… type of guy that will turn outside/inside when the quarterback is expecting the opposite, wondering why they are not on the same page… will fit best on a team that uses multiple receiver (4-5 WR's) sets, so that he can be eased into the lineup… athleticism gives him some upside, but more of a 3-4th round choice instead of a top-two round guy…

Tulane's ROYDELL WILLIAMS (South) -- had been eyeing a possible invite to the Senior Bowl for most of the past two years… smooth-looking pass catcher that lacks the straight-line speed to overly impress most scouts… but can make up for it at times thanks to his route running and attention to details… does a good job of setting up defenders with his routes… beat both LSU defenders during the course of 9-on-7 and team drills… shows some acceleration while the ball is in the air… but needs to get stronger in order to fight his way off the line of scrimmage… durability is a question, as he had a major ankle injury in college… but was also ultra-productive on an offense that featured very little in terms of other playmakers this past season… more of a #3-#4 wide receiver in the NFL… weighed in at 6025, 188 pounds with 30 5/8" arms and 8 7/8" hands, according to one game official, since it was recorded upon his late arrival to Mobile… will wear jersey #3 in the game…

Clemson's AIRESE CURRIE (South) -- speedster who was added to replace injured UAB receiver Roddy White… two-sport performer throughout his college career… still considered by most to be more of a track guy than all-around football player… little tougher than you would expect for a track athlete… but clearly enters most draft boards with defined roles; vertical threat and return specialist… needs to prove he is durable enough to provide big plays in both of those areas… quick in the open field… shows an exciting extra burst once the ball is in his hands… weighed in at 5102, 186 pounds with 31 ½" arms and 7 ½" hands, according to one game official, since it was recorded upon his late arrival to Mobile… will see action in Saturday's game, but has not learned much of the offensive plays and was a reserve return man in Thursday's practice… will were jersey #20 in the game…

Texas A&M's TERRENCE MURPHY (South) -- one of the fastest exits in recent Senior Bowl memory… came through the weigh-in at 6004, 194 pounds… pulled out because of a possible groin strain, but many team representatives felt that it came after the coxing of his agent… was replaced by Tulane's Roydell Williams… he has posted eye-opening marks in both the 40-yard dash and vertical jump in the past, so having two healthy legs in time for the Combine will either make or break his final draft grade… a big week in Mobile would have likely allowed him to carry a late first round grade into next month's Combine…

TIGHT END:
Stanford's ALEX SMITH (North) -- came into this week's game as the premier senior tight end… has an excellent frame for the position… impressive physique in the weigh-in, as he has an athletic build (257 pounds) and long arms… has struggled some to get off the line… little slow at times out of his routes… not overly explosive in terms of straight-line speed… but knows how to find the opening in an opposing defense… average blocker at the point of attack… does not cause much disturbance off the snap… can hold his man at bay, but just an average finisher in most cases… good athlete, but he lacks an extra gear of speed to become a true downfield threat at the next level… should be very competent, as a short-to-intermediate pass catcher though… smart kid that may need to step up his level of intensity… looked like he was sort of going through the motions during certain portions of the week… felt like he could have made a real jump into a position in the latter portion of the first round… but really looks to be more of a second-to-third round choice in terms of overall ability…

Colorado State's JOEL DREESSEN (North) -- good-looking pass catcher… provides a big target in the middle of the field… catches most passes with his hands, although I shook his hand after one practice and they were smaller than the other three tight ends in attendance… withstood the hardest hit of the practice week, as he came down with a 25-35 yard reception down the middle of the field, while getting stung by UNLV strong safety Jamaal Brimmer… he bounced back up and headed back to the huddle with nothing to say and stayed in rotation for the rest of Wednesday's practice… blue-collar type kid that plays with good, but not great strength, as a blocker… could improve, as an in-line blocker… better as an on-the-move blocker… has the body type to get stronger, and plays faster than what he will time in the 40... will fit best on a team that likes to use a lot of multiple tight end sets… was also his team's primary deep snapper on both kicks and punts… should become a productive contributor in the mold of a Jay Riemersma (Steelers)…

USC's ALEX HOLMES (South) -- caught the ball very well throughout the week… can adjust to poorly thrown balls… decent quickness for his size, but lacks ideal speed to become too much of a pass catching threat in the pros… should be adequate in the short-to-intermediate game… good safety valve type receiver… catches the ball with his hands… gives his quarterback a big target, although he lacks ideal height for the position… weighed in at 6013, 267 pounds… might be best served if he dropped his playing weight down to the 255-262 pound range… not well-defined in any one area… fights for extra yardage after contact… but just a good, not great, all-around athlete… like his effort, as a blocker… and he could get better, as he can get underneath a defenders pad and play with better leverage/balance than he has to date… more of a role player type for the next level… should develop into a steady #2 tight end/H-Back… also took some reps, as the team's deep snapper… will not post overly impressive workout results… and had a serious knee injury earlier in his college career…

