HOUSTON – Practices drew to a close late this week as the East and West teams got down to the business at hand: preparing for today’s Shrine Game at Robertson Stadium on the University of Houston.
More special teams, two-minute drills and even a few gadget plays were par for the course. The energy level was high as players seemed anxious to finally hit someone on the other roster.
Friday’s schedule consisted of a one-hour walk-through for both teams followed by the annual banquet. The featured guest was Shrine Game Hall of Fame inductee Doug Williams, the former Grambling State quarterback who won the Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins.
Here are some prospects I have yet to update and a couple of others who have given me more information after Thursday’s workouts:
EAST ROSTER
–Northeastern TE Brian Mandeville: Has done a good job catching the ball. Has been able to get a clean release most of the time and made several athletic catches. A little stiff as a runner as I do not think he always plays to his 40 times. Has room to get bigger, especially in the upper body. Did a better job than expected when called on to block but was thrown to the side by West Virginia linebacker Mortty Ivy on a run play during team drills.
–Kentucky LB Johnny Williams: Has looked good as a late addition to the roster. Moves well for his size, gets good depth on his drops and shows the type of hustle that could earn a roster spot this summer as a back-up outside linebacker and special teams player. Several teammates have noted that he’s one of the hardest workers here and someone they’ve grown to respect in a short period of time.
–Georgia LB Dannell Ellerbe: Has not been the active playmaker he was on game film as a junior. Does have the ability to play multiple spots in the pros but now seems more of a late-round prospect than a second- or third-rounder as previously thought. Waiting to see that spark that was missing most of his senior campaign. In the right system, he could still develop into a starting linebacker at the NFL level.
–Cincinnati DB Brandon Underwood: Has shown the raw tools to be considered in first 3-4 rounds along with his two senior teammates, who will be playing in next week’s Senior Bowl. Nice size, long arms and has broken up several passes. The Ohio State transfer says he will run in the 4.4 range but seems to take a little longer to reach full speed than some of the similar size defenders in this game.
–Rutgers S Courtney Greene: Has good natural size and runs pretty well, but he lacks ideal instincts and has not shown great ball skills during practices. He has been right there on several plays and allowed the receiver to make the catch. Shows good range and has tried to come up on a few plays to lay a big lick, but his timing is not always on the mark.
–Florida State K/P Graham Gano: Shows a nice leg in practice, hitting on most of his field goals. Has turned over some of his punts during his warm up action and seems like he could be a reliable guy if asked to do both chores at the NFL level. Looking forward to judge his kickoffs during the game and the hang times on his punts.
WEST ROSTER
-Fresno State QB Tom Brandstater: Flashed the type of arm strength that teams desire in a pocket passer. Threw some good deep balls when he got his feet set under him. Can still be erratic at times with his accuracy, and I do not think he has the best natural intangibles of the QBs in this game. But he does have enough tools.
–Texas A&M QB Stephen McGee: Had a very good week and now has scouts talking about watching film from sophomore and junior seasons. Has a live arm, is active in the pocket, made good reads and showed the ability to run with the ball if he has to pull it down.
–Colorado State RB Gartrell Johnson: While some have criticized his lack of game-breaking speed, I’ve noticed that he runs with the same speed, desire and toughness on most of his carries. May not break too many long runs in the NFL, but if he carries the ball more than 15-20 times, he will start to wear on opponents. I like him as a change-of-pace type back for an offense like the Houston Texans; pairing him with a slasher-type guy like Steve Slaton would give them a nicely balanced running attack.
–California LB Anthony Felder: Received far less media attention than either of his former college teammates the past two years, but he looked good in space. Gets good depth on his drops and made a number of plays on film this season considering his two teammates are also in college all-star games.
–USC LB Kaluka Maiava: Related to former WWE wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Has very good speed, shows good strength against the run and was able to get out and make plays during the week. Rarely stays blocked and was very active. Sees the play quickly and takes proper angles to the ball.
–Hawaii CB Ryan Mouton: A little shorter than ideal, so some evaluators might write him off as a nickel or dime defender at the next level. He’s a fluid runner with good hips and has been able to turn and run with all of the West receivers. Will also be a solid contributor on special teams; can return kickoffs and punts. Says he will run in the 4.3 range in the 40-yard dash.
–USC CB Cary Harris: Will not play in the game because of a minor hamstring injury he sustained earlier this week. He’s the second Trojans defender to opt out after an injury, joining safety Kevin Ellison. Did a very good job in practices, and several noted that he was one of the better senior defenders on the west coast. His 40 times at the NFL Combine will be important to his progress up the charts.
GAME DAY PREVIEW
The game is probably more important to the players than to NFL scouts and evaluators, most of whom are already gone. However, there is a short list of players on each roster who either need to continue their solid play from practice or change the minds of scouts by coming up big today. Among them:
East: Tennessee State RB Javarris Williams, South Carolina OT Jamon Meredith, South Florida WR Taurus Johnson, Norfolk State CB Don Carey and Memphis DL Clinton McDonald.
West: Texas A&M QB Stephen McGee, Boise State RB Ian Johnson, Rice WR Jarett Dillard, San Jose State DL Jarron Gilbert and Texas CB Ryan Palmer.
WHAT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL POST IS HEARING…
* Area scouts from the south and west were mixed in their evaluations of the two star quarterbacks to enter the NFL Draft this week, but they agreed that the Detroit Lions will face a tough decision picking between Georgia’s Matthew Stafford and USC’s Mark Sanchez. They could also look at offensive tackle with the No. 1 pick, then take a quarterback later in round one with the choice they have from the Dallas Cowboys.
* Kentucky defensive tackle Myron Pryor replaced Stillman (Ala.) defensive lineman Sammie Lee Hill in the game after Hill suffered a minor hamstring injury. Pryor’s spot in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge has been accepted by Shaw University defensive tackle Louis Ellis, a former Mississippi State recruit who has a chance to impress in two weeks at El Paso.
* Maryland outside linebacker Moise Fokou has been invited to the Senior Bowl, so his spot in the Texas vs. the Nation Challenge has been accepted by Notre Dame linebacker Maurice Crum.
*Arizona wide receiver/return man Mike Thomas was added to the Senior Bowl roster, according to a source.
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