East West Shrine Game

[Memphis Ram]

2015 NFL Draft: East-West Shrine Game defensive preview
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst

January 9, 2015 1:30 pm

Southern Cal DB Josh Shaw needs to impress scouts after his tumultuous 2014 season. (Getty Images)
There are a handful of teams still alive in the NFL playoffs, fighting for a spot in Super BowlXLIX. But for the majority of NFL teams, the 2014 season is a distant memory as scouts, coaches and other front-office members have already begun the pre-draft process. And one of the first chapters of that journey is the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Fla., an all-star exhibition game for senior prospects.

The 90th East-West Shrine Game will be played at Tropicana Field on Sat., Jan. 17, with daily practices on the days leading up to the game, starting Monday.

The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., the following week is the premiere senior prospect all-star game, but the Shrine Game will showcase dozens of future NFL starters as well. More than 100 players from last year's game were either drafted or signed as undrafted free agents, including second-round pick QB Jimmy Garoppolo and third-rounders DT Jay Bromley, DE Will Clarke, CB Phillip Gaines and WR John Brown.

This year's Shrine Game is loaded with NFL talent once again. Below are 10 defensive players I'll be focusing on during the week of practice.

DE Za'Darius Smith, Kentucky: A basketball player growing up, Smith didn't play football until his senior year in high school, followed by a few years at the juco level and then the SEC where he starred at Kentucky. He has heavy hands and knows how to use his length, projecting him as a base end.

DE Anthony Chickillo, Miami (Fla.): The first three-generation student-athlete at Miami, Chickillo arrived in Coral Gables as a top recruit, but his senior game tape looks very similar to his performance as a true freshman. He is more of a run stuffer than pass rusher and projects as a rotational end.

DT Darius Kilgo, Maryland: A stout run stuffer, Kilgo will generate movement with his brute strength, bullying blockers into the pocket. He is aggressive, but still learning how to use his hands and needs technique work, projecting as a one-gap nose tackle in the NFL.

DT Tyeler Davison, Fresno State: A versatile defender who lined up everywhere on Fresno's line, Davison is built like a rock and is at his best as a block-eater. He doesn't always have a consistent plan, but does an excellent job occupying multiple bodies up front.

DT Chucky Hunter, TCU: A three-year starter, Hunter has been an active ingredient to the Horned Frogs' success on defense, getting upfield quickly and also protecting the edge. He brings a good mix of strength and foot quickness to be a two-down interior presence.

OLB Tony Washington, Oregon: The Ducks' current version of Dion Jordan, Washington lines up in the slot, off the edge and multiple other spots as a rotational linebacker. He is playing in the national title game Monday night so he'll miss half of the week.

ILB Bryce Hager, Baylor: The Bears' defense received a huge boost for next season with Shawn Oakman returning, but they will really miss Hager patrolling the middle of the field. He lacks ideal athleticism and range, but his first step and ball awareness are above average.

ILB Ben Heeney, Kansas: A classic overachiever, Heeney leaves it all on the field with his throwback style, thriving on his instincts to be a hunter. His stiffness and lack of range limit his NFL upside, but there's a lot to like about his play speed and read/react skills.

CB Josh Shaw, Southern California: Next week is important for every player in attendance, but especially Shaw who missed most of 2014 after his off-field debacle, jumping from a balcony and then lying about it. He has the size/speed mix to be one of the top senior corners with a good week in St. Pete.

SS Jordan Richards, Stanford: Although he's probably more of a special teams guy in the NFL, Richards is highly intelligent and physical, enjoying contact with his aggressive style. However, he's often overaggressive with wild angles and inconsistencies in space.

Next 10 players: DL James Castleman, Oklahoma State; DL Travis Raciti, San Jose State; DT Xavier Williams, Northern Iowa; LB Quayshawn Nealy, Georgia Tech; LB Jake Ryan, Michigan; LB James Vaughters, Stanford; LB Zach Vigil, Utah State; CB Cam Thomas, Western Kentucky; CB Bryce Callahan, Rice; SS Sam Carter, TCU


http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...draft-east-west-shrine-game-defensive-preview

 

[Memphis Ram]

2015 NFL Draft: East-West Shrine Game offensive preview
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst

January 8, 2015 12:37 pm ET

After switching from QB to TE, Oklahoma's Blake Bell will show off for NFL scouts in Florida. (Getty Images)
There are a handful of teams still alive in the NFL playoffs, fighting for a spot in Super BowlXLIX. But for the majority of NFL teams, the 2014 season is a distant memory as scouts, coaches and other front-office members have already begun the pre-draft process. And one of the first chapters of that journey is the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Fla., an all-star exhibition game for senior prospects.

The 90th East-West Shrine Game will be played at Tropicana Field on Sat., Jan. 17, with daily practices on the days leading up to the game, starting Monday.

The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., the following week is the premiere senior prospect all-star game, but the Shrine Game will showcase dozens of future NFL starters as well. More than 100 players from last year's game were either drafted or signed as undrafted free agents, including second-round pick QB Jimmy Garoppolo and third-rounders DT Jay Bromley, DE Will Clarke, CB Phillip Gaines and WR John Brown.

This year's Shrine Game is loaded with NFL talent once again. Below are 10 offensive players I'll be focusing on during the week of practice.

QB Taylor Heinicke, Old Dominion: The face of the Monarchs program, Heinicke deserves a lot of credit for helping Old Dominion make the jump to the FBS level. He thrived in the Monarchs' quick-strike spread offense and could carve out a Chase Daniel-type career in the NFL.

RB Kenny Hilliard, LSU: Well built at 230 pounds, Hilliard is a downhill power back with the physical nature to run over defenders and pick up steam as he goes. He began the 2014 season as the Tigers' starter before a shoulder injury sidelined him.

WR Tre McBride, William & Mary: The owner of numerous school receiving records, McBride has an athletic frame with fluidity and body strength to match up at every level of the field. He's not overly sudden, but displays good quickness in his breaks, drawing comparisons to Pierre Garcon.

WR Jordan Taylor, Rice: A foot injury sidelined him for the start of 2014, but Taylor rebounded nicely with a team-best 54 catches for 842 yards and seven scores. He has a tall, lanky frame and does a great job working back to the ball with quick hands and natural ballskills.

TE Gerald Christian, Louisville: A former Florida blue-chip recruit, Christian is athletic and fluid for the position with a smooth release off the line of scrimmage and easy route quickness. He doesn't have ideal size and needs to be a more consistent finisher, but the natural talent shines.

TE MyCole Pruitt, Southern Illinois: A hybrid tight end prospect, Pruitt looks more like a bulky wideout with his thick frame and foot quickness. He needs to refine his route-running and play more controlled, but has starter potential down the road with some seasoning.

TE Blake Bell, Oklahoma: A former quarterback for the Sooners, Bell struggled behind center as a junior and moved to tight end, posting 16 catches and four scores last season. Scouts will be able to take the temperature of his development at the new position during Shrine practices.

