Senior Bowl week is officially upon us, which means it's time to judge college prospects on strange measurables such as hand size and whether they're 6'3" or just 6'2 7/8". Think of this week as the main precursor to the madness that is the NFL Combine.
The 2012 Senior Bowl might actually lack a little bit of luster, since the draft class is so underclassmen heavy. However, this week could do absolutely wonders for on-the-fringe quarterback prospects such as Nick Foles, Brandon Weeden, Kirk Cousins and Ryan Lindley. Monday of Senior Bowl week is about player weigh-ins and an initial practice, but there are already some players making noise in Mobile, Ala.
1) Brandon Weeden, QB Oklahoma State
Weeden wasted little time Monday showing off his immense arm strength and accuracy, and it's likely that he'll have scouts eating out of the palm of his hand by the end of Senior Bowl week. Weeden's age (he'll be 29 years old in October) will turn some people off, but he has minimal wear on his tires and comes across as an intelligent, motivated signal caller. It'll be shocking if Weeden isn't the fourth or fifth quarterback selected this April.
2) Mike Adams, OT Ohio State
Adams had a less-than-stellar 2011 season in Columbus, but he's an absolute threat to be the fourth offensive tackle off the board this spring. Adams looked quick and stout on Monday, and he'll be a near-first-round lock if he continues to practice at this level for the rest of the week. With Adams, the size, technique and potential are all there.
3) Vinny Curry, DE/OLB Marshall
Curry is a lanky powerhouse pass-rusher in the mold of Jason Pierre-Paul and Aldon Smith. Like Mike Adams, Curry could be viewed as the fourth-best prospect at his position if he continues to practice well this week. An absolute freak athlete who should create plenty of problems as an edge rusher.
Stock falling ...
1) Alfonzo Dennard, CB Nebraska
Dennard has an opportunity to be the third cornerback selected in April, but he struggled to flip his hips in coverage on Monday and didn't look comfortable whenever his back was to the ball. Dennard's a fantastic athlete, but he just doesn't look like a sure cover corner right now. If a phenomenal technician like Prince Amukamara can fall to No. 20 in the draft just because of his performance in one game while at Nebraska, Dennard can certainly fall out of the first round.
2) Kellen Moore, QB Boise State
Moore really needed to measure in at 6'0", but he's a legitimate 5'11", which could be the draft kiss of death for a guy who is already getting flak over lack of arm strength and pocket presence. Too bad, because Moore can look like a genius on the field. If you planted Moore's brain in Chad Henne's body (let's just pretend we're on the island of Dr. Moreau and we can do this kind of thing), you'd have the perfect quarterback.
Sure, Drew Brees was short and had a perceived lack of arm strength when he came out of Purdue, but Moore's arm is jaw-droppingly weak.
3) Kalechi Osemele, G Iowa State
Osemele looked like a fire hydrant while working in drills as a tackle, and he displayed some of the poorest footwork I've seen in a long time. Yikes. Osemele's much better suited on the interior anyway, but he needs to bounce back and get some strong practices under his belt if he wants to stay in the round two discussion.
Senior Bowl Monday is really more of a formality than anything else, so try not to place too much stock in the performances yesterday. And keep an eye out for the Senior Bowl quarterbacks--they're all a couple of great practices away from being considered a potential signal caller for the Miami Dolphins.
1 recs | 55 comments
Is there going to be a Junior Bowl.
Make it happen, NFL!
But seriously folks, why wouldn’t Weedon be the QB answer. He’s got 5+ years in him? An the maturity to start right away.
Tunaflipper - January 24, 2012
Kurt Warner didn't make his first NFL start until he was 28 years old, and his career turned out all right
Weeden’s not my first choice here, but I won’t be upset if the Dolphins draft him.
kmb8488 - January 24, 2012
I'll admit that I've only seen him play once,
but he does evince that calm, the fight the good fight demeanor. Don’t know how scouts measure that. It’s not a number. It’s that “it” factor.
