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| Associated Press |
The
question is, who else does, or should. The stands are empty. Par for
the college all-star game course, almost all the scouts watch the
practices and get out of Dodge before the game’s even played. The
most audacious projections have a quarter of the players from this
game getting drafted, which would double the success of last year’s
rosters. For both years they’ve had the game, ESPN wasn’t too
concerned about pre-empting it with a Missouri Valley Conference
basketball game or having anything close to professional announcers
call it. (Play-by-play was ok, but Todd McShay and Bill Polian are
well out of their element in a live booth.) The game organizers are
so eager to get it over with that the clock does not stop in the
fourth quarter. Realistically, NFL teams are looking at this game
mainly for camp bodies and possibly late-round draft picks. Current
Rams Tim Barnes and Brandon Washington have played here; ex-Rams to
make the main roster from the game include Josh Hull (2010) and Kevin
Hughes (2011). I’d say the most successful rookies from last year’s
game were Seahawks TE Luke Willson and Bucs RB Mike James.
QB: The most interesting QBs at the game, quite honestly, were the
ones who didn’t play much. Brendon Kay (Cincinnati, 3-7-51, TD)
threw a perfect 26-yard TD in the 3rd
but was very spotty with accuracy in the game and in
practices. Despite that, he seemed to get a majority of the
Nationals’ snaps. James Franklin (Mizzou, 5-8-77, INT) was as
inconsistent as ever, though maybe improved over practices and the
Cotton Bowl. He started with a poor quick screen and a pass tipped at
the line for an INT but also made a couple of good downfield passes.
Kolton Browning (La-Monroe, 3-5-15, INT) had a really bad underthrow
picked off before halftime. Connor Shaw’s (South Carolina, 5-6-70,
INT) game was also mixed. Deep throws looked fine but weren’t
completed due to bad routes or defensive penalties. He looked fine on
the quick, short stuff. Having to improvise under pressure in
the 4th, though, he threw a terrible INT well over the head of any
possible receiver he had. Sean Schroeder (13-17-138, TD) did complete
a deep ball for 35 off a good play-fake, and, being a Hawaii QB, was
very comfortable in the 2:00 and quick-passing offenses. He didn’t
always have enough arm, though, to make even intermediate throws. If
he’s to be a pro, it will be in a very specific, very limited role.
If
the Rams bring in a QB from this game, despite their stats, I’d
hope for UNLV QB Caleb Herring (2-6-8) or Dustin Vaughan (2-5-38),
from the QB factory that produced Keith Null, West Texas A&M.
Vaughan is big (6'5” 232) and can really “spin it”, but was
sadly wasted in this game. He was hardly on the field and had a
beautiful 30-yard deep out dropped by Isaiah Burse. The two did
connect on another beautiful throw, down the sideline inside the 5 to
set up a TD. He’ll need to show better decision-making when his
first option is covered and better touch on his shorter throws.
Herring may be an all-airport player, but he had the strongest arm
there. He looked good on his drops, made some nice, strong throws his
receivers really should have caught. With his arm and mobility, if
you had enough time, you might be able to get Colin Kaepernick out of
him.
At other positions:
RB
Roy Finch, Oklahoma, 5’7 170
Of course the player I probably liked the least during practice week was one of the game's best players. A classic selection for this game, Finch (14-60) is seriously undersized but plays with a ton of moxie. He’s got speed to turn the corner, uses his blocks well and has superb field vision, which he showed on a draw play in the 1st (came back due to holding behind the play). Finch is also surprisingly strong (something you’d never get to see watching practices on TV) and willing to put his shoulder into a defender to finish off a run. Rounding out the package, he had a big kick return in the 3rd, breaking a tackle and hitting up the sideline for 55 yards. A very poor man’s Darren Sproles, Finch got himself a minimum of a camp invite with his performance.
Of course the player I probably liked the least during practice week was one of the game's best players. A classic selection for this game, Finch (14-60) is seriously undersized but plays with a ton of moxie. He’s got speed to turn the corner, uses his blocks well and has superb field vision, which he showed on a draw play in the 1st (came back due to holding behind the play). Finch is also surprisingly strong (something you’d never get to see watching practices on TV) and willing to put his shoulder into a defender to finish off a run. Rounding out the package, he had a big kick return in the 3rd, breaking a tackle and hitting up the sideline for 55 yards. A very poor man’s Darren Sproles, Finch got himself a minimum of a camp invite with his performance.