OL Sean Hickey, Syracuse: A college left tackle, Hickey is a prime candidate to move inside to guard and hopefully he'll work out at both spots. He has the coordination to stay balanced through contact, but his lack of length stands out and he's clearly best in small areas.

C B.J. Finney, Kansas State: A former walk-on, Finney doesn't have many physical traits to get excited about, but he doesn't make many mistakes and he's able to generate movement in the run game. He plays like a veteran, sensing and anticipating the action well.

C Greg Mancz, Toledo: A four-year starter at multiple positions, Mancz has the athletic and mental makeup to survive at the NFL level. He needs some technique work, but has natural movement traits and the recognition skills to rarely be surprised by much.

Next 10 players: TE Wes Saxton, South Alabama; OL Brett Boyko, UNLV; OG Adam Shead, Oklahoma; RB Malcolm Brown, Texas; TE A.J. Derby, Arkansas; C David Andrews, Georgia; OL Jon Feliciano, Miami (Fla.); WR Andre Davis, South Florida; OT Darrian Miller, Kentucky; RB Dominique Brown, Louisville

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...draft-east-west-shrine-game-offensive-preview

 

[manmaderam]

I'm excited for Sean Huey the most but also OL Brett Boyko. Kid is a projected 7th rd NFL pick but the CFL drafts number one overall pick. I call that a high risk low reward. He's gonna be my "Ruddy" I root for.

 

[jrry32]

Blake Bell is intriguing at TE. I also like Sean Hickey if we move to a zone scheme. Bryce Hager is another name that I like.

 

[Memento]

Josh Shaw is the guy I'm interested in. If we're going for a later-round cornerback, he might be the guy we target.

 

[manmaderam]

I also like Sean Hickey if we move to a zone scheme.

I meant hickey not sean Huey lol.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

@jrry32 isn't Dylan Thompson in the Shrine game? I asked about him earlier this year but you may have missed it. Does he have any potential as a developmental QB?

 

[jrry32]

@jrry32 isn't Dylan Thompson in the Shrine game? I asked about him earlier this year but you may have missed it. Does he have any potential as a developmental QB?

I don't think so. I liked the kid when he was younger but he got a full year this year and just didn't look good. Falls apart late in games when the pressure is on and he doesn't really have great tools to begin with.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Rosters

https://events.trustevent.com/public/001673/ROSTER-1_9_2015_updated.pdf

 

[Memphis Ram]

The 90th version of the East-West Shrine Game begins Monday morning as the second half of the scouting season begins in earnest. This classic All-Star game, known for doing much good off the field, has offered players an opportunity to make their ascent up draft boards.

Last January, it was quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who put on an impressive show and was rewarded by being the second-round selection of the New England Patriots. The prior year it was offensive lineman Terron Armstead from Arkansas Pine-Bluff who caught scouts by surprise. Armstead, selected in the third round, is now the starting left tackle for the New Orleans Saints.

So which players could come out of nowhere and leave the Shrine Game with momentum on their side? Here are 15 players to keep an eye on.

Tre' McBride/WR/William & Mary -- Stamped as a potential late-round pick prior to the season, McBride responded with a career campaign which has improved his draft stock. He's a well-sized receiver with enough speed to stretch the field but scouts want to know if McBride possesses the grit and toughness necessary to compete at the next level. He's been labeled as soft by a number of area scouts, something he must disprove the next three days.

Keith Mumphery/WR/Michigan State -- Mumphery takes a backseat to teammate Tony Lippett, yet many scouts believe he'll be a better NFL receiver. He easily moves his 220-pound frame around the field, playing to his 4.4s forty speed. Inconsistency has been an issue for the athletic wide out as he's been a token player in the Spartans offense. Teams on hand at the Shrine Game want Mumphery to beat up on his competition every day in practice.

Wes Saxton/TE/South Florida -- From an athletic standpoint, Saxton is a standout at the tight end position. He's fast, fluid and offers the versatility to line up in the backfield or in the slot. Dropped passes are the biggest issue as Saxton's been plagued with inconsistent hands the past two seasons. Should he up his game during Shrine practices, Saxton could move into the middle rounds.

AJ Derby/TE/Arkansas -- Derby made a quick transition to tight end in 2014 after spending the prior season as the Razorbacks' second-team quarterback. He uses his signal caller smarts to make plays and flashed big time ability throughout the year. Derby must prove to teams he has the ability to develop into a complete player at the tight end position.

MyCole Pruitt/TE/Southern Illinois -- Pruitt has been a dominant tight end on the I-AA level totaling 221 receptions, 2,601 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns the four years he started for the Salukis. The Shrine Game will be an opportunity to prove he can play with a better level of competition. Slated as a move tight end for the next level, his ability to outrun defenders from IA schools will enhance Pruitt's draft stock.

Jamon Brown/OL/Louisville -- Brown has been a standout at left tackle for Louisville since his sophomore season. Measuring under 6-4 while tipping the scale in excess of 330 pounds, Brown is better suited to play guard at the next level. Brown's conditioning as well as his ability to block on the move will be closely monitored this week.

Tayo Fabuluje/T/TCU -- Fabuluje was a dominant lineman in 2012 before sitting out the '13 campaign due to personal issues. The big tackle returned this year and picked up where he left off, annihilating opponents as TCU's offense scored at will. Fabuluje's physical conditioning and mental stability concern scouts so he best show up in shape and say the right things.

Greg Mancz/OL/Toledo -- Mancz lined up at guard as a junior and looked like a legitimate mid-round choice. He struggled at times after moving to center this season and as a result his draft stock has slipped. Regardless, at the top of his game Manncz offers starting potential at the next level. Versatility and the ability to control the line of scrimmage are key for Mancz in practice.

Martin Ifedi/DL/Memphis -- Ifedi comes off a disappointing campaign as he struggled with injury and played in just nine contests this season. When hitting on all cylinders he's a natural pass rusher and disruptive force. Ifedi will quickly turn the tide in his favor if he's back to health beginning Monday.

Jake Ryan/LB/Michigan -- Ryan has been a stalwart for the Wolverines defense, posting 267 tackles during his four seasons as a starter. Scouts stamped him as an early-round pick entering the season but most believe he's a two-down defender with depreciating draft stock. Ryan can shut down those criticisms by displaying cover skills against many of the athletic tight ends who'll be in attendance at the Shrine Game.

Taiwan Jones/LB/Michigan State -- Mention the Michigan State defense and names such as Shilique Calhoun and Trae Waynes immediately come to mind. Yet on film, it's Jones who constantly making plays on the ball. He possesses the size, speed and instincts to line up in a variety of schemes. Expect Jones to make a statement during Shrine week.

