2012 Senior Bowl: 5 Players Who Draft Experts Said Struggled in Mobile

The following five players were among those who NFL draft experts and scouts said struggled the most during the three practices at the 2012 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. 

RB Chris Polk, Washington

From Wes Bunting of National Football Post:

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Much like I saw on tape, Polk didn’t display a real explosive quality to his game this week. He does have some foot quickness inside and is more of a “gamer” than practice player, but I was still a bit disappointed in him as an overall athlete.

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From Matt Waldman of New York Times' "Fifth Down Blog:"

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It’s foolish to think that a running back has to be built like a male model to have success in the N.F.L., but Polk’s physique was so shockingly soft that it made observers of his game even more appreciative of what he can do on the field. However, the potential downside of Polk’s fitness level is injury. 

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WR Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M

From Matt Miller of Bleacher Report:

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Fuller was thoroughly disappointing in every aspect outside the weigh-in. He's big—very big in fact—but he's slow out of his breaks and incredibly stiff in his hips. Add in the fact that he dropped more passes than any other receivers and Fuller will be lucky to be drafted in the first five rounds.

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From Bunting: 

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For a bigger receiver who doesn’t run well, Fuller needs to do a better job catching the football. At his size and with his body control he’s always open five feet above his head, but poor hands dogged him all week. 

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From Waldman:

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In fact, his struggles were painful to watch. He repeatedly fought the ball, dropping passes that hit him in the hands—covered or uncovered. He did this daily, and on Wednesday alone he went through a span of practice when he dropped about  five consecutive balls on catchable passes. What was even more disappointing was the fact he could not generate separation from the line of scrimmage. He repeatedly got held up at the line and stalled in his routes. He did not show a quick first step, and he did not play nearly as strong as expected.

 

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OT Zebrie Sanders, Florida State

From Bunting: 

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Sanders had a nightmare trying to block power off the edge all week. He lacks a great anchor and would get overextended in order to overcompensate for it. Overall, he looks more like a developmental athlete at the position who has the range/athleticism to make it, but is going to need to get stronger in the lower half in order to have a chance. 

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From Russ Lande of Sporting News:

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Sanders was once again a huge disappointment in pass-blocking situations. In team and 1-on-1 drills, he got high and on his heels off the snap, which allowed aggressive bull-rushers to knock him backward. Melvin Ingram and Quinton Coples beat him repeatedly not just with power moves, but with quickness on the edge, as well as change-of-direction moves back inside.

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CB Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska

From Waldman:

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Dennard was very inconsistent in coverage this week, while most of the competition at his position met or exceeded expectations. He’ll need to rehab his stock in the coming weeks after dropping out late Wednesday with a hip flexor strain.

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From Miller:

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Dennard looked woeful before pulling out with an injury Wednesday. He had struggled to recover consistently, and that was his supposed strong suit coming in to this week. Dennard looked slow and even timid at times in contact.

 

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QB Kellen Moore, Boise State

From Miller:

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Moore looked like a seventh-grader at weigh-in, coming in at just 190 lbs. Moore has zero muscle definition and couldn't have picked up a weight during his four years at Boise State. Moore's poor technique was on display, but his lack of arm strength was more concerning. He doesn't put enough zip on the ball to get it there on time, and when it got windy outside, the ball couldn't cut through the breeze.

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From Lande:

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Moore did not look like an NFL quarterback. His throwing motion was elongated, the ball lacked zip coming out of his hand and his accuracy was terrible. On numerous deep routes, the ball hung in the air, exposing his lack of arm strength.

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