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2018 EW Shrine Game


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Just a couple of interesting things about Saturday's game:

 

  • Longtime Bengals TE coach Jonathan Hayes will be the HC for the East team and Dan Pitcher will be the WR coach for the East team. Robert Couch and Marcus Lewis will be coaching on the West team
  • A few notable players that will be in the game:
  • QB JT Barrett, QB Riley Ferguson, WR Jester Weah, DE/OLB Kentavious Street, S Damon Webb, LB Chris Worley, DT Deadrin Senat, S Trey Marshall, LB Jacob Pugh, DE Chad Thomas, DB Brandon Facyson, DT Poona Ford, LB Tegray Scales
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The first practice for the West team of the East-West Shrine was held in St. Petersburg, Florida under sunny skies with temperatures in the 60s. The players practicing in shells: helmets, shoulder pads and shorts. 
 

  • SMU defensive end Justin Lawler had a good opening practice. He did well in the one-on-ones, using speed to fly by tackles and get pressure in the pocket. Lawler's speed caused Wagner offensive tackle Greg Senat to lose his balance as Lawler flew by him. The coaches gave Senat some coaching points on maintaining his balance. Lawler (6-4, 265) has a nice frame to him to go along with speed.

 

  • Senat also made some nice plays, showing that he could be a developmental tackle as a late-round pick or undrafted free agent. The other offensive lineman who stood out in that regard was Alberta's Mark Korte. In the one-on-ones, Korte had some wins at left tackle and earned some praise from the coaches. Korte stood up and then held up Missouri edge rusher Marcell Frazier to get a win in the one-on-ones. Korte (6-4, 285) needs to get stronger and add some weight to his frame.
  • Read more: http://walterfootball.com/eastwest2018practice2.php#ixzz54ZRoQipb
     

 

 

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2018 East-West Shrine Game: Practice Report

2018 East-West Shrine Game: Wednesday's West Team Practice Report 

By Charlie Campbell - @draftcampbell 

The third practice for the West team of the East-West Shrine was held in St. Petersburg, Fla. under cloudy skies with temperatures in the low 50s. The players were practicing in full pads.
  • Most of the time, the actual All-Star game is barely even an afterthought for scouts however, this East-West Shrine could be the exception, as teams think the East has some good defensive line talent to go against a strong offensive line from the West. The West offensive linemen who have earned praise are Army offensive tackle Brett Toth, Wagner offensive tackle Greg Senat, and Alberta's Mart Korte. That trio could all make rosters next fall with developmental potential. 
  • Of that trio, some sources feel that Senat is the best of the bunch the 6-foot-7, 300-pounder has strength and surprising movement skills. As one scout described him, "Senat is a fire hydrant who can move." After playing at Wagner, Senat has shown the skill to make the jump in competition this week, and those tests will continue with an NFL team after the draft. 
     
  • Toth (6-6, 305) has NFL size and has been impressive this week. His strong play has earned him a lot of interviews from teams. Similar to Senat, Toth has size and athleticism to compete on either side of the line. Both Toth and Senat could compete to make a roster as a swing tackle backup with developmental potential. 
     
  • Sources have said that Korte (6-4, 285) has been better than expected this week. He doesn't have the size to play tackle in the NFL, his college position, but teams think he has shown the athleticism to be a center. He saw some time in the middle of the line Tuesday and created a few rushing lanes for his back by firing to the second level. Korte has a center's build, and he could get stronger in a pro strength and conditioning program. That could yield more size for him to be a backup as a guard and center. Korte may need a redshirt year to get stronger and adjust to the NFL with much bigger, stronger, and faster defensive linemen. That being said, Korte has really helped himself this week. 
     
  • Iowa State's Joel Lanning was a tackling machine after switching from quarterback to linebacker for his senior year. Lanning has been a tough presence in the tackle box all week. For having made the position change so recently, Lanning has intriguing instincts. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder has versatile size and looks like an intelligent defender. Lanning could blossom with more development at the pro level. 
     
  • Wisconsin safety Natrell Jamerson has gotten his hands on a lot of passes this week, and that continued Wednesday afternoon. During the team scrimmage, Jamerson flew over to track down an overthrow in the middle of the field for an interception. He showed good instincts and speed to get over the top on the receiver. In the red zone team scrimmage, Jamerson had a good hit to separate the ball from a receiver to get an incompletion. Jamerson has illustrated good ball skills and the ability to get in position to make plays in coverage throughout the week. He has really helped himself at the East-West Shrine. 
     
