First, the video, since we can drop this in our blog interface now … and the first of many video pieces produced that you will also see here in the blog.
In talking with a slew of Senior Bowl players this week, I was struck by how differently they approached the week and how it fit into their career.
Some, like South Florida linebacker Ben Moffitt, saw the all-star game — won by the South squad, 17-16 — and its week of practices as the beginning of their NFL careers. The game is played under professional rules, and the practices are defined by a gathering of scouts, personnel executives and scouts that is only surpassed by the National Scouting Combine in Indianapolis next month.
Others, like Florida wide receiver Andre Caldwell, saw it differently. This wasn’t the first day of their professional life; it was the last of their collegiate one.
As a team, as a scout, as a coach, or for you, as a fan, which one do you want to see? The player that’s moved on to the pro mindset, or the one that wants to squeeze a few last drops from their college fruit? By all means share your thoughts in the comments section below.
I reckon both perspectives have their merits. Senior Bowl week is as much a test as anything else, to see how these players handle pro coaching, pro techniques, pro pressure. The final examination? That starts in May when each of these players settles in at their destinations, looking to make enough of an impression to ensure safe passage to a 53-man roster.
But on a soggy Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., Caldwell did his alma mater proud in his final gasp as a collegian.
Four seconds remained. The South sat two yards from the game-winning touchdown, trailing 16-10. Much of the sellout crowd had long since scurried away from a dreary, chilling mist that was more Merseyside than Mobile; those who remained rose to their feet, surely to find more comfort in standing than sitting on a soaked metal bleacher.
The call came from the bench — a call for Caldwell.
He had touched the football twice in the game to that point, gaining 12 yards on a rush and 18 yards on a reception earlier in the drive, a fourth-and-10 completion that had moved the South to its 32-yard-line. It had been a relatively quiet afternoon for a man whose precision and sure hands earned him plaudits throughout the week.
Ten plays and 66 yards after saving the game, Caldwell could now win it.
For the record, I loved the call … but it was completely expected. The South worked on the end-around — not the “reverse,” as many reporters called it — throughout the week, using Caldwell and Houston wideout Donnie Avery, among others. It evoked memories of Boise State, ending its overtime win over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl with the Statue-of-Liberty two-point conversion.
Caldwell celebrated Saturday’s clutch trickery with the famed Florida Gators chop. Somewhere in Colorado, the Broncos’ in-house statisical guru, media-relations staffer, Patrick Smyth, was smiling at the sight of his fellow Gator celebrating in such a fashion; all that was missing was the UF band playing the theme from Jaws.
The play was perfect. Erik Ainge raised his arms skyward as soon as he handed Caldwell the football.
Designed for two yards, it got precisely that. The North’s defense — which on much of the drive featured its stars of the week, led by USC defensive end Sedrick Ellis and Penn State linebacker Dan Connor — seemed to expect the play; its defenders didn’t overpursue and had three yards been required, Caldwell may well have failed.
But he didn’t, and for those who bailed on the game early, Caldwell could only offer two words:
“Too bad.”
MY PERSPECTIVE:
Literally, not figuratively …
During the season, I’m confined to the press box, so the Senior Bowl game itself represents the rare opportunity — for myself, at least — to watch from field level, to run from one end of the field to the other between plays as a team advances downfield, to hit and miss and capture as much as our equipment and luck will permit.
I spent much of the game shooting photos, keeping my camera dry and dictating notes into my digital audio recorder. But I was at one point waylaid, with my path up the sideline blocked by a prone Alabama fan.
A tipsy reveler in Crimson Tide clothing had fallen over the fence and shrubbery that separates a concrete walkway in front of the bleachers from the South team bench. I reckon the guy had to have started scaling the fence; otherwise the shrubbery probably would have held this fairly slender fellow back from landing so close to the field.
With the game raging, I stopped to help him back over, with a pair of passersby helping him to his feet. My responsibility was for pulling his leg back over to the side of the fence on which he belonged. Eventually he does, the aroma of rum and bourbon remaining strong even as he moved several feet away.
