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*** 2013 NFL Scouting Combine Thread *** (3 Viewers)

A look at the prospects who were all-star interviewees at the NFL combineDan Pompei
By now we all know who performed well in the 40 yard dash, bench press, vertical jump and other workout tests at the combine. What many do not know is who performed well in the interviews. Here, according to NFL front office men, were the standouts. Jonthan Banks, Mississippi State CB—He impressed NFL teams as a “good kid” who will has solid football character and will be a fine teammate. Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina G—He was praised for his intelligence and maturity. One scout said he is the type of player who can make a locker room a better place. D.J. Fluker, Alabama OT—“He has a big personality,” one personnel director said. “You could tell football is really important to him.” A general manager liked the way Fluker communicated his passion for the game. DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson WR—Scouts liked how business-like he was, and praised him for his intelligence and verbal skills. Margus Hunt, Southern Methodist DE—His maturity and love of the game made him stand out to NFL decision makers. He also showed a solid commitment. Datone Jones, UCLA DE—Scouts already liked the way he plays. Now they like the way he thinks, too. One front office man said Jones looks like “the complete package.” He said he knew his stuff, and liked the way he expressed his dedication. Barkevious Mingo, LSU DE—He is beginning to look like the total package. He was praised for his smarts, his communication skills and his genuineness. Said one front office man. “He’s a squared away guy. There is no B.S. to him.” Geno Smith, West Virginia QB—Multiple front office men said they were impressed with how Smith did on the board and diagnosing tape, but they also said his answers appeared scripted. “He was coached up pretty well,” one said. Another praised Smith for being confident in the way he talked ball, and for the way he understood concepts. Some had doubted Smith’s understanding of the game previously, so this was huge for him. Darius Slay, Mississippi State CB—He came across as a stand-up young man who is mature beyond his years. One executive said he admired Slay’s accountability and the way he appears willing to do whatever is necessary to succeed. Manti Te’o, Notre Dame LB—He obviously had a lot to gain or a lot to lose, and Te’o acquitted himself well. NFL front office men praised him for being sincere, upbeat and well spoken. They liked what he had to say about football. Bjoern Werner, Florida State DE—According to one G.M., Werner communicated very well considering English is his second language. His love of the game was clear. Werner told teams the story about when he was in Germany, he did internet research and found a high school where he could attend as a foreign exchange student so he could play football.
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14 Players Who Helped Their Draft Stock Most At Combine

Russ Lande

1. Tavon Austin, WR/RET, West Virginia: Austin arrived in Indianapolis having to prove he had the elite athleticism to warrant a first round pick in spite of his lack of size. While he did not get any taller, his workout convinced everyone we spoke to that he is the real deal and will no doubt be a big play, game changer in the NFL. Not only impressive athletically, Austin caught the ball excellently and impressed in interviews. After coming to the Combine with questions, Austin heads home as a definite first rounder.

2. Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina: In a battle with Andre Ellington and Montee Ball to be the second running back drafted and trying to prove worthy of a first round pick, Bernard put his best foot forward in Indianapolis. Although comparing players to Pro Bowl players is risky, NFL personnel expressed to us how much Bernard reminded them of Ravens’ running back Ray Rice during his positional workout. Not only did Bernard separate himself from Ellington and Ball, but he did so well that he may be able to challenge Lacy to be the first back drafted.

3. Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida: Despite already viewed as a first round pick, Floyd’s performance at the Combine was still so great that it caught people by surprise. His ability to COD and explode in the other direction while maintaining balance is that of a rare athlete. Combined with his size and the strength he showed on film, Floyd proved he is an elite talent worthy of being a top ten pick in the 2013 Draft.

4. Chris Gragg, TE, Arkansas: After a good 2011 season there were high expectations for Gragg entering the 2012 season, but he did not have a good year and scouts were down on his draft prospects. However, after an excellent display of athleticism during the positional workout in Indy, NFL personnel think Gragg may be able to return to his previous form. Showing quickness and precision running routes along with good hands and body control, Gragg showed the tools to potentially make an impact as a receiving tight end in the NFL.

5. Datone Jones, DE, UCLA: Following up an excellent week at the Senior Bowl, Jones proved that he is the most polished of the 275+ pound defensive ends in this year’s Draft. Remarkably light on his feet, Jones was able to change directions quickly and displayed rare explosiveness for a man his size. After his performances in Mobile and Indy, there is no doubt that Jones will be a first round pick.

6. Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon: Tall and linear, Jordan came to Indianapolis viewed as somewhat of a “tweener,” which had NFL personnel trying to figure out where he fit best and if he had the athleticism to overcome his thin frame. However, after an outstanding workout that had scouts calling him a superstar he is in position to be a top ten pick. Explosive going forward rushing the passer, Jordan ability to move and adjust so smooth and easily out in space during linebacker drills was exceptional and left everyone watching confident he can be an impact player in the NFL.

7. Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama: Although no one doubted that Milliner was a high end cornerback before the Combine, there were questions about his top end speed and explosiveness. After blazing an incredibly fast 40 time and then displaying elite explosiveness, body control and speed throughout the positional workout Milliner left no doubt that he is not only the best cornerback in the Draft, but will not get out of the top ten.

8. Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU: While questions no doubt still persist about Mingo’s lack of elite production at LSU, there are no questions about his having Pro Bowl caliber athleticism. When I spoke to NFL personnel after the DL/LB workouts, they could not stop raving about Mingo’s workout. His ability to maintain knee bend and good balance while explosively changing directions impressed scouts. He proved he has the athleticism to excel as a rush linebacker in a 34 scheme and as an under-sized defensive end in a 43 defense.

9. Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri: An explosive and highly productive gap shooting defensive tackle at Missouri, NFL teams wanted to determine if he has the high end athleticism to be as productive in the NFL. After a workout where NFL personnel said he moved around like a running back, no doubts he has the talent to be an impact player in the NFL. Throughout the positional workout Richardson showed the flexibility to maintain bend while adjusting and changing directions with ease. Not only was his workout outstanding, but he impressed during interviews with his smarts, passion and intensity, which assures he will be a top 20 pick.

10. Denard Robinson, WR, Michigan: Robinson showed at the Senior Bowl that making the switch to slot receiver was not going to be an easy road as his routes were raw and he struggled catching the ball. However, in Indy he proved to everyone that he has been working extremely hard to improve as his routes were better and his hands were significantly improved. While he still has a way to go to become polished and consistent receiver, the improvement he showed since January puts him back in position to potentially be selected as high as the third round.

11. Ace Sanders, WR/RET, South Carolina: Tavon Austin may well have laid claim to being the best slot receiver / returner in the Draft, but Ace Sanders had an outstanding workout himself. Viewed as not having the top end talent to make up for his lack of size, Sanders’ showed explosive acceleration, sharp route running ability and soft, natural hands throughout positional drills. His performance will not move him into the first or second round, but it likely put him in position to be a third or fourth round selection.

12. Matt Scott, QB, Arizona: Many of the bigger names quarterbacks failed to impress at the Combine, but Scott definitely showed that he has to be considered one of the better developmental prospects. Regarded more as a run first quarterback whose strength was his athleticism, Scott’s quick release, strong arm and accuracy were much better than expected. Scott still needs a big pro day, but if he throws as well as he did in Indy then I believe he will end up climbing to the top of day three on Draft day.

13. Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State: Constantly referred to as “the other cornerback” at Mississippi State where he played opposite Johnathan Banks, Slay outperformed Banks in Indy to make NFL personnel stand up and take notice. A tall cornerback himself at 6’0, Slay’s quick feet, loose hips, speed and ball skills really impressed throughout positional drills. While we still expect Banks to be selected higher in the Draft, Slay’s performance in Indy likely will lead to him being selected one the second day of the Draft.

14. Manti Te’o, MLB, Notre Dame: While nearly everyone in the media is smashing Te’o saying he had a terrible combine because he ran in the low 4.8’s, our sources tell us that those reports could not be farther from the truth. During the most of the remaining measured drills, Te’o was better than average and near the top in some. During the positional drills, Te’o proved that he is a good all-around athlete with smooth movement skills, not elite athleticism. But most importantly, Te’o stood out in team interviews displaying good leadership and football intelligence. Everyone we spoke to told us that they are confident after this week that he can be a solid starting linebacker in the NFL as either an MLB in a 43 defense or an ILB in a 34 scheme.
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NFP looks at 9 players who struggled at Combine

Russ Lande

The Final Look At Players Who Hurt Their Draft Stock The Most At The Combine

With the 2013 NFL Combine now completed I take a final look at those players whose performance was disappointing in one area or more. I have not included Star Lotulelei, who was red-flagged for a heart issue and not allowed to workout, or Jarvis Jones, whose medical check awaits MRI results to be completed, because I have not found out anything definitive in regards to either prospect at this time.

1. Johnathan Banks, CB, Mississippi State: Banks did not struggle throughout the entire Combine as he handled himself extremely well in team interviews. During meetings with teams he showed excellent football intelligence, the ability to think quickly and good overall character. Unfortunately, when it came to the physical workout, Banks struggled and definitely raised concerns about his athleticism. Although running a 4.60 40 was disappointing, more of an issue was how choppy and upright he was during the positional drills. He struggled to flip hips and change directions smoothly and lacked explosiveness in his movements.

2. Travis Frederick, C, Wisconsin: NFL teams were excited to see Frederick up close after he came out early for the 2013 Draft because he was a good, productive center for Wisconsin this past season. Unfortunately, I do not think he could have struggled more during the workout portion of the Combine. Things started off badly when he ran in the high 5.5’s/low 5.6’s (Depending on the NFL source I spoke to) and only got worse during his workout. He looked slow footed during position drills and did not show the athleticism NFL teams want. His performance will definitely have teams going back to watch film to more thoroughly evaluate his athleticism and figure out if he has what it takes to carry over his production from Wisconsin to the NFL.

