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Published on 01/22/2008 at Tue Jan 22 10:37.
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Two Trojans Dominate Senior Bowl Practice

Posted Tue Jan 22nd by

[USC Linebacker Keith Rivers]
Keith Rivers looked sharp in Tuesday’s Senior Bowl practice

Listening to Sirius NFL Radio on my way to school this morning and thought I’d pass along some of the more exciting news from Senior Bowl practices. Two USC seniors are dominating practices thus far, and both are in positions of need for the Broncos. It’s difficult to begin mock drafts at this early point (so much will change before April), but it’s possible that either of these guys will be available for the Broncos at slot #12.

The two players are DT Sedrick Ellis and OLB Keith Rivers (pictured right). Both came into Senior Bowl practices considered among the top 2 at their respective positions, and they’re defending that stock well today.

Sirius analysts Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan discussed how Ellis completely dominated his opposing center during inside run drills, blowing his man up three or four yards into the backfield.  Rivers was also making plays, shedding the lead blocker in these drills to make the tackle.

The guys at Scout.com have broken down both of these players. Check out their bios below:

DT, Sedrick Ellis (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 1st Round
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 305

Ellis is an explosive interior defender who can rush the pass and defend the run. He doesn’t possess great size, but he plays with a high motor and great technique. He’s quick off the snap, has quick hands, and is able to fight off double teams and sneak through a seam. He’s built low to the ground, gets underneath the opposition and keeps his feet moving up the field to gain penetration. He has excellent closing speed and is able to track down ball carriers. Ellis is one of the premier defenders available in the 2008 draft. He had a great senior campaign and amassed 56 tackles (28 solo, 28 assisted), 12.5 for a loss, and 8.5 sacks. Ellis’ game will remind many of All Pro DT Warren Sapp.

OLB Keith Rivers (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 1st Round
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 235

Rivers is an active linebacker that flies around the ball always looking to make a positive play. He’s quick to the point of attack, shows great instincts and takes good angles in pursuit. He has sideline-to-sideline range and positions himself to make plays. He covers a large area and is disciplined in coverage. He’s an aggressive player that has great strength and is able to shed blocks against a bigger opposition. Rivers decided to stay at USC for his senior season, despite being a lock to be a first round pick last year. He played very well for the Trojans this season and collected 73 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, but he didn’t post any impact numbers (sacks and interceptions) you want to see out of a playmaking linebacker. Even though he didn’t have any sacks or interceptions, Rivers is still a top-25 selection.

For more on the Senior Bowl practices, check out Mason’s Morsels.

  • Crosshare

    I’m shooting for Glenn Dorsey from LSU.
    http://profootballexperts.scout.com/a.z?s=211&p=8&c=1&nid=3014749&yr=2008
    I don’t know if he will drop to our spot, but hopefully so. We can pair him with Thomas and Moss for a SEC all star defensive line, lol. And we know how Shanny loves the SEC.

  • Crosshare

    I’m ronery, so ronery….

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Jonathan Douglas

    lol!

    Don’t feel too lonely, we’ve all be taking it a bit easy lately; however, after the big game I’d guess our posting will get back to our normal off-season pace.

    On the issue of college scouting… well…er…um… I don’t watch college football. I know, I know, I’m a horrible person (or so I’m told here in the hometown of the UT Vols).

    To be completely honest, I personally don’t watch sports outside of the Broncos. Heck, I don’t think I’ve seen more than three non-bronco NFL games this year (and I’ve not seen ANY of the post-season games).

    Soooo… my comments on all things college would be completely useless. Kyle, Earl and some of our readers will likely have more input on potential players as we work through the draft, but I’ll probably keep myself out of the college player discussions.

    Thanks for commenting and I’m sure you’ll get more and more draft related comments as we get into the full swing of 2008’s off-season.

    Take it easy,
    Jonathan Douglas

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    Yeah sorry. Second week of school. In all honesty this is the toughest load I’ve taken in the five years I’ve been in college (all upper level – 3 computer courses, 1 chemistry, 1 statistics). Consider this my adjustment period for the next week or so.

    I PROMISE you, I’ve got a lot planned for this offseason. Sorry this is a lot less than what you’re used to.

    We’ll be back and better than ever. Soon! :)

  • http://thenosebleeds.blogspot.com TheNaturalMevs

    I’m hoping that the Broncos get Rivers. Should be a superstar LB for a decade +.

  • Crosshare

    I’m in the same boat Jonathan. I don’t watch college football really, with all the great teams here in CO. I consider myself a CU fan, but I think their recruiting is a joke. I mainly live vicariously through all of the college fans at work, I actually watched 3 bowl games this year and that’s where I picked up on Dorsey. I actually predicted Jarvis Moss as our number one, but take that with a huge grain of salt as I don’t know jack about college.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Jonathan Douglas

    I’m glad to hear of at least one other non-college football guy living in a fan-crazy university town!

    I’ve tried my darnest to get into UT football, but I just can’t do it. I tried the same thing in Tampa with the Bucs (and that was during their Superbowl winning years). However, that didn’t work either… There is just something about the Broncos that has ‘clicked’ with me as a fan, and I guess I just haven’t found that same connection in another sport or team.

    I definitely want to get a post up this off-season about our fandom and it’s origins. I would be very interested in hearing from some of our regulars (like BroncoBilly, 100%, MB, ChampSB, you and many others), about how/where/when they became fans of the Orange & Blue.

    Maybe this weekend I’ll put something up asking for some of these stories. I think it would be fun to learn some more about the folks ’round these parts! :)

  • Crosshare

    Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a huge AVS fan as well, there’s nothing like watching hockey live, I’m excited sinceI have tickets for a game in Feb. I also root for the Rockies, they’re October run was a blast, but baseball is well, baseball. There’s nothing to equal the passion for pro football. After watching the Green Bay game Sunday night and they kept going on about how cold it was, I was thinking, I have the same mind set as those fans. There is nothing on this planet that can keep me away from a home playoff game. I remember willing myself with a horrible cold to get to that Jacksonville loss in 96. Nothing like showing up with a jug of Dayquil and my screaming voice.

    BTW, I love the idea of getting origin stories for Broncos passion. I especially like mine (my wife still doesn’t get it though)

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