2011 East-West Shrine Game: Pre-Game Primer

We’ve finished up our practice reports for the week of East-West Shrine Game practice. But, I know some of you like the more generalized overview. Here we’ll compare positions, declare advantages, predict a winner, and give you a list of 10 prospects to watch and why you should watch them.

2011 East-West Shrine Game: Alen’s West Wrap-Up (Day Four)

Today was the final day of practices for the East-Week Shrine Game week and it has been a pleasure viewing the NFL prospects. Lets start and end this week’s thoughts with a run down on some players that I noticed today.

2011 East-West Shrine Game: CK’s West Wrap-Up (Days Three & Four)

We’ve reached the end of our road with the East-West Shrine Week. There have been plenty of ups and downs, vomit and flat tires, Hooters wings, touchdowns and Tebow-Messiah stories, but all good things must come to an end. As I look back on the week of practice I keep reminding myself of one sad fact: most of these guys aren’t going to make it. You’re really looking at only a handful of guys that will get to the next level and make an impact. In speaking with ESPN’s Charlie Bernstein about the dominance of DT Marvin Austin during the week, he reminded me of this reality when he quipped sarcastically, “One thing we learned about Marvin is he can really beat up on some 6th rounders, I mean he can really dominate the trash of the Draft for sure.” Ouch. Sad, but very true. Last year, precisely 55% of the East-West Shrine roster went undrafted. Only 6 players from it were drafted in the top 100, and off the top of my head the only superlative rookie contribution came from St. Louis Left Tackle Rodger Saffold. I believe that the talent in this year’s roster is stronger than a year ago, although I’m not sure Marvin Austin will be the kind of player Saffold is, but even so that means most of these guys will be irrelevant within three years.

2011 East-West Shrine Game: CK’s East Wrap-Up (Days Three & Four)

We’ve reached the end of our road with the East-West Shrine Week. There have been plenty of ups and downs, vomit and flat tires, Hooters wings, touchdowns and Tebow-Messiah stories, but all good things must come to an end. As I look back on the week of practice I keep reminding myself of one sad fact: most of these guys aren’t going to make it. You’re really looking at only a handful of guys that will get to the next level and make an impact. In speaking with ESPN’s Charlie Bernstein about the dominance of DT Marvin Austin during the week, he reminded me of this reality when he quipped sarcastically, “One thing we learned about Marvin is he can really beat up on some 6th rounders, I mean he can really dominate the trash of the Draft for sure.” Ouch. Sad, but very true. Last year, precisely 55% of the East-West Shrine roster went undrafted. Only 6 players from it were drafted in the top 100, and off the top of my head the only superlative rookie contribution came from St. Louis Left Tackle Rodger Saffold. I believe that the talent in this year’s roster is stronger than a year ago, although I’m not sure Marvin Austin will be the kind of player Saffold is, but even so that means most of these guys will be irrelevant within three years.

2011 East-West Shrine Game: West Practice (Day Three)

Day three kicked off today and I managed to beat the NFL Scouts to the sidelines this time. It was a pleasure watching players practice today, albeit it was not a great practice. Let’s kick the third day report off with the West quarterbacks once again.

2011 East-West Shrine Game: West Practice (Day Two)

Day two of the East-West Shrine practices kicked off today and as I entered the practice field, I was greeted by Arizona OT Adam Grant, who happened to throw up right next to me. It wasn’t bad except that it was the longest and loudest throw up I’d ever witnessed. I said to myself, “welcome to the pros, young lad”.

2010 Draft Spotlight: Earl Thomas – FS – Texas

Earl Thomas is one of the most fascinating prospects in the 2010 NFL Draft. Well recruited out of high school where he excelled at tailback, receiver, returner and in the secondary, his stock has risen quickly since announcing his intentions to go pro as a redshirt sophomore. He started all 26 games at Texas, flipping between free and strong safety, although all 13 of his final season starts came on the strong side. He’s a player who splits opinions; no-one denies his natural athletic ability, borne out both at the Combine and the UT pro day, but concerns over his size haven’t disappeared.

CK’s Big Board – 4/3/2010

We’re within 3 weeks of the draft and I thought I would update everyone on my Top 25. Things could change, of course, but I feel pretty good about where we are at on the talents in this draft. Without further ado…

2010 Draft Spotlight: DE Derrick Morgan – Georgia Tech

Derrick Morgan is very much an effort player. Unfortunately, he is not the most athletically gifted player in the 2010 Draft Class. That does not mean that Morgan lumbers by any means, he simply will not “wow” you with his athleticism.

2010 Draft Spotlight: OLB Sean Lee – Penn State

Penn State has long been known as “Linebacker U” as the school and Patriarch Joe Paterno have a long history of turning out NFL caliber linebackers. The 2010 Draft features 3 Penn State linebackers, all with varying degrees of talent. Sean Leewas probably the most consistent member of the unit when he was healthy. Lee won the 2005 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette High School Male Athlete-of-the-Year award. The Pittsburgh native was named to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 in 2005, and played in the Big 33 Classic against Ohio that same year.

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