Combine stuff..

[Cr122]

The latest on quarterbacks’ Combine intentions
Posted by Evan Silva on February 22, 2011, 4:52 PM EST
The 2011 NFL draft includes eight quarterbacks widely regarded as potential first- and second-day prospects.

They are: Cam Newton (Auburn), Blaine Gabbert (Missouri), Colin Kaepernick (Nevada), Jake Locker (Washington), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Andy Dalton (TCU), Christian Ponder (Florida State), and Ricky Stanzi (Iowa).

We’ve been tracking down each quarterback’s plans for the Combine, and whether or not they will compete on the even playing field in Indianapolis. Here’s what we’ve come up with so far:

Expected to throw at Combine:

Newton, per himself.

Kaepernick, per PFT.

Locker, per himself.

Mallett, per SI.com.

Dalton, per FOX Sports’ Adam Caplan.

Stanzi, also per Caplan.

Not expected to throw at Combine:

Gabbert, per USA Today.

Ponder, per himself.

The Tuscaloosa News reports that Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy will not throw at the Combine and may even miss his Pro Day due to two fractures in his right hand. The injury occurred during January’s Senior Bowl game.

Other QBs invited to Combine: Ryan Colburn (Fresno State), Pat Devlin (Delaware), Nate Enderle (Idaho), Jerrod Johnson (Texas A&M), Josh Portis (California, PA), Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech), Scott Tolzien (Wisconsin), Jeff Van Camp (Florida Atlantic), T.J. Yates (North Carolina).

 

[Cr122]

Which prospects have the most to gain at the Combine?

These players can raise their draft stocks in Indy.

Wes Bunting
February 22, 2011

A look at which prospects could see the biggest spike in their stock with a solid week at the 2011 NFL Combine.

FS Rahim Moore: UCLA
When looking through the unimpressive safety class, Moore is the one guy who with a solid Combine could throw his name into the fold as a potential late first-round pick. He’s a tall, lean center field type safety with good fluidity and change of direction skills in space. He possesses very good range when asked to close sideline-to-sideline and exhibits impressive ball skills when going up to make a play on the throw. Moore still lacks a great feel driving on throws in front of him and is a bit inconsistent as a tackler. However, if he runs well and showcases the kind of natural body control and change of directions skills we saw on tape, he could see a bit of a boost in his draft stock.

DT Drake Nevis: LSU
I have heard from scouts that there is a concern about Nevis’ size and that some NFL personnel men might be turned off by how small-framed he is. However, watching him on tape I see the most explosive first step of any interior defensive lineman in the nation. He’s a guy who can play with leverage in the run game, has a motor that works non-stop and plays the game with bad intentions. He’s been said to be one of the top workout warriors at LSU over the past four years in the bench, jerk, squat and has a school record in the clean. I expect him to run well and show up around 290-plus pounds, giving himself a chance to get a look late in round one to a team searching for a one-gap type interior defender.

RB Ryan Williams: Virginia Tech
Ryan Williams was a shell of himself this past year, as a hamstring injury bothered him all season long, and he didn’t have the same type of initial burst and overall explosiveness to his game that we saw from him as a RS freshman. However, with the hamstring finally having enough time to heal up, Williams could be ready to exhibit the kind of athleticism that made him one of the best backs in the country only two seasons ago. He’s a violent, slashing type runner with good short-area quickness and initial burst out of his breaks. Plus, if he runs in the 4.4 range, it’s going to be tough to not consider him late in round one.

CB Rashad Carmichael: Virginia Tech
If there’s any position where straight-line speed can really catapult a prospect up draft boards, it’s at cornerback, where the ability to quickly recover is critical. Carmichael is said to be timed as low as the high 4.2 range, has a great feel in off/zone coverage and at 5-11, could mature into a capable press-man as well. Size/speed combos at corner are always very intriguing on draft day and given Carmichael’s skill set and ability to play the football, he could end up being one of the real risers from that second-tier grouping of cornerbacks in this draft.

