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Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 22, 2008 3:16:34 GMT -5
www.seniorbowl.com/2008/www.nfl.com/seniorbowl/story?id=09000d5d80607e0a&template=without-video&confirm=trueWeek-long Senior Bowl coverage on NFL NetworkNFL Network NFL Network’s exclusive high-definition coverage of the league’s next generation of talent begins Monday, January 21 at 4 p.m. ET from Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. with the Under Armour Senior Bowl and the week-long events leading up to Saturday’s game. Practice coverage runs Monday, Jan. 21 through Thursday, Jan. 24 with live two-hour telecasts from North and South team practices. Each night at 8 p.m. ET a 30-minute Path to the Draft Senior Bowl Recap Show airs providing interviews and analysis. The week culminates Saturday, January 26 with the 58th annual Under Armour Senior Bowl at 4 p.m. ET, beginning with a special Total Access Senior Bowl pregame show at 3:30 p.m. ET. The network’s on-air talent roster from Mobile includes Paul Burmeister, Mike Mayock, Charles Davis and newcomer Ernie Accorsi. Accorsi, most recently the New York Giants’ general manager from 1998-2006, brings years of player personnel and front office expertise to the telecast. Rich Eisen calls Saturday’s game alongside Mayock, Davis and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trent Dilfer. The Senior Bowl features 100 of the country’s best senior collegiate football players and top NFL draft prospects on teams representing the North and South. This year, the North team will be coached by Lane Kiffin and the Oakland Raiders staff, while Mike Nolan and the San Francisco 49ers coaches lead the South. “NFL Network is the only network able to dedicate round-the-clock coverage to the upcoming draft class,” said NFL Network Executive Producer Eric Weinberger. “The Senior Bowl is really the first day of our coverage of the 2008 NFL season and leads nicely into our extensive draft coverage over the next four months.” The Senior Bowl is attended annually by over 700 NFL coaches, scouts and front office personnel searching for the next great NFL superstar. NFL Network will be there for the entire week with 19 original hours of programming from Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Fans will have an open window to the action all week, including practices and the game, giving them the same view every team uses to help determine its draft. Last year, the Senior Bowl produced 12 first-round picks in the NFL Draft, 90 total selections and a top five choice for the seventh consecutive year. 2007 Senior Bowl participant Patrick Willis was named the 2007 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press and is one of 24 former Senior Bowl participants to be named to the 2008 Pro Bowl. Among players who have accepted invitations to participate: quarterbacks John David Booty (USC), Colt Brennan (Hawaii), Brian Brohm (Louisville), Chad Henne (Michigan) and Andre Woodson (Kentucky); receivers Early Doucet (LSU) and Limas Sweed (Texas); offensive linemen Sam Baker (USC) and Kirk Barton (Ohio State); defensive linemen Sedrick Ellis (USC) and Andre Fluellen (Florida State); linebackers Dan Connor (Penn State) and Shawn Crable (Michigan); and defensive back Tom Zbikowski (Notre Dame). Annually, NFL Network airs nearly 200 football games, including eight regular season NFL games, 52 preseason games, 98 game replays, Super Bowl and NFL Classics, plus the Insight Bowl, Texas Bowl and Senior Bowl. NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the first television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log onto www.nfl.com/nflnetwork. NFL.com is the exclusive internet home of NFL Network. 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl on NFL Network Monday, Jan. 21 4 p.m. ET –- Day 1: North Team Practice (HD) 8 p.m. ET –- Day 1: Path to the Draft Senior Bowl Recap Show (HD) Tuesday, Jan. 22 10:30 p.m. ET -– Day 2: North Team Practice (HD) 4:30 p.m. ET – Day 2: South Team Practice (HD) 8 p.m. ET -– Day 2: Path to the Draft Senior Bowl Recap Show (HD) Wednesday, Jan. 23 10:30 p.m. ET –- Day 3: North Team Practice (HD) 4:30 p.m. ET – Day 3: South Team Practice (HD) 8 p.m. ET –- Day 3: Path to the Draft Senior Bowl Recap Show (HD) Thursday, Jan. 24 10:30 p.m. ET -– Day 4: North Team Practice (HD) 4:30 p.m. ET – Day 4: South Team Practice (HD) 8 p.m. ET -– Day 4: Path to the Draft Senior Bowl Recap Show (HD) Saturday, Jan. 25 3:30 p.m. ET – NFL Total Access Senior Bowl Pregame Show (HD) 4 p.m. ET –- 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl (HD) 7 p.m. ET -– NFL Total Access Senior Bowl Postgame Show (HD)
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Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 22, 2008 3:41:10 GMT -5
2008 Senior Bowl Rosters Senior Bowl North Roster Name School Position Height Weight Jamar Adams DB Michigan 6-2 210 Xavier Adibi LB Virginia Tech 6-2 219 Cliff Avril DL Purdue 6-3 249 Sam Baker OL USC 6-5 314 Kentwan Balmer DL North Carolina 6-5 282 Kirk Barton OL Ohio State 6-4 308 Beau Bell LB UNLV 6-2 250 Adarius Bowman WR Oklahoma State 6-3 225 John David Booty QB USC 6-3 210 Dorien Bryant WR Purdue 5-10 172 Tim Bugg S Indiana 6-0 257 Gosder Cherilus OL Boston College 6-7 313 Dan Connor LB Penn State 6-3 230 Shawn Crable LB Michigan 6-5 243 Bruce Davis DE/LB UCLA 6-3 231 Kellen Davis TE Michigan State 6-6 260 Thomas DeCoud DB California 6-1 196 Jordon Dizon LB Colorado 6-0 221 Mike Dragosavich P North Dakota State 6-5 212 Chris Ellis DL Virgina Tech 6-4 257 Sedrick Ellis DL USC 6-1 307 Joe Flacco QB Notre Dame 6-6 237 Justin Forsett RB California 5-8 183 Charles Godfrey DB Iowa 5-11 207 Lavelle Hawkins WR California 5-11 186 Chad Henne QB Michigan 6-2 225 Lawrence Jackson DL USC 6-5 268 Chris Johnson RB East Carolina 5-11 198 Jason Jones DL Eastern Michigan 6-4 270 Trevor Laws DL Notre Dame 6-1 302 Jordy Nelson WR Kansas State 6-2 206 Carl Nicks OL Nebraska 6-5 345 Mike Pollak OL Arizona Sate 6-3 293 Tracy Porter DB Indiana 5-11` 181 DeMario Pressley DL North Carolina State 6-4 295 Drew Radovich OL USC 6-5 300 Chad Rinehart OL Northern Iowa 6-5 311 Keith Rivers LB USC 6-3 237 Eddie Royal WR Virginia Tech 5-10 181 Martin Rucker TE Missouri 6-5 247 Dantrell Savage RB Oklahoma State 5-9 195 Owen Schmitt RB West Virginia 6-2 251 Roy Schuening OL Oregon State 6-4 316 Alexis Serna K Oregon State 5-6 170 Marcus Smith WR New Mexico 6-1 210 John Sullivan OL Notre Dame 6-3 305 Terrell Thomas DB USC 6-0 200 DeJuan Tribble DB Boston College 5-9 190 Chauncey Washington RB USC 6-0 220 Terrence Wheatley DB Colorado 5-9 175 Tom Zbikowski DB Notre Dame 5-11 208 Senior Bowl South Roster Name School Position Height Weight Erik Ainge QB Tennessee 6-5 215 Donnie Avery WR Houston 5-11 183 Heath Benedict OL Newberry College 6-5 332 