James Vaughters/LB/Stanford -- The line on Vaughters simply reads, “great athlete, average football player.” Scouts have been continually disappointed in Vaughters' play and his non-existent production. He needs to show up in a big way during Shrine week or he can expect not to be drafted.

Bobby McCain/CB/Memphis -- McCain is one of the hidden gems at the cornerback position in next April's draft. He has a solid combination of ball skills and instincts. Speed, specifically the ability to stay downfield with opponents, is a concern and something which will be monitored during practice.

Detrick Bonner/S/Virginia Tech -- As a sophomore, Bonner looked like a rising star and potentially the next great defensive back prospect from the Hokie program. But his game stagnated over the past two seasons. Is Bonner a scheme-specific strong safety or does he have the athleticism to play in the larger field? Teams want answers this week.

Tevin McDonald/S/Eastern Washington -- The one time highly touted prospect has watched his play slip since his dismissal from the UCLA program. At the top of his game, McDonald is a hard-hitting safety who can line up over the slot receiver but its been a while since he's played to that level. Shrine week affords McDonald the opportunity to right his ship.

http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/n...-Preview/dd800dcb-2e26-4397-8b97-a6c0ac60d6ba

 

[Memphis Ram]

Ten intriguing East-West Shrine Game prospects to watch

• 
• By Mike Huguenin
• College Football 24/7 writer
• Published: Jan. 12, 2015 at 12:53 p.m.
• Updated: Jan. 12, 2015 at 12:59 p.m.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
USC defensive back Josh Shaw caps off an odd 2014 season with an East-West Shrine Game appearance.

The East-West Shrine Game doesn't carry the same scouting-circles cachet as the Reese's Senior Bowl, but the game still features some good talent.

Practices began Monday for the event, and the game is Saturday on NFL Network.

Last year's Shrine Game had, among others, Missouri offensive tackle Justin Britt (now with the Seattle Seahawks), Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (New England Patriots), Penn State guardJohn Urschel (Baltimore Ravens) and Pittsburg (Kan.) State wide receiver John Brown (Arizona Cardinals).

Here is a look at 10 intriguing prospects to watch in this year's Shrine Game:

Date: Saturday, Jan. 17
Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network

TE Gerald Christian, Louisville
He began his career at Florida, but transferred after realizing then-Gators coaches didn't do a whole lot with their tight ends. Christian (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) needs work on his blocking, but is a good athlete with OK speed and can get deep on occasion. Christian is one of three former star high school tight ends from Palm Beach County, Fla., in this draft, joining Florida State's Nick O'Leary and Miami's Clive Walford, and his upside might be the best.

QB Devin Gardner, Michigan
He had a checkered career at Michigan and will be a wide receiver at the Shrine Game; he played some receiver for the Wolverines when Denard Robinson was quarterback. (Also at the Shrine Game is Oklahoma TE Blake Bell, who was converted from quarterback before his senior season.)

LB Ben Heeney, Kansas
He was a great college player on a cruddy college team. Still, he can play. His lack of height (he is listed at 6-foot-0) hurts, but he has great instincts and always seems to be around the ball.

OT Sean Hickey, Syracuse
He had an inconsistent final season and likely dropped on draft boards. But his versatility -- he might fit best inside in the NFL -- is appealing, as is that he played well as a junior in 2013.

WR Austin Hill, Arizona
Big (6-3 and 212 pounds) and physical, he missed the 2013 season with torn ACL after having a huge 2012 season. He returned this season but not quite at same level. His dad, David, was an NFL tight end for 12 years. He also had two uncles play in the NFL.

DT Chucky Hunter, TCU
He was a highly productive nose tackle for the Horned Frogs and is a load to handle in the middle. He is strong: 520-pound bench, 460-pound clean and a 750-squat for two reps.

S Tevin McDonald, Eastern Washington
McDonald (5-11, 200) started as a freshman and sophomore at UCLA before he was dismissed from school. His younger brother, T.J., was a rookie safety with the St. Louis Rams this season; he was selected in the third round by the Rams out of USC. Their dad is Tim McDonald, a former longtime NFL safety.

TE Wes Saxton, South Alabama
This is not a great draft class for tight ends, but Saxton (6-4, 235) is a good athlete who was underutilized in the jumping off a balcony to save a drowning nephew; USC publicized his heroics on the school's website. Actually, Shaw jumped off the balcony to avoid police after an argument with his girlfriend. He was suspended by the school as the police investigated a possible domestic-violence situation; no charges were filed. Shaw played in the final three games of the season and was defensive MVP of the Holiday Bowl.

DE Za'Darius Smith, Kentucky
Fellow Wildcats DE Bud Dupree got most of the notice, but Smith is a good prospect, too. He played just one season of high school football before moving on to a junior college and then Kentucky. He is 6-6 and 265, and should be able to add weight and bulk easily. Smith had 10.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss and 119 tackles in his two seasons with the Wildcats, and his upside is intriguing because of his lack of experience.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...e-prospects-to-watch?campaign=Twitter_nfl_cfb

 

[FRO]

I'm interested in TJs brother.

 

[TheDYVKX]

I'm interested in TJs brother.

Might be worth a look. He's a pretty talented player with some off the field issues. With Fisher here and TJ to keep him in line, the off the field issues don't matter as much to me.. Why he's underachieving is the biggest concern.

 

[Memphis Ram]

NFLDraftScout.com
2015 Shrine Game: Wide receiver talent shines in the rain
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst

January 12, 2015 6:44 pm ET

NFL scouts have flocked to St. Petersburg, Fla. this week to evaluate some of the top senior talent in the country. And despite the rain, that talent was on display Monday during the first practices of the week for the East and West squads, especially at the wide receiver position.

William & Mary wide receiver Tre McBride is arguably the top offensive talent here this week and he showed why on Monday with his advanced understanding of the position. At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds with 4.50 speed, he doesn't have imposing size or blazing speed, but he prides himself on the details, selling routes and using his foot quickness in his breaks to create just enough separation. McBride did an excellent job attacking the ball in the air with his quick eyes and hands, also taking reps as a punt returner.

McBride is more smooth than explosive, reminding me a lot of Pierre Garcon when he entered the NFL out of Division-III Mount Union. Scouts wanted to know how McBride would match up against FBS talent this week, but he quickly passed that test as the only way scouts could tell he wasn't from a top program was the “Tribe” helmet.

Maryland wide receiver Deon Long has traveled a winding road to get to this point and has taken advantage of his opportunites, including an invitation to this all-star game. On multiple occasions Monday, he received praise from the coaching staff for his consistent effort working back and attacking the ball, making sure the defensive back and no chance to make a play. Long has average height and a lean, wiry build, but he uses his size well and doesn't show any passiveness going up to highpoint with his hands.

Although Stefon Diggs gets most of the attention and is projected to be the first Maryland wide receiver drafted in the 2015 NFL Draft, Long has NFL talent himself and showed that on Monday.

