....and that has been their story all year. UTEP is +63 in scoring differential in the first half of their games this year, and -63 in the second half of those games. Tonight was no different. It was a microcosm of Jordan Palmer's scouting report. He looked like Super Man in the first half, and like Dinah Shore in the second half. This guy has zero intangibles, but fantastic measurables. After throwing a 69-yard TD pass to future first-round WR Johnnie Lee Higgins early in the third quarter, the Miners offense went to sleep for the rest of the game, as the Golden Hurricane scored 24 unanswered to win going away.
SCOUTNG SUMMARY:
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College: Texas-El Paso Conference: Conference USA Columnist: Jim ODell
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
Jordan Palmer 5 6' 5.0" 235 4.93 QB 2007: He runs so hot and cold. One of the most productive active QBs in the country in terms of yardage, TDs, etc., but also leads the country in interceptions. We have been harping on the fact that he only started playing QB as a senior in HS, but that excuse is now wearing thin. There is so much to love and hate about his game, that he will be a hot topic of conversation all the way through his first three years in the league (just like his big brother.) He is a player...no doubt about that. Stands tall in the pocket, escapes well (Bledsoe-size, but none of his lack of awareness). Throws a very nice ball. Very accurate--even deep. Checks down nicely, throws well on the run. Huge. But then, there is his evil twin, who is definitely not a winner. Gets rattled. Tries to do too much. Lacks confidence and that rubs off on the whole team. May be superstistious? GRADE: Neutral (as always)
Johnnie Lee Higgins Jr 21 6' 0.0" 190 4.29 WR 2007: The complete package and a bonafide first-round receiver. (Way to go CDS! We have had him there for six months). Could be the fastest wideout in the draft. Tonight he showed he is FAR MORE than just a fast guy. Exhibited great, great hands. Bounced off would be tacklers. Takes good angles after the catch and picks up maximum yardage for what is out there. Tough enough to go over the middle and catch in traffic. The only question is if he will hold up at the next level at just 190 pounds. I think so...speed kills, and he has it to burn. An NFL OC that asks him to go over the middle too much with that speed should be fired anyway. GRADE: Very positive
Jeremy Jones 6 6' 1.0" 235 4.66 LB 2007: DNP
Troy Collavo 44 5' 11.4" 235 4.75 LB 2007: This year's Robert Rodriguez. Extremely productive (124 tackles last year, and is on that pace again). Plays with RR's intensity too. Makes tackles all over the field--often in the backfield. had a sack and a FF to boot. Has all of RRs attributes, and all of his drawbacks. May not be as strong as RR though...looks stiff in his drops. Undersized over-achiever. GRADE: Slightly positive
College: Tulsa Conference: Conference USA Columnist: Jim ODell
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
Nick Graham 22 5' 11.0" 185 4.49 CB 2007: Nothing to write home about. Made a couple of plays. Got beat like a drum by Higgins at other times. Camp fodder. GRADE: Neutral
Bobby Blackshire 4 6' 3.0" 205 4.65 S 2007: He was in there, but I only had him in on one play. How do you evaluate that other than to say it is either the system, or a fatal flaw (lack of aggressiveness?) He has the size you want, but he didn;t show me anything else tonight. GRADE: Negative
Nick Bunting 41 6' 1.0" 230 4.67 LB 2007: Tough, lunchpail kid who has been playing and starting since he was a freshman. Great at this level, and played pretty well until he got injured in the first half. Showed his toughness by returning, but didn't do much. Just no outstanding features to hang your hat on, so his lack of size and deficiencies in pass defense really stand out. GRADE: Neutral
Jeff Perrett 78 6' 7.0" 329 5.35 OT 2007: A classic ROT and JEFF WEST...he is a find. Will play at the next level. Feet are good enough for ROT. Slides, punches and adjusts well. Can be beaten inside by NFL DE's I would suspect, but he has the frame and feet to be coached up. I'd like a look at his weight room numbers and his forty time before drafting him, but from what I saw, those shouldn't be a problem. Mirrors well. Knows and understand the difference between pass pro and run blocking. Better in pass pro, but gets a drive AND FINISHES on run blocks. I was very impressed. GRADE: Positive
Aaron Danenhauer 56 6' 5.0" 302 5.17 C 2007: An OK college center with very good size. Runs hot and cold. Gets on the second level but misses people. Stands around a litte on some plays but burries a guy on the next. Feet are not good. GRADE: Slightly negative
Idris Moss 80 5' 10.0" 180 4.45 WR 2007: Very impressive kid who is a JC transfer in '05 and has emerged as the Canes deep threat. Shows great body awareness, great hands. Works hard to get open. never gives up on a ball in the air. Shakes and bakes. Dances on the sideline. He is special and will be drafted. Worry about his size and toughness some...GRADE: Positive
Robert Latu 91 6' 1.7" 271 4.79 DE 2007: A very poor man's Dwight Freeney. When fresh he plays a little like him. Has a variety of moves and closes well. When tired, he looks tired. He might have a shot at the next level with a team that rotates a lot and plays a 4-3, but his shot won't come on that weekend in April. He has to improve his consistency. GRADE: Neutral
Notes: Jr. QB Paul Smith of Tulsa was an enigma tonight. He has been known for his game management and decision-making all year, but he was awful in the first half, throwing a really dumb int and fumbling the ball as he tried to scramble and change hands. They are running a low-risk Bradyesque offense with him, and he got back in his groove in the second half to pull out the win. Defense bailed him out though in this game.