| Senior Bowl: Risers/Fallers | ||||
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Risers
Jared Odrick (DT): From start to finish, Odrick just kept coming. He constantly penetrated the line of scrimmage with a fiendish first step and incredible leg drive. The lean tackle was also very stout versus the run in the way he stood up his opponents, showing impressive hand skills. Geno Atkins (DT): The former Bulldog played like a man possessed. He badly beat promising guard Mike Iupati on a few plays by outwrestling him and even forcing the Idaho product to hold him on one play. Atkins worked hard today and even employed on occasional spin move while rushing the passer, as he did on his sack of Sean Canfield. Dan Williams (DT/NT): Williams was an absolute brick wall that constantly played low, enabling him to gain leverage on blockers. The large tackle routinely locked up his adversaries and opened up clean lanes for linebackers to swoop in for the tackle. In addition, Williams did a marvelous job of recognizing a delayed screen play and held the intended target at the line of scrimmage, forcing the quarterback to throw the ball away. Dan LeFevour (QB): LeFevour wasn’t perfect, but he was the best out of a mediocre lot of quarterbacks. The 6’3” signal caller was spot-on accurate on a 43-yard hookup with Mardy Gilyard along the right sideline in the third quarter. He later put tremendous touch on a 32-yard touchdown pass to Gilyard, which was immaculately dropped over the head of Javier Arenas and into the hands of his target. Unlike Tim Tebow, LeFevour also shows elusiveness in the open field by running around Miami’s Daryl Sharpton.
Mardy Gilyard (WR): The explosive wide out was hands down the best player at his position. In addition to being extremely quick in and out of breaks, he got open on sideline routes using his speed, debunking the myth of him just being as someone who just makes plays off short routes. Gilyard also adjusted to passes by coming back to the ball, as well as proving to possess good body control.
Lonyae Miller (RB): An interesting combination of power and speed packed in a 220-pound frame. Not only did the Fresno State product exhibit nice cutting ability with a second gear once he gets passed the first level, but he also ran hard behind his pads and kept his legs churning between the tackles. Miller, however, really needs to improve his pass blocking. LeGarrette Blount (RB): Blount had a lot to prove this week and, to his credit, he silenced a lot of doubters. The 240-pound bruiser was an absolute load in Saturday’s game once he squared his shoulders. On a couple of plays, he just carried defenders on his back. But he also flashed a nice burst of speed to the outside on his 14-yard score, which he finished with a picturesque leap in the end zone. Blount ended up with 44 yards on nine carries. Jeff Byers (OG/C): A very mobile and versatile run blocker who’ll often serve as a pulling lead man. He easily gets to the second level and regularly finishes his blocks. He led the way on a 27-yard Jeremy Williams reverse in the first quarter. Chris Cook (CB/S): A tall, fluid corner with the hips to turn and change directions. He demonstrated the ability to bump receivers at the line and apply tight coverage. Cook also showcased some terrific cuts in the open field on an A.J. Edds interception that was lateraled to the former Cavalier. Fallers
Sean Canfield (QB): Outside of a pretty throw he makes hitting tight end Ed Dickson in stride, the weak-armed Canfield waited too long for his targets to get open. He must get used to the fact that from now on, he won’t see players getting the same type of separation that he saw as a Beaver. Overall, he needs to speed up his delivery and decision making. Ciron Black (OT): This may the last time you’ll see Black listed as an offensive tackle after his abysmal showing. The poorly conditioned trenchman was slow out of his stance and didn’t show any foot quickness to stay with his man in pass protection. What was even more alarming was how Graham outworked him even when the LSU man got his paws on the pass rusher. Ed Wang (OT): Here’s another one whose days as a tackle are probably over. Wang has short arms and will often play too tall, which is one of the reasons he either gets knocked off balance or just flat-out gets knocked to the ground. He’s way too stiff to block NFL speed rushers.
Vladimir Ducasse (OT): The “Haitian Sensation” has a perfect build and incredible brute strength once he gets his hands on his opponent. However, he’s also very raw. He will not be a successful tackle at the next level until he starts moving his feet more. Grabbing pass rushers once they’re already passed him will only earn him holding penalties. Zane Beadles (OT/OG): In addition to having short arms, Beadles doesn’t show the willingness to use his hands enough against counter moves. He needs to also be more physical. Photos Courtesy of Zach Green 
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Brandon Graham (DE/OLB): Graham capped off a fantastic week of practice by earning MVP honors with two sacks, five tackles, a forced fumble, and countless pressures. The dominant edge rusher dazzled the sellout crowd with an array of outside power moves that had opposing tackles gasping for air. On one play he knocked down Selvish Capers’ hands and sped by him on his way to the quarterback. He was also effective versus the run, as evidenced by how he forced running back Stafon Johnson back inside on a perimeter play and tackled him for a loss.
Sean Weatherspoon (OLB): The vocal defender backed up his all his yapping with an exceptional performance highlighting his versatility. Early in the game, Weatherspoon breaks up a pass intended for Dexter McCluster in the end zone by staying step-for-step with the speedster and alertly turning his head with the ball in the air. He later comes up with an interception by reading the quarterback and positioning himself under the receiver. He was also the first man to the return man in special teams coverage on more than one occasion.
Tim Tebow (QB): His tendency to hold the ball too low hurt him on at least one of his two fumbles. Tebow appeared hesitant at times and was slow to see open receivers. He was lined way too often in shotgun formation, depriving talent evaluators the opportunity of seeing him operate as a pro-style quarterback. His longest completion was only 11 yards. As a runner, the former Heisman Trophy winner showed no elusiveness with four yards on four carries.