It was a LONG day today here at the Senior Bowl, and I hope you got to enjoy the practice reports as usual. Be sure to hit me up on twitter (@OptimumScouting) for in practice updates as well as to ask some questions between/after practices.
Today was the first day I attended the press conference with the coaches and a few prospects from each team which was great, so look for those notes, team-interest notes, interview notes and more.
Press Conference Quotes
Mike Shannahan, Washington HC
–“Everyone said ‘you can’t play a 3-4 defense, that’s only in college when I came into the league….Now look where we’re at…” -asked about development of offenses in the NFL.
-“If you aren’t looking for a franchise quarterback, you won’t be looking for long.”
-“I’ve been impressed the way he’s handled himself to me…He’s picked things up very quickly” -asked about Chris Rainey
Leslie Frazier, Minnesota HC
-“Gerhart suffered an injury too [along with Adrian Peterson]. We’ll make a determination along this process” -asked about drafting a running back.
-“Seeing how they are accepting coaching and if they can handle an NFL practice” -asked what he’s looking for in these players.
-“I was talking to him about finishing runs…He was able to run through tackles. His desire to be good at everything is great…he’s handling it pretty well” -asked about how Chris Polk has performed.
Kirk Cousins, Michigan State QB
-“You know, Nick [Foles] was at Michigan State, so we [he, Foles, and Keith Nichol] were all together at one time”
-“I’ve been training with Chris Weinke, and I’m really only focusing on his opinions.”
Chris Rainey, Florida RB/WR
-“Running Back” – asked about if he’d rather play running back or receiver in the NFL (actually cut off the question a little)
-“I love running back. I love making guys miss. And I like the ball given to me”
-“I just know it’s going to be a blowout” -asked about how good his team is.
-“Nah, I’m just Chris Rainey” -asked who he compares to, if Percy Harvin.
General Notes
-Maybe the most important thing to note when following these practice reports at Optimum Scouting or any place else is this: Just because a guy performs well in certain drills and really flashes, you need to realize what that means. If a smaller, quicker linebacker shows great feet in linebacker drills, that shouldn’t really impress. If that same linebacker is forceful and shedding blocks, THAT should be the impressive, draft board-changing aspect. Keep that in mind for ALL positions.
-Also, I think I’ve told many before, some I think some guys are NOT going to have good weeks, and I’m not going to entirely hold it against them. For example, Nick Foles of Arizona ran a very timing, rhythm offense at Arizona and had some great chemistry with his guys. In a new offense where he doesn’t have that comfort-ability factor, something he likely needs more than, let’s say, Brandon Weeden, he’s going to struggle. Is Foles a first rounder? No. He’s a fringe 2nd rounder. And I think he’ll play like that this week, maybe less than that. A few other guys that may struggle this week but it won’t affect me THAT much if they do: Alfonzo Dennard, Jake Bequette, Michael Egnew.
Team Interest
Carolina Panthers – Audie Cole (NC State OLB)
San Diego Chargers – Bobby Wagner (Utah State ILB), Russell Wilson (NC State QB), Mitchell Schwartz (California OT)
Minnesota Vikings – Michael Egnew (Missouri TE), James Michael-Johnson (Nevada ILB)
Detroit Lions – Brian Quick (Appalachian State WR)
Oakland Raiders – DeVier Posey (Ohio State WR), Vinny Curry (Marshall DE), Emil Igwenagu (UMass TE)
New Orleans Saints – Gerrell Robinson (Arizona State WR, for a while)
Baltimore Ravens – Bobby Wagner (Utah State ILB)
Houston Texans – Mitchell Schwartz (California OT)
New York Jets – Kendall Reyes (UConn DT)
Philadelphia Eagles – Marvin McNutt (Iowa WR)
Cincinnati Benagls – Doug Martin (Boise State RB)
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