Senior Bowl, Senior Benefits

The Senior Bowl will be played today in Mobile, Alabama (4 PM, NFL Network).  Two players that have garnered a lot of attention during this week's practices are fomer Florida Gator QB Tim Tebow and former Miami Hurricane TE Jimmy Graham. 

However, the attention they have received has ranged from extremely postitive (Graham) to extremely negative (Tebow) and for very different reasons.  Tebow's stock has been falling faster than President Obama's approval ratings while Graham's status has been rising faster than the National debt. 

Many NFL draft analysts actually feel that Tebow may have actually hurt his draft chances by coming to Mobile.  Todd McShay from ESPN openly stated that although he initially believed that some NFL teams were looking at Tebow as a late first round to early second round pick he believes that has changed after practices this week at the Senior Bowl  He said on ESPN today that if he were an NFL GM "I would NOT pick Tebow until the third round."

ESPN analyst and former NFL QB Ron Jaworski said it that he believes "It would be very difficult for Tebow to be a starting NFL QB.  He struggles making all the throws and making them accurately into very small windows which is what he will face in the NFL."

Former Cleveland Browns GM Phil Savage was interviewed by McShay on ESPN and also questioned Tebow's accuracy, footwork and throwing mechanics.  Savage had this to say: "I will use two plays from the ACC Championship game against Alabama to illustrate my point.  On the first play Tebow tries to throw the corner route and has a man open but the route is underthrown and results in an interception.  On the next play he has his TE Nelson open on a slant over the middle and throws it behind him for an incompletion.  His footwork needs a lot of work. He is overstriding and his footwork often results in him throwing off balance.  He has a slow release and an elongated throwing motion which will result in NFL defensive backs jumping those routes."

On the other hand NFL Scouts are liking what they see in UM TE Jimmy Graham. As you know Graham was former basketball player for the Hurricanes who has only played one year of college football.  The scouts are finding his height (6'-7") and size (267 lbs.) very attractive but are most surprised by his good hands and and excellent route running.  As a result, Graham has helped himself this week by impresssing the NFL team representatives on hand as well as the media. 

Over at the NFL.com web site they had this to say about Graham's prowess during practice this week:

Jimmy Graham, TE, Miami
The former hoopster turned pass-catcher is attempting to follow the footsteps of Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez into NFL stardom. Though Graham remains a work in progress with only one year of college football experience, his exceptional athleticism and movement skills has scouts salivating over his potential. Graham's ability to get down the seam and make acrobatic catches in a crowd makes him an instant weapon over the middle of the field and in the red zone. Given the importance of having a difference-maker in those areas, it is not surprising that Graham is creating a strong buzz in front offices throughout the league.

Miami Dolphins Head Coach Tony Sporano, who is coaching the South team in the Senior Bowl, has expressed his positive opinion about Graham on several occasions this week.

Today both Gator and Hurricane fans will watch with great interest to see how these two players do as they work together for the South team.  Rooting for Tebow to throw it to Graham may be tough for the true "Gator Hators" out there, but for this one game only, they will have to make an exception.

Comments

[elliott]

first

[elliott]

At this time I would just like to thank everyone here at Canespace for your consistent blogging entertainment. If it weren't for U I would but completely in the dark in regards to what is going on in the world of the Miami Hurricanes. I wanted to thank U for that. Also this is I believe my 3rd time being first on a blog here on Canespace. Is that some sort of record? lol..

[ftmcanefan]

graham will go in the second round...bet on it!

[86Cane]

Me, I'm over it. I did Gasparilla from '94-'99 and that was enough. I don't know why people take their kids to it, it's like a real live X rated movie mixed in with Fight Club about 90% of the time

Posted by: Six | January 30, 2010 at 02:08 PM

Six...I am so over that type of event. That's for the twenty somethings that want to get wasted and fall down. I, like U, have already been there and done that!

[Esteban]

i wonder Graham runs at the combine. really is where TEs make or break themselves. that 40 determines whether the NFL teams see them as a threat down the seam or as strictly an underneath guy.

[86Cane]

Elliott...it's a good run you have but it is not a record. Solar has like twenty "FIRSTS" and Triple C has around four or five if I recall correctly.

But nobody beats SIX who always comes in SIXTH!