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| USA Today |
FB
J.C. Copeland, LSU, 5'11 285
No doubt the most interesting player in the game, the 285-lb fullback just crushed American team LBs and won the game MVP. That size going up against undersized rookie free agent level LBs? Unfair. He scored two goal-line TDs due to simple physics. No one there could bring him down. He muscled through a crowd for the first one and carried DT Donnie Owens for a second. He opened up Anthony Wilkerson’s TD run by destroying Mizzou LB Andrew Wilson with a massive block. He doesn't miss a run block, and he’s got some cred as a receiver and at protecting the QB. Overall athleticism and ability to control his weight are going to be major issues, however. (Not to mention remembering not to curse during live interviews.)
No doubt the most interesting player in the game, the 285-lb fullback just crushed American team LBs and won the game MVP. That size going up against undersized rookie free agent level LBs? Unfair. He scored two goal-line TDs due to simple physics. No one there could bring him down. He muscled through a crowd for the first one and carried DT Donnie Owens for a second. He opened up Anthony Wilkerson’s TD run by destroying Mizzou LB Andrew Wilson with a massive block. He doesn't miss a run block, and he’s got some cred as a receiver and at protecting the QB. Overall athleticism and ability to control his weight are going to be major issues, however. (Not to mention remembering not to curse during live interviews.)
DT
Jamie Meder, Ashland, 6'2” 306
One of my favorite players in the game, Meder looked good in 1-on-1 drills and kept it up during the game. He got very good push and deflected a pass for an INT on his first series. He whipped Karim Barton and pressured Kenny Guiton into a turnover later in the 1st. You want a clutch play? How about 4th-and-2 in the 2nd, he rag-dolled the center and took fullback Kiero Small down single-handed to get the ball back. Meder added another run stuff in the 3rd and was probably the defensive player of the game. I hope the guys at Rams Park will be busy this week reviewing their Ashland tape, if there is such a thing.
One of my favorite players in the game, Meder looked good in 1-on-1 drills and kept it up during the game. He got very good push and deflected a pass for an INT on his first series. He whipped Karim Barton and pressured Kenny Guiton into a turnover later in the 1st. You want a clutch play? How about 4th-and-2 in the 2nd, he rag-dolled the center and took fullback Kiero Small down single-handed to get the ball back. Meder added another run stuff in the 3rd and was probably the defensive player of the game. I hope the guys at Rams Park will be busy this week reviewing their Ashland tape, if there is such a thing.
DT
Johnnie Farms, Memphis, 6'2” 305
Another DT who had one of the day’s stronger individual games. Was really able to outquick anyone he went up against. Had a tackle for loss and contributed on the game’s last sack by beating a good blocker, Brian Clarke. He whipped another good blocker, Kevin Danser, so badly in the 1st Danser had to drag him down by his jersey, which got flagged and took away a long Finch run. Another tackle who thrived on his quickness off the ball, and his tape should be a lot easier to find than Meder’s.
Another DT who had one of the day’s stronger individual games. Was really able to outquick anyone he went up against. Had a tackle for loss and contributed on the game’s last sack by beating a good blocker, Brian Clarke. He whipped another good blocker, Kevin Danser, so badly in the 1st Danser had to drag him down by his jersey, which got flagged and took away a long Finch run. Another tackle who thrived on his quickness off the ball, and his tape should be a lot easier to find than Meder’s.
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| Associated Press |
WR
Isaiah Burse, Fresno State, 5'10” 185
(4-50) Had an AWFUL drop of a beautiful long throw from Dustin Vaughan, but caught well and looked quick on quick screens and drags, running well after the catch. He beat (corrected) Brian Dixon deep a couple of times, drawing a DPI and making up to Vaughan with a long catch inside the 5. Dangerous punt returner, (13.7 avg on 3 attempts) uses his blockers well and has plenty of speed to make the corner, but will also do the chicken-with-its-head-cut-off return where he thinks he can beat everybody and runs 30 yards to gain 1. Still, a prototype slot receiver who can get open deep and be a key contributor on special teams is worth a good, long look.
(4-50) Had an AWFUL drop of a beautiful long throw from Dustin Vaughan, but caught well and looked quick on quick screens and drags, running well after the catch. He beat (corrected) Brian Dixon deep a couple of times, drawing a DPI and making up to Vaughan with a long catch inside the 5. Dangerous punt returner, (13.7 avg on 3 attempts) uses his blockers well and has plenty of speed to make the corner, but will also do the chicken-with-its-head-cut-off return where he thinks he can beat everybody and runs 30 yards to gain 1. Still, a prototype slot receiver who can get open deep and be a key contributor on special teams is worth a good, long look.
