Grambling's Eugene, Hatcher Held out of All-Star Classics

[TexasTerror]

Well, Eugene is going to put his game face on and skip everything leading up to the combine. I'm sure he got an invite or few, as well as Hatcher. I really wanted to see Eugene work with an All-Star squad and against All-Star players behind an All-Star line...

From Spears himself -

He added that quarterback Bruce Eugene and defensive end Jason Hatcher are being held out of all-star games to participate in off-season conditioning programs. (Monroe News Star, 12/31/05)

http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051231/SPORTS/512310333/1006

[kardplayer]

Well, Eugene is going to put his game face on and skip everything leading up to the combine. I'm sure he got an invite or few, as well as Hatcher. I really wanted to see Eugene work with an All-Star squad and against All-Star players behind an All-Star line...

From Spears himself -

He added that quarterback Bruce Eugene and defensive end Jason Hatcher are being held out of all-star games to participate in off-season conditioning programs. (Monroe News Star, 12/31/05)

http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051231/SPORTS/512310333/1006

This is probably not the worst idea in the world - playing in a "lesser" all-star game won't have nearly the impact of kicking tail at the Combine.


One other note - the article including Grambling's #19 finish in our poll - I always like to see our name in pixels!

[Mr. C]

I personally think that Bruce Eugene needs as much exposure as possible because of playing such a weak schedule. He needs to show scouts he can play at the next level.

[Punchykky]

I personally think that Bruce Eugene needs as much exposure as possible because of playing such a weak schedule. He needs to show scouts he can play at the next level.

And it wouldn't hurt none if he lost some weight, too! :nod:

[Mr. C]

And it wouldn't hurt none if he lost some weight, too! :nod:
Agreed

[Tribe4SF]

Rather strange wording. Eugene can't be "held out of all-star games". Playing is his decision, if he gets invited. I would think he is a borderline invite to the combine. He needs exposure, and if he gets an all-star invite, he'd be crazy not to accept. Being in a conditioning program and playing in an all-star game are not mutually exclusive. If he's not in shape, that's a bigger problem. Guys who are not well conditioned don't last long in rookie camps.

[kardplayer]

Rather strange wording. Eugene can't be "held out of all-star games". Playing is his decision, if he gets invited. I would think he is a borderline invite to the combine. He needs exposure, and if he gets an all-star invite, he'd be crazy not to accept. Being in a conditioning program and playing in an all-star game are not mutually exclusive. If he's not in shape, that's a bigger problem. Guys who are not well conditioned don't last long in rookie camps.

From another thread, I'm pretty sure he has the Combine invite, so he's safe there.

The level of competition in the Vegas game just isn't high enough to make a major difference for NFL scouts. Here are the rosters from last year: http://www.lvaac.com/rosters

I think spending a week at football practice and going to team meals won't be nearly as good for him going into the combines as exercising X hours a day as part of a major conditioning program. At the combine, those guys are really put through the ringer, giving the scouts what they need to see. A "combine superstar" will get drafted before the "LVAAC superstar" everytime.

Think of LVAAC as the mid-term and the combine as the final. If a professor told you you had to ace the final in order to pass, and the mid-term could help you but was optional, where would you put your efforts?

[kardplayer]

Also, take a look at the players who were there previously that are now in the NFL - these aren't the superstars...

http://www.lvaac.com/news#draft

[Tribe4SF]

The LV all-star game practices are basically run by NFL scouts. The game is secondary to the opportunity to work in front of the scouts. Participation would detract nothing from a conditioning program. Borderline NFL prospects usually take every opportunity, including all-star games, combine (if invited), and private workouts. My guess is he wasn't invited to an all-star game.

[Tribe4SF]

Also, take a look at the players who were there previously that are now in the NFL - these aren't the superstars...

http://www.lvaac.com/news#draft

And you think Eugene is going to be a superstar? :rolleyes:

[youwouldno]

Eugene is definitely a 'project' type guy. So I think the most important thing for him is to do well at the combine. It probably could help him a bit to participate in an all-star type game, but the combine is much more important and he'll need to be in tip top shape.

[kardplayer]

And you think Eugene is going to be a superstar? :rolleyes:

That's not what I'm saying at all. I have no idea whether he'll be a superstar or not.

The point I was trying to make was that since one ding against Eugene when comparing him vs. I-A QB's is strength of competition, playing in something like the Shrine Game where first and 2nd round players play would give him the opportunity to show he can "hang with the big boys", even if for one afternoon.

I don't think playing the LVAAC will help him overcome that ding...

[SUjagTILLiDIE]

The LV all-star game practices are basically run by NFL scouts. The game is secondary to the opportunity to work in front of the scouts. Participation would detract nothing from a conditioning program. Borderline NFL prospects usually take every opportunity, including all-star games, combine (if invited), and private workouts. My guess is he wasn't invited to an all-star game.
# GSU's Eugene and Hatcher Headed for NFL Combine

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some showing off will be good thing
Grambling duo earns Combine invites
By Nick Deriso
[email protected]


GRAMBLING — Grambling State will double up on NFL Combine participants in 2006.