DL Christian Ballard: Iowa
I don’t know if there’s a better sideline-to-sideline defensive lineman in the draft than Iowa’s Christian Ballard. At 6-4, 297 pounds, he runs extremely well for his size in pursuit, has a good first step off the football and exhibits some natural power on his bull rush. Now, he’s still a bit raw as a pass rusher and consistently allows his pad level to get too upright. However, if you’re looking for an athletic five-technique who can hold the point of attack and make plays off his frame, Ballard is your guy. He’s more of a second/third-round pick at this stage, but with the need for athletes at the five-technique, getting his name in the late first/early second round mix still isn’t out of the possibility for Ballard with a very good showing at the NFL Combine.

Others worth noting…

WR Jerrel Jernigan: Troy
Missed the Senior Bowl because of an ankle injury. However. possesses impressive short-area quickness and body control with the straight-line speed to get a look as the first slot taken in 2011.

TE Jordan Cameron: USC
A former basketball player with a more polished skill set than given credit for and displays some impressive athleticism as well.

OL Jason Kelce: Cincinnati
A gifted athlete in space who gets out to the second level with ease. Is going to run extremely well at the Combine and could make his move up this weak center class with a strong showing.

DT Kenrick Ellis: Hampton
Moves really well for his size and might end up being one of the more athletic potential nose tackles we have seen in a couple years.

LB Colin McCarthy: Miami
He possesses good straight-line speed and an athletic skill set, might be enough to put himself toward the top of this weak MLB class with a good workout.

 

[Cr122]

Combine weigh-in notes from day oneOffensive linemen and tight ends make their mark.

Wes Bunting
February 24, 2011

Results and reactions from some of the top prospects to weigh-in at Thursday’s NFL Combine.

Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph was just over 6-6, but at 259 pounds was about seven pounds less than his listed weight. He recorded 34-inch arms and big hands for the position at 10 ¼.

Villanova OL Ben Ijalana was one of the unknowns going into the Combine after missing the Senior Bowl due to a sports hernia. However, he weighed in at 6035, 317 pounds and might be a bit short for the tackle spot by NFL standards. However, with 36-inch arms -- one of the tops among the offensive line group -- he certainly has the length to make up for his lack of ideal height and at least get a shot on the outside. He was a bit sloppy in the upper body, but possesses a strong, thick looking lower half with the natural base to anchor on the edge.

Much like his brother last year,OL Mike Pouncey weighed in nearly ten pounds less than his listed weight on the Florida roster at 303. He stood an even 6-5 with 32 ¼ inch arms, about a quarter inch shorter than his brother Maurkice in 2010.

TCU OL Marcus Cannon was another guy who we have yet to see during the All-Star game circuit. He measured in at 6050, 358 pounds with 34-inch arms, after being rumored to be playing around 375 pounds during the year.

I thought it was interesting that Baylor OL Danny Watkins, who measured in with 33 6/8-inch arms at the Senior Bowl, was “up” to 34 ¼ inch arms this morning. He’s an underrated athlete who can anchor, moves well in tight areas and despite being 6033, with his length at 34+ inches, he could get some looks at offensive tackle as well.

Connecticut OL Zach Hurd measured in as one of the tallest offensive linemen at the Combine, even as a guard at 6066 and 316 pounds. He possesses good length for the position at 34 ¼, but had a really soft make-up overall.


One of the slight surprises was the weight of USC OT Tyron Smith, who was listed anywhere from 280 to 285 pounds on the USC roster. However, he measured in at an even 6-5, was 307 pounds and looked far and away like the most athletic offensive tackle at the weigh-in. Plus, his nearly 37-inch arms are also very intriguing and I have a tough time seeing any offensive tackle go before him come draft day.

Another intriguing prospect in this year’s draft is South Carolina TE Weslye Saunders who came in at 6051, 270 pounds, but was a bit soft overall. He’s been out of football for a while now and looked it, seeming a bit soft and fleshy through the mid section.

