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23	April 2019

On the surface they're identical.

Remarkably athletic and remarkably close. Well compensated and well tattooed.Still White Corey Liuget Jerseys , Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey believes there is one surefire way to tell him and Los Angeles Chargers center (and very slightly older brother) Mike apart on Sunday night when the Chargers visit Heinz Field.Just have the twins switch places at halftime and let Maurkice snap the ball to Los Angeles quarterback Philip Rivers for a quarter or two. Then the differences between the Pounceys will be unmistakable."I'll take that team to the next level baby," Maurkice Pouncey said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "They'll definitely notice."Maurkice is kidding. Mostly, though he does have a slight edge over Mike in Pro Bowl selections (six to three). The 29-year-olds are well aware of the unique opportunity playing against each other offers. Separated by a minute at birth, the Pounceys were virtually inseparable growing up until Maurkice left the University of Florida for the NFL in 2010.They've spent their professional lives rooting for each other from afar 鈥?Sunday is only the fifth time they'll be together in the same NFL stadium 鈥?and both feared Mike's career might be in jeopardy after a hip injury limited him to five games with the Miami Dolphins in 2016."It was a point that we both thought that and it was tough," Maurkice said. "Lord willing, a lot of hard work, and the doctors did a great job. Obviously he's playing at a high level and he's been blessed to be out there."Mike returned to play a full 16 games last season, but found himself looking for work after the Dolphins cut him in a salary cap move in March. The Chargers sprinted to scoop him up, bringing him to the West Coast on a two-year, $15 million deal just four days after getting released. The change of scenery provided Mike Pouncey with a mid-career jolt, and his presence has played a significant role in the Chargers' hot 8-3 start."We knew it was a big signing when we signed him," Los Angeles coach Anthony Lynn said. "But it's even better than what I thought."Asked what the Mike Pouncey experience is like, Lynn laughed."I'm pretty sure it's similar to what you guys have in Pittsburgh," he said.Translation: a lot of jokes. A lot of trash talk. And a relentless work ethic that belies their copious amounts of swagger."He's the same player as me," Mike Pouncey said. "He's going to go out there and give you everything he has on each play. (My teammates) more excited (than I am) because we have a real good friendship on this team White Drew Kaser Jerseys , and they go out there and talk smack to my brother to make me feel a little bit better. It's going to be fun."The entire Pouncey clan will descend on Maurkice's house in the Pittsburgh suburbs on Saturday. As for split allegiances, Maurkice's offer to host came with one very simple directive: If you root for the Steelers, you can crash at his place. If not? You're on your own.How tight are they? Maurkice admits Mike might be the only person in the world outside of his children he actually calls on the phone rather than just texting.It's the same for Derek and T.J. Watt, though the two brothers 鈥?T.J. is a second-year linebacker for the Steelers, Derek is in his third season as a fullback for the Chargers 鈥?won't have the luxury of standing on the sideline watching the other play like the Pounceys do.There's a very real chance that T.J. and Derek will find themselves on a collision course sometime Sunday night, the first time that's ever happened somewhere other than the family backyard or the random University of Wisconsin football practice when both were playing for the Badgers.Not that T.J. believes there's going to be time to think about bragging rights. If his assignment on a play is to ram into the guy wearing No. 34, then that's what he's going to do."It's a football game to me," T.J. said. "I don't think anything is going to really change. I don't think in that split second you can determine who's who and what's what, so whatever happens, happens."Older brother J.J., the star defensive end for the Houston Texans, hopes they are forced to ram into each other at least once so "we can settle it once and for all." Provided, of course, there's no cheating on either side."I basically just said, no cut-blocks," J.J. said. "That's the only thing. Just don't go at his knees. Otherwise Drew Kaser Jerseys 2019 , everything's fair."Though Derek, 26, lacks the star power of his older or his younger brother 鈥?both of whom were first-round picks while the Chargers selected Derek in the sixth round in 2016 鈥?T.J., 24, might know better than anyone on the planet that you overlook the middle Watt brother at your own risk."He may not get all the publicity that J.J. and I get, but Derek's been in the NFL, this is his third year," T.J. said. "I don't see many people in America doing that. I don't see many people in the world doing that. He's playing at the highest level. He's a starting fullback for an NFL team; I think that's pretty damn cool."Connie and John Watt will watch their boys go at it from the stands, trying to stay as neutral as possible. They might want to get used to it. All three Watt brothers are on teams heading to the postseason, meaning