Combine observations, stats, and discussion (DB)

[jays52]

I remember there being excellent threads to this effect made in years past by another poster. I know I'm late to the party with this, but just remembered it. To those of us lucky enough to work from home, have a slingbox, or different hours here's the chance to keep everybody updated.

Looking for slot guys today.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Ahmad Black tenders his application Jays.

 

[patchick]

Random thoughts watching the DB drills...

Brandon Harris has great body control, looks calm and in command...and tiny.

Curtis Brown is a smooooth athlete.

Shiloh Keo seems like Pat Chung, but a smidgen less athletic (and even more barrel-chested)

Chris Comte has potential.

 

[WhiZa]

Glad you started this. I'm always intrigued by the DB 40 times as they seem to always be the fastest on a fast track this year.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

FWIW, if you go to 2011 NFL Combine Live you can watch the combine (and see previous days' stuff too).

Don't know how long it'll be online, but it was up last night.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Random thoughts watching the DB drills...

Brandon Harris has great body control, looks calm and in command...and tiny.

Curtis Brown is a smooooth athlete.

Shiloh Keo seems like Pat Chung, but a smidgen less athletic (and even more barrel-chested)

Chris Comte has potential.

The Culliver kid isn't too bad either.

 

[patchick]

The Culliver kid isn't too bad either.

How about Jermale Hines? Nice big, solid safety who moves well and confidently. I like the looks of him more than Quinton Carter. (Actually, Carter looks great -- a cross between an action hero and an underwear model. But he seems to have polished his physique more than his football skills.)

For a wildcard, I liked Cortez Allen's feet a lot. Inexperienced but looks like he has natural ability.

 

[dryheat44]

How about Jermale Hines? Nice big, solid safety who moves well and confidently. I like the looks of him more than Quinton Carter. (Actually, Carter looks great -- a cross between an action hero and an underwear model. But he seems to have polished his physique more than his football skills.)

For a wildcard, I liked Cortez Allen's feet a lot. Inexperienced but looks like he has natural ability.

Hines is one of my mid-round targets. Does everything well. I hope he doesn't do THAT well out there.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

How about Jermale Hines? Nice big, solid safety who moves well and confidently. I like the looks of him more than Quinton Carter. (Actually, Carter looks great -- a cross between an action hero and an underwear model. But he seems to have polished his physique more than his football skills.)

For a wildcard, I liked Cortez Allen's feet a lot. Inexperienced but looks like he has natural ability.

Target rich environment.

 

[jays52]

Joe Lefeged from Rutgers looking real fluid and explosive in the post-corner drill. 5'10 2 and change safety. Built like a tailback moves like a corner.

 

[patchick]

More snap judgments:

- Safety Rahim Moore moves like a CB. CB Jimmy Smith moves like a safety.

- Safeties Tyler Sash and and Nate Williams look like the same player. Both look very sound, nicely compact and efficient in their movements, but average size and not really elite athletes. (Hey I just looked them up...they're both listed at exactly 6'0" 211 4.59!)

- Aaron Williams sloppy in some of the drills, looked a little addled. Not confident plucking the ball.

- Buster Skrine may have the best feet of any DB in this draft. He stays very low, keeps his feet churning in a blur.

- Josh Thomas from Buffalo looks like he belongs. Not a standout in any one area, but a balanced, controlled DB who should make a roster.

 

[MaineMan]

Joe Lefeged from Rutgers looking real fluid and explosive in the post-corner drill. 5'10 2 and change safety. Built like a tailback moves like a corner.

Interesting. Lefeged pretty much got universally trashed for his Senior Bowl practices, then lost his jock to a double move by Kerley in the game (and was beaten to the endzone).

 

[Off The Grid]

(Actually, Carter looks great -- a cross between an action hero and an underwear model...)

OverShare Violation.

15 Yards.

Loss of Down.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

OverShare Violation.

15 Yards.

Loss of Down.

Worse than intentional grounding?

 

[patchick]

OverShare Violation.

15 Yards.

Loss of Down.

The announcers even commented on how Carter was wearing the tightest possible clothing to show off his wares, "with good reason."

Aesthetically pleasing as it may be, that kind of sculpted physique is a negative with me. It makes me think that the player has been tailoring his workout for the mirror, not the football field. The guy's a DB, what is he doing building up pecs bigger than his head?

 

[Snake Eyes]

The announcers even commented on how Carter was wearing the tightest possible clothing to show off his wares, "with good reason."

Aesthetically pleasing as it may be, that kind of sculpted physique is a negative with me. It makes me think that the player has been tailoring his workout for the mirror, not the football field. The guy's a DB, what is he doing building up pecs bigger than his head?

It also makes them WAY more likely to be injured, fat is something of a cushin, if the guy doesn't have any then the impact from any hit goes right to his muscles.

Bigger muscles also weigh more, making the guy less mobile. While a certain amount of mass is needed there are tradeoffs with getting bigger muscles. Strength, which is much sought after by players, is generally a by-product of neuro-muscular efficiency, which is why some people can be amazingly strong and not that big.

 

[MaineMan]

It also makes them WAY more likely to be injured, fat is something of a cushin, if the guy doesn't have any then the impact from any hit goes right to his muscles.

Bigger muscles also weigh more, making the guy less mobile. While a certain amount of mass is needed there are tradeoffs with getting bigger muscles. Strength, which is much sought after by players, is generally a by-product of neuro-muscular efficiency, which is why some people can be amazingly strong and not that big.

Basically, optimally functional muscle mass is not necessarily picturesque, and picturesque muscle mass is not necessarily optimally functional.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Basically, optimally functional muscle mass is not necessarily picturesque, and picturesque muscle mass is not necessarily optimally functional.

That's a Bingo!

 

[patchick]

Basically, optimally functional muscle mass is not necessarily picturesque, and picturesque muscle mass is not necessarily optimally functional.

Yep. So let's paint a portrait of Quinton Carter, and draft Jermale Hines.

 

[Deus Irae]

Basically, optimally functional muscle mass is not necessarily picturesque, and picturesque muscle mass is not necessarily optimally functional.

Vernon Gholston is going to kick your ass for saying this!