Scout's eye on Saturday's East West Shrine Game

EAST

QB 5 Bruce Gradowski - Toledo - Strong passing quarterback showed nice mechanics, a strong arm, accuracy and elusiveness in the pocket. Stands tall and makes quick reads. Feels the pressure and steps up. Threw for 8-16 109 yards. Caught an 11-yard pass in the game. Except for scary injury history (metal plate in throwing hand), one of the best true passing quarterback's at the event.

RB 3 Leon Washington - Florida State - Undersized but blinding fast. Effective receiving out of the backfield as well as running off tackle. Announcing team likened him to current Falcons Warrick Dunn, this is an apt observation.

RB 28 Da'arrius Howard - Arkansas - 3 touchdown 's but just didn't have enough to get in from the 1 yard line and win the game with a 4th touchdown as time expired. Still a very nice showing, great turning the corner and shifty through the hole. Possible big school surprise - second day sleeper.

LG 59 Jason Spitz - Louisville - Tight compact stance, low hips and mobile on the pull technique. Low center of gravity. Above average core strength -- will be interesting to see what he benches.

LT 72 Andrew Whitworth - LSU - A little shaky at times in first half (both times against West DE 96 Daniel Federkeil, more on that interesting match-up later in the notes) but got it going late in the game to flash in both run and pass protection. Everyone was raving about this player in practice this week and it's not surprising to us. If anyone pulls out (and it happens every year) will be the first alternate at the position in Mobile this week. Might get picked later than he should be due to positional surplus but wherever he gets taken he should be at least a serviceable offensive tackle starter on the next level.

LG 77 Rob Sims - Ohio State - Nimble pulling around on trap plays, above average acceleration and violent impact at the point of attack. Flashed twice on key runs plays for scores.

LT 78 Jabari Levey - South Carolina - Bulky but smooth player with good breakdown in pass protection. Smart and relentless to the next level run blocking the linebackers and safeties, engaging different defenders downfield. Nasty player and possible late first day steal.

WR 89 Marques Colston - Hofstra - Key playmaker who scored a nice touchdown early, almost a 2nd later in the game. Found the soft zone on 4th and 1 conversion. Hands like catcher's mitts - showed good body control making adjustments and ups. One messy drop, but overall a great game.

WR 13 Andy Fantuz - Western Ontario - Sprung Jackson for TD with strong downfield blocking. Caught only ball thrown his way for a 3rd down conversion.

TE 8 Cooper Wallace - Auburn - Active in run game. Had a great long reception, running over the safety to get 30+ yards after the catch. Lacks game breaking gear but solid grabs - an interesting prospect.

DE 56 Eric Henderon - Georgia Tech - Relentless and quick but undersized against full sized tackles - kept his contain very well against reverses and bootlegs - a force to be reckoned with who had a tough matc up with Toledo all night. Potential 3-4 outside linebacker.

DE 90 James Wyche - Syracuse - 2 sacks, overall solid pass rusher. Good size and quickness and didn't seem to take any plays off.

DE 93 Rob Nickovich - Purdue - Quick in run pursuit as well as active pass rusher. Strong motor.

DT 97 Kedric Golston - Georgia - Optimal body type for 3-4 defensive end, good push up field with bull rush and a finisher stopping the play in the backfield.

DT 58 Tommy Jackson - Auburn - Showed quick first step beating the double team and penetrating the backfield. Deceptively quick for his sluggish looking body type. Leader.

LB 50 Rocky McIntosh - Miami - Made defensive play of the game picking off a deflected pass and returning it 20+ yards. Can get washed down in run blocking but in on multiple tackles. Looks like the U's storied linebacking tradition will continue.

WEST

QB 1 Reggie McNeal - Texas A&M - Post season exhibition games make for some interesting moments and aspects that even the NFL game can't match. Reggie McNeal guaranteeing late 4th quarter that if he gets back on to the field his team would win the game via sideline interview and then carrying this promise through in only 2 long plays was one such media moment that the NFL game can't top. Surprisingly good passer with a tight spiral, good awareness and top-notch runner. Made himself some money tonight.

RT 67 Joe Toledo - Washington - Fantastically mobile converted tight end handled his man for the entire game. Really impressive in pass protection, as expected but also made his mark in the run game bouncing off the double and reaching the second level, locking down the backside with ease. Stock rising and represents very nice 2nd or 3rd round value.

OG 75 E.J. Whitley - Texas Tech - Pulled with great success on key runs. Type of player that I was not watching initially but over and over made me stop, rewind and find out who #75 was kicking butt. Despite working in a mostly shotgun offense, looked very comfortable in a pro-style attack.

WR 28 Mike Haas - Oregon State - Sure handed playmaker was all over the field, showing great route running instincts, settling in the soft spots of the zone.

TE 85 Tim Day - Oregon - Really made some athletic and clutch catches as a security blanket for the West quarterback's. An above average blocker who can move the chains or score in the red zone.

DE 93 Chris Gocong - Cal-Poly - Small school prospect showed top level burst, first step on sack and multiple hurries of the quarterback. Stout against the run, especially back-side.

DE 96 Daniel Federkeil - Calgary - Stood up strong to Andrew Whitworth and would not be pushed around. Got the better of his opposing match-up several times both in getting the passing QB and shutting down the run. This is not a Canadian gimmick - the kid took on the best the other side had to offer and shrugged it off.

LB 59 Fredricc Brock - Texas Southern - Flashed twice with tackles for loss. Tough competitor that hits hard and walks the walk.