more family showdowns loom."I hope the game, I don't know, I guess ends in a tie," J.J. Watt said. "I guess that's probably the best thing for everybody. It's probably good for (the Texans) too."AP Sports Writers Joe Reedy and Kristie Rieken contributed to this report. Today marks the official start of the Senior Bowl practice week and I, along with a herd of NFL scouts and fellow media members, all marched into a dimly lit auditorium to watch as each participating player walked across the main stage in their britches to get their height and weight measured prior to the week�s first practice.It�s an easy, although shallow White Brandon Mebane Jerseys , way for scouts to get a quick idea of what physical attributes these players could possibly bring to their teams in the near future.In my short preview I posted prior to my trek west from Georgia to Alabama, I highlighted three players at three positions of need for the Chargers and what they could bring to the 2019 version of the Bolts. All three of those guys, Wisconsin offensive tackle Michael Deiter, North Caroline State linebacker Germaine Pratt, and Arizona State defensive tackle Renell Wren, all measured out well and will continue to have my attention through the rest of the week.Here are their measurements from this morning:OG Michael Deiter - Wisconsin6-foot-5304 lbs.Hand: 11 1/8 in. (HUGE)Arm: 32 4/8 in.Wingspan: 78 1鈦? in.Deiter�s versatility should have the Chargers� brass drooling as he has at least a dozen starts at center, guard, and tackle. As one of the highest-graded offensive linemen over the last two years, Deiter still isn�t gaining a ton of publicity compared to some of the other OL prospects. However, guys with experience (54 games started) and rock-solid fundamentals tend to excel in the NFL sooner than those with flashy athletic ability.LB Germaine Pratt - North Caronlina State6-foot-2 5/8 (Not 5-foot-11!!!)240 lbs.9 in.31 5/8 in.74 7/8 in.Excellent size for the position as a former safety. Pratt has a knack for sifting through traffic and looks to be another excellent defensive prospect from that Wolfpack defense.DT Renell Wren - Arizona State6-foot-4 4/8315 lbs. (Many thought he was under 300)9 7/8 in.33 6/8 in.81 in.Listed as a �freak� among college football players. Many thought Wren was a tad light as he supposedly played his final season somewhere in the 290�s. The fact that he weighed-in at 315 pounds is huge for him, especially if he continues to show that incredible first step off the line of scrimmage.On top of those three, here is a list of other notable players at the same positions of need:OT Chuma Edoga - USC6-foot-3 6/8303 lbs. (Listed at 295 during his final season)9 2/8 in.34 7/8 in.81 1/8 in.Athletic tackle who still needs some reinforcement in the finer details of the tackle position. Moves well in space. Unusually narrow shoulders for the position.OT Kaleb McGary - Washington6-foot-6 7/8321 lbs.10 2/8 in.33 5/8 in.79 in.Not the most fundamentally sound prospect but finds his success by giving 110% on every play. Was voted the Pac-12 Offensive Linemen of the Year.OL Dalton Risner - Kansas State6-foot-4 5/8308 lbs.10 5/8 in.34 2/8 in.81 in.Risner has been one of the highest-graded offensive linemen in all of college football over the past three years. Scouts believe his best place is inside, specifically at center due to his elite mental-processing and leadership traits.OG Dru Samia - Oklahoma6-foot-5304 lbs.10 in.33 1/8 in.80 in.Member of offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award for the nation�s top unit. Athletic guard that was used as a puller quite often to pave the way for QB Kyler Murray and RBs Keith Brooks and Trey Sermon.OT Andre Dillard - Wasihngton State6-foot-4 7/8310 lbs.9 5/8 in.34 in.80 1/8 in.One of the best pass protectors in the draft. Holds his 310 pounds very well on his frame. Would instantly sure-up the right tackle spot and give Philip Rivers a ton of security as he gets closer and closer to 40.LB Deshaun Davis - Auburn5-foot-11 3/8231 lbs.10 in. (BIG)31 2/8 in.76 2/8 in.An absolute bowling ball out on the field. By far has the biggest hands for his position. One of the headliner players here at the Senior Bowl.LB Te�Von Coney - Notre Dame6-foot-0 7/8244 lbs.9 1/8 in.32 6/8 in.77 2/8 in.A very compact linebacker who possesses some of the best run-fits among his position group here in Mobile. Didn�t measure that well but was the heart of the Notre Dame defense in 2018.LB Cameron Smith - USC6-foot-2230 lbs.10 1/8 in.32 2/8 in.76 4/8 in.LB Drue Tranquill - Notre Dame6-foot-2228 lbs.9 6/8 in.31 in.74 in.Came back from two seperate ACL tears. Two-time team captain. Played 52 games for the Fighting Irish. Finished his career with 295 total tackles.DT Dontavious Russell - Auburn6-foot-3 1/8319 lbs.9 1/8 in.32 in.77 4/8 in.A former 4-star recruit, Russell is one of the most versatile defensive tackles at the Senior Bowl as he�s capable of filling in at nose tackle or the three-technique. Has very active hands and shows strength at the point of attack.DT Greg Gaines - Washington6-foot-1 1/8 307 lbs.9 3/8 in.31 1/8 in.75 5/8 in.Almost joined former-teammate Vita Vea in going to the NFL after last season. Can be equally as disruptive. Excels at stopping the run and has the get-up-and-go to explode off the line and put pressure on the QB from anywhere along the interior.