XFLBLITZ - THOUGTS FROM THE SENIOR BOWL

[XFLBlitz]

All Evaluations below are made by Pat Kirwan - NFL.com Senior Analyst

[XFLBlitz]

Here are some of my impressions as we get ready to turn the page on this part of the evaluation.

1. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, tackle, Virginia: Ferguson is a sure-fire top-five pick. One general manager told me he was concerned that Ferguson had narrow shoulders and that was too light. My response was maybe we should have been looking for narrow shoulders, light tackles all along, because this guy can line up at left tackle and we don't have to check on him for 10 years.

2. DeAngelo Williams, running back, Memphis: Williams did the same thing Cadillac Williams did last year by participating in the Senior Bowl week. He demonstrated his talent, love for the game and most of all that he belongs in the top half of the first round. He finished off an excellent week of practice with four touches for 59 yards in the game.

3. Charlie Whitehurst, quarterback, Clemson: Whitehurst was just average during the week, but flashed his skills in the game. His five completions for 66 yards and a score convinced people that when his shoulder is 100 percent, he'll need strong consideration on the first day of the draft. One of the south coaches told me he was no more than 80 percent healthy this week and his private workout will be crucial. A 6-foot-4, 225 pound guy who runs 4.7 and has a strong arm is hard to find.

4. Jay Cutler, quarterback, Vanderbilt: Cutler is a good player with a lot of upside and a competitor. But he needs to avoid all the discussions about comparing himself to Matt Linart and Vince Young. His 6 of 19 and an interception in the game wasn't a true indicator of how good he really is, but it was enough for him to just go back to work and be quiet.

5. Sinorice Moss, wide receiver, Miami: Moss had an excellent week of practice and topped it off with a very good game. With his brother Santana (Washington) and Steve Smith (Carolina) reinventing how dangerous short explosive receivers can be in the NFL game if you know how to use them properly, it was perfect timing for young Moss. His stock went up this week.

6. Michael Robinson, quarterback, Penn State: The game confirmed what I reported earlier this week about this versatile athlete from Penn State -- Robinson can play. His draft stock is moving up and if he can convince NFL people he understands the role of 'jack of all trades', he's going to have a nice professional career.

7. D'Quell Jackson, linebacker, Maryland: Jackson had a good game and separated himself from some of the other linebackers. When teams interviewed him they fell in love with the kid and his performance really helped his cause. He may be this year's Lofa Tatupu is what one NFL defensive coach said to me after watching him play in the game.

8. Mathias Kiwanuka, defensive end, Boston College: Kiwanuka did not play in the game because of his shoulder. He described the decision not to play as precautionary and after a difficult week against D'Brickashaw Ferguson, it might have been a good idea to shut it down. He has first-round talent, but the week in Mobile, Ala., did not help his situation. How does a fast 40 time at the combine or an impressive workout against bags on the campus of Boston College erase the work against Ferguson is a tough question?

9. Tamba Hali, defensive end, Penn State: Hali had a good week of practice and an excellent game recording two sacks. He plays faster than advertised by his 40 time and if he runs a pedestrian 40 at the combine it should not affect his draft status if team executives remind themselves of how he performed at the Senior Bowl. Eleven sacks and 17 tackles for loss during the season, along with his production on the football field this week, means more to me than some measurable test.

[MGB01]

Moss, Jackson, Kiwanuka, and Hali are all good bets to be XFL first rounders.