TCU's CODY MCCARTY (South) -- workout warrior-type that posted impressive all-around numbers for his coaching staff this past summer… although it does not always translate into production for him on the field… his weight room strength really does not carry over in terms of his in-line blocking skills… got pushed back into the backfield and even turned if not actually thrown aside on a few plays by opposing defenders… little slow off the snap in terms of getting into his routes… has some upside as a pass catcher… did not have a great upper body, but was rather well-defined in most other areas… more of a work-in-progress type of guy whose final grade could vary greatly from one team to the next…

OFFENSIVE LINE:
Virginia's ELTON BROWN (South) -- showed up in time to get in a good meal (breakfast) before weighing in at 6043, 331 pounds… big chest, but not very well defined… decided to pull out of participating in the rest of the week's events between 11:30am and 2:00pm when the team's headed out to Monday's first practice session… team doctors said his official medical reason for not playing was because he was still recovering from a sprained MCL… but many team representatives felt that it came after the coxing of his agent… would have likely played most of his downs at right guard this week, although there was some talk/speculation that a few teams wanted to see him positioned out at tackle, as well… did not make any new friends by backing out of the practices/game at the last minute… had suffered a badly bruised left knee earlier this season against Florida State, which was later diagnosed as a sprained MCL… some think he is being bothered by tendonitis in that same knee…

Washington's KHALIF BARNES (North) -- had an impressive overall body type during the weigh-in, as he was 6051, 304 pounds… big, upper body with an athletic, power-forward like lower body and legs… moves well for his size… was able to get out and keep quicker, smaller pass rushers at bay… flashed the kind of aggressiveness and tenacity that team's crave out of a lineman… rotated between both tackle positions… had several good face-offs with Iowa defensive end Matt Roth, while stationed at right tackle… did not have much trouble shutting down most of the other ends on North squad, although he was beat to the outside on one occasion by Cincinnati's undersized defensive end/linebacker Trent Cole… has room to mature into a 320-pound standout, as he possesses the footwork to fortify a team's left tackle issue, but could also play on the right side for a few years if necessary… needs to keep his fire lit at all times in order to get the most out of his ability… might have come into this week, as more of a 2-3rd round grade, but his pure size and results from the practices could have moved him up into the 20-32 pick range come draft day…

Fresno State's LOGAN MANKINS (South) -- player who started to gain a lot of notice out at the East-West Shrine game… weighed in at 6039, 297 pounds… has long arms (33 ¾") and enormous hands (11 1/8") that nearly engulfed mine during a handshake after one of the practices… has broad shoulders, but could use better definition in his chest and arms… might not look the part, but he is actually a much better athlete than advertised… average body type guy that can really move once he gets on the field… shows some nastiness to his game… good lateral movement skills, which he pairs with very good strength… his movement skills are what have seemed to catch the eye of most line coaches that have seen him practice over these two games… was able to slide out and keep his body in front of a pretty stellar group of South squad defensive tackles… lined up primarily at left guard this week, although some have mentioned that they feel he has the footwork to slide out to tackle, which is a position he has some prior experience at… should be able to work his way into the Top-5 offensive guards with some added versatility for certain teams that feel he could also play some tackle if necessary…

Miami's CHRIS MYERS (South) -- versatile performer that is capable of seeing action at center or offensive guard, although he seemed very comfortable in the middle… might not have been the biggest lineman in attendance, having weighed in at 6036, 290 pounds… but he makes very good use of his hands… was able to standup and keep his body in front of most defenders on a regular basis… did a nice job against 345-pound defensive tackle Anthony Bryant of Alabama on several occasions… makes a quick transition from exchange to contact… showed impressive upper body strength… decent movement skills… and played with better explosion off the ball than seen in prior game films… caused problems for most of the defensive linemen he faced this week… a good, but not great athlete… good arms, but does not have good definition in his chest or stomach… will also be the team's deep snapper for all kicks and punts… actually gets downfield pretty well for a 290-pound snapper too… likely helped to move himself into the 4-5th round range…

Alabama's EVAN MATHIS (South) -- continues to impress… came on strong after seeing his first extensive playing time, as a senior… had previously spent time, as a role player, backing up at several positions… has the ability to be an excellent swingman early in his career; capable of playing anywhere along the line… lined up mostly at left guard this week… his footwork is actually better than what had previously been shown on film… plays with good balance and leverage… makes good use of his hands… shows some power coming off the ball… but could get stronger in that area… came in at 6046, 298 pounds, but could still do some work with his body type in order to increase his overall play strength… has a broad chest, but needs more definition in his arms… little bit better looking athlete than expected… can get out of the blocks and do some things on the move… plays with good energy… seems like the type of guy that is getting better with each snap and still has some room to grow… said that he does not have any prior experience, as a deep snapper… but could easily make the adjustment inside to center if asked… will fit best in a zone blocking scheme…

