2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl Thoughts

2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl Thoughts


January 26, 2020
Josh Uche (image via Lions Wire)

I was able to spend more time watching the East-West Shrine Game last week, so here are just a few quick-hitters on my takeaways on the Michigan guys (and some others).

  • OG Ben Bredeson (Michigan): Bredeson started at left guard, just like he did at Michigan. He got called for holding once, but overall, I thought he looked very solid and made some key blocks. He looks like a guy who’s going to be a solid pro who could have a long career but won’t be a dominant player.
  • LB Khaleke Hudson (Michigan): I was a bit confused because at one point announcer Daniel Jeremiah – who I think is great at what he does – said Hudson would have to transition to safety in the NFL, which I don’t see at all. Furthermore, the North squad was playing him at inside linebacker, not even the overhang spot he played at Michigan. Anyway, Hudson looked better than I expected at that new spot, but he still has some work to do on his technique. He’s not going to get any taller, so he sort of is what he is at this point.
  • S Josh Metellus (Michigan): Metellus doesn’t look like he can cover NFL wide receivers. He got beat for a touchdown in this one, and while he wasn’t torched, I just think Metellus is too stiff and will get exposed in coverage at the next level.
  • QB Shea Patterson (Michigan): Patterson led the North in passing yardage (6/10, 131 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), but he alternately looked really good and really bad. If you give him a clean pocket from the first snap or give him a nice play action game, he’s usually fine. If he starts getting hit, you might as well give up. His first pass was a 75-yard play action touchdown to a wide open running back on a wheel route. He made some nice throws rolling/scrambling to his right. He also got forced up in the pocket once and threw an ugly interception, and he almost threw a pick-six on a late out route.
  • DE Joshua Uche (Michigan): Uche looked pretty outstanding as an edge rusher. The South’s offensive tackles couldn’t handle him, and they couldn’t handle Utah’s Bradley Anae coming off the opposite edge. Uche kept forcing quarterbacks up in the pocket, and then Anae – who’s not as quick – would use power to blow through his OT and make the sack. Uche had kind of an embarrassing brain fart of a play early when he got to South QB Justin Herbert (see below) and two-hand tagged him like they were doing a non-contact drill…at which point Herbert tucked the ball and ran for a nice gain.
  • QB Justin Herbert (Oregon): People are saying Herbert helped himself at the Senior Bowl, but I still don’t see Herbert being able to pick apart defenses by going through his progressions. He’s Cam Newton with less running ability, in my opinion.
  • QB Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma): Hurts looked like he often has when he doesn’t have wide-open receivers streaking all over the place. He’s really slow to process things and check down.

Overall, I think this is a weak quarterback class. Tua Tagovailoa looks like the best player, but he’s had injury issues with his ankle and hip.

7 comments

  1. Comments: 6285
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    Lanknows
    Jan 26, 2020 at 12:25 PM

    What do you see as the biggest differences between Hudson and Peppers?

    • Comments: 3844
      Joined: 7/13/2015
      Jan 26, 2020 at 12:59 PM

      1. Peppers is on a different level when it comes to reaction time, change of direction, etc. I’m not suggesting that Hudson isn’t a quick-twitch athlete, but they’re just not on the same plane.

      2. Hudson is also built a little thicker and can carry a little more weight naturally.

      • Comments: 6285
        Joined: 8/11/2015
        Lanknows
        Jan 26, 2020 at 1:46 PM

        Thx. Will be interesting to see combine results and compare.

        I never understood the debate about the position Peppers would end up but I can see LB as an option for Khaleke if he bulks up a bit.

        Peppers current measureables:
        Height: 5-11 Weight: 215

        Hudson current measureables:
        Height: 6-0 Weight: 220

        Very similar, if you take those at face value.

        Agree with the idea that athleticism limitations for a safety can still translate to success at LB if you have the requisite skillset and toughness. We saw that with Glasgow last year.

  2. Comments: 134
    Joined: 9/13/2015
    AC1997
    Jan 26, 2020 at 2:33 PM

    Interesting you say That first and not much else. What about Joe Burrow?

    No doubt NFL team will still draft about five in the first round though….

    Will you be doing a draft primer for the 11ish Michigan guys expecting to see their name during the draft?

    • Comments: 134
      Joined: 9/13/2015
      AC1997
      Jan 26, 2020 at 8:58 PM

      That = Tua (stupid auto correct)

  3. Comments: 95
    Joined: 8/22/2019
    GrandLake
    Jan 26, 2020 at 6:56 PM

    “If you give him a clean pocket from the first snap or give him a nice play action game, he’s usually fine. If he starts getting hit, you might as well give up.“

    Yep.

  4. Comments: 295
    Joined: 12/19/2015
    Extrajuice
    Jan 26, 2020 at 7:31 PM

    I have the game on DVR (unwatched) but watched almost all the practices on ESPNU (terrible coverage) and NFL Network (boy, do I miss Mike Mayock). A couple observations from what I could evaluate.

    – Bredeson looked solid in 1-on-1’s. I agree with Thunder. Solid 8-10 year pro and a safe pick in the 3rd-4th rd.

    – Coming into Mobile, I thought he was Safety at the next level. I thought he’d drop 10 lbs and try to make it there. Now, not so sure. He looked slow and stiff. I don’t think he’s big enough to play OLB.

    – Metellus just isn’t good.
    – Patterson wasn’t much better. I’ll be shocked if he’s drafted before 6th rd and won’t be surprised if he’s not drafted at all.

    – Uche, I expected to have a big week but he didn’t get much air time. They seemed to try him more at LB than pass rush end. He didn’t get many 1 on 1’s. vs OL.

    A few comments to Detroit Lions fans:
    – Herbert helped his stock and maybe moves into top 10. Could help Lions.
    – I loathe Matt Patricia! I hate the whole organization actually but I’ll give him credit for actually coaching some players in practice. He was miked up and seemed very hands on. Most head coaches give a couple speeches and stick with 1 position group but he actually coached kids up. I still hate the bastard and hope he goes 0-16 next year so they can draft Lawrence.
    – I’ve watched this even for the past 10 years and it’s one of my favorite weeks. ESPN sucks. They were just terrible and, unfortunately, had exclusive rights during practice time. Daniel Jeremiah is decent and adds some humor to practice. Plus, he gives some insight on the what teams look for in players. But, NFL Network only had a wrap up show each day so it was very limited coverage. Mike Mayock was the MAN and will be greatly missed… until he’s fired and comes back to the booth!

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