Russ Lande
Senior Bowl Dish: Wrap-up
South team: Players who helped themselves
4. Donnie Avery, WR, Houston
Many people had questions about Avery because he has a slight frame and was not a consistent route runner in college. He answered most of those questions in Mobile. He is thin, but he showed strength and balance battling through contact. He showed the hands to reach out and pluck the ball very well on passes when facing the quarterback, although he did not get the chance to prove he can consistently track and make over-the-shoulder catches on deep routes. While his routes were far from sharp, you saw in practice that he listened to the coaches' instructions and then ran his routes better the next time. Avery still has to continue to prove himself this spring but is definitely putting himself in position to be a second- or first-round pick
Another speed guy, Houston's Donnie Avery, is hard to miss because of his quickness, but he might be a one-trick pony. His forte is the deep route, and he runs them well, but those skills might not translate to being much more than a specialist in the pros. At one point, 49ers WR coach Jerry Sullivan got on Avery for running the wrong route. And later, Avery inexplicably ran into the backfield as if he thought the play was a reverse, throwing off the timing and getting into QB Andre Woodson's way.
Senior Bowl Practice Report
South Team
Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
Houston's Donnie Avery had a strong Tuesday practice, as well. He looks smaller on the field that his measured 5-11, 186 pounds due to a thin lower body, but his quickness and speed are unmatched here. Avery generally caught the ball well, though he dropped a few passes early in drills, but he seemed to warm up as the practice wore on. I question his ability as an outside threat in the NFL, but his sharp route-running and explosiveness should serve him well in the slot.
Senior Bowl Practice Report
North Team
Chad Reuter, NFLDraftScout.com
Donnie Avery, WR, Houston: Displayed impressive quickness today. Made great moves at the line, beating press corners at the line. And when CBs played off, Avery used head fakes and quick-twitch movements to keep them off balance. Even more reminiscent of Packer WR Greg Jennings in person than he is on tape.
Donnie Avery (Houston) showed great hands throughout practice and seemed like the best natural hands catcher of the South WRs.
By ESPN Scouts Inc.
……..Houston's Donnie Avery need to rebound from tough debuts on Monday…….Avery caught the ball well when given the opportunity but his inability to separate from man-coverage was alarming. Avery's blazing speed is apparent, but he hasn't learned to channel it as a route runner. He gears down too much going into his cuts, which gives defensive backs time to recover and drive on the ball in the air. It will be interesting to see if Avery, one of the class's fastest-rising prospects heading into this week, winds up getting exposed versus better cover corners this week.
• Houston wide receiver Donnie Avery was awfully impressive today. He really eats up turf quickly and also displayed good hands. I'm still not sure he's an NFL starter though...
Donnie Avery, Houston – probably the best pure route runner on the day. Comes out of his breaks with suddenness, which allows him to get position on a DB even when he is tightly covered. Excellent hands catcher.
Senior Bowl Dish: Wrap-up
South team: Players who helped themselves
4. Donnie Avery, WR, Houston
Many people had questions about Avery because he has a slight frame and was not a consistent route runner in college. He answered most of those questions in Mobile. He is thin, but he showed strength and balance battling through contact. He showed the hands to reach out and pluck the ball very well on passes when facing the quarterback, although he did not get the chance to prove he can consistently track and make over-the-shoulder catches on deep routes. While his routes were far from sharp, you saw in practice that he listened to the coaches' instructions and then ran his routes better the next time. Avery still has to continue to prove himself this spring but is definitely putting himself in position to be a second- or first-round pick
Another speed guy, Houston's Donnie Avery, is hard to miss because of his quickness, but he might be a one-trick pony. His forte is the deep route, and he runs them well, but those skills might not translate to being much more than a specialist in the pros. At one point, 49ers WR coach Jerry Sullivan got on Avery for running the wrong route. And later, Avery inexplicably ran into the backfield as if he thought the play was a reverse, throwing off the timing and getting into QB Andre Woodson's way.
Senior Bowl Practice Report
South Team
Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
Houston's Donnie Avery had a strong Tuesday practice, as well. He looks smaller on the field that his measured 5-11, 186 pounds due to a thin lower body, but his quickness and speed are unmatched here. Avery generally caught the ball well, though he dropped a few passes early in drills, but he seemed to warm up as the practice wore on. I question his ability as an outside threat in the NFL, but his sharp route-running and explosiveness should serve him well in the slot.
Senior Bowl Practice Report
North Team
Chad Reuter, NFLDraftScout.com
Donnie Avery, WR, Houston: Displayed impressive quickness today. Made great moves at the line, beating press corners at the line. And when CBs played off, Avery used head fakes and quick-twitch movements to keep them off balance. Even more reminiscent of Packer WR Greg Jennings in person than he is on tape.
Donnie Avery (Houston) showed great hands throughout practice and seemed like the best natural hands catcher of the South WRs.
By ESPN Scouts Inc.
……..Houston's Donnie Avery need to rebound from tough debuts on Monday…….Avery caught the ball well when given the opportunity but his inability to separate from man-coverage was alarming. Avery's blazing speed is apparent, but he hasn't learned to channel it as a route runner. He gears down too much going into his cuts, which gives defensive backs time to recover and drive on the ball in the air. It will be interesting to see if Avery, one of the class's fastest-rising prospects heading into this week, winds up getting exposed versus better cover corners this week.
• Houston wide receiver Donnie Avery was awfully impressive today. He really eats up turf quickly and also displayed good hands. I'm still not sure he's an NFL starter though...
Donnie Avery, Houston – probably the best pure route runner on the day. Comes out of his breaks with suddenness, which allows him to get position on a DB even when he is tightly covered. Excellent hands catcher.