Syracuse's ADAM TERRY (North) -- likely came into the week, as the highest rated offensive tackle (if not offensive lineman) in this year's game… tremendous natural size; weighed in at 6075, 324 pounds, which was about 12-15 pounds heavier than he was previously listed (308-312)… still needs a lot of work to develop his upper body strength… which is probably the weak point to his game at the moment… his footwork and athleticism during his positional drills sets him apart… shows very good quickness and balance for his size… has the ability to slide out and meet most pass rushers… will overextend at times, but can normally keep his feet moving and not get caught back on his heels… very hard to get past if he initiates the contact… did that on a regular basis during most of the past two seasons… but was not as aggressive, as I would have desired… did flash it a few times on some run blocks; moved Oregon State's Bill Swancutt out of the way, but struggled against Arizona State's Jimmy Verdon… got banged up, but the medical staff said it was a combination of getting the wind knocked out of him and being hit right under his rib pad… says that he feels more comfortable in a zone blocking scheme…

Southern Mississippi's JEREMY PARQUET (South) -- had an impressive wingspan, while viewing him at the weigh-in, as he was 6062, 318 pounds… lined up at right tackle, and also some at right guard… when he is able to stay low off the snap, extend his arms and make initial contact he's tough to beat… struggles at times against quicker pass rushers… they tend to get him off balance, and he does not always keep his feet underneath him… needs to get stronger at the point of attack… fell off a few of his blocks too early… does not always show the desired aggressiveness/tenacity, as he is only an average finisher… has had some issues with his level of consistency in college… a few teammates said that he tended to ride a bit of an emotional wave, as he could get down on himself too easily in games… has a bit too much of gut, but also needs more upper body definition… if there is an early run on offensive tackles he could go, as high as the third round…

Michigan's DAVID BAAS (North) -- was moved over to center from offensive guard, as a senior… lined up at both center and left guard… struggled some with the center/quarterback exchange when Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton was under center, especially on Wednesday… looked to be more of Orton backing out too quick… has well-built upper body and big hands (10 5/8")… can be a little stiff and mechanical, but he plays with very good technique and gives a solid effort on most downs… smart, experienced lineman… picks things up quickly… can make all the line calls if given that responsibility… makes good use of his hands when stationed at guard… did better against the stouter defensive linemen, but struggled at times against Iowa's Jonathan Babineaux and California's Lorenzo Alexander… shows good explosiveness with his initial punch… has decent short area quickness… but that is not his forte… will be more of a mauler type… gives a good effort, as a downfield blocker, but does his best doing battle at the line of scrimmage… type of guy that has already reached the pinnacle of his upside potential, but should become a very steady pro with the versatility to contribute at either center or guard…

Mississippi's MARCUS JOHNSON (South) -- has a long-framed upper body, as he weighed in at 6057, 313 pounds… also had the longest arms (35") of any offensive lineman on the South squad… will play a tad too high at times… exposing himself to defenders… much better when he is the aggressor… got caught flat footed in some of the 1-on-1 matchups… when he gets off the ball quick, extends his arms and creates the initial contact he can stay in front of most defenders in pass protection… needs to play with better knee bend… does not always play with great leverage… allows defenders to get under his pads… but can overpower others right off the snap, although I would like to see him be more of a powerful finisher… shows some explosiveness/power with his initial punch, but does not always play up to his ability… saw most of his time at right guard this week, but would have preferred to receive more reps at right tackle if given the opportunity… might end up being a better tackle than guard unless he learns to keep his pad level down, since he has long arms and decent footwork for his size…

Florida State's RAY WILLIS (South) -- early replacement for Virginia's Elton Brown… had the chance to line up mostly at left tackle… but primarily has played on the right side during his college career… looks better as a run blocker… got himself in good position, and anchored his side of the line on most 1-on-1 matchups… struggles to re-direct quicker pass rushers, but can be solid when he keeps his feet moving… only an average athlete… gives a good effort, as a downfield blocker… once he locks onto most defenders he is tough to get past… smart, high character kid… steady, but not an overly powerful finisher… gives the same kind of consistent effort week in and week out… was overshadowed by All-American offensive tackle Alex Barron the past few years… could help improve his final grade if he plays well on the left side in Saturday's game… but will play right tackle in the league… said he was 6056 and 331 pounds with 33 ¼" arms and 10 1/8" hands at his weigh-in, as he did not arrive in time to get his official numbers recorded with the rest of the roster… will wear jersey #61 in the game…

Mississippi State's DAVID STEWART (South) -- not a flashy guy… but knows how to get the most out of his ability… lined up at both right tackle and right guard… shows good strength, as a run blocker… makes good use of his hands… can be a bit slow to react off the ball at times… tough to beat once he gets locked onto an opponent… plays with good leverage, but is only an average all-around athlete… struggled some to stay in front of quick pass rushers… faired better against LSU's Marcus Spears than most of the other South blockers… country boy who is not high maintenance off the field… had a small gut and not a well-defined upper body… he's probably at the top of his game in terms of upside potential… but also the type of guy that will be a steady performer… and could develop into a better-than-average right tackle…

Alabama's WESLEY BRITT (South) -- suffered a hairline fracture in his right fibula during Wednesday morning's practice, which will require up to four-to-six weeks of recovery time, which might put him working out at the Combine in real jeopardy… he also missed the last four games of the 2003 season due to a compound fracture of his left leg, which required them inserting a rod in order to stabilize it… did some good things at times in the first two practices, but was not overwhelming… lacks ideal upper body strength… and showed just average footwork in most drills… was anchored too much to the ground on too many of the 1-on-1 matchups… needs to get off the ball faster, initiate contact and extend his arms… that is when he looks his best… could improve his upper body strength by adding some bulk, currently stands 6075, 309 pounds, so he could easily carry 320-325 pounds… has broad shoulders, a bit of a gut and not really well defined… lined up primarily at left tackle, but also some at right guard…

