Senior Bowl Reactions

[LABengalsFan09]

Here are some observations of the 2006 Senior Bowl game:

- I thought Tamba Hali really stood out as a pass rushing threat. One thing i did notice is that he usually lined up really wide to take advantage of his speed. So wide in fact it resembled an angle to the QB an outside 3-4 LB would take. I know Hali was a DT before this past year, but he is still smallish and may be better served if he could play standing up.

- Brodrick Bunkley was very active as advertised, and showed good awareness when defending against screens and draws as well as the ability to contest passes at the line of scrimmage. At the weigh-ins this week, Bunkley showed off a great physique for an interior lineman. It will be interesting to follow him at the combine and see where his power-press numbers match-up.

- Cedric Griffin, the S/CB from Texas made an outstanding play on the ball in the end zone stealing a pass from everyone's favorite Kyle Boller impersonator Jay Cutler. While the closing speed and hands were impressive enough on his interception, the most incredible part of that play was Griffin's ability to manuever around the shoulder of the WR without making contact and drawing a penalty flag for interference.

- Sinorice Moss.....is......lightening quick. He is a carbon copy of his brother, size, speed, agility (hands?) A creative coordinator will be able to use Moss in different waqys to take advantage of his athletic prowess. Either that, or someone will watch a ton of Steve Smith film and copy the variety of ways the Panthers use to get their playmaker the ball (smoke screens, reverses, slants) While no WR was able to catch the ball on a consistent basis this week, Moss stood out due to his versatility and it showed on his big gain off of a reverse in the first half.

- Jesse Mahalona, on the other hand, was invisible Saturday. I was really looking forward to seeing him play this game especially after the week of practice he had in Mobile. During the week he continually beat interior lineman and drove them into the backfield, but unfortunately was not a factor with the lights on.

While no single prospect should have judgement passed on them for their showing just in this game, there should be something said for how they reacted to the spotlight and pressure. The best evaluations will take this game into consideration along with a hefty dose of four years of game film and individual interviews.

I really think the Bengals would be best served looking deeper into Brodrick Bunkley, as well as Anthony Smith, a safety from Syracuse.

What did you see?

[NJ29]

Jahmile Addae can lay the wood, and he covered Moss, Hagan, and Aromashadu pretty well in the slot...

Ditto for Roman Harper.

[cincy9275]

i fell a sleep by half time this game was boring. from what i did see i was not overly impress with any of them. other than a handful of player these are second rd and up guys . my only question was. why was Anthony schlegel and josh Huston or mike kudla not there. these guys are not first rounders but they are better than average player and better than a lot of guys in this game

[kurgan74]

Quick observations:

Broderick Bunkley-Followed up a solid week of practice with a well played Senior Bowl.

He showed the explosiveness off the ball and made several tackles.

Nick Mangold-He faced many of the top DL prospects all week and was dominant.

Kyle Williams-Big motor guy who battled throughout the game. His hardwork payed off late in the

4th quarter with a quarterback sack.

Darrell Tapp-Incredible speed off the corner. He reminded me of Dwight Freeney.

Gabe Watson-The effort that was missing for most of the season was found this week. He

played well against the run and did a good job of driving the offensive linemen back into the backfield.

[HairOnFire]

Random thoughts...

Tamba Hali produced two sacks but both impressed me less than the steady pressure he generated on other snaps...including one pressure that resulted in an interception. One sack came when he was unblocked and the other came while working against an overmatched TE. More impressive was his work against double teaming. BTW, what's with the helmet he wears? It's so big it reminds me of a VW Beetle, and makes his body look smaller than it is.

Gabe Watson did absoluetly nothing of note. The guy who was absolutely killing people during one on one drills during the week looked fairly pedestrian trying to work when surrounded by blockers and other defenders. All he did was bull rush, which is okay with me if it's working, but he was contained very well by several blockers.