Cole Bennett TE Auburn 6-4 250 Colt Brennan QB Hawaii 6-3 190 Durant Brooks P Georgia Tech 6-1 202 Titus Brown LB Mississippi State 6-2 247 Red Bryant DL Texas A&M 6-5 329 Andre Caldwell WR Florida 6-0 203 Simeon Castille DB Alabama 6-0 190 Tashard Choice RB Georgia Tech 5-11 207 Brad Cottam TE Tennessee 6-8 257 Oniel Cousins OL UTEP 6-4 303 Brandon Coutu K Georgia 5-11 183 Quintin Demps DB UTEP 5-11 204 Early Doucet WR LSU 6-0 211 Harry Douglas WR Louisville 5-11 169 Robert Felton OL Arkansas 6-4 310 Andre Fluellen DL Florida State 6-2 279 Matt Forte RB Tulane 6-1 219 Wallace Gilberry DL Alabama 6-3 264 Tavaras Gooden LB Miami 6-2 232 Marcus Griffin DB Texas 5-11 203 DJ Hall WR Alabama 6-2 189 Marcus Harrison DB Arkansas 6-3 310 Jacob Hester RB LSU 5-11 229 Ali Highsmith LB LSU 6-0 221 Peyton Hillis RB Arkansas 6-2 240 Chevis Jackson DB LSU 6-0 191 Steve Justice OL Wake Forest 6-4 283 Kendall Langford DL Hampton 6-6 294 Patrick Lee DB Auburn 6-0 201 Kory Lichtensteiger OL Bowling Green 6-3 310 Rafael Little RB Kentucky 5-9 195 Mike McGlynn OL Pittsburgh 6-4 314 Leodis McKelvin DB Troy 5-11 186 Ben Moffitt LB South Florida 6-2 241 Dre Moore DL Maryland 6-4 306 Barry Richardson OL Clemson 6-6 345 Darrell Robertson DL Georgia Tech 6-4 245 Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie DB Tennessee State 6-2 181 Garrison Sanborn S Florida State 6-1 222 Limas Sweed WR Texas 6-5 220 Jacob Tamme TE Kentucky 6-4 228 Jeremy Thompson DL Wake Forest 6-5 262 Cody Wallace OL Texas A&M 6-4 298 Phillip Wheeler LB Georgia Tech 6-2 235 Chris Williams OL Vanderbilt 6-6 317 D.J. Wolfe DB Oklahoma 5-11 205 Andre Woodson QB Kentucky 6-4 220 Wesley Woodyard LB Kentucky 6-1 215 Big 12 Players in Bold
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Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 22, 2008 3:46:21 GMT -5
sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3207395Leg injury forces Louisville's Brohm out of Senior BowlAssociated Press Updated: January 21, 2008, 7:06 PM ET MOBILE, Ala. -- Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm, Notre Dame tight end John Carlson and Auburn defensive end Quentin Groves have withdrawn from the Senior Bowl due to injury or illness.Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge and Auburn tight end Cole Bennett were added to the South roster for Saturday's game, an audition for top senior NFL prospects. Senior Bowl President Steve Hale said Brohm was unable to recuperate in time from a leg injury sustained in the Rutgers game. "He worked real hard to get ready for the Senior Bowl, but there was unfortunately not enough time," Hale said Monday. "He was not 100 percent, and being the kind of competitor he is, it's not fair for him to be here and not be 100 percent." Carlson had a recent stomach ailment that caused him to lose 17 pounds in eight days, Hale said. "He was working his tail off and all of a sudden 10 days ago, he starts feeling bad," he said. To fill the vacancy created by Carlson's loss, Missouri tight end Martin Rucker moved from the South team to the North team, and Auburn's Cole Bennett was named to the South team. Groves won't participate because of a shoulder injury, Hale said. Ainge, who was 25-of-43 passing for 365 yards and two touchdowns in Tennessee's win over Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl, said he was excited to get invited to Saturday's game. The reason: The players get evaluated by NFL personnel. "Any time you can see a player throw the ball in person, it's more valuable," Ainge said. "And showing what I can do is why I'm here." Joining Ainge as South team quarterbacks are Hawaii's Colt Brennan and Kentucky's Andre' Woodson. For the North, the quarterbacks are Michigan's Chad Henne, Southern Cal's John David Booty, and Delaware's Joe Flacco. Like Ainge, Bennett relishes the opportunity to perform for NFL personnel and show how he can work in a system other than the one used by Auburn. "I just wanted an opportunity and this is a great opportunity to show people what I can do and the way I'm capable of playing," said the 6-foot-4, 258-pound tight end. Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
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Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 24, 2008 5:13:58 GMT -5
www.nfl.com/seniorbowl/story?id=09000d5d805e5807&template=with-video&confirm=trueNine players whose stock depends on Senior Bowl performance By Mike Mayock | NFL Network South Limas Sweed, Texas (WR): Must re-establish dominance after missing seven games in his senior season due to a wrist injury. Must show burst and ability to separate vs. man coverage. First round money at stake. Leodis McKelivin, Troy (CB): Should challenge Mike Jenkins as top senior cornerback in draft. All he lacks on tape are ball skills as he is a natural, quick-twitch man-to-man cornerback. Given his added value in the return game, a great week in Mobile could vault him into the top 10. Colt Brennan, Hawaii (QB): Let's level the playing field and see what this guy is! Is he the QB that dominated his conference the last three years or the QB that looked broken and lost against Georgia? I would submit that niether was a fair evaluation and I'm looking forward to watching how his game transfers in Mobile. Heath Benedict, Newberry College (OL): Big talented offensive lineman that transferred from Tennessee to Newberry in 2004. Benedict must show that he has the mental toughness to compete on every snap vs. high-level competition. NorthDominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State (CB): Small-school corner with big-time skills. ... Tall, lean CB with long arms, excellent ball skills and natural change-of-direction skills. Rodgers-Cromartie must show that he is physical enough to compete against quality WRs at the highest level. Jordy Nelson, Kansas State (WR): Exploded onto the national scene with 122 receptions and 1,606 yards. Most of his routes were verticals, crosses and bubble screens. The former QB/DB is still raw but must show the "suddenness" to beat press coverage and a more refined ability to get in and out of NFL style routes. Chris Johnson, East Carolina (RB): Extraordinary speed will guarantee attention from all 32 teams. Johnson can stick his foot in the ground, cut and accelerate better than any senior RB in the draft. He also brings legitimate value in the return game. ... The question he must answer -- is he tough enough to lower his pad level and run between the tackles when necessary? Chad Henne and John David Booty, Michigan, USC (QBs): Two old war horses will compete on a daily basis to show the NFL that they are healthy and worthy of first-day consideration. Both QBs struggled with health issues throughout the year but saved their best football for the Bowls. I like Henne to emerge as a dark horse candidate behind Matt Ryan.