Eastern Washington's MICHAEL ROOS (North) -- making his second appearance in an all-star game after playing in the East-West Shrine game… long-framed blocker, as he weighed in at 6063, 312 pounds… lacked great definition in his arms or chest… also has smaller arms (32 ¼") than most linemen who are his size… does not show great explosiveness at the point of attack… got a little too tall of the snap at times… has the ability to re-direct quicker pass rushers when he keeps his feet moving… but also got caught flat footed too often in 1-on-1 matchups… needs to continue improving upon his overall field strength… got by against Division I-AA foes thanks to his natural size and decent technique… but now that he is facing better athletes and a faster paced game it seemed to catch up with him… more of a developmental type prospect… would need a year or two before he could challenge for a starting job in the league… lined up primarily at right tackle… I don't like him inside at guard, as he does not stay low enough off the snap and does not play with enough of a nasty streak… smart kid that seems coachable, which are two items that will work in his favor…

North Carolina's JASON BROWN (South) -- lined up solely at center… was smaller than advertised, as he weighed in at 6021, 306 pounds… many had thought he would be around the 320-pound range… but he still looked soft around the middle, but has a big upper body… got soundly beaten off the snap on several occasions… looked sluggish at times going from snap to contact… Alabama's Anthony Bryant was able to physically dominate him in several 1-on-1 matchups… did not get his footwork going during the first few days of practice.. Was caught flat-footed… got beat off the snap by the quicker defenders and struggled to play with leverage and balance against the stouter interior defenders… known for being a smart, experienced technician… proved to be a limited athlete with only marginal short area quickness… was waiting for him to get pissed or at least play with more intensity… might have just been an off week, but he did not seem to be, as strong as in past evaluations… might have tried to lose weight to impress scouts, but it also sapped some of his strength… needs to bounce back with a good effort in the game…

Wisconsin's JONATHAN CLINKSCALE (North) -- tad undersized; weighed in at 6017, 316 pounds… but has longer arms than some of the other linemen that were two inches taller… can be a physical guy in the trenches… decent movement skills… shows some short area quickness… like him best on the move, as he can get out on pulls, traps, screens and downfield on run blocks… got beat to the inside at times this week… had a couple of plays where he was cleanly beaten off the snap, but rebounded well during the next 1-on-1 matchup… has potential to increase his overall strength, especially at the point of attack… like his ability to play with leverage and balance… lined up at right guard, but I would have really liked to see him at center, which is a position that I think he could be destined for given the right circumstances…

Oregon's ADAM SNYDER (North) -- versatile lineman that is capable of playing almost anywhere across the line… measured in at 6043, 313 pounds… not overly developed in any one area… would have the body type to carry 325 pounds without any problem… lined up at left guard for the most part, but could potentially fill-in at right tackle if necessary… more of a small area player… good, but not great upper body strength… plays with some nastiness… will look to finish off his opponent if he gets control of him early… little bit better-than-advertised athlete… can make some blocks on the move… gives a good effort, as a down field blocker, as well… can get caught off balance or with his feet in place against quicker pass rushers… needs to learn to make better use of his hands… does not cause great explosion at the point of attack.. will fall off a few too many blocks… type of guy that really never stands out in any one category, but I have really liked him on game film… and maybe more than others because he played two of his best games when I was in attendance…

Wisconsin's DAN BUENNING (North) -- seemed to struggle with the speed and overall talent of the defensive tackles he was facing this week… reacted slow off the ball… was hardly ever the first one to engage… was caught counter punching too often… and his feet seemed cemented to ground on many of the 1-on-1 matchups… lost convincingly to fellow Badgers teammate Antaaj Hawthorne and Missouri defensive tackle Attiyah Ellison… both defenders were able to get under his pads, drive him back off the ball and out-muscled him for the most part… lined up at right guard, but also switched to the other side at times… probably better in a zone blocking scheme… needs to increase his upper body strength… but needs to get quicker off the ball… type of guy that will get drafted late, but could end up having a steady six-to-eight year career… may never be the best player on his line, but you could win with him if your using the right blocking scheme…

North Carolina A&T's JUNIUS COSTON (North) -- weighed in at 6026, 310 pounds… good-sized upper body, but not well defined in any one area… lined up at center, but played every line position during his college career… better-than-advertised athlete… but still struggled to contend with the faster pace of the game during the first few practices of this week… was driven back off the snap, but really needs to make quick contact with defenders… did not cause much explosion with his initial punch… allowing them to get under his pads… came along during the latter practices… said to be very coachable… better run blocker than pass protector at this point… but still needs to increase his overall upper body strength… could probably stand to add another ten-or-so pounds to help widen out his base, as well… was not terrible in terms of making the transition to facing top-notch Division I-A defenders, but clearly showed that it will take him a few years to develop… decent technician who started over 40 games over the past four years… past experience at positions other than center might help him early in his pro career… plus, he can also short snap…