3. Kevin Minter, MLB, LSU: Nearly the entire media world ripped Manti Te’o for having a bad Combine workout despite actually doing well, while Minter who ran slower than Te’o in the 40 and struggled during positional drills slid under the radar. Minter was also a very productive inside linebacker in college, but his lack of quickness, burst and speed during positional drills raises concerns. Sources inside the stadium told us that they feel Minter’s lack of athleticism will hinder his ability to make plays outside the hash-marks and to be effective in pass coverage, both in zone and man.

4. DaMontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M: For a player who came to the Combine being hyped as a potential top ten pick (Not by us mind you), Moore had a very disappointing performance. It started badly when he was only able to do 12 reps on the bench press, which is a big concern because his ability to play strong at the POA was supposed to be one of his fortes. Then he did not run fast in his 40’s and lacked explosiveness, burst and looked stiff during positional drills. As we expected when we evaluated him on film, Moore is not a premier athlete and after his performance in Indy I think many will agree with us now, which is why we expect him to be a second round pick.

5. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/RET, Tennessee: There is no doubt that Patterson looks the part of an NFL receiver “on the hoof” and shined in the measured parts of the Combine. However, the rest of his time in Indy was not as impressive. During the positional drills he displayed the quickness, burst and speed that we expected, but his routes were not sharp and he fought the ball at times as he tended to body catch most passes. However, most troubling were reports from different NFL personnel that Patterson was not impressive in team interviews. While he is still likely to be a first round pick, Patterson is not assured of that now.

6. Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State: As happens every year because the media is not allowed in to see the bulk of workouts, players get tagged with having a “great day” when they run a very fast 40 time, which is why everyone was hyping Rhodes. However, after speaking to people who were inside and watched the positional drills I learned the true story. Rhodes struggled throughout the drills looking upright, stiff and mechanical trying to flip hips and change directions. Additionally, he battled the ball nearly every time and did not show the hands to be counted on to make plays when he gets the chance at the next level. Lastly, Rhodes interviews were not impressive. All of this being said, it is still likely that a team that plays a lot of press coverage will take Rhodes in the first round because of his height, long arms, strong build and elite straight line speed.

7. Daimion Stafford, SAF, Nebraska: A borderline draftable prospect when he came to Indy after a disappointing senior season, Stafford is unlikely to be drafted now. Although he has the height and physique NFL teams are always looking for, his lack of agility, balance and flexibility really showed up when he had to change directions and adjust during the positional drills. Stafford has an uphill battle ahead of him to prove he warrants being drafted.

8. Levine Toilolo, TE, Stanford: The second Stanford tight end to come out early for the 2013 NFL Draft, Toilolo’s performance made it crystal clear he would have been better staying in school another season to try and improve his on field play to overcome his lack of good athleticism. A huge tight end at 6’8 with long arms and soft hands, Toilolo’s lack of athleticism really showed up in Indy. He is stiff, struggles to get moving quickly and lacks the playing speed necessary to get separation from defenders. Some team may gamble on him late in the Draft with an eye towards trying to convert him to OT, but I think he is most likely going to go undrafted.

9. Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington: After an excellent week of practice at the Senior Bowl, Trufant’s stock had been on the rise. Unfortunately, his performance in Indy will likely lead teams to go back and more closely evaluate his play at Washington. In Mobile he showed the foot quickness, agility and fluid athleticism to change directions with ease to stay with receivers all over the field. However, during the positional drills in Indy, he did not stay low consistently to maintain good position and this killed his ability to flip hips and change directions easily in drills. Teams really have to do their homework on Trufant to try and figure out where he should be drafted because his play at Washington was that of a third round pick, his performance at the Senior Bowl was first round caliber and at the Combine he moved around athletically like a third day draft pick.
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Scouting combine winners and losers

Vic Ketchman packers.com editor

Tony Pauline weighs in on who's hot, who's not after long weekend

GREEN BAY—All of the 40s have been run and the verdict is in on this past weekend’s scouting combine. Here’s draft guru Tony Pauline’s report of the winners and losers for packers.com.

Quarterbacks—Geno Smith of West Virginia and Tyler Bray of Tennessee (pictured) are the winners. A lot of concerns were put to rest because Smith was accurate and made the NFL throws. Any team in the top 10 thinking of taking him is probably resting easier based on his combine workout. Bray has a big arm. He was accurate. The combine was built for him and he took advantage of the situation. Tyler Wilson of Arkansas was all over the place with his passes.

Running back—The two winners are Jonathan Franklin of UCLA and Kerwynn Williams of Utah State. They both ran faster than expected and showed a lot of quickness and acceleration in drills. Both caught the ball very well. Stepfan Taylor of Stanford was horribly slow and practiced slow in drills.

