Post by sec.101row23 on Jan 9, 2015 15:05:05 GMT -5
Practice for the Shrine Game starts this Monday, might as well start something to discuss the participants.
www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24944770/nfl-draft-east-west-shrine-game-offensive-pre
There are a handful of teams still alive in the NFL playoffs, fighting for a spot in Super Bowl XLIX. But for the majority of NFL teams, the 2014 season is a distant memory as scouts, coaches and other front-office members have already begun the pre-draft process. And one of the first chapters of that journey is the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Fla., an all-star exhibition game for senior prospects.
The 90th East-West Shrine Game will be played at Tropicana Field on Sat., Jan. 17, with daily practices on the days leading up to the game, starting Monday.
The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., the following week is the premiere senior prospect all-star game, but the Shrine Game will showcase dozens of future NFL starters as well. More than 100 players from last year's game were either drafted or signed as undrafted free agents, including second-round pick QB Jimmy Garoppolo and third-rounders DT Jay Bromley, DE Will Clarke, CB Phillip Gaines and WR John Brown.
EAST-WEST SHRINE GAME
Brugler: Defensive preview
This year's Shrine Game is loaded with NFL talent once again. Below are 10 offensive players I'll be focusing on during the week of practice.
QB Taylor Heinicke, Old Dominion: The face of the Monarchs program, Heinicke deserves a lot of credit for helping Old Dominion make the jump to the FBS level. He thrived in the Monarchs' quick-strike spread offense and could carve out a Chase Daniel-type career in the NFL.
RB Kenny Hilliard, LSU: Well built at 230 pounds, Hilliard is a downhill power back with the physical nature to run over defenders and pick up steam as he goes. He began the 2014 season as the Tigers' starter before a shoulder injury sidelined him.
WR Tre McBride, William & Mary: The owner of numerous school receiving records, McBride has an athletic frame with fluidity and body strength to match up at every level of the field. He's not overly sudden, but displays good quickness in his breaks, drawing comparisons to Pierre Garcon.
WR Jordan Taylor, Rice: A foot injury sidelined him for the start of 2014, but Taylor rebounded nicely with a team-best 54 catches for 842 yards and seven scores. He has a tall, lanky frame and does a great job working back to the ball with quick hands and natural ballskills.
TE Gerald Christian, Louisville: A former Florida blue-chip recruit, Christian is athletic and fluid for the position with a smooth release off the line of scrimmage and easy route quickness. He doesn't have ideal size and needs to be a more consistent finisher, but the natural talent shines.
TE MyCole Pruitt, Southern Illinois: A hybrid tight end prospect, Pruitt looks more like a bulky wideout with his thick frame and foot quickness. He needs to refine his route-running and play more controlled, but has starter potential down the road with some seasoning.
TE Blake Bell, Oklahoma: A former quarterback for the Sooners, Bell struggled behind center as a junior and moved to tight end, posting 16 catches and four scores last season. Scouts will be able to take the temperature of his development at the new position during Shrine practices.
OL Sean Hickey, Syracuse: A college left tackle, Hickey is a prime candidate to move inside to guard and hopefully he'll work out at both spots. He has the coordination to stay balanced through contact, but his lack of length stands out and he's clearly best in small areas.
C B.J. Finney, Kansas State: A former walk-on, Finney doesn't have many physical traits to get excited about, but he doesn't make many mistakes and he's able to generate movement in the run game. He plays like a veteran, sensing and anticipating the action well.
C Greg Mancz, Toledo: A four-year starter at multiple positions, Mancz has the athletic and mental makeup to survive at the NFL level. He needs some technique work, but has natural movement traits and the recognition skills to rarely be surprised by much.
