Today's Senior Bowl (South 17, North 16) wasn't decided until an extra point was kicked with the clock at 0:00, but the real buzz at this year's game was no different than any other year. Draft stock. Some stocks rise and others fall.
Here is a look at three guys who made or lost money today. One of them is
Sedrick Ellis, who after last week's practices and today's game may have leapfrogged LSU's
Glenn Dorsey as the odds-on favorite to be the #1 overall pick in April's NFL Draft.
LOST MONEY: QB
Matt Ryan (Boston College): Arguably the top gunslinger prospect in this year's draft class, Ryan chose not to play in this year's Senior Bowl. You can't like the moxie of a guy who isn't hungry to be on the field. It was probably his agent's advice -- nothing to gain, everything to lose -- but who do you want running your team. A guy who listens to his agent when the pressure is high? Or a guy who wants to play football?
MADE MONEY: DT
Sedrick Ellis (USC): What a monster game. This guy fits the bill for what Bill Parcells and the Dolphins want and need: a huge guy who can penetrate the offensive line at will. His draft stock couldn't be higher right now. His agent probably will tell him to avoid the upcoming NFL Combine, but he has already said he'll be there. "You know it," he said when asked about attending the Combine during today's post-game interview. "It's competition, right?" That is a guy you want on your football team. He wants to break skulls first, and cash checks later.
LOST MONEY: QB Andre Woodson (Kentucky): Another top prospect at the quarterback position, Woodson took a safety today instead of throwing the ball away. He can't create on the run as well as you'd like for a guy with his strength and size. His mechanics and decision-making decline when he is under pressure. In Woodson's defense, he was being hunted by
Sedrick Ellis. Still, his performance in the bowl game against an FSU defense deleted by suspensions, and today's performance, did absolutely nothing to bolster this guy's chances to be the second quarterback chosen behind Ryan or Louisville's
Brian Brohm. Don't be surprised if Woodson drops to the third round.