Thursday, March 08, 2007

Spring Game Set

The Spring Game is tentatively set for April 28, 2007. The time is yet to be determined but more than likely it will be around the same time as last year, 11 a.m. However, there is no date for the annual South Valley Scrimmage. The word is the South Valley game may not happen this year.

I don't know how many of you had ever attended the South Valley Scrimmage but it was a very good event. The reason behind not having the scrimmage has nothing to do with organization or attendance, as the attendance was almost on par with the Spring Game held at Bulldog Stadium. Regardless, it makes the Spring Game that much more important, if fans want to catch an early glimpse of the 2007 team.

The 2007 Fresno State Pro Day is today. Last season more than 100 NFL officials/scouts were in attendance. The 'Dogs are could have as many as six, seven or even eight players drafted. Marcus McCauley, Paul Williams, Chris Denman, Dwayne Wright, and Kyle Young are expected to be drafted in the seven round draft. Louis Leonard, Roshon Vercher, Joe Fernandez and Dwayne Andrews are hopefuls to possibly be drafted late in the second day or at least sign free agent contracts.

The Pro Day is not open to the public but the results will be posted on NFL.com. Wright has the most to gain today. If he can improve his forty-time, he could likely move up a round or two in the draft and had a few hundred thousand to his bank account. McCauley and Williams probably have the most to lose, as both did well at last month's NFL Combine. The Pro Day will be Young's chance to shine since he was not invited to the Combine. Once considered the best college center in the country, Young is trying to position himself to be drafted in the first day. He must show scouts he has the footwork to play tackle or the athleticism to play guard. As a center he is not likely to drafted higher than rounds five to seven.

Vercher has a chance to improve his stock. He never carried the ball as fullback but he is a capable back. If an NFL team is looking for a natural fullback, it doesn't have to look far beyond Vercher. As long as he can show the scouts he has decent hands and speed, it could be enough for one team to likely take a chance on him in a late round.

Leonard could be drafted on potential alone. At 6-5 330 lbs he is already a prototypical NFL DT. Andrews lacks speed to be an effective NFL linebacker. He must have an outstanding workout if he expects to even be considered a draft choice. Fernandez has great bloodlines and even better hands. His size and speed are the issues. A great forty-time and workout will greatly aid Fernandez's chances of being drafted. Like most players in Fernandez's position, his ability to play special teams is what can lead to a spot on an NFL roster.

Guest Blogging

I am pleased to tell the readers some guest bloggers have come forward, so there will be more material for you guys to read. I built this site for Bulldog fans and I will not let it go by the wayside like my other site. And hopefully NSC will be able to continue to contribute. It's the off-season and there is little to write about per se, but spring practice is just a month away.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pat Hill seems to possess excellent ability to identify potential in players, and to develop that potential into nfl-caliber talent. Good for him.

Yet that is what is so confounding to Bulldog fans: why hasn't that translated to at least a few WAC titles, and to higher level bowl games?

OH well, there's always "next year." WAIT, next year is here--almost!

Go 'Dogs, win the WAC (to start)!!

Steve Burnes

Anonymous said...

CAN'T WAIT FOR SPRING GAME. IT WILL BE GREAT TO SEE THE DOGS IN UNIFORM AGAIN.
I WAS NOT IMPRESSED WITH LAST YEAR'S SPRING GAME AS THE QB'S LOOKED BAD WHICH WAS A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME N THE '06 SEASON. I HOPE TO SEE AN IMPROVEMENT WITH THE QB'S AT THIS SPRING GAME..
RAL

Anonymous said...

It's my understanding few pro scouts will be at the spring game because of the Dogs poor record last year. Also, the word on the street is that this year's recruiting class is not highly rated by pro scouts and considered far below past recruiting classes. I sense our national attention is wilting fast. On a national level Pat Hill appears to have reached the point of being ignored or worse yet, made a laughing stock. This has to be a total embarrassement to every Dog fan.