Live Updates: 2021 Senior Bowl

The intensity has picked up as the Senior Bowl in Mobile has entered the fourth quarter and both teams are trying to pull out the win.

There's been very little involvement by former Alabama players. Offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood hasn't played. Neither has Mac Jones, but the quarterback did do an interview on the NFL Network (see previous post).

Consequently, it's been the Deonte Brown show as far as the Crimson Tide is concerned. However, it did look like Jones was trying to talk his way into the game.

The National Team scored to pull ahead 27-16, although replay showed the player appeared to be down ahead of the goal-line. There have been a few calls like that.

The National Team wins the 2021 Reese's @seniorbowl! pic.twitter.com/cfqvGwO2Es
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 30, 2021

Third Quarter

Former Alabama offensive lineman Deonte Brown was still in the Senior Bowl early in the third quarter, but at right guard as the American Team coaches switched him over during the second quarter.

When you see something like that it's often at the request of NFL coaches, who want to see how a player handles different situations, or might project into their system.

The American Team has been coached by Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule. The NFL Network showed some of his halftime speech to the team.

At one point you could tell who the first player was on his left. It was quarterback Mac Jones, and he isn't even playing.

The American Team comes back strong in the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns to take the lead. It goes for two on both so no opportunity for long-snapper Thomas Fletcher. American Team up 16-8, but Brown may be done for the day.

Mac Jones Interview

Former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones was interviewed on the sideline during the NFL Network broadcast of the Senior Bowl.

"My ankle still stings a little bit," he said. "I didn't want to take any big risks. But I definitely want to be out there. It's hard for me to sit here doing this."

Jones, who is not playing in the game, said the biggest thing for him in going to the Senior Bowl was having the opportunity to work with NFL coaches and also play with other players. One of the very few knocks on him was that he was surrounded by a lot of talent on Alabama's offense.

He silenced a lot of his critics this week and was voted the best quarterback of the American Team by the players in the secondary he faced.

"I think I showed that I'm a great leader," Jones said. "I love being in the huddle with those guys, making jokes and running plays to the best of our ability. I like the huddle because I like verbalizing things."

Analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who did not have Jones has a first-round selection in his pre-Senior Bowl mock draft, said the only real concern with Jones is he doesn't quite have pure top-end arm strength.

.@AlabamaFTBL QB @MacJones_10 joined @movethesticks and @AndrewSiciliano from the sidelines!

📺: Reese's @seniorbowl on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/BI73ytqCMT
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 30, 2021

About the only other noteworthy thing from the second quarter was Brown switched over and took some snaps at right guard. National Teams leads 13-0 at halftime.

First Quarter

The National Team got on the board first with a field goal, and followed that up with a touchdown for an early 10-0 lead.

Deonte Brown started at left guard for the American Team and was the only Crimson Tide player to get in the game through the first quarter. After weighing in at 360 pounds, he looks huge compared to the other linemen.

He's standing up his guy in pass protection and showing how effective he can be in the power game. However, and we've touched on this before, he's not a versatile player, which is what a lot of teams are looking for on the offensive line.

Mac Jones Not Expected to Play

The game is about to start and there's been no announcement about who's starting. Mac Jones is in uniform and warmup up.

All of the Alabama players are on the American Team, which is wearing white. Brown is the only Alabama player to start. Texas A&M Kellen Mond starts at quarterback.

They just said on the broadcast that Jones is only going to play in an emergency situation. There's been no announcement at the stadium. They don't even have WiFi for the reporters.

The Senior Bowl website is down as well (quick update, it's back up but they're obviously having some issues).

Game Preview

After a week of practices and interview, the 2021 Senior Bowl is set to be played for the first time at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama in Mobile.

As is true for all large sporting events played during the current Covid-19 pandemic, the seating capacity has been significantly reduced to comply with local and state government public heath orders.

Practices were closed to the public, and numerous events usually associated with the week were canceled, including Senior Bowl Summit, Meet the Players, Game Day Tailgating, or the new Friday Night Players Parade and Free Concert.

DATE: Saturday, January 30, 2021
TIME: 1:30pm CT
WHERE: Mobile, Alabama
STADIUM: University of South Alabama, Hancock Whitney Stadium
TELEVISION: NFL Network

Among those expected to play for Alabama include quarterback Mac Jones, offensive linemen Alex Leatherwood and Deonte Brown, and long-snapper Thomas Fletcher.

Not expected to play are running back Najee Harris (ankle), wide receiver DeVonta Smith (finger), and offensive lineman Landon Dickerson (knee). All three were on-hand for practices and interviews with NFL teams, though.

Despite dealing with an ankle injury, Jones was named top quarterback on the American team in a vote from the secondary group at the practice player-of-the-week awards ceremony at the Senior Bowl.

Some of BamaCentral's coverage from Mobile this week:

• Despite Having Nothing to Prove, Alabama QB Mac Jones Thrives in Senior Bowl Practices

• Practice Report: Najee Harris Withdraws from 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl

• Practice Report: Nick Saban Visits the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl

• Practice Report: Alabama Football at the 2021 Senior Bowl, Day 1