[Six]

Ya, I usually come in SIXTH until right now b/c I got bumped by 86

[Six]

Uh, I might have a double post coming up b/c Typepad is hungry

[jgatsby1112]

Speaking of Gators, I just watched the UM-UF 2003 game again. I don't care what anyone says about Brock Berlin, gotta give him mad props in that game!

[KnoxCane]

Any news on how the visits are going?

[Six]

I like the pic of the former QB with the turf in his helmet, no doubt the guy was a competitor and wasn't afraid of lowering his shoulder or taking a hit

I like this pic though, b/c you know what's about to happen once Sleepy got a hold of him ...

http://www.aryaahmadi.com/blogs/College/uploaded_images/recruit_ap_spence1_600-701220.jpg

That pic, lead to this right here ..

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/164132/seanspence.gif

Sleepy just rag-dolling a guy that outweighs him by 50 lbs.

[Da U N Houston]

Travis Williams should definitely start on ST....

[Lurker]

Six

Just goes to show that we've just scratched the surface with sleepy. Hope he stays healthy and has a monster year next year. We need him!

BTW - Senior Bowl on NFL network, right?

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

It's would be sad to see a team just throw this kid into the fire without bringing him along with an established starter on a less than average team.

I personally believe, 10 years from now that Tim Tebow will have a nice NFL pension plan as a role player and the league will be better off as a result.

Posted by: WGT22 | January 30, 2010 at 01:01 PM

>>>>

Nice but extremely generous and assuming that there aren't a dozen more talented QBs who won't be hogging the payroll while riding the pine.

Belichik likes to stick it to people but he likes to win more.

Also what's too funny about this comment and many others is y'all act like Tebone is the only football player who goes to church and is a "stand-up" guy.

I guess that's more delusional shat I'll never understand.

[justin]

Great to be a CANE!

My two little girls got to make their first snowman today and you know I had to rep the "U" with the cap on the snowman.

It's funny, my neighbor walked up and asked if they could borrow one of our sleds and we said that was fine. He goes - You must be a Hurricane fan - I said yeah, and then he asked what was my youngest daughters name was.....I smiled and said
Cayna....I was going for CANE if we had a boy. It fits her pefect! She loves Miami at 2 years old.

Cane 4 LIFE!!!

[DZ8]

Nice justin!

[toledocane]

14th. 'Bout as close as I've come! Must be the 0 degree weather at the moment... Just my .02, but I say we get Seantrell after he sees the U presence at the ProBowl. At least wishful thinking.

[Esteban]

McKinnie dismissed from Pro Bowl. damn. too much time spent partying i guess.

[canechic]

Duke was taken to the wood shed. Big East basketball is the best.

[canechic]

How do you get dismissed from the pro bowl?

[Old Skool]

Six

Were you shooting Gasparilla or part of the crowd?

If you were shooting it, at least be glad most of them were straight.

I was hired to shoot Fantasy Fest in Beta SP several years ago. Every time I put my eye to the eyepiece it was like putting up a sign that said jostle me or grab my ass.

And there was nothing I could do. It's not like I could go charging off through the crowd after someone while carrying a $50,000 camera.

[Esteban]

supposedly didn't show up for practice on Friday or Saturday.

[86Cane]

don't care what anyone says about Brock Berlin, gotta give him mad props in that game!

Posted by: jgatsby1112 | January 30, 2010 at 03:00 PM

I agree 100%. I was there and it was one of the most memorable games I have ever been too at the OB. Funny t5hing I knew Miami would win all along. Never doubted it. It was the first time I thought:

"I got this!"

[canechic]

Old skool now you know what it is like to be a woman!

[KnoxCane]

Way to set an example Mckinnie!! So long Seantrel....Geez

[Lurker]

"I got this!"

Posted by: 86Cane | January 30, 2010 at 03:43 PM

86 - I was there too, it ranks in my top 10 or higher for sure. The gator fans at the game went from being the most obnoxious, overcelebrating morons to statues by the end of the game.

The coup de grace was Berlin's gator chomp and then slash throat move at the end of the game. A classic!

[DZ8]

Way to set an example Mckinnie!! So long Seantrel....Geez

Posted by: KnoxCane | January 30, 2010 at 03:45 PM

If it was that easy Randy would've been sleeping over at McKinnies place. Bryant would've been at practice... ask Cortez.

[86Cane]

The coup de grace was Berlin's gator chomp and then slash throat move at the end of the game. A classic!

