North Team Practice

The crowd today at North practice was much smaller than usual as most scouts and NFL personnel have already left Mobile. The players weren’t in pads today, wearing helmets and shorts for the duration. Though there was no contact, it was a good day to examine some fundamentals of each player, like footwork, body control and hands. Here’s our notes from this morning.

LeGarrette Blount looked smooth in bag drills this morning. Good body control and quick feet made him stand out among the other backs.

Dan LeFevour was throwing the ball with more zip today than he has all week. Hopefully he can continue do that in the game on Saturday as that’s been my biggest concern with him.

Tony Pike looked smooth throwing the ball today. He showed leadership in drills, clapping his hands and yelling for the receivers to hustle Keep Reading…

Brandon Minor

Position: RB School: Michigan Height: 6’0" Weight: 214 lbs Class: Senior 40 time: – Overall Grade: 5.29 Draft Projection: Late Rounder

Non-position specific categories

Category Max. Value Grade Height/Weight 6 4 Speed 8 6 Quickness/Agility 10 7 Strength/Explosion 10 5.5 Athletic Ability 8 6 Durability 8 7 Character 6 5 Production/Experience 6 3.5 Toughness 8 6 Potential 10 4

Running Back Specific Categories

Category Max. Value Grade Between the tackles 8 6 Outside the tackles 8 6 Receiving 6 2 Ball carrying 8 4.5 Vision 10 6.5 Elusiveness 8 8 Pass Blocking 8 6.5 Leg Drive 8 4.5 Break Tackle 8 5

Explanation of Player Grading System

Strengths

Is pretty good at most aspects of the game, and offers some potential on Special Teams. Good speed and has a little bit of burst and can outrun defensive backs Keep Reading…

Donovan Warren

Position: CB School: Michigan Height: 5’11 1/2“ Weight: 193 lbs Class: Junior 40 time: 4.64 Overall Grade: 5.59 Draft Projection: 4th Round

Non-position specific categories

Category Max. Value Grade Height/Weight 6 5 Speed 8 5 Quickness/Agility 10 6.5 Strength/Explosion 10 6 Athletic Ability 8 6 Durability 8 7 Character 6 6 Production/Experience 6 5 Toughness 8 4 Potential 10 7.5

Defensive Back Specific Categories

Category Max. Value Grade Ball Skills 10 7 Man Coverage 10 7.5 Zone Coverage 10 8 Tackling 6 3 Run Stopping 6 3 Hips/Lateral Movement 8 6.5 Physicality 6 2.5

Explanation of Player Grading System

Strengths

Warren is a very experienced CB with a lot of talent. He has seen extensive action since his freshman season. He has very good hips and can turn and run with any receiver. Excels in zone coverage but Keep Reading…

North Team Practice

This morning’s North team practice was filled with excitement and energy from the players and coaches. As usual, Missouri LB Sean Weatherspoon led the charge on this, keeping his team mates fired up after every big hit. Lots of cheers and yelling from the players throughout practice as their intensity remained high. I saw numerous head coaches this morning, including Ravens HC John Harbaugh, Seahawks HC Pete Carroll, Steelers HC Mike Tomlin, Bucs HC Raheem Morris, Rams HC Steve Spagnolo, Falcons HC Mike Smith and 49ers HC Mike Singletary.

There were a few additions to the roster: Cory Jackson, Maryland FB, Thomas Welch, Vanderbilt OT, and Donald Jones, WR Youngstown State.

I started the practice by watching the defensive linemen drills. There were several scouts from the Saints, Redskins, Jaguars, rams and Eagles watching as well as Rams HC Steve Spagnolo, Falcons HC Keep Reading…

North Team Practice

Today started the normal practice sessions, both of which will be held at Ladd-Peebles Stadium here in Mobile. It was a packed house (though not nearly as packed as yesterday’s South practice) and there was plenty of action to watch. I spotted several head coaches at the practice including Broncos HC Josh McDaniels, 49ers HC Mike Singletary, Falcons HC Mike Smith and Steelers HC Mike Tomlin. Also attending was former Redskins HC Jim Zorn, who I saw chatting it up with a Seahawks staff member. I also spotted Bengals DC Mike Zimmer as well as Bears OL coach Mike Tice.

I watched a lot of the defensive line for the North team today, which has a lot of talent. Of course, I wasn’t the only one there watching the defensive linemen. Scouts from the Jaguars, Redskins, Seahawks, Giants, Rams and Ravens were all watching intently. Keep Reading…