interesting read--I edited it though. Link to full article is at the bottom.
2014 Senior Bowl: Notes from the Film Room
For the past three years in Mobile, Josh Norris of Rotoworld.com and I have gone into the XOS film room to review the practice tapes ourselves, and it's been a great opportunity to revisit certain players, focus on techniques, and review certain players on how their week's actually went, away from the media narrative or what we saw live.
Here are my personal takeaways from the Film session.
-Mike Davis consistently rounded his outside breaking routes during the week. He seems to have mastered the skinny post, but any deep out, comeback, or corner route lacks the precision required.
-Wake Forest's slot receiver Michael Campanaro utilized his balance and core strength as a route runner, consistently using physicality to get separation, including against some of the better press cornerbacks.
-Before he was injury during the week, Kain Colter of Northwestern was having a solid week. He showed the plant and burst at the top of his route, and was able to get separation despite being a former QB. He was more impressive as a pure receiver than Denard Robinson was last year. By a lot.
-When Tyler Larsen snaps the ball, gets his hands up quickly, and makes first contact, he was very impressive, including providing the only stop to Aaron Donald all week. When he doesn't get that first contact in position, it's over and he loses.
-Gabe Ikard followed a poor week at the Shrine Game with another poor week in Mobile. He lacks power and a sturdy enough base against any nose tackles. He's a Day Three pick who will struggle to be a starter in the NFL early.
-Billy Turner of North Dakota State struggled in pass protection , but don't rush to move him at guard. As Josh and I reviewed his film, he showed that he needs to sit better in his kick slide first and foremost. To me, it seems he completely lacks the technique in his first two kick slide steps. But that's VERY coachable. I'd still draft him Top 100 as a right tackle prospect.
-Stanley Jean-Baptiste was reported to have had a solid week, and I know one NFL team that agreed, but on the re-watch, that certainly wasn't the case. His poor hand usage atop the receiver's route, and his lackluster footwork on the receiver's break were two very concerning parts of his week.
-Pierre Desir of Lindenwood has finally emerged on the national stage, but keep in mind he's not a finished product. He takes too many gather steps on comebacks and vertically he struggles to adjust without losing speed. However, keep in mind that he received the bare minimum of coaching in college, and all of his issues are coachable. He's highly viewed by NFL teams.
-The best safety of the week? Easy, Jimmie Ward. The best cornerback of the week? Close, but it might also be Jimmie Ward.
Ward was fantastic in slot and tight end coverage, playing with patient feet, sinking low, and finishing with physicality at the catch point. Jaylen Watkins could also be called the best CB here, as he played tight to all of his receivers this week, using subtle contact on the edge, and showing great patience on playing the ball. With Ward, don't rule out the late first round.
http://www.optimumscouting.com/draft/articles/2014-senior-bowl-notes-from-the-film-room.html