  • Arizona's Dane Cruikshank is another defensive back who has had a good week of practice. He had a few good plays in coverage Wednesday. He came close to a diving interception in the team scrimmage and was getting a lot of praise from teammates for coming close to a fantastic play. Cruikshank had a nice pass break-up in the seven-on-seven portion of the practice as well. 
  • Villanova cornerback Malik Reaves has really struggled this week, but he made a great play Wednesday. He made an impressive diving interception in the team scrimmage. Team sources have said that Reaves is getting undrafted free agent grades. 
     
  • Cal defensive tackle James Looney had a good session on Tuesday and he showed well at times on Wednesday as well. In the team scrimmage, he burned Washington guard Coleman Shelton with a speed rush to get a sack of the quarterback. Looney needs to get stronger for the NFL, but he could be a rotational player that contributes some pass rush as a rookie.



Read more: http://walterfootball.com/eastwest2018practice6.php#ixzz54ZSaywZ1

 

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The Tuesday East practice of the East-West Shrine was held in St. Petersburg, Fla. under sunny skies with temperatures in the 60s. The players practiced in full pads. 
 

  • The star of the East team practice on Tuesday was Northern Iowa wide receiver Darius Fountain. He had a number excellent catches with showcasing his well-rounded skills. He was beating the defensive backs in the one-on-ones, using quickness and route-running to generate separation. He had Miami cornerback Devonta' Delaney beaten on a deep post for a long gain, but the pass was overthrown. Later in the team scrimmage, Fountain ripped off a long gain on a simple wide receiver screen. He weaved through defenders and used his speed to bolt downfield. One general manager told me that Fountain was making himself some serious money as his showing in these practices is going to raise his grade and ranking on their draft board. It hurts Fountain to not be a returner, but he has been impressive in two straight practices for the East squad and is making the most of the opportunity at the East-West Shrine. 
  • UConn defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi was another player who impressed for the second straight practice. He was consistently beating blockers with speed at the point of attack. Fatukasi was knifing into the backfield and was too fast for many blockers in the one-on-ones. He blew right by North Dakota State center Austin Kuhnert to get to the quarterback marker in a blur. Fatukasi also has a thick frame and the strength to hold his ground at the line. During the team scrimmage, he had a sack using speed to cut to the inside and charge down the middle of the pocket at Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett. Team sources said Fatukasi is impressive with his quickness and he is helping himself this week. 
     
  • Miami defensive end Chad Thomas certainly passes the eyeball test. The 6-foot-6, 275-pounder has excellent size while also possessing speed and athletic ability. He had some good pass rushes, including one in the team scrimmage when he worked through Syracuse offensive tackle Jamar McGloster to put heat on South Florida quarterback Quinton Flowers. Thomas has the potential to be a NFL starter, but he is very inconsistent. On some plays, he looks like an early-rounder, and then others, he looks clueless. Thomas needs to land with a good defensive line coach in the NFL. 
     
  • N.C. State defensive end Kentavius Street had a nice showing on Monday. He almost made an amazing play with a leaping pass breakup after firing into the backfield, nearly locating the ball for an interception. It was an impressive athletic play from Street. 
     
  • Penn State defensive end Curtis Cothran (6-5, 301) had some nice plays getting penetration into the backfield. He also made some good run fills. Cothran looks like a great fit as a five-technique defensive end in a 3-4 defense. He could be a Day 3 candidate who contributes. 
     
  • An NFC general manager told me that North Carolina State guard Tony Adams was the offensive lineman who has impressed him the most on the East squad. Adams is strong for his frame and is a gritty blocker. However, the 6-foot-1, 315-pounder lacks length, and that general manager thinks Adams won't be able to play guard in the NFL as a result. They think he could find his way onto the field as a center. 
     
  • Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb had a nice practice on Tuesday. In the team scrimmage he had a chunk gain on a draw darting up the middle of the defense. Webb (5-10, 202) has a compact build and is a tough runner. He could end up being one of the standouts on Saturday when the East meets the West. 
     
  • Fordham running back Chase Edmonds was impressive on Monday, but unfortunately, an ankle injury caused him to miss some time on Tuesday. Team sources have some concerns about the medical evaluation with Edmonds and say he has had ankle issues that concern them. Tuesday's practice was a bad sign for Edmonds draft stock with that injury. 
     
  • Ohio State linebacker Chris Worley has been impressive in the two sessions. He is an intelligent player and team sources have said that Worley has interviewed well with teams. Worley (6-2, 230) has versatile size to play inside or outside linebacker. He could be a mid-round sleeper who is a nice value pick. 
     
