Pat Kirwin rates the QBs at the Senior Bowl

[1989Fan]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story;jsessionid=5...eo&confirm=true

MOBILE, Ala. -- The Under Armour Senior Bowl is my first opportunity each year to dive into the draft class. Traditionally the game and the week of practice leading up to it is the best opportunity to see the most talent in one place in a football environment. Typically the Senior Bowl will produce close to 50 percent of the first-round selections and about 70 percent of the second and third rounds combined.

I have talked with a number of NFL team general managers and personnel directors who feel the 2008 Senior Bowl should be about the same. Maybe a little light on the first-round picks (closer to 40 percent, they figure), but when the first three rounds are over in April and 96 names have been called, 60-65 of them will have worked down in Mobile this week.

The first group I'll cover is quarterback, the most important position in the game. One personnel director with a team in need of a QB said the ones participating this week in Mobile aren't first-round selections, "but I might rather take the best of these six players in the second round than incur the financial risk of the guys with supposed first-round grades."

Here are a few observations on the the six quarterbacks participating this week in Senior Bowl practices and the game on Saturday. Keep in mind, there is still a lot of work to be done before April. I had a chance to watch the final college game all these guys played before coming to Mobile, and I also talked with four of the six after practice.

1. JOE FLACCO, 6-6, 235, Delaware

Flacco jumped right out at me with his arm strength and ability to make all the throws. I spoke with him on the field after the first practice on Monday and asked him about the problems he was having with the center exchange. He pointed out he had spent most of his time in shotgun formations after transferring from Pittsburgh to Delaware. By the second day, the exchange problems were gone. Former New York Giants QB Scott Brunner, who is working with the Delaware quarterback, was bubbling over Flacco's football intelligence and underrated mobility. During the second practice, when all the receivers were covered, Flacco took off on a 30-yard run. This guy is an interesting prospect who should climb the draft boards this spring.

2. CHAD HENNE, 6-2, 225, Michigan

Watching him practice and talking with him, Henne appears to have carried over the confidence he had at the end of the season. He has a toughness about him and a decent deep ball that will carry him into the NFL. "Henne will be a solid NFL backup early and could grow into a starter," one personnel guy said. He is a competitive player and it was obvious when we spoke that he's thinking much higher than being a backup in the NFL.

3. JOHN DAVID BOOTY, 6-3, 210, USC

Booty is cool, calm and under control. He doesn't have a great arm, but as one scout said, "It is a heck of a lot better than I thought it was before the Senior Bowl." Booty was impressive on bootlegs as well as crossing routes. He did tell me that the speed of the receivers he is working with took a little time to adjust to, but by the second day they were on the same page. He was right, and his smooth, calm approach was attractive to at least one team scout, who said, "We would rather take Booty in the third round than the first-round guys who decided not to play in this game." A strong finish to this week and Booty could work his way into the second round.

4. COLT BRENNAN, 6-2, 185, Hawaii

Brennan comes from the throwing machine known as the Hawaii offense. He can snap a ball off and he has good QB-movement skills. His weight is a concern to a number of coaches who wonder if he can withstand the pounding NFL quarterbacks take. But as one QB coach said, "Ty Detmer lasted a long time and so can this kid if he gets the ball out of his hand quickly." Another personnel man compared Brennan to Jeff Garcia, saying Brennan has the "it" factor. A defensive-minded NFL head coach felt there was too much risk with Brennan's slight body type. As for a pure passer, he gets the ball out quickly but the arm strength needs work. There are significant differences of opinion on this kid, but it only takes one team to fall in love with his 38 touchdown passes in his senior year. I think he'll hold down a late second-round grade by the end of the week.

5. ERIC AINGE, 6-6, 225, Tennessee

Ainge was a late addition to the Senior Bowl roster after Brian Brohm decided not to participate. After watching game tape of his performance against Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl, I was glad he was added. Ainge can snap off a ball, although he struggled on Tuesday with his accuracy. He doesn't have great foot speed, but he is a guy who was only sacked once for every 124 passes in college. He was 10-for-13 for 175 yards in his third-down passing against Wisconsin, and his over-the-top release at his height could make him effective in the NFL. He needs a big game on Saturday to start creating some momentum for his cause. I talked with him after practice and I was impressed with his approach to this week and his enthusiasm about the opportunity to play in Mobile. I hope the offensive line for the South team gives him the protection he is going to need to do well. Right now it looks like he is trying to move up from a mid-round pick to the third round, and he still has a ways to go.

6. ANDRE WOODSON, 6-4, 220, Kentucky

Woodson threw 77 touchdown passes in his college career and had some great games. Right now he looks like he is just holding his own with the South quarterbacks and is probably down near the bottom of the group of the six in Mobile. One QB coach felt like Woodson's throwing motion needed work and he tends to float too many balls. There's a chance he had two ordinary days and he lights it up later in the week. But for now he sits somewhere in the middle of the draft class of quarterbacks. "He isn't doing much to impress me here in Mobile," said one GM, "but there are some other game tapes that are tremendous." Woodson might not move up during this week but his games during the season will keep him as a first-day pick on some draft boards.

Coming Wednesday: Linebackers, probably the strongest position group in Mobile, where there's a chance four first-round linebackers are in uniform this week.