Yet being on the correct side of the shrubbery did not bring the gentleman back to safety. He tilted awkwardly, like a slow-spinning dreidel on its final rotation. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge had more stability than our soused acquaintance.
Eventually, I tossed him his crimson Alabama ski cap, secure that he is under police care, if not custody, although it seemed as though the nearby constable would release the sodden lad to the care of his companion, whom I hope was not his drinking buddy, because if he was, it was sure to be an adventurous ride home.
Certainly, Caldwell, Moffitt, Ainge and all the others in Saturday’s game — even those who struggled, like Colt Brennan, both placekickers and Cal running back Justin Forsett, who had scant room to roam — did their school’s logo better than the guy who nearly drowned in a Crimson Tide of liquor.
But the fan eventually veered away, leaving us to focus on the game … and the possibilities therein.
Admittedly, my mind drifts to the possibility of how each player might fare with the Broncos. Who might fit? Who doesn’t? It’s often difficult to ascertain. But here in Mobile, there’s optimism even for those who struggle. There’s two months of Scouting Combine and Pro Day work with which to compensate for a shaky week here.
Some players made hundreds of thousands of dollars, perhaps millions here. For those who didn’t, there’s more chances to get that back, which will take us to the Combine in less than four weeks.
Time to get some much-needed sleep … good night from southern Alabama … and until the next blog post from back in Denver, vaya con Dios.
Tags: Senior Bowl
just one thought before the SB : maybe an ex-broncos will be the game changing player , i name Domenik Hixon , the one guy we get rid of , was he really that bad ???????
France, no he wasn’t.. The guys that block for him are though.
Return guys get too much credit when things go well (ala Devin Hester) and too much blame when it doesn’t work.
Like I said ealier, Hester is an extremely talented man, but the holes that guy has to run through are huge. The Bears special teams unit doesn’t get nearly enough credit for what Hester accomplishes. Once you get a guy into open field there are a slew of guys that can make someone (kicker/punter?) miss.
For those of you that didn’t actually watch Hixon he lost his burst after the kid in Buffalo was hurt. He didn’t hit the hole hard and he didn’t run hard, he needed a change of scenery. We need a DT before we need a LB or a S, although we do need all three. If Ellis falls out of the top 5 Shanny needs to work the horn and get him, he more than proved he is a top prospect and was unblockable both during the game and througout the week in practice. The 2nd round will still have a few LB’s and safeties worth taking. The front end just isn’t that loaded in talent this year and waiting to get a player would be the best thing. Another idea would be to take a RB in the 2nd round as many are expected to fall due to the depth in this years draft.
I doubt that Sedrick Ellis will be at the 12th pick so I think we should try and trade up. If not I think that Keith Rivers would be worth the 12th pick. A lineman or safety would be better picked in the 2nd round. In the later rounds maybe pick up another DT or lineman. In the 6th or 7th I think they should get a FB. I am one of the few concerned about the FB position.
This is my mock draft:
1st rd: trade up for Ellis or stay with Rivers(if neither are there OL)
2nd rd: S or OL
(no 3rd)
4th rd: DT or S
4th rd: OL or LB
5th rd: OL or DT
6th: S or OL
7th: LB, OL, or FB
I forgot to mention this on my last comment…
If a good enough player in still on the board in the earlier rounds I think that they should get that steal. I know it may sound obvious but sometimes teams don’t think that way. Look at Adrian Peterson with the Vikings, they had a good RB but they got a better one. And if they challenge some of the players on their squad now with new picks they may arise too. Just like Derek Anderson with the Browns.
We need a good draft. It’ll bring back the championship team. We will dominate the Patriots and reign in the NFL.
Flash video, yay
Umm, Ellis is off the boards in the top 3, no big deal, the pro’s will account for him, just like they did G Warren.
My idea’s on the Bronco’s…..
First of all, it seems like every time I tout someone, their stock soars and my draft board is screwed. So, I won’t discuss draft position, most draftniks can easily figure out scenarios and realize how do-able this is.
This is not in order.