Next 10 players: TE Wes Saxton, South Alabama; OL Brett Boyko, UNLV; OG Adam Shead, Oklahoma; RB Malcolm Brown, Texas; TE A.J. Derby, Arkansas; C David Andrews, Georgia; OL Jon Feliciano, Miami (Fla.); WR Andre Davis, South Florida; OT Darrian Miller, Kentucky; RB Dominique Brown, Louisville
www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24944770/nfl-draft-east-west-shrine-game-offensive-pre
There are a handful of teams still alive in the NFL playoffs, fighting for a spot in Super Bowl XLIX. But for the majority of NFL teams, the 2014 season is a distant memory as scouts, coaches and other front-office members have already begun the pre-draft process. And one of the first chapters of that journey is the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Fla., an all-star exhibition game for senior prospects.
The 90th East-West Shrine Game will be played at Tropicana Field on Sat., Jan. 17, with daily practices on the days leading up to the game, starting Monday.
The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., the following week is the premiere senior prospect all-star game, but the Shrine Game will showcase dozens of future NFL starters as well. More than 100 players from last year's game were either drafted or signed as undrafted free agents, including second-round pick QB Jimmy Garoppolo and third-rounders DT Jay Bromley, DE Will Clarke, CB Phillip Gaines and WR John Brown.
EAST-WEST SHRINE GAME
Brugler: Defensive preview
This year's Shrine Game is loaded with NFL talent once again. Below are 10 offensive players I'll be focusing on during the week of practice.
QB Taylor Heinicke, Old Dominion: The face of the Monarchs program, Heinicke deserves a lot of credit for helping Old Dominion make the jump to the FBS level. He thrived in the Monarchs' quick-strike spread offense and could carve out a Chase Daniel-type career in the NFL.
RB Kenny Hilliard, LSU: Well built at 230 pounds, Hilliard is a downhill power back with the physical nature to run over defenders and pick up steam as he goes. He began the 2014 season as the Tigers' starter before a shoulder injury sidelined him.
WR Tre McBride, William & Mary: The owner of numerous school receiving records, McBride has an athletic frame with fluidity and body strength to match up at every level of the field. He's not overly sudden, but displays good quickness in his breaks, drawing comparisons to Pierre Garcon.
WR Jordan Taylor, Rice: A foot injury sidelined him for the start of 2014, but Taylor rebounded nicely with a team-best 54 catches for 842 yards and seven scores. He has a tall, lanky frame and does a great job working back to the ball with quick hands and natural ballskills.
TE Gerald Christian, Louisville: A former Florida blue-chip recruit, Christian is athletic and fluid for the position with a smooth release off the line of scrimmage and easy route quickness. He doesn't have ideal size and needs to be a more consistent finisher, but the natural talent shines.
TE MyCole Pruitt, Southern Illinois: A hybrid tight end prospect, Pruitt looks more like a bulky wideout with his thick frame and foot quickness. He needs to refine his route-running and play more controlled, but has starter potential down the road with some seasoning.
TE Blake Bell, Oklahoma: A former quarterback for the Sooners, Bell struggled behind center as a junior and moved to tight end, posting 16 catches and four scores last season. Scouts will be able to take the temperature of his development at the new position during Shrine practices.
OL Sean Hickey, Syracuse: A college left tackle, Hickey is a prime candidate to move inside to guard and hopefully he'll work out at both spots. He has the coordination to stay balanced through contact, but his lack of length stands out and he's clearly best in small areas.
C B.J. Finney, Kansas State: A former walk-on, Finney doesn't have many physical traits to get excited about, but he doesn't make many mistakes and he's able to generate movement in the run game. He plays like a veteran, sensing and anticipating the action well.
C Greg Mancz, Toledo: A four-year starter at multiple positions, Mancz has the athletic and mental makeup to survive at the NFL level. He needs some technique work, but has natural movement traits and the recognition skills to rarely be surprised by much.
Next 10 players: TE Wes Saxton, South Alabama; OL Brett Boyko, UNLV; OG Adam Shead, Oklahoma; RB Malcolm Brown, Texas; TE A.J. Derby, Arkansas; C David Andrews, Georgia; OL Jon Feliciano, Miami (Fla.); WR Andre Davis, South Florida; OT Darrian Miller, Kentucky; RB Dominique Brown, Louisville