[Jerry Maguire]

A QBs mental makeup is just as important as the physical. Just look at Jason garrett who was devoid of a lot of tools, but still did well in the league. If Henne wants it bad enough, he can be a GREAT starter, not just a backup.

[Poster Large Johnson]

surprised about Woodson, I got to try to watch the practice today..

[Orange_Crush]

grendel (1/23/2008)

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"Henne will be a solid NFL backup early and could grow into a starter," one personnel guy said.

This is what I worried about with Henne, that he's good enough to be in the league, but he'll just be a journeyman.

I'm not a fan of Woodson, but I've got to think he'll get it together and move up to 3 on that list.

I'm not worried about that with Henne. He will be a solid backup his first year and possibly even his second year, but not a single one of these quarterbacks is going to step in on day one and be our quarterback. It's obvious that sitting a guy for a while to let him learn and become acclimated to the NFL is the best route. Henne has the confidence, the intelligence, and the arm to become a great Drew Brees kind of quarterback.

[red2play]

1989fan (1/23/2008)

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http://www.nfl.com/news/story;jsessionid=5FD0BBB9BAD60C4AC88B4B8E23EE58E2?id=09000d5d8062ee4d&template=with-video&confirm=true

The first group I'll cover is quarterback, the most important position in the game. One personnel director with a team in need of a QB said the ones participating this week in Mobile aren't first-round selections, "but I might rather take the best of these six players in the second round than incur the financial risk of the guys with supposed first-round grades."

Amen.

None of these quarterbacks have seperated themselves from the avg joe Qb. Anybody who wastes a 1st rd pick on this group of Qb's deserves to be mediocre.

[Norwood32]

grendel (1/23/2008)

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This is what I worried about with Henne, that he's good enough to be in the league, but he'll just be a journeyman.

All rookie QB's start off as solid back-ups unless they have to start their rookie season. IMO rookie QB's should sit their first season and become full time starter their next year. It could hurt their growth if they get drafted and immediately thrown in the game.

[Draftnut57]

Thanks for the post .

[Boley59]

nice read.

[monson007]

Brennan is the man. He will not slip as you all predicted. Some of you had him in the fifth round and this guy says he will still be drafted in the second. He has lost weight due to getting the flu but he will weigh between 205 and 210 by draft day.

[Mr. Offseason]

good read, thanks for posting 89. im not very surprised flacco was rated #1 and i dont think you are either.

[busboyisback]

I knew Woodson had to be near the bottom if 89 posted this :P

Seriously though it seems like Woodson has adjusted his release which has made it even worse. Either that or he's hurt.

Either way, he needs to keep the old one. It was actually less deliberate and didn't mess with his ability to put the football on the money especially on the intermediate routes which he was absolutely money on.

Correcting something that only makes a fraction of a second of a difference is a big mistake when you have the ability to process information quickly and pocket poise to make up for it like Woodson does.

If he somehow fell to the 2nd round, wow.

[1989Fan]

lol (@bus), I was actually suprised to see him last, even knwoing the problems they said hes been having.

I am not against Woodson as a person or player, I just worry about his few flaws that are significant. I always said I had an issue with his throwing style, and it is killing him now. Either he is trying to adjust, or coaches are that worried about it that they are seeing if he will be able to adjust prior to considering him.

I dont doubt what he has done i college, I just doubt how he will translate to the pro game. I would take him for the right value, but there are QBs I feel translate better to the pro game despite not being as impactful in college.

To be honest bus, I would be suprised if he went in the first. The way things are turning, I wouldnt be shocked to see only Ryan go in round one, and if a 2nd QB makes it, it could be Flacco which would be amazing for a DII QB.

Flacco is te one who suprised me most when I posted this actually. I knew he was good, but figured it would take until the game itself or after for him to become a media darling.

[DrDetecto]

1989fan (1/24/2008)

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lol (@bus), I was actually suprised to see him last, even knwoing the problems they said hes been having.

I am not against Woodson as a person or player, I just worry about his few flaws that are significant. I always said I had an issue with his throwing style, and it is killing him now. Either he is trying to adjust, or coaches are that worried about it that they are seeing if he will be able to adjust prior to considering him.

I dont doubt what he has done i college, I just doubt how he will translate to the pro game. I would take him for the right value, but there are QBs I feel translate better to the pro game despite not being as impactful in college.

To be honest bus, I would be suprised if he went in the first. The way things are turning, I wouldnt be shocked to see only Ryan go in round one, and if a 2nd QB makes it, it could be Flacco which would be amazing for a DII QB.

Flacco is te one who suprised me most when I posted this actually. I knew he was good, but figured it would take until the game itself or after for him to become a media darling.

If Brohm falls to the 2nd, we better jump all over him.

[1989Fan]

DrDetecto (1/25/2008)

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If Brohm falls to the 2nd, we better jump all over him.

I agree 100%. I wouldnt be suprised to see Henne and/or Flacco ranked ahead of Brohm on some boards though.

I would have a very hard time taking either of them over Brohm, and I am a big advocate of both Henne and Flacco.

I just worry about Brohms injuries. His last one has been nagging him for about a month, and while he didnt miss many games he has been hurt every year. I dont want a QB that is on the shelf all the time.