Next Stop, the Underwear Olympics

[Brady6]

Larry Webster is an intriguing late round prospect. I mocked him in an earlier mock but he really opened some eyes today.

NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Larry Webster

 

[mayoclinic]

I'd be expecting him to bulk up to at least 265. Still, he can be a rotational pass rusher at his current size.

I was expecting him to come in to the Senior Bowl and Combine at around 265. Very disappointed by 252#. Not enough heft to play on the line. I think he'll bulk up, but it will take time for him to put on the muscle needed to be a full time lineman. I still like him a lot, and I wouldn't bet against him, but I think his fit is not 100% clear and his length to impact is longer than I originally anticipated.

 

[mayoclinic]

Larry Webster is an intriguing late round prospect. I mocked him in an earlier mock but he really opened some eyes today.

NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Larry Webster

Larry Webster and Logan Thomas had nearly identical measurables and benchmarks, and they are reasonably competitive with basketball converts to TE like Jimmy Graham and Jordan Cameron:

- Logan Thomas: 6' 6 1/8" 248#, 34 1/4" arms, 10 5/8" hands; 4.61 40, 1.59 10 yard split, 35.5" vertical, 9' 10" broad jump, 4.18 short shuttle, 7.05 3-cone.
- Larry Webster: 6' 5 6/8" 252#, 33 1/2" arms, 10 1/8" hands; 4.58 40, 1.57 10 yard split, 36.5" vertical, 10' 3" broad jump; 7.29 3-cone is a bit pedestrian
- Jimmy Graham: 6' 6 1/4" 260#, 35" arms, 10 5/8" hands; 4.53 40, 1.53 10 yard split, 38.5" vertical, 10' broad jump, 4.39 short shuttle, 6.90 3-cone
- Jordan Cameron: 6' 5 1/4" 254#, 33 1/2" arms, 9 3/4" hands; 4.53 40, 1.53 10 yard split, 37.5" vertical, 9'11" broad jump, 4.03 short shuttle, 6.82 3-cone

I think that these guys have the kind of raw athleticism which translates into success at the position in the NFL, more so than the polished TE prospects who have more experience at the position. I'd love to get one or both and develop them.

 

[mayoclinic]

DB bench press numbers are posted on Steelers' Depot:

2014 NFL Combine Results: Defensive Backs | Steelers Depot

 

[Brady6]

Larry Webster and Logan Thomas had nearly identical measurables and benchmarks, and they are reasonably competitive with basketball converts to TE like Jimmy Graham and Jordan Cameron:



- Logan Thomas: 6' 6 1/8" 248#, 34 1/4" arms, 10 5/8" hands; 4.61 40, 1.59 10 yard split, 35.5" vertical, 9' 10" broad jump, 4.18 short shuttle, 7.05 3-cone.

- Larry Webster: 6' 5 6/8" 252#, 33 1/2" arms, 10 1/8" hands; 4.58 40, 1.57 10 yard split, 36.5" vertical, 10' 3" broad jump; 7.29 3-cone is a bit pedestrian

- Jimmy Graham: 6' 6 1/4" 260#, 35" arms, 10 5/8" hands; 4.53 40, 1.53 10 yard split, 38.5" vertical, 10' broad jump, 4.39 short shuttle, 6.90 3-cone

- Jordan Cameron: 6' 5 1/4" 254#, 33 1/2" arms, 9 3/4" hands; 4.53 40, 1.53 10 yard split, 37.5" vertical, 9'11" broad jump, 4.03 short shuttle, 6.82 3-cone



I think that these guys have the kind of raw athleticism which translates into success at the position in the NFL, more so than the polished TE prospects who have more experience at the position. I'd love to get one or both and develop them.

So you want to convert Webster to TE? He ran with the DEs I never thought about him at TE. The 3-cone isn't pedestrian for a DE.

 

[manxman2601]

So you want to convert Webster to TE? He ran with the DEs I never thought about him at TE. The 3-cone isn't pedestrian for a DE.

