Quarterback Blake Sims failed to make a great first impression on the first day of practices at the Senior Bowl on Tuesday, but he rebounded with a stellar practice session on Wednesday.
Mike Jones of the Washington Post said Sims “played well, particularly when rolling out and making throws on the run. The 6-foot, 210-pounder did have success from the pocket as well, getting the ball out of his hands quickly and finding open receivers.”
Others were fond of Sims’ play on Wednesday as well. Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley said Sims has put his natural leadership ability on display throughout the week of practices, which should work to Sims’ advantage throughout the draft process.
This all comes one day after onlookers were critical of Sims’ opening Senior Bowl practice. Following Tuesday’s practice, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Burke said Sims “may have been among the biggest disappointments on Day 1. Sims’ sights were way off during simple pass-and-catch drills, with no defenders on the field. At one point, he sailed a hitch route to Devante Davis several yards off-target.”
Sims is one of two SEC quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl, although the other, Auburn’s Nick Marshall, has since changed positions to cornerback.
OTHER TIDBITS
- According to NFL Draft analyst Luke Easterling, Marshall called a decision to move to cornerback for the senior bowl “his own” and not a move prompted by NFL teams entering the week.
- Jones reported Marshall had his highs and lows as a cornerback on Wednesday, defending a comeback route run by Miami’s Phillip Dorsett well before later being burned by Kansas State’s Tyler Lockett.
- Jones was also critical of Florida left tackle Trenton Brown following Wednesday’s North Team practicing, saying the 6-foot-8, 327-pound lineman “struggles to get low, and struggled to stay in front of quicker rushers at times.”
- Lastly, Jones said Alabama’s Arie Kouandjio played both right guard and left tackle, explaining Kouandjio struggled in outside pass protection as a tackle but excelled as a guard in team drills.
- According to Bob Carskadon of HailState.com, Mississippi State offensive tackle Blaine Clausell has been added to the Senior Bowl roster as an injury replacement.
- Per Parrish Alford of Inside Ole Miss Sports, All-American cornerback will not elect to continue his baseball career with the Rebels and will instead focus on the NFL Draft in April. Many suspected Golson would make this decision, but it was not confirmed until Wednesday.
- Ryan Minik, a writer for the Baltimore Ravens, assessed the wide receivers on Day 2 of Senior Bowl practices. Regarding Auburn’s Sammie Coates, Minik said “The 6-foot-2 Coates comes off the line of scrimmage like he’s being shot out of a cannon. With tremendous speed, he gobbles up cornerbacks’ cushion and often gets over top of their coverage when he makes contact. However, Coates hasn’t been consistent in making deep plays despite his obvious talent. He’s let a couple balls go through his fingertips.”
OBSERVATIONS AND VIDEO
Auburn DT Gabe Wright continuing strong presence, has blown past Alabama's Arie Kouandjio and Austin Shepherd in drills.
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) January 21, 2015
Nick Marshall covering Sammie Coates. @seniorbowl pic.twitter.com/iNzYXjbqOt
— Auburn Undercover ?? (@AUUndercover) January 21, 2015
Will have a story from Max Garcia at the Senior Bowl later tonight but I wanted to share this now. #Gators pic.twitter.com/qjDCWMWXaa
— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) January 21, 2015
With Gabe Wright lined up across the way, Auburn's Reese Dismukes is front and center at the Senior Bowl on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/pTEzoXtsZS
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) January 21, 2015
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.
