Today's workouts to watch

[dryheat44]

Big Day today:

Oklahoma - ILB Curtis Lofton, DB Reggie Smith, WR Malcolm Kelly,
California - RB Justin Forsett, WR Lavelle Hawkins, TE Craig Stevens
Kansas - OT Anthony Collins, CB Aqib Talib, WR Marcus Henry
Tennessee - TE Brad Cottam, G Eric Young, ILB Jerod Mayo, QB Erik Ainge
Troy - CB Leodis McKelvin
Bowling Green - C Kory Lichtensteiger

I haven't heard if Rodgers-Cromartie is working out at Tennessee, but it seems likely. Although it's hard to imagine him improving the numbers from the combine. Edit: He'll work out at Vanderbilt on 3/21

 

[Watson's IQ]

Big Day today:

Oklahoma - ILB Curtis Lofton, DB Reggie Smith, WR Malcolm Kelly,
California - RB Justin Forsett, WR Lavelle Hawkins, TE Craig Stevens
Kansas - OT Anthony Collins, CB Aqib Talib, WR Marcus Henry
Tennessee - TE Brad Cottam, G Eric Young, ILB Jerod Mayo, QB Erik Ainge
Troy - CB Leodis McKelvin
Bowling Green - C Kory Lichtensteiger

I haven't heard if Rodgers-Cromartie is working out at Tennessee, but it seems likely. Although it's hard to imagine him improving the numbers from the combine. Edit: He'll work out at Vanderbilt on 3/21

Well, if corner is where we're going today will definitely be an important day. Talib and McKelvin are the other two in the discussion at 7 if we don't go with DRC, so I'm sure the Patriots are paying close attention.

 

[Chewy]

Big Day today:

Oklahoma - ILB Curtis Lofton, DB Reggie Smith, WR Malcolm Kelly,
California - RB Justin Forsett, WR Lavelle Hawkins, TE Craig Stevens
Kansas - OT Anthony Collins, CB Aqib Talib, WR Marcus Henry
Tennessee - TE Brad Cottam, G Eric Young, ILB Jerod Mayo, QB Erik Ainge
Troy - CB Leodis McKelvin
Bowling Green - C Kory Lichtensteiger

I haven't heard if Rodgers-Cromartie is working out at Tennessee, but it seems likely. Although it's hard to imagine him improving the numbers from the combine. Edit: He'll work out at Vanderbilt on 3/21

Anybody find results?

 

[dryheat44]

Anybody find results?

A few. Neither Malcom Kelly nor Reggie Smith took part. Lofton ran a 4.67, improving from 4.78.

Talib showed much better footwork doing the agility drills than the combine.

I'll add more as I find them.

 

[Massjayhawk]

Talib ran a 4.45 and a 4.46.

Marcus Henry (6-4 WR with subpar hands) ran in the high 4.4s w/a 38 inch vert. I can't imagine that he's better than a 6th round prospect to UFA. He's more fast than quick and very slow getting out of his breaks.

No word on Anthony Collins (All American LT that dissappointed at the combine.) And the fact that there's been no word is very scary for Jayhak Nation wishing this guy well. I would love to see the Pats steal this guy in the 4th or 5th and have DS coach him up. He's obviously not an elite prospect but the guy was all-american for a reason...he can play.

Dry Heat, where did you find the info on Talib's agility drills?

 

[dryheat44]

Talib ran a 4.45 and a 4.46.

Dry Heat, where did you find the info on Talib's agility drills?

It was just mentioned in passing on nfldraftscout under Talib's profile. There's no numbers on his site yet.

There's some from Cal, though. Lavelle Hawkins surprised, Justin Forsett disappointed.

Lavelle Hawkins California 5-11 187 4.48 (1.58, 2.64) Bench 14
Justin Forsett California 5-8 194 4.59 Bench 26 Vert 26.5

 

[mike100915]

The more the see Talib, the more likely I think he is to fall in the draft. I originally thought the Patriots should draft him at #7, but now no way. His foot work is sloppy. He does not have shutdown ability either. I'd rate him as the 3rd best corner in the draft. But I think DRC and McKelvin are far and away ahead of the rest of the pack.

 

[jeffbiologist]

It was just mentioned in passing on nfldraftscout under Talib's profile. There's no numbers on his site yet.

There's some from Cal, though. Lavelle Hawkins surprised, Justin Forsett disappointed.

Lavelle Hawkins California 5-11 187 4.48 (1.58, 2.64) Bench 14
Justin Forsett California 5-8 194 4.59 Bench 26 Vert 26.5

You still high on Hawkins? His numbers look good but not great...Kind of small for a reciever running +4.4. What round do you project?

 

[chowder]

Craig Stevens supposedly had a really good workout catching the ball at the combine and the pro day workout. He is known as a great blocker but the big knock on him was that he dropped alot of balls last season, but I think it was because he was getting alot of poorly thrown balls from an injured QB. I think he could be a great all around TE for the Pats.