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Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 24, 2008 5:31:41 GMT -5
www.seniorbowl.com/2008/www.seniorbowl.com/2008/news/2008gwhalfway.htmUnder Armour Senior Bowl Week 2008 At Halfway PointUnder Armour Senior Bowl Week hits its peak on Wednesday, as over 800 NFL coaches, scouts and top decision makers will attend the day’s North and South team practice sessions to see the nation’s best senior NFL Draft prospects. MOBILE, Ala. (January 23, 2008) -- Under Armour Senior Bowl Week 2008 hits its midpoint on Wednesday, as over 800 NFL coaches, scouts and top decision makers will attend Wednesday’s North and South team practices, once again making Mobile the center of the college and pro football world. One hundred of the nation’s top senior NFL Draft prospects arrived in Mobile this weekend. Each team now has two practices in the books, with one practice each schedule for Wednesday and Thursday. Players are taking advantage of the unique opportunity to display their talents in front of so many top NFL decision makers in one place at one time, as they also generate momentum for themselves that will carry through NFL Draft process. The week-long practices leading up to the 59th annual Under Armour Senior Bowl game this Saturday will once again play a vital role in determining much of what happens in this year’s NFL Draft, annually making Senior Bowl Week one of the most important weeks in all of football each year. Fans can continue to watch all of the action, as the NFL Network will cover Senior Bowl practices throughout the week, offering over 21 hours of exclusive HD Senior Bowl coverage, nightly primetime wrap-up shows and the game. San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan and his staff are coaching the South squad for the third straight, while Lane Kiffin and his Raiders staff are coaching the North team. On Wednesday, the North team will practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., and the South will practice at the stadium from 1:45 to 3:15 p.m. The schedule remains the same for Thursday. The FCA Chick-fil-A Senior Bowl Rally will also be held Wednesday evening at the Mobile Convention Center. All Senior Bowl practices are free and open to the public. Friday will see both teams go through a walk-through on Friday, and then players will visit patients at the USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital and then attend the Coca-Cola Meet the Players event at the Mobile Convention Center on Friday afternoon. In addition to its importance to the football world, the Senior Bowl is also a vital event for thousands along the Gulf Coast, as the Senior Bowl is a non-profit, charity event that has joined with Food World to create the highly-successful Food World-Senior Bowl Charitable Partnership, which has donated over $4.2 million to charities benefiting youth along the Gulf Coast. The Senior Bowl is also enjoying its second year of its title sponsorship agreement with Under Armour, the innovative performance apparel manufacturer that ensures the Senior Bowl players will be able to perform in the most technologically advanced sports apparel available each year. Saturday’s 59th annual Under Armour Senior Bowl will kickoff at 3:00 p.m. Game day festivities will feature the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band, the New Orleans Saints Saintsations, a F-18 jet flyover, skydivers and the Senior Bowl Superstar winner for 2008 – Catherine Odom. A limited number of tickets remain for sale to the contest. To purchase, please call the Senior Bowl ticket office at 251-432-4109.
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Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 24, 2008 9:31:45 GMT -5
collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=764659Senior Bowl Day 1 RecapWoodson leads depleted group of QBsSteve Megargee Rivals.com College Football Staff Writer NFL teams looking for quarterback help got some bad news as they arrived for the first day of Senior Bowl workouts. Boston College's Matt Ryan and Louisville's Brian Brohm – the projected top two quarterbacks in the upcoming draft – didn't make the trip after originally appearing on the Senior Bowl roster. They're not the only big names missing from Mobile. Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and Virginia defensive end Chris Long also aren't playing. That leaves the Senior Bowl without any of the top five senior prospects, as ranked by Frank Coyle of www.draftinsiders.com. Ryan, rated by Coyle as the top overall prospect in the class, pulled out of the Senior Bowl last week. Brohm backed out over the weekend because of a lower leg injury. Their absence leaves Kentucky's Andre' Woodson as the highest-rated quarterback at the Senior Bowl. Coyle rates Woodson as the No. 10 overall prospect in the 2008 draft class, though Woodson didn't want to speculate Monday on where he might end up next season. "I'm excited to go anywhere," Woodson said after his South team completed its first practice. "There's still a lot of work to be done, and today you could tell with all the missed passes I had and all the other quarterbacks as well. It's a long road for us all." Delaware's Joe Flacco and Tennessee's Erik Ainge are replacing Ryan and Brohm at the Senior Bowl. Flacco had planned on playing in the East-West Shrine Game last week until he received a Senior Bowl invitation. Flacco, a Pittsburgh transfer, threw for 4,263 yards this season while leading Delaware to a runner-up finish in Division I-AA. Coyle has rated Flacco as the No. 6 quarterback prospect in this class ( behind Ryan, Brohm, Woodson, Hawaii's Colt Brennan and USC's John David Booty). collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=764693 California tailback Justin Forsett Stands OutMOBILE, Ala. – California tailback Justin Forsett had arguably one of the strongest practices Monday. Forsett showed great versatility catching the ball out of the backfield and running off-tackle. Forsett had at least two instances where he broke off big plays during scrimmage work. "I love getting the ball in the open field," Forsett said. "Just give me a chance to get in the open field and I'll make some people miss and make some big plays out there. I like running inside as well. It's just exciting playing with all these top-notch guys because it makes you better." Mallet's move doesn't surprise Henne Rich Rodriguez's hire at Michigan has been one of the biggest storylines in college football over the past month. Rodriguez's hire will bring many changes, most notably to the Wolverines' offense. Former Michigan quarterback Chad Henne said he expects to see a whole new look from the Wolverines in 2008. "I think it's going to be a lot different," he said. "(Rodriguez) is bringing the whole spread offense, and a lot of the quarterbacks are looking elsewhere. "Ryan Mallett already transferred and two of the other quarterbacks are staying for spring ball to see what happens. It's definitely a change at the quarterback position, and we'll see how it works in the Big 10." Henne said Mallett's decision to leave for Arkansas wasn't a surprise. Henne said the move was in Mallett's best interest. "It was good for him to leave," Henne said. "Obviously none of us (Michigan) quarterbacks are spread-offense quarterbacks, and he wanted to go to an offense where he could throw the ball." Once a recruiter, always a recruiter Former Ole Miss coach Ed Oregon – at the Senior Bowl in an attempt to find a new job – long has been regarded as one of the best recruiters in the nation, and it was easy to see why Monday. Michigan linebacker Shawn Crable and California wide receiver DeSean Jackson greeted Orgeron with hugs. Orgeron recruited both while they were in high school. Jackson, who left Cal after his junior season, isn't eligible to play in the Senior Bowl; he was present Monday to watch practice. Orgeron also was greeted by several different USC players he used to coach when he was an assistant with the Trojans before going to Ole Miss. "They all grew up to be men," Orgeron said of his former Trojans players. "They are some of the best players in the country. I was really impressed today with their technique and the way they ran around. "I was impressed with (Oakland Raiders coach) Lane Kiffin's (North team) practice. They had energy out there, and it kind of reminded me of being at USC." Like Orgeron, Kiffin is a former USC assistant. Jones' departure didn't surprise Brennan Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan said he wasn't particularly surprised that former Warriors coach June Jones was returning to the mainland to take over at SMU. "I had talked (before the season) about the facilities and the way the program was being run," Brennan said. "I think Coach Jones, after taking us to the Sugar Bowl, was waiting for his contract. That's a joke. He should have had his contract long before we got to the Sugar Bowl. "He's got to do what's best for himself and his family. I think he needed a new challenge, and that's why he went to SMU." Brennan also issued the following warning to SMU's Conference USA rivals: "That program's going to be a terror a couple of years from now, if not next year." Although Brennan criticized the way Hawaii allowed Jones to leave, he praised the school for selecting former defensive coordinator Greg McMackin as its new coach. "He understands the program, understands the culture and people really well," Brennan said. "The players will react really well to him because he was probably the players' coach of all coaches." Tale of the tape The first round of Senior Bowl practices was preceded by a weigh-in, as each player stood for measurements in a hotel ballroom while about 1,000 NFL scouts and media members looked on. Boston College offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus had the longest arms (35 5/8 inches) and hands (11½ inches). Nebraska offensive tackle Carl Nicks was the heaviest player at 343 pounds, which actually is 2 pounds lighter than his playing weight with the Huskers. "It was one of the better-looking groups I've