CB
Kenneth Acker, SMU, 5'11” 193
Didn’t flash anything like he did in practices, and got beaten deep by Gerald Ford, but was step-for-step with receivers on other deep balls and reacted well on run plays. Opinions likely didn’t change that Acker was the best DB at the game.
Didn’t flash anything like he did in practices, and got beaten deep by Gerald Ford, but was step-for-step with receivers on other deep balls and reacted well on run plays. Opinions likely didn’t change that Acker was the best DB at the game.
OT
Erle Ladson, Delaware, 6'5” 355
Very likely kicking inside in the pros. Mauling run-blocker, a powerful down-blocker who will flatten people. Had a pancake block in the game and dominated in practice for stretches. Quite a bit of trouble with quickness and speed in pass pro, but if he gets his hands on you, you're dead.
Very likely kicking inside in the pros. Mauling run-blocker, a powerful down-blocker who will flatten people. Had a pancake block in the game and dominated in practice for stretches. Quite a bit of trouble with quickness and speed in pass pro, but if he gets his hands on you, you're dead.
DT
Donnie Owens, Winston-Salem State, 6'1” 305
Looked quick, looked effective when he had some room. Got good penetration against good blockers like Jared Wheeler and Jonotthan Harrison-Nelson to slow down runs. Burned D.J. Morrell with a spin move for a sack.
Looked quick, looked effective when he had some room. Got good penetration against good blockers like Jared Wheeler and Jonotthan Harrison-Nelson to slow down runs. Burned D.J. Morrell with a spin move for a sack.
OL
Josh Wells, James Madison, 6'5”, 315
Strong run blocker. Wiped his guy out on a long James Sims run and had a very strong and very overlooked interior block on Wilkerson’s TD run.
Strong run blocker. Wiped his guy out on a long James Sims run and had a very strong and very overlooked interior block on Wilkerson’s TD run.
RB
Franklin Quiteh, Bloomsburg, 5'9” 208
(10-48, TD) Showed great change of direction on 20-yard TD run, pivoting from a middle run to the outside so quickly he got the whole defense off balance and scored easily. Appeared to have good size and didn't get caught from behind. Looks to have buildup speed moreso than natural quickness. Showed some cut-blocking skill in pass pro and broke some tackles. Isn't going to power through a tackle but can break one in space.
(10-48, TD) Showed great change of direction on 20-yard TD run, pivoting from a middle run to the outside so quickly he got the whole defense off balance and scored easily. Appeared to have good size and didn't get caught from behind. Looks to have buildup speed moreso than natural quickness. Showed some cut-blocking skill in pass pro and broke some tackles. Isn't going to power through a tackle but can break one in space.
LB
Shaun Lewis, Oklahoma State, 5'11” 225
Around the ball a lot, had an early INT, stuffed a couple of runs and defended a screen well late in the game. Tackled poorly on one of Finch’s long runs and played Quiteh’s TD run poorly. Got fooled into stepping up into the line and would have been beaten around the corner with ease even if the safety hadn’t gotten in his way. Still looks like a player who can go places with good coaching.
Around the ball a lot, had an early INT, stuffed a couple of runs and defended a screen well late in the game. Tackled poorly on one of Finch’s long runs and played Quiteh’s TD run poorly. Got fooled into stepping up into the line and would have been beaten around the corner with ease even if the safety hadn’t gotten in his way. Still looks like a player who can go places with good coaching.
OL
Karim Barton, Morgan State, 6'3, 315
Held his ground well a lot of the time but also got whipped by Meder to pressure a turnover. Blocks every play to the whistle and had a strong practice week. Phone booth/tree stump type of lineman with potential.
Held his ground well a lot of the time but also got whipped by Meder to pressure a turnover. Blocks every play to the whistle and had a strong practice week. Phone booth/tree stump type of lineman with potential.
WR
Corey Washington, Newberry, 6'4” 207
There was a lot of fuss from the ESPN analysts throughout the week for not-related WRs Tony Washington (Appalachian State) and Corey Washington (Newberry); I didn’t think either lived up to it. In particular, Corey didn’t look like any kind of a deep threat and struggled with throws over his head that a professional receiver needs to be able to catch.
