Unlike the National team Thursday, HermEdwards' American team is going to hold at least part of practice inpads. Because you practice to win the game! I ignore Todd McShay'sintro because a) it's the same stuff he said at the beginning of thefirst practice, and b) Bill Polian is gloriously hocking up a loogieon camera on the other side of the panel. Always thought Mike Ditkawould be the first guy I'd see do that on TV, but he'd shoot his upside ofBerman's head.Edwards' staff also has a couple offormer Rams: Amp Lee is coaching running backs and Tony Wragge isassisting on offensive line.
ESPN gave us less on-field action towork with for this practice than even for the first one. We saw alittle 11-on-11, a little 7-on-7 goal line, and a lot of Herm walkingand talking. The analysts start the show by talking about the playerthey're most eager to see. I would have been eager to see just aboutanybody 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. ToddMcShay calls him the most explosive player on either roster. He has astrong arm and threw a nice deep ball down the seam to TE TristanOkpalaugo in 11-on-11, but made some eye-opening play at receiver aswell. Great speed, fast in and out of his breaks, good hands, canseparate deep and short. He gave Marcus Cromartie fits in the littlebit of 7-on-7 we saw, beating him on a slant and with an acrobaticplay on a fade pass, belying his height. Looks like a very naturalreceiver, though he hadn't played the position since the 9thgrade. Of course, we did not see him have to get off a jam. ButJenkins still looks like a player who's going to get drafted to me.
Rodgers has a brother that plays forthe Packers who you may have heard of. Does not have great size or abig arm, but has good footwork, anticipation and accuracy. He getsthe 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, whichhe pointed out for everyone: his dropback is too short when throwing tohis left.
The American team's third QB is BradSorenson of Southern Utah, who has the size at 6'4” 237 and thetools, but has been inconsistent. Throws everything 100 mph anddoesn't really seem like he steps into his throws.
McShay's top five players on theAmerican roster:1 – S Jakar Hamilton, South CarolinaState: McShay called Hamilton the most talented athlete there. Ton ofversatility. He can play corner or safety. He covers well man-to-man and hasgood range in zone coverage. Supports the run really well. He alsocontributes on special teams and is a natural punt catcher. He hassome baggage McShay did not specify. He left Georgia “after someissues.” Can I see Fisher/Snead dropping a 4th-round pick on JakarHamilton? Oh yes I can.2 – OLB Herman Lathers, Tennessee:undersized, of course. NFLPA should just call this the UndersizedBowl. 6'0” 225. Makes plays sideline-to-sideline, though, coversreceivers well and can get up the field to pressure the QB. Hasjust-average speed and athleticism but is quick to the ball.Instinctive, aggressive, physical and has shown he can learn a systemquickly. Bill Polian loves him, likened him to Cato June. Two-timeall-Academic SEC. Has an unspecified knee problem. Overcame bonecancer as a child.3 – TE Ben Cotton, Nebraska: neversaw him.4 – G Kevin Saia, Louisiana Tech:again this practice, offensive linemen barely looked at.5 - Rodgers (see above).
Looking at receivers: Robert Smithliked the Lilliputian Quincy McDuffie of Central Florida. 5'8”,175. Good speed, good feet and elusiveness, and very good in thereturn game. He returned 3 kicks for TDs last year. ChristopherSlaughter of Fort Valley State made a bunch of catches. He has niceheight at 6'3” but weighs all of 168? Maybe this should be calledthe Anorexia Bowl. Has good hands, and uses that height well, as longas somebody doesn't break him in half. Julius-John Swain (NorthernIowa) broke up one quick hitch to him, a play where Slaughter couldhave 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 productivereceiver even in Tech's triple-option offense. Really good hands andcan make people miss. Long strider with some burst; needs to add somebulk. Is thinking too much right now because he's trying to adjust toa pro system from the triple option.
Best lineman I picked up on in thissession was DE Nate Palmer of Illinois State, who beat the LTconsistently and showed off a nice spin move. Another player Polianreally likes is DE Josh Williams of Kansas. Quick off the ball,excellent movement, looks physical, likes to hit. And again, theposter child for the Undersized Bowl: 6'4”, 250.
The game is tonight; just started, actually. I'm “working” on the Shrine Game right now andsuspect my notes for this game won't be out till Monday.
-$-
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