seen," an NFC scout said. "Last week at the East-West Shrine Game, there were a couple of players you could tell hadn't been working. You could tell these guys had been working." Oregon State kicker Alexis Serna was the shortest (5-6½) and lightest (168 pounds) player on either roster. The shortest non-kicker was Forsett at 5-7½, though he also had a hand length of 10½ inches. Cherilus was the only player on either roster with bigger hands. "I was kind of surprised when I saw the quarterbacks going up there and their (hands) were smaller than mine," Forsett said. "It definitely helps with catching and being able to reach." The lightest non-kicker was Purdue wide receiver Dorien Bryant at 169 pounds. Louisville wide receiver Harry Douglas weighed 170 pounds and also had the smallest hands (7¾ inches) of any player on either team. Traveling man Hampton defensive end Kendall Langford's late invitation to the Senior Bowl left him in a quandary regarding his laundry. He found out a day before Saturday's East-West Shrine Game that he was being offered a Senior Bowl spot. He didn't have time to return home before going from the Shrine Game in Houston to the Senior Bowl workouts. A former Hampton teammate made sure Langford didn't have to go on a shopping spree. Wide receiver Jerome Mathis now is a member of the Houston Texans and spent this season on injured reserve. "I washed my clothes over at his house," Langford said. Last minute addition Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge got the call when Louisville's Brian Brohm pulled out of the game. Ainge threw for 3,522 yards and 31 touchdowns this year to help Tennessee go 10-4 and win the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division. "I was told to be ready because they didn't know what was going to happen. I was hoping I was going to get to play, and I'm thankful I have the opportunity to come out here and compete," Ainge said. "You have a chance to come out here to play and practice against some of the best players in the country, and it will make me better regardless of whether it makes my draft status go up or down. "It will make me a better football player, and that's what we all want to accomplish while we're here." Doing two things at once Mississippi State's Titus Brown may have been the hardest-working player on either roster during Monday's practice. Brown began his college career as a linebacker before making a successful transition to defensive end. He is working out at both positions this week, which has forced him to run back and forth between the two units. "It was kind of hard," Brown said. "I was going 12 plays down there (at defensive end), and then having to go back here (with the linebackers). It was kind of breathtaking." (Sean Callahan, Adam Gorney and Steve Megargee contributed to this report).
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Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 24, 2008 9:41:18 GMT -5
collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=765092Tuesday NotebookBowman Adjusting to Competition LevelMOBILE, Ala. – Oklahoma State wide receiver Adarius Bowman will be the first to tell you he wasn't happy with his play through two days of practice, mainly because of dropped passes. Bowman said it's taken him a while to adjust. "It's just been a big transition for me from college to the pros," he said. "It's a quicker tempo. The biggest thing is it's just a faster pace. You have to be able to learn quickly and just adapt. I compare it a lot like the transition from high school to college; it will just take a little time." Bowman said another thing the practice structure hasn't allowed him to showcase is his physical attributes as a wide receiver. "I wouldn't say I'm nervous, but I might be thinking a little too much," he said. "I'm not in my comfort zone yet. "I think my frame and my strength are my biggest advantages. I also feel my biggest advantage is my 'YAC yards' -- the yards after the catch. I like to break tackles and get going, and I really can't do that until the game." Family connection The lessons don't stop when practice ends for Texas safety Marcus Griffin this week. He apparently gets just as much instruction on the phone. Griffin's twin, Tennessee Titans defensive back Michael Griffin, watched Monday's Senior Bowl practice on the NFL Network and called his brother/former teammate with pointers later in the day. "He was telling me how to backpedal," Griffin said after Tuesday's South team practice. "He was giving me clues the Tennessee Titans taught him. He kept on bothering me last night. I guess I wouldn't respond. He was just trying to keep me up on my 'A' game as much as possible." Griffin doesn't mind if his brother nags him a little bit. He credits his sibling for helping him know what to expect in the months leading up to the draft. "He tells me to go full speed every chance you get," Griffin said. "Show the coaches you're willing to go full speed, and don't have any lazy steps. And aside from that, just take it day by day. "One thing I learned from him is don't stress so much. This is an opportunity not a lot of us get to have." Trying to get noticed Where did Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie play college ball? Don't know? Don't feel bad. Not many people know the answer. Rodgers-Cromartie is an athletic 6-foot-2, 181-pounder who played cornerback at Division I-AA Tennessee State. He played cornerback and safety in the first two days of practice, and he said NFL teams seem intrigued with his athleticism and quickness. Rodgers-Cromartie had interception returns for touchdowns in back-to-back games late in the season. He had a 69-yarder against Eastern Illinois and a 71-yarder against Murray State. Rodgers-Cromartie also is the reigning Ohio Valley Conference champion in the 60-yard-dash, the high jump and the long jump. "Not being on TV much and being from a small school, you're not really noticed, so coming out here and playing against these guys gives me an opportunity to show people what I can do," said Rodgers-Cromartie, who also was overlooked coming out of high school at Bradenton (Fla.) Lakewood Ranch. "At first, you come out here and you're like, 'These guys are D-I.' But then you realize it's just football." Injury bug bites North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer isn't a household name to most fans, but his exceptional senior season has made him a legitimate candidate to get taken in the first round. But Balmer won't get a chance to further impress this week as he withdrew from the Senior Bowl because of an injury. A minor injury also caused Miami linebacker Tavares Gooden to back out. Georgia Tech linebacker Gary Guyton has replaced Gooden on the South roster. Iowa State defensive end Athyba Rubin also has joined the South team as a replacement for Auburn defensive end Quentin Groves, who pulled out over the weekend. Both played in last weekend's East-West Shrine Game in Houston. LSU wide receiver Early Doucet and UNLV linebacker Beau Bell suffered minor injuries Tuesday that makes their status uncertain for the rest of the week. Caldwell doing well When Andre Caldwell arrived at Florida before the 2003 season, his intention Florida was to stay for three seasons, then test the NFL waters. That plan was delayed when he broke his leg against Tennessee early in the 2005 season and missed the rest of the year. Still, his time in Gainesville was well-spent: He finished his UF career as the school's career receptions leader. Now he's ready to continue to show off for pro scouts. On the first two days of practice, Caldwell consistently got open against some of the nation's best cornerbacks. "I'm satisfied with the way things are going," he said. "I'm making a lot of plays, improving every day and just being the playmaker I am. It's very rewarding to be out here with these guys and making plays with them and getting to know people." So, let's talk about your personal life … As with many players, LSU linebacker Ali Highsmith has heard through the grapevine about the bizarre questions draft prospects are asked by scouts and team personnel members. Tuesday, Highsmith joked that he had experienced those bizarre questions first hand. "They asked me questions about my girlfriend," Highsmith said. "I never expected that. They just asked about our relationship and if we are still together and stuff like that." Peyton's place Arkansas fullback Peyton Hillis said he cared more about opening holes for Darren McFadden and Felix Jones than the stat sheet and the limelight. Being a bruising, tough, versatile player is what got him to this point, and he's enjoying every minute. "I know what kind of athletes they are," Hillis said. "They're great guys and they're going to have success at the next level. It's a pleasure just to know them. There's a reason why I'm here. People say, 'You open up holes for them.' Well, they got me here." Hillis did a little bit of everything for the Razorbacks, who lost to Missouri 38-7 in the Cotton Bowl to finish 8-5. He led the team with 44 receptions for 485 yards and five touchdowns, and also rushed for 327 yards and two scores on 57 carries. Most important, he blocked for McFadden, who ended his career as the school's leading career rusher with 4,590 yards, and Jones, who also had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Both juniors declared early for the NFL Draft. Hillis said he is quickly adjusting to his role as mainly a blocker at the Senior Bowl. "Instead of three or four things to worry about, now you just have to worry about one - hitting the guy," he said. Impressive start NFL scouts and personnel people have converged on the Senior Bowl to analyze the players, and their evaluations range from handing out questionnaires to chatting in hotel lobbies to measuring hand and arm length. One NFC team scout who has talked with Rivals.com said two prospects on the North team particularly intrigued him. The first was 6-5, 345-pound Nebraska offensive tackle Carl Nicks. The other was 5-11, 181-pound Indiana cornerback Tracy Porter, who had an interception early during drills.