Wide receivers—The big winner is Ryan Swope of Texas A&M. He ran much faster than people thought. He ran in the 4.3s; people thought he was a 4.5 guy. He showed top pass-catching skills, which everyone knew he had. He’ll probably go in top 60 picks of the draft. Justin Hunter of Tennessee did well in testing but it was a different story in pass-catching drills. He showed no quickness or route-running ability, because he’s a long strider, and passes bounced off his hands.

Tight ends—The winner is Tyler Eifert of Notre Dame. He tested very well. Faster than many people expected and caught everything thrown his way. Levine Toilolo of Stanford didn’t look athletic. He ran poorly, struggled running routes and didn’t catch the ball well.

Offensive linemen—Lane Johnson of Oklahoma is the biggest winner. He was incredibly athletic and he also looked very good in position drills. Terron Armstead of Arkansas Pine Bluff also did incredibly well. He set the combine 40 record for offensive linemen and was terrific in drills. He had a workout for the ages. Luke Joeckel of Texas A&M looked ordinary. I don’t think he’s a clear-cut choice to be the first pick of the draft anymore, even though I have him there.

Defensive linemen—Ziggy Ansah of BYU really helped himself. He looked terrific in drills. Everyone knew he would test well. Joe Kruger of Utah ran poorly and looked unathletic, but his brother Paul also tested poorly and he’s been successful in the NFL.

Linebackers—The big winners are Barkevious Mingo of LSU and Dion Jordan of Oregon. They tested off the charts, running in the 4.5s, and they looked great in position drills. Jordan has got a torn labrum and he may not be ready for a while. People thought he should’ve had it done right away. Damontre Moore of Texas A&M ran in the 4.9s. He pulled up lame and never attempted another 40 and didn’t participate in drills.

Defensive backs—Dee Milliner cemented himself as a top 10 pick. He competed when he didn’t have to. He ran exceptionally well, looked athletic. All of that bodes well for him. Dwayne Gratz of UConn ran faster than expected, tested better than expected and looked good in position drills. Johnthan Banks of Mississippi State ran 4.6s. Some people were talking about him as a first-round pick but at that speed there’s no chance he goes in the top 40.
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I'm still curious about a major aspect of QB Prospect Rankings - Arm Strength. How does a guy not have arm strength? Aren't the guys in the gym everyday lifting weights. How is the problem of arm strength solved? Is it a mechanics thing? Is it a strength thing? How do guys not have this issue resolved by the time they enter the NFL Draft?

 
'Late225 said:
I'm still curious about a major aspect of QB Prospect Rankings - Arm Strength. How does a guy not have arm strength? Aren't the guys in the gym everyday lifting weights. How is the problem of arm strength solved? Is it a mechanics thing? Is it a strength thing? How do guys not have this issue resolved by the time they enter the NFL Draft?
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Unless a guy truly has a Wuerffel-like arm I think arm strength is overrated, but you can only throw so hard without losing accuracy. Everyone has a natural limit.For the most part it's size related IMO. Tall guys have a lot of leverage and thicker guys have more muscle mass. Part of the 'Pocket QB' link in my sig is related to this I think.
 
'Late225 said:
I'm still curious about a major aspect of QB Prospect Rankings - Arm Strength. How does a guy not have arm strength? Aren't the guys in the gym everyday lifting weights. How is the problem of arm strength solved? Is it a mechanics thing? Is it a strength thing? How do guys not have this issue resolved by the time they enter the NFL Draft?
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Arm strength is in the rotator cuff. You don't use heavy weights. It has more to do with elastic properties of the muscles to be able to stretch and contract explosively.The issue doesn't get resolved because guys don't have enough time to devote exclusively to learn a new way of throwing. Which I think is an excuse. Or they get with the wrong strength coaches. You get with the right trainer and he will get you a new physique and add arm strength.Any of you guys ever heard of Tim Collins, pitcher for Kansas City Royals?http://www.ericcressey.com/tim-collins-why-everyone-should-be-a-kansas-city-royals-fan-at-least-for-a-dayKellen Moore needs to go see this guy.
 
'Xue said:
'Late225 said:
I'm still curious about a major aspect of QB Prospect Rankings - Arm Strength. How does a guy not have arm strength? Aren't the guys in the gym everyday lifting weights. How is the problem of arm strength solved? Is it a mechanics thing? Is it a strength thing? How do guys not have this issue resolved by the time they enter the NFL Draft?
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Arm strength is in the rotator cuff. You don't use heavy weights. It has more to do with elastic properties of the muscles to be able to stretch and contract explosively.The issue doesn't get resolved because guys don't have enough time to devote exclusively to learn a new way of throwing. Which I think is an excuse. Or they get with the wrong strength coaches. You get with the right trainer and he will get you a new physique and add arm strength.Any of you guys ever heard of Tim Collins, pitcher for Kansas City Royals?http://www.ericcress...least-for-a-dayKellen Moore needs to go see this guy.
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Awesome story. Thanks for sharing that.
 
