Shrine Game Wrap-Up

I won’t go into too much detail other than to point out some people who really impressed me in this game. What was frustrating was that I did not have the numbers of each player from the official Shrine Game’s website, plus ESPN2 decided to join the game about 7 minutes in, which really angered me.

I think it’s also important to note that this game illustrated why it’s tough to scout all-star games as getting the right continuity in only a week’s time with all new teammates is really hard to ask. Having said this, some people did stick out in a good way.

Kam Chancellor, FS, Virginia Tech- Chancellor probably had the best day of any prospect in this game. Not only did Chancellor close well on deep throws in over the top safety help, he broke up another couple plays with some extremely violent hits as well; but the most impressive part was his willingness and ability to get downfield and make plays in kick coverage units. He really played like he wanted to prove something, and that kind of fire reminds me of the player I saw two years ago. He still may end up being better suited to the SS spot, but he helped out his stock enough to say is in that third round range now. In fact, after seeing this game, I’m even of the mind that he could make a Brian Urlacher type move to MLB in a Cover-2 system because of his size and ability to get back in the deep middle. I’m sure he will stay at safety though, and with a good 40 time, you may see someone make a move in the late second after seeing this game.

Keaton Kristick, OLB, Oregon State- He played outstanding in this game, and it’s clear that his instincts and field awareness have him one step ahead of everyone else. He is a player that I do not care what his physical numbers are as he plays bigger than what they are. He’s one of my absolute favorite players in this draft, and he’s going to make some team very happy when they draft him.

O’Brien Schofield, OLB/DE, Wisconsin- Once could argue he had a better game than Chancellor as he showed he can learn quickly and can handle the duties of an OLB at the next level. Because this game does not allow blitzing, you really got to see how Schofield handled pass coverage and reading/reacting to plays from the stand up position. After this game, and when you watch his pass rush ability on tape, I’m starting to think it wouldn’t be a reach to see him land at the end of the first round to a 3-4 team looking for a pass rusher. The Jets come to mind as a perfect fit for a player like Schofield, and I think that would be a perfect fit for him.

Jamar Wall, CB, Texas Tech- I really liked what I saw in Wall in this game as he played very aggressively. He looks the part of an ideal Cover-2 corner who can play some bump and run coverage. He fills hard against the run and can tackle well. It didn’t matter who he covered, he made plays. With the depth at the position being poor, I think this game could have moved his stock up considerably.

Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, DE/DT, Washington- He’s undersized for a DT, and might not fit at 4-3 end, but he looks the part of a 3-4 DE. He has good short area quickness, and he never stops moving forward. He’s a nice sleeper player who will slip through the cracks and could make for a solid value pick.

Todd Reesing, QB, Kansas- I’m completely convinced now that he will never be an NFL QB. He should not be drafted.

Mike Kafka, QB, Northwestern- He had an up and down game, but did drive the team down and win the game. That kind of mental toughness and calm under pressure will probably get him drafted late but it is really evident that his arm is not good enough for the next level. He would have to go to the right system to even be considered a back up (West-Coast style offense would be ideal).

Lindsey Witten, DE, UConn- I did not see many UConn games this year, so it was good to see Witten shine in this game. He’s a bit undersized, but I think he can fit at DE at the next level in the right system. He’s a good edge rusher, and he plays hard against the run. For a leaner guy, he still holds the edge well with good technique and strength. I think he could move to OLB at the next level, but it may take away from his skills. He can play in a rotation right away as a pass rusher in the 4-3. A team like the Colts would be smart to look at spending a third round pick or so on him as he’s fit perfectly into their system as a backup to both Freeney and Mathis.

Mike Tepper, LT, California- This game proved to me that Tepper does not have the foot speed to play LT at the next level. He got abused around the edge several times in this game.

Hunter Lawrence, K, Texas- I very rarely mention kickers or punters, but Lawrence will have a shot. With so many teams having kicking problems this year, Lawrence has shown he has the leg (he drilled a 47 yarder in this game with plenty of room to go) and can hit clutch kicks as well (look no further than the Big-12 Championship game where he hit the game winner as time ran out). He’s a late rounder, but a team like Washington could be calling his name in the 5-7th round range.

Riar Geer, TE, Colorado- I didn’t see much other than knowing he will be drafted based on his blocking alone. He is a good drive blocker, and if the DE lines up inside of him he is capable of driving him into the pile and setting the edge.

Barry Church, SS, Toledo- I had not seen any footage on Toledo yet, so seeing Church in this game was a pleasant surprise. He showed good coverage skills for the position, and he fills hard against the run. He is a solid looking SS prospect that seems to be able to play both the pass and run equally well.

Van Eskridge, FS, East Carolina- He has good instincts in coverage, and showed good burst, concentration, and hands in grabbing an interception in this game. Another solid FS prospect, which may actually make this deeper than the DL position.

Alric Arnett, WR, West Virginia- Arnett had a very good game. He has good hands, he catches the ball away from his frame, he has good size, and he is a good leaper as well. He did a good job of staying under control in his breaks as well which allowed him to gain some separation and make plays.

John Skelton, QB, Fordham- Another prospect that I have not seen this year. He will get drafted because he was the only QB in this game that has prototypical size and arm strength to make it at the next level. He will need a lot of work though, so he’s strictly a late round developmental prospect. He is worth taking a shot on and grooming, especially for a team with a QB getting up in age.

Matt Nichols, QB, Eastern Washington- Unlike Skelton, he does not have the physical attributes of a typical pocket passer. He does have good accuracy though, and he seems to have a good feel for playing the position. He should get drafted late, but I still don’t see him as anything more than a potential back up.

Earl Mitchell, DT, Arizona- I wrote only one thing down for Mitchell about this game: Relentless. It’s the perfect description for him. I’m hoping he lasts until the 4th round, as I would love to see the Bears to grab him and work him in as the backup and future heir apparent to Tommie Harris at the three-technique.

Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU- He just always finds a way to get open, and I have never seen him drop a ball. He’s going to make some team very happy, but again, he will need to be used properly and not counted on whatsoever to be a blocker.

James Ruffin, DE, Northern Iowa- I thought he had a great game that went almost completely unnoticed by the announcers. Not once did they mention him, but he made several impact plays even if it didn’t show up on the stat sheet. He had a good amount of hurries, and forced the QB to make passes they shouldn’t have. He also displayed a very good array of pass rush moves and beat the OT with speed and power. He set the edge well, and has the power to hold up on the edge. He’s a solid true 4-3 DE prospect that could keep on moving up with solid combine workouts. I thought he played better than any DE outside of LSU’s Rahim Alem.

Rahim Alem, DE, LSU- He was in the backfield the entire game and he flat out ran past the OT on more than one occasion without him ever getting a hand on him. What I liked was he showed the ability to get small, dip his shoulder, and corner tightly around the tackle to disrupt the pocket. Once again though, he relied almost exclusively on the speed rush, so he needs some real work on refining his technique. He had a big impact in this game though.

Stevenson Sylvester, OLB, Utah- Once again he just made plays. He really stands out on film as the plays he’s involved in are memorable moments in the game, whether they are game changing or just exciting. I could see him going to a team like the Ravens and developing into a real star.

Freddie Barnes, WR, Bowling Green- The only thing to say about Barnes is that he just understands how to play the position. The team that takes a chance on him in the third round will not be disappointed.