Posted by: CanesCanesCanes | January 30, 2010 at 03:47 PM

I still have a photo of Brock doing the throat slash! Classic.

[Lurker]

I still have a photo of Brock doing the throat slash! Classic.

Posted by: 86Cane | January 30, 2010 at 03:51 PM

Now you know what you can get JSQ for her birthday.

[DZ8]

Eventually, he joined one of only two football teams affiliated with high schools; the team practiced for 2 1/2 months for just the one game against the other high school.

Much respect for these guys. Talk about love of the game.

Also lot of respect for the coaches. Can you imagine the communication difficulties when you have players from different continents? How did the USA vs. World game turn out?

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/highschool/football/broward/fl-usa-world-game-0129-20100128,0,5539072.story

[Old Skool]

McKinnie must love to party. He was part of the Minnesota Vikings Love Boat scandal a few years back.

[CanadianCane]

Sharpton is playing A-W-F-U-L

2 missed tackles and 1 play on the reverse where the OL takes him out of the play

Sigh..

[moneycane]

86 what email addy you want me to hit you up at?

Who ever compares Taylor Mays to Sean Taylor deserves to be struck with a bolt of lightining that momentarily paralyzes them.

Old habits die hard. Sharpton getting called out for tryin to make the kill shot, and Myron Rolle getting roasted in coverage

[SuperCooper]

McKinnie dismissed from Pro Bowl. damn. too much time spent partying i guess.

Posted by: Esteban | January 30, 2010 at 03:36 PM

More time with Henderson :)

[86Cane]

South coach Tony Sparano of the Miami Dolphins said Tebow brings plenty of assets. He won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore and helped Florida win two national championships with a unique style of power running and passing.

``Obviously this guy knows how to win,'' Sparano said. ``That's not something that you take lightly at all. When you get a player the caliber of him, that comes with the stripes he has and has won as many games as he's been involved in winning at Florida, that says an awful lot.''

The Dolphins have utilized the Wildcat formation, though Sparano said that won't be used in this typically vanilla offensive game. They drafted West Virginia's athletic QB Pat White, who played in last year's Senior Bowl.

Asked if Tebow could be effective in the Wildcat, Sparano said, ``Oh, I think he'd do good.''

[86Cane]

[email protected].

Let us know if Graham does anythiong.

[Six]

Old Skool - no way am I shooting Gasparilla or coming anywhere near it. I've heard of the shenanigans that go on at Fantasy Fest ... ya, your ass is basically a pin cushion and the dudes are using whatever they have to poke it

Last Gasparilla I even came near was when I was working for the NBC affiliate in Tampa for a short run and one of their main anchors was drunk out of her mind, on the air - singing - and sounding like drunk Joe Namath

[Esteban]

People finally came to their senses when it comes to Taylor Mays. I'd make him a WLB.

[moneycane]

86 u got mail

[86Cane]

Maualuga has been charged with drunken driving and careless driving and is scheduled to appear in court Friday.

Normally, this wouldn't be that huge a problem -- particularly given the Bengals' history with breaking the law -- but this isn't your garden variety DUI: the Kentucky Post reports that Maualuga was " ... driving with two passengers in the car, a juvenile female and 18-year-old Chelsea Fauver" and that the Pontiac Sunfire in which he was driving was "totaled."

OH MY!

[404Canes404]

Jimmy has yet to get in the game...

Sharpton has played as good as he is able, which ain't very good.

Cmon Jimmy, represent when U get your shot!

[86Cane]

People finally came to their senses when it comes to Taylor Mays. I'd make him a WLB.

Posted by: Esteban | January 30, 2010 at 04:33 PM

U were right ALL along on Mays. U called this a year ago.

[moneycane]

Mays is a 4 year starter with around 5 int's. Sean Taylor topped that after two games against FSU. Damn I miss Chris Rix. He was a helluva player for the U

[canechic]

86 you can watch the game on the computer, Nick has it set up in the living room!

[canechic]

money Chris Rix was my all time favorite!

[DZ8]

Posted by: 86Cane | January 30, 2010 at 04:38 PM

It doesn't take much to total a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire.

[canechic]

I think Pike is going to be a good QB.

[moneycane]

Yeah CC Rix was the greatest. I don't know who was worse Rix or Kyle Wright.

[87' canes]

That's ok. They have E.J. Manuel now. Just watch and wait. I don't think he's a good qb at all.

[KnoxCane]

I'll go with Kirby...