My name is Matt Barrows, and I watch the NFL Network all day long so you can keep working ...
Dexter McCluster and Tim Tebow were the big names at the South practice today. In fact, the two hooked up on a deep pass down field, which McCluster dove to catch. (He victimized Alabama's Javier Arenas on the play.) Florida's Tebow also connected with Ole Miss receiver Shay Hodge on a deep pass and reportedly looked much better today than he did a day ago.
McCluster, meanwhile, looked very sharp as a receiver even though he primarily played running back for Ole Miss last season. A year ago, I thought Percy Harvin would be a great fit for the 49ers because I thought he would give them a fast, multi-dimensional player who could keep defenses on their heels (Not to mention a great return man). McCluster has a lot of the same attributes. The difference is size - McCluster measured 5-8, 165 pounds yesterday. GM Scot McCloughan likes SEC players but he likes big players even more. I'm not sure how he would feel about McCluster.
Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody looked like he belonged on "Biggest Loser" during yesterday's weigh in. Here's a picture for those with strong stomachs. Today, however, he showed that he knows how to throw that weight around. During one-on-one drills he sent his center opponent sprawling five yards backward onto his backside. Two years ago, Sedrick Ellis was the Senior Bowl stud at DT and last year it was B.J. Raji. Cody takes over that title this year.
For the North ...
As predicted, Idaho guard Mike Iupati took some snaps at left tackle today and, well, struggled with the new position. Scouts are interested to see whether Ipuati, who has long, tackle-like arms, can make the transition like Chiefs offensive lineman Branden Albert was able to do two years ago. Iupati's arms might be long, but his feet were too slow on Tuesday. At guard, however, Iupati was dominant against Purdue DT Mike Neal, who was a standout last week at the East-West Shrine practices.
Like Indiana's Rodger Saffold last week, UMass's Vladimir Ducasse is an offensive tackle who is getting a lot of attention this week. Ducasse certainly looks the part. He stands 6-4 and weighs 326. He struggled in pass protection today perhaps because he simply isn't used to the caliber of competition he is seeing in Mobile. Can the 49ers count on any of these guys lasting until their pick in the second round? Hard to say at this point, but the recent history at the position is that potential starting left tackles get snapped up very quickly. If the 49ers want one, they'll likely have to use a first-round pick.
Michigan's Brandon Graham is an interesting choice at outside linebacker. For two days now, he's been coming off the line of scrimmage as if sprung from a catapult. He definitely has pass-rush potential and at 263 pounds is solid enough to hold the point in the running game. I think he's a guy that fits all the 49ers criteria: Senior, big body, big school, productive in college.
The North squad looks solid at cornerback. Boise State's Kyle Wilson (who's also a great return man), Cal's Syd'Quan Thompson, and Rutgers' Devin McCourty all have looked good, as has UVA's Chris Cook. Cook is 6-2, 212 pounds and is built a lot like Dashon Goldson. You have to wonder whether he'd be better off playing safety in the NFL.
-- Matt Barrows
