Live From the Senior Bowl
The Offensive Backfield
Next Level Scouting's John Murphy reports from Mobile

posted January 29, 2005 - print me!
neworleansprofootball.com

Mobile, AL -- While many would opt to summarize the Senior Bowl’s daily practice sessions it becomes far too easy to over or underrate an individual players potential/ability by basing it off of just one two-hour practice. However, I have found that by allowing the full-week of practices to take place before generating an evaluation on these top senior prospects that it allows you the opportunity to fully gauge their strengths, weaknesses and overall potential. "(I) believe that you can get too emotional or excited over how a player performs during some of these events… so it is best to keep all of the information you see and receive in proper perspective", explained one NFL scouting director.

The final two days of practice barely qualify as being more than glorified walkthroughs, while there will be roughly 30-40 NFL team representatives who will attend the actual game on Saturday afternoon, as most have returned to their team headquarters or home towns in order to prepare for next month’s combine. All 32 teams will receive a copy of each of the practice sessions, as well as the complete game film, which they can further evaluate, so the final thoughts on this year’s Senior Bowl will not take place until after all of that information can be reviewed.

With that being said, here is a breakdown, by position, of how this year’s crop of talented prospects have performed after watching and evaluating the four two-plus hour practice sessions, which started on Monday afternoon and commenced at roughly 5pm on Thursday.

QUARTERBACK: Auburn’s JASON CAMPBELL (South) -- showed impressive arm strength and zipped many of passes into the waiting arms of his intended targets… good mobility for a 228-pound signal caller… lacked great definition, including in his arms… also carries a bit of a small gut… struggles some when rolling out to his left… can be a little heavy-footed when running the ball, but his size should allow him to gain short yardage when necessary… has a bit of a long release… some might look to alter some of his mechanics… carries himself well and his confidence seems to be at an all-time high… did well in most of the drills, but still had some trouble making quick decisions or proper reads when performing in the 9-on-7 or team portion of the practices… overall, he’s a good, but not great athlete… has the arm strength to make all the necessary throws… little mechanical with his footwork and release… more effective when rolling out to the right… one-year breakout players can make many teams worry about a prospect’s true upside potential… would see him as being more of David Garrard (Jaguars) type who has the ability to grow/mature into a borderline starter within 2-or-3 years, but is by no means a finished product at this stage… will start Saturday’s game, and likely see action into the middle of the second quarter…

Akron’s CHARLIE FRYE (North) -- did some things well athletically… good footwork and agility for his position… his arm strength was not nearly as impressive in person as it was on prior game films… mechanics are a tad flawed… little bit of a long release at times… was holding onto the ball too long… and then showed just average velocity on some of his intermediate to longer passes… must learn to step into his throws more, as he was throwing off his back foot or only ¾ follow through… locked onto his primary target on a few occasions, including one pass that was picked off and two others that were incomplete… his head coach Norv Turner was quick to be vocal and get in his ear about that… was not nearly as consistent as he needed to be this week to help improve his final grade… comes off as being very coachable and a team leader on the field, but maybe not as mature as you would desire at times off the field… has the smallest hands (8 5/8") of the six signal callers in attendance… despite weighing in at 222 pounds he has a smaller lower body…

Purdue’s KYLE ORTON (North) -- threw the ball well during the early stages of the week… especially during individual, 7-on-7 and even 9-on-7 drills… was inconsistent with his throws during team drills… also had trouble with fumbling/dropping the center exchange and with his footwork when dropping back from under center… has gotten into a good rhythm on occasion at both the East-West Shrine game and down here in Mobile… but can also look downright streaky too often… needs to get the ball out of his hand quicker… and improve his accuracy when under pressure… still having some trouble to adjusting to reading the whole field when dropping back rather than taking the snap direct from the shotgun formation… holds the ball a little lower when dropping back, as he is more comfortable receiving the ball out of the shotgun formation… shows good touch on some of his deeper throws… but only average footwork when trying to avoid pass rushers or moving out of the pocket… there were occasions this year where he looked to be a sure-fire mid-to-late first round choice, but has honestly played like more of a developmental 4-5th rounder, since the mid-way portion of his senior campaign… states 100% that there were no medical or injury issues that caused his decline, which almost worries me more in terms of his mental preparation and ability to handle stressful situations in the pros…

Connecticut’s DAN ORLOVSKY (North) -- seemed a little overwhelmed and nervous the first few days… seemed to be holding the ball too tight, and even mentioned something about the slickness of throwing the new balls… was spraying the ball around the field during most of the practices… made a few good throws to the post… but his overall velocity was lacking… which made a number of his throws flutter or even drop in front of his intended receiver… has a long, drawn out release, which will need to be shortened or he will have too many passes batted down at the line of scrimmage… average footwork, as he more of a classic pocket passer… needs to step into his passes on a more consistent basis, as when he did that his passes showed better velocity and accuracy… did better in team drills (11-on-11) than in earlier action… might be more of a "Game Day" guy than practice player…

