SENIORS RULE!: Pre-Game Reflections on the Senior Bowl

January 23rd, 2009 by Daniel Freer

As the North and South squads wind up their walk-thrus on the Friday morning before the 60th Annual Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, I finally get an opportunity to share some of the things noticed this week (besides every barbecue joint in the metro Mobile area).

Arguably the most impressive so far has been Oklahoma WR Juaquin Iglesias. During the North squad practices, Iglesias has stood out more than any single player. Not only the Sooner receiver catches everything thrown within a five-mile radius, Iglesias moves and runs more like a RB…with authority. When I say authority, I mean South Park Eric Cartman-like emphasis on “authority”.

Among QBs, I was most impressed with Sam Houston State QB Rhett Bomar,(right, Icon SMI) who started his career at Oklahoma. His arm appears strong enough to hit NFL-type passes, and possesses few, if any, hitches in his throwing motion. Over the course of the practices Bomar looked more NFL-ready than his North teammate Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell.

Another player who has impressed is Purdue RB Kory Sheets, who is quite adept in finding holes where they seemingly were non-existent a half-second ago. Sheets already is quite a capable receiver, as demonstrated throughout his Boilermaker career, however, his smarts as a RB sure will impress many of the pro scouts.

For sheer athleticism, USC LB Ray Maualuga is tops in that department. During the South squad drills, Maualuga moves through and around objects and players like The Invisible Man. “How does he get over there so fast?”, I stood and wondered. If Maualuga was just a couple of inches taller, he probably would not be at the Senior Bowl as he would be assured a high-first round draft pick.

For sheer size (in comparison to his position), Maualuga’s Trojan teammate WR Patrick Turner is so much bigger than his counterparts at the position. Usually, you can tell how big someone is, when during a practice in shells it looks like they are in full uniform. That is Turner.

Also, a sure bet to be on an NFL roster next season is Utah PK Louie Sakoda. During Friday’s walk-thru, he easily nailed a 48 yd FG attempt and put kickoffs into the end zone (from the NFL kickoff spot-30 yd line).

BEST QUOTE: When battleship-sized Oklahoma OT Phil Loadholt was asked by a reporter “What is the biggest problem being 6-8, 340lbs?” Loadholt’s response: “Not being able to go on amusement park rides”

Good thing that the Senior Bowl is not played in Florida or Southern California for Loadholt.

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