Other Monday practice notes:

• Georgia Tech wide receiver Darren Waller certainly looks the part at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, using his size to be an easy target for the quarterbacks. But his raw technique was evident during practice, playing too high in his breaks and struggling to sink his hips and dip his shoulder to accelerate in his routes. Waller has some ankle stiffness and is forced to use multiple motions when attempting to sell patterns, tipping off defensive backs to his path. The size is intriguing, but his development this week will be important.

• A college quarterback, Michigan's Devin Gardner is making the transition to wide receiver for the next level, a position he played briefly in his Ann Arbor career. However, he is understandably still very raw as a wideout. During Monday's practice, Gardner rounded off routes, dropped passes and attracted a good amount of attention from the coaches as they tried to coach him up. He did some things well and has the athleticism for his size that should translate well, but it will certainly take some time before he sheds the “quarterback trying to play wide receiver” label.

• Wide receiver Kasen Williams had a Jekyll-Hyde type of career at Washington, showing flashes of brilliance, but then disappearing for long stretches. And Monday's practice was similar as he showed NFL talent with athletic catches, but he was also the target of a lot of yelling by the coaches as he struggled with technique and didn't consistently play up to the level that he's capable of. Although he's not yet the sum of his parts, Williams is very intriguing because of the talent that flashes.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...-game-wide-receiver-talent-shines-in-the-rain

 

[Memphis Ram]

2015 East West Shrine Preview
Sunday, January 11, 2015

Stuck between the CFB Playoff and the Senior Bowl is the less publicized East-West Shrine Game, held on Saturday, January 17 in St. Petersburg, FL. Although the highest profile NFL-bound senior prospects attend the Senior Bowl, the East-West Shrine annually graduates solid mid-round talents that produce early in their rookie seasons. Last year's alumni include Jimmy Garoppolo, Crockett Gillmore, John Brown, Allen Hurns, John Urschel, James Stone, Justin Ellis, Beau Allen, Kerry Wynn, Josh Mauro, Zachariah Kerr, Preston Brown, Prince Shembo, Bene Benwikere, Marcus Williams, Phillip Gaines and Pierre Desir.

Throughout the game's week of practices, I will be posting articles here, tweeting observations from the field, and giving input on every player on the roster, so follow me @JoshNorris. For now, here are some of the top prospects sorted by position. Note that weigh-ins take place on Monday but the media is not allowed to attend.

Quarterback

Ugh. I would rather not start off so negative, but none of these quarterbacks are draftable. There is not much else to say. I do not view any as “upside” or “developmental” quarterbacks, and even those terms do not really apply to the position anymore outside of a couple of teams. Most No. 3 quarterbacks are now on practice squads, and there will likely be better options than this group of six.

Running Back

Texas Longhorn Malcolm Brown was a highly coveted high school recruit. He then made an immediate impact in 2011. Perhaps the situation around him impacted the results, but Brown still has plenty of talent. When asked to make zone cuts, Brown was able to work frontside to backside with little wasted movement. He picked up yards blocked for him by finding lanes. Brown was able to be first contact with low pad level, aggression and leg drive. This means he created yards for himself, behind and beyond the line of scrimmage. That is the combination evaluators look for.

Another back who stood out was North Dakota State’s John Crockett. He just played in the FCS Championship, so it is uncertain if he attends the event, but Crockett flashed second level speed to make the most of what was blocked. I do question his vision and open field skills in terms of making defenders miss. I think he left yards on the field in this area.

Wide Receiver

John Brown made an immediate impact with the Cardinals after playing in this game. He is a different type of a receiver, but I would put Tre McBride’s name behind Browns among receivers who have attended the event in the last two years. McBride is a very good hands catcher and creates separation with routes and burst out of cuts and breaks. All in a 6’1/205 lbs package. He was isolated in college and consistently won against single coverage. That is something to watch this week. McBride is my Shrine crush on offense.

Maryland’s Stefon Diggs receives a lot of attention, however, I would not be surprised if Long has the better NFL career. From what I Saw, Long did a lot of good things from the slot and was able to create separation with fluid movement skills.

Georgia Tech’s Darren Waller checks in around 6’5/230 lbs. There were some real flashes of high pointing and winning in contested catches. I would not call him fluid, however. Also, Waller comes from Georgia tech’s offense, so seeing him run routes this week might be a *treat. I would not rule out Waller potentially converting into a hybrid tight end role. He is used to blocking and is willing in the area, and his movement skills are more like a traditional receiving tight end than boundary receiver.

Tight End

As a whole, this might be the most intriguing position. There are different types who win in different ways and project to different roles. In an expected “weak” tight end class, the Shrine did well here.

The quarterback position was previously mentioned, and a former passer turned tight end might be selected before any true signal callers. Arkansas’ A.J. Derby displays inline ability and improving receiving comfort and skills. That isn’t to say Derby can immediately join a team and make an impact, but he is draftable with the hopes of producing a well-rounded game.

One prospect with more of a focused role is South Alabama’s Wes Saxton. His immediately role will be a Joker or move tight end, and more should not be expected. He has movement skills and fluidity to potentially make big plays, but he will be confined to his receiving role. There is nothing wrong with that.

Offensive Line

Syracuse’s Sean Hickey is the biggest name of the group. The collegiate left tackle could see a move inside this week and especially in the NFL. Nothing really stands out about his game, so Hickey is one of those linemen who accomplish their assignment with mirroring and position rather than strength and athleticism. Hickey has the makings of a utility lineman.

One prospect who does show functional strength is Western Kentucky’s Cameron Clemmons. The right tackle displays aggressiveness to attack in both the running and passing game. This might lead to overextension in some cases, but the full body of work is quite impressive. Clemmons also has athleticism to move in space or keep his feet once losing balance to finish his assignment.

Inside, look for Louisville’s John Miller to stand out. Bobby Petrino is known to flip his guards from the formation’s weak to strong side. Miller looked really explosive getting out of his stance and made strong first contact at the line of scrimmage or when cutting to the second level against linebackers. A team that focuses on slant or zone blocking could target Miller.


Defensive Line

The 2015 EDGE class is extremely, extremely deep. That means Kentucky’s Za’Darius Smith slipped through the cracks and landed in this all-star game. Smith is not an impressive athlete. At all. However, he is one of the best in terms of using his hands and length to work different angles, reset his momentum with a counter, and to win the balance advantage. He was closed off with another edge rusher a bit too much for my liking this year, but Smith flashed winning in the 5 and 3 alignments too.

UT-Chattanooga Derrick Lott is the type to pick up a lot during this week’s practice. His game is all flash. The Georgia transfer stands 6’4/303 lbs and will show very well in 1 on 1 pass rushing drills. He can win the linear, upfield snaps with burst and force on first contact.

