Mobile – Sunny skies and cooler temperatures graced the third day of practice for the 2011 Under
NFL prospects from the North team worked out in the morning at Ladd-Peeples Stadium, while the South squad went through work in the afternoon.
The Wednesday work featured a bit more contact than the previous two days, as the players are adjusting to the respective game plans put in place by the North and South coaching staff. The North is helmed by Marvin Lewis and company from the Cincinnati Bengals, while Chan Gailey's Buffalo Bills coaching staff is in charge of the South.
Oklahoma free safety Quinton Carter said after practice that his time in the Sooner program, and the competition he faced in the Big 12 conference, has prepared him well for the week here in south Alabama.
"It's helped tremendously," Carter said. "A lot of players I played against are doing great in the NFL right now, like (Cowboys wide receiver) Dez Bryant, for example."
Carter, who is just shy of standing 6-1, and weighs 211 pounds, is a superstar in terms of community service. Earlier today he won the Coach Wooden Cup, which is an award given to an NCAA athlete based on community involvement and citizenship.
Meanwhile, Cal defensive lineman Cameron Jordan was surrounded by the San Fransico Bay-area media after Wednesday's practice, and the first question out of the gate was about where he'll play on the defense in the NFL. Jordan, like his Senior Bowl teammates, sold his versatility.
"I'm a defensive lineman. I'm a SAM 'backer. I'm whatever you need me to be. I don't care: I just want to play football. That's all I really care about. I like being able to put my hand in the ground. I like being able to hit somebody on every play," Jordan said.
As a freshman, Jordan said he played in the 4-3 defense, but spent his final three years as a collegian in the 3-4.
Once a rival of Jordan's, but for this week a teammate, is Stanford corner Richard Sherman. He's one of three Cardinal players on the North squad this week, joining fullback Owen Marecic and defensive lineman Sione Fua. Sherman appreciates the familiarity with his former teammates.
"That's the best," Sherman said. "It just brings your comfort level a little higher. It says a lot about what we've been able to accomplish: having three guys here."
Both North and South teams will practice tomorrow, and then they'll have walkthroughs on Friday afternoon. The 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl kicks off at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
*For more comprehensive coverage of the 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl, go to the HoustonTexans.com blogs by clicking **here**.