GSU coach Melvin Spears says both quarterback Bruce Eugene and defensive end Jason "Hatchet" Hatcher will attend — a year after Kenneth Pettway became the first GSU player since 2001 to garner the coveted invite.

http://thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060101/SPORTS/601010332/1006

[MACHIAVELLI]

Bruce Eugene
This is a player at the quarterback position who posses some good down the road ability
This a player I have only witnessed playing once, he looked to have good presence in the pocket, who can throw a pretty tight pass when his line gave him the rare time to setup and have the time to throw with the proper mechanics, he also had the quickness when forced out of the pocket for a quarterback of his size
However, it is urgent that this player loose a good 40lbs or more of weight if he decides to have chance at the next level, he needs to dedicate himself in the weight room and tighten his body up, if this player were to work hard in the weight room and loose the pounds needed he might have the chance to quarterback at the next level

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?Prospect_ID=561

[McNeese75]

I would agree with that!! :nod:

[MACHIAVELLI]

I recently talked with Bruce he is doing fine in with his workouts. He has dropped 22 pounds.


************************************************** ********
Profile Update
He is a player at the quarterback position who posses some excellent upside and ability
He is a quarterback I have been privileged to watch in game action only a few times, who possess excellent pocket presence and awareness, who throws a tight spiral with excellent placement on his balls, which allows his receivers to gains extra (YAC)
He is a pocket passer who looks to throw first and scramble out of necessity secondly, he has a good knack for keeping his eyes down field even as the pocket is collapsing, and who is willing to absorb oncoming hits by defenders to complete passes upfield
He also has the uncanny ability to shuffle his feet inside the pocket to avoid incoming rushers to complete passes, with the arm strength to throw all the necessary throws, including an assortment of side arm throws, causing defenses to defend the entire field
He has the versatility to throw inside or outside the pocket very effectively, with the ability to extend passing plays with his feet, and he posses the quickness to avoid would be tacklers inside the pocket to scramble and make valuable yards down field
However, it is urgent that he lose a good amount of weight and improve his conditioning if he is considering to have a career at the next level, if he were to dedicate himself in the weight room and tighten his body up, he could be a real steal for a NFL team!

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?Prospect_ID=561

[MACHIAVELLI]

************************************************** ********
Profile Update
He is a player at the quarterback position who posses some excellent upside and ability
He is a quarterback I have been privileged to watch in game action only a few times, who possess excellent pocket presence and awareness, who throws a tight spiral with excellent placement on his balls, which allows his receivers to gains extra (YAC)
He is a pocket passer who looks to throw first and scramble out of necessity secondly, he has a good knack for keeping his eyes down field even as the pocket is collapsing, and who is willing to absorb oncoming hits by defenders to complete passes upfield
He also has the uncanny ability to shuffle his feet inside the pocket to avoid incoming rushers to complete passes, with the arm strength to throw all the necessary throws, including an assortment of side arm throws, causing defenses to defend the entire field
He has the versatility to throw inside or outside the pocket very effectively, with the ability to extend passing plays with his feet, and he posses the quickness to avoid would be tacklers inside the pocket to scramble and make valuable yards down field
However, it is urgent that he lose a good amount of weight and improve his conditioning if he is considering to have a career at the next level, if he were to dedicate himself in the weight room and tighten his body up, he could be a real steal for a NFL team!

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?Prospect_ID=561

[mikebigg]

************************************************** ********
Profile Update
He is a player at the quarterback position who posses some excellent upside and ability
He is a quarterback I have been privileged to watch in game action only a few times, who possess excellent pocket presence and awareness, who throws a tight spiral with excellent placement on his balls, which allows his receivers to gains extra (YAC)
He is a pocket passer who looks to throw first and scramble out of necessity secondly, he has a good knack for keeping his eyes down field even as the pocket is collapsing, and who is willing to absorb oncoming hits by defenders to complete passes upfield
He also has the uncanny ability to shuffle his feet inside the pocket to avoid incoming rushers to complete passes, with the arm strength to throw all the necessary throws, including an assortment of side arm throws, causing defenses to defend the entire field
He has the versatility to throw inside or outside the pocket very effectively, with the ability to extend passing plays with his feet, and he posses the quickness to avoid would be tacklers inside the pocket to scramble and make valuable yards down field
However, it is urgent that he lose a good amount of weight and improve his conditioning if he is considering to have a career at the next level, if he were to dedicate himself in the weight room and tighten his body up, he could be a real steal for a NFL team!

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?Prospect_ID=561


I agree... I commented to folk all year that I liked how he never took his eye off the field of play (even when moving in the pocket). He has "point guard" vision as a qb. He's currently working out in Arizona on his conditioning and mechanics... When the scout see him make the throws and answer their questions during the combine, his draft stock is gonna rise. Bruce is very clever and knows coverage. Smart kid with football smarts!