Garoppolo, Westbrooks named MVPs
4:01 p.m. PT: Jimmy Garoppolo re-entered the game to wind down the last two series, going 0 for 2. He finished the game 9-of-14 for 100 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. The East squad won, 23-13.
The NFL Network broadcast team announced its two MVPs for the Shrine Game: Garoppolo was the offensive MVP, and defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks of West Texas A&M was the defensive MVP.
Daniel Jeremiah had nothing but high praise for Garoppolo, who heads to next week's Senior Bowl with a lot of momentum.
Darby doubles up
3:37 p.m. PT: Alden Darby has his second interception on the afternoon, bailing out his Territorial Cup rival, Wildcats corner Shaquille Richardson, in the process. Richardson was beaten on a double move, but Darby came across to pick off Cornell quarterback Jeff Matthews in the end zone.
Darby (5-11, 195) had four interceptions for the Sun Devils and has been solid despite rules that limit the defenses to one single high safety.
Matthews put too much air on what should have been an easy touchdown pass, which does not bode well for a quarterback that already has issues operating against pressure.
Price on target
3:10 p.m. PT: Bernard Reedy dropped an easy touchdown in the first half but made amends to open the third quarter with a nice 20-yard scoring grab on a scramble drill from Washington quarterback Keith Price.
Price won't blow anyone away in any one area, but he's a solid all-around player. He has good mobility, good arm strength and good pocket presence. It wouldn't be a surprise if he carved out a nice career as a backup.
Garoppolo impresses, Lynch not so much
2:33 p.m. PT: Jimmy Garoppolo capped his second series with a 1-yard touchdown pass down the middle of the end zone to Coastal Carolina's Matt Hazel.
Garoppolo's numbers at the half: 9 of 11, 100 yards and a touchdown.
Jordan Lynch's first half wasn't nearly as impressive; he struggled with his accuracy and finished with two interceptions. Tough performance from a prospect whom many question as a quarterback at the next level.
Garoppolo in second-round mix?
2:15 p.m. PT: Jimmy Garoppolo's first drive lived up to the billing, showcasing his quick release and live arm in completing 4 of 6 passes for 44 yards and setting up a field goal.
Daniel Jeremiah currently sees Garoppolo getting drafted somewhere on Day 2 of the draft, adding that he doesn't see him getting past the third round. But as the crew in the booth noted, the Senior Bowl has been a great launching pad in recent years for other relatively unheralded signal-callers.
Could Garoppolo end up in the first round? It could be the main storyline that emerges next week in Mobile, Ala.
West D-line has some intriguing talents
2:00 p.m. PT: Mike Mayock is talking up Bloomsburg defensive end Larry Webster (6-7, 250), a former basketball player for the Huskies that posted double-digit sacks in each of his two seasons on the gridiron.
Scouts are asking Webster if he would be interested in playing tight end, clearly looking to find the next Jimmy Graham, Jordan Cameron or Antonio Gates.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who has taken over the NFL Network Twitter account during the game, says he is hearing good things about Louisiana Tech defensive lineman Justin Ellis.
Lynch with another INT
1:45 p.m. PT: Jordan Lynch gets picked off for the second time in the first quarter, this time by Arizona cornerback Shaquille Richardson on a ball that appeared to be tipped. This is certainly not the start Lynch was looking for.
Bromley breaks through on fourth down
1:40 p.m. PT: Mike Mayock saluted West Virginia defensive end Will Clarke as one of his "moneymakers" for the East team during the week, but Syracuse defensive tackle Jay Bromley is delivering early in the game. Bromley (6-4, 285) is getting penetration early, blowing up a fourth-down run. Any three-technique tackle that can be disruptive will always be coveted in a 4-3 defense.
Lynch picked off
1:31 p.m. PT: After a decent start, Jordan Lynch made an ill-advised throw over that middle that was promptly intercepted by Arizona State safety Alden Darby. Darby has a knack for playing the ball, but Lynch had no business going into double coverage. Those are exactly the kinds of plays Lynch has to avoid to convince NFL evaluators he has a real future at quarterback.
Wenning gets on track
1:20 p.m. PT: Ball State quarterback Keith Wenning had some early jitters on the opening drive for the West, botching a handoff that was fumbled and recovered by the East, which ended up kicking a field goal.
But Wenning has bounced back on his second possession, with a couple of nice completions and a perfect deep ball that would have been a touchdown had it not slipped right through Bernard Reedy's arms.
Mayock: Lynch is an NFL QB
12:50 p.m. PT: There has been plenty of skepticism whether Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch can make the NFL as a quarterback, with moves to running back, tight end or safety suggested instead. But NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock, who is calling the Shrine Game, sees Lynch fitting in despite "playing quarterback like a linebacker."
Lynch was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy as a senior but is better known for his 1,920 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns than his passing prowess. How he throws the ball today will be the critical in determining whether Mayock's assessment is correct.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah reports that Lynch will be the East squad's starting QB.
Undersized Gallon has big opportunity
12:35 p.m. PT: Michigan wide receiver Jeremy Gallon is one of the smallest players at the Shrine Game, checking in at 5-foot-7 and 183 pounds. But NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah praised Gallon's performance in practice this week, and his production for the Maize and Blue cannot be questioned: He was second in the Big Ten in both receptions (89) and receiving yards (1,373) as a senior.
If Gallon can deliver against a quality group of corners for the West defense, including Pac-12 standouts Shaquille Richardson and Rashaad Reynolds, it could go a long way towards hearing his name called on Day 3 of the draft.
Plenty of eyes on Garoppolo
12:05 p.m. PT: Raise your hand if you've actually seen Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo play. That will change over the next two weeks, starting with today's East-West Shrine Game, where Garoppolo is certainly the top attraction at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
After a prolific career with the Panthers, throwing for 13,156 yards and 118 touchdowns with 51 interceptions in 45 career starts, Garoppolo has impressed in practices this week.
With a strong showing today and next week at the Reese's Senior Bowl, Garoppolo could play his way into the second tier of quarterbacks available in the 2014 NFL Draft.
NFL Media analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks are on location at the Trop, NFL Network has exclusive live coverage of the game, and I'm here to break it all down.
Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.
