Giardi: Day 2 studs and duds from the Senior Bowl, plus some Thomas Brown intel

MOBILE, Ala. - Beautiful day in Mobile at the Senior Bowl practice. Once again, a pair of practices to review and highlight the good, bad, and ugly. Speaking of ugly, does anyone want to shovel my driveway? Why does it always snow when I'm away? 

I spent a lot more time watching the big fellas today because the defensive line, in particular, is the most stacked group here in Mobile this week. They did not disappoint me. Not one bit.

1. Shemar Stewart is a freak of nature. 

He's 6'5", 281 pounds, with a confirmed arm length of 34'1/4" and an 83 1/2 inch wingspan. That's not normal. The Texas A&M had some dominant reps both in 1-on-1s - he put highly-regarded prospect Jonah Savaiinaea of Arizona on roller skates - and an intense team period. On the first play of that session, he destroyed at run play, combining forces with linebacker Jalen Mcleod (Auburn) in the backfield. On the next step, Stewart sidestepped the right tackle (sorry, missed the number) and was on top of quarterback Riley Leonard (Notre Dame) before Leonard had a chance to set his feet. That was some serious get-off. He showed up again later, blowing by LSU tackle Emery Jones and using his massive paw to swipe the ball right out of quarterback Seth Henigan's hand. Again, it happened in a heartbeat.

R.J. Oben of Notre Dame doesn't have the same measurables as Stewart, but he might have been even better today, controlling the edge during the American team's afternoon practice. He was sometimes unmovable and had a couple of tackles for loss against the run. But Oben also showed a nifty spin move for what would have been a sack of Jalen Milroe were he allowed to hit the signal caller (vs. a double team). Instead, Milroe panicked and got picked off by another Notre Dame product, LB Jack Kiser. Had I been sitting with someone, there might have been a high-five.

Lastly, Mike Green from Marshall is a problem. What he did to a Giardi favorite, Josh Conerly, was a showstopper in 1-on-1s (Conerly stoned Green on their next rep). He also sped around BC's Ozzy Trapilo (better day from him) and Anthony Belton of NC State, then, during team, combined with Central Arkansas' David Walker to pressure QB Dillion Gabriel (Oregon) and force him to tuck and run. Green's projected to go late round one, but I could see him working his way up to the low 20s or even high teens if he keeps up this pace.

Here's that beastly rep vs. Conerly.

2. The off-ball linebacker group showed up today.

I mentioned Kiser above. He moves well, although, at 227 pounds, he feels more like a rocked-up box safety than someone who would thrive in the middle of a defense. Eugene Asante (Auburn) and Shemar James (Florida) were disruptive this afternoon during that lengthy team period. Asante filled gaps, took on bigger guards, and still factored in on several run stuffs or short gains. He also made a pure effort play, stripping RB Jarquez Hunter (Auburn) a dozen yards down the field. 

James had a give-no-quarter collision with RJ Harvey (UCF) and ended the period with a physical tackle of Georgia's Trevor Etienne (though Etienne did get a little lower).

3. Iowa State's Jayden Higgins had himself a nice day.

With better quarterback play this morning, Higgins showed why he could be the first Senior Bowl receiver to be drafted this April. He's an X with the size (6'3") and contested catch ability to be that ball-winner on the outside. But what stood out today was just how smooth Higgins runs his routes. Clean. Subtle. Creates separation at the top of the stem. He won today. He won a lot, including a slot fade with three yards of room. Who was spotted watching Higgins and the rest of the WRs for a good bit of time today? Matt Groh. 

TCU's Jack Bech was also improved. More sure with his footing, and while he doesn't have the incredible quickness that you might be used to with Pats' slots, his size (nearly 6'2") and physicality allow him to carve out space for himself. Jaylin Noel (Iowa State) and Pat Bryant (Illinois) also had good days. Noel would be a slot, while Bryant is an X. Jalen Royals (Utah State) had this strong rep.

4. Did you think I would write today without mentioning tight end Thomas Fidone? 

The Nebraska Cornhusker reeled in a 'how did Riley Leonard fit the ball in there? And how did Fidone catch it?' throw during 1-on-1s with safety Hunter Wohler draped all over him. Alas, he wasn't perfect, as Fidone was part of the double-team beaten on that Oben sack. Background: Fidone was a four-star recruit out of Iowa but tore his ACL before his freshman season and then tore it again during his redshirt freshman year. He made the John Mackey Award list before this season but wasn't as productive as hoped. Talked to a pair of scouts about him.

"Day three guy," said one. "Like him. Don't love him. This is a good tight-end class, and he's not a top-5 guy at the position for me."

"I think he's a better player than people think," said another scout. "I think that Nebraska offense sucked, and he suffered for it. He lands in the right spot and can contribute in year one."

5. The injury bug hit the afternoon practice. CB Trey Amos, who I like, had to be helped off by teammates with what appeared to be an ankle injury. He then slowly limped his way to the locker room. Edge Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss), DT Deone Walker (Kentucky), and LB Jalen McLeod (Auburn) also left and did not return. Umanmielen was having a terrific practice. 

ODDS AND ENDS

- On Thomas Brown, I exchanged texts with one front office exec who was effusive in his praise of the Pats' new passing game coordinator/tight ends coach.

"He's been around a bunch of bright minds who have done business in different ways. He's smart enough to see what works and what doesn't, and I trust he's learning from these experiences."

Brown went 1-4 as the Bears interim head coach this past season, thrust into a difficult spot for a team that had fired its offensive coordinator (Shane Waldron) three weeks prior. Between that and the disaster that was the season in Carolina - Frank Reich was canned just 11 games into his first season with the team - Brown has had a rough stretch career-wise. Does that mean his star is dimming?

"It's all still there in front of him," texted the exec. "He has had success before, and if he's with the right organization, he'll have it again."

“I know that he’s always been a guy that’s had an incredible command,” said Sean McVay shortly after Brown was promoted (McVay hired Brown for his first pro job in 2020). “He’s been a great competitor. He kind of demands respect from people that he’s around just by the way that he carries himself.”