Vanderbilt's JUSTIN GEISINGER (North) -- Injury replacement for Pittsburgh's Rob Pettiti… weighed in at 6044, 327 pounds with 31 7/8" arms and 9 3/8" hands, according to one game official… lined up at both right tackle and guard; playing mostly tackle because he was an injury replacement… was primarily a tackle in college, but will be shifting to offensive guard, according to most teams, in the NFL… shows good power, as a run blocker… plays with good leverage, but can struggle against quicker defenders… gets a bit tall off the ball at times… had a good week out at the East-West Shrine game, so since he did not get to perform in all of the practices, the actual game on Saturday will be used to judge him more than others… will wear jersey #79 in the game…

Pittsburgh's ROB PETTITI (North) -- weighed in at 6052, 361 pounds, which is nearly 30 pounds heavier than his ideal playing weight… was the most noticeably overweight/unconditioned player in attendance... looked very soft once they got into pads… slow off the snap… has big hands, and could become a very good mauler if he learns how to use them… struggles against quicker pass rushers… was well beaten off the snap on several occasions… played with heavy legs in both the individual and 1-on-1 drills… backed out of the practices after Tuesday, the medical staff said it was a foot injury, but did not give a further evaluation… might as well have been a "Whiplash", since he was getting beat so easily in the early workouts… lined up at right tackle, but his best pro spot will likely be inside at offensive guard, although he played mostly left tackle in college… at least until he gets himself into better shape/conditioning… struggled some with a wrist injury back when he was a freshman… will need to show up at the Combine at full-strength and having shed at least 15-20 pounds…

West Virginia's MICHAEL WATSON (South) -- lined up at both tackle spots, but will likely see more action on the left side because of the injury suffered by Alabama's Wesley Britt… weighed in at 6046, 308 pounds with 31 3/8" arms and 9 ¾" hands, according to one game official… only got to see action in a practice that was done in shorts and helmets, so he did not get to face any live contact… JC transfer that jumped into the spotlight this season, as he was stationed on the left side, showing good athleticism and footwork… still needs to increase his upper body strength… can get caught off balance by defenders with equal or better strength… but I liked his potential and upside… which is why a few more practice sessions really could have helped improve his game… Watson is one of the players where the actual game will count equal or more for him, since he had limited exposure in the practices… will wear jersey #73 in the game…

DEFENSIVE LINE:
LSU's MARCUS SPEARS (South) -- displays very good power and quickness for his size… more athletic than you would figure for a full-sized end… played tight end and defensive end in high school… tipped and intercepted a Jason Campbell (Auburn) pass, which showed off his all-around athleticism… does not have great closing speed, but can get off his man and shows a good variety of pass rush moves… handled most of the right tackles with relative ease in 1-on-1 matchups… manhandled the tight end to his side on several occasions during both 9-on-7 and team drills… makes very good use of his hands… high motor guy who was known to be a team leader… much better when used in an attacking style scheme than when asked to sit back and read… has good football intelligence and instincts, but can become mechanical when he over thinks pre-snap… really good kid to deal with off the field… weighed in at 6033, 302 pounds… big bodied guy, does not have great definition, but he is not fat by any means… has lined up primarily at LDE, but will also see some action inside at tackle…

Iowa's MATT ROTH (North) -- showed the best motor of any defender on the field this week… weighed in at 6031, 263 pounds, but looked like he was 250 pounds… well-built upper body… plays with great intensity and shows a very good nasty streak on the field… whipped most foes off the ball in 1-on-1 drills… does not stay blocked long… makes good use of his hands… uses a variety of pass rush moves… can be pinched by bigger/heavier offensive tackles if they are able to lock onto him off the snap… shows quick reactions… most times he is able to get into a defenders body, push him back and then beat him with his second move… shows very good closing speed… always seems to be around the ball… did as well as anyone during individual drills… works, as if he were an un-drafted free agent trying to prove he belongs… must improve his bull rushing skills… can get stood up at times… has a little trouble getting off the initial block of bigger blockers, but always keeps fighting… has lined up primarily at LDE… several in attendance feel that his long-range potential could fall between Chris Kelsey (Bills) and Grant Wistrom (Seahawks)… likely moved himself into the mid-to-late portion of the first round this week…

USC's MIKE PATTERSON (South) -- weighed in at 5113, 290 pounds, but had 33 ¾" arms and 9 7/8" hands… big arms, robust in the chest and back… also had longer arms than some of the other defensive linemen who were 3-4 inches taller than him… plays with great leverage, strength and quickness off the ball… above-average athlete for his size… shows a non-stop motor and the quickness to create plays, as a pass rusher… willing to fight through double teams… hustles in pursuit… there will be some concern about his lack of ideal size… but if you can get a sturdy built interior defender with long arms it should actually play to his advantage… blockers have a hard time getting underneath his pads… he fires off the ball and keeps his pad level low… and still has the body type to take up two blockers… could probably carry 300-310 pounds without losing any of his quickness… many in attendance felt that he could be a dominating three-technique tackle… has lined up primarily at RDT and NT… there may be interior defenders with better size, strength or physical numbers… but I would put my money on Patterson if he fits into your team's defensive scheme…

