MOBILE, Alabama -- Heavy crowds were on hand this afternoon for the second practice of the week by the South squad. This is a favorite practice of scouts as it offers the top quarterbacks in the Senior Bowl. The fact that almost a handful of members from Alabama's national title winning team are on the South roster has many of the local folks attending the practices. There were several solid performances and a few disappointing results from today's practice.
Risers
Joe Adams/WR/Arkansas: If the Eagles can't retain receiver DeSean Jackson then Adams is a player the organization could look to as a replacement. Adams is lighting fast as defensive backs struggled staying downfield with him all day. He's also a legitimate receiver and effortlessly makes the deep reception in stride. Adams shows some moxie in his game and at one point during the afternoon went up in triple coverage to snare a Brandon Weeden throw from the air. Adams is a legitimate deep threat with NFL hands and a player Eagles fans would be wise to keep track of.
Dwight Bentley/CB/Louisiana Lafayette: Bentley came into the season with little fanfare from scouts yet turned in a great 2011 campaign and has looked even better at the Senior Bowl. Today he was one of the few cornerbacks that showed some ability to run downfield with the speedier receivers like Adams while also mixing it up with the bigger wide outs in underneath coverage. He offers a terrific combination of athleticism as well as ball skills. Bentley has scouts thinking he could develop into a starter at the next level.
Chris Rainey/RB-RS/Florida: Teams wanting to come away with a third down back/slot receiver/return specialist in the draft may want to look in the direction of Rainey in April. The speedster stood out in receiver drills showing outstanding foot speed as well as consistent hands. He was able to outrun many of the top defensive backs on hand Tuesday and did a great job battling to come away with the reception. Rainey showed a variety of skill during the practice, as he did through most of his Florida career, though physically talented teams must determine if Rainey has the discipline to make football a priority.
Jeff Allen/OL/Illinois: While none of the offensive linemen on the South squad really stood out, Allen showed a nice degree of consistency. He was able to control the top linemen on the field, including Quinton Coples of North Carolina, and effectively held down the left tackle spot. That's a good sign as many think the 6-4, 306-pound Allen may not have the size necessary to stay on the left side at the next level.
Cordy Glenn/OL/Georgia: Glenn moved to the left tackle spot in 2011 but struggled with the transition for the most part. The past two days he was pushed back into guard and has looked much more natural and at home. Glenn is a wide bodied blocker with outstanding strength at the point of attack. He was able to control just about everyone he lined up against and looked very comfortable in closed quarters.
Janoris Jenkins/CB/North Alabama: The former Florida Gator, who spent the 2011 campaign with North Alabama after being dismissed from the UF program for several off the field violations, looked dominant at times on Tuesday. He's fast and fluid with the ability to flip his hips then quickly transition to run with receivers. Jenkins has a feisty streak to his game and battled hard to defend throws. He has the ball skills necessary to develop into a starter at the next level and has shown as much at the Senior Bowl.
Sliders
Tony Jerod-Eddie/DL/Texas A&M: Jeron-Eddie looks the part yet does not always play to it. He lumbered around the field today and struggled to get to the action. One embarrassing moment occurred late in practice when Jerod-Eddie was blocked from the action by Chris Rainey, who is 125 pounds lighter than the Aggie defensive lineman.
