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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.The [Minnesota Golden] Gophers pro day drew scouts from only a handful of teams - Jets, Bills, Patriots, Chiefs and Vikings.
Checking the Gopher's roster, the only prospect who makes sense for NE is late round QB Adam Weber, but there is probably a number of small school and native Minnesotans working out there too. Whomever NE was scouting, Jets, Bills, and Chiefs sniffing around says he's an interesting kid.
None of the former Golden Gophers were among the more than 300 top prospects who participated at the annual combine in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which ran from February 24-March 1. This means it is unlikely that any of the former Gophers will be selected in the NFL Draft will be held April 28-30.
Dom Alford, R.J. Buckner, Hayo Carpenter, Ryan Collado, Eric Ellestad, Jon Hoese, Curtis Hughes, Kyle Theret, Adam Weber and Jeff Wills represented the Gophers. Several players from schools such as St. Thomas, Concordia St. Paul and Minnesota State Mankato also took part in the Junior Day.
Hoese, a former walk-on who eventually earned a scholarship and starting fullback job, was a standout in the testing. He bench pressed 225 pound 25 times, the most of any player in attendance and had a better 40 time than expected at 4.55 seconds.
Hoese is hoping that being a rare college fullback and his ability to play special teams could help him make a NFL roster as an undrafted free agent. Most college teams don't use a fullback, so his ability to block and gain tough inside yards could be valuable.
Weber threw the ball well for the scouts and appeared to be in the best shape of his life. He showed off his new and improved body by taking his shirt off during his 40-yard dash as he showed excellent speed for a signal caller (4.6 seconds). Weber also tested well in the vertical and broad jump.
Former Gopher linebacker Tommy Becker of Division III St. Thomas was impressive as he bench pressed 225 pounds 24 times.
Gopher players take advantage of Pro Day
There's also a brief video in this link: Web Extra: Gopher Football Pro Day | KSTP TV - Minneapolis and St. Paul
Would Belichick consider bringing a fullback into camp as an UDFA?
Kearse wows NFL scouts | al.com
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We can only assume the Pats were focused on Kearse. Other prospects who worked out were:
The Patriots were at Fresno State's Pro Day - link.
Chris Carter (DE/OLB) presumably the main target.
Offensive tackle James Carpenter also had a strong day. He was worked out by Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia and had a good all-around workout. While Carpenter did bend at the waist (instead of at the knees) at times during position drills, he displayed good quickness, balance and athleticism and showed the natural strength NFL teams covet. He proved he has the talent to be an NFL starter and merits consideration as a second-round pick.
Running back Mark Ingram started things off well by running the 40-yard dash in the high 4.4-second range to low 4.5-second range, depending on the man holding the stopwatch. Those are good numbers considering the turf at Alabama's indoor facility is considered a bit softer and slower than the FieldTurf at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium.
Ingram displayed excellent quickness and agility in other drills, making sharp and explosive cuts. He caught the ball well and looked natural and comfortable running routes. For Ingram, this workout locks up a first-round spot because he has nearly every desirable attribute for a running back.
Other possible draftees are RB Shane Vereen (3rd round)
Scar has maintained a Center/Interior Reserve pipeline:I like this guy quite a bit. He's got Belichick written all over him. Smart, tough kid who plays powerful when he gets low, very hard to move. He may be a quick solution to some of these bigger DT's we've been having trouble with the last few years. Not a immediate starter but definately a groomer imo. Probably my favorite lineman for the value in this draft. I see the Pats nabbing him off the board earlier than some might expect.
Scarnecchia could do wonders with this kid.
Pro-Days attended:
Alabama
Alabama A & M
Arkansas
Auburn
California
Colorado
Florida International
Fresno State
Minnesota
Northwestern
Oklahoma State
Wisconsin
Patriots coach Bill Belichick is among the NFL personnel present at University of Miami Pro Day today, according to the Twitter account of Miami's associate athletic director. Other head coaches in attendance include Jacksonville's Jack Del Rio and Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin.
I Just wish I didn't have to make my own flight arrangements, my arms are sooooo tired.Must be tired non, you deserve some shut-eye.
---Matthews, who was not invited to the combine, said his 40 time Thursday was 4.5, just off the "high 4.4" he had set as a goal.
"It was still good for me," he said. "Basically, I just want to prove that I'm an every-down receiver. I can do anything they want me to. I told them I can go inside or outside, motion or go down and block linebackers — anybody who they want me to block. It's a team thing. I'm just trying to do everything that I possibly can to help out ateam when I get to that team."
Running for the draft: Pro Day : The Kentucky KernelWide receiver Chris Matthews said he ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.5 range. He tweeted from his account @Caliboi_8 later in the day that he was scheduled for an individual workout with the New England Patriots this weekend.