Fixing the offense;
Schmitt (FB)- Look, the LT position is a huge question mark, I have to give Harris a shot, but I need an insurance policy, I can boost run production “and” save my franchise QB with a true fullback, Owen Schmitt. He will start from day 1, plus, the position is set for years.
Alridge (RB)- It’s going to have to be running-back-by-committee for the Bronco’s and I want depth, Travis Henry proved to me, once and for all, that a power back is a bad idea with a zone blocking scheme. (between the 20’s) What you need is a true fullback to block and speed to burn at the rb position, there is a reason why our speed backs produce ungodly yards per carry. By the way, this isn’t a typo, he runs a 4.26 As for a goal line back, huge guys that can slam 15 feet are not worth a draft pick, we just need to pick one up, hello Bronco’s, F=MA.
Okam (DT) We need a run stuffer, this is his forte, his stock is sliding a bit because nobody is riding his ass and he got lazy, he will be ridden like Zorro when he gets to Dove Valley, definately has the talent and will be a big improvement for us at our weakest position.
Phillips (S) No doubt he will be there when the Bronco’s select, this will create the worlds best secondary, thank-you guys in front of us.
Harrison (DT) This guy reminds me of “stink”, everyone is counting him out because of his knee’s, we all know how that roll-of-the-dice panned out. (Just between you and me, the trenches have different dynamics)
Vobora (LB) If Ian Gold was a better tackler, his name would be Vobora, this is exactly what we need.
Free agency- I have one guy on my board…..Faneca, and I get him.
Mel Kiper’s mock draft has us taking Clady and no one taking phillips in the first round. So hopefully hes right and phillips will still be around when we pick in the second and we get both of them.
We need a return guy REALLY BAD plus if we lose walker we’ll need someone with speed on the outside so I think Eddie Royal should be one of Denvers priorities.
Phillips goes in the 2nd ?
Never in a million years.
LMAO.
Quit listening to Kiper, last time I heard his voice was when he was bagging the Colts for picking Dwight Freeney,
Clady is not a bad pick, but, even if we go that direction we need a true fullback to compensate for his inexperience or Cutler is screwed.
Clady and Shmitt is a helluva combination.
Problem is, we need help defensively.
Kipers board has us taking “Balmer”, who mysteriously shot up the boards right after I mentioned his name 2 months ago. 2nd round talent, not first.
Kipers board has Phillips going 17, not exactly 2nd round.
Doesn’t even have Ellis in the top 3.
Nice post.
Broncos Draft Wish List
1: DT Ellis, SS Phillips, CB McKelvin, OL Clady or WR Sweed.
2: DT Laws, DT Sims, OL Cherilus, RB MendenHall, WR Doucet, WR Cadwell, WR Bowman
3: (Trade for Travis Henry?) DT Moore, DT Okam, FS Barrett, OLB Crable, OLB Gooden, RB Choice or Forte
4: S Zbikowski, S Adams, OLB Butler, DT Harrison, CB Bowman
5: RB Broussard(turn him into a FB), FB Schmitt, P Dragosavich, WR Nelson, DT Rubin, TE Peterson.
Any of these players that fall past 5… for 6th and 7th
My take…
Once it comes time to play the Colts and Pats we need to be able to rush 5 and create tremendous pressure and have our nickel and dime packages match up with there TE and receivers. Gold and Williams are solid! I think there will be a huge difference with are young DL from just the experience that got last year. We need to get something solid for Walker and Henry. Pick up a solid veteran DT and LT in free agency and Draft Phillips or McKelvin in the First. I do think we need a much better FB to really jump start our running game. What do you guys think?
Ellis will not go in the top 3, he’s not considered the best DT in the draft. He’ll go somewhere between 5-10 unless someone pulls the trigger to move up and get him. Phillips isn’t worth a draft pick inside the top 15, he’s simply not a big hitter and his tackling isn’t what it should be. Rivers is another guy that’s got a lot of hype and didn’t really perform all that well this season. He wasn’t even the best LB on his team. The biggest problem with Clady is the time it’s going to take to get him ready. The system we use isn’t good for rookies on the fly although he could be something special down the road.
