WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsColeman, Benford on the rise after Shrine Game workouts

Coleman's stock rising after productive week at Shrine Game
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WRCB) -- A strong week of workouts earned B.J. Coleman the starting nod at quarterback for the East squad in Saturday's East-West Shrine Game.

But even if the former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga standout continues to shine on the big stage, it's little moments off the football field this week that he'll remember the most.

"It's fun being here with the guys. We have a lot of athletes out here, and I've enjoyed working with these guys who are out here going for the same things," Coleman told reporters earlier this week. "Football is what I do, but you know, to be able to go to the hospital and be able to interact with the children, that's been my favorite part so far."

Indeed an early-week trip to the local Shriner's Hospital showcased the energy, positive outlook and leadership skills that have made Coleman a fast favorite for pro scouts in attendance in St. Pete.

Of course, it helps that he has most of the physical tools they're looking for, too.

"The competitive attitude. The teammate aspect. Being able to interact with the guys well and be a leader. Those are the things they've been looking at," Coleman said, listing his topics of conversations with scouts. "But good feet and getting a good grasp on a pro-style offense, and of course being able to throw the football down the field."

He excelled at nearly all of them this week in the eyes of Eric Galko.

Galko, the director of scouting for Optimum Scouting, has covered the Shrine workouts all week, and was quickly intrigued by Coleman's stature and command of the huddle. He said scouts liked it, too, but they also noted a few areas where the former Moc still needs to improve.

"He's been struggling, especially this week, in keeping the ball accurate down the field," Galko said via cell phone on Friday. "I don't know if he's got the accuracy right now, at least he didn't show it in practice or on film, to be a guy who can make consistent down the field 15, 20 or 25-yard throws that are really important to NFL offenses right now."

But the general consensus is Coleman will be able to get there.

The 6-foot-3, 234-pounder was described as "extremely coachable," and he gained points with his knowledge of the game and his hunger to improve.

"I think his biggest strength is his mental ability," Galko said. "He loves to watch film, and NFL teams are going to take a liking to that. He's a guy you can really see being in the NFL for a long time as long as he keeps improving because of the fact he's going to be a guy you want in your locker room."

Galko said so far Coleman has been the best of the six quarterbacks in St. Pete this week, and depending on how next week's Senior Bowl workouts shake out, he is likely to be the No. 7 or 8 quarterback overall on most draft boards heading into February's NFL Combine.

"I think obviously his polish and ability to get better and be coachable is something NFL teams are going to really like," Galko said. "If he can cap this week with a good game on Saturday, I think he'll have a chance to keep moving up boards and be a guy teams can put their faith in to be a developmental quarterback of the future."

Coleman is doing his best not to look too far into the future just yet. While he acknowledges the week has been something of a non-stop job interview, he also describes it as one of the best experiences of his life.

It may be stressful at times, but he's doing his best to soak up every moment and enjoy the ride.

"I think it's fun," he said. "I think it makes you focus in on every play. And sometimes you're going to mess up. You're not going to always execute the way you want to, but that's what the short term memory as a quarterback is all about.

"You have to be able to wash away what's happened previously, good or bad, and attack the next play as you did the first."

The East-West Shrine Game will be televised nationally at 4 p.m. ET by the NFL Network on Saturday afternoon. Coleman will also attend the NFL Combine in Indianapolis from February 22-27.

Benford also moving up draft boards at Shrine Game
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WRCB) -- B.J. Coleman isn't the only Chattanooga native turning heads at the East-West Shrine Game this week.

Former Red Bank star and Tennessee Tech wide receiver Tim Benford is also rising up NFL draft boards after a strong week of workouts in front of pro scouts.

The 5-foot-11, 199-pound wideout was the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year as a senior, but started the week as a relative unknown to many in attendance.

That didn't last long.

"His ability to consistently get separation using quickness and sudden cuts in his routes has been outstanding," said Eric Galko, the director of scouting for Optimum Scouting. "He doesn't have great separation going deep down the field, but as a short-area, speed guy that can make a catch and turn and run very quickly, I think he's a guy NFL teams will be intrigued about because there's not a lot of guys that can play that position."

Unlike Coleman, Benford has not been invited to February's NFL Combine, meaning this week is one of his few chances to catch the eye of potential NFL employers. Even without the combine, Galko thinks Benford has done enough to earn serious consideration as a mid-to-late round NFL Draft pick.

"I think Benford has a great chance to get drafted. It's more about where he goes and how high teams will get on him," Galko said. "The question is will he be a big-play guy on the outside, will he be a slot receiver, or will he be an every-down, every-day type of starter like (Carolina wideout) Steve Smith.

"But he has great length, great quickness and suddenness in his routs, and more polish than I thought. I think a lot of teams will be intrigued with him in that mid-to-late round area."