Tunaflipper - January 24, 2012
The difference is Kurt Warner wasn't coming out of college.
He played at a high level in the Arena league for a few years, then a year in NFL Europe, and then another year on the Rams roster before becoming the starter due to injury. In reality, Warner had a few years of developmental time after his college career.
I’m just not a fan of drafting these older QB’s just because of the lack of developmental time.
dab415217 - January 24, 2012
Two words: John Beck
Guys that are 28, and more specifically QB’s, have no development time at that age. They have to be ready to go right away. There can be no learning curve. So you have to be sure they are ready to start right away and play at a high level.
dab415217 - January 24, 2012
That's not a good comparison either.
Beck was always a developmental prospect, but Weedon has the skills to start now. If he were 5 years younger, he’d be a top 10 prospect. No one was ever saying that about Beck.
The problem with Weedon’s age is his small window of opportunity. He’d be a great pick for a team needing a quarterback and a win-now attitude. Unfortunately, the Raiders don’t have any picks until 2015.
PNSter - January 24, 2012
Soo...
What you’re saying… We’ll be drafting Kellen Moore in the 2nd round?
Little Nicky 21 - January 24, 2012 via Android app
Why are you still up?
I had a root canal today so I’m trying to drink myself into oblivion.
What’s your excuse?
Tunaflipper - January 24, 2012
He took viagra and because of his short statute, he can't even sit down.
Finhead83 - January 24, 2012
Brandon Weeden would be perfect behind Manning
If we could get Payton Manning and have Brandon Weeden sit behind him for 2-3 years while Philibin is grooming him. That way we have an answer for now and for later.
phins4day - January 24, 2012
wtf?
hes already 28, and according to your plan, he would be 31/32 when he finally starts. thats getting close to retirement age. if we get weeden, he starts right away
AnishB15 - January 24, 2012 via mobile
If Weeden was picked he would be picked to start in my opinion...the age thing may be overrated for him
but sitting 2-3 years, no.
MassFinFan65 - January 24, 2012
what about devlin then
Mabey Devlin could develop under Manning, I am just saying that it would be smart to have a project QB if we can get manning
phins4day - January 24, 2012
Delvin... LOL!
Alpha6 - January 24, 2012
devlin sucks
tannehill is the best choice
AnishB15 - January 24, 2012 via mobile
Devlin is not the (present) answer...
…but I believe he wil be a good QB in this league in a few years. I believe his ceiling is the same as Matt Moore. We should keep him stashed on the roster and learning and he’ll get there.
dab415217 - January 24, 2012
“I believe his ceiling is the same as Matt Moore”
Well, that’s not very high then. we should cut him if that’s the case.
PhinNoir - January 24, 2012
Would like to see the Dolphins draft Weedon and Blackmon. I think it might be an explosive combo.
JWRayII - January 24, 2012
that would be amazing
but i would like to see us take a pass rusher like mercilus in the 1st
AnishB15 - January 24, 2012 via mobile
Only if QB is solved by then.
But elite pass rusher is my non-QB choice in the 1st.
PNSter - January 24, 2012
There is one good thing working for Weeden
A lot of coaches aren’t working on 10-year plans. The NFL culture has the future pegged as 2-5 years. Everything beyond that is murky. Many coaches may not care where Weeden is in 10 years because they really they may not be with their franchise for 10 years themselves.
Finhead83 - January 24, 2012
Pulling for the old people I see....
What’s next? Those that can’t walk right?
Alpha6 - January 24, 2012
I'm not pulling for Weeden...
Finhead83 - January 24, 2012
tell that to the pats then
they’re doing it wrong.
PhinNoir - January 24, 2012
Belichick has the luxury because he won in those earlier years.
Like Belichick even said before, he was fearful for his job when New England was 0-2 with Bledsoe. If Weeden wins for 5-6 years, which would be when he starts getting up there in age, the coach will have earned job security by then and would receive a certain level of comfort.
Finhead83 - January 24, 2012
Weedon will probaly have a Carson Palmer trajectory.
