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| Senior Bowl |
| --Game Day: Saturday, January 30 (4 ET) |
| January 27 -- Press Conferences: |
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Jim Schwartz |
Detroit Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz
(Senior Bowl No-Shows) -- I think it's probably a case-by-case basis. Most guys that are healthy want to play in this game. They don't want to go through the whole week of practice and then not play. My experience is game-day is the most fun that players have. Wake up in the morning, have a couple meetings, get excited about it. They have fun playing in this game, it's a good finishing point for their week of hard work.
(Sean Canfield) -- At first, you worried a little bit because you have the left-handed quarterback, and we have the (two) right-handed QBs, so it makes it hard on an offensive coordinator to practice that way. Usually when you have a lefty, you're calling all the plays for a lefty. I think he's proved that he can throw moving both right and left. Scott [Linehan] really hasn't changed calls for him just because he's left-handed. Everyone always wants to read too much in to a Monday performance by a quarterback, but you're throwing to new receivers, different schemes, you're nervous, there's a bunch of people in the stands, and there's a lot at stake. As the week goes on you see he develops more accuracy and get familiar with receivers. He's a strong guy, has a good arm, he's had some issues with productivity but he's had a good week down here and he's gotten better as the week goes on.
(Mike Iupati) -- Mike could probably play anywhere he wants. We just throw him out there, left tackle, right tackle, it's something the scouts want to see and it can help him. We've seen it before with Virginia's Branden Albert as a guard that they made into a left tackle. The scouts are looking for athletic ability, size and long arms and Mike has every single one of them.
(Other QBs) -- Both guys have played in spread offenses, scouts want to see them take snaps from under center and run an offense. Both have done a really good job making that transition to being under center and playing more of a pro-style. They've really progressed through the week, LeFevour scrambled a little today and that's in his skill set, that's something we'll see in the game from him. Pike might be more of an inside-the-tackle passer. All three have good size that fit the pro-style offense.
(Ed Dickson) -- He's got some wide receiver type skills, he's multi-dimensional and that's important as a TE. By nature it's a hybrid position, you have to block defensive linemen and you have to be able to beat safeties in coverage. He has natural positions for catching the ball and has done a nice job all week. I'd be surprised when the game comes if he doesn't make plays.
(Finding Pass Rushers) -- A little bit harder to find them inside, we talk about multi-dimensional players, if you're big enough to be a run stopper, then to balance that out you're not much of a pass rusher. If you're a really good pass rusher inside then generally you're not big enough to stop the run. I think when you find one of those guys they're extremely valuable, when you can combine the size and strength to stop the run and the ability to rush. The shortest distance to the quarterback is that straight line and the people that are closest are those defensive tackles. It works hand and hand, you have Outside rushers and inside rushers; if you have a good outside rusher you can win every time, but if you're not getting push inside then it's easier for the QB to step up and it doesn't matter that you've won outside. Same thing on the inside if the quarterback can escape the pocket. You need a little of both but it's harder to find the inside guy.
(Tall Cornerbacks) -- Receivers are getting bigger and bigger, you don't have to go far from Detroit to find a 6'5" WR who can vertical 44 inches. A lot of times you have match-up problems making it difficult to play man-to-man. Makes it hard to throw over [tall CBs], the QB has a hard time getting the ball in behind them, and they can match up better. When you are a big corner, you need to have extraordinary feet. That's the balance, you've got a high center of gravity and long legs, and (Virginia CB) Chris Cook has good feet. If you look at the NFL the last 20 or 30 years, every position has gotten bigger except for defensive Back. When you do find one, it's definitely a match-up consideration.
(Small Wide Receivers) -- They're super fast. There's a lot of things you can do scheme wise, speed is not one of them. (Clemson WR) Jacoby Ford isn't real big, but he's been aggressive catching the ball. When he catches the ball, he has a chance to score a touchdown. Touchdowns in the NFL are hard to come by, so when you have a guy that can score them, you're going to find a way to get the ball in their hands.
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Tony Sparano |
Miami Dolphins Head Coach Tony Sparano
(Terrence Cody) -- My personal opinion is that from his standpoint, you want to get to the point where you're a 3-down player. Right now, in our defense, he's a 1st and 2nd down player as I look at him. Whether or not he has 3rd down ability, he has some work to do but we'll see how it goes. He's a big, strong guy, powerful at the point of attack -- he's a two-gap player… takes up two full gaps…
(Colin Peek) -- I liked what I've seen, I've seen some position flexibility and I think that's important. One thing that goes unknown is that the TE position in the NFL is probably the most difficult position to play other than QB. That guy is responsible for the pass game, protection, run game and possibly playing in the backfield. You've got to have the position flexibility and be smart, that's something we got out of him the first couple of days, and he did a nice job blocking.
(John Jerry) -- He's done a nice job. We had an offensive lineman this year play four positions in one game, so position flexibility at that position is critical, because sometimes you only take seven guys to the game. When you look at Jerry, who's played tackle and guard, getting him some work at different positions has been good. He's handled the adjustment, did some good things in space, and I liked watching him pull.
(Tim Tebow) -- He's gotten better each day. He had a very good 1-on-1 period today and threw the ball well into some man-to-man. I've been impressed with what he's done, he's getting better, and has a really good handle of the offense and the package going into the game.