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Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 24, 2008 9:52:24 GMT -5
collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=765648Wednesday NotebookSweed Sidelined Once Again With Wrist InjuryMOBILE, Ala. — Texas wide receiver Limas Sweed is more than likely done at Senior Bowl week. Sweed sat out Wednesday's workout and said he aggravated a left wrist injury in one-on-one drills during the first couple of practices. He watched from the sideline with his wrist and hand wrapped. He first hurt his wrist in two-a-days before the season, then did not play in the Longhorns' final seven games because the pain was too much. Surgery was performed to repair torn ligaments, and he had his cast removed Jan. 14. Sweed said he had X-rays taken before Wednesday's practice, and while he said everything was fine, the pain had persisted and he didn't want to risk further problems. The decision to sit out, probably for the rest of the week, was made early Wednesday. "The last couple days in practice, the one-on-ones, the guys went to break the ball up and bent my wrist forward," Sweed said. "It's 100 percent healed, but my range of motion is about 30 percent. You can imagine how that felt. It's hurting too bad. "The other day I just took some Advil and sucked it up, and it happened again. I said, 'I'm not coming out the third day.' Everybody that knows me knows I'm a competitor. I don't back down from anything. To sit back and to watch those one-on-ones today and to watch those guys catch passes, it disturbed me some. I've been out of football for months and I want to play, but I have to be smart." Multiple mock drafts have him going in the first round. More player updates LSU wide receiver Early Doucet sat out Wednesday's practice after suffering a minor hamstring injury a day earlier, but he still could end up playing Saturday. San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan, who coaches the South team that includes Doucet, said Doucet left open the possibility of playing Saturday if his hamstring feels better. Meanwhile, West Virginia fullback Owen Schmitt injured a knee in Wednesday's North practice. Although he managed to walk back to the locker room under his own power, Schmitt won't be playing in the game Saturday. UNLV linebacker Beau Bell also won't play after hurting his knee in Tuesday's practice. East Carolina running back Chris Johnson (shoulder), Michigan safety Jamar Adams (heel) and Michigan linebacker Shawn Crable (back) are questionable for the game. Jackson gets the call Appalachian State wide receiver Dexter Jackson was getting ready for bed at about 10:30 Tuesday night while training in Florida when his agent called and told him that he had an invitation at the Senior Bowl if he wanted it. Jackson jumped at the chance. After about five hours of restless sleep, Jackson took a 6:45 a.m. Eastern time flight from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta, then jumped on a connection to Pensacola before driving about an hour to Mobile. He arrived in town around 10:30 a.m. Central time and prepared for an early-afternoon practice. "I slept on the plane," Jackson said. He was a late addition after the injuries to Sweed and Doucet. With little sleep and a hectic turnaround, Jackson performed well at Wednesday's practice. His nicest catch came early in 7-on-7 drills. Jackson is trying to build upon his performance at last week's East-West Shrine Game in Houston where he finished with two catches for a team-high 38 yards. "It was a blessing, a dream came true, and I'm blessed to be here," he said. "I wanted to feed off what I did last week -- don't come out nervous, just come out here and play." In his senior season, Jackson finished with 30 receptions for 688 yards and a team-high eight receiving touchdowns. He also rushed for 74 yards and a score on five carries. In Appalachian State's 34-32 upset of Michigan, Jackson had three catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns, including a 68-yarder in the first quarter. Mattison has a crazy 24 hours Iowa defensive lineman Bryan Mattison had a good idea there was a chance he'd get a call to play if a player went down with injury; he just didn't realize how hard it was going to be to physically get to Mobile. Mattison is the third player added this week to the roster, and he received the call Monday night. He said his normal four-hour drive to Chicago took six hours because of a snowstorm; then, to make matters worse, his original flight was canceled Tuesday. When it was all said and done, Mattison got to Mobile late Tuesday night. "I'm glad to be here," Mattison said. "I got a call two nights ago from my agent and he said pack your bags. I just came from the East-West Shrine Game, so I had them pretty much packed and ready. I just grabbed them and jumped in my truck and drove to O'Hare." Hawkins doing well in practice No wide receiver had a better day than California's Lavelle Hawkins, who made one nice catch after another, including one where he dove for a deep pass from Delaware's Joe Flacco during 7-on-7 drills. USC's quarterback, John David Booty, and Michigan's Chad Henne also connected with Jackson multiple times during one-on-one work. "I was really proud of him," said Cal teammate Justin Forsett, who also had an impressive showing at running back in Wednesday's practice. "We're roommates, too, so we always give each other a little pep talk before we go out, and it's good to see him do well and get a couple 'oohs' and 'aahs.' He's a good player and he showed off today." Ellis likes the low numbers USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis used to wear No. 99 at Chino (Calif.) High until someone stole his jersey right before a game. "It's like 10 minutes before the game," Ellis said. "The coach ran into the equipment room and grabbed a jersey and threw it at me. 'What is this, 49?' I was (ticked) wearing No. 49. I go out and have a great game, have a couple sacks and a lot of tackles, and I decided to keep the number. It was good luck." Ellis, who also wore 49 with the Trojans, is projected to go at No. 11 overall in Frank Coyle of draftinsiders.com's mock draft. In that regard, he is the highest-ranked player at the Senior Bowl. COTTAM CATCHING ON Tennessee tight end Brad Cottam caught only 21 passes in his college career, but he has spent Senior Bowl workouts making up for lost time. Cottam, who is 6 feet 8 and 270 pounds, has shown good hands all week long and presents a big target. He missed nine games this season with a dislocated left wrist. When he returned to action, Cottam had to wear a cast on the injured wrist. He said the experience helped his receiving skills. "It helped me realize you've got to put your extra focus into it (because) when you have something on your hand, it makes it a little harder," Cottam said. "Since I've had that, I've kept the focus with me, and it's just something that's stuck with me." Cottam's pass-catching ability hasn't surprised Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge. "That's always been Brad's best strength — running routes and catching the football," Ainge said. SOUTH VS. SOUTH You can always tell it's getting late in a practice week when tempers start flaring, and the South team was particularly feisty during its Wednesday afternoon workout. Vanderbilt offensive tackle Chris Williams and Texas A&M defensive tackle Red Bryant exchanged a few punches after a heated one-on-one line battle. Later in the practice, Newberry College offensive tackle Heath Benedict and Hampton defensive end Kendall Langford got involved in a similar situation. "It's a tough sport, it's a physical sport, and sometimes emotions boil over a little bit and get the best of you," Benedict said. "(Langford's) a good guy. Everything's good now." Nolan noted that the fighters made some rookie mistakes. "When you're fighting and you've got a helmet on, you don't hit a guy in the face because you could break your hand," Nolan quipped. "If you're going to take a shot, hit him in the gut because that's the only place with no pads. "I look at it two different ways. If you're fighting, that's OK. But when you're swinging at the head, that means a guy's not as smart as I'd like him to be. You've got a guy who really cares what he's doing but doesn't understand what he's doing."
