2012 Senior Bowl: Practice Report

This is Charlie Campbell's Wednesday 2012 Senior Bowl Practice Report (North). Charlie is reporting live from Mobile, Ala., and he'll describe what he sees at practice and whom certain prospects talk to all week. If you want to see other 2012 Senior Bowl Reports, click the link. Follow me @walterfootball for updates, and stay tuned all week for tons of 2012 Senior Bowl coverage.

2012 Senior Bowl: Wednesday North Practice Report

By Charlie Campbell - @draftcampbell

The North team took to the field of Ladd Peebles Stadium for their third practice of Senior Bowl on Wednesday morning. The Minnesota Vikings coaching staff was in charge of the North team and they had the players practicing in full pads. Tuesday and Wednesday are the full-padded sessions. To start out practice they worked on special teams and in their individual position groups.

The linebackers received some expert coaching from Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary. Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David has very quick feet, but Singletary was riding him not to be too high in his upper body and maintain a better body lean. Singletary had a lot of praise for Boise State outside linebacker Shea McClellin. Nevada linebacker James-Michael Johnson looked bad in the bag work. Singletary made him start over numerous times because Johnson's footwork and body lean were sloppy. Johnson seemed to be frustrating Singletary.

Shortly later, the linebackers, safeties, tight ends and running backs battled in a one-on-one pass defense scrimmage. Wisconsin fullback Bradie Ewing started the session strong by burning Johnson. Ewing ran a slant and than cut out across the field. Overall, Johnson looks rather stiff and probably should play on the inside of a 3-4 defense. David had tight coverage on Cincinnati running back Isaiah Pead to force an incompletion.

Boise State running back Doug Martin had a solid practice. In the one-on-ones he burned college teammate McClellin on a corner post route. Martin ran a deep post to get separation on North Carolina State linebacker Audie Cole for another catch.

One running back that wasn't getting much separation was Washington's Chris Polk. He was covered closely by Utah State's Bobby Wagner on a few reps. Polk has been unimpressive this week and his stock could take a dip as a result.

Michigan State tight end Brian Linthicum had a nice win over Penn State defensive back D'Anton Lynn. Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith stayed stride for stride with Missouri tight end Michael Egnew. Massachusetts tight end Emil Igwenagu burned Boise State safety George Iloka on a slant route. Igwenagu followed that up with a nice one-handed catch during the install session.

The wide receivers and cornerbacks had another one-on-one session on one part of the field while a nine-on-nine run scrimmage was held on the other side. Half of this practice period was a different kind of one-on-one. On Wednesday they had the cornerbacks and wide receivers going against each other in blocks as if there was a perimeter run.

One receiver who had an impressive day was Iowa's Marvin McNutt. He won his first receiving rep by beating Oklahoma cornerback Jamell Fleming on a dig route. Fleming got some revenge by getting by a block from McNutt later on, but the big wideout played well in the team scrimmage.

Boston College cornerback Donnie Fletcher played well and he stood out on Wednesday. He's had a strong Senior Bowl overall. Fletcher had a nice jam on a route from Ohio State's DeVier Posey. Fletcher stayed with Posey as he ran his route and slapped the ball away for an incompletion. Fletcher showed real strength and physicality in the run defense portion. He blasted Arizona State wide receiver Gerell Robinson in two reps. The second one saw Fletcher knock Robinson to the ground to defeat the block.

Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard had a mixed performance. He looked bad in trailing a pass route from Cal receiver Marvin Jones. Dennard didn't turn and run well with Jones. Downfield Dennard lost his feet and fell down to let Jones get wide open. In run blocking, Dennard came back to beat two blocks from Posey. Jones lost a block to Iowa State's Leonard Johnson, but out-muscled Johnson for a reception in the pass-receiving portion.



The defensive line and offensive lines battled in one-on-ones, and there are definitely some prospects that are really helping themselves. The defensive line has a bigger advantage in this drill because they don't have to play the run before rushing the passer like they do in many plays in an actual game. They also don't take on any double teams or have to overcome a chip from a running back or tight end. Here is a scorecard of some of the one-on-one action:

One of the standouts for the North has been Connecticut defensive tackle Kendall Reyes. He beat Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler with a speed rush and as he shoved Zeitler away he popped the guard's helmet off. Reyes bull rushed through Washington left tackle Senio Kelemete. On a speed rush, Reyes burned Penn State guard Johnnie Troutman. Troutman was on his heels so much that he stumbled and fell flat on his a**.

