With inclement weather taking a lengthy nap over the city of Mobile yesterday
Denzel Perryman Color Rush Jersey , the second round of practices were moved to the indoor facilities at South Alabama University. This meant that, due to limited parking and space inside the bubble, media was not allowed to attend while all 32 NFL clubs were only allowed two members to attend practice.Thanks to technology, however, media members were able to re-watch practice in order to help us not skip a beat in coverage.The second day was filled with some of the same play-makers showing out, some new faces taking a leap forward, and a number of players continuing to struggle at the all-star showcase.As I had to head back home from Mobile this morning, I was unable to attend the third day of practice but I do not want to use that as an excuse to leave you guys without the content you deserve. Combined with some word-of-mouth from some of my very good friends who were in attendance all week, I’m here to deliver a Winners/Losers recap from the last two days.Let’s check them out.WinnersDT Renell WrenWren raised his draft stock when he came in to weigh-ins on Tuesday at 315 pounds. He has been listed at 295 which some have thought was slightly too light for someone at his position. Even at 315, Wren maintains a lean frame and hasn’t lost a bit of that explosion that earned him some publicity in 2018.Wren getting the chance to go up against two of the best centers here, NCST’s Garrett Bradbury and A&M’s Erik McCoy, has definitely allowed evaluators the chance to see Wren at his best this week.RB Dexter WilliamsWilliams has been the brightest prospect among the running backs this week and I don’t think it has been particularly close.The former-Notre Dame back has shown excellent burst through holes while continuously attacking the line of scrimmage like his life depends on it. Every time Jon Gruden called a zone run play, Williams took full advantage.And at 215 pounds, he’s not too shabby of a route-runner out of the backfield, making NCST’s Germaine Pratt freeze on an option route during 1-on-1 drills.WR Terry McLaurinMcLaurin enjoyed an above-average career with the Buckeyes but was usually overshadowed by bigger names on the team like WR Parris Campbell, and RBs Mike Weber and J.K. Dobbins.All McLaurin has done this week is fly by defenders and make difficult grabs look a little bit easier than usual. Most of his reps looked similar to this:McLaurin has shown a real knack for setting defenders up for failure, and in turn, him for success. While displaying his ability to be a deep threat
Antonio Gates Color Rush Jersey , McLaurin can also shake-and-bake when he chooses to, as well. All he’s done this week is make money, and people are really starting to raise him up their respective boards.LosersOT Max ScharpingScharping wasn’t a guy I expected much out of this week and I couldn’t have been more correct in my prior assertion. Scharping has yet to stand out in anyway, consistently getting pushed back and handled in 1-on-1’s where he has a horrible tendency of retreating immediately in his pass sets which puts him far behind the eight ball before anything actually happens.His feet lumber far too much for a left tackle and he makes one wonder if a transition to guard is in his future. Either way, there’s always one or two players who don’t look like they belong at the Senior Bowl, and I think Scharping is that guy this year.QB Trace McSorelyMcSorely got one of the later invitations to the Senior Bowl, despite much of the scouting community disagreeing with his inclusion. Number 9 was a winner at Penn State but he obviously lacks the coveted height most clubs would prefer in their passer. Also doesn’t help that McSorely lacks the passing capabilities needed to make up for being as vertically challenged as he is.It’s been a rough week for many of the quarterbacks here. McSorely, along with guys like Will Grier and Gardner Minshew, have struggled mightly. If he has had anything going for him this week, he’s still managed to show-off his athleticism as he’s made a handful of plays with his feet.In the end, though, I’m not sure he has done much of anything to move the meter on his current draft stock.DE Byron CowartCowart was a former 5-star recruit that initially committed and played at Auburn for the first two seasons of his career. After things weren’t working out as he would have liked, he transferred to the University of Maryland where he tried to finish his collegiate career on the highest note possible.Well, he’s here at the Senior Bowl and that’s got to stand for something right?Eerily similar to his time at Auburn, it hasn’t looked like his time in Mobile is panning out any better. Cowart has spent most of the showcase looking confused, usually in 1-on-1s against the offensive linemen. Every time it seemed like he was content with just rushing the passer with no real strategy made, beforehand. No swim-move. No stab-and-chop. No nothing.Maybe Cowart needs a chat with the other former 5-star, Daylon Mack