There was a lot of fuss from the ESPN analysts throughout the week for not-related WRs Tony Washington (Appalachian State) and Corey Washington (Newberry); I didn’t think either lived up to it. In particular, Corey didn’t look like any kind of a deep threat and struggled with throws over his head that a professional receiver needs to be able to catch.
WR
Greg Hardin, North Dakota, 5'10” 173
Played in the game much better (2-52) than he appeared to practice. Had a 17-yard sideline catch and beat Love for a 35-yard bomb. Really trucked Tyree Mills as a downfield blocker on Quiteh’s TD run. Nice all-around game.
Played in the game much better (2-52) than he appeared to practice. Had a 17-yard sideline catch and beat Love for a 35-yard bomb. Really trucked Tyree Mills as a downfield blocker on Quiteh’s TD run. Nice all-around game.
WR
Gerald Ford, Valdosta State, 6'3” 219
Also looked shaky in practice but solid in the game (2-32), with a pretty, deep catch from Franklin, a nice hands catch with very good sideline footwork, and he beat Acker to do it. I doubt he will end anyone’s long national nightmare at WR, but a good rebound for him in the game all the same.
Also looked shaky in practice but solid in the game (2-32), with a pretty, deep catch from Franklin, a nice hands catch with very good sideline footwork, and he beat Acker to do it. I doubt he will end anyone’s long national nightmare at WR, but a good rebound for him in the game all the same.
OG
D.J. Morrell, Old Dominion, 6'5” 327
Good run blocker. Got Wilkerson enough room to pop a 13-yard draw and wiped his guy out to help get Sims a big run. Got beat by Owens for a sack on a spin move.
Good run blocker. Got Wilkerson enough room to pop a 13-yard draw and wiped his guy out to help get Sims a big run. Got beat by Owens for a sack on a spin move.
FB
Ray Agnew Jr., Southern Illinois, 5'9”, 246
Hey, I’m not going to ignore the Rams family if I can help it. Agnew had two catches, including a dumpoff he turned into a 17-yard gain.
Hey, I’m not going to ignore the Rams family if I can help it. Agnew had two catches, including a dumpoff he turned into a 17-yard gain.
S
Mark Joyce, South Florida, 5'10” 179
Didn’t look good against the run. Got out of position and in the LB’s way on Quiteh’s TD, got run over once by Finch, flirted with a late hit out of bounds on Herring.
Didn’t look good against the run. Got out of position and in the LB’s way on Quiteh’s TD, got run over once by Finch, flirted with a late hit out of bounds on Herring.
Special teams: None
of the kickers in this game except maybe Cairo Santos from Tulane
even belong in a training camp. Didn’t see many punts crack 40
yards. Cal kicker Vincenzo D’Amato shanked kicks in practice,
pushed a 39-yard attempt wide right before halftime and came up fat
on a PAT that nearly didn’t get over the line.
CB
Jordan Love, Towson, 5'11” 177
Sorry. Love may have been the worst player in the game. He was 10 yards off Deonte Spencer (McNeese State) in the 2nd and still got burned for an 18-yard TD due to his awful tackling. Gave up the long completion to Hardin after biting mega-hard on play-action. Had another tackle broken by Spencer, who is 5’9” 162, to turn a no-gainer into a 10-yarder. There’s a lot Love has to do a lot better to make it to the pros based on this game.
Sorry. Love may have been the worst player in the game. He was 10 yards off Deonte Spencer (McNeese State) in the 2nd and still got burned for an 18-yard TD due to his awful tackling. Gave up the long completion to Hardin after biting mega-hard on play-action. Had another tackle broken by Spencer, who is 5’9” 162, to turn a no-gainer into a 10-yarder. There’s a lot Love has to do a lot better to make it to the pros based on this game.
Takeaway:
As Rams fans, we're likely watching these all-star games to find ways
to improve at WR and get deeper at QB; there wasn't a ton there for
us in this game. However, Les Snead finds good rookie free agents
every year; it wouldn't be a surprise to see a couple of players from
this game faring well at Rams Park this summer.
-$-
4 comments:
if the article photo is one of the Burse catches you're talking about, that was Brian Dixon, not Brandon. Easy to get confused with twins.
Oof, that does not speak well to the quality of my analysis when all I had to do was read the right number. Thanks for the correction.
Brian is pretty raw... Brandon is my favorite sleeper in the draft. He's a very good small school CB who can play a little bit.
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