Linebacker

This is where things get tricky with positions. As you know, we use EDGE and Off Line Of Scrimmage Linebacker designations to differentiate pass rusher from second level players. Obviously there is a little overlap for some teams, but as a whole the rule stands. All star events muddy this a bit, however, and some true edge rushers are forced to play linebacker in the hopes of showing off skills in space.

The top case is Louisville’s Deiontrez Mount. As McBride was on offense, Mount is my Shrine crush on defense. He was a sub-package player for Louisville, but he showed so much fluidity and hand use to win around or through his opponent at the line of scrimmage. And that comes in a 6’4/230 lbs frame. Personally, I would have placed Mount among the edge rushers. He is the type of prospect I look for in evaluations: Someone who has a clear area of success, even in a role or sub-package situation. Just keep that in mind if you hear critiques of him in space. That is not Mount’s game.

For a more traditional linebacker, check out Kansas’ Ben Heeney. From what I have seen, Heeney reads his keys quickly and gets downhill. He is aggressive and wants to finish tackles. The pleasant surprise was the bit of comfort he showed in coverage in both zone and man situations. This all star event has a nice tradition at the linebacker position.

Defensive Back

If you can't tell, I believe the offensive side of the rosters have more talent than their counterparts on defense. Corner, however, does have a few intriguing names. Teams will be on the lookout for potential slot/nickel defensive backs. Tennessee's Justin Coleman and Georgia's Damian Swann both have experience in this area. Swann is an interesting one, as he displays plenty of aggression when blitzing and was even used as a safety in some sets. He moved all over the defensive formation. Coleman is more traditional, but despite my limited knowledge of defensive backs he stood out.

Virginia Tech safety Detrick Bonner is another aggressive defensive back who moved around a lot before and after the snap. H rarely waited in the second level for ball carriers and instead wanted ot meet them early, sometimes even in the backfield. His week 1 on 1 versus tight ends or when in single high looks will be monitored.

Pre-Week Top 10:

1. WR Tre McBride, William & Mary
2. EDGE Za’Darius Smith, Kentucky
3. RB Malcolm Brown, Texas
4. G John Miller, Louisville
5. LB/EDGE Deiontrez Mount, Louisville
6. OL Sean Hickey, Syracuse
7. T Cameron Clemmons, Western Kentucky
8. TE Wes Saxton, South Alabama
9. DL Derrick Lott, UT-Chattanooga
10. T Darrian Miller, Kentucky

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/51538/351/2015-east-west-shrine-preview?pg=2

 

[Memphis Ram]

2015 East-West Shrine Game Notes: Day 1

St. Petersburg High School is the backdrop for this week’s West team practices at the Shrine Game. (Photo: Dan Hope)

BBD Editor: Dan Hope

Monday was the first of four practice days at the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Fla., where more than 100 senior prospects for the 2015 NFL draft are competing in an effort to raise their stocks and prove to league scouts that they have the skills to be successful pros.

The first day is somewhat of a precursor to Tuesday’s and Wednesday, when the teams will be in full pads and the intensity will pick up. Wet conditions at both practices also put a damper on the evaluation process, as players had to compensate for weather. Nonetheless, every moment at the Shrine Game is an opportunity to impress, or potentially disappoint, someone watching.

There were a number of players who already took advantage of that opportunity as they started out Shrine Game week with strong performances in their opening practice—at least in my view.


Tyeler Davison stands out among West defensive line

The West defensive line, especially Fresno State’s Tyeler Davison (No. 92), stood out in Monday’s practice. (Photo: Dan Hope)

The West team’s defensive line might very well be the most talented unit at the Shrine Game this week, as it is full of players with a real possibility to not only be drafted this year, but become difference-makers at the next level.

No one looked better Monday than Fresno State defensive tackle Tyeler Davison. Listed at 6’2” and 310 pounds on the Shrine Game’s roster (official weigh-in results have not been released to the public), Davison was a hard-charger all afternoon.

Davison consistently came off the snap quickly, ripped ferociously with his hands and worked his way through his opponents. A potential top-100 pick, Davison made a strong case for his talent Monday as a 3-technique penetrating tackle.

Similarly impressive Monday, both in style and success, was Northern Iowa defensive tackle Xavier Williams. Listed at 6’2” and 308 pounds, Williams does not come off the snap quite as quickly as Davison but still has a good burst, while he showed that he could work his way through blockers regularly with his hands as well as his ability to gain leverage and drive his man backward.

Oklahoma State’s James Castleman, best known for capping his collegiate career with a 48-yard catch-and-run against Washington in the Alamo Bowl, did not stand out as much as Davison and Williams on Monday but likewise had a solid showing. During team drills, he put his burst on display when he exploded through the line of scrimmage for a hypothetical sack on Arizona State quarterback Taylor Kelly.

A couple defensive ends also stood out for the West squad Monday.

North Dakota State’s Kyle Emanuel, compared on Twitter to New England Patriots edge defender Rob Ninkovich, had a number of impressive repetitions mostly because he never gives up on a play. While Emanuel won’t be able to blow by NFL-quality blockers off the snap or power them backward, he is a second-effort rusher who has a solid array of pass-rushing moves, while his motor never stops running.

In one-on-one drills, Purdue’s Ryan Russell also stood out specifically for his burst. The 6’5”, 265-pound defensive end showed impressive speed around the corner to beat his man on multiple occasions.

Austin Hill looks increasingly closer to his old form

Expected to emerge as an early-round wide receiver prospect after his sophomore season, in which he caught 81 passes for 1,364 yards and 11 touchdowns, Austin Hill never looked the same this year after missing Arizona’s entire 2013 season with a torn ACL.

On Monday, Hill looked more like the player some draft analysts started raving about in 2012.

Hill ran crisp routes throughout the day and found ways to get open. While he still didn’t exhibit top-end explosiveness to start Shrine week, he seemingly caught everything thrown his way and was able to separate from defensive backs on his breaks. He had one of the highlights of the day when he made a toe-tapping, diving grab on a wide throw to the left sideline.

While Hill was the best receiver of the day, another to stand out was Georgia Tech’s Darren Waller, who measured in at 6’6 3/4” and 243 pounds Monday morning, according to Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller.

GT WR Darren Waller is as big as a defensive end pic.twitter.com/hk5eJORzmT

— Justin Higdon (@afc2nfc) January 12, 2015



While Waller looks big enough to be a lineman—and realistically, might be set for a conversion to tight end in the NFL—he showed as much athleticism as any of the East receivers Monday. With good acceleration off the line and the strength to shed press coverage with ease, Waller separated as well as any pass-catcher in St. Petersburg on Monday.

Perhaps the most intriguing prospect at the Shrine Game this week is Michigan’s Devin Gardner, an athletic collegiate quarterback who is lining up as a wideout in St. Pete. Gardner made some impressive deep receptions Monday, including one he finished with a diving grab, and another on which he used a strong stop-and-go hesitation move to burn Texas State cornerback Craig Mager. Gardner struggled to separate on intermediate routes Monday, and had some passes go off his hands, but all things considered, his first day of Shrine week was a solid one to build upon.

