Jim Schwartz is 1-0 in Senior Bowl games as a head coach, his last win coming in 2010.
For the second time in Jim Schwartz’s head coaching career, he and his staff will get the opportunity to coach some of the top college prospects ahead of this year’s NFL draft in the Senior Bowl.
Last time Schwartz and his motley crew of Gunther Cunningham and Scott Linehan coached the Senior Bowl, the Lions had arguably one of their best draft classes. With their first pick in 2010 following the game, the Lions grabbed Ndamukong Suh, who is the team’s best defensive player. In addition to Suh, the team took Jahvid Best and were able to grab two key defensive pieces in Amari Spievey, who has started at safety, and Willie Young, who has been incredibly impressive at defensive end. Every one of those players may not have played in the Senior Bowl, but coaching the game seems to have helped the team grade players better that year.
One of the little known tid-bits about the 2010 Senior Bowl, one which played a key part in this season, is the team became very high on Joquie Bell at the Bowl. While they did not draft him and had to wait until last year to get him, Bell was a huge part of the offense last year.
With Detroit needing a lot of help on defense, with pretty much the whole starting unit either hurt or a free agent, the Senior Bowl will be a great place for the Lions to scout the “playmakers” General Manager Martin Mayhew said he wants. Notable secondary players attending are three of the Georgia defensive backs, Michigan State corner Johnny Adams and Desmond Trufant from the University of Washington.
An interesting name, who has yet to commit to the game, is Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson. The Lions have been looking to replace Jahvid Best and need a change of pace back behind Bell and Mikel Leshoure. Robinson was invited to the game as a wide receiver, but it is reported he could also potentially play running back. If he ends up attending, he could be an interesting prospect for the Lions to evaluate.
The other staff coaching opposite of the Lions will be the Oakland Raiders of the AFC West. This year’s Senior Bowl will be January 26, can be viewed on the NFL Network at 4 p.m. and will take place in Alabama.
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January 02, 2013