RBs at the Combine: No elite ball carrier in NFL draft

Tony Pauline

Word from NFL general managers at the combine is no running back presently carries a first-round grade, an opinion confirmed at today's workout. While a few backs improved their draft standing no one presented themselves as a top-32 selection. Here's a look at the risers and sliders from the running back class at the combine.

Risers

Kerwynn Williams, Utah State: Williams was the most complete back on the field today and excelled in all areas. He tested well, posting a 40-yard dash time of 4.48 seconds as well as 4.15 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle. Williams showed incredible lateral movement and acceleration during drills. He was able to instantaneously change direction during ball drills without losing speed. Williams also looked great catching passes. Tipping the scale at 195 pounds, he grades as one of the better third-down backs available in April's draft.

Johnathan Franklin, UCLA: Franklin also displayed skill in all areas Sunday. His 40-yard dash time of 4.49 seconds ranked as a top-five mark at the running back position, as did his 60-yard shuttle time of 11.33 seconds. Franklin was quick throughout position drills and was fine-tuned in all areas. He's able to turn on a dime and keep his speed. Franklin's pass-catching skills were also impressive. Many are now comparing him to All-Pro running back Frank Gore.

Christine Michael, Texas A&M: Michael was in the coach's doghouse for much of his senior campaign but has since displayed a lot of next-level skill. He performed well at the Shrine Game last month and continued to elevate his draft stock today. His vertical jump of 43 inches was outstanding, as was his 10-foot-5 broad jump. Michael also posted solid marks of 27 reps on the bench press and 4.02 seconds in 20-yard shuttle. He transferred those athletic skills onto the field during position drills and looked impressive in all the exercises. After today it's tough to believe Michael has not cemented a place for himself in the draft's third round.

Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State: Bell showed well in both testing and position drills. Measuring 6-foot-1 and 230-pounds, he posted a solid 40 time of 4.60-seconds then turned in one of the better 3-cone marks at 6.75-seconds. Bell displayed terrific quickness for a bigger back during ball drills, easily cutting back against the grain without losing much momentum. He practiced with balance, body control and athleticism from start to finish. The second round is now a possibility for Bell.

Onterio McCalebb, Auburn: McCalebb blistered across the 40 yards of Lucas Oil Stadium, posting a time of 4.34 seconds, tops of all running backs. He looked good during drills, though McCalebb dropped a few passes. He's a last-day pick and projects as a third-down back/return specialist at the next level.

Giovanni Bernard, North Carolina: Bernard delivered what was expected, as he was explosive and incredibly quick. A smaller back (5-foot-8, 202 pounds), he sidestepped tackling dummies at full speed, showed a terrific burst in his game and caught the ball well. His marks in the 20-yard shuttle (4.12 seconds) and 60-yard shuttle (11.41) were some of the best from the running back class and are indicative of his lateral speed. Bernard carries a second-round grade but his medical history, which includes a major knee injury, might raise red flags.

Cierre Wood, Notre Dame: Wood's decision to enter the draft was questioned by many, yet today he looked NFL-ready. Wood timed 4.56 seconds in the 40 yard dash, much faster than anyone expected the 213-pound back to run. He was surprisingly quick during drills and caught the ball well. The middle rounds are now in his future.

Tommy Bohanon, Wake Forest: Bohanon's 40-yard dash time of 4.88 seconds is uninspiring, but the lead blocker looked athletic during position drills. He's exceptionally quick for a 246-pound fullback and was one of the better pass catchers from his group. Bohanon will be a solid middle-round choice for a West Coast offense.

Sliders

Stepfan Taylor, Stanford: Taylor ran a disappointing 40-yard dash time of 4.76 seconds and was poor in the rest of his testing. During cone drills he significantly slowed down changing direction to the point of coming to a complete stop. Formerly graded as a second-round pick, general managers must now decided if the talented back has the athleticism to start in the NFL.

Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State: Randle was another player who presented himself as a straight-line running back and gathered himself before changing direction. His 40-yard dash time of 4.63 seconds is unimpressive for a 205-pound ball carrier.

Andre Ellington, Clemson: Ellington also tested poorly for a highly rated ball carrier. His marks included 4.61 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 34 inches in the vertical jump. These are not good results for a productive college running back who weighed in at just 199 pounds.
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Ellington was hurt on his 40 run. Not sure why people keep referencing his time as if it was valid.

 
After watching his actual games, I loved the kid already, but I'm more convinced now than ever that if Jonathan Franklin gets the right situation he's going to be a fantasy stud.

