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Feature
The East-West Shrine Game
by Sam Monson
22/1/2008
Next up on the Diner’s whistle-stop tour of the College game’s finest; it’s the East-West Shrine game, the nation’s oldest College All-Star game. In 2007, the East-West Shrine game provided 37 Draftees, and 55 players who made opening day NFL Rosters. It’s a step up from the Hula Bowl competition, and there are some talented players on display.
Dick Vermeil coached the East squad, and prepared his players as if they were going into an NFL Minicamp.
The Game
The East-West Shrine game was run under NFL rules, including the 2-feet down to be in bounds rule, but the game itself was decided by QB play. The West opened up a lead, and Josh Johnson extended it, whereas the East failed to get consistent play from any of their QBs Utah State receiver Kevin Robinson also added 2 TDs to the West cause, returning a punt and catching a TD, as the West ran out 31-13 winners.
 Robinson’s punt return TD gave the West a 7-3 lead, which they would never relinquish. The West was also helped out by Anthony Alridge (pictured right), playing his final college game in his home stadium, the Houston standout scored on a 4-yard TD run that extended the lead to 17-3.
“It was just great to go out with a win at my home stadium,” Alridge said. “There’s nothing like it. It was a special moment for me.”
The East never really got going, hampered by spotty QB play and dropped passes. Dick Vermeil said after the game “The kids all played hard. They tried hard. We just dropped too many passes … and missed too many guys when they had them open.”
Players and Plays that Stood Out Good and Bad
o Sam Keller, QB from Nebraska started the day as the West QB, and hit Jason Rivers with his first pass. Rivers made his second College All-Star appearance after playing in the Hula Bowl.
o Keller started well, firing crisp accurate passes, and making some good calm decisions.
o Kendall Langford made a nice play for the game’s first sack, beating his OT around the outside and staying with it to strip the ball for a fumble.
o Thomas Brown, RB from Georgia has some nice speed, running between the tackles and out in space. Word is he also has Dick Vermeil’s eye as a guy with something about him. He’s also a huge Barry Sanders fan, hence wearing #20, which makes him alright by the Diner.
o Paul Hubbard, WR from Wisconsin runs a nice slant and makes a tough grab, using his body to shield the ball on a 4th down conversion. Of course the next time he does it on the opposite side, he drops it. Makes up for that with a great grab of a high ball down the sideline later in the 3rd Quarter.
 o Morelli, (pictured right) QB from Penn St on the other hand did not open well, with dodgy accuracy, missing some throws he has to make. He also threw a nasty pick into coverage near the end of the 2nd quarter. Morelli makes another horror throw, to the same CB.
o Kevin O’Connell also makes an appearance in the Shrine game after his inconsistent play in the Hula Bowl, and he doesn’t start any better than he did in that game, missing his first two passes. O’Connell has NFL tools, but really needs to work on his consistency. Shows his serious athleticism again, and at 6’5, 235lbs, he’s prototype NFL size. O’Connell makes a legit great throw in the 2rd quarter, outside the pocket dropping the ball into a window down the sideline.
o Spencer Larsson, from Arizona shot through the line to make a great tackle for loss in the 1st.
o Paul Smith, QB from Tulsa is another of the Hula bowl player to appear here, and trying to redeem himself after that game unleashes an NFL calibre arm with a 60 yard pass in the air. It fell incomplete, but it was on the money. He completed some passes and had an altogether better outing than his Hula Bowl performance. Threw an ill-advised pick in the back of the end zone. Not a terrible throw, but his WR was beaten to the ball in the air. Led a drive in the 3rd Quarter to get the East a FG.
o From standing inside his own end-zone Toledo punter Brett Kern launches one to the opposition 30, where Utah St WR Kevin Robinson runs it all the way back for a TD. The Nation’s leading punt returner might have his way into the NFL
o Hula Bowl star Bernard Morris also makes it to the Shrine game at QB for the East. His first attempted pass was on the money deep, but the WR couldn’t come up with it. Second attempt also goes through a WR’s hands, though he could stand to have thrown it with a bit more touch.
o Benjarvis Green-Ellis, aside from having one of the finest names ever, starts pretty well as RB for the East, getting the most of the space he found, moving the chains. Might be the best pass-protecting back on display.
o Anthony Alridge, RB/WR/Return man from Houston showed some nice speed, and also the ability to run between the tackles. At less than 180lbs, his versatility is going to be key in the NFL.
o KKielen Dykes shoots the gap from his DT position. The West Virginia star blows up a run-play in the backfield because of it.
o Minnesota Vikings Rookie of the Year, Adrian Peterson was at the game, mentoring his understudy at Oklahoma, Allen Patrick. Patrick was injured early after a catch
o Div I-AA Wonder kid Josh Johnson, QB from San Diego completes his first pass floated over coverage to Alridge. His first three incompletions were actually impressive throws, the first showing serious zip, and the second a floated pass into the corner of the end zone which could have been snared by the receiver, the third being placed where only his WR had a play on it.