Derwin James Color Rush Jersey , while he’s here. This is a great time of year to be thankful for what we have, where we have been, and what the future holds. Although the Chargers have lost their way a bit in recent years, the month of December still holds such incredible promise! This advent calendar is an attempt to hearken back to these days of December joy. Each day will bring a new advent from the Bolts’ history that makes it wonderful to be a Chargers fan.Dec. 25: Philip Rivers is DEFINITELY Heading to CantonIt’s easy to look at near every quarterback in the NFL and find a flaw. Some are inaccurate passers, some struggle under pressure and some just shouldn’t be out on the field due to age or their athletic traits. Still, when we hear the talks of Eli Manning, Matt Ryan, and Cam Newton, all seem to be considered among the best of the last near-decade and soon to be heading to Canton, Ohio. Here’s the kicker, once again Philip Rivers has been left out the conversation. Since being drafted out of North Carolina State with the fourth overall selection, Rivers has always carried a persona around him. When the Chargers initially selected Manning with the first overall pick, Rivers was seemed to be considered the second option. The real fact, however, is the 37-year-old quarterback has perhaps been the biggest blessing in disguise. Sure, while Manning took the New York Giants to a pair of Super Bowls against the New England Patriots, Rivers stats are bit more consistent. Compared to Manning’s 55,480 passing yards
Jahleel Addae Color Rush Jersey , 358 touchdowns and a completion rating of 60.3%, Rivers has gone for 54,480 passing yards, 373 touchdowns, and completion rating of 64.6%. The biggest plus of all, Rivers is armed and ready to continue to add to his stellar resume while Manning is about to head out the door. Compared to some of the other high profile quarterbacks of the last 15 seasons, Rivers has the same completion rating and more touchdowns than Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger, who was drafted just seven picks after the Alabama native. Drafted just one year later, Rivers also has more passing yards and touchdowns than Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers. While there’s plenty of people out there, who will say “Aaron Rodgers sat for three seasons,” Rivers sat for two full years before finally getting the starting gig. While Tom Brady and Drew Brees are past the 400 touchdown club, Rivers could be joining that unit sometime next season. If so, Rivers would be just one of just six quarterbacks to meet that mark. Who are they you might ask? Good question. What do Dan Marino, Brett Farve, Peyton Manning, Brady, and Brees have in common? All either current and future Hall of Fame players. Rivers should easily be in that conversation if he passes the 400 mark. It shouldn’t be up for debate. If the likes of Big Ben and Eli are considered locks due to their Super Bowl appearances, the NFL is looking at the team rather than the player. Rivers has been the golden boy of the Chargers organization since 2004 thanks to his loyalty and commitment to bringing the franchise a Lombardi Trophy. Even when the team moved to Los Angeles
Russell Okung Color Rush Jersey , Rivers elected to stay with the team and make the 120-mile drive daily so his family wouldn’t have to up-haul their entire life. It’s like that old holiday song Chargers fans sing every year. Cmon, you know the words! (To the tune of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer)”You Big Ben and Peyton and Tommy and Eli, Russell, and A-Rod and Flacco and Matty IceBut do you recall, the most undervalued quarterback of all?Philip the Redneck Rivers joined the league in 2004And if you watched his game film, all he ever does is score (both on and off the field!)All of the NFL voters, seem to overlook his name.All because that LA Cowboy has played in several playoff gamesThen in 2018, Rivers came to say...HEY YALL! We’re the gosh darn Chargers, and as you can see, I’m trying to win the MVP!Now the Chargers are heading to the playoffs; Rivers has been one of the best in the game.Philip the Redneck Rivers, He’ll be headed to the Hall of Fame. Headed to the Hall of Fame!”Merry Christmas Chargers fans and a happy playoff season!And that concludes our holiday season of remembrance! Thank you, everyone, for joining!
