Senior Bowl Thoughts

The 2009 Senior Bowl is in the books. Despite the final score (South 35, North 18) it was a game where the defenses really shined. For the North, Ohio State LB Marcus Freeman proved his worth with 8 total tackles and broke up a pass. Scrappy Pitt LB Scott McKillop also looked good with 7 total tackles, 1 for a loss. On the South defense, West Virginia CB Ellis Lankster had 5 total tackles, 1 for a loss, and an interception. There were a few offensive performance to take note of. Oregon RB Jeremiah Johnson looked electric with the ball in his hands, with 22 yards rushing, 26 receiving and a TD catch. Liberty RB Rashad Jennings led the South team with 41 yards rushing at 4.6 yards a clip. North Carolina State RB Andre Brown caught my attention with 72 total yards (31 rush, 41 receiving). On the QB front, Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell imploded, stumbling on his first snap from center and never recovering. Watching tape from the Texas Tech-Texas game and the Senior Bowl, you would never guess Harrell was the same QB. He finished 4-13 for 40 yards and an interception - while another sure INT was dropped by Wake Forest CB Alphonso Smith.

Despite all the hooplah surround the game, the week of practice is really what scouts are looking at. Some scouts don't even stick around for the game, so take these peformances for what you will. West Virginia QB and fringe prospect Pat White was named the game's MVP if that tells you anything. Then again, last year Tulane RB and super-rookie for the Bears, Matt Forte was the 2008 MVP. Can you name the 2007 MVP? Penn State RB Tony Hunt. He's toiled away in the NFL so far, so you see how the MVP can be hit or miss.