 
'jonboltz said:
'bicycle_seat_sniffer said:
Northern Iowa’s Terrell Sinkfield runs a blazing 4.19 40 at Minnesota’s pro dayhttp://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/northern-iowa-terrell-sinkfield-runs-recordbreaking-4-19-141840831--nfl.html
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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/05/terrell-sinkfields-4-19-second-40-yard-dash-doesnt-pass-the-smell-test/related/
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It's not realistic that someone is going to run a 4.19, but 4.3's is plenty fast.
“He ran in the high 4.3s. He can run. He ran fast. He tested well,” Studwell said.
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40.5 inch vertical and 11.5 broad.
 
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'cstu said:
'jonboltz said:
'bicycle_seat_sniffer said:
Northern Iowa’s Terrell Sinkfield runs a blazing 4.19 40 at Minnesota’s pro dayhttp://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/northern-iowa-terrell-sinkfield-runs-recordbreaking-4-19-141840831--nfl.html
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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/05/terrell-sinkfields-4-19-second-40-yard-dash-doesnt-pass-the-smell-test/related/
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It's not realistic that someone is going to run a 4.19, but 4.3's is plenty fast.
“He ran in the high 4.3s. He can run. He ran fast. He tested well,” Studwell said.
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40.5 inch vertical and 11.5 broad.
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4.3* is a more legit time. I have his 10-yard split at 1.53. That matches up to a high/mid 4.3 time. Hard to get his 20-yard and the 40 because I can't see the finish:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbW3gmqRA64
 
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Mike Mayock breaks down post-combine draft stock

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League Editor

The NFL Scouting Combine is only a small part of the scouting process. The best thing a player can do is make an NFL team go back to their film and re-evaluate them.

Mike Mayock singled out two players that may have helped their stock during a recent segment of "Path to the Draft," and two players that shouldn't see their value change much based off the combine. Let's do this.

Opened eyes

» Texas A&M wide receiver Ryan Swope ripped off a 40-yard dash time of 4.34 seconds. While Swope manned the slot in college, the fast time could make teams see Swope as an outside receiver. That might push Swope from a third- to a second-round value, according to Mayock. The larger concern here is Swope's medical situation. Mayock notes that not a lot of people in the media know Swope suffered multiple concussions in college. That could scare teams away.

» Arkansas running back Knile Davis is a freak from a "power and speed perspective." The combine reminded teams of that. Then again, Davis was either hurt or ineffective in 2011 and 2012 after a breakout 2010 campaign.

Mayock thinks Davis is getting pushed up charts to the second or third round. He looks like a classic boom or bust pick.

Didn't change stock

» Baylor wide receiver Terrance Williams looks like an NFL receiver and had big production in college. But his poor lower body explosion numbers and slow times confirmed what a lot of scouts see on tape from Williams. Mayock thinks he looks like a third-round pick.

» Texas A&M running back Christine Michael blew up the combine with great measurables. Mayock says Michael is "at least" a second-round pick, but the concerns with Michael aren't about talent. He has a history of off-field incidents and landed in coach Kevin Sumlin's dog house. Mayock says the combine doesn't change that.
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'gianmarco said:
'Xue said:
'Late225 said:
I'm still curious about a major aspect of QB Prospect Rankings - Arm Strength.

How does a guy not have arm strength? Aren't the guys in the gym everyday lifting weights. How is the problem of arm strength solved? Is it a mechanics thing? Is it a strength thing?

How do guys not have this issue resolved by the time they enter the NFL Draft?
Click to expand...
Arm strength is in the rotator cuff. You don't use heavy weights. It has more to do with elastic properties of the muscles to be able to stretch and contract explosively.

The issue doesn't get resolved because guys don't have enough time to devote exclusively to learn a new way of throwing. Which I think is an excuse. Or they get with the wrong strength coaches. You get with the right trainer and he will get you a new physique and add arm strength.

Any of you guys ever heard of Tim Collins, pitcher for Kansas City Royals?

http://www.ericcress...least-for-a-day

Kellen Moore needs to go see this guy.
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Awesome story. Thanks for sharing that.
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+1
 
Developing Arm Strength Feet First

By SAM BORDEN

Published: January 20, 2012

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — One day last week, a visitor walking by the weight room at the Giants’ practice facility could look through the glass windows and see Eli Manning, in a gray T-shirt, slowly and deliberately doing bicep curls with medium-sized dumbbells. Half a room away, offensive lineman Chris Snee was also lifting weights — with a barbell that looked to be sagging from all the pounds plated at each end.

According to Pro Football Focus, Eli Manning led the league in attempts, completions and completion percentage on passes of 10 to 19 yards that were aimed outside the numbers.

The scene was a visual reminder of an oddity in football terminology: Manning, as the Giants’ quarterback, is the only player on the team who regularly has his “arm strength” scrutinized. But when it comes to the football version of the term, a player’s, well, arm strength, actually matters little, if at all.

Manning’s arms are not thick, like Detroit quarterback Matt Stafford’s. He does not cut an imposing figure the way Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman does. He is not meaty like Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger.

