As always, remember to listen to the audible for a more in depth report on these players. This was an intense practice, the first on either side in full pads.
QB: Zac Taylor was again the best QB on the west. He showed great accuracy on the run and was confident and decisive all day. He's very consistent, if unspectacular. Jeff Rowe picked it up from his poor 1st day and showed nice touch on some deep passes. He's definitely got more upside than Taylor, but doesn't seem like nearly as sound an investment. John Beck showed off his quick release but the fact that he's a system QB showed - he was sometimes indecisive and slow to read when taking a snap from center - at BYU he was in the shotgun a lot.
RB: Selvin Young was looked great fielding punts at the beginning of practice, adding value to his draft stock by showing off something he hasn't done at UT for a while. His running continued to display power and a good burst, and he had a terrific over the shoulder catch downfield. Like Snelling on the east, Young is going to help a team in many ways. We also learned that he hired his buddy Vince Young's agent, Major Adams. Jon Cornish was efficient again and showed terrific vision, but still looks like a backup at best. Jackie Battle is not impressing us, running too upright, not generating the power that someone his size should (skinny legs), and not showing that much potential when he lined up at FB. Brad Lau on the other hand, a true fullback, showed surprising burst and solid receiving skills, and looked like a much more draftable commodity than Battle. Stevie Hicks did show some shake and bake today, but only when he had huge holes.
WR: Austin Flynn showed consistent hands, but subpar athleticism in the drills. Jarrett Hicks really struggled in a drill that required the WR to turn and catch the ball thrown from about 10 yards away and tiptoe his feet inbounds. Hicks seemed to only be able to do one or the other. his teammate, Joel Filani, was better, and showed surprising burst out of his cuts. Jerard Rabb has a similar build to Hicks and Filani, but had much quicker feet and looser hips, and showed fearlessness going over the middle. The standout was again Paul Williams. Athletically, this guy is a first rounder, he's got soft hands, great speed, and the arms of a much taller WR - he's fluid and smooth. It will be interesting to see how he measures up at the combine.
TE: Matt Herian caught a long pass from his teammate Zac Taylor in one of the plays of practice, but he still hasnt looked like he did pre leg injury. Michael Allan used his long frame to make some nice leaping catches, but had one of the worst drops of the day. Neither seems to have much NFL promise.
OL: From the sidelines, its hard to scout anyone but the tackles - among the tackles, herb Taylor and Adam Koets were the best - Robert Kraay of Air Force is also interesting because he's a giant, but he has to bulk up to make it at the next level. Enoka Lucas was impressive again when we got a chance to watch him, he looks like a natural NFL center. The OL in general had a good day, giving the QBs lots of time to throw, and opening big holes for the RBs.
DL: As I said above, the OL had the upper hand on this group all day, although Brian Robison showed an explosive first step and good power rushing the QB. Justin Hickman also got some good pressure and showed the athleticism to be a possible 3-4 OLB convert. Mkristo Bruce and Larry Birdine were generally shut down by the OTs.
LB: This group continued to benefit from the direction of Mike Singletary. Brandon Archer looked solid in pursuit and coverage and Desmond Bishop had the hit of the day on the last play of practice (Matt Herian, meet Desmond Bishop). Kyle Shotwell of Cal Poly had some nice plays in space and Quincy Black showed the all around game that had him occupying the same S/LB position as Brian Urlacher at UNM. Dallas Sartz has continued to disappoint and didn't seem to be taking to Singletary's coaching as well as some of the other LBs.
DB: Tyron Brackenridge struggled mightily, but Bo Smith stood out for the second straight day. Smith was in on many plays in coverage and as a tackler. C.J. Wilson had an excellent day in coverage and John Wendling again looked more like a receiver in the ball skills drills. Dashon Goldson continued to look for the big hit, but was inconsistent in coverage - he seems like more of a safety despite lining up at CB this year for the Washington Huskies and at the Shrine practices.