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Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 24, 2008 23:55:27 GMT -5
collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=765980THURSDAY NOTEBOOKNorth Receivers Struggle With Rain, ColdMOBILE, Ala. — Virginia Tech wide receiver Eddie Royal participated in Thursday's practice for the North team, but he later was declared questionable for Saturday's game because of a rib injury. USC tight end Fred Davis also is questionable with a knee injury that kept him out of Thursday's practice. Other players who didn't practice Thursday included Michigan safety Jamar Adams (heel), Michigan linebacker Shawn Crable (back), LSU wide receiver Early Doucet (hamstring) and East Carolina running back Chris Johnson (shoulder). FACING THE HEAT In the days leading up to the game, players have lengthy interviews with interested NFL teams. These interviews often get personal, as the teams want to know all the skeletons each potential employee may have in his closet. These chats may have come at an inopportune time for USF linebacker Ben Moffitt. After he filed for divorce earlier this month, his wife said she had written many of his school papers and had taken two online courses for him. Moffitt hasn't commented publicly on the matter since. "They ask, and I'm just 100 percent honest with them," Moffitt said. "I have nothing to hide, and I level with them. I hope they appreciate that." RAIN WREAKS HAVOC Rain, cold temperatures and wind swept over the North practice Thursday morning, and the wide receivers struggled trying to catch the slippery footballs. There are tricks of the trade, though, that the receivers use to try to stave off most problems. Royal and New Mexico's Marcus Smith said they make fists to keep the rain from soaking their gloves. Oklahoma State's Adarius Bowman tried to protect his hands and keep them warm by shoving them in the sides of his pants. "It's easy to play the game when it's sunny and there's no wind," Smith said. "When it's raining, you have to keep your gloves dry, really concentrate on catching the ball and catch the front half. "It's a part of the game. That's why we play outside. We never know what it's going to be like on any given Sunday or Saturday. We have to prepare for everything. I'm glad it rained because it might rain on Saturday (for the game) and we had to get something in. We can't go out there cold turkey." Kansas State receiver Jordy Nelson said some gloves actually get stickier when it rains, but the weather still was troublesome for Bowman. "My fingertips are frozen," Bowman said. "I wish I knew it was raining. I would have grabbed a hand warmer. You have to be prepared for all conditions. They're not going to cancel a game because of the weather. You have to step up and get ready to play." The inclement weather didn't bother some people. Royal said it was just like another day in Blacksburg, Va. Purdue wide receiver Dorien Bryant said it was Big Ten weather at its finest. Oregon State offensive lineman Roy Schuening didn't seem bothered, either. "This is nothing," he said. "It rains all the time in Oregon. It was like being at home." MAKING A POINT Indiana's Tracy Porter is at the Senior Bowl to prove he is one of the nation's best cornerbacks. Against some of the best wide receivers in the nation, Porter has lived up to his expectations. "I did what I was supposed to do," Porter said. "I did what I did to get here and then transferred that into this week, came out here and had fun." Porter finished with 83 tackles and a team-high six interceptions for the Hoosiers this season. He said not worrying what the scouts think and just going out and performing is what he wanted to do. Sometimes, Porter said, when players worry about every detail and concern themselves with the NFL onlookers, they tighten up and do worse than if they went out and played their game. Despite the offense's advantage, Porter said he did his best work in the one-on-one drills. "If you have a kid coming out here trying to do everything perfect, maybe that corner might tighten up his hips or mess up in coverage," Porter said. "You just come out and relax and do what you did to get you here, and the coaches notice that and you're stock will go up from there. … "To do well in the one-on-ones will stand out because typically the one-on-ones are an offensive drill. You don't have a pass rush on the quarterback. The quarterback has unlimited time in the pocket. It's our job to just go out there and cover the guys the best we can. If you do a good job on the receivers, you'll really stand out." PUNISHING HIMSELF California's Lavelle Hawkins has performed as well as just about any receiver all week long, but he isn't about to rest on his laurels. When the sure-handed Hawkins made a rare drop during Thursday morning's practices, he didn't use the rainy conditions as an excuse. He instead started doing push-ups without any prompting from coaches. "That's my own thing," Hawkins said. "I don't like to drop passes. If I drop a pass, I do like 10 push-ups." His plan worked. The next pass he was thrown, Hawkins caught it cleanly in the right corner of the end zone.