Broderick Bunkley was the most consistently impressive DT. I thought he was active and pretty creative too....flashing a nice spin move, and steady penetration. He also seemed well coached as he repeatedly got his hands up at the right time, blocking one pass attempt and nearly intercepting another.

Like others I came away very impressed with Roman Harper. He was extremely active and very physical. Addae was probably just as good, and Bullocks made several nice plays...especially on special teams. Greg Blue always seemed late on nearly every play he was involved in, but I'm not going to make too much out of one college all-star game. Watkins, a player I knew very little about, has rare size and is a stunning looking athlete. I wish he would have played more.

Tye Hill got caught looking in the backfield while playing cover-2 and allowed Moss to sneak behind him on an early TD. Other than that play I don't remember him being tested, which might be taken as a compliment. That said, he did manage to impress me in run defense. Despite his small size he didn't avoid contact and made several sound tackles.

Despite the fact that I passed along the earlier nugget about teams considering moving D'Quell Jackson to SS I've got to admit that I just don't see it. The speed and playmaking ability are there, but he's just too big.

More later...

[schweinhart]

Darrell Tapp-Incredible speed off the corner. He reminded me of Dwight Freeney.

Darryl Tapp was hands down the most impressive pass rusher.

There were 3 plays that showed what he should be able to bring to the table at the next level at RDE.

1. Tapp juked LT Marcus McNeil out of his skeleton on an inside move then absolutely drilled DJ Shockley to force a straight-up-in-the-air dud that McNeil grabbed.

2. Tapp burned around the corner to force a desperation thrown by Brodie Croyle that had absolutely no chance of completion.

3. Tapp again beat man blocking to force DJ Shockley out of the pocket to force the bad throw on the run that was picked of by Jahmile Addae.

Tapp has as good a shot at being the Benglas 1st rounder as anybody. The rap is his size. He's definitely undersized at DE and that draws into question how stout he can be vs. run at the point of attack as well as holding his own in keeping contain.

Somebody else here had compared Tamba Hali to Justin Smith and that is an excellent comparison. Like Hair's got, Hali's most impressive quality is that he is a constant force whose superb condition really becomes apparent when he's watched over the full course of a game where he's in every down. But I doubt he's got the foot speed for backside run pursuit that Justin has. They asked Hali near the end of the game what he wanted to do -- down DE or OLB in a 3-4 and he's said he wants to play down, which I believe is what he'll do because IMO he lacks the foot speed for 3-4 OLB and is untested as far as I know in dropping back into coverage. The sack he had blowing up TE TJ Williams then turning inside against the sloth-speed RT Albert Toeina looked good but he won't ever see that match up in the NFL.

Both Tapp and Hali look they could go in the last 3rd of the 1st round to me.

Pass rush wise, Brod Bunley was the only other player who I saw that could really make a dent worthy of a 1st round pick, but I believe he will be gone by the time the Bengals pick. The DT I'd like to see the Bengals target is Babtunde Oshinowo, who looked strong and mobile at both the point of attack and in pass rushing. If Oshinowo is still on the board in the 4th, he'd be a great pick.

[walzav29]

SI's mock draft has the Bengals taking Broderick Bunkley out of FSU. I watched a little bit of the Senior Bowl, and only 2 guys looked good to me, but I'm no pro scout. The tight end out of USC, and the safety out of West Virgina. None of the DT's looked good to me. That Bunkley seems small. Did anyone else see anything they liked?

[BengalPappaw]

In the Senior Bowl game, I liked Max Jean-Gilles, the big guard from Geotgia -- he pushed Gabe Watson around pretty good.

I'd be somewhat surprised, if the Bengals take Jean-Gilles in the first round -- but not unhappy.

The DTs this year don't look like 1st round material -- IMHO. Some have size and intermittent motors; some have motors and little skills; some just have big names and size. We need PLAYERS.

I believe that the Bengals best (not only) draft prospects are underclassmen -- e.g. Ko Simpson S, Vernon Davis TE, Antonio Cromartie CB/S, Darnell Bing S, Leonard Pope TE.