USC's SHAUN CODY (South) -- weighed in at 6035, 293 pounds… big shoulders, but needs more definition to his upper body… very good motor… looked better in 1-on-1 drills than in the 9-on-7 or team portion of practice… high effort guy… keeps coming even if he is blocked… did not always get great penetration… showed some quickness and several pass rush moves… but seemed like an easy guy to read for opposing blockers… has good range for his size… can run down the line and make plays… fairly strong at the point of attack, but could be more explosive… got neutralized on a few occasions… does not always play with great leverage or lower body strength… has lined up primarily at LDT/RDT, but may also see some action at LDE… has also been very adept at blocking kicks during his college career… seems fully recovered from a torn ACL in his right knee back in '03... would be best suited for a one-gap style defensive scheme…

Mississippi State's RON FIELDS (South) -- weighed in 6016, 307 pounds… big upper body with decent definition for his size… has long arms for a guy with average height and very big hands (10 ½")… showed better quickness than previously thought… allowed blockers to get into his body and therefore push him off the line, creating an easy cutback lane for the runner, and getting his linebacker caught up in the trash… also struggled some to fight through double teams… has quick, powerful hands, but makes inconsistent use of them… will come off the ball too high at times… leaves himself open to blockers… can create havoc when he is the first to strike and locates the ball… has average instincts… can be a bit slow to locate the ball at times… has lined up primarily at LDT and NT… could be a better player than he has shown to date… especially if he improves his conditioning and plays with more intensity on each down… will never be a great pass rusher, but would be a solid addition to a team that uses a two-gap system and rotates' its interior defenders…

California's LORENZO ALEXANDER (North) -- weighed in at 6014, 290 pounds… good, but not great definition… has a small soft spot in the middle… showed good quickness and strength off the snap… beat most opponents by getting off the ball first… still needs to increase his overall field strength… has only good upper body strength… struggles to get off the initial block of bigger, more physical blockers… moves well laterally… can make some plays in pursuit… got overwhelmed at times on some run plays… needs to use his hands more to shed blocks… was quick enough to defeat a few double teams… showed good consistency in his level of play and overall effort during the week… would probably like him best if stationed next to a "Space Eater" at the next level… has lined up primarily at RDT… does not really standout in any one area, but he makes plays none-the-less… very good motor… will hustle to the whistle on most plays… known for his character and leadership… may not post great workout numbers at the Combine, but could be a very productive #3 defensive tackle in the league with the ability to start when called upon…

Arizona State's JIMMY VERDON (North) -- weighed in at 6026, 274 pounds… has big arms, but is a little soft in the middle… little overly aggressive early in the week… was told to play with more control and composure by the Raiders staff… struggled to get off the initial block and did not create great penetration… rebounded nicely after a rough start and began to show progress in a number of areas… has good, but not great closing speed… can be relentless up the field… versatile enough to be used throughout the line… fights hard and shows some potential, as a pass rusher… but struggled to hold his ground against the run… was turned outside on a few plays, which left a void for the ball carrier… also got put to the ground on a few occasions… like his character and work ethic… seemed to listen and respond to some hard coaching, which is a good sign… may need to bulk back up to the 280-285 pound range in order to progress, as a run stopper… has lined up primarily at LDE and RDE, but may also see some action inside at tackle…

Missouri's ATTIYAH ELLISON (North) -- weighed in at 6035, 305 pounds… has good long arms, but his hands were not as big as some of the other defensive linemen… more than held is own for the most part this week… showed some good quickness off the ball… needs to get stronger, as he was not always able to hold his ground in 1-on-1 matchups… gets good grades in most areas, but does not standout in any one category… lacks ideal instincts… had some trouble finding the ball… is slow to react if he does not win the initial battle off the snap… has to learn how to get off blocks quicker… does not use his hands well enough in that area… could develop into more of a pass rushing threat if he added a better variety of moves… thought to be a fairly coachable guy, but was slow to process some information… and also did not seem to correct certain aspects of his game during individual drills, while being offered coaching from the Raiders staff… has lined up primarily at LDT…

South Carolina's GEORGE GAUSE (South) -- weighed in at 6036, 268 pounds… looks good, pretty defined throughout his body… caused some problems on the outside with his speed and quickness… was able to get off the ball quickly and turn the corner in several 1-on-1 encounters… has lined up primarily at RDE… there were several teams that would liked to see him perform some drills at outside linebacker… has enough athletic ability to drop back into zone coverage… might actually be best served in the pros, as a combination guy; rushing from both a three-point stance or from a standup position… showed better strength at the point of attack… but is still not a fully-developed run stopper… has been a little bit of a tease at time during his college career… and also has some durability issues…