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Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 25, 2008 15:16:55 GMT -5
collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=766252Senior Bowl: Keep An Eye on These GuysFrank Coyle, draftinsiders.com Special to Rivals.com College Football The 59th annual Senior Bowl game is scheduled for Saturday, and organizers announced their 14th consecutive sellout for the All-Star classic. The week of practices leading up to the game has been completed, and the final on-field test awaits for the participating players. Of the more than 100 prospects participating in the event, here are a few players to watch this weekend. These players impressed during the week of practices, and we think they are ready to shine in game. Frank Coyle's Players to WatchQB Chad Henne, Michigan BUZZ: Henne answered questions about his shoulder injury by having an impressive week of practice. He had the type of week necessary to dispel any injury concerns. He showed good mechanics, a strong arm and good decision-making skills. He delivered the ball nicely with a quick, compact release and fine velocity and accuracy. He had a week that could move him into the upper tier of quarterback prospects. QB John David Booty, USC BUZZ: Similar to Henne, Booty had to answer some questions about his health. He had a strong week in all respects, displaying a fast setup and the ability to make the proper read consistently. He has a smooth delivery and quick release, combined with fine accuracy and timing. He has worked well with Eddie Royal, Lavelle Hawkins and Andre Caldwell. RB Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech BUZZ: Choice ran hard between the tackles and showed a quick burst to the outside. He is a powerful, slashing type of runner who accelerates through the hole and combines both elusiveness and power. He is hoping to be a pro feature back, and he looks to be a good outlet receiver. He will split the workload Saturday with Jacob Hester and Rafael Little. RB Justin Forsett, California BUZZ: Forsett displayed explosiveness and fine vision throughout the week. He was able to consistently get to the second level and make plays. He also caught the ball well and got into his routes easily. He is well-rounded and completed a fine week of workouts. He should be ready to shine in this game. If he does, he could move into the second tier of running backs in this deep class. RB Rafael Little, Kentucky BUZZ: Little ran hard and showed a burst to the outside. He is a powerful, compact runner who also has some elusiveness. He will likely be a favorite outlet receiver Saturday for QB Andre' Woodson, Woodson's teammate at Kentucky. WR Lavelle Hawkins, California BUZZ: Hawkins performed brilliantly all week, showing explosive quickness into his routes and outstanding run-after-the catch ability. He helped his cause as much as any player at the event. He has worked well with passers Chad Henne, Joe Flacco and John David Booty. He appears ready to have a huge game as the North's No. 1 receiver. WR DJ Hall, AlabamaBUZZ: Hall looked sharp in his routes and caught almost everything thrown his way this week. He is tough going over the middle and is difficult in matchups - especially in the red zone. His athleticism and leaping ability give him a big advantage in coverage. WR Andre Caldwell, FloridaBUZZ: Caldwell had a very good week, showing good route running and hands. He also showed scouts he has the body control to make the tough catch. He worked well with passers Colt Brennan and Andre' Woodson in practice, and he could be the go-to receiver on passing situations Saturday. DE Jason Jones, Eastern MichiganBUZZ: Jones was a player we rated as one of the hidden gems at this event, and he did not disappoint. He played several positions, but performed best at end. He displayed pass-rushing talent and good skills in run support. He has a tremendous reach, which allows him to keep blockers off his body. He also has the quickness to come off the edge and pressure the passer. Jones has good footwork and is primed for a fine performance on game day. DT Sedrick Ellis, USCBUZZ: Ellis was one of nine USC players in attendance, and he performed like a super blue-chip prospect. He had a dominant performance and displayed explosive power on the inside. He was exceptionally quick on the snap, and got into the backfield often. He has been a top-10 prospect the entire year, and he probably moved up further off the week's effort. His versatility and production as a senior were outstanding. LB Dan Connor, Penn StateBUZZ: Connor displayed fine fundamentals and was able to adjust quickly to a new system. He is quick to read and react, and showed he has the ability to get through traffic and finish the play. He is like a coach on the field. His instincts toughness, and athleticism give him a chance to really shine in this game. CB Leodis McKelvin, TroyBUZZ: McKelvin had a very strong week of practice. He is a top athlete with excellent quickness. His speed translates well to the field. He is a highly rated return specialist, and could really shine in a game where several players are not used to covering kicks. He has the talent to be a difference-maker every time he touches the ball, and he can recover quickly when playing corner. CB Pat Lee, AuburnBUZZ: Lee had a strong senior season and a fine week of practice. His stock is rising. Lee combines fine size and instincts with the toughness to be a good defender in run support. He faces key matchups against Lavelle Hawkins and Eddie Royal in the game, which could give him several chances to shine in coverage.
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Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 27, 2008 13:52:30 GMT -5
collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=766316FRIDAY NOTEBOOKHester Sseems Assured of Bright NFL FutureMOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile (Ala.) Press-Register conducts an annual poll at the Senior Bowl to get players' opinions on various issues in college football and pop culture. The 69 players who responded to the survey this year provided some interesting responses, which appeared in Friday's edition of the paper. Arkansas junior tailback Darren McFadden got twice as much support as Florida sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow when the players were asked who should have won the Heisman Trophy. And nearly 60 percent of the players said they preferred the bowl system to a playoff system. The players also were asked which coach they would have liked to play for other than their own. USC's Pete Carroll received more than twice as many votes as any other coach. MORE INJURY NEWS Oklahoma State fullback Julius Crosslin arrived in time to participate in the North team's Friday morning walk-through. Crosslin is replacing West Virginia's Owen Schmitt, who was knocked out of the game with a knee injury. Virginia Tech wide receiver Eddie Royal also participated in the walk-through after being listed as questionable with a rib injury Thursday night. Alabama wide receiver D.J. Hall returned to action Friday for the South team after missing practice Thursday because of an illness. Hall's return leaves LSU wide receiver Early Doucet (hamstring) and Texas wide receiver Limas Sweed (wrist) as the only injured players for the South, while the North team has plenty of medical question marks. Michigan safety Jamar Adams (heel), Ohio State offensive tackle Kirk Barton and Michigan linebacker Shawn Crable (back) haven't practiced since Wednesday. East Carolina running back Chris Johnson (shoulder) has been sidelined since Tuesday. South coach Mike Nolan said he didn't expect Doucet to play. Whether Doucet plays or not, Nolan's comments about him ought to give him plenty of incentive as he launches his pro career. "He looks real pretty," Nolan said. "That's what I saw. I saw a strong guy. He's a scaled-down (Anquan) Boldin, not quite as big, but I don't know that he has that same competitive nature that Boldin has. And I was wishing for it as I watched him and as I saw him. … It's my understanding he's not to that degree, but if he is and if he hears this and he becomes that, I'll be happy for him because he'll be a better player. "He's physically strong and gifted. He's got the talent. He's got the makings. He's got to stay healthy. If his competitive level is high, he'll be a good player." FRIENDLY RIVALS Whenever the South team attempts a field goal or extra point in Saturday's game, Georgia and Georgia Tech fans may do a double-take. Georgia Tech punter Durant Brooks has been holding for Georgia kicker Brandon Coutu in practices this week, which represents the latest example of how college all-star games can create strange bedfellows. "I'm sure there are some alumni rolling in their graves," Brooks said. Brooks and Coutu didn't even know each other until a couple of weeks ago, but they've developed a solid working relationship since launching their pro careers. The two former rivals share the same agent in Pat Dye Jr. "We're good friends," Coutu said. "We're roommates down here, and I think we'll be friends for a long time." Coutu hasn't even bothered to engage in some friendly trash talking about Tech's recent history of futility against its in-state rivalry. Georgia has defeated the Yellow Jackets seven consecutive times. "I haven't had to tease him too much," Coutu said. "I think the record speaks for itself." RAVE FOR HESTER Jacob Hester was the captain of LSU's national title team. NFL teams have a difference of opinion on whether LSU's Jacob Hester will be a tailback or a fullback in the pro ranks, but Nolan's experience tells him Hester will have a long career. Nolan was an assistant on the Baltimore Ravens' staff in 2002 when they drafted Miami safety Ed Reed with the 24th overall pick in the first round. Reed wasn't the highest-rated player at his position that year – the Dallas Cowboys took Oklahoma's Roy Williams with the eighth overall selection – but the Ravens were confident that the captain of a national championship team would find success in the NFL. Reed has gone on to become one of the finest safeties in the league. Nolan believes history could repeat itself in this case. "(Hester) was a key player on a national championship team," Nolan said. "I will be shocked if he's not a d**n good NFL player for that reason alone." LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON Alabama cornerback Simeon Castille just started working with Nolan this week, but this isn't the first time Nolan has mentored a member of the Castille family. Castille's father, former NFL defensive back Jeremiah Castille, played for Denver in 1987-88 while Nolan was on the Broncos' staff. "He does have a similar manner to his father," Nolan said. "His father was kind of quiet on the field and did his job. (Simeon's) that way. He might be a little bit more extroverted than his father, but not extremely." CONTINUING THE TRADITION Rivals.com included Penn State linebacker Dan Connor among its five-star prospects in the 2004 class and rated him as the second-best inside linebacker behind USC's Keith Rivers, who also is at the Senior Bowl. Connor did not disappoint in his career with the Nittany Lions. He had 145 tackles this past season to lead the Big Ten, and he finished as the school leader with 419 career tackles. Being the career tackle leader at any school is impressive, but Connor did it at Penn State, nicknamed "Linebacker U." because it has produced so many good ones. "Every linebacker at Penn State is real blue-collar, a hard worker, a quiet, modest-type guy," Connor said. "I don't know if that's how they recruit them or how we turn by being there, but we're all pretty similar. You're not going to get many flashy Penn State guys. A lot of them are quiet Pennsylvania kids that are working hard." In 2006, former Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny broke Greg Buttle's tackle record that had stood for 31 years. Posluszny's mark did not last long, though. Connor had a productive senior season and took over the top spot. Connor said Posluszny never gave much advice. Instead, Connor learned more by watching. "His work ethic in the offseason, his attention to detail, his film-room preparations," Connor said. "So (junior linebacker) Sean Lee, me and a couple other guys emulated what he did and that helped me a ton as I grew from freshman to senior year." WHAT'S HE WEARING? The chilly weather in Mobile forced Hester to make an unusual fashion choice. Hester participated in the South team's walk-through Friday while wearing a white long-sleeve shirt with a Tennessee logo under his jersey. Hester said Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge had loaned him the shirt. Why hadn't he packed an LSU undershirt? "I didn't know it was going to be this cold," he said.