Georgia’s DAVID GREENE (South) -- the could be the most experienced signal caller of this group… never seems to be overwhelmed by any portion of these type of events, having seen him at the SEC Championship and big-time college contests the past four years… very good intelligence, intangibles and can gain the confidence of his teammates in the huddle quickly… many of his former skill position teammates were known to be talkative types, but all have said they totally respected Greene and keyed in on his words/presence… showed only average arm strength on most of his throws… his velocity was diminished when he was called upon to attempt deeper throws, especially his out routes, as several turnovers were created by his fluttered throws… his overall accuracy has been streaky at best … while his overall athleticism would potentially put him near the bottom of this group… not well-defined in any one area… looks to have very average upper body strength… likely to see action late in the first half and all/most of the third quarter of Saturday’s game… see him more as a future steady #2 than potential "Franchise" quarterback…

Miami’s BROCK BERLIN (South) -- has some trouble getting the ball into small windows and with the overall velocity of his intermediate-to-deep throws… works best from the shotgun formation… does not make quick enough reads when dropping back from under center… will float a few of his pass attempts, which can allow for turnovers… average sized… has only mediocre athleticism, which keeps him from creating too many big plays out of the pocket… shows some toughness and intangibles in terms of bouncing back from a number of big hits and streaky play, while in college… likely to see action late in the third or possibly the whole fourth quarter in Saturday’s game… smaller build in the chest and upper body… would do well for himself to bulk up over time… type of guy that could work his way into being a future #2, but right now is more of a #3 guy who would need time to develop in a new system and likely spend a season overseas in NFL Europe…

BACKFIELD: Auburn’s CARNELL "CADILLAC" WILLIAMS (South) -- impressed most teams by actually accepting an invite to play in this year’s game, as several other highly-touted running backs passed on the event in order to concentrate on training for the Combine… shows an excellent burst of second-gear speed in the open field… his ability to create plays out of the backfield, as a receiver have set him apart from his counterparts this week… was a little smaller than advertised, weighing in at 5101, 206 pounds… would probably be wise to bulk up to the 212-215 pound range between now and the combine… versatility has also clearly been a forte of his, since he can line up in the backfield, motion out to receiver and is also set to return kicks and punts in Saturday’s game… very elusive moves in the open field… tends to take very few big shots… avoids contact and plays with very good forward lean for his size… might like to see some more power to his game… gives a good effort, as a blocker, as well… Tampa Bay’s staff has seemingly paid special attention to him throughout the week…

West Virginia’s KAY-JAY HARRIS (South) -- has really helped himself in several areas this week… good-looking physique; weighed in at 5116, 232 pounds, and also had second largest hands (10 1/8") of the ten backs in attendance… better-than-advertised hands… has run with very good straight-line speed and power, having run over a defender on one occasion and taken a few handoffs the distance during 9-on-7 drills… still runs a little too upright… leaves himself open to big hits… does not always play to his size/speed… needs to improve, as a blocker… raw in terms of all-around skills… needs to run with better patience and vision… little older prospect (25-26), as he played minor league baseball before heading to college… his overall durability along with some character questions still remain, although he was very cordial and well-mannered when I asked him to answer a few questions after two practices…

Citadel’s NEHEMIAH BROUGHTON (South) -- More of a combo-type back, as he has received reps at both running back and fullback… might be most comfortable in a one-back set, but showed improved blocking skills this week, as both a lead blocker and in pass protection… like him as more of a on-the-move blocker than straight ahead guy, but at nearly 250 pounds (249) he should be able to improve with continued repetition… liked the small area burst he showed once getting past the line of scrimmage, but want to see his long-range speed against a higher level of competition… says he will break 4.5 range in the 40 at the Combine… college coaching staff said he had very good work ethic, while coming back from a knee injury two years ago… very stoutly built, not carrying too many bad pounds… the fact that he showed better hands than previously thought probably would be the top factor in his improved grade coming out of this week… will likely be tried at both positions, but could provide similar results to Jesse Chatman (Chargers) thanks to his thick frame and strong lower body…

Tennessee’s CEDRIC HOUSTON (South) -- should have been able to make more of an impression on scouts/coaches this week… created a few good moments for himself with some cutback runs… been a little slow to hit the hole at times… has not shown a second gear of speed in the open field… has also put the ball on ground, and dropped a few passes out of the backfield… but did turn in an impressive one-handed catch on Thursday, although it was done in shorts and no pads… made a few plays, as a blocker during individual and team drills… pretty well-defined upper body, but not overly impressive in any one area… was likely a borderline first day prospect, especially after the addition of several underclassmen backs, so his average showing could cost him to slide into the late 3rd or 4th round…