Iowa's JONATHAN BABINEAUX (North) -- weighed in at 6017, 279 pounds… despite his lack of ideal size he is not a short-armed defender… limited growth potential… could probably carry up to 290-295 pounds given the time to increase his weight properly… one of the quicker, more athletic interior defenders available… uses his quickness, relentless motor and technique to defeat most opponents… can struggle against bigger, more physical blockers… but his motor and consistency seem to wear them down over the course of a time… won the majority of his 1-on-1 encounters… very good in pursuit… makes good use of his hands… slaps blockers hands off of him… hard to stay in front of him, as a blocker… stays low and plays with very good leverage/balance… needs to learn how to fight off blockers quicker if faced with stronger opponents…has lined up primarily at LDT… but could also be used on the offensive side of the ball, as a blocking back, emergency tight end/fullback or in a red-zone designed jumbo package… has some similarities to another former Big Ten standout Anthony Adams (49ers)…

Wisconsin's ANTAAJ HAWTHORNE (North) -- weighed in at 6027, 327 pounds… big upper body… not much definition… soft around the middle with room to improve… gets too tall off the snap… exposes way too much of his upper body to opposing blockers… very tough to handle… takes up space… capable of creating lanes for linebackers to fill, as he can occupy multiple blockers… does not cause a great deal of damage right off the snap unless he hit's the guy perfectly square… can look sluggish at times, so his overall conditioning needs work… does not always fight hard to get off blocks… decent short area quickness… but not a great pursuit defender… and will never be much of a pass rushing threat… has lined up primarily at RDT… would like to see more energy or tenacity out of him… he's not a laid back, but does not look to punish or throttle opposing blockers with his pure mass and strength… his weight room strength and natural size is not always reflected in his play on the field… a decent portion of his top plays came against his college teammate, Wisconsin offensive guard, Dan Buenning, who struggled for most of the week… so that is not a great indicator of his ability…

Virginia Tech's JIM DAVIS (South) -- weighed in at 6027, 272 pounds… good sized chest, but good use more work around the middle… worked almost exclusively inside, but lacks the ideal bulk to handle being an every down interior defender in the league… created a lot of trouble for blockers… good explosiveness off the ball… gets off blocks quickly… makes good use of his hands… was getting penetration on a number of plays… shows some good quickness and closing speed, as a pass rusher, but would be more of a strong-side end who could slide inside on third down or nickel packages… has lined up primarily at RDT, but may also see some action at defensive end…

Texas A&M's MIKE MONTGOMERY (South) -- weighed in at 6043, 271 pounds… had the long arms (36") of all the defensive linemen, but needs definition in his upper body, and is carrying a few bad pounds, as well… could likely carry 280-288 pounds over time with the proper weight program… faired well in some of his 1-on-1 encounters… plays with some good emotion and tenacity… got some good penetration on a few reps during team drills… but has not looked as sharp here, as he did out at the East-West Shrine game… little slow to take things he's learned and process them onto the field… coaching staff seemed to get on him a few times about that… has the frame, long arms to gain separation from blockers… needs to play with the same hustle/determination on a more consistent basis… also has to add more variety to his pass rush moves… has lined up primarily at LDE… certainly has some upside to his game… but will need to get fully cleared by the Combine's medical staff, as he had surgery to correct a minor heart ailment back in '03... some staff members said it has effected his overall conditioning and workout habits…

Alabama's ANTHONY BRYANT (South) -- weighed in at 6023, 345 pounds… bad body build; has no definition, but huge lower body, especially his calves… walks with a bit of hunch to him… ideal weight would probably be 335-pounds… showed surprising quickness for his size… but is not overly powerful or strong at the point of attack… can be a little slow to locate the ball… plays around too much off the snap… should create so much more of a problem for blockers because of his wide-body frame… did manhandle North Carolina's Jason Brown a few times, as he got him off-balance and finished him off… needs to make better use of his hands… was not always able to gain separation from blockers… and can be sluggish if he gets blocked cleanly off the snap… has lined up primarily at RDT, LDT and even NT… needs to increase his upper body strength, keep in shape and play with more of a sense of urgency to fulfill his potential… will fit best in a two-gap defensive scheme…

Oregon State's BILL SWANCUTT (North) -- weighed in at 6036, 266 pounds… has long arms and good-size hands… big upper body; little too bulky/stiff… smaller lower body… was slow to react at times… got stood up or pushed off the line of scrimmage in a number of 1-on-1 matchups… seemed to struggled against Washington offensive tackle Khalif Barnes… faired better as the week went on, but seems to be a bit stiff and can come off the ball too high at times… needs to learn to keep his pad level low and use his hands to get off blockers… was informed of those criticisms by the Raiders staff on a few occasions… can get some penetration and cause pressure on passing downs… does not always play with great leverage against the run… has decent straight-line closing speed… but has some trouble with change-of-direction… has strong hands, and can pull down a ball carrier or quarterback if he gets a hold of him… has lined up primarily at RDE… not a great all-around athlete… but is a very determined, hard-working, over-achiever type that makes plays because he fails to quit attacking the line of scrimmage…

