Unlike the National team Thursday, Herm
Edwards' American team is going to hold at least part of practice in
pads. Because you practice to win the game! I ignore Todd McShay's
intro because a) it's the same stuff he said at the beginning of the
first practice, and b) Bill Polian is gloriously hocking up a loogie
on camera on the other side of the panel. Always thought Mike Ditka
would be the first guy I'd see do that on TV, but he'd shoot his upside of
Berman's head.
Edwards' staff also has a couple of
former Rams: Amp Lee is coaching running backs and Tony Wragge is
assisting on offensive line.
ESPN gave us less on-field action to
work with for this practice than even for the first one. We saw a
little 11-on-11, a little 7-on-7 goal line, and a lot of Herm walking
and talking. The analysts start the show by talking about the player
they're most eager to see. I would have been eager to see just about
anybody at all.
Coverage really focused on two QBs:
Greg Jenkins of Alabama State and Jordan Rodgers of Vanderbilt.
Jenkins is working out at QB and WR, and looks credible at both. Todd
McShay calls him the most explosive player on either roster. He has a
strong arm and threw a nice deep ball down the seam to TE Tristan
Okpalaugo in 11-on-11, but made some eye-opening play at receiver as
well. Great speed, fast in and out of his breaks, good hands, can
separate deep and short. He gave Marcus Cromartie fits in the little
bit of 7-on-7 we saw, beating him on a slant and with an acrobatic
play on a fade pass, belying his height. Looks like a very natural
receiver, though he hadn't played the position since the 9th
grade. Of course, we did not see him have to get off a jam. But
Jenkins still looks like a player who's going to get drafted to me.
Rodgers has a brother that plays for
the Packers who you may have heard of. Does not have great size or a
big arm, but has good footwork, anticipation and accuracy. He gets
the ball out quickly and moves around well to find throwing lanes
(because he has to). Great fundamentals and head for the game.
Delivers the ball on time. Makes good decisions. Always competes,
plays with savvy and just makes plays. Minor mechanical flaw, which
he pointed out for everyone: his dropback is too short when throwing to
his left.
The American team's third QB is Brad
Sorenson of Southern Utah, who has the size at 6'4” 237 and the
tools, but has been inconsistent. Throws everything 100 mph and
doesn't really seem like he steps into his throws.
McShay's top five players on the
American roster:
1 – S Jakar Hamilton, South Carolina
State: McShay called Hamilton the most talented athlete there. Ton of
versatility. He can play corner or safety. He covers well man-to-man and has
good range in zone coverage. Supports the run really well. He also
contributes on special teams and is a natural punt catcher. He has
some baggage McShay did not specify. He left Georgia “after some
issues.” Can I see Fisher/Snead dropping a 4th-round pick on Jakar
Hamilton? Oh yes I can.
2 – OLB Herman Lathers, Tennessee:
undersized, of course. NFLPA should just call this the Undersized
Bowl. 6'0” 225. Makes plays sideline-to-sideline, though, covers
receivers well and can get up the field to pressure the QB. Has
just-average speed and athleticism but is quick to the ball.
Instinctive, aggressive, physical and has shown he can learn a system
quickly. Bill Polian loves him, likened him to Cato June. Two-time
all-Academic SEC. Has an unspecified knee problem. Overcame bone
cancer as a child.
3 – TE Ben Cotton, Nebraska: never
saw him.
4 – G Kevin Saia, Louisiana Tech:
again this practice, offensive linemen barely looked at.
5 - Rodgers (see above).
Looking at receivers: Robert Smith
liked the Lilliputian Quincy McDuffie of Central Florida. 5'8”,
175. Good speed, good feet and elusiveness, and very good in the
return game. He returned 3 kicks for TDs last year. Christopher
Slaughter of Fort Valley State made a bunch of catches. He has nice
height at 6'3” but weighs all of 168? Maybe this should be called
the Anorexia Bowl. Has good hands, and uses that height well, as long
as somebody doesn't break him in half. Julius-John Swain (Northern
Iowa) broke up one quick hitch to him, a play where Slaughter could
have used more “my ball” attitude. Okpalaugo, of Fresno State,
had the one long catch but had issues with drops.
RB Orwin Smith (Georgia Tech, 5'11”
200) fought an ankle injury this season, but was a productive
receiver even in Tech's triple-option offense. Really good hands and
can make people miss. Long strider with some burst; needs to add some
bulk. Is thinking too much right now because he's trying to adjust to
a pro system from the triple option.
Best lineman I picked up on in this
session was DE Nate Palmer of Illinois State, who beat the LT
consistently and showed off a nice spin move. Another player Polian
really likes is DE Josh Williams of Kansas. Quick off the ball,
excellent movement, looks physical, likes to hit. And again, the
poster child for the Undersized Bowl: 6'4”, 250.
The game is tonight; just started, actually. I'm “working” on the Shrine Game right now and
suspect my notes for this game won't be out till Monday.
-$-
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