It is for a Patriots DE. As for Webster, there's a lot of talk about teams wanting him to transition to TE.

 

[mayoclinic]

So you want to convert Webster to TE? He ran with the DEs I never thought about him at TE. The 3-cone isn't pedestrian for a DE.

It is for a Patriots DE. As for Webster, there's a lot of talk about teams wanting him to transition to TE.

I would look at Webster at both DE and TE, but I think he is probably better suited to the latter. He's a former basketball player with limited football experience, and a position change would not be at all uncommon. His athleticism screams move TE, and I'm not sure he is strong enough to thrive as a DE.

Dane Brugler wrote on this issue yesterday:

The NFL has numerous examples of players who starred on the basketball court at the collegiate level before making a splash in the league, especially at tight end and defensive end. And Bloomsburg's Larry Webster could be next, but at which position?

After four years on the hardwood, Webster played the past two seasons as a pass rusher on defense, tallying 26 sacks for Division II Bloomsburg. But as he makes the jump to the pro level, his lean, athletic skill-set might be best-suited for the offensive side of the game.

"There were a couple of teams that asked me about tight end," said Webster at the NFL combine. "I wouldn't mind playing tight end."

Webster, the son of 11-year NFL veteran and Super Bowl champion (with the 2000 Baltimore Ravens) Larry Webster, was occasionally used in red zone situations in college with a pair of touchdowns in his career, using his height, length and catching radius to create mismatches against defensive backs.

He looks like a former basketball player with a skinny build and limited bulk on his frame, causing him to struggle to shed blocks on the defensive line. And with limited perceived growth potential, many around the league believe his best fit in the NFL is on offense as a hybrid tight end who can line up in the slot and help move the chains.

2014 NFL combine: Is Bloomsburg's Larry Webster a TE or DE? - CBSSports.com

As Manx says, this is nothing new. Some of us have been discussing this for months. I specifically planned to assess both Logan Thomas and Webster at the Combine as potential TE conversions, and both passed the athleticism benchmarks with flying colors.

 

[manxman2601]

What is it about my binkies and feet. After Tuitt and ASJ were pulled from performing in the combine, there's this:

Jimmie Ward will not be taking part in Tuesday’s defensive backs workout. Routine Combine medical evaluations revealed a foot issue. Ward is still awaiting more to the exact nature of the injury, and initial reports are the injury is considered relatively minor.

Combine News & Notes: Monday


I was really looking forward to seeing what he could do athletically.

 

[mayoclinic]

What is it about my binkies and feet. After Tuitt and ASJ were pulled from performing in the combine, there's this:

Combine News & Notes: Monday

I was really looking forward to seeing what he could do athletically.

The agony of the feet strikes again. Uncanny.

 

[manxman2601]

The agony of the feet strikes again. Uncanny.

No Rex Ryan jokes from anyone!

 

[mayoclinic]

DB's running the 40.

Dion Bailey 4.69.

 

[mayoclinic]

Bashaud Breeland 1st attempt: 4.59.

 

[mayoclinic]

Terrance Brooks 4.41. They aren't listing 10 yard split times.

 

[mayoclinic]

Deone Bucannon 4.50.

 

[mayoclinic]

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix 4.52.

 

[mayoclinic]

Ross ****rell 4.43.

 

[mayoclinic]

Darqueze Dennard 4.42. Good time for him.

 

[mayoclinic]

Pierrre Desir 4.52.

Jonathan Dowling 4.50

10 yard splits so far:

Brooks 1.50
Alexander 1.52
Bucannon 1.56
Clinton-Dix 1.56
****rell 1.59
Allen 1.60
Dennard 1.60
Breeland 1.61
Benwikere 1.62

 

[mayoclinic]

Antone Exum: 4.51. I'll take it.

 

[mayoclinic]

Kyle Fuller: 4.40. Great time.

Exum looks like a tank, BTW.