Interview: Jamar Chaney
by Will Spencer
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
One of the underrated prospects at inside linebacker this year is Jamar Chaney of Mississippi State. Not only was Jamar the defensive MVP of the Senior Bowl, but he recorded the fastest time of all the linebackers at the Combine at 4.54, but even he thinks he can run in the 4.4s. Chaney’s athleticism flashes on film and any linebacker that can play at a high level in the SEC deserves recognition. I had the chance to talk with Jamar about where NFL teams see him fitting in at the next level and what it is that motivates him when he’s on the field. Be sure to follow Jamar on Twitter @Jamar22Chaney.
Spencer: I haven’t had a chance to talk to you since the middle of the Senior Bowl. How do you feel about your performance down in Mobile?
Chaney: Just to get to play with NFL coaches and some of the best players in the nation, it was a really good experience. I feel like I played well. I think I did everything the scouts and coaches were looking for.
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Interview: Sean Weatherspoon
by Will Spencer
Monday, March 15th, 2010
One of my absolute favorite draft prospects in this year’s class is Sean Weatherspoon, the linebacker from Missouri. I knew I liked “Spoon” from the games I had watched before the Senior Bowl, but it was there that I got to see first hand his abilities as a leader on and off the field. Sean isn’t afraid to speak his mind and he talked with me about how the North squad felt disrespected at the Senior Bowl, how he feels about those who chose not to compete at the Combine and what team made him stand up and sing for them in an interview! Needless to say, this was one of my favorite interviews I’ve had the pleasure of conducting. Be sure to follow Spoon on Twitter (while he still has it!) @SeanWSpoon12!
Spencer: We first met at the beginning of Senior Bowl week but haven’t been able to catch up since. How’d you feel about your experience in Mobile?
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Interview: Patrick Robinson
by Will Spencer
Monday, February 15th, 2010
Robinson is a bit of an enigma for scouts. On tape, there are games where he is absolutely dominant. Other times, he can disappear. Robinson came into the Senior Bowl as possibly the 2nd rated corner on most folks board, but I’m not sure if he lived up to those expectations. Patrick took some of his time out to sit down and talk with me during Senior Bowl week about what his favorite coverage is and what receiver gave him the toughest time in practice.
Spencer: How’s your Senior Bowl experience been so far?
Robinson: It’s been good. It’s been fun so far.
Spencer: Was this something that you knew right away you’d play in if you were invited?
Robinson: Oh yeah. I knew right away.
Spencer: What is it about the Senior Bowl that is so appealing to you?
Robinson: It’s a huge game for me to showcase how good I am. That’s, for the most part, what I think it is.
Spencer: What would you say is the strongest aspect of your game?
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Interview: Jimmy Graham
by Will Spencer
Monday, February 15th, 2010
A one year wonder or the next Antonio Gates? That’s what scouts are wondering as they break down the tape of Miami tight end Jimmy Graham. A former basketball player, Graham only played his senior season for the Hurricanes but produced at a relatively high level. At just under 6’7″, Graham is a huge target and he feels that his best aspect is his ability to catch the ball in the red zone. Jimmy talked to me about working out with Ed Reed of the Baltimore Ravens and how that helped his play as well as what he’s trying to show scouts while at the Senior Bowl.
Spencer: With all the extra fan attention around Tebow this week, has it been a distraction at all?
Graham: No, not at all. Whenever you go to college at Miami, you kind of learn to ignore all the distractions real quick. I’m actually training with Tebow at D1, too.
Spencer: Was the Senior Bowl something you knew right away you’d attend if invited, or was it something you had to think about?
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Interview: Danario Alexander
by Will Spencer
Sunday, February 14th, 2010
A physically imposing player at 6’4 5/8″ and 221 lbs, Danario Alexander led the nation in receiving yards for 2009. The Senior Bowl was his opportunity to show the NFL that he could play with the big boys. Unfortunately, an injury slowed him down at the end of the week and he wasn’t able to shine in the game as he would have hoped. What stood out most to me while watching Alexander during practice was just how hard he was working. I could tell that Danario was doing everything possible to make his routes crisper and he wasn’t afraid to put his body on the line for passes. I sat down with Danario early in the week at the Senior Bowl and we talked about what he wanted to show in Mobile and what players he hopes to emulate once he’s in the league.
Spencer: Overall, how has your Senior Bowl experience been?
Alexander: It’s been pretty good. It’s a different type of deal. I’m walking around and I’m always getting pulled different directions by scouts or whatever. So it’s a pretty big deal for me right now.
