MOBILE, Ala. – Shortly after wrapping a third straight day of practice leading the Senior Bowl's North squad, Raiders head coach Jon Gruden was asked for his take on receivers Andy Isabella and Penny Hart.
"I don't want to talk about those guys," Gruden said. "I don't like them. I don't like them at all."
Gruden stood emotionless for a beat, before cracking a wry smile. Try as he might, Gruden just couldn't keep a straight face.
It would be impossible not to like the Isabella kid from UMass and Georgia State's Hart after three solid practices. Neither receiver mirrored NFL prototype, but these short guys proved fast, agile and apt making big plays against big-school competition.
Those two had plenty to prove during Senior Bowl week coming from small schools, with small stature. They are among several standouts on the North Squad who have piqued the Raiders' interest during this week.
"There are a lot of guys who are on the radar," Gruden said. "We'll see how they perform on Saturday in the game."
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The Senior Bowl itself takes place Saturday evening, and stands as the last evaluation piece of an intensive study for a Raiders staff coaching a team through the week.
Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock are looking to identify possible targets and eliminate other options while working so closely with these kids. Odds are great one or two of these guys end up Raiders after the NFL draft.
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Seeing progress over the week is vital, and Gruden has seen improvement from several players.
"That has been the case not only on the practice field, but in the meeting room," Gruden said. "We've seen who can see make the corrections and then repeat them. We're going to split the squads up tomorrow night to try and get to know the South squad a little better, too."
The Raiders will surely want to get their hands on South edge rushers Montez Sweat (Mississippi State) and Jaylon Ferguson (Louisiana State), and several others on a team coached by the 49ers all week.
Let's focus on a few North squad standouts who made a good impression on the Raiders staff.
-- In addition to Isabella and Hart, Ohio State's Terry McLaurin had an excellent week. He showed well on Thursday especially, with several contested catches. He has clear ability to create separation.
-- Maryland safety Darnell Savage was also impressive. Raiders coaches like his versatility and his aggressiveness making plays on the ball.
-- Delaware's Nasir Adderley entered the Senior Bowl well with a buzz over his game tape, and backed it up with a solid week playing both safety spots and slot cornerback.
-- Notre Dame running back Dexter Williams showed wiggle and burst on Thursday, and needs a strong game to validate his practice efforts.
-- John Cominsky had a strong Wednesday practice, according to a pool report, and is on the radar out of Charleston.
-- Missouri's Drew Lock and Duke's Daniel Jones were the best of the North quarterbacks this week.
-- Gruden praised Kansas State offensive lineman Dalton Risner after the practice week.