Washington defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu had a solid day on Wednesday. He bull rushed through Ohio State center Mike Brewster for a win. Brewster got some revenge by riding Ta'amu around the pocket on a rematch. Ta'amu showed some speed when he rocked Troutman off the snap and ran by the off-balanced lineman. In a rematch, Ta'amu beat Troutman again. Ta'amu started with a bull rush and then executed a spin move that caught Troutman by surprise, and Ta'amu jetted to the quarterback marker.

Michigan defensive tackle Mike Martin had a big day Tuesday, but did not do as well on Wednesday. Utah guard Tony Bergstrom stood Martin straight up on a bull rush. Martin won the rematch with a speed rush to the outside shoulder of Bergstrom. Martin used a speed rush and a swim move to get by Wake Forest offensive lineman Joe Looney.

One of the stars of Wednesday's practice was Virginia defensive end Cam Johnson. He blasted by Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams to cause a tackle in the nine-on-nine scrimmage, and Johnson kept up the heat in the one-on-ones. He beat Adams on a speed rush. Adams tried to grab Johnson, but he was tossed aside as Johnson coasted to the marker. Adams won a rep against Johnson when he stuffed a bull rush.

Adams once again had some reps where he looked great followed by others where he was terrible. One win came against Marshall's Vinny Curry. At left tackle, Adams got a hold of Curry on an edge rush and kept him out of the pocket. At right tackle, Curry fired off the snap with speed off the edge. He sunk his hips and got skinny to get leverage on Adams. The big tackle couldn't do the same as Curry reached the marker with Adams falling onto the ground at the spot of the quarterback.

Curry exploited a couple of mismatches when he lined up at defensive tackle. He beat Bergstrom and Zeitler. Zeitler had no answer for Curry's speed as he raced by him with a swim move. Zeitler also lost on a speed rush to Boise State defensive tackle Billy Winn. It was an ugly rep for Zeitler.

Cincinnati defensive tackle/end Derek Wolfe was ridden around the pocket by Brewster on one rep. Wolfe beat Cal offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz with a speed rush around the corner.

Iowa State offensive tackle/guard Kelechi Osemele had a good practice. He put Winn into the ground with a near pancake block. Osemele also mirrored a speed rush from Penn State defensive end Jack Crawford.

In the 11-on-11 team scrimmage, the offensive line had some better plays. Zeitler and Schwartz combined on the right side of the line to blast open a big hole for Boise State running back Doug Martin. Zeitler also had a pancake block later.

Reyes kept charging through the line and forced a big tackle for a loss. Wolfe had a sack of Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson on a bootleg. Wolfe made a good read and fired into the backfield to tap Wilson's pads before running by him. Curry had a nice rush where he blew by Adams to flush the quarterback out of the pocket. Lavonte David also had a tackle for a loss after he fired into the backfield on a play. Johnson beat Adams for a probable sack on a speed rush. Ta'amu had some good plays and was disruptive.

Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore hit McNutt on a deep out after he beat Fleming to get open. On another play Moore had Ewing running wide open after Michigan State safety Trenton Robinson lost track of his man. The pass was horribly thrown and sailed incomplete. Moore also had a fumbled snap in shotgun. McNutt worked his way through zone coverage to make a big gain on a pass from Michigan State's Kirk Cousins.




2012 Senior Bowl Home
2012 Senior Bowl Game Recap - 1/29 (Walt)
2012 Senior Bowl Game Recap - 1/29 (Charlie)
2012 Senior Bowl Rumor Mill - 1/29
2012 NFL Draft Stock: Senior Bowl - 1/28
2012 Senior Bowl Rumor Mill - 1/25
2012 Senior Bowl South Practice Report - 1/25 (Charlie)
2012 Senior Bowl South Prospect Meetings Report - 1/25
2012 Senior Bowl South Practice Report - 1/25 (Walt)
2012 Senior Bowl North Practice Report - 1/25 (Charlie)
2012 Senior Bowl North Prospect Meetings Report - 1/25
2012 Senior Bowl North Practice Report - 1/25 (Walt)
2012 Senior Bowl Rumor Mill - 1/24
2012 Senior Bowl South Practice Report - 1/24 (Charlie)
2012 Senior Bowl South Prospect Meetings Report - 1/24
2012 Senior Bowl South Practice Report - 1/24 (Walt)
2012 Senior Bowl North Practice Report - 1/24 (Charlie)
2012 Senior Bowl North Prospect Meetings Report - 1/24
2012 Senior Bowl North Practice Report - 1/24 (Walt)
2012 Senior Bowl Practice Report - 1/23 (Charlie)
2012 Senior Bowl Prospect Meetings Report - 1/23
2012 Senior Bowl Rumor Mill - 1/23
2012 Senior Bowl Weigh-In Analysis - 1/23
2012 Senior Bowl Practice Report - 1/23 (Walt)
2012 Senior Bowl Weigh-In: Quarterbacks
2012 Senior Bowl Weigh-In: Running Backs
2012 Senior Bowl Weigh-In: Wide Receivers
2012 Senior Bowl Weigh-In: Tight Ends
2012 Senior Bowl Weigh-In: Offensive Linemen
2012 Senior Bowl Weigh-In: Defensive Linemen
2012 Senior Bowl Weigh-In: Linebackers
2012 Senior Bowl Weigh-In: Defensive Backs