The most gifted wide receiver at the Shrine Game might be Washington’s Kasen Williams, but he was frustratingly inconsistent Monday. He made some impressive downfield grabs that highlighted his speed and route-running skill, while he also showed some yards-after-catch ability on short throws, but had too many catchable balls go off his hands. While he gets a partial pass for the drops because of the rainy conditions, Williams must be on top of his game the rest of the week if he is going to revive his draft stock that plummeted during an unproductive senior season.

Other notes from Day 1

- The Shrine Game’s tradition of having one Canadian player on each team is alive and well for 2015. Daryl Waud, a defensive end from the University of Western Ontario who is playing on the East roster, made a strong first impression Monday. Listed at 6’5” and 290 pounds, Waud has great length, solid athleticism and showed active hands as he gave the East’s offensive linemen trouble, especially in one-on-one drills.

- Georgia cornerback Damian Swann stood out as the most physical defensive back in East practice. There were no officials throwing yellow laundry on the field Monday, so determining what might or might not have been a penalty was wide open to interpretation, and Swann likely got away with some plays that would have been flagged as defensive holding or illegal contact. That said, he had a nice showing throughout the practice as he blanketed receivers, challenged them at the catch point and made it difficult for his opponents to come off the line cleanly.

- TCU safety Sam Carter, one of the most decorated players at the Shrine Game, had a strong start to his week. He was consistently in good position in coverage, and took advantage of receivers slipping in the slick grass to come up with two interceptions during one-on-one drills.

- I’ve been overwhelmingly positive in these notes, as the week is just one day old and players who got off to slow starts Monday could step up their games up the rest of the week. That said, it doesn’t look like there’s going to be much good to say about the quarterbacks in this year’s Shrine Game. None of them threw well enough Monday to make a strong case that they should be drafted, but the worst among them was South Carolina’s Dylan Thompson, who was inaccurate throughout the day, even on throws inside 10 yards.

I’ll be attending all eight of the Shrine Game practices in St. Petersburg this week, so be sure to check back each evening for notes on which prospects helped themselves and who might have hurt themselves each day.

http://www.buffalobillsdraft.com/2015/01/2015-east-west-shrine-game-notes-day-1/

 

[Memphis Ram]

Pauline's Day 1 Shrine Game Winners
Posted 1 hour ago

Tony PaulineDraftInsider.net

ST. PETERSBURG, Fl. – Intermittent rain showers did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the first day of practice at the East-West Shrine Game. A number of receivers and lineman stood out as players practiced in full pads today. The quarterbacks, on the other hand, struggled. Here's a breakdown of my Risers and Sliders from day one practice.

Risers

David Parry/DL/Stanford – Parry, listed as 6-2, 305, is not a lineman who will pass the eyeball test as he's smaller than one would expect. Fact is he played big today and was unstoppable despite his lack of classic measurables. Built low to the ground, he gets leverage on opponents and then showcased a variety of hand moves to get around blocks. He beat almost every opponent he faced in one-on-one drills and left a positive impression on teams.

BJ Finney/OL/Kansas State -- Finney was the one player who found a way to stop Parry. At 6-4, 312, he too lacks great dimensions but handled defenders with a terrific combination of technique and smarts. Finney, who lined up at both center and guard, out-positioned defenders and did not get beat all day.

Deon Long/WR/Maryland -- From the get-go, Long, 6-1, 195, looked ready to play football and impressed scouts with his overall game. He's exceptionally quick and beat defenders off the snap of the ball then ran scissor-sharp routes to come free. He caught all the catchable passes tossed in his direction and even snagged a few wayward throws. The only element Long seemed to be missing today was field-stretching speed, but he showed enough to peak the interest of teams needing a fourth receiver.

Darren Waller/WR/Georgia Tech -- Waller was another who came out of the gate hot and physically dominated opponents in the early going. He's an impressive specimen and, at 6-6, 240, he looks as though he could be a successful small forward in the NBA if his NFL career doesn't pan out. During full scrimmage Waller was just okay, but the impression he left on scouts at the start of practice will surely last.

Derrick Lott/DL/Tennessee Chattanooga -- The small-school lineman took full advantage of his opportunity on the big stage today. Lott, 6-4, 298, looked athletic, powerful and on more than one occasion dominated opponents. He needs a bit of refinement on the nuances of the position but there's no doubt scouts came away impressed with Lott's opening performance.

Taiwan Jones/LB/Michigan State -- When breaking down the linebackers at the Shrine Game there's Taiwan Jones and then there's everyone else. Right from the initial drill, it was easy to see that Jones, 6-3, 250, is head and shoulders above the rest. He's quicker, more athletic and more explosive but Jones also displayed instincts and discipline during scrimmage. There's a good chance Jones' play here in St Petersburg springboards him to the Senior Bowl next week.

Jonathan Feliciano/G/Miami-Fl -- Feliciano was not dominant today rather very steady and workmanlike. He wasn't flashy, but at the same time Feliciano never got beat. It was the type of performance that pushes a player into the middle rounds of the draft, which is where Feliciano, 6-5, 320, will hope to hear his name called.

Sliders

Chucky Hunter/DL/TCU -- I personally like Hunter as a prospect, but in all honesty he was beaten early and often today. The interior lineman, just 6-1, 307, was handled at the point, smothered by opponents and rarely got off a single block.

Cole Farrand/LB/Maryland -- Farrand grades well in the areas of toughness, effort and smarts, but his athleticism lags behind and it showed. At 6-3, 245, he struggled making plays in space, struggled getting outside the box with any speed and was often beaten during coverage drills.

Anthony Boone/QB/Duke -- Boone is athletic and has a big arm but that's where it ends. All too often he missed open receivers in practice and had a tendency to spray passes around the field.

http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/n...-Winners/75cc1e9d-8053-4fd8-b38c-c734eccd11e3

 

[manmaderam]

Maryland’s Stefon Diggs receives a lot of attention, however, I would not be surprised if Long has the better NFL career. From what I Saw, Long did a lot of good things from the slot and was able to create separation with fluid movement skills.


I would not mind Stefon as a late rd pick or compensatory pick. He would be able to stretch the field as well.

Trade C. Givens for something and draft Stefon? What's everyone else's thoughts on this?

 

[Memphis Ram]

http://optimumscouting.com/draft/20...tes&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

2015 SHRINE GAME: DAY ONE WEST PRACTICE NOTES
Posted by Eric Galko on Jan 12, 2015 23:33

Nasty conditions greeted the players, scouts and other onlookers this Monday for the first day of practice in preparation for this Saturday’s East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, FL. Within minutes of the West squad’s arrival at St. Petersburg High School, the skies opened up a torrential downpour. The rain itself left no players worse for the wear, however the resulting sloppy field took its toll on every position.