o RB from South Carolina, Corey Boyd made some nice plays catching and running. He seems to have the skills, and could be a sleeper pick.
o Justin Harper, WR from Virginia Tech makes a nice catch after the ball had been deflected. Well adjusted in the air. Great size and speed combination, and his stock could rise.
o Josh Johnson‘s second series sees him running a simple hurry-up offense in the 2 minute drill. First pass was a nice dump off over some traffic. He also made a big scramble for some positive yardage, and was right up calling time out. His head is right in the game. Fires another ball a bit low, but again it was catchable. Takes off for another big gain during that drive, leaving the West in the red-zone with 3 seconds remaining of the half.
o Brett Kern fires another punt 60 yards, down inside the 1 yard line. Any NFL team needing a punter, this kid looks your guy.
o Marcus Henry dropped a couple of balls early, but he wasn’t alone in drops in this game, they were everywhere.
o Jason Rivers goes up and plucks a high pass out of the air on his first ball of the day, then joins the party dropping his next.
o Dexter Jackson, WR from Appalachian St. has serious wheels, but might need to learn when to just cut his losses in the NFL. Trying to make a dead play he lost 12 yards running backwards at a frightening rate on a punt return.
o Dwight Lowrey picks off Morelli twice, and looks just as he did during his college career, like a CB who could really make an NFL team as a starter, especially a Tampa-2 style of scheme.
o Josh Johnson makes another huge scramble, picking up massive yardage. Very fluid when he’s in full flight, that’ll be interesting to see how it translates to the NFL, quite Vince Young like when he’s in full flight. Followed that by throwing a nice pass with a defender hanging on him. Later in the same drive, throws a perfect fade pass for a TD.
o Bernard Morris came back in and fired a deep cross to Dexter Jackson, a nice play from both sides. Morris hits on his next connection, trying to lead the East back to score. Throws to the End Zone, but it’s broken up by Justin Tryon, CB from Arizona St. Morris shows some escapability and scrambles for a fresh set of downs near the goal line. Corey Boyd then punches it in for the TD
o Anthony Morelli came in with 3 minutes left in the 4th Quarter to try and lead the East for a TD drive, but he never really looked like doing it through the air, and came up inches short scrambling on 4th down.
o Marcus Thomas, RB from UTEP made some hard yards throughout the game, and was given the job of running out the clock.
o Jamie Silva, DB from Boston College had a good night, tackling well and getting involved all over the field.
Top 5 Performances in the Shrine Game
 1) Josh Johnson QB – San Diego
(pictured right)
– Josh Johnson played close to the perfect game, putting nearly every ball where it should have been, making great decisions, and tearing the East apart when he took off running for big gains. By far the best performance on the field during this game
2) Brett Kern P Toledo
– 3 Punts, an average over 50 yards each, Kern showed a booming leg, as well as the ability to drop the ball inside the 20. For teams searching for a punter, he’s going to be called.
3) Anthony Alridge WR/HB Houston
– The hometown boy scored a TD, danced himself a dance, and then advertised his services to the Houston Texans during the game. He’s got speed and moves, which he’s going to need at the next level, but scouts will love his versatility.
4) Kevin Robinson WR/PR Utah State
– Little known prospect collected a booming punt and returned it to the house for a TD, before getting in on the act as a receiver too, netting a second TD. Also impressed with some excellent blocking
5) Thomas Brown RB Georgia
– Some nice runs, Brown showed strength and quickness, and caught Dick Vermeil’s eye during the Shrine game practices as a guy who might have what it takes.
Guys to Keep an Eye on
1) Josh Johnson QB San Diego
– Based on this performance Johnson might be the smartest QB available in this draft. He might also be the best QB when he’s running with the ball. He showed an arm with power, accuracy and touch, and if he continues this kind of performance in workouts this is a kid who might genuinely force his way into the bottom of the first round. If he doesn’t, someone is going to get a steal.
2) Cory Boyd RB South Carolina
– Boyd’s been through a tough start in life to end up where he is today, and he shows it with the way in which he runs, with anger. He showed the ability to do everything you want a HB to do, and did it well.
3) Dexter Jackson WR Appalachian St.
– Jackson has speed on another level, and at times looked like he was playing at a completely different speed to everyone else. Might have to make his mark initially as a return man, and needs to learn to recognise when it’s over.
4) Dwight Lowery CB San Jose St.
– Lowery looks like a prototype Tampa-2 CB, because he’s big, physical, and can run when he needs to. He also seems to have a natural nose for the ball, and turns up picks whenever he plays.
5) Paul Hubbard WR Wisconsin
– Has all the physical tools, and might be a player that has a better pro career than he had a college career.
6) Benjarvis Green-Ellis RB Ole Miss
– A big back that plays with more shiftiness than he should. Also prides himself in being the best pass-blocking back in the draft.
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