2007 Senior Bowl - North Practice 1/24 John Clifford

2007-01-24

After a few botched double reverses, the North squad broke into position drills followed by some scrimmaging. Here’s a snapshot of notable performances.   WR drills – Like the South, there hasn't been any prospect that's stood out at the position or overall, instead a few players have been sporadic in making plays.  There's been a lot of good, not great or said another way, a lot of #3s, no #1s.  Among the WRs working on locating the ball over their heads, only Aundrae Allison made a clean run and catch, where most everyone tripped over their own two feet or didn’t run with several yards of the pass.   DB drills – Among the DBs, Leon Hall and Eric Weddle were the most impressive with their speed, footwork and body control in drills.   2 QBs/2 WRs – Jason Hill had a drop on a hook and go route. Rhema McKnight slowed on his route causing him to drop the pass. Aundrae Allison ran a double move and did a nice job keeping his feet in bounds at the back of the end zone.   QBs w/skill positions – (from the 35) Troy Smith has good mechanics, plays smart, sells a nice pump fake with his shoulder and doesn’t stare down his targets. He could’ve had a little less air under a few throws, but otherwise consistent with his accuracy. Drew Stanton didn’t have a tight spiral on any throws in this drill. Tyler Palko threw the first ball with any zip to David Clowney in the corner of the end zone, followed by another strike to Brandon Myles who made a nice catch on a skinny post. Palko also struggled with accuracy. There was quite a contrast to the South practice in terms of the number of deeper throws, and not surprising, the North QBs struggled with timing and accuracy a bit.  (From the 20) Troy Smith threw a tight spiral to Jason Hill, followed by another strike to David Clowney. Among the QBs, Troy Smith has looked the most sharp and accurate. Drew Stanton didn’t have a particular consistent day, with a duck flying a few yards ahead and low to Rhema McKnight. Tony Hunt did a nice job reeling in a ball thrown over his head by Tyler Palko, who then sailed another ball out of bounds. (From the 5) Kolby Smith dropped a Troy Smith throw.   1-on-1 WR/DB – David Clowney won a nice battle against Marcus McCauley. Aaron Rouse picked off a Tyler Palko throw intended for Aundrae Allison. Tanard Jackson looked good throughout practice, had a nice play to break up a Palko pass. Aundrae Allison won a physical battle in the end zone over Josh Wilson, later making a one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone drawing “oohs” and “ahs” from the crowd. Brandon Myles ended the drill with a nice win over Josh Gattis. Myles and Allison have helped themselves.   9-on-11 (no WRs) – Tony Hunt’s inside running has been impressive this week. More fumbled snaps, this time from Tyler Palko with Brian Leonard at tailback, he got another shot on the next snap and had a nice outside run. Leonard’s had an opportunity to show off his versatility. Adam Carriker continues to stand out, making nice stop in the backfield on Kolby Smith. Drew Stanton added to the fumbled snap total. Tony Hunt showed that despite his clear desire to attack inside, he can break a run to the outside. Kansas State’s Thomas Clayton, Garrett Wolfe’s replacement, was very quick out of the back field, breaking more runs to the outside in this drill than any other RB (but he also struggled catching the ball today).   1-on-1 OL/DL – Victor Abiamiri showed great speed and push against LT Levi Brown. Brandon Mebane beat Doug Datish at LG, who really seemed to struggle against a quick initial move. Dan Mozes, seems to be the standout for the North OL, being the most consistent in his play handling speed and strength, lining up at C, he put Quinn Pitcock on the ground. RG Josh Beekman handled David Patterson with ease. RT Marshal Yanda handled Anthony Spencer, first on strength, then on speed. Adam Carriker tossed LT James Marten aside on his 2nd effort. Amobi Okoye plays with great intensity, and can be a little hit or miss with his moves, but hits enough to really impress. Okoye might’ve had the only match-up win over Dan Mozes, lining up at LG. Samson Satele at C struggled with David Patterson and then stuffed him on his 2nd rep. Likewise with RG Manuel Ramirez with Brandon Mebane. RT Ryan Harris owned Jay Moore on not just two, but three snaps. LT Levi Brown handled Victor Abiamiri, but that match-up leaves the impression that Abiamiri’s strength and speed impressed, and Brown might be susceptible to that outside speed rush. Quinn Pitcock again showed quickness off the ball, but Dan Mozes got the better of him. C Doug Datish struggled enough with David Patterson to say he didn’t impress today, and I’m guessing a player like Okoye would eat him up. Marshal Yanda at RG withstood Amobi Okoye’s moves. Adam Carriker from the left side beat RT Ryan Harris badly. James Marten at LT handled Anthony Spencer lining up from the right side this time. I’d like to see Spencer in coverage, to see more of what he might bring to the table as a 3-4 OLB.   11-on-11 – Tony Hunt was stuffed by Brandon Mebane. Troy Smith made it a trifecta with a fumbled snap, followed that with a complete miss of David Clowney. Thomas Clayton fumbled, with Eric Weddle showing his quickness in recovering it. Delaware TE Ben Patrick, replacing Clark Harris, made a nice catch in traffic, and followed it with a great diving save on a Drew Stanton pass. If Patrick has Newton’s hands, combined with his athleticism, he might be the best prospect of what’s an average group overall.   Other notables – Stewart Bradley has been impressive overall, being around the ball, and made a nice play in coverage breaking up a pass to Tony Hunt.  Sideline chatter from the coaching staff was that Daymeion Hughes couldn’t stay on the field because of a back injury. In the red zone drills, Eric Weddle had a nice INT on a Tyler Palko pass.  Ravens’ GM Ozzie Newsome has said the rosters in Mobile have 20 first round grades.   Tony Hunt, Brian Leonard, Aundrae Allison, Brandon Myles, Dan Mozes, Adam Carriker, Tanard Jackson, Leon Hall, and Eric Weddle. Tyler Palko, Drew Stanton, Doug Datish, Jay Moore, and David Patterson.