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The 2007 Under Armour Senior Bowl read like a weather forecast - dull and dreary with a 70 percent chance of boring.
But for Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, this experience was much better than the last time he stepped onto the field.
Smith and the rest of the northern squad handled the South 27-0 on Saturday in front of 40,000 in Mobile, Ala.
Smith and fellow-Big Tenner Penn State running back Tony Hunt did not play a large portion of the contest, but they did the one thing the Senior Bowl is good for - improved their draft stock.
Hunt ran for a game-high 39 yards, a touchdown and was named MVP, but it was Smith who responded, albeit quietly, to the critics.
Smith only threw for 52 yards and one score, but his ability to manage the game and manufacture three scoring drives was quite contrary to his performance three weeks ago.
Following Smith's four completions for 35 yards and one interception in Florida's 41-14 rout against the Buckeyes in the BCS title game, questions about whether the Heisman Trophy winner could compete on the next level arose.
Smith, at 6-feet-1-inch tall, may not be the biggest quarterback in the draft or have the strongest arm; both of the aforementioned categories are reserved for JaMarcus Russell. But his athletic ability and 25-2 record as a starter will grab the attention of some team picking in the second round.
North head coach Jon Gruden, whose Tampa Bay Buccaneers team is badly in need of a quarterback, seemed pleased with Smith.
"There's just a lot of creativity he brings to an offense, and it's fun to have, honestly," Gruden told ESPN.com. "I've kind of forgotten how much fun that is."
On the other sideline, Florida signal-caller Chris Leak did not help his cause.
Things seemed to be looking up for Leak after he finally won the big game that always alluded him, but that changed when the North defense sacked him three times, one causing a sack, and only allowed Leak 23 yards on 5-of-9 passing.
My father, in all his wisdom, compared Leak to another national champion Florida QB who just couldn't cut it in the NFL - Danny Wuerffel. As always, dad is right on this one.
Leak's arm strength alone is a big question mark for NFL scouts. NFL defensive backs will feast on Leak's passes that hang up in the air for what seems like an eternity.
The Senior Bowl was not particularly exciting for LSU players either.
Four Tigers were originally scheduled to play in the game, but safety LaRon Landry decided not to risk injury as a first-round lock and receiver Craig Davis suffered an injury prior to the contest, hurting his chances of being seen by many NFL scouts.
Dwayne Bowe did little to help himself in the actual bowl game, but Scouts Inc. director of college football scouting Todd McShay said Bowe helped his cause earlier in the week.
"His performance during the week of practice left a lasting impression on NFL brass," McShay said on ESPN.com. "The 6-foot-2, 222-pound receiver wasted little time establishing himself as not only the top wideout, but also the premier offensive skill player on both rosters."
Perhaps the most interesting story to come out of the Senior Bowl revolves around Amobi Okoye, a very bright defensive tackle who's personality is as big as he is.
The "New Nigerian Nightmare" is a 19-year-old senior from Louisville with tremendous upside and room for growth. The 6-foot-1-inch, 287-pound Okoye, no relation to Super Tecmo Bowl legend Christian Okoye, only started playing football six years ago. He began his college football career at 16 years of age and garnered First Team All-Big East honors this season and sits at No. 13 on Mel Kiper's Big Board.
All in all, the Senior Bowl was what is always is - a pretty uneventful last shot for seniors on the draft fence to show their stuff.
Troy Smith got the best of Chris Leak this time around, but the National Championship ring on Leak's finger will probably make him forget the pain of losing a game that doesn't matter. The long-term effects of the game could come back to haunt Leak, however.
Let's just hope Leak donates much of his time and money to good causes like Wuerffel before him when he fails as an NFL quarterback.
----- Keith recommends the Senior Bowl for Insomnia Contact him at kclaverie@lsureveille.com
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