It’s a sunny day here in the press box. Many people don’t see the importance of the game. This is where the players get to prove what they learned during the week and how they respond to adversity in a game. Here are my thoughts about particular players in game action, listed in alphabetical order:
RB Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
This is the most explosive runner of the game. Abdullah is showing great burst, quick feet, spin moves, and not giving much to hit. He is lying low in the flat, providing the limited quarterbacks a good option.
RB Cameron Artis-Payne, Auburn
The back does a good job reading his blockers and runs well behind his pads using strong leg drive. Artis-Payne has a little wiggle, looks good catching the ball, and always falls forward.
TE Nick Boyle, Delaware
Boyle is getting open in space, hurdled a defender, and likes to catch passes in the middle of the field. He is inconsistent with his effort though.
WR Sammie Coates, Auburn
He shielded the ball well from defenders. Coates then drew an offensive pass interference penalty in the end zone. There seem to be too many judgment lapses for my taste. The receiver got injured in the first half and did not return.
RB David Cobb, Minnesota
The runner plays well in space, has soft hands, and might be bested suited for a zone blocking scheme. Cobb has decent burst, can start and stop quickly, and uses his vision to set up blocks down the field. He runs to daylight, spins away from danger, and has a nose for the end zone.
WR Jamison Crowder, Duke
After a good week of practice, the smaller receiver struggled fielding punts, muffing one and had another muff called back. Crowder got knocked around with physical corners on the line, he looked better in the slot.
DT Carl Davis, Iowa
The defender was hard to block. He got good initial penetration, and broke down quickly to make a big tackle for a loss.
WR Justin Hardy, East Carolina
Hardy got separation near the end zone, but got overthrown. He has good foot speed and a natural wiggle. The receiver needs to get more consistent with his hands.
RB David Johnson, Northern Iowa
The runner has good balance for a longer back, and sees the field well. He has good burst, uses a jump cut, and can make his first man miss. Johnson needs to be put in space to be effective as he struggles in short yardage situations to run behind his pads. The back is a good returner and catches the ball well. He was the best back down here if you combine his effort with practices and game.
TE Ben Koyack, Notre Dame
He looks more like a joker tight end who needs to be split out wide. Koyack adjusted well to a pass thrown behind him for a second quarter touchdown.
WR Dezmin Lewis, Central Arkansas
Lewis came alive in the fourth quarter. He has soft hands and fought for extra yardage. The wide out climbed the ladder to make a great catch right on the sidelines.
WR Tyler Lockett, Kansas State
This wide out looks great in the open field, whether catching the ball in the flat or as a returner. Lockett makes contested receptions in the middle of the field, showing high effort and comes back to help out his quarterback. There were a few passes that got thrown too high, but he is always watching the ball as he snared a deflected pass for a big game.
WR Ty Montgomery, Stanford
Montgomery didn’t make much of an impact as a receiver, but he did put his team in good field range with his kickoff returns. He reads his blockers well, takes what is given, and falls forward for extra yardage.
DE Nate Orchard, Utah
This defender was all over the place flowing quickly to the ball. Orchard was good against the run and held his position on the edge. He led the North team in tackles.
FB/RB Tyler Varga, Yale
At the beginning of the week, most people down here thought Varga would make a good CFL player. He showed versatility during practices as well as during the game, catching the ball out of the backfield, and running well in short yardage situations (including goal line). Varga might carve out a tweener fullback/running back role.
TE Clive Walford, Miami
He catches the ball well in the middle of the field, but had issues with passes not thrown accurately. Walford was far and away the best practice tight end, but did not necessarily show that during the game.
I would like to publicly thank all the Senior Bowl staff as this is a great event and venue. Thanks for reading. @AndrewMiley on Twitter and the site @Dynasty_Blitz.