(Javier Arenas) -- He's a good returner, catches the ball pretty easily, judges the ball well, really likes to compete.
(Smaller Offensive Players) -- They can do a few more jobs. Finding a returner in this league is a major, major plus. Think of Sproles down in SD and those types of players that are the outstanding returners in our league. Those players turn the game around. You can use them in different packages, the wildcat has its place in the league right now and is being used a little differently by each team. For a smaller player, the returnability and amount of jobs he can do as a receiver or wildcat; you can start to count touches and think of how many you can get him each game.
(Myron Rolle) -- To see the shape he's kept himself in without playing football… the game comes easy to him, but to see his range and his speed from a physical standpoint when you haven't played has probably impressed me the most about him.
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Javier Arenas |
Alabama Cornerback Javier Arenas
(On Playing After Nat'l. Championship) -- No (hasn't been a challenge playing after the National Championship), we played not too long ago. Took maybe a couple of weeks off, but I was in good shape because of how late we played.
(Return Specialist or DB?) -- Both, but since you play defense more than you return it, you have to see yourself as a defensive player. Returning comes naturally, that's a given, but I like the defensive side of the ball.
(NFL Comparison) -- Antoine Winfield of the Minnesota Vikings, because of his size, stature and the way he plays.
(Biggest Weakness) -- Size. But besides that, I play the way I play. There isn't too much I can do about my size.
(Game Expectations) -- Everyone knows I can blitz, so I just want to prove myself from a coverage standpoint. Show I have the ability to cover and play zone is the most important.
(Senior Week Experience) -- Great experience, being around the NFL coaches and being coached by them, and playing with the greatest college football players in the country. It's all an honor.
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Sean Weatherspoon |
Missouri Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon
(Playing MLB) -- I came to college playing middle linebacker at Mizzou, I was actually 215 pounds so it was a little tougher. Now that I've gained a few pounds, I feel more comfortable there and I just want to show my value. I feel like I can do well inside or I can play Outside, where I normally am, and I feel good out there as well. It's a challenge being around a different system and learning new things, but I feel like I've been pretty productive so far.
(On Being Vocal) -- I think it's an accident, all my life I've been the type of person to always be talking, no matter where I am. When I was little, I used to get the 'talks excessively' marks on my report card. That's just my role, playing LB you have to step up in front of your teammates and command everyone's attention in the huddle, and I feel like I'm definitely the guy that needs to do that.
(Most Common Question) -- This year I played at 252 pounds, which was up from my junior season, my most productive season. Lot of scouts have asked me if I was trying to gain weight or if it just happened. Hung out in the dining hall a little too much.
(Senior Bowl Week) -- I had three teammates in this game last year (Ziggy Hood, William Moore and Dominique Johnson). Those guys got in contact with me this week and told me what to expect, what type of questions I'd be asked in meetings and how the schedule would be. That helped me prepare for the week and I'm greatful to have those guys as friends.
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Mike Iupati |
Idaho Offensive Lineman Mike Iupati
(Guard or Tackle?) -- I am more comfortable inside, I've been playing there for eight years, and I like to open up those holes for the running backs. Today I played right tackle and felt comfortable, it's just something I need to work on and get some repetitive practice and I feel like I can do awesome at it. I'm open to whatever position, I can play wherever they want because I'm very aggressive, physical and athletic.
(NFL Notice/USC Game) -- Going against Sedrick Ellis and Fili Moala, and I felt like I held my ground pretty well as a first year starter. I came in very confident in that game even though the competition went up going against the best because I'm very competitive.
(Vladimir Ducasse) -- I talked to him after practice and we have a very similiar story, the things we've been through. [Personality wise] it's the same, he's very quiet and humble.
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Jimmy Graham |
Miami Tight End Jimmy Graham
(Success of Season) -- Obviously, I've been very blessed this past year, but I've worked my tail off, so it's nice to see the hard work pay off and having the opportunities to show my talents.
(On Playing Basketball) -- I've been trying to get back to football since I got adopted. I went to a Christian school that only had basketball, so I found my way in there. I've been playing basketball as a football player ever seen since.
(Gates/Gonzalez) -- Those guys are my ideals, I'm looking forward to meeting those guys and picking their brains, and learning a lot from them and their experiences. I would love to sit down and talk to them, they are definitely my ideals and hopefully I can follow in their footsteps.
(Coaching) -- They use basketball words to try and tell me what to do. "Post them up," or get to the back of the end zone and "grab the rebound." You can tell the basketball is coming out as far as footwork, leaping ability and hands. Basketball players usually have soft hands. I've learned a lot (this week). Every time I step out there, I feel like I'm learning something new.
(The "U") -- Big time input. This summer I trained with Bernie Kosar. I had the opportunity to sit down with Ed Reed, he taught me a lot of coverage. Greg Olsen called and was wishing me luck.
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(May 31) --
Welcome to Sideline Scouting - Season Two! We're glad you're back with us as we prepare for the 2011 NFL draft.
Even with the uncertainty of the 2011 NFL season, there will be a rookie draft regardless and we're glad to help you prepare
for the big day. Over the next couple of weeks the site will be under minor reconstruction as we
shift toward our 2011 content.
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