A few years of great play, and then decline.
PNSter - January 24, 2012
I'd take a chance with Weeden. I know he's older than most, but he's also more polished and his arm is phenomenal!
Mike Adams and Vinny Curry’s rising stock hurts the Fins. I was hoping one of them would be available for us in round 2. It doesn’t look like either will make it out of the top 25 now. Oh well…
JP 23 - January 24, 2012
Saw Vinny Curry play against FIU in their bowl game
not impressed. Lacks the speed/first step to be a real threat in the NFL.
Davone_Is_BessT - January 24, 2012
That's funny cause that completely opposite what scouts like most about him.
JP 23 - January 24, 2012
From everything I've read on him, he definitely has the speed and that 1st step to be productive in the NFL.
Maybe he was being double teamed by FIU?
JP 23 - January 24, 2012
yea he was double teamed but still got that impression
I know scouting reports vary and its not uncommon for them to contradict each other but this one agrees with me
“Marginal speed. May not be a consistent pass-rush threat at the next level. Lacks the speed to make plays in pursuit, but does put forth the effort. "
yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/vinny_curry_scouting_report/8717605
Davone_Is_BessT - January 24, 2012 via mobile
I like tardbarker....
Alpha6 - January 24, 2012
*yardbarker
Alpha6 - January 24, 2012
Lack luster???
I can’t wait to see guys like Melvin Ingram Courtney upshaw coples play against some I the elite off linemen. Should be one of the most talented senior bowls in recent memory.
drey34 - January 24, 2012 via mobile
Lack luster???
I can’t wait to see guys like Melvin Ingram Courtney upshaw coples play against some I the elite off linemen. Should be one of the most talented senior bowls in recent memory.
drey34 - January 24, 2012 via mobile
Great write up as always Kmb.
Obviously the huge storyline is Brandon Weeden and could he conceivably move into the first round. I think there is no doubt that he could. He isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing Quarterback and there are concerns. For one thing he plays with a very wide base which gave him problems in the congestion of the pocket and will continue to, especially in the NFL where the space on the field is so drastically reduced. However he has a big enough arm, he can make every throw, he has almost demonstrated good vision e.t.c. Ultimately we are talking about a kid who completed 72% percent of his passes in his senior season.
Possibly more important than anything else though is simply that the kid is a winner. He led his team back back on the grandest stages and he demonstrates natural leadership and desire to win. The position of Quarterback is an absolute necessity in the NFL, so Quarterbacks tend to jump up the board and go higher than they probably should. As the league continues to change this will happen more and more frequently. If Tannehill goes as high as I think he will (somewhere around 10-13 probably with a trade) I think we could easily see a run of Quarterbacks through the teens and into the 20’s.Although unlikely its possible that Luck, Griffin, Tannehill, Foles, Weeden and Tyler Wilson could all go in the first round IMO.
civwarbuff - January 24, 2012
Wow... just wow, on your statement of run on QB's... especially the names you mentioned.
So, is it possible that Miami takes Tannehill if they stand pat at number 8 or 9?
Alpha6 - January 24, 2012
Well I mean go back only as far as last year Alpha.
As soon as Jake Locker went off of the board at 8, teams were sitting in a very weak Quarterback class and the candidates began to go. The Jags traded up to 10 for Gabbert, with Washignton and the Vikings took Christian Ponder as 12. As soon as Quarterbacks began to come off of the board teams became very nervous about other teams investing in the position higher so they knowingly took players higher than there value because of the necessity of the position. Also remember that Dalton and Kaepernick went 35/36 respectively. That is 6 Quarterbacks within the top 36 picks! That is what the league is today. In yet another weak Quarterback class (with Luck and Griffin both going in the top 2 IMO), it hinges upon Ryan Tannehill. If he goes early (between 7-13) we could easily see 6 go within the same time frame again.
civwarbuff - January 24, 2012
*Washington
civwarbuff - January 24, 2012
As for the Dolphins position at 9 (always assume the worst, we will lose the coin flip with Carolina)
Tannehill will most likely be on the board. If the Dolphins believe he is a Franchise Quarterback, they are obligated in my opinion to take him.
civwarbuff - January 24, 2012
One last point Alpha.
