MOBILE, Ala. This was the Senior Bowl “Unplugged” a stripped-down version of the annual college all-star game that packs much of the NFL universe into Mobile, Alabama, for a few days in January.
Typically the Senior Bowl is part convention, part job fair, part mixer for team personnel, agents and media as much as it is an invaluable opportunity to evaluate some of the nation’s top draft prospects.
Last week, however, the restaurants and bars and hotel lobbies were practically barren as teams focused on the one return to normalcy they relished most: a chance to see these players up close and personal, both on the field and in interview sessions.
While the Dolphins are committed to Tua Tagovailoa, there s still opportunity to draft a QB or perhaps go after Deshaun Watson if he becomes available.
4. Ziegler s return: Patriots assistant director of player personnel Dave Ziegler played his cards well, gaining invaluable experience in interviewing for the Broncos GM post, making a favorable impression, and then returning to New England with what is expected to be a multiyear contract and pay bump as Nick Caserio s successor. Ziegler was probably a long shot to get the Denver job they ended up hiring Minnesota s George Paton but I viewed his decision to withdraw his name from consideration as a reflection of the decisiveness that has earned him a measure of respect in the Patriots offices over the past eight years.
When asked earlier in the week about needs for next season, Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule didn’t hesitate, almost defiantly saying he wasn t looking past finding a way to beat Washington and the coach he replaced.
And that’s exactly what his team did on Sunday, putting Washington’s playoff hopes on hold with a 20-13 victory over former Panthers coach Ron Rivera.
If Rhule were thinking about next year, he would have found a way to throw the game and move Carolina (5-10) a step closer to the third pick of the NFL draft after the Cincinnati Bengals (4-10-1) won earlier in the day.