1. Ellis (don’t sell the house though to get him), Clady, Balmer (he’s a beast) Stewart (featured one cut back)
2. Royal, Adibi, Highsmith, Simeon Castile
3. No pick
4. Bell (if we’re lucky), Zbikowski, Jamar Adams
I have the Dolphins or Rams taking Ellis.
Dorsey goes before Ellis.
We shall see, nothing would make me happier than to see Ellis fall.
That would change everything.
Reports say the while Ellis came on like gang busters during the week he showed sings of tiring by weeks end. Yes, I think he’s going to be a great player, but there’s no way he’s the best DT in the draft. He may not even be the 2nd best. Balmer was the stud of the first day until he “injured” his hammy.
http://rubechat.kfan.com/forums/thread/2423054.aspx
it has Balmer going at 10 to New Orleans, Broncos taking Clady at 12, and Desean Jackson going to the vikings at 17. No Phillips in the first round. I read the comments after mine and thought this might have been a bad source but the ESPN stat ticker said the same thing.
Phiilups didn’t have a great year, but if Ellis is off the board than he is the best option if Denver is going to pick up a safety this year not named Ken Hamlin. Next years safety class is much deeper.
Balmers knees are too much of a concern to draft him so high. Depending on what Denver decides to do with Walker and Henry will decide what they do with thier pick if Ellis and Phillps are gone. If they are gone- Desean Jackson or Jonathan Stewart would be great choices here or a trade for more picks in a draft with good DT depth (I hear Dallas is looking)
RD 1- Sedrick Ellis, Kenny Phillups (Jonathan Stewart, Desean Jackson)
RD 2- (Rashard Mendenhall), Dre Moore, Quentin Groves
RD-4-Harry Douglas, Frank Okam, Ezra Butler
RD-4-Demarrio Pressley
RD-5-Jordan Dizon
RD-6-Dexter Jackson
RD-7-Maurice Murray
(only taking rbs and wrs in early rds if Travis and/or Javon are gone)
Just checked Scout.com,
4- Ellis
7- Phillips
9- Connor
10- Stewart
19- Clady
26- Mendenhall
28- Jackson
33- Balmer
47- Abidi
82- Okam
98- Dizon
“You know what really Grinds my Gears” -Denver trading thier 3rd round pick for Jimmy Kennedy. Mason, what round picks you think Denver could get for Javon or Travis? Do you think the money they are gauranteed combined with thier lack of production would warrant even a 3rd round pick for either?
dom hixon was that bad….remember all his 2 yard kick returns and 5 yard kick returns…..yah i do….running scared…but since he was able to run right up the middle and have a kick return and everybody thinks that he is the best…but are those same people saying glen martiniez is the next deven hester cuz of his walk right up the middle of the field….i really ruited for hix when he first got here.and still do..but im glad he is moving on…
go giants….hix, and droughns
This guy states some interesting stuff.
http://broncosdraft.wordpress.com/
OMG for some of you people the lights are on, but nobody’s home. Sedrick Ellis will not be at the 12th pick. The Broncos need a run stuffer/pass rusher like him. They either need to trade up for him or stick with the best DT or OLB at the 12th pick. They can get a safety later because they’re secondary was at least in the top 1o this last year.
If the Broncos can’t get a great DT or OLB they need to address the O-Line first. Secondary can wait. A return man can come later in the draft.
This is my projection the Broncos’ draft this year:
1st rd.: Trade up for Ellis/Dorsey or stay at number 12 and get Keith River or a good OT
2nd rd.: address safties, O-Line, DT or OLB
3rd rd.: (Trade T. Henry for this) get one of the remaining needs
4th rd.: get more DTs, OL, and OLB
4th rd.: get more DTs, and OL maybe good KR/PR
5th rd.: OLB, DT, S, WR/RB (possible KR/PR)
6th rd.: get best players at any position except QB or MLB (I prefer OL or FB)(if needed address needs)
7th rd.: ditto for 6th rd (if needed address needs)