Murray State's MARCUS WHITE (North) -- late addition to the North's roster… weighed in at 6041, 305 pounds with 33 ¾" arms and 9 5/8" arms, according to one staff member… will primarily line up at both RDE and LDE… transferred from Auburn after being diagnosed with a neck injury in 2002... Team officials felt it could be a serious injury with the potential for him to be paralyzed if he sustained another major injury, so he decided to transfer to a school that would medically clear him… has not had any trouble with the area over the past two years… has gained nearly 60 pounds, since his senior year in high school… will wear jersey #80 in the game…

LINEBACKER:
Nebraska's BARRETT RUUD (North) -- weighed in at 6017, 240 pounds… good, but not great definition… little smaller than I expected… makes quick decisions on the field… hit's the hole with good intensity… shows good lateral quickness… able to make plays between the tackles… but is also very good in pursuit… firm tackler, although he could get stronger in that area… very coachable… learns and processes the game quickly… has the intelligence, character and leadership skills to run a defense one day… good, but not great all-around athlete… does not always play to his reported 40-time… will over pursue on occasion… looked fine during individual drills… a few false steps when back pedaling… dropped a few balls, as well… can be a little stiff when turning to run with 'backs or tight ends… good enough recovery speed to not get in poor position… plays the game the way it should… really has a lot invested in football… takes losses to heart… wants to work to get better… some see him, as being an over-rated prospect in terms of ability and upside potential… I would agree in some part, since he is not an overly flashy prospect, but he does a lot of the little things that can help a ball club win games… has lined up primarily at middle linebacker… should be able to develop into a solid, every down middle linebacker… as he will make all the plays you expect, and even a few you thought were out of his reach… this is the type of guy/player that the New England Patriots have drafted in recent years, as he will get the most out of his ability…

Troy State's DEMARCUS WARE (South) -- weighed in at 6035, 247 pounds… small chest, has some definition, but could probably carry another 10-15 good pounds if desired… long arms (34") and good-size hands… flashes one of the quickest first steps in recent memory… which is a reason why many feel they would not want to drop him back off the line of scrimmage… has decent, but not great play strength… he can still be pinched or engulfed off the snap if he gets locked onto by an opposing tackle… can dominate his side of the line with his speed… also creates plays for others when an opponent has to post a tight end or full back to his side in order to slow him down… very good in pursuit… shows an extra burst of closing speed to the ball… good all-around motor… does not mind playing on special teams… does not have ideal experience in pass coverage, but would appear to be a good enough athlete to develop in that area if chosen by a team that is using more of a 3-4 defensive scheme… has lined up at right defensive end and not as much at the outside linebacker spots… opened a lot of eyes during his 1-on-1 encounters, which when added to what will surely be "Workout Warrior" type production at the Combine… should land him somewhere between picks 20-32 of the first round…

Connecticut's ALFRED FINCHER (North) -- weighed in at 6010, 237 pounds… pretty well-defined in most areas… little shorter arms than desired… shows very good instincts and aggressiveness… quick to read the play and locate the ball… explosive upon impact… got up the field in a hurry during the team drills… pretty fluid in most of the individual sessions, as well… good range in pass coverage… has enough speed to drop back into his zone… takes good angles to the ball… plays faster than his reported 40-times… his football smarts and intangibles make him a better football player than workout guy… but has reportedly improved his overall speed and quickness, while training for the Combine… underrated in terms of not being hyped or promoted, as a possible top-notch defender before the start of this season… has lined up primarily at middle linebacker… has made a number of teams take notice of his ability… does not have great size, but could probably carry 245 pounds… very consistent on his game films, and did not look lost or out of place against top-notch competition this week…

San Diego State's KIRK MORRISON (North) -- weighed in at 6003, 233 pounds… thickly built frame with a good upper body… was moved outside because the North roster was heavily manned with guys that played mostly inside in college… took to the position change right away… was making plays all over the field in team drills… showed better range and athleticism than previously expected… plays faster than his reported 40-times… strong instincts… reads the play quickly… strong enough to shed blockers quickly… drops the hammer when he makes a tackle… showed some potential to improve, as a pass rusher… will be much better in zone coverage, as a pass defender… not stiff, but does not have great lateral movement skills to play man on a consistent basis… high-energy guy… shows good leadership skills with his group and on the field… always around the ball… looked to jump in whenever a coach was calling for an extra player… has lined up primarily at weak-side linebacker, but may also play some in the middle… added value to his game by playing outside this week… would fit best in an attacking, Cover-2 scheme, as he could be very similar to Lance Briggs (Bears)…

Louisville's ROBERT MCCUNE (South) -- weighed in at 5115, 245 pounds… had the best body of anyone in attendance; might be a bit too bulky in the upper body… very active… takes pretty good angles to the ball… impressive straight-line speed guy… can make a ton of plays between the tackles… looks much more comfortable close to the line of scrimmage… but can track down most backs in pursuit… good, but not great instincts… can be a bit slow to read/diagnose the play at times, which causes him to look slower on film than his recorded 40-times (4.5 range)… has lined up primarily at middle linebacker… little bit older prospect (26 years old), as he spent some time in the military… workout numbers will be off the charts at the Combine… probably would need to be proper schemed in order to protect against his weaknesses… but