NFL Combine news...

[Seneschal2]

Thought it would be a good idea to have a floating thread for general Combine-related news. Of course if it's Pats-related -- we can post new threads.

From footballsfuture.com:

Combine bench press numbers

The offensive lineman are in the weight room today. They're doing reps of 225 lbs. on the bench press. Here are some notable rep numbers -

Joe Thomas 28 reps
Levi Brown 31 reps
Manuel Ramirez 40 reps
Justin Blalock 40 reps

 

[Seneschal2]

http://www.footballsfuture.com/news/2007/02/calvin-johnson-weighs-in-at-239-pounds.html

Calvin Johnson weighed in at 239 pounds this morning. He was the heaviest receiver at the combine. It will be interesting to see if someone his size can actually run a 4.33 40, as he was reported to do during workouts last week. Last year Vernon Davis wowed everyone at the combine with a 4.38 40 after weighing in at 250 pounds.

 

[Seneschal2]

http://www.footballsfuture.com/news/2007/02/russell-will-sit-peterson-and-lynch.html

The bad news, JaMarcus Russell announced he won't perform any drills this weekend at the combine.

The good news, Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch will perform all combine drills including the 40-yard dash. Both players said they expect to run in the 4.3-4.4 range.

 

[Seneschal2]

http://www.footballsfuture.com/news/2007/02/smith-jarret-and-hunt-wont-run-at.html

More players are announcing they'll skip the 40-yard dash at the combine. Troy Smith, Dwayne Jarrett, and Tony Hunt will all be spectators while other players are running the forty.

Its disappointing that these players aren't willing to run with their peers and instead choose to wait till their pro day. Pro day's are notorious for improving forty times and it's difficult to compare a forty run during a pro day to one that is run at the combine.

 

[ayjackson]

If Jamarcas Russel slides at all, we should trade up to get him. We could play him tight end on offense and OLB opposite Colvin on defense. He's a monster!

 

[broadwayjoe]

http://nflexperts.scout.com/2/621083.html

More on Brady Quinn of Notre Dame. He measured in at 6-foot-3 ½ and 233 pounds. Called playing for an experienced NFL coach like Charlie Weis a “gift from God” as he goes through his Combine and predraft process. Credited Weis with helping him move on quickly after throwing

Rutgers fullback Brian Leonard has lost some weight since the Senior Bowl, and he believes that’s going to help him. “I’ve lost 12 pounds since the Senior Bowl, and I think that makes me a more versatile back. I think my style best fits a West Coast offense. I’ve tried to pattern my game after Roger Craig.”


Dwayne Bowe of LSU is arguably the best blocking wide receiver in the draft, so it was no surprise how he answered when he was asked which got his teammates more excited, a big block, or a big catch. “I’d have to say a big block. I got a lot of ‘ooohs’ from my teammates with a good crack back
block.”

Ohio State wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez was asked about the BCS Championship game and if it stuck with him. “It’s definitely a sore spot. You spend hours and hours and hours preparing to make sure your career doesn’t end like that, but it did. That’s real. That’s the reality, and you accept it and try to move on.” When asked what he would bring to the NFL. “What I hope to bring, and what I plan to bring is consistency, reliability and accountability. And it’s those three things on and off the field.”

 

[Seneschal2]

Anthony Gonzalez...

When asked what he would bring to the NFL. “What I hope to bring, and what I plan to bring is consistency, reliability and accountability. And it’s those three things on and off the field.”

And that's not agent talk.

 

[PATSNUTme]

here is a guy that one mock had us taking in the 2nd round. He's someone that I haven't paid much attention to until now.

http://www.nflfans.com/x/2007/showplayer.php?key=Eric Wright*

 

[patchick]

here is a guy that one mock had us taking in the 2nd round. He's someone that I haven't paid much attention to until now.

http://www.nflfans.com/x/2007/showplayer.php?key=Eric Wright*

Wright's an interesting question mark. I've mentioned him as one of the few CBs in the draft who fits the Patriots' DB profile...on the field. But he faced some serious criminal allegations at one point, and opted to transfer to UNLV rather than face potential discipline at USC. From a character perspective, I'd feel more comfortable if he'd at least stuck it out for his senior year at UNLV and showed he could stay out of trouble.

 

[cstjohn17]

here is a guy that one mock had us taking in the 2nd round. He's someone that I haven't paid much attention to until now.

http://www.nflfans.com/x/2007/showplayer.php?key=Eric Wright*

He had very serious criminal allegations when at USC, I believe they were related to a sexual assualt. I believe in giving people second chances and generally think most "character" concerns are over blown but this situation appears to be a bright red light. More likely a Charger or Bengal at this point.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I'm sure the Patriots will check him out. If he hasn't matured and has a punk attitude he won't be on their board.

