NFL.com's Senior Bowl standouts from Day 2
Another Senior Bowl practice is in the books.
Wednesday served as the second of three days of practice for the senior class as they prepare for Saturday's showcase.
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks continued their trend from Tuesday by each choosing a player that stood out in Day 2 of practice.
First up is Jeremiah, who raved about the play of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz.
Meinerz did not play this past season as Wisconsin-Whitewater's 2020 campaign was cancelled due to COVID-19. However, he did play in 29 games from 2018-2019 and was named First-Team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference both years. Standing in at 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, Meinerz is a force along the offensive line.
"He was dominant yesterday when I went back and watched the tape, and today, he carried that over," Jeremiah said. "More pancake blocks in the run game and more outstanding reps in pass protection. He has made himself a lot of money this week,"
The second player who stood out on Day 2 was Boston College tight end Hunter Long.
Long played well in 11 games in 2020, catching 57 passes for 685 yards and five touchdowns. His play earned him a selection as First-Team All-ACC, and his performance down in Mobile on Wednesday certainly caught the eye of Brooks.
"You talk about another guy who has made a lot of money, Hunter Long, the tight end from Boston College, has been very, very impressive," Brooks said on NFL Network. "When you look at him, he's one of the most natural 'Y' tight ends that's in the draft. He's shown that. His ability to get out of his stance, he can run routes, he has soft hands. We see that he's a bully blocker. When I think about it, I think he is going to be a guy that pushes for that number two tight end spot right behind Kyle Pitts."
Here are NFL.com's standouts from Day 1:
DE Carlos Basham, Wake Forest: "He was excellent, especially in team drills... His power was too much for the offensive linemen today."
DT Levi Onwuzurike Washington: "He looked quick and was able to generate knock-back power in one-on-ones and run periods. His quickness and leverage remind me of Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl DT Grady Jarrett. They have different body types, but Onwuzurike plays with that same type of effort and motor."
WR Josh Palmer, Tennessee: "The former Vol star helped himself as much as any prospect on Tuesday. He looked smooth and fluid in one-on-ones. He was able to get over the top of coverage and tracked the ball well."
RB Larry Rountree III, Missouri: "He ran the ball really well, especially in 9-on-7 drills. He showed excellent vision and decisiveness and seems poised to continue the momentum he built during a 14-touchdown campaign (seventh-most in the FBS) in his final season with the Tigers."
WR Shi Smith, South Carolina: "Smith made the catch of the day, diving to make a grab on a corner route... He will be a Day 1 starter as a slot receiver in the NFL. He reminds me a little bit of the New York Jets' Jamison Crowder, so a team looking for someone like that is really going to like Smith."
Catch up on all the action with must-see photos from the 2021 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
Senior Bowl Highlights: Biggest plays & latest news from Day 2
The 2021 Senior Bowl is underway in Mobile, Alabama. Check out highlights and interviews from Day 2 of the annual showcase event for the nation's top outgoing seniors ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft:
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah updated his ranking of the top 50 prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft for the final time before the start of the draft.
Giants sending frontline COVID-19 workers to Super Bowl LV
Earlier this week, the Giants announced that they selected four local healthcare heroes to attend Super Bowl LV in Tampa Bay as their guests on February 7. These guests from Hackensack Meridian Health and Quest Diagnostics were invited in recognition of their unwavering commitment to their community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Select healthcare workers from around the country, including local healthcare heroes invited by NFL clubs, will take part in various Super Bowl LV festivities at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. All healthcare workers attending Super Bowl LV will have completed their COVID-19 vaccination prior to travel.
"We are beyond grateful for the brave women and men who have continued to serve tirelessly at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Pete Guelli, New York Giants Chief Commercial Officer. "Our organization is thankful we are able to partner with Hackensack Meridian Health and Quest Diagnostics to offer a small token of appreciation to the well-deserving healthcare workers in the Tri-state area who have sacrificed and displayed so much bravery and heroism during these unprecedented times."
The Post's Mark Cannizzaro spoke with each of the four healthcare workers being honored, all of whom couldn't contain their excitement about being able to attend Super Bowl LV.
Let's get to know each of the four honorees.
Joseph Mannarano/Hackensack Meridian Health
Joseph, a resident of Maywood, N.J., is an interventional radiology nurse at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center. Mannarano assists interventional radiologists and technologists with procedures that involve fluoroscopy, ultrasound, or cat scan guidance. Joseph has been a registered nurse with Hackensack Meridian Health for 10 years.
Mannarano, who worked in the Mobile Satellite Emergency Room at MetLife Stadium for Super Bowl XLVIII, said his reaction was "shock initialliy" when he got the call from Robert C. Garrett, the CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health, informing him of the news.
"I couldn't even the fathom the CEO of a large company calling me personally to congratulate me on winning,'' Mannarano told Cannizzaro.
Zenaida Palmros/Hackensack Meridian Health
Zenaida, of Freehold, N.J., is a critical care nurse at Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center, working in an intensive care unit taking care of a diverse population of critically ill patients. During the current pandemic, Palmros' care has focused on COVID-19 patients who have had respiratory, renal and cardiac complications. The care is not only based on physical needs, but also addressing the emotional impact of COVID-19, which has been a challenging task. Palmros has been a registered nurse for 27 years and with Hackensack Meridian Health for 25 years.
"I don't really follow football, but if I had to pick a team it would be the Giants,'' said Palmros.
Cheryl Greenberg/Quest Diagnostics
Cheryl, a Hamden, Conn., resident, joined Quest Diagnostics in 2016. A phlebotomist, Greenberg often works additional shifts when needed to cover for staffing issues and acts as group lead on her supervisor's off days to ensure the team continues to deliver the best quality care possible to patients.
"This is the best thing, I think, that has ever happened to me,'' Greenberg told The Post. "I've been a Giants fan since I was a kid, 35-plus years. I never, ever dreamed of going to a Super Bowl. I've never even been to a game before. This is just amazing.''
Rosa Bermudez/Quest Diagnostics
Rosa, from Southbridge, Mass., has been with Quest Diagnostics since 2013. Bermudez started as a floating phlebotomist and was recently promoted to group lead for the Northern Mass. area. She has been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic since day one.
"I can't believe I'm going to the Super Bowl, and for my first game to be a Super Bowl is nuts,'' said Bermudez, who has never attended an NFL game. "I'm super humbled and grateful. It could have been anybody and they picked me.''