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   @OU will dominate 01-22-2013 04:05 pm xxx.xxx.xxx5.51 (total posts: 2) 4     5 Coming from an OU fan... and it isn't even walter righting @OU will dominate 01-22-2013 04:05 pm xxx.xxx.xxx5.51 (total posts: 2) 4     5 Coming from an OU fan... and it isn't even walter righting OU will Dominate 01-22-2013 03:47 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.190 (total posts: 1) 29     19 Walter, your information on Tony Jefferson is completely false. The coaches have complimented his work ethic and also his leadership qualities. Also, Kenny Vacarro is not by any stretch of the imagination the best safety in the draft. He is a thug and the NFL teams know he will get himself in trouble again Longwhornsuk 01-22-2013 03:04 pm xxx.xxx.xxx99.2 (total posts: 3) 155     48 I would be willing to bet that Charlie Campbell is either a UT fan or UT alum. Kenny Vaccaro is the best safety in the class? Who told you that? Blake Gideon? Do everyone a favor and watch the last 2 Red river games and tell me that is the best safety in the class. Every OU fan I know was sad that he was leaving. We will miss him getting picked on again. BTW your so called two rising defense of players played on one of the worst D's in the Big 12. Think about that for a few min. This so called "article" and website is trash. Clarice 01-22-2013 02:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.252 (total posts: 1) 3     3 til I looked at the bank draft for $4083, I didnt believe ...that...my friend woz like trully bringing in money part time at their computer.. there dads buddy has been doing this for less than twelve months and by now repayed the dept on there mini mansion and bought themselves a Fiat Panda. we looked here, FAB33.COM dorien 01-22-2013 02:26 am xxx.xxx.xxx.203 (total posts: 1) 27     85 Boo-friggin-hoo about the Seattle DBs. Football is a physical mans game. Hit back if you don't like it. Steve Smith was the only WR I saw all year grow a sack and go back at Sherman. Seriously, if you are employed in pro football and whining about guys being too rough give your head a shake. justin 01-22-2013 01:06 am xxx.xxx.xxx2.96 (total posts: 1) 3     13 Expectations should e exceptions I believe. Minnesota Mocker. 01-22-2013 12:24 am xxx.xxx.xxx.175 (total posts: 1) 3     113 Look at my nfl mock. Tell me what you think. It's on the. Comments page of your mock draft Walter 01-21-2013 08:26 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.183 (total posts: 1) 68     25 So how do folks like my coverage so far? Walter 01-21-2013 05:09 pm xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 6) 3     6 Don't know why some of the dates are messed up. Marcusget 12-22-2012 05:29 am xxx.xxx.xxx.140 (total posts: 1) 8     7 Don't get why Geno Smith's not participating 8tDhkF7zd 08-17-2012 08:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx.176 (total posts: 1) 10     8 Wow, Ryan Swope's hands are small Wendy 07-01-2012 11:33 pm xxx.xxx.xxx1.28 (total posts: 1) 9     14 I think if Andrew Luck's rate of progression ctiunnoes, he'll overtake Jake Locker as the top QB prospect. However, will he leave after this season? Sure, he's draft-eligible, but he'll have had only two years on the field after 2010. At this point, I'm leaning toward his taking a cue from Sam Bradford and Ryan Mallett and returning for his redshirt-junior campaign. Norma 06-17-2012 04:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx.216 (total posts: 1) 13     13 Dear MIA ,No big deal . We know what's happening . It's all about stinptlig the 9 billion . As you say, it's business. We're talking long term ramifications . Fans are their least concern right now. Personally, I've got no problem with that . I do have a problem with both sides spreading a lot of BS around.Suggestion : Can you get an interview with Whit and find out what's happening with team conditioning ? Also, can you tell us what you hear on Andre Smith ? RE: upgrades to the OL Get Mankins . Don't expect you to comment. Fernando 06-15-2012 08:21 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.156 (total posts: 1) 12     13 I saw this at the state fair of Texas. I did the push up move while it vibrated at a low sitteng. I liked it. I constantly walk around with one shoulder higher than? the other and after 4 to 5 minutes my shoulders were becoming level again. I want the machine nut the 4K price tag is hard to swallow. Pages: 1 2 ...5 6 7 89 10 11 ...15 16

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