[walzav29]

This might be a good time to trade down. If there are only 2nd rnd kind of guys at TE, SS, and DT then trade down and get 2 of them. We'll know more after the combine, but I'll bet they trade down.

[GROIIIDayton]

Pat Watkins S 6-4 202 Florida State

I loved this guy all week. I think he is a playmaking saftey that can both cover the run and the pass. He would make our secondary better from day one. He has great height and he also has a frame that would enable him to put on some weight. I can't remember what they said he runs but I believe it was 4.5 or somewhere in that range.

[Spain]

PaPa Im a Jean Gillis guy to, I think he will be the BPA where we are picking, See if we cant make those shoirt yardage with him in there.

[GROIIIDayton]

Gillis reportedly didn't look that good all week. He then went on to have a great game.

[derekshank]

I didn't see the game itself... but I watched several of the practices... and Jesse Maholena continues to overacheive and outproduce his physical skills. I much rather have a hard working guy with a desire and motor that doesn't quit, than another Askew type guy with great physical tools, who continually underacheives (I think Watson and Rod Wright both meet this description)

[BengalPappaw]

This might be a good time to trade down. If there are only 2nd rnd kind of guys at TE, SS, and DT then trade down and get 2 of them. We'll know more after the combine, but I'll bet they trade down.

Just to clarify a point -- I don't think there is a first round DT worth the investment.

I do believe that Ko Simpson S and Vernon Davis TE (and probably Max Jean-Gilles) are special and worth the first round investment.

Trading down is a good option -- but I believe we need to upgrade at S and DT -- and that means we need to get some quality, as well as numbers.

I also like Pat Watkins -- but there are several S that I think can help us -- (I'm not going to repeat my previous list which I need to add Addae.)

[walzav29]

Does anyone think it's possible that the Bengals will trade up to get that DT out of Oregon? I don't think it will happen considering Marv's past 3 drafts.

[derekshank]

Does anyone think it's possible that the Bengals will trade up to get that DT out of Oregon? I don't think it will happen considering Marv's past 3 drafts.

Doubt it... Marvin is always more interested in getting more picks to create depth, rather than giving up picks to get one player.

On the issue of getting a DT in the first round... I agree that there aren't many 1st rounders at our position that are worth the pick. But I also don't think I want a SS there. I'd rather get a SS through FA, a DE in the 1st round (or trade down), and pick up DT, S, and TE with the rest of the draft.

We need a pass rush more than anything else. Tamba Hali didn't have a great Senior Bowl from what I've heard, so he might drop to us. He, like Pollack, just has a nose for the QB, despite being undersized. Having Pollack with a year under his belt, Justin Smith, and Tamba Hali would certainly give us the pass rush we need, and would make the SS position a lot less vulnerable.

[redsbengalsbucks]

my only question was. why was Anthony schlegel and josh Huston or mike kudla not there. these guys are not first rounders but they are better than average player and better than a lot of guys in this game

[ArmyBengal]

"Tamba Hali didn't have a great Senior Bowl from what I've heard."

I think whoever you heard that from didn't watch the game. Hali, while undersized, had two sacks during the game, but I was more impressed by the pressure he continually put on the QB regardless of getting a sack throughout the game. Many of the so called draft experts have Hali moving ahead of Kiwi as the #2 DE in the draft because of his performance this past week. Hali in stripes would NOT bother me in the least. Motor, strength, and speed ?? Yeah, Hali in stripes would make me smile !!

WHODEY !!!

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Tapp and Harper are the ones who really impressed me.

[derekshank]

"Tamba Hali didn't have a great Senior Bowl from what I've heard."