By: Chris Kouffman

Quarterbacks
-Today was a difficult day on which to gauge the quarterback play as field conditions affected pass catchers and coverage personnel. Receivers regularly slipped during their breaks and were often could not get to their marks. That said, the quarterbacks generally did a good job adjusting their targeting to where the receivers were, rather than throwing to a spot.

-Dylan Thompson of South Carolina found himself being lectured for not taking solid command of the huddle. That said, he consistently utilized a hard count throughout practice, often drawing defensive linemen off sides. His operation of the offense was a little uneven as he nearly threw an interception to linebacker Zach Vigil of Utah State, who jumped a short route and dropped the ball as it hit his chest. Interception aside, Thompson consistently operated the passing offense, something Arizona State’s Taylor Kelly struggled to do. Nevada’s Cody Fajardo showcased the most impressive physical tools among the passers.

Running Backs
-It is difficult to evaluate tailbacks in a practice setting where hitting is not allowed. Texas ball carrier Malcolm Brown looked a little slow trying to reach the edge of the field, however he showed good vision and cutting ability.

-The West backfield features two FCS players from the Dakotas, John Crockett of North Dakota State University and Zach Zenner of South Dakota State University. The two are polar opposites of one another in terms of field presence. Zenner is quiet and barely looks as if he belongs. Crockett is enthusiastic to an extreme, well-built with a perceptible explosiveness to his movement. If it were not for a costly fumble at the mesh-point during team drills, one would be tempted to declare Crockett a winner on the day. Perhaps he deserves that nod anyway. Suffice it to say, those that have never heard of nor seen Crockett play should probably begin a review of his tape.

Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
-Monday’s sloppy field was particularly hard on wide receivers, who had a tough time coming out of their breaks without slipping or falling. There was one clear exception: Arizona wideout Austin Hill. At 6’3” Hill sports a compact build befitting his jersey number #29. He had the best foot contact and balance of the wide receivers. During individual and team reps, Hill often made onlookers forget that the players were running in slop. He caught the ball well, showed poise and good body language.

-Most of the receivers struggled making breaks and consistently catching the football. Therefore, it is difficult to establish a pecking order based on Monday’s work. However, it should be noted that San Diego State’s Ezell Ruffin struggled the most with his footing, balance and overall execution. He made one highlight reel catch during the practice, hauling in a back-shoulder fade with one hand as he fell to the ground. Outside of that catch, he could barely run a route let alone finish the play.

-If we are to try and see beyond the sloppy field, unsure footing, slippage out of breaks and inability to finish catches then there were some intriguing signs from Washington’s Kasen Williams, who looked nigh on uncoverable when he ran his routes correctly. Alas, one is forced to acknowledge he could not finish catches in team play.

-Oklahoma quarterback-turned-tight end Blake Bell looked the smoothest, most sure-footed and sure-handed of his position group Monday afternoon. The day was not one where many skill players were able to showcase their talent, but his work bears watching.

Offensive Linemen
-While the conditions made it difficult to tell which offensive lineman was truly performing the best on the day, it was quite easy to see which performed the worst. That unfortunate honor belongs to Florida State’s Bobby Hart. He struggled during pit drills pass protecting against defensive tackles as well as defensive ends. In fact, he was the only offensive lineman to consistently struggle during pass protection drills. He followed up by struggling in team segment as he was pushed around, and eventually called for a false start. Hart could not get out of his own head all afternoon, as he would adapt from one mistake by finding a different way to get beat on the following rep.

-Tayo Fabuluje of Texas Christian University may be the most deserving of being dubbed the best lineman of the practice session. He excelled during pass protection drills, showing a nice combination of frame, fight and balance.

Defensive Linemen
-The most impressive defensive lineman during the session was San Jose State’s Travis Raciti, who found different ways of making plays throughout the afternoon. West coaches did a good job using players in a variety of ways during practice and so Raciti got reps on the inside as well as at end. He excelled regardless of position, showing off the nice combination of hand fighting skills and quickness that earned him 27.0 tackles for loss in his SJSU career.

-Tyeler Davison of Fresno State definitely had his moments throughout the practice. Well regarded by most draft media outlets, his performance during the practice session is not likely to make any of his fans think twice about him. He broke through interior linemen during pass protection drills several times, and made at least one big play during team drills. Raciti was just a little bit more consistent.

-Memphis defensive end Martin Ifedi had a day worth forgetting. He was continually thrown off by the poor field conditions, and it seemed to affect him mentally as he pressed too hard as the practice session went on. Ifedi is a talented player who should bounce back and improve throughout the week.

Linebackers
-There was not much to be said of the linebackers during Monday’s session. Utah State’sZach Vigil made a nice jump on a short outlet pass by quarterback Dylan Thompson. However, he let the ball bounce off his chest.

-Stanford’s James Vaughters certainly passes the eyeball test. He showed off his mobility as the speedy quarterback Cody Fajardo turned on the afterburners on a rollout to try and turn a corner that Vaughters never let him have. Considering his size and thickness, if he continues to flash that kind of speed he may get drafted higher than many expect.

Defensive Backs
-There is no doubt which defensive back is the most communicative of the group. That accolade belongs to Texas Christian’s Samuel Carter, who looked the most comfortable of all the safeties calling the ball from the secondary. Even when his unit looked on from the sidelines, he continued calling the offense’s formations and tendencies. He was loud and enthusiastic in his praise of teammates, and neither his command nor leadership of the defense came off forced or fake. He also practiced very well, handling his one-on-one coverage responsibilities consistently.

-Colorado’s Greg Henderson does not enter the practice week as a heralded player, and indeed he is one of the least likely to impress you getting off the bus. His build reminds of Brent Grimes of the Miami Dolphins. However he consistently showed good hips and feet in coverage, and also showed excellent pad level and leverage in tackling.

-One underrated player who did not necessarily have a great practice session wasBernard Blake of Colorado State. Blake is a good player with the length and mobility to play at the next level, however he had a very difficult time keeping his footing during drills.

-Though all eyes were on the highly rated cornerback Josh Shaw of Southern California, his practice demeanor did not necessarily live up to his reputation. Though he is clearly a confident player who knows what he’s doing, he looked a little lifeless during the practice session. Scouts will want to see him light up a little more as the practice week continues.

 

[Memphis Ram]

2015 East-West Shrine Game Notes: Day 2 West Practice

Kansas State center B.J. Finney (No. 72) was among the standouts of Tuesday’s Shrine Game practice for the West team. (Photo: Dan Hope)

BBD Editor: Dan Hope

The 2015 East-West Shrine Game’s week of practices is halfway complete. The West team took the field for its second practice session of the week Tuesday afternoon, at St. Petersburg High School, where some of Monday’s standouts impressed again but other players also took the spotlight, many positive but some negative.

