2012 Senior Bowl: Rumor Mill

This is Charlie Campbell’s Wednesday 2012 Senior Bowl Rumor Mill. 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 Rumor Mill

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell

Coaches at the Senior Bowl are saying that one of the reasons why Oregon coach Chip Kelly turned down the Buccaneers head coaching position was because of what he heard from former Bucs head coach Jon Gruden. After Gruden was fired by Tampa Bay’s owners, the Glazers, he went out to Oregon to learn the spread offense from Kelly. The two are said to be friends, and coaches at the Senior Bowl are saying that Gruden gave a thumbs down to working with the Glazers and the Bucs organization. That helped Kelly to decide to remain with Oregon.

Scouts have told WalterFootball.com that the Texas trio of linebacker Keenan Robinson, defensive tackle Kheeston Randall and linebacker Emmanuel Acho have helped their stock this week. Randall and Robinson are physical linebackers with quickness. Scouts believe that they have scheme flexibility and could be options as inside linebackers for a 3-4 defense. Randall had a disappointing senior season, but his strong week of practice has helped to revive his stock to potentially go in the second day.

Sources have said the Kansas City Chiefs have emphasized studying the offensive linemen this week. The Chiefs had a big hole at right tackle this season. If they draft a natural left tackle, they could move Brandon Albert to the right side. If the value isn’t there for the Chiefs to land a good left tackle in the first round, they could look to get a right tackle on the second day of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Sources have said the Detroit Lions have emphasized offensive linemen, cornerbacks and running backs in their draft preparation. The offensive line and cornerback are obvious needs. Running back is a bit of a surprise considering they used high draft picks on running backs in the 2010 and 2011 NFL Drafts. However, there are concerns about Javhid Best’s long-term career with the amount of concussions he’s had in college and only two NFL seasons. The Lions have an inclination to draft the best player available regardless of position, so a running back can’t be ruled out for Detroit.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterbacks coach Greg Olson had a lot of options for his next job after leaving Tampa Bay. Olson isn’t at the Senior Bowl, but sources here said that Olson could have been the quarterbacks coach with the Bears and Browns. He also turned down the offensive coordinator position with the University of Florida. Olson took on the challenge of getting Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert turned in the right direction after an ugly rookie season. If Olson can get Gabbert to make big improvements, Olson should be a hot coaching candidate in 2013.

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

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