2010 Senior Bowl Wrap Up

My impression after watching the North come away against the South with an impressive victory by the score of 31-13? Boy, watch out for some of the defensive players on both the North and South squads. This is going to be a deep draft on the defensive side of the ball, particularly in the trenches.

Dan Williams, about 330lbs, is a real force against the rush, consistently occupies blockers while pushing the pocket; Jared Odrick out of Penn State is relentless, and Geno Atkins showed a quick burst off the snap (other defensive tackles who impressed include Lamar Houston out of Texas, Tyson Alualu from Cal, and Mike Neal from Purdue).

For all of the Giants fans thinking that LB Rolando McClain would look great in
blue, prepare to be disappointed because, absent an unexpected poor showing at the combine, I don’t seeing McClain still on the board for the G-men at pick 15. But, that might not be a bad thing; Daryl Washington from TCU could be around in round two and he showed great instincts and has sideline to sideline speed; either he or Sean Weatherspoon could potentially occupy the middle of Perry Fewell’s new defense. They are fast, athletic, and fly to the football. With the addition of a stout defensive tackle, either of these gentleman could crush for big blue in 2010.

Other Draft Thoughts:

Yes, Mike Iupati from Idaho (yes, from Idaho, and yes, his measurable are “off the chart”), is a physical, punch you in the mouth presence on the interior of the line. He reminds me of the Leonard Davis story (great, dominant guard, bad, slow-footed tackle; top five draft bust in Phoenix, pro bowler in Dallas).

And yes, it is still way too early in the process for us to declare Tim Tebow a bust before the draft actually occurs in April. At the Senior Bowl, he was slow to get rid of the football, he looked uncomfortable under center, and he had trouble with going through his progressions and making solid throws. Tim Tebow as an NFL quarterback is going to take some time, but he is no sure thing.

For a great mock draft database, go here: http://nflmocks.com/nfl-mock-draft-database.

Pro Bowl Thoughts:

I love football but I do not appreciate being taken advantage of; this message is for the National Football League: I am not going to watch the Pro Bowl just because you moved it up so it takes place one week for before the Super Bowl (sure, I get the play for ratings, it makes sense, but the game is still not appealing to football fans, it just isn’t). Players who perform exceptionally deserve to be honored on a national stage, NFL fans, who are arguably the most dedicated sports fans, deserve some type of all-star event. But, the Pro Bowl, in its current form, is not something I run to set on my DVR.