  • Worley's teammate Damon Webb has also done well in the team interviews according to sources. Webb (5-11, 195) isn't a big safety, but he is assignment sound and reads plays well. 
     
  • Syracuse safety Jordan Martin (6-3, 206) has good size and has also improved his standing with evaluators. He could use a redshirt year in the NFL, but Martin has a skill set to develop. 
     
  • USF quarterback Quinton Flowers is very undersized and some team sources think he should move to defensive back. They don't think that Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett has the speed or athleticism to move to defensive back after the knee injury that Barrett sustained in college. Barrett will have to challenge for a third quarterback roster spot as a very late-round pick or more likely an undrafted free agent.
  • Read more: http://walterfootball.com/eastwest2018practice3.php#ixzz54ZUaWTy6
     
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Editor's note: Click through the tabs above to see each day's wrap up from practices at the East-West Shrine Game, which will be broadcast exclusively on NFL Network at 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 20.

 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- After three days of practices leading up to the East-West Shrine Game, North Carolina State defensive end Kentavius Street is the guy I'm probably most intrigued by. He's playing for the East team this week. I like that he has some inside-out flexibility. He can set a physical edge on first down outside and I think he's an inside rusher in sub packages. He's been dominant this week.

Some other thoughts on prospects from the East squad:

  • Northern Iowa WR Daurice Fountain: Everybody's talking about him this week. Out of the whole group of wideouts, I think he's the one that's shown the most juice, the most acceleration. He has a really good track background from high school, so he's legitimately fast but he's also quick. He's caught the ball extremely well, and he's separated from guys. I think he's helped himself a lot this week.
  • Penn WR Justin Watson: He practiced in the slot this week and did a nice job. Tuesday, he caught the ball well and created some separation inside. He's 220 pounds, and he's an interesting guy, but I think you have to figure out how you're going to use him. Special teams is going to be important for him, just to earn a spot on the team to buy himself some time, but he's intriguing.
  • Ohio State LB Chris Worley: You can see he's been well-coached and knows what he's doing. He understands zone or man. He's tough, smart and in the right place all the time.
  • Pitt CB Avonte Maddox: He's very thin, but really quick. I thought he showed the quickest change-of-direction skill of the corners here this week. He's probably a nickelback, and he's helped himself.
  • Memphis QB Riley Ferguson: I liked his tape more than I liked his week of practice. He was a little erratic, inconsistent with ball placement, but has a good arm.

Onto some observations from the West squad:

 
  • Army OT Brett Toth: He's a big kid, and physically he can play in the NFL, but the question is whether somebody is going to draft him knowing they might have to wait a couple years for his availability (due to his minimum military commitment of two years). He might not be playing for a team next year.
  • Mississippi State TE Jordan Thomas: A lot of people are talking about him. At 270 pounds, he has an amazing catch radius and really good hands. Everybody knows he's a tight end except for him. He wants to be a wideout. Some people have even talked about making him a tackle. He's a really good athlete with quite a wingspan.
  • Indiana LB Tegray Scales: He showed some good man-to-man skills this week and can run to the football.
  • Missouri DE Marcell Frazier: He has some pass-rush ability with a little bit of twitch, and I thought he did some good things this week.
  • Washington State OG Cody O'Connell: He was hard to evaluate on tape because WSU doesn't run the ball a lot, or aggressively. Why he's not a tackle is a logical question. Is he a right tackle if he's anything? That's what scouts will ask.
  • Delaware DT Bilal Nichols: He flashed. He's 300 pounds and has the body type and strength for the position. He has some movement skills, but I don't see it consistently enough out here or on tape. I'd like to see his motor run a little hotter, but I like his ability.
  • Wisconsin LB Leon Jacobs: He had a really solid week. I think he's an off-the-ball linebacker. I think he's a 3-4 inside backer, or a 4-3 weakside linebacker.
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  • Daurice Fountain played very well today, he definitely will be getting drafted if he continues to impress throughout the draft process.
  • Kentavious Street looked good as well, he's a workout warrior so teams will definitely fall in love with him after the combine. 
  • JT Barrett was up and down, he made some nice throws but had a bad fumble that was returned for a touchdown...I seriously doubt he gets drafted.
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A few standouts from Saturday's East-West Shrine Game, won 14-10 by the West team:

Nic Shimonek

QB Nic Shimonek, Texas Tech

The term "gamer" probably describes Shimonek best, at least in regard to his work in St. Petersburg. He had an up-and-down practice week, as the West team's passing game moved in fits and starts during practices on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. But in Saturday's game, he was the best quarterback on the field, especially during a game-winning drive that he capped with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Houston wide receiver Steven Dunbar.