However, if they do draft him then they are convinced that he has changed. As a 19-21 year old and having some problems doesn't mean he can't mature and be a good guy.

I did notice that the write up said a "yellow flag", not a red flag. We'll see.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

OT Levi Brown (Penn State) transcript excerpt:

Started college career as a defensive tackle.
"Coach (Joe Paterno) came to me -- short guy, older guy, I'm sure you guys know him - and went to offense."

 

[broadwayjoe]

Any question that Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas wasn’t going to be selected within the first 2-3 picks at the 2007 draft were pretty much erased earlier this morning when the former Badgers star ran two sub-5 second 40-yard dashes at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. While many of the other very top prospects at this year’s combine have opted not to workout, Thomas chose to do the full workout and it paid off as he posted a best 40 time of 4.92 seconds.



http://www.gbnreport.com/

 

[DaBruinz]

Any question that Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas wasn’t going to be selected within the first 2-3 picks at the 2007 draft were pretty much erased earlier this morning when the former Badgers star ran two sub-5 second 40-yard dashes at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. While many of the other very top prospects at this year’s combine have opted not to workout, Thomas chose to do the full workout and it paid off as he posted a best 40 time of 4.92 seconds.



http://www.gbnreport.com/

You know, its pretty silly to attempt to judge an OL, never mind an OT, on their 40 times.

I look at Guards and centers shuttle times and a bit at their 40 times to see if they can get outside for screen plays. But its just plain silly to do that for OTs.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

You know, its pretty silly to attempt to judge an OL, never mind an OT, on their 40 times.

I look at Guards and centers shuttle times and a bit at their 40 times to see if they can get outside for screen plays. But its just plain silly to do that for OTs.

Vermeil did a nice job explaining how he uses the 40, looking for explosion, balance, and finish, all of which made sense since, like you, my only use for the 40 was to get the 10 & 20 yd splits. Jamie Dukes also talked about how "fluid" a player looked when discussing players running the 40, which I have to agree does point to athleticism. As long as they're running it, it's nice if there is some measure we can hope to take away from that drill.

The rat b*****ds only listed the top players in the 40, but here are some Combine numbers. http://nfl.com/combine/story/10019715

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Willis and Posluzney both came in under 6'2", Willis at 242 and Pos at 238. They both looked buff, I'm not sure how much more mucscle they could pack on their frames. Willis was asked if he could play in a 3-4 and gave the predictable answer. DeOssie looked good, he's closer to 6'5" than 6'4" and up to 250.

I think it was Ochmed who thought well of Waters...
Anthony Waters Combine Transcript
Anthony Waters, Clemson linebacker

6-2 1/5, 245 pounds

Note: Tore his ACL early in 2006 season

(Will he run at the combine): No, I'll be running on April 3 (Clemson pro day).

(Is he doing everything else here) No, I'm just doing the bench.

(What kind of system does he see himself playing in): At Clemson I played in two different kinds of defense. I know the variations of both schemes, the 3-4 and the 4-3 - so I feel pretty comfortable in any one of those schemes.

 

[cstjohn17]

I think it was Ochmed who thought well of Waters...
Anthony Waters Combine Transcript
Anthony Waters, Clemson linebacker

6-2 1/5, 245 pounds

Note: Tore his ACL early in 2006 season

(Will he run at the combine): No, I'll be running on April 3 (Clemson pro day).

(Is he doing everything else here) No, I'm just doing the bench.

(What kind of system does he see himself playing in): At Clemson I played in two different kinds of defense. I know the variations of both schemes, the 3-4 and the 4-3 - so I feel pretty comfortable in any one of those schemes.

Waters was the highest rated senior ILB before the year started, he is an injury risk but if recovered looks to be a good it at ILB. Everything I have read indicates he is a team leader and good character, he is described as more of a 2 down run stuffer but we have a need for players like that. He can evolve his coverage skills as he learns the system.

The big question is where is his value? is 3 too high for a player coming off major surgery? is 4 too late?

 

[SamBamsFan]

"Finally, the only invited player not to show at this year's combine thus far is Tennessee WR Bret Smith. No official reason has been given for his absence."

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

"Finally, the only invited player not to show at this year's combine thus far is Tennessee WR Bret Smith. No official reason has been given for his absence."

http://nfl.com/combine/story/10019727

Tennessee's Bret Smith, who had missed his flight the previous day, arrived a day late.

 

[DaBruinz]

Waters was the highest rated senior ILB before the year started, he is an injury risk but if recovered looks to be a good it at ILB. Everything I have read indicates he is a team leader and good character, he is described as more of a 2 down run stuffer but we have a need for players like that. He can evolve his coverage skills as he learns the system.

The big question is where is his value? is 3 too high for a player coming off major surgery? is 4 too late?

Honestly? I think that Waters will be around in the 6th.