The West team had better conditions to deal with Tuesday—at least in regards to the weather. While the sunny, warm skies were a big improvement over the pouring rain that hit the beginning of Monday afternoon’s session, players continued to have issues with slipping because of a worn-down grass field.

Here’s a closer look at St. Petersburg HS field after two days… not ideal, especially for WRs and DBs. #ShrineGame pic.twitter.com/Zl2rIBjaqO

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) January 13, 2015



Of course, any player who wants to make it in the NFL will have to be able to deal with less-than-ideal conditions at the next level as well, so players are still expected to be on top of their games despite the conditions. Many of them were, including Kansas State center B.J. Finney, on Tuesday.


B.J. Finney, Xavier Williams provide best head-to-head battle of the week

Northern Illinois defensive tackle Xavier Williams was noted as one of the top standouts from Monday’s practices, and he was once again on Tuesday. His explosiveness off the snap consistently stands out, as he combines a great burst with the power to drive defenders back.

For much of the practice, these traits allowed Williams to penetrate the backfield rapidly and regularly on each repetition, both in one-and-ones and in other drills. The exception, however, came when he was lined up against Finney.

While Williams has made most of the West’s interior offensive linemen look bad, Finney did not suffer the same fate. The center, listed at 6’4” and 312 pounds on the Shrine Game’s roster, consistently played with great hand placement and leverage and was able to fight off Williams’ attacks, keeping himself in front of the defender, because of his technical skill.

Altogether, no one had a more impressive practice Tuesday than Finney, a former walk-on at Kansas State who is coming off a good senior year and strengthened his case Tuesday to be one of the first centers selected in the 2015 draft.

John Crockett standing out among running backs

John Crockett has reason to be confident; in his collegiate career, he never knew anything but being a champion, as North Dakota State won national championships in each of his four seasons there. A productive player on each of the Bison’s last three title-winning teams, Crockett’s confidence from small-school excellence has translated to a strong start to his week at the East-West Shrine Game.

When watching Crockett alongside Texas’ Malcolm Brown and South Dakota State’s Zach Zenneron Tuesday, Crockett stood out above his peers as the fastest and smoothest runner and also the most skilled receiver of the trio.

Crockett, who was been noticeably talkative all week, shows good explosion out of the backfield and the ability to make sharp, smooth cuts in the open field. He also looked great in receiving drills, highlight by one spinning catch he made on an underthrown ball behind him.

Well-built and listed at 6’1” and 215 pounds, Crockett has the make-up to be successful in the NFL, and projects to be one of the Day 3 running backs who come out of the draft annually and end up being just as productive as the early-round picks.

Quarterbacks continue to live up to expectations, but that’s not a good thing

The aforementioned inaccurate throw that Crockett had to make a challenging adjustment on was one of many of its kind in Tuesday’s practice. All three quarterbacks—Nevada’s Cody Fajardo, Arizona State’s Taylor Kelly and South Carolina’s Dylan Thompson—struggled to throw the ball on time and with ball placement on Tuesday.

Some timing issues are to be expected during Shrine Game practices, as quarterbacks are working with unfamiliar receivers, but the issues for each of these three stem well beyond the usual miscommunications. All signal-callers who came in needing strong weeks to push themselves solidly into the draft, each has instead looked like a player who should go undrafted.

Other notes from Day 2 West practice

- On Monday I applauded the performance of the East team’s Canadian prospect, Western University defensive tackle Daryl Waud; on Tuesday, the other Canadian prospect, Regina wide receiver Addison Richards, made a positive impression of his own. Listed at 6’5” and 210 pounds, the long receiver legitimized himself as an NFL prospect by making nice grabs throughout Tuesday’s drills. Richards has limited speed and agility, so he’s likely a late-round pick at best, but his height is certainly eye-catching and his play so far this week has been too.

- Like Xavier Williams, Fresno State defensive tackle Tyeler Davison continue to get into the backfield more often than he did not on Tuesday. Davison did not stand out quite as much as he did Monday, and it does seem that he is overly reliant on his inside swim move. He has been using that move all week with great effectiveness to blow by the West interior offensive linemen, but it might not be as effective against more talented blockers at the next level. Still, Davison has had as good of a week as anyone on the field.

- On the other end of the spectrum, Oklahoma State defensive tackle James Castleman had a disappointing showing Tuesday. By comparison, he isn’t showing nearly as much explosiveness off the snap as Williams and Davison, and he was easily handled by most of his opponents in Tuesday’s practice.

- While B.J. Finney is on the rise among interior offensive line prospects, Toledo’s Greg Mancz had a rough showing Tuesday. A collegiate center who spent most of his time at guard Tuesday, Mancz was exposed by the West’s talented crop of defensive tackles, as he struggled to keep them out of the backfield and himself off the ground.

- NFL scouting departments do their due diligence on every prospect on their radars, so seeing a scout from one team talking to a player doesn’t necessarily mean that team wants to draft that player. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that Florida State offensive lineman Bobby Hart spent a number of minutes in conversation with a Buffalo Bills scout after Tuesday’s practice.

A collegiate right tackle listed at 6’4” and 332 pounds who has worked mostly at guard this week, Hart is just 20 years old and has upside, but was a liability on the Seminoles’ offensive line. He has continued to struggle in practice this week.

- Tuesday’s catch of the day was made by Northern Illinois wide receiver Da’Ron Brown, who made a terrific spinning adjustment on an underthrown deep ball to make a catch, all the while having a cornerback in coverage and in contact on his back. Brown hasn’t been able to consistently get open and make catches this week, but he has flashed some deep playmaking ability.

- The week continued to be up-and-down for Washington wide receiver Kasen Williams on Tuesday. At times, he’s looked like the sophomore version of himself who caught 77 balls for 878 yards and six touchdowns in 2012; at others, he’s looked like the disappointing player who had just 20 receptions for 189 yards and two touchdowns this past season. As Detroit Lions Draft’s Jeff Risdonpointed out to me during a between-practices conversation today, Williams fails to consistently get his head around and see the ball thrown his way. He also had as much trouble dealing with the damaged grass as any player on the field, and seemed frustrated with it throughout the day. Still, Williams has shown his big-play potential in both practices this week; he just needs to be more consistent.

- Like Damian Swann in East practice, Eastern Washington’s Tevin McDonald has been consistently physical—a little too physical—with opposing receivers in West practice. While he has done a great job in press coverage of getting on his man and keeping receivers from getting clean releases off the line, he has failed to release his contact after five yards, which leads to penalties in NFL games.

Clayton Lopez, the defensive backs coach for the West squad, lectured McDonald on numerous occasions about how he must learn how to avoid illegal contact penalties.

“Referees are going to run out of flags for you,” Lopez said to McDonald late in practice, chiding him before following up with praise for the defensive back’s effort.

http://www.buffalobillsdraft.com/2015/01/2015-east-west-shrine-game-notes-day-2-west-practice/