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Senior Bowl North Team Line Battles
2011 Senior Bowl Week - Practices
Photo – OT Nate Solder - Colorado
The Senior Bowl committee has done another outstanding job assembling the top senior pro prospects from across the nation. The Senior Bowl practices this week has shown that Chairman Steve Hale has put together an excellent roster again that will be showcased in the All-star game this Saturday.
Every year the fine senior talent arrives in Mobile Alabama for this classic game. This year the North roster features an unusually strong group of linemen on both sides of the ball. The North practices have been outstanding as future #1 picks squared up in ‘The Pit” on one on one drills.
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Three potential #1 selections, OTs Nate Solder of Colorado, Gabe Carimi of Wisconsin and Anthony Castonzo of Boston College have performed well, playing up to their high grade entering the week. Solder is a blue chip athlete who may go as high as the top 10 selections in April if he performs well in the game. Carimi played both tackle and guard and graded out high at every position. Castonzo is everything we scouted over the past three seasons and assured himself an early first round grade after a strong overall performance. All three offensive linemen matched up well with teammates DE Cameron Jordan of California, DE Jeremy Beal of Oklahoma, DL Christian Ballard of Iowa and DE Ryan Kerrigan of Purdue. Each of the defensive linemen will also be selected early and possibly all first round choices with strong postseasons. The trio of tackles will face South defenders Allen Bailey of Miami, Pernell McPhee of Mississippi St and DE Sam Acho of Texas on Saturday, all quality defenders. After facing the likes of Jordan, Kerrigan, Beal and Ballard, the North tackles will be battle tested for the game action that will be the final test of the Senior Bowl week.
Two North defensive linemen were replaced on the roster due to injuries. DT Stephen Paea, 6' 1" 295 of Oregon St tore his MCL in his right knee on the first day of practice and will miss most of the postseason. He was considered a mid first round selection. Ohio St’s DE Cameron Heyward withdrew from the event after he underwent Tommy John surgery on an injured elbow in mid January. Heyward suffered a hyper-extended elbow in the Ohio St. Sugar Bowl win vs Arkansas and will likely miss any workouts for 3-4 months. Whether Paea or Heyward participate in Pro Days or individual workouts in April remains to be seen. There medical status could affect their draft status. Each carried an early first round grade into the postseason.
2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl Week
Senior Bowl Rosters and Coaching Staffs
http://www.seniorbowl.com/rosters.asp
Tickets for the 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl are currently available for purchase at the Senior Bowl ticket office (151 Dauphin Street), online at www.seniorbowl.com or by calling (251) 432-4109.