QB: Zac Taylor was again the best QB on the west. He showed great accuracy on the run and was confident and decisive all day. He's very consistent, if unspectacular. Jeff Rowe picked it up from his poor 1st day and showed nice touch on some deep passes. He's definitely got more upside than Taylor, but doesn't seem like nearly as sound an investment. John Beck showed off his quick release but the fact that he's a system QB showed - he was sometimes indecisive and slow to read when taking a snap from center - at BYU he was in the shotgun a lot.
RB: Selvin Young was looked great fielding punts at the beginning of practice, adding value to his draft stock by showing off something he hasn't done at UT for a while. His running continued to display power and a good burst, and he had a terrific over the shoulder catch downfield. Like Snelling on the east, Young is going to help a team in many ways. We also learned that he hired his buddy Vince Young's agent, Major Adams. Jon Cornish was efficient again and showed terrific vision, but still looks like a backup at best. Jackie Battle is not impressing us, running too upright, not generating the power that someone his size should (skinny legs), and not showing that much potential when he lined up at FB. Brad Lau on the other hand, a true fullback, showed surprising burst and solid receiving skills, and looked like a much more draftable commodity than Battle. Stevie Hicks did show some shake and bake today, but only when he had huge holes.
WR: Austin Flynn showed consistent hands, but subpar athleticism in the drills. Jarrett Hicks really struggled in a drill that required the WR to turn and catch the ball thrown from about 10 yards away and tiptoe his feet inbounds. Hicks seemed to only be able to do one or the other. his teammate, Joel Filani, was better, and showed surprising burst out of his cuts. Jerard Rabb has a similar build to Hicks and Filani, but had much quicker feet and looser hips, and showed fearlessness going over the middle. The standout was again Paul Williams. Athletically, this guy is a first rounder, he's got soft hands, great speed, and the arms of a much taller WR - he's fluid and smooth. It will be interesting to see how he measures up at the combine.
TE: Matt Herian caught a long pass from his teammate Zac Taylor in one of the plays of practice, but he still hasnt looked like he did pre leg injury. Michael Allan used his long frame to make some nice leaping catches, but had one of the worst drops of the day. Neither seems to have much NFL promise.
OL: From the sidelines, its hard to scout anyone but the tackles - among the tackles, herb Taylor and Adam Koets were the best - Robert Kraay of Air Force is also interesting because he's a giant, but he has to bulk up to make it at the next level. Enoka Lucas was impressive again when we got a chance to watch him, he looks like a natural NFL center. The OL in general had a good day, giving the QBs lots of time to throw, and opening big holes for the RBs.
DL: As I said above, the OL had the upper hand on this group all day, although Brian Robison showed an explosive first step and good power rushing the QB. Justin Hickman also got some good pressure and showed the athleticism to be a possible 3-4 OLB convert. Mkristo Bruce and Larry Birdine were generally shut down by the OTs.
LB: This group continued to benefit from the direction of Mike Singletary. Brandon Archer looked solid in pursuit and coverage and Desmond Bishop had the hit of the day on the last play of practice (Matt Herian, meet Desmond Bishop). Kyle Shotwell of Cal Poly had some nice plays in space and Quincy Black showed the all around game that had him occupying the same S/LB position as Brian Urlacher at UNM. Dallas Sartz has continued to disappoint and didn't seem to be taking to Singletary's coaching as well as some of the other LBs.
DB: Tyron Brackenridge struggled mightily, but Bo Smith stood out for the second straight day. Smith was in on many plays in coverage and as a tackler. C.J. Wilson had an excellent day in coverage and John Wendling again looked more like a receiver in the ball skills drills. Dashon Goldson continued to look for the big hit, but was inconsistent in coverage - he seems like more of a safety despite lining up at CB this year for the Washington Huskies and at the Shrine practices.
as usual. Which teams seem interested in young? What current rb would you compare him to? Does he seem like he can be a featured back or just a 3rd down guy?