With the new CBA the risk/reward factor is far better in terms of taking a Quarterback in the First round because of the current rookie salary scale. Teams are going to be increasingly more willing to take a chance on a Quarterback higher because they are less financially committed. No other position has the track record of failure like Quarterback, however no other position is so vital either. With less punishment to the failure the positives begin to outweigh the negatives.
civwarbuff - January 24, 2012
Thank you very much, buff..!
I missed most of the draft last year, and rarely good back to study it once it’s over.
Seems like a run on QB’s this year hinges on when the third QB is taken.
And I haven’t seen/read anywhere on the rookie scale in effect this year. How it is set, would be a nice insight.
Alpha6 - January 24, 2012
What info on the scale are you looking for?
How the option years work or just how much they’d get per year?
Finhead83 - January 24, 2012
... both
Alpha6 - January 24, 2012
Alright right monkey lover, here we go...
The rookie contracts are obviously set, but they’re also guaranteed. They don’t earn a whole lot on a per year basis. For instance, Cam Newton received $22 million ($14 million signing bonus) over 4 years. That’s not bad and comes out to just over $5 million per year. By comparison, Locker, the #8 pick, received $12 million over 4 years. I don’t believe the scale will change much this year.
After the third year of the contracts, teams can exercise a 5th-year option for first round picks. For picks between 1-10, the amount in the 5th year would equate to the average of the 10 highest-paid players at their position. For picks11-32, the 5th-year salary would be an average of 3rd to 25th highest paid players at his position.
Finhead83 - January 24, 2012
Thanks good guy....
Alpha6 - January 24, 2012
I just don't think there are that many teams that need a QB before anything else.
PNSter - January 24, 2012
Nice starter post to the rest that are coming... rec'd.
Alpha6 - January 24, 2012
This may be a bit of a reach, but how far do you think we could trade back and still comfortably be assured that we get him
Sure my ideal prize would be RG 3 but i am trying to think realistically. That and if we trade down and pick up say a first next year it definitely sets us in good position for the plethora of QBs coming out next year. I would rather see us pick up a first next year than an extra second this year. This way, we have a 3-5 year window and a viable option for trades if we must.
I am trying to look at the long haul, and not just next year. Sure winning the Super Bowl, even making the playoffs would be great, but i dont want to be in the same position we have been in for the last ten or twenty years. Stuck without a plan b wondering how we are going to pray for a QB to fall on our laps.
dolphinfan4lyfe - January 24, 2012 via mobile
I wonder how the QB's stack...
I know Luck and RGIII are one and two, but where do the others fall after that. If Tannehill is number three, why would Miami think of Weeden?
Can’t wait to see how this shakes out….
Alpha6 - January 24, 2012
The next three are unquestionably Tannehill, Foles, and Weeden...
But teams may have those 3 in different combinations on their boards…
Finhead83 - January 24, 2012
Cousins is apparently tearing it up today.
PNSter - January 24, 2012
I like him a lot and he could put himself up there with those 3.
Finhead83 - January 24, 2012
I'm believing in this sleeper at QB...
01/21/12 – Shrine Game (Monday): Physically, the most impressive quarterback on either roster… is BJ Coleman. 6’3", 234 lbs… has the starngest arm of any quarterback here. Coleman’s passes were all frozen ropes and showed ability to drive down field. Struggled with deep accuracy and has raw fundamentals. Showed improved footwork, and passing stance throughout the day.
01/23/12 – Top 10 prospects that helped themselves at the Shrine game: QB BJ Coleman… (read more at the site)
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=69397&draftyear=2012&genpos=QB
Alpha6 - January 24, 2012
Too bad Tannehill got hurt
Patssuck456 - February 5, 2012
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