Finally, Miami offensive lineman Orlando Franklin came in at 6054, 316 pounds and possessed 35-inch arms. He looked to be in good shape, was thick in the lower half and passed the eyeball test.

 

[Cr122]

2011 NFL Combine Live Wire: Friday
25 Feb

The annual sojourn to the city of Indianapolis has begun for the league’s 32 franchises who will be joined by 325 prospective future employees. For the next six days we will bring you complete coverage of what’s going on in and around the combine.

UPDATE 4:30 PM EST: More Cam Newton and some workouts

- TFY spoke with people from Cam Newton’s camp about the quarterback’s reluctance to speak to the media today at the combine. No convincing reason was given as we were told Newton’s heavy interview schedule with NFL teams and general managers is taking its toll.

- Starting with bench press results, Tyron Smith completed 29 repititions. Indiana’s James Brewer finished with 25.

- Specialists performed earlier today. Most of the place kickers did well. All of the top guys converted 12 of 15. Kai Forbath graded the highest hitting on all of his FG attempts from more than 50-yards. Most of them had the distance to convert from 60-plus yards.

4:00 PM EST

Time to update two previous DraftInsider stories…

- A month ago, TFY reported Stanford’s Owen Marecic had a disinterest in the entire draft process, because he has fantastic academic career he can alternatively choose. Today, he disputed those claims. “I’m 100 percent focused on football,” he claimed.

- Early in December, sources intimated Oregon State’s Jacquizz Rodgers had already decided to enter the NFL draft as an underclassmen. Rodgers immediately refuted the report. When asked about it during his media session at the Combine, Rodgers stayed true to his original statement. At the time, he had not made up his mind. The decision came much later in the process.

- Cameron Jordan is one of the top rated defensive linemen in a loaded draft class. He is prepare to showcase his abilities during his stay in Indianapolis. The collegiate five technique is planning to participate in a full workout.

-

3:35 PM EST

As two highly recognizable running backs spoke with the media, surprising size numbers were discussed…

- A double-take was required to realize Wisconsin’s John Clay was at the podium. He has shed 30 pounds recently due to a better diet. He discussed that he did not eat well with a minimum of meals each day. Each of those meals were large and added pounds. The running back is now a svelte 231 pounds.

- Former Heisman trophy winner, Mark Ingram, is listed at 5-10 and 215 pounds. Well, he the 215 mark was absolutely correct. He was actually a full inch shorter at a self-described 5-9 according to his NFL measurements.

3:00 PM EST

- The ripple effects of USC’s suspension continue to be felt all the way to the midwest. After weighing in at 307 pounds, Tyron Smith stated he had gained 20 pounds since the end of last season. During the extra time the Trojans would usually be in post-season play and practice; Smith changed his diet. He cut junk food and began to eat a healthy and balanced diet. The tackle admitted his drastic change in body-type and what he tipped the scales even surprised him.. His low was 285 pounds last season.

2:45 PM EST

- The PSAC conference has two prospects here in Indianapolis. Brandon Fusco was already highlighted in an earlier interview this week on TFY. California of Pennsylvania quarterback Josh Portis has been one of the most impressive interviews to date. Portis was originally recruited to Florida. After being caught cheating on a pop quiz, he was suspended. He decided to leave and transfer to Maryland. A lack of playing time forced another tranfer into the Division II level. Portis has plenty of physical ability with a strong arm and fantastic athleticism. He expected to run in the 4.5 range during his 40-yard dash attempts. “I’m going to put on a show,” he continually smirked.

- Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder will participate in throwing drills.

2:00 PM EST

- Utah State cornerback Curtis Marsh, who sat and watched the Senior Bowl with an injured hamstring, is schedule to complete a full combine workout.

- Whereas, Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph plans the exact opposite. Rudolph described his ability to run with a previously torn hamstring is currently at 75-80 percent. He will not participate in any of the physical activities here in Indianapolis.

- Missouri quarterback and potentially the top signal caller chosen, Blaine Gabbert measured in at 6-4(3/8’s) and 238 pounds. He describes himself as a competitor and will partake in all of the drills.

