NFL News and Notes: Draft and Pro-Bowl Edition

NFL.com’s Mike Mayock breakdown the Senior Bowl standouts.

Mocking the Draft also has two writers that brokedown the Senior Bowl here and here

A few of the thoughts ( go to the links to read all of them)

Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson didn’t really do anything to improve his stock. He displayed a good ability to throw on the run (which we knew he could), but struggled in the pocket, missing a touchdown opportunity on a deep corner route in the red zone. To his credit, he made an excellent back-shoulder throw downfield while running to his left, and he had the only touchdown pass of the first half (again, throwing on the run).

Mike Adams shut down Courtney Upshaw and Melvin Ingram in the first half. Upshaw had a quiet game in general after he and Ingram looked the best of first round pass-rushers on the South squad. I don’t think I heard Ingram’s name called once. He’s a tweener prospect that looks better rushing from a defensive end in a 4-3, but looks too small to play there on all three downs.

Isaiah Pead showed off his return skills, returning his first punt for 60 yards, and averaged 49 yards per return. The North offensive line struggled to block for him in the run game against the imposing South defensive line. Pead was named MVP after the game.

riner finished the game with six receptions for 77 yards. He ran some crisp routes to get himself open and secured a catch from his Arizona teammate and quarterback, Nick Foles, for a touchdown. Foles played the entire third quarter and went well into the fourth. He had the best stats of any quarterback in the game, but struggled stepping into his throws even when his offensive line gave him plenty of time to do so. This makes me worried about his ability to throw on the run. If he can’t sort out his feet when he throws from the pocket with time, how can you expect him to do so on the run.
Texas A&M receiver Jeff Fuller had a horrible week in practice. He continued that in the game. He dropped an easy deep pass from Ryan Lindley and rarely saw the field after that.

And from the second link:

1. Bobby Wagner is Awesome: Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner has been flying under the radar a bit, but he played an incredible game today. The instinctive outside linebacker has such a balanced game. Wagner started all four years for the Aggies and racked up nearly 450 tackles. He doesn’t blow anyone away physically, but just plays a solid and smart game. He’ll be a steal in the second or third round

Bobby Wagner has ton a lot to really improve his stock during the Senior Bowl week. He’s always been very productive, but didn’t play great competition so people weren’t sure what to think about him, but he’s shown off better than anticipated athletic ability and could now be a top 100 pickl

Quinton Coples is a freak: While we all saw Quinton Coples put his athletic ability on display today, it is worth noting that most of the day he was schooling a converted guard, Kelechi Osemele of Iowa State. Nothing against Osemele, but one day of taking him to the cleaners doesn’t erase a year’s worth of inconsistency for Coples.

Coples struggled throughout the year, but really put it all together during the Senior Bowl week and game as well. Coples worries me a bit though. Is he a contract player? Was he taking it easy during the year to not get hurt.

Jason LaCanforna says that the decision to cut Peyton Manning was made weeks ago. The decision seems like a mere formality I wonder why they have not just come out with it yet It could be timing, or probably because the Superbowl is in Indianapolis this year and they don’t want that to distract from the game at hand.

Wes Bunting takes a stock up stock down approach to the Senior Bowl, Some big names took a stock hit. Dwight Jones, Chris Polk among others. One with an arrow pointing up.

SS George Iloka: Boise State (6-3, 216)
He’s a gifted athlete who can play in the deep half, get early jumps on the football and close with authority. Now, at 6-3 he’s going to get a bit leggy out of his breaks at times, but he has the size and athleticism needed to cover the mismatch tight ends in the NFL.

Matt Bowen breaks down the DB prospects in the Senior Bowl

Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma: I thought Fleming’s play improved with each practice. The Sooners’ CB began to trust his eyes, drive on the ball and open his hips to turn on the deep ball. Wasn’t perfect with his technique, but did show some recovery speed. The way I see it, Fleming was the top CB on the North roster.

– Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame: I’m not sold that Smith can play the deep middle of the field on a consistent basis, but as SS in the box or coming off the numbers in Cover 2, the Notre Dame product fits well. Didn’t give ground in one-on-ones vs. the TEs, used his leverage and showed some solid technique. Immediate special teams contributor that should develop into a starter.

He also breaks down Janoris Jenkins and Alfonzo Dennard.

The Washington Post gives us a preview of the Pro Bowl

The Morning Call writes that only three Eagles stood out in a miserable season.

Only left tackle Jason Peters, running back LeSean McCoy and defensive end Jason Babin were deemed worthy enough by the voters to earn a trip to Hawaii, where the game will be played Sunday.

Their election was overshadowed by the ostensible indictment of those who failed to make it back. Quarterback Michael Vick, wide receiver DeSean Jackson cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Asante Samuel and defensive end Trent Cole all fall into that category.

McCoy, for example, had a hard time putting this season behind him, despite leading the league in touchdowns, first downs and runs of 10 yards or more. This is his first trip to the Pro Bowl, and it is bittersweet at best.

Lastly, The Deseret News writes interestingly that the Pac 12 has the most Pro-Bowlers

The Pac-12 produced the most players elected for the 2012 Pro Bowl and the University of Utah is ranked in the top 10 in representation.

Players have been enjoying the Hawaiian sunlight, sporting leis and in the case of Denver Broncos’ rookie Von Miller, catching 250-pound blue marlins in deep sea fishing escapades.

Leisure activities aside, 69 schools manufactured at least one former athlete participating in the Pro Bowl that gets underway at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Miami (Fla.) was the lone program that surpassed five or more players tabbed Pro Bowlers with seven. Frank Gore (San Francisco), Willis McGahee (Denver), Ray Lewis (Baltimore), Ed Reed (Baltimore), Jimmy Graham (New Orleans), Chris Myers (Houston) and Vince Wilfork (New England) all used to run through the smoke for the Hurricanes.

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