Rather, Manning is one of several star quarterbacks in the N.F.L. who are relatively average in terms of size but superlative when it comes to the oft-cited arm Strength — which is, essentially, a measure of a passer’s ability to throw the most difficult passes powerfully.

“It is a term that is misused a lot,” Rich Gannon, a former N.F.L. quarterback and now an analyst for CBS, said. “It’s a lot like a guy who hits the ball long off the tee in golf. You don’t have to be 6-5 to do it. You can be 5-9 and hit it as far as a guy who is much taller.”

Manning is listed at 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds, or virtually the same as when what he came out of Mississippi in 2004. That is several inches shorter than Freeman and about 20 pounds lighter than Roethlisberger, but in statistics compiled by Pro Football Focus, Manning led the league this season both in passes aimed more than 20 yards downfield and completions on such passes.

Manning went 43 of 109 on the deep attempts, compiling 1,490 yards — also the most in the N.F.L.

“Obviously, if you don’t have that arm strength, you can’t do certain things,” the offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said. “Fortunately he has enough arm Strength that he can make all of the throws.”

On the final play of the first half in last Sunday’s game against Green Bay, Manning launched a throw from the Packers’ 43-yard line that arced high and soared toward the end zone, where Hakeem Nicks jumped and caught it for an unlikely touchdown.

That throw — which traveled some 50 yards in the air — went about 15 yards farther than Manning’s average deep ball, according to Football Outsiders. During the regular season, Manning also completed five touchdown passes of more than 25 yards, tying him for fourth most in the N.F.L.

On the play to Nicks, Manning had time to back up, set and send the ball long, but most plays are executed far quicker. That is why the root of Manning’s arm Strength lies in almost every other part of his body, Gilbride said; by honing proper footwork and building his legs and core, Manning is able to throw the deep pass as well as put greater velocity on shorter routes with a smaller window to the receiver’s hands.

After practice Thursday, Manning was in the weight room working with a bungee cord wrapped around a pole. While his teammates hefted barbells around him, Manning spent time pulling the cord back and forth — an exercise that works the wrist and forearm.

“It’s funny, there were several times in my career where I decided to put on some pounds in the off-season,” Trent Green, a former N.F.L. quarterback and current analyst for the Westwood One radio network, said in a telephone interview. “I’d spend the whole off-season getting bigger and then I’d go out in the spring and the ball would go nowhere. What I’d forgotten to keep up was my flexibility and my stretching.”

Green said New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees — an impressive passer despite being 6 feet tall and weighing just over 200 pounds — is another example, along with Manning and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers, of a quarterback who has a big arm despite not being especially big.

Brees focuses on his core and his joints, Green said, working diligently to ensure his shoulder, elbow and wrist remain supple.

“That’s where you get that whip,” Green said. “The snap is what lets you get velocity and distance.”

While the obvious manifestation of a quarterback’s arm Strength is in how well he throws downfield passes, the more critical — if less appreciated — application comes on plays requiring a throw across the field or across the quarterback’s body.

It is rare for a quarterback to need to throw the ball 50 yards in the air and the deepest routes typically only require a pass of 30 to 40 yards. Anything more than that is generally too far for a receiver to run under and catch.

But throws outside the hash marks can appear on the statistics sheet to be short yet require tremendous arm strength. Those are the throws, Gannon said, that often come with less-than-perfect foot position or a hurried release, forcing the quarterback to rely more on his upper body and the whip that Green extolled.

According to Pro Football Focus, Manning led the league in attempts, completions and completion percentage on passes of 10 to 19 yards that were aimed outside the numbers.

If Sunday’s game is played in rain, as some forecasts have predicted, those intermediate throws could become even more critical for the Giants. But for Manning, who developed his arm Strength while playing in the wind-swept conditions of the old Giants Stadium, the weather should not be a factor.

“When you play in New York, the nice, easy 10-yard route isn’t always so easy,” Green said. “So Eli knows. You’ve got to have the arm Strength to get the ball there. And it doesn’t matter what he looks like — Eli has it.”
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Drop said:
Anyone know Milliner's catch % during combine drills?
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70%

7 of 10 overall.

4 of 4 on the last drill done at half speed on 10-15 yard easy tosses. I don't think these should be counted due to the rep speed.

Of the 6 game speed passes that involved sprinting and locating the ball he caught 3. 1 was a double catch and 1 was a basket catch during a drill that was specifically supposed to be a high point catch. All the passes were catchable. Unimpressive, but small sample size. I'm not yet sure if game tape supports the trend of bad hands.

The Honey Badger was in the same group at the combine and caught everything with ease.

 
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...-of-joe-montana-cris-carter-follow-nfl-dreams

Sons of Joe Montana, Cris Carter follow NFL dreams

By Marc Sessler

Around the League Writer

Talk about a tough act to follow.

The sons of Joe Montana and Cris Carter are hoping to forge gridiron careers of their own on Sunday and Monday at the NFL's "Super Regional" pre-draft workout at Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

NFL.com has confirmed that quarterback Nate Montana and receiver Duron Carter will participate along with 213 other prospects. FOXSports.com's Alex Marvez first reported the news.

