2011 Senior Bowl: Weigh-In Numbers Of Note

2011 Senior Bowl week is under way, and the 106 2011 NFL Draft prospects on hand weighed in Monday morning before hitting the practice field for a padless workout this afternoon. Here are just a few notes on some of the more notable weigh-in numbers from both rosters.

South squad
First, a few notes on the guys that the Buffalo Bills will be coaching this week.

• At quarterback, Christian Ponder and Andy Dalton both measured in under 6'3" - Dalton was 6'2" on the nose - while Greg McElroy didn't even get to 6'2". These are not tall players by any stretch, though it should also be noted that Ponder has bigger mits (just over 10" hand size) with which to avoid fumbles.
• Three offensive tackles were particularly impressive at weigh-ins. Derek Sherrod (6'5"-plus, 312 pounds, 35.5-inch arms) and DeMarcus Love (6'4"-plus, 318 pounds, 35-inch arms) look like they've got the length to play the left side, while Marcus Gilbert (6'6"-plus, 329 pounds, 34-inch arms) looks like an underrated prospect at right tackle.
• Allen Bailey (6'3", 278, 34.5-inch arms) drew rave reviews for his freakish build, but he may get more looks as a 4-3 end than as a five-technique player. Meanwhile, a small-school five-tech prospect in Southern Arkansas' Cedric Thornton (just under 6'4", 299, 34.5-inch arms) measured in very well. Nose guard Phil Taylor also reportedly carried 337 pounds surprisingly well on his 6'3"-plus frame.
  

• Von Miller is a hot prospect name right now, but he's still not a very big guy. Miller measured in at under 6'3" and at just 237 pounds, but still drew praise for his overall build. Scouts particularly like his 34-inch arms and impressive wing span; that additional length makes up for some things on the football field.
• Two inside linebacker prospects Bills fans should be aware of: Kelvin Sheppard (6'2", 250) and Nate Irving (6'1", 242) both had nice weigh-in numbers, and were very productive collegiate players.

North squad
The Cincinnati Bengals will be coaching this roster throughout the week.

• The quarterbacks: we didn't get anything surprising out of Jake Locker (6'2", 228) or Colin Kaepernick (6'4"-plus, 225), but Ricky Stanzi (6'4", 221) is clearly the closest to the NFL prototype of any quarterback in Mobile this weekend. That's just talking body type, of course.
• More well-put-together, long-armed tackles on the North squad - and they're better pro prospects to boot. James Brewer (6'6", 323, 35-plus-inch arms), Gabe Carimi (6'7", 315, 35.3-inch arms), Anthony Castonzo (6'7", 305, 35.3-inch arms), Jason Pinkston (6'3", 313, 34.5-inch arms) and Nate Solder (6'8", 314, 34.5-inch arms) all look like potential long-term starters at the position. Brewer is a prospect that Bills Assistant O-Line coach Bobby Johnson will be familiar with.
• One of my personal favorite prospects, Stephen Paea (6'1", 295) isn't your prototypical nose guard size wise, but could very well be picked for that role based on unusual strength and above-average athleticism. Another personal favorite, cancer survivor Mark Herzlich, also reportedly looked impressive (just under 6'4", 250 pounds).
  
• The North squad has three well-put-together five-technique prospects, as well, including Pierre Allen (6'3"-plus, 273, 35.4-inch arms), Christian Ballard (6'4", 288, 33.5-inch arms) and especially Cameron Jordan (6'4", 287, 34.5-inch arms with gigantic 11-plus inch hands). Ballard's arm length was only mildly disappointing, while Jordan's versatility should shoot him up draft boards quickly.
• Here's a player I wish was on Gailey's squad: blue-collar 'tweener prospect Ryan Kerrigan was reportedly one of the most impressive-looking defenders of the day, measuring in at a very cut 6'4", 255 pounds. He reminds me of Aaron Schobel.