Senior Bowl 2012 Roster: Why This Year's Game Means the Process Needs Some Help

A conversation last week on Jacksonville Sports Talk Radio 1010XL may have summed up the need for an overhaul in the Senior Bowl process.

The question was brought up as to why the process needs to be adjusted. The answer was simple: the games best players are younger talent in most cases and cannot be showcased in this game.

Two of those players, Justin Blackmon and Alshon Jeffery, both receivers who figure to be selected in the first round of the draft, are not eligible to play. Neither is top defensive back Morris Claiborne of LSU or even a Michael Brockers, a redshirt junior coming out of Les Miles' program.

Would these players add a little more excitement to the game? Certainly. Does it allow scouts to get a better read on players who declare early and could be "steals" in the first few rounds? Absolutely. Does it weed out the better and best players in the talent pool? Without a doubt.

Then why hasn't it already been fixed? That is a good question.

If the all-star contest were open to "draft-eligible" players there may be more participants who want to make an impression on teams and general managers. While the threat of injury is always a concern, players like a Kellen Moore, who needs a good showing to raise his stock in the upcoming draft, could use it more efficiently. So could smaller players like a Chris Rainey of Florida.

While senior linemen Cordy Glenn of Georgia and Mike Adams of Ohio State are solid players, the influx of juniors coming into the draft hurt their standing and they need to show off talent. But someone like a Riley Reiff of Iowa has to wait until a combine performance or a pro day viewing to show how good he is. Where is the equality in that?

The talent this week is good. Stars like Janoris Jenkins of North Alabama, Brian Quick of Appalachian State and James Brown of Troy all have a chance to make a lasting impression. But the lasting impression may be the one where the best talents are kept off the rosters and off the field in Mobile, AL because their draft status won't allow them to show how talented they truly are.