At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Nate is bigger than his 6-foot-2 father, but equaling the Hall of Fame passer on the field has been elusive. After following Joe to Notre Dame, Nate transferred to the University of Montana before a stint at Pasadena City College and then shifted to Division II West Virginia Wesleyan. Nate's 2,480 passing yards and 19 touchdowns over nine starts last season led the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Duron attended Ohio State like his dad Cris, but struggled academically and transferred to Coffeyville Junior College in Kansas. From there he wound up at Alabama, but classroom issues interfered again and he never played a game for the Crimson Tide. Same drill last season at Florida Atlantic University.

The college careers of these offspring don't suggest history is about to repeat itself, but name alone could earn them a tryout with an NFL team looking to capture a little bit of magic.

Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...-montana-trying-to-follow-his-father-into-nfl

Nate Montana trying to follow his father into NFL

By Dan Hanzus

Around the League Writer

Nate Montana is attempting to follow his father's footsteps into the NFL ... however improbable that might be.

Nate, the son of Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, participated in the NFL Super Regional Combine at Cowboys Stadium on Monday. Around The League spoke with NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks, who was in attendance.

Brooks called Montana, 23, a "long shot" who will be held back by a weak throwing arm.

"It's going to be hard for him to transition to the next level," Brooks said. "His passes don't have zip. He has difficulty making pro throws."

Montana had a rambling college career that spanned four different schools, including two stops at his father's alma mater, Notre Dame. He finished at Division II West Virginia Wesleyan, where he led his conference with 2,480 passing yards and 19 touchdowns last season.

Still, the leap from D-II to the NFL is massive. Montana's chances appear slim.

"He's a great kid, his measurables are fine, but in terms of playing at the next level, his performance here was not very good," Brooks said.

Montana left a better impression on NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandt, who also was in attendance. Brandt believes Montana's size (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) and pedigree should be enough to secure a camp invite. Time will tell.

Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
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wdcrob said:
I believe he didn't run deep routes at Cal because he doesn't have the speed to get behind people. The fact that he's not a threat with the ball in his hands shows up in bright neon in his collegiate stats. Plus, reports out of IMG say he doesn't look like anything special. And now we don't get an accurate time at the combine. Anyone drafting Allen gets what they deserve. He's a bust waiting to happen.
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http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap1...ye-cody-davis-shine-at-super-regional-combine

Lawrence Okoye, Cody Davis shine at Super Regional Combine

By Bucky Brooks

Analyst, NFL.com and NFL Network

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The 2013 NFL Super Regional Combine at Cowboys Stadium was a showcase event for the underrated and overlooked prospects in this year's draft class. These players -- many of whom hail from small schools and have obscure backgrounds -- use the two-day event to show off their talent and potential to scouts from all 32 teams in hopes of securing an opportunity in an NFL training camp. These prospects face long odds when it comes to making an NFL roster, but it does indeed happen. Of the 2,000-plus prospects who attended regional and super regional combines last year, 87 signed contracts with NFL teams and 28 earned spots on opening-day rosters.

I attended this year's event looking to unearth hidden gems in the 2013 class. Based on several conversations with scouts and executives in attendance, here are five names to remember from the 2013 NFL Super Regional Combine:

Lawrence Okoye, DE
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The British Olympian was the talk of the event after putting together a spectacular showing on the turf. Checking in at 6-foot-6 and 304 pounds with 34 1/2-inch arms, Okoye blazed the 40-yard dash in 4.78 seconds and posted impressive numbers in the vertical (35 inches) and broad jumps (10-foot-5). Those are ridiculous numbers for a guy his size, which is why scouts certainly are intrigued by his talent and potential as a developmental project. (The 21-year-old finished 12th in the discus at the 2012 London Olympic Games and is an accomplished rugby player, but he's new to the game of football.) Now, based on his positional workout, Okoye does have to make significant strides before he's ready for the pro game. He looked a little tight in his turns and transitions, and he didn't show explosive change-of-direction quickness in drills. Still, scouts will take a chance on Okoye as a late-round prospect/priority free agent based on his sheer size, strength and athleticism.

Cody Davis, S, Texas Tech
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It's hard to find big, physical safeties with speed and movement skills. Davis was not only one of the most impressive athletes in attendance, but he was routinely cited as the highest-rated prospect in the building by several scouts. He certainly didn't disappoint evaluators by putting together a solid overall performance. Davis clocked 40 times in the mid-4.4-second range and continued to pop with impressive measurements in the vertical (41.5 inches) and broad jumps (10-foot-3). Most impressively, Davis showed exceptional change-of-direction quickness in the pro-agility shuttle and three-cone drills as well as during his positional workout. Davis smoothly executed turns and transitions while displaying better-than-anticipated balance and body control for a guy his size (6