My time from the combine is caput, so I thought I'd recap everything from in Indy over the weekend. I'll start off with my interviews of the offensive players that the Redskins staff coached at the Senior Bowl. One theme I got from all the players that the Shanahans coached was the practices were much more up-tempo and fine detailed than what they were used to in college. This certainly give the Redskins a leg up in which players are motivated and can keep up with this grind.
- Brandon Weeden had a very impressive interview. He spoke about the positive feedback the Shanahans gave him throughout the week, and he handled the age questions perfectly.
- QBs Nick Foles and Ryan Lindley talk about how Kyle Shanahan expects perfection every play and the many footwork drills they did.
- Juron Criner, WR, Arizona, talks about how much time was spent on route depth and run blocking.
- Florida State, Tackle, Zebrie Sanders talks about the speed of the game. He ran a ZBS at FSU.
- Baylor RB Terrance Ganaway mentioned how much the terminology is different and more complex than what he was used to at Baylor. (RG3 squashed that from his standpoint).
- RB Chris Rainey said he learned "nothing" Senior Bowl week and that Florida had prepared him for the pros. I took that the wrong way, but in talking with the other RBs, it's clear RB coach Bobby Turner wasn't really grilling these guys.
- Center Ben Jones' proved in his interview he exemplifies the leadership the Shanahan's look for in a player, and he addresses the questions on his size.
- I also spoke with RBs, Vick Ballard, Tauren Poole, Lamar Miller and WR Jeff Fuller. Poole I mentioned as a potential Redskins mid-round pick given he's 1-cut RB and a two-year captain, four-time SEC Honor Roll, and Pat Tillman Award East-West Shrine Game.
- RB Chris Polk was extremely impressive. He weighed in 5'10, 215 lbs, but he looked very stocky. He was 222lbs at the Senior Bowl, and he dropped the weight to show coaches he's dedicated. Polk played WR in high school, so he was boasting his good hands.
- CB Casey Hayward impressed as well. This guy is a ball-hawk and is slated for 2nd round. I think he helped his stock in the combine to move up into the 1st.
- I felt a bit bad for RB Vick Ballard since I was the only one at his table talking to him. I felt especially bad when he fell during his 40 yard run into a camera tripod.
- Last, but not least, Robert Griffin III. He stole the show during his media interview. With the Redskins putting a premium on high character guys, and echoing Scott Pioli that the QB needs to be the hardest working player on the team, I fully expect the Redskins to make a run to trade up with the Rams. Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan are more creative guys than us, so I expect a deal to get done that doesn't involve 4+ picks. Things can certainly change, but one thing that won't is will be tortured with speculation and rumors the two months leading up to the draft. I expect to roll my eyes at pretty much at everything I hear. I know people will extremely furious if the Redskins don't trade up, but the quality of talent going deep into the 2nd round can not be under-estimated. If the Redskins traded back, they could easily add a high quality WR (Stephen Hill), CB (Casey Hayward), and even QB Brandon Weeden. Not so bad.
Other interviews:
I have transcripts of pretty much every interview, so if there's any player you'd like more info on, please comment below.
Here's video of Rich Tandler and I talking what the Skins would have to give up to trade to #2.