NFL Draft Countdown Senior Bowl '08 - 1/23/08 South Practice Report

January 23, 2008 Senior Bowl - Wednesday South Practice
Scott Wright President, NFL Draft Countdown

   It was actually a pretty nice afternoon, the best of the week so far, and the sun even started to shine through at one point. This was my second opportunity to take in the South squad and while there was a new revelation or two I basically saw more of the same from this team, both good and bad. The North has set the bar pretty high but something told me the South had more than enough skill position talent to even things up and I was right. So who stood out, who struggled and who surprised today? Here is a look at what I saw this afternoon:

   • Any report about the South squad has to start with Tennessee State cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who it's going to be difficult to classify as a "sleeper" from here on out. Rodgers-Cromartie just seems to run through all the drills effortlessly and it's almost as if he's on a different level than just about every other defensive back on the roster. In 7-on-7's Rodgers-Cromartie had a diving pass breakup and in 11-on-11's he recovered a fumble. How high can he rise?

   • Yesterday I speculated that Tennessee's Brad Cottam could potentially bulk up and move to offensive tackle but if he continues to play like he did today his future will be at tight end. Cottam showed nice hands to catch the ball away from his body and also the speed and athleticism to turn it upfield and run after the catch. Late in the session he even scored a touchdown. Watch out for Cottam, he is a very intriguing prospect.

   • Texas safety Marcus Griffin looked good in drills today, displaying nice quickness and good feet. He also picked off Erik Ainge in 11-on-11's.

   • Alabama defensive back Simeon Castille had slow feet and wasn't very fluid while L.S.U. corner Chevis Jackson received some praise from the coaching staff but might be limited to a Cover 2 scheme at the next level.

   • If it weren't for the spectacular week that Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is having Troy cornerback Leodis McKelvin might be the talk of the South squad. McKelvin has excellent change of directions skills and I can't emphasize enough what good feet he has. He also broke up a couple of passes today.

   • Kentucky outside linebacker Wesley Woodyard looked comfortable in coverage drills.

   • Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge had some trouble throwing a tight spiral today.

   • Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson struggled with his accuracy downfield in both 1-on-1's and 7-on-7's. In my opinion he needs to step up.

   • Florida wideout Andre Caldwell was able to beat the jam and blow by Quintin Demps for a touchdown in 1-on-1's today.

   • Auburn cornerback Patrick Lee had another solid day, even picking off a pass in 1-on-1's when Harry Douglas lost his footing and fell.

   • Hawaii quarterback caller Colt Brennan had some trouble in 1-on-1's, underthrowing a deep ball. Later he showed excellent zip on his short passes but also had some issues with ball handling. Brennan isn't have a great week but he hasn't been nearly as bad as some people are making him out to be either.

   • Georgia Tech linebacker Philip Wheeler just kept rolling today, looking very good in coverage in 7-on-7's.

   • Houston wide receiver Donnie Avery continues to excel, showing some elusiveness after the catch and excellent quickness. At one point in practice he almost took out Limas Sweed and Trent Dilfer, who were standing on the sideline.

   • Wake Forest defensive end Jeremy Thompson is quietly having a very solid week and today he jacked Clemson offensive tackle Barry Richardson backwards with a good power move. Later Richardson got some payback when he dominated Thompson on a run play.

   • Arkansas offensive guard Robert Felton looked out of shape. Is stamina an issue?

   • Tulane's Matt Forte did a nice job of blocking Wallace Gilberry in 11-on-11's.

   • Newberry offensive tackle Heath Benedict and Hampton defensive end Kendall Langford got in quite the scuffle today and more than one punch was thrown. The staff seemed to let it go for a little while and that might have been the best fight I've seen down here since Nick Mangold and Clint Ingram went at it a couple of years ago. Who won you ask? It's close but I'll give the decision to Benedict.

   • Georgia Tech defensive end Darrell Robertson continues to have a great week and today he beat Chris Williams in 11-on-11's, which hasn't happened often.

   • Appalachian St. wide receiver Dexter Jackson was added to the South roster as a replacement for Limas Sweed and he acclimated himself quite well. It's never easy to join a team in the middle of the week but he flashed a couple of times, most notably on a diving catch across the middle in 7-on-7's. Jackson also worked as a kick and punt returner.

   • Georgia Tech punter Durant Brooks looked real good on his directional attempts.

   The thing that strikes me most about the Senior Bowl as a whole this year is how ordinary these highly-regarded quarterbacks have looked at times. The most disappointing of the bunch for me has been Andre Woodson, simply because he was supposed to be the #1 guy coming in. There is still time for him to impress but to this point I can't say he has looked like a Top 15 pick. Luckily the guys on the other side of the ball are doing more than their fair share to pick up the slack and corners Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Leodis McKelvin might be the two most impressive players on the entire South roster.

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