1:00 PM EST

- A.J. Green, a potential top ten pick, stated “I want to be mentioned with the best.” Green measured in at 6-3.5 and 211 pounds earlier today.

- Nebraska guard Keith Williams talked about facing former teammate Ndamukong Suh every day in practice last year, “It was a bear fight.”

12:30 pm

- Two questions follow Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson as he continues the draft process. Why was he benched and what do teams feel about his throwing mechanics? He answered both Friday. He stated injury and momentum were the reasons behind not starting the rest of the year. His response to mechanics proved interesting. Teams have not been overly concerned with his throwing motion. Instead they are more worried about his footwork, because Johnson has shown a tendency to throw everything from his shoulder. So how sound the joint is has been questioned. Johnson has countered by working with the same QB coach Tim Tebow employed last draft season, Zeke Bratkowski.

- Once Pitt wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin leaves Indianapolis he will return to training. He will be training with the likes of another Panthers’ alumni, Larry Fitzgerald as well as Roddy White and Greg Jennings.

11:35 AM EST

- Auburn’s Nick Fairley may be the number one overall selection in April’s NFL draft. The defensive tackle has been rebabbing a small shoulder seperation he suffered during the season. Although it is not considered serious, it has hampered his ability to participate in the bench press, an event he will not participate in at the combine. Otherwise, Fairley has looked good in his training regiment. He has weighed 298 pounds and has appeared very athletic.

-

11:30 AM EST

- The first suspended North Carolina TarHeel entered the media room. Greg Little was the first to face the fire. Although he didn’t address the allegations directly, he did mention he was “very remorseful” and was upset that he basically started the entire process. What was surprising is that the running back turned wide receiver weighed in at a svelte 231 pounds.

- Pitt offensive tackle Jason Pinkston discussed teammate Jonathan Baldwin claiming the wide receiver has a 42-inch vertical. As a sidenote, Pinkston had a large role in potentially recruiting Owen Marecic to the Panthers. Marecic eventually chose Stanford despite a large contigent of family in Pittsburgh.

11:00 AM EST

- Cameron Heyward was recently cleared to run and is close to receiving the okay to bench. The Ohio State product has already been re-examined by Dr. James Andrews since his surgery. The defensive end is expecting to do his pro-day workout for NFL teams March 30th. There is a chance he will participate in the benchpress on said date.

- LSU defensive tackle Drake Nevis, who missed the Senior Bowl with plantar flaciatis, is ready to go and is planning to fully participate with a combine workout.

- Julio Jones is already considered one of the top wide receiver prospects in the draft. Unlike many top prospects in years past who are advised against running, the Alabama product is expected to run his 40-yard dash in Indianapolis.

 

[Cr122]

Ryan Bartholomew leads the way with 34 bench press reps
Posted by Michael David Smith on February 25, 2011, 4:44 PM EST
The offensive linemen hit the weight room today as the NFL Scouting Combine workouts got underway, and a center who’s not considered one of the top prospects did show that he’s the top lifter.

Syracuse center Ryan Bartholomew was the leader, with 34 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.

A three-year starter and team captain at Syracuse, Bartholomew is viewed as a likely late-round pick or undrafted free agent, but his bench press performance might open a few eyes. If nothing else, being the strongest offensive lineman at the Combine suggests that Bartholomew (pictured holding 193-pound teammate Alec Lemon) takes his strength and conditioning work seriously.

Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder, who’s widely regarded as the best offensive lineman in the draft, reportedly turned in a disappointing showing, with just 21 reps. There’s been talk that the 6-foot-8, 319-pound Solder ought to bulk up, and his bench press numbers would seem to support that assertion.

 

[Cr122]

Blaine Gabbert bangs his own gong
Posted by Mike Florio on February 25, 2011, 5:36 PM EST
Cam Newton may be an entertainer and an icon. But how good of a quarterback is he? According to Blaine Gabbert, Newton’s not the best quarterback in the draft.

According to Gabbert, Gabbert is.