California’s J.J. ARRINGTON (North) -- Came into this game with a lot to prove, since he skipped the East-West Shrine game and hoped to solidify himself, as a possible day one selection with his play during this week’s practices… was smaller than advertised, as he weighed in at 5083, 206 pounds… also had the second smallest hands (8 ½") of the ten backs in attendance… small in the chest and did not have great overall definition… has not showed the explosiveness or elusiveness that allowed him to lead the Pac-10 in rushing, as a senior… good hands, but some concern on whether his size could keep him from being too much of an asset in several categories, including blocking and special teams… does not have great experience on special teams, as a return man… which is an area he would have to prove valuable in order to improve his final grade… seemed to be faster on game film than in person… but I also think that he is a better "Game Day" guy than practice player…

UCLA’s MANUEL WHITE (North) -- impressive size/build; weighed in at 6015, 242 pounds… well-developed, long arms (34 1/8") and the biggest hands (10 ¼") of the ten backs in attendance… more of a one-back type build… as he is more of a defined athlete than thickly built guy… little stiff in some drills… more of an upright runner… has some ability to make plays, as a pass catcher… gets too tall, as a blocker, needs to learn to breakdown and get more power in his blocking… attempted to make a few downfield blocks, but was easily shed by the opposing defender… does not show great upper body strength or balance when it comes to being a lead blocker… let defenders slip off of his initial contact too easily… shows some good quickness for his size, but not the type of power desired to gain consistent yardage between the tackles… will need to show more power and keep his pad level lower to be considered a short-yardage or red-zone contributor… over time he could develop into more of a Robert Holcombe (Titans) type…

Northwestern’s NOAH HERRON (North) -- late addition to the roster has done a decent job in several areas… has shown good hands out of the backfield… willing blocker, although he does not seem to have the on-field strength currently for that to be a true asset of his… runs with good vision… had a few good cutback runs this week… but seems to lack true breakaway speed… shows good determination and work ethic in all of the drills… type of guy that should become a solid role player and special teams guy with the chance to contribute if called upon during the course of the season… sort of like a Marcel Shipp (Cardinals)… did not standout physically during the weigh-in… had to receive some extra stretching to his right leg, which seemed to be some tightening of his hamstring…

Kansas State’s DARREN SPROLES (North) -- awkward moment for him, as one of the lead scouts at the official weigh-in had posted height chart, starting at 5’7"… after a few extra moments his actual weigh-in numbers were recorded as 5056, 185 pounds… has a good build for a diminutive back… pound-for-pound was one of the strongest guys on his college team… as quick/elusive as any available skill position player… can stop/change direction on a time without losing any speed… shows an extra gear of speed in the open field… being tried, as a return man on special teams… was able to hit the corner and accelerate up field on several occasions… took a vicious open field hit after one catch, but held onto the ball and bounced right back up… will never be a strong contributor, as a blocker… some teams wonder if he can be a valuable asset, as a receiver due to his lack of height… it can create a problem in terms of most quarterbacks being 6’2" to 6’5", so they will have to adjust their throws to a shorter target… will work best, as an all-purpose back, draw plays could create opportunities for him to gain big yardage, as he is so hard to find once he gets past the line of scrimmage… not as thickly built as Quentin Griffin (Broncos), but just as quick and elusive…

Washington’s ZACH TUIASOSOPO (North) -- coming off a broken right leg that he suffered against Notre Dame during his senior campaign… started his career at linebacker before converting to fullback… made a few sharp blocks during Wednesday’s practice, once he finally got fitted with his own helmet… bit of a straight/stiff athlete… good upper body strength… will block with power and aggressiveness… but can lose focus and release his blocks too quickly… decent hands out of the backfield… not a great threat in terms of running skills… will break through at times in short yardage situations… but needs to run with better balance and forward lean… can be taken off his feet too easily… named team captain this past season after returning from an off-field alcohol-related incident that has him currently completing a 12-month probation sentence…

Texas’ WILL MATTHEWS (South) -- coming off a solid showing at the East-West Shrine game… sturdy built 250-pound blocker… physique is not overly developed in any one area… more of a traditional fullback; lead blocker type… but has also shown better-than-advertised hands out of the backfield… not much of a threat as a runner… tough to bring down in short yardage situations, but runs too upright and needs to lower his pads and run with better body lean… can be an aggressive kid on the field… but a little odd to gauge in some off-field conversations…

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