Road to the Draft, Part 2

January 19, 2020

by Nooonefromtampa

[EDITOR’S NOTE: this column will be updated with the available audio.]

The 2020 East-West Shrine Bowl is in the history books. The East won 31-27 over the West in an exciting back and forth contest. The game started with the East going up 14-0, at which point it looked like a blow out in the making. The West was able to get back into the game, however, with the second half featuring several lead changes as a result of big touchdown plays.

This game, combined with the Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine and the various college Pro Days, are the three places where players can make a direct impact on NFL scouts and how the scouts perceive them.

These are a few of the players who in my opinion helped themselves this week and during the game:

• James Morgan, QB, Florida International University – He led the East to an early 14-0 lead and made some good reads and throws. He was 9/14 for 116 yards, 1 touchdown and a 114.0 passer rating.
• James Robinson, RB, Illinois State – He had a total of 80 yards rushing, including a 63 yard touchdown run, along with 2 catches for 56 yards.
• Benny LeMay, RB, UNC-Charlotte – He had multiple tough runs inside between the tackles, earning 86 yards for an average of 5.7 per carry and 2 touchdowns.
• Darryl Williams, C, Mississippi State – He was a key on the strong East offensive line, consistently opening up holes for the East RBs.
• Michael Onwenu, G, Michigan – He was a road grader in the run game, and was also fairly consistent in his pass blocking.
• Michael Danna, DE, Michigan – He showed up frequently in pass rushing situations.
• Michael Pinckney, LB, Miami – Led the East with 5 unassisted tackles.
• Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Miami – Tied for the East lead with 5 combined tackles.
• Keith Washington II, CB, West Virginia – He made some good plays including a near interception in the 1st quarter.  He did not give much cushion on completions and was a victim of a push-off on a key pass play in the East’s final game winning drive.
• Mason Kinesy, WR, Berry – Berry is a Division 3 school in Georgia, and Kinsey made the most of being selected to play in this game. He had several nice catches and a good punt return.

Players who had noticeable plays in the game

• Binjimen Victor, WR, Ohio State – Made a great leaping catch for a touchdown and took away an interception attempt from Shyheim Carter (who did not have a very good game).
• Luther Kirk, S, Illinois State – Had 1 interception and another negated by a penalty.
• Malcolm Perry, WR, Navy – He actually ran a play as QB in which he caught the West defense flat-footed and scored a 52-yard touchdown.
  

  Navy QB turned WR Malcolm Perry
  photo credit: Noonefromtampa

• Ja’Marcus Bradley, WR, Louisiana – Ran a great route on his 9-yard touchdown catch on a ball thrown behind him, in traffic.

The next step for many of these players will be the NFL Combine (February 23 to March 2), which will have daily showings in primetime on the NFL Network. I’m going to keep my rosters from the game to see which players are at the Combine and who gets drafted. Over 300 players who were on NFL rosters last year have played in the Shrine Bowl, so for many this game was the start to their pro career.

I was able to get two quick sound bites after the game from Keith Washington and Malcolm Perry.

For me, it was an honor to represent The Hog Sty Network at the game.  Hopefully we can do this again next year.