Jan 23, 2013; Mobile AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad quarterbacks Tyler Wilson of Arkansas (8) with E.J. Manuel of Florida State (3) and Landry Jones of Oklahoma (14) listen as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan teaches new plays during practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions coaching staff has been working with the South team all week while the Oakland Raiders staff has been preparing the North team. It’s just about time to find out which team comes out on top, but more importantly which players can translate their week of practice into a solid showing in the game.

[RELATED: 2013 Senior Bowl: 5 Players For Lions Fans to Watch]

2013 Senior Bowl: North vs. South
Ladd-Peebles Stadium – Mobile, AL
Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
TV: NFL Network
Rosters:

Nov 11, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz (gray jacket with the headset) watches as his assistant coaches signal to the players on the field in the game with the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions coaching staff will get an up close look at a number of 2013 NFL Draft prospects as they work with the Senior Bowl’s South team this week.

One prospect they will get a chance to work with is former Clemson running back Andre Ellington. The Lions will look for a way to replace Jahvid Best in the offense and Ellington may be the best suited to do so. How high a pick that might require is yet to be determined and his performance this week could go a long way in determining that.

Russ Lande, NFL Draft expert at the National Football Post, including Ellington in his list of eight offensive players to watch, saying the following:

A dynamic play-maker with excellent open field running skills, Ellington needs to prove he is worthy of a high draft pick despite his lack of good size. Naturally instinctive with good vision/instincts, he finds creases/holes and has the explosive cutting ability to get to and through it in a flash. Soft, natural hands and good receiving skills make him a valuable receiver from both a running back and slot receiver alignment. In today’s NFL, players who can catch passes and make big plays from different alignments have tremendous value. Ellington needs to show NFL teams that he can be that versatile weapon in order to justify being a second round pick.

On the defensive side of the ball, Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah, a defensive end from BYU, is a particularly intriguing prospect that is on the South squad. He has only been playing football for a few years but he is freakishly athletic. It is unlikely he would get consideration from the Lions for the fifth overall pick but it is possible the Lions coaching staff falls in love with his potential and puts him on their radar to make a play on him either with their second round pick or as a target worthy of moving back into the first round.

Fans at home will have an opportunity to do more than read practice reports. NFL Network will be showing a lot of Senior Bowl action throughout the week and that starts today with Senior Bowl practice at 4 p.m. ET. If you miss that you can tune in at 10:30 p.m. ET for a half hour show devoted to Senior Bowl coverge.

Don’t get NFL Network? That’s no problem if you’re a Verizon customer. Check out NFL Mobile, which allows you to watch NFL Network any time of day. I have had a chance to check it out on the Samsung Galaxy Note II thanks to Verizon and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to stay connected with NFL Network on the go.

You can check out the full South team roster on the next page.

Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Wireless Midwest Fans program and have been provided with a wireless device and five months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.

The top senior draft prospects will be in Mobile, AL later this month for the Senior Bowl and the coaching staffs of the Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions will be working the sidelines. The Lions staff will be in charge of the South team while the Raiders staff will lead the North team.

Rather than simply watching from the stands, the Lions will get a chance to work with some of the players they will have a chance to select in the 2013 NFL Draft. Jim Schwartz knows first-hand how valuable of an experience that can be having coached at the Senior Bowl in 2006 while the defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans and as the Lions head coach in 2010:

“I think there is some insight involved in getting to know those guys over a course of the week,” Schwartz said. “And it can confirm some of our scouts’ evaluations that have already worked very long and hard into getting guys evaluated this fall season. It can also maybe give us a different perspective on some other guys. Maybe we get a little bit more time with some other guys.”

Running back Joique Bell was on Jim Schwartz’s North team in 2010 and now plays for him in Detroit.

The Senior Bowl is always an interesting time during draft season as it is one of the first events in which the players are truly draft prospects instead of college players. The Lions staff being so close to the action should only add to the intrigue for Lions fans as early reports start rolling in.

The game will be played on Saturday, January 26 at 4 p.m. ET. The game, as well as practices during the week, will be televised on NFL Network.