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Chiefnj2 · 05-01-2013, 09:48 AM

Today, the Senior Bowl website features his evaluations of the South's linebackers.

The South went with five linebackers for most of the Senior Bowl practices -- Porter, Missouri's Zaviar Gooden, Alabama's Nico Johnson, Stanford's Chase Thomas and Florida State's Vince Williams.

Southern Miss' Jamie Collins hurt his hamstring in the first practice, and although he attended the rest of the practices, he didn't participate in the drills. South Alabama's Jake Johnson was brought in to replace Collins, but he was injured in his first practice. Phillip Steward of Houston came in, but got into only the walk-through and the game.

Savage liked not only Porter's ability, but his diverse background: "Sean played outside linebacker at Texas A&M as a junior in their 3-4. In 2012, he transitioned to an off-the-line OLB in the Aggies' new 4-3. Because of those experiences, he brings versatility to the table and should have value to almost every team in the league."

The three outside linebackers - Porter, Gooden and Thomas - were rated ahead of the two inside linebackers - Johnson and Williams.

"Like the fullbacks on offense, the pure inside linebacker is disappearing in many ways at the college and pro level," Savage wrote in his evaluation of Johnson, who starred at Andalusia High School.

Johnson's future may come down to his speed: "He has excellent leadership skills and is vocal as a signal-caller. The question will be does he have enough burst and is he fast enough to help on special teams as a backup linebacker."

Savage spent 20 years in the NFL as a coach, scout, executive and general manager. His evaluations are based only on the Senior Bowl practices. The Senior Bowl was played in Mobile on Jan. 26.

Savage rated the South linebackers in this order (listed with comments from his evaluation):

Sean Porter, Texas A&M: "He has the acceleration to knife through a backside opening and make a tackle from off the ball and the same burst to rush the QB from the line-of-scrimmage. ... Sean should have a chance to contribute as a rookie in specific roles on both defense and special teams. He has speed, toughness and functional instincts, all of which will help him potentially start in the future."

Zaviar Gooden, Missouri: "Zaviar demonstrated the most speed of all the linebackers with his noticeable burst and hustle. He is an ideal fit as a Will in the 4-3 because of his ability to scrape over the top and chase the football down from the backside. ... He elevated his stock in Mobile and the rise should continue at the Combine, where he will run extremely fast."

Chase Thomas, Stanford: "Chase lined up as a 'box' and on-the-line outside linebacker on the South defense. Because of that flexibility and his size to play special teams, he should be able to make a team and most likely secure a backup role during his career."

Nico Johnson, Alabama: "Nico really understands how to fit against the run game and showed up at the football on numerous occasions in the 9-on-7 and team-run periods. In zone coverage, he displayed enough awareness to read patterns and react to the football, but will probably end up as a run-down defender in the NFL."

05-01-2013, 09:48 AM	#27
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $7823688	Today, the Senior Bowl website features his evaluations of the South's linebackers. The South went with five linebackers for most of the Senior Bowl practices -- Porter, Missouri's Zaviar Gooden, Alabama's Nico Johnson, Stanford's Chase Thomas and Florida State's Vince Williams. Southern Miss' Jamie Collins hurt his hamstring in the first practice, and although he attended the rest of the practices, he didn't participate in the drills. South Alabama's Jake Johnson was brought in to replace Collins, but he was injured in his first practice. Phillip Steward of Houston came in, but got into only the walk-through and the game. Savage liked not only Porter's ability, but his diverse background: "Sean played outside linebacker at Texas A&M as a junior in their 3-4. In 2012, he transitioned to an off-the-line OLB in the Aggies' new 4-3. Because of those experiences, he brings versatility to the table and should have value to almost every team in the league." The three outside linebackers - Porter, Gooden and Thomas - were rated ahead of the two inside linebackers - Johnson and Williams. "Like the fullbacks on offense, the pure inside linebacker is disappearing in many ways at the college and pro level," Savage wrote in his evaluation of Johnson, who starred at Andalusia High School. Johnson's future may come down to his speed: "He has excellent leadership skills and is vocal as a signal-caller. The question will be does he have enough burst and is he fast enough to help on special teams as a backup linebacker." Savage spent 20 years in the NFL as a coach, scout, executive and general manager. His evaluations are based only on the Senior Bowl practices. The Senior Bowl was played in Mobile on Jan. 26. Savage rated the South linebackers in this order (listed with comments from his evaluation): Sean Porter, Texas A&M: "He has the acceleration to knife through a backside opening and make a tackle from off the ball and the same burst to rush the QB from the line-of-scrimmage. ... Sean should have a chance to contribute as a rookie in specific roles on both defense and special teams. He has speed, toughness and functional instincts, all of which will help him potentially start in the future." Zaviar Gooden, Missouri: "Zaviar demonstrated the most speed of all the linebackers with his noticeable burst and hustle. He is an ideal fit as a Will in the 4-3 because of his ability to scrape over the top and chase the football down from the backside. ... He elevated his stock in Mobile and the rise should continue at the Combine, where he will run extremely fast." Chase Thomas, Stanford: "Chase lined up as a 'box' and on-the-line outside linebacker on the South defense. Because of that flexibility and his size to play special teams, he should be able to make a team and most likely secure a backup role during his career." Nico Johnson, Alabama: "Nico really understands how to fit against the run game and showed up at the football on numerous occasions in the 9-on-7 and team-run periods. In zone coverage, he displayed enough awareness to read patterns and react to the football, but will probably end up as a run-down defender in the NFL." __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
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