Strength and power: South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw might be the best defensive player at the Senior Bowl, and he was out to prove that during Tuesday's South Team practice. His power jumps out at 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, but he's also got the get-off, footwork and quickness of a player much smaller than he is. He was a beast in pass-rushing drills vs. the offensive linemen. He's an impressive player to watch all week.
Two-pick afternoon: Georgia Southern cornerback Kindle Vildor (5-10, 185) got his hands on two interceptions during the South Team practice. He got quarterback Jalen Hurts in a 7-on-7 period on a pass Hurts threw slightly behind his receiver. He later picked off a Steven Montez pass in a team period. It was a nice start to his week for Vildor, who had nine picks the last three seasons for Georgia Southern.
Mental toughness: It was uncharacteristically cold in Mobile on Tuesday. It was 43 degrees, but with the wind, it felt like 37 degrees. If his usual practice attire is any indication, the cold didn't bother Matt Patricia, as he wore his usual shorts and a black pullover. Patricia didn't have his ATV, and also has ditched the walking boot he's worn for most of the year at Lions practice after undergoing surgery before the season. He got around pretty well going from group to group at practice.
Coach's praise: Lions defensive line coach Bo Davis doesn't mince words when he's running a pass-rushing drill between defensive and offensive linemen. He's passionate. He'll let a player know when they do something right, and when they do it wrong. Davis heaped some big-time praise on Ohio State defensive lineman Davon Hamilton for some reps he had, singling him out to the whole group at one point. Hamilton was a handful all day for the North Team defense.
High five: Davis wasn't the only Lions coach dishing out praise Tuesday. Patricia was front and center for the North Team pass-rushing drills, giving instruction to the defenders after nearly every rep. He even offered up a high-five to North Carolina's Jason Strowbridge after a great move on Temple offensive lineman Matt Hennessy for a clean rush up the middle. Strowbridge also forced a Shea Patterson throw away in a team period later in practice with a terrific rush up the middle.
Half & half: It was a nice gesture by the Senior Bowl crew to give Hurts a helmet that's half Alabama and half Oklahoma. Obviously, Hurts is loved in Alabama for his time as the Tide's QB. He transferred to Oklahoma this past season after Tua Tagovailoa won the starting job at Alabama. Hurts has a nice following this week both by the Alabama media and fan base.
Rusty start: As expected, there were a lot of mistakes during the first two practice sessions of the week Tuesday. Pass rushers jumped offside multiple times in pass-rush drills. Offensive linemen had a number of false starts in team periods. North punter Braden Mann dropped the first snap in a punt period right in front of Patricia, who shot Mann a look, to which Mann shrugged his shoulder and continued on. These players are trying to learn new schemes in just a week, while also trying to impress in the biggest interview process of their lives. Mistakes can be expected.