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Interview: Jared Odrick
by Will Spencer
Sunday, February 14th, 2010
Versatility is the word that comes to mind when I watch Jared Odrick play. Odrick showed throughout his career at Penn State that he can be a disruptive force along the defensive line and he displayed the ability to line up as a 4-3 defensive tackle or 3-4 defensive end while at the Senior Bowl. Jared and I talked about where he fits in best in the NFL and how he found out about his Senior Bowl invitation. Read below for the transcript of our conversation.
Spencer: So far, how’s your Senior Bowl experience been?
Odrick: It’s been good. Busy. With all the testing, interviews and practice. But it’s been an experience so far.
Spencer: Have you had a chance to sit down with any NFL teams yet?
Odrick: Yeah, yeah. Quite a few.
Spencer: What’s the oddest thing the scouts have asked you so far?
Odrick: I really haven’t been asked anything out of the ordinary yet, but I know they’re coming. I know those questions are coming.
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Interview: Dan Williams
by Will Spencer
Sunday, February 14th, 2010
No interior defensive lineman helped themselves as much during the Senior Bowl as Dan Williams of Tennessee. Williams showed the strength and versatility to play several spots along the defensive line which will probably land him somewhere in the late first round on draft day. I had the chance to talk to Dan after practice early in the week. Here’s the transcript of that conversation.
Spencer: What are you initial impressions of the Senior Bowl?
Williams: First thing, I was just excited to be here. It’s just a huge honor, just being invited. There’s been a lot of great players here before me and I want to try to keep up with the tradition that the Senior Bowl has of sending guys to the next level.
Spencer: Has there been anything in particular the coaches have had you working on?
Williams: Just trying to get the base defense they have. Just trying to get us used to it and the language they use. We’re from all different parts of the country and we’re just trying to learn the plays and learn everything so we can start playing fast.
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Interview: Brandon Graham
by Will Spencer
Thursday, February 4th, 2010
Probably the best player at the Senior Bowl practices and in the game, Michigan DE/OLB Brandon Graham was a force on the field. Graham won the Senior Bowl MVP award after recording two sacks and a forced fumble in the dominate win for the North team. I had a chance to talk to Brandon a few times during the week. Here’s the first transcript of our first conversation.
Spencer: What’s your Senior Bowl experience been like so far?
Graham: The tempo is fast and I expected it. That’s all I’ve been practicing for. I feel like I did good today. I was kind of sad because one of my boys, O’Brien Schofield, tore his knee up today. So he won’t be participating no more. I talked to him for a minute and told him that I’m gonna keep him in my prayers and I’ll keep going for him. Stuff happens for a reason, so you just have to keep fighting.
Spencer: Did you plan all along to play in the Senior Bowl if you were invited, or was it something you had to really think about?
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Interview: Dexter McCluster
by Will Spencer
Saturday, January 30th, 2010
One of my favorite guys at the Senior Bowl has been the speedy all-purpose back, Dexter McCluster. Dexter has stolen the show in Mobile and is really flashing his explosiveness when the ball is in his hands. I had the chance to sit down with Dexter and talk about his Senior Bowl experience and how he thinks he’ll be utilized at the next level. Continue reading below for the full transcript of our conversation.
Spencer: Alright, I’m just gonna throw it out there. How often do you get mistaken for Lil’ Wayne?
McCluster: All the time man. All the time. Some people come up to me and are like ‘Are you Lil’ Wayne?’ I’m like, ‘Nah, I’ve got the gap, he’s got the grill’ (pointing to his teeth), so I’m good.
Spencer: What’s your Senior Bowl experience been like so far?
McCluster: Ah man, it’s been great. Coming in to it, people told me about it but you can never imagine something like this. It’s a once in a life time type deal. So I’m enjoying it, enjoying talking to everybody, including you, (laughs) and all the teams. Practice is great. It’s fast tempo and everything is just going. We’re learning with NFL coaches, so you can’t go wrong.
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Interview: Mardy Gilyard
by Will Spencer
Saturday, January 30th, 2010
During Senior Bowl week, I had the pleasure of talking with Cincinnati WR Mardy Gilyard. Mardy was great and very vocal about his abilities and how things are going during Senior Bowl week. We talked about everything from Tim Tebow to Santonio Holmes, and he was very complimentary of the Detroit Lions coaching staff. Continue reading below for the full transcript of my chat with Gilyard.
Spencer: What’s your overall impression of the Senior Bowl so far?
Gilyard: Like I said the first day, everybody here is real.Back at school you play a lot of guys that go to smaller schools and can’t compete. But everybody here in NFL ready. The DBs are good, all the guys I’m going against are good. Everybody’s working hard to adapt to the speed of the game because mostly everybody out here is fast. These last couple of days I’ve just noticed that the North team, man, we’re starting to come together.
Spencer: What have you been learning from the Lions coaching staff while you’ve been here?
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