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Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 27, 2008 14:00:53 GMT -5
collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=766590South Beats North in Dramatic FashionMOBILE, Ala. — For once, Andre Caldwell and Erik Ainge had a dramatic finish that both could cheer. Florida's Caldwell scored on a 2-yard end-around off a handoff from Tennessee's Ainge on the final play of the Senior Bowl to cap a 14-play, 86-yard final drive and lift the South to a 17-16 win over the North on Saturday. After careers spent battling for the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division in a bitter rivalry, they made for an odd pairing on the winning play. "It's fun to end your college career like that," said Ainge, whose 13-of-21 passing and 159 yards all came in the second half. "I'll remember handing the ball to a Gator to win for the rest of my life." Caldwell plunged into the end zone, getting hit by Terrence Wheatley at the goal line, and promptly celebrated the fourth-down score with a Gator chomp. Georgia's Brandon Coutu then made the extra point. "I knew I was going to get hit," Caldwell said. "I just lowered my head. To get in the end zone was a great feeling." Ainge, who was invited to the all-star game after Louisville's Brian Brohm bowed out, took over at his own 14 with 2:48 left after the North was stopped on fourth down. He completed six passes and benefited from a pass interference call and some nice runs for extra yardage by his receivers. He completed an 18-yarder to Caldwell on fourth-and-10 from the South's 14, then hooked up with Houston's Donnie Avery for a 22-yarder across the middle. The South got another first down on a pass interference call and Harry Douglas of Louisville caught the ball across the middle and managed to outrun everyone to the sideline to stop the clock after a 23-yard gain. Tulane running back Matt Forte then gained 14 yards on a catch and run down to the 2. Ainge threw three incompletions in the end zone, leaving only 2 seconds on the clock for a final play. "On that last play, you have a chance to call anything because it's the last play," said South coach Mike Nolan of the San Francisco 49ers. "Whereas the ones prior, he just had to keep it alive and not use up all the clock. A play like that you call it the first or second play and we never get another play off. It was a great call and it worked." Ainge earned South offensive MVP honors. Forte ran for a game-high 59 yards and had 38 receiving to land the overall MVP award. North coach Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders was the subject of some drama of his own on the eve of the game. The Raiders denied a report on ESPN.com Friday that cited unidentified sources saying that owner Al Davis asked Kiffin to resign. "I'm not going to comment on that," Kiffin said after the game. "It's got nothing to do with this game, and these guys' last game here." Asked if he would be the Raiders' coach in the fall, he said: "I hope so." Michigan's Chad Henne, the North offensive MVP, accounted for both his team's touchdowns with a 36-yard pass to Lavelle Hawkins of California in the first half and a 4-yarder to Missouri tight end Martin Rucker with 14:32 left in the game. He and Ainge were the only quarterbacks to avoid costly mistakes. The defensive players accounted for many of the big plays before the South's final drive. Southern California defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis outshined his college quarterback, John David Booty, by sacking Andre' Woodson of Kentucky to record a safety for the North. Those two points were the margin until the fourth quarter, and Ellis was the North's defensive MVP. LSU linebacker Ali Highsmith received South defensive honors. Henne had staked the North to a 16-7 lead with considerable help from Chauncey Washington. The Southern California tailback ran for 30 yards on three carries during the drive that ended with Rucker's TD. Henne completed five of nine passes for 64 yards but was reduced to spectator at the end. "They just did a great job on the last drive," he said. "Erik made some great throws and the receivers made some great plays. Everybody played well. It's an all-star game, so everybody has something to be proud about." Henne was the only one of the five quarterbacks who had significant time and no turnovers in the first half. Booty was intercepted by UTEP's Quintin Demps in the end zone to stop a promising drive. He finished with 72 yards passing, second only to Ainge. Woodson lost a fumble in addition to getting tackled for the safety by Ellis, widely regarded as the game's top prospect. Woodson did have a 6-yard touchdown pass to Tennessee tight end Brad Cottam. Hawaii's Colt Brennan was 2-of-6 for 29 yards with an interception. Delaware's Joe Flacco was 2-of-7 for 22 yards and a pick.
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Post by chiefsfan82 on Jan 30, 2008 11:11:07 GMT -5
After watching the Senior Bowl I want Rodgers-Cromartie and Sedric Ellis in Chief uniforms
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Post by MizzouTiger on Jan 30, 2008 12:06:15 GMT -5
Sedrick Ellis showed me more during that week than Glenn Dorsey has all season, I mean for the South to block Ellis they had to double-team the man and sometimes that didn't even work. As for DRC as he is known by- his draft stock continues to rise after an impressive week. To top that all off he is privately training with "Prime Time" Deion Sanders. That alone should speak 1,000 words. By that I mean a man such as Deion isn't gonna waste his time privatley trainging a guy who he doesn't see a bright future ahead of, Another man who impressed me was Carl Nicks OT from Nebraska. Sure he won't be a 1st Rounder or maybe even be a 1st Day Pick, but the man has the size and the skills to step in and play Tackle for Chiefs in 2008. IMO if he is still on the board come day 2 and the Chiefs get him-they get a steal..
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Post by wowposter on Oct 30, 2008 5:53:23 GMT -5
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