Checking in with the Senior Bowl

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jan 21, 2009 3:13 PM CST in 2009 NFL draft

On top of all the coaching news dominating headlines this week, there's also the Senior Bowl happening. You can also be forgiven in case you forgot in the midst of all the Super Bowl hype. So what are some Senior Bowl items of interest to the Rams?

You can take a look at the rosters for the North and South teams here.

The Rams are widely expected to draft an OT with the second overall pick (pleeeease), but only one of the potential top five OTs, Michael Oher, is at the Senior Bowl. Without Andre Smith and Eugene Monroe, Oher's stock could rise a bit, as teams get an extended look at the much-chronicled Ole MIss product. One report had Oher looking good in some pretty intense physical battles, but another reporter saw Oher struggle with outside rushers.

Center is another position of interest to the Rams, and it seems like all the top prospects at that position are at the game. Cal's Alex Mack got decent reviews, though top DT prospect B.J. Raji from Boston College gave him trouble. Oregon C Max Unger has shined at times too, but like his counterpart above, has been flattened by some of the DTs trying to show their stuff. Don't forget about Eric Wood, who gets mentioned in that last link, he could be a mid-round steal.

Speaking of DTs, specifically of the nose variety, don't forget about that otehr BC DT Ron Brace. In addition to crashing the pocket, Brace has done well against the run. This could be a guy to watch for after the first round; would it be possible to nab him with our early third round pick?

That's heaping helping of Senior Bowl stuff. I'll gather some LB info for next time. Be sure to post any reports you hear too.

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OT

From what I’ve been hearing/seeing, Andre Smith is the projected #2, however i’m concerned about that bowl game that he got suspended for, I hope that if the Rams draft him, he won’t be another “Adam” Jones or Plax.

by sergey606 on Jan 22, 2009 2:44 AM CST reply actions

He only got suspended for hopping on the NFL train too early

The suspension wasn’t for drugs or guns or anything like that. First report here and follow-up here. Either Smith or someone acting on his behalf was dealing with an agent, and Alabama (both the university and the state) took issue. It wasn’t an NCAA suspension, but a school suspension. I suspect that this was mainly due to the draft classes Saban has brought in to make sure that if Bama is in line for a championship in the near future, players like Julio Jones don’t allow their heads to go to the draft before they play their final college game.
By all accounts, Smith maintanis a professional off-field demeanor. This was just a case of poor business.

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Jan 22, 2009 6:06 AM CST up reply actions

Draftniks on LBs

I always use Scott Wright’s http://www.draftcountdown.com as my resource for the draft. You should find some good info there in the linebacker class, as well as great Senior Bowl coverage.

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by YankeeDoodleBrit on Jan 22, 2009 3:44 AM CST reply actions

Oher's stock is really slipping

He didn’t even crack Mel Kiper’s Top 16. If he slips far enough, do the Rams draft OT, OT and let Barron go?

"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz

by taiko on Jan 22, 2009 8:38 AM CST reply actions

By “do the Rams draft OT”, are you suggesting we’re not going to take Andre Smith at #2 assuming he’s available?

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Jan 22, 2009 9:17 AM CST up reply actions

No, I like Andre Smith. I wrote “draft OT, OT” meaning this:

1st pick: OT
2nd pick: OT

"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz

by taiko on Jan 22, 2009 2:16 PM CST up reply actions

what are you proposing for our defense? I do know that Brown was the best signing of the last postseason, since….you know…..he probably has the most points on the bloody team last year, but still we have to stop the other team from scoring. at least rams didn’t give up 6 TD’s last year ;-)

by sergey606 on Jan 22, 2009 4:41 PM CST up reply actions

…..to favre

by sergey606 on Jan 22, 2009 4:41 PM CST up reply actions

We have needs all over the field, for sure. However, I’m really concerned about the O-line. It’s crucially bad, especially with Pace on the verge of retirement/ineffecitveness.

Toward the end of the year, you saw the defense tighten up significantly, with barely any personnel changes compared to that nightmare against the Jets, as the offense gained effectiveness. If you can reduce the 3-and-outs on offense, it gives your defense a lot more rest, and therefore a lot more intensity when they are on the field.

Defense will still need a couple high impact players. And we can’t solve everything through the draft – got to dip into free agency too. As long as we’re taking the best talent available among O-line and defensive middle (MLB, SS, DT), we’ll be in better shape than we were.

"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz

by taiko on Jan 23, 2009 4:22 PM CST up reply actions

ah

gotcha

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Jan 23, 2009 8:00 AM CST up reply actions

oh, and

most inspiring to me is that he has Mack as the last pick of the 1st. It’s entirely plausible that he could slip to us in the 2nd and allow us to grab the top OT and C in the draft which would give us a great outlook on our O-line going in to the future.

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Jan 22, 2009 9:18 AM CST up reply actions

Maualuga

the more I read about this guy…

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jan 22, 2009 10:24 AM CST up reply actions

He's legit.

Palomalu in a LB’s body?

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Jan 22, 2009 10:37 AM CST up reply actions

can you imagine a Rams D

anchored by Chris Long and Rey Maualuga?

if they can trade the #2 pick with any confidence that they can get a ready-to-start OT, late in the first or with their early second round pick. I’d do it in a heartbeat to draft that guy.

and you know how much I’ve made drafting an OT a pet issue…

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jan 22, 2009 10:59 AM CST up reply actions

I've read

that some people are worried that you would have to take him out on passing downs. They think because he’s so big he might not be that good in coverage in the NFL. I don’t want him to be Chris Claiborne…but I’ve also heard him compared to Urlacher, Lewis, etc.

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by Toddius on Jan 22, 2009 11:08 AM CST up reply actions

OT + C would be awesome.

"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz

by taiko on Jan 23, 2009 4:23 PM CST up reply actions