 

Shimonek ended the day as the only quarterback to complete at least 60 percent of his passes, but what was impressive was how he was willing to throw into tight windows. He kept the drive alive by hitting Oklahoma wide receiver Jeff Badet, threading the needle with two defenders in the area. One play later, he hit Dunbar for the touchdown with a well-placed, outside-shoulder throw that beat tight coverage from Pitt cornerback Avonte Maddox.  Shimonek also showed an outstanding feel for the pass rush on two occasions during that 10-play, 70-yard drive. First, he ducked as Miami defensive end Chad Thomas closed in and moved to the left, locating Troy running back Jordan Chunn near the left sideline for a near-completion. Later on the drive, he adeptly avoided a sack from North Carolina State's Kentavius Street. Shimonek dodged the rush, extending the play by moving to his right. Both of those plays ended in incompletions, but with his feel and escapability, Shimonek ensured that the West offense didn't fall off-schedule and into long-yardage situations from which it would have been difficult to recover.

 

WR Daurice Fountain, Northern Iowa

There is no doubt that he has a high ceiling, owing to his impressive reach and ability to hit fifth gear in a hurry. After an outstanding week of practice, it came as no surprise that he led all receivers with 61 yards on three receptions, including a 38-yard pass from Memphis' Riley Ferguson with 1:33 remaining in the second quarter. However, Fountain failed to corral a catchable pass from J.T. Barrett on fourth down with 25 seconds remaining, ending the East's scoring threat. Fountain also dropped a pass down the middle Wednesday. Fountain possesses excellent receiving tools and the ability to get separation and make catches in traffic, but he will need to avoid drops to maximize his potential.

Phillip Lindsay

RB Phillip Lindsay, Colorado

Lindsay has the quickness and good hands necessary to be an outstanding receiving threat out of the backfield, but in Saturday's game, he was used more as a traditional ballcarrier, leading all runners with 51 yards on 12 carries. Lindsay ripped off a 15-yard run in the third quarter. He capitalized off a hole created by solid inside blocks from Colorado State's Jake Bennett and Washington State's Cody O'Connell and an outside seal from Weber State tight end Andrew Vollert. Later in the possession, he cut across the field for a 12-yard run to move the West team into the red zone. Northwestern's Justin Jackson, South Florida's D'Ernest Johnson and Old Dominion's Ray Lawry -- a late injury replacement for Fordham's Chase Edmonds -- didn't carry the football as frequently as Lindsay, but all were productive, averaging over 5.0 yards per carry apiece.

 

DT Bilal Nichols, Delaware

One of several defensive linemen who had outstanding weeks, Nichols capped his week by clobbering Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett as he threw, forcing a fumble that Natrell Jamerson recovered and returned for the score.Nichols capitalized off the East's play call. The offense was setting up a bubble screen to Fountain, leading the offensive linemen to fire off laterally, leaving Nichols with a highway to Barrett. When Barrett hesitated, Nichols was in position for the hit that led to the first score of the game.

 

Edge rusher Marcus Martin, Slippery Rock

Given that the defenses -- and front sevens in particular -- had the upper hand for most of the week, it seemed appropriate that defenders would score the first two touchdowns of the game. But for Martin, the all-time leading sacker among all divisions of the NCAA ranks, it was part of the job, as he started seeing fullback repetitions during the week. Although Martin racked up 56 sacks in his college career, he struggled this week. At 250 pounds, he got lost in the shuffle working from a 4-3 defensive end stance, and he wasn't able to compensate with quickness. But he showed spark on special teams and jumped at a chance to work on offense. Although his fullback skills are raw, his willingness to potentially change positions if the need requires should get him into a training camp. Martin could also be a better fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker, which would allow him to operate in space more often.

 

Edge rusher Joe Ostman, Central Michigan

After posting 14 sacks in 10 games during the 2017 season, Ostman continued to consistently burst into the pocket throughout the week, and then he capped off his work with a 12-yard sack of Barrett on the game's first series. Ostman, Missouri edge rusher Marcell Frazier and Street all finished with sacks, with Street leading the way with 1.5 in Saturday's game. The trio validated their week of strong work. Each of them should be selected in the draft's middle rounds.

 

http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Masons-East-West-Shrine-Game-standouts/89b4cba4-bd38-43ea-bd1f-73ea4fe93631

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