Justin Forsett supposedly slipped when he did his 40s. He plays quicker than his timed speed and has some shifty moves and had really good production in his college career. I'd like to see the Pats take him either in the 7th round or as a FA if he is available.

 

[dryheat44]

Gil Brandt updated the Pro Day results page this afternoon:
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d806b4a39&template=with-video&confirm=true

 

[DaBruinz]

You still high on Hawkins? His numbers look good but not great...Kind of small for a reciever running +4.4. What round do you project?

Some of the best receivers in the league are 5'11. Sheesh

 

[PonyExpress]

The more the see Talib, the more likely I think he is to fall in the draft. I originally thought the Patriots should draft him at #7, but now no way. His foot work is sloppy. He does not have shutdown ability either. I'd rate him as the 3rd best corner in the draft. But I think DRC and McKelvin are far and away ahead of the rest of the pack.

Personally I like Talib. He has more talent than Chris Gamble. With the right coaching he could excel. His supposed attitude problems seem exaggerated. He has the short memory all NFL cbs must have, the one small school cbs often spend a year or two trying to acquire in the NFL. Talib makes big plays. He plays with an attitude. He's faster than people thought. He jumps high. His 3-cone is elite for a 200+ lb cb. If used correctly, and coached well, I see no reason why Talib can't become a physical, ballhawking starting cb in the NFL. And if for whatever reason he struggles, you can slide him to FS, like the cardinals did with Antrel Rolle. Now Rolle is a pro bowl caliber FS.

 

[DaBruinz]

Personally I like Talib. He has more talent than Chris Gamble. With the right coaching he could excel. His supposed attitude problems seem exaggerated. He has the short memory all NFL cbs must have, the one small school cbs often spend a year or two trying to acquire in the NFL. Talib makes big plays. He plays with an attitude. He's faster than people thought. He jumps high. His 3-cone is elite for a 200+ lb cb. If used correctly, and coached well, I see no reason why Talib can't become a physical, ballhawking starting cb in the NFL. And if for whatever reason he struggles, you can slide him to FS, like the cardinals did with Antrel Rolle. Now Rolle is a pro bowl caliber FS.

The problem with "sliding him to FS" is that hte Pats already have a free safety in Meriweather. One they've also invested a 1st round pick in.

Not that I disagree with you about Talib.

 

[jeffbiologist]

Some of the best receivers in the league are 5'11. Sheesh

Some of the best posters to forums are 5'11 too.
I didnt mean to sound that critical, I just wanted to see what he thought now that numbers were out.

 

[SamBamsFan]

Decent recap of this past week's Pro Days highlights a dozen or so players:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/04/03/risers.sliders/index.html

 

[dryheat44]

Decent recap of this past week's Pro Days highlights a dozen or so players:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/04/03/risers.sliders/index.html

The biggest news to me is this OT from Hofstra:

Shawn McMackin, OL, Hofstra
McMackin, one of the biggest sleepers in April's draft, is building buzz in scouting circles. He completed 40 reps on the bench during his first pro-day then ran the 40 in 4.81 seconds and added some very swift shuttle times at a second workout this week. McMackin, who weighs 295 pounds, has played every position on the offensive line in college and is now getting consideration in the late rounds.

Oh, and there's no way Chauncey Washington goes from a 6th-UDFA prospect into a Top-75 because he ran in the mid 4.3s. Everybody knew he had great track speed. That's just an absured statement on the author's part.

 

[LuthierJr]

disappointing Reggie Smith didn't workout. He is really versatile, and is a solid tackler.

check out his highlight video. Pretty good.

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=52073

Another CB from oklahoma to watch later in the draft is DJ wolfe.

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=37161

 

[SamBamsFan]

Shawn McMackin, OL, Hofstra
McMackin, one of the biggest sleepers in April's draft, is building buzz in scouting circles. He completed 40 reps on the bench during his first pro-day then ran the 40 in 4.81 seconds and added some very swift shuttle times at a second workout this week. McMackin, who weighs 295 pounds, has played every position on the offensive line in college and is now getting consideration in the late rounds.

Turn that boy into a 280 lb TE, I don't care if he can catch a lick.

 

[dryheat44]

Turn that boy into a 280 lb TE, I don't care if he can catch a lick.

I like the way you think....

 

[patchick]

Shawn McMackin, OL, Hofstra
McMackin, one of the biggest sleepers in April's draft, is building buzz in scouting circles. He completed 40 reps on the bench during his first pro-day then ran the 40 in 4.81 seconds and added some very swift shuttle times at a second workout this week. McMackin, who weighs 295 pounds, has played every position on the offensive line in college and is now getting consideration in the late rounds.

Mighty interesting...the Pats certainly have a history of coaching up raw physical specimens on both sides of the line (Neal, Ashworth, Kelley, Wright). What I always want to know with a guy like that is WHY he's been laboring in obscurity. Speedy 300-pounders with immense strength are usually pretty conspicuous.

Holy smokes, just hunted down a pic...check the red beard! It's fate, fit him for his flying Elvis!