“There’s no question,” Gabbert told Adam Schein and Rich Gannon of Sirius NFL Radio. “I’m going to outwork everybody. My parents have raised me that nothing’s ever going to be given to you in life. You’ve always got to earn it. And that’s what I’ve applied to football and academics, that you’ve got to work for everything you’re going to get.”

Quantity of work and quality of play are two different things. And time will tell whether Gabbert is right.

In the end, though, how is what Gabbert said about himself any less troubling than what Newton said about Newton? A fine line remains between confidence and arrogance, and any team that takes Gabbert or Newton would be wise to assess exactly where they land on that spectrum.

 

[Cr122]

Ryan Bartholomew is going to be a good football player in the NFL.

 

[Cr122]

Marcus Gilbert is another favorite of mine. He looks good so far.

 

[sbk92]

Carimi's a beast.

Pencil him in as the RT on the all rookie team next year.

 

[Cr122]

Carimi's a beast.

Pencil him in as the RT on the all rookie team next year.

Yeah, RT.

I don't see him as a LT in the NFL. I truly believe though that Jerruh thinks Young is our RT for the future.

Having said that he won't draft him and the same could be said for any LT. Jerry's thinking is G trust me.

But if he was a smart GM he would take BPA no matter what he thinks.

 

[Cr122]

Can someone explain the reason for the broad jump for the OL?

Sorry but never really understood the reasoning behind it for the combine.

 

[sbk92]

Can someone explain the reason for the broad jump for the OL?

Sorry but never really understood the reasoning behind it for the combine.

Explosion. In theory, a guy who can do well in a broad jump has the explosiveness to fire off the ball at the line of scrimmage.

 

[Cr122]

Explosion. In theory, a guy who can do well in a broad jump has the explosiveness to fire off the ball at the line of scrimmage.

You would think you could get that from the cone drills though.

 

[sbk92]

You would think you could get that from the cone drills though.

Cone drills are about change of direction. How loose are your hips. Quickness too, so explosion plays a factor.

There's a method to the madness of every drill, I just don't put much stock in it. If you aren't in pads playing football, it doesn't matter to me.

 

[Cr122]

If you aren't in pads playing football, it doesn't matter to me.

Where did I hear this from before.

 

[Cr122]

Nevada tight end Virgil Green creates buzz at Combine
Posted by Evan Silva on February 26, 2011, 2:59 PM EST
The NFL Network honored Nevada tight end Virgil Green as its Player of the Day Saturday after an impressive showing at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Green jumped 42 1/2 inches vertically, believed to be the second best vertical ever posted by a tight end at the Scouting Combine. Green’s vertical trumped 2006 workout star Vernon Davis, who jumped 42 inches high.

Green’s most impressive feat of the day might have been a 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump. The broad jump measures lower-body explosion.

In addition, Green bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times and ran an official 4.64 forty. Only USC’s Jordan Cameron (4.59), a former basketball player, and small-school prospect Rob Housler of Florida Atlantic (4.55) had better forty times among tight ends.

Green ranks fifth in NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock’s tight end rankings.

He projects as a third- to fourth-round pick in April’s draft.

--------------

Green didn't look so hot catching the ball in drills though. He has really big thick arms and doesn't look very flexible...almost like a weightlifter trying to catch the ball.

 

[sbk92]

The fastest 40 so far is Edmund Gates at 4.35.

 

[sbk92]

A.J. Green, Julio Jones and Randall Cobb all ran in the 4.4's. Jernigan and Little were 4.5s.

 

[dbair1967]

Carimi's a beast.

Pencil him in as the RT on the all rookie team next year.

Like Carimi, if we trade down he'd be one of the guys I'd target.

That said, I'm still firmly in the Tyron Smith camp, even if we had to pick him at 9.

 

[dbair1967]

A.J. Green, Julio Jones and Randall Cobb all ran in the 4.4's. Jernigan and Little were 4.5s.

Thats huge for them, especially Jones.

I'm a UGA guy, really thought Green would run in the low to mid 4.5's.