I think whoever you heard that from didn't watch the game. Hali, while undersized, had two sacks during the game, but I was more impressed by the pressure he continually put on the QB regardless of getting a sack throughout the game. Many of the so called draft experts have Hali moving ahead of Kiwi as the #2 DE in the draft because of his performance this past week. Hali in stripes would NOT bother me in the least. Motor, strength, and speed ?? Yeah, Hali in stripes would make me smile !!

WHODEY !!!

Maybe I was just thinking that he didn't look all that impressive in the practices. I think I heard Kiper talking about him losing ground during the week. If he played well in the game though, that is what you're looking for. If he's moved up in the draft, I guess we can kiss him goodbye. What I want is either a DE in the first round, or to trade the pick. It is doubtful that either will happen, because by the sounds of it, a 1st round quality DE won't drop to us.

It will be interesting to see who we take. There aren't a lot of DT's worth taking in the 1st round that are that much better than what we can get in the 2nd... possibly the same with DE, and I've heard some of the same things about the SS. If we can fill the hole in FA, we very might end up being forced to take an offensive player... and that makes me cringe. Is April here yet?

[kingwilly]

here were my quick thoughts from the Senior Bowl.

Howard - LB UTEP...dropped two INT's but made some nice tackles and showed well in a game that limits what LBs can do.

Addae - SS- WVU...covered well and made nice clean tackles. Nose for ball and showed good speed on WR's.

Hali - DE- PSU...2 sacks but his size is a ?. I'd like a guy who would be able to get around Levi...would have been nice to see Kiwanuka (hurt).

D. William - RB - Memphis...If Regge Bush is the #1 RB in teh draft then Williams is #1A. Not much drop of from Bush to Williams. Dude has the quicks, cuts and great vision.

Watson - DT - Mich...made a couple of nice stuffing plays. One on a draw where he held his gap and still beat the bliocker to make the tackle for loss. Big dude. Coach him up and let him loose. Combine #'s will tell if he goes in the 10-17 range or the 20-40 range.

D. Byrd - TE - USC...showed the ease at which he found the seams and worked whatever zone or mismatch he was lined up with. had very good hands EXCEPT on a play where he cleaned the seam turned for the pass and tehn ran before he had it. Other than that, he looked like the best TE on the field. 24 may be too high for him and he'll be gone by our spot in the 2nd.

Minter - CB - Georgia...very quick and had good reaction to plays. Made sure tackle vs WR and RBs. Good in run support never saw him overreact.

Watkins - S (SS or FS?) - FSU...big long guy who was always the first guy there once the tackle was made. That tells me he either has a good nose for the ball and can cover ground like mad or that he could have been in on the play and pulled up, shying from hits...not sure. Wish Id seen more game that FSU played. Never saw him get beat in coverage. alwasy seem in the right place.

Blue - SS - Georgia...very big guy. clearly can tackle anyone without fear but can he support a Pro CB in downfield coverage. May be better suited to LB. If not, he will be a scary Special Teamer for someone.

Phillips - CB - PSU - Flashed with the INT. looked poised and smooth.

Hill - CB -Clemson - Moss burned him and Moss was about the most NFL ready player in the game beside D'brick.

Trueblood - OT - BC...got kicked for fighting (joke) after he flattened Mahelona...dude has the fire and finished the block vs a good player. Good 3rd round pick if our O-Line was thin.

MJG - G - GEorgia...massive talented guy. If we had a bigger need at G then he'd be the guy. Whoever gets him willbe secure at G for many years.

Whitehurst - QB - Clemson...good poise and touch. Ran his game cleanly and had nice touch. smooth and easy in the pocket. never loaded up to launch one but supposedly has good arm strength.

Cutler -Qb - Vandy...for all the hype, I was not overly impressed. Live arm but seemed average to me.

Hagan - WR - ASU...dropped like 4 passes. Has the tools but looked to be trying to hard. Needs some discipline with his hands...needs good coaching.

Harper - S - LSU...looked quick and played the ball well a couple of times. More of a FS type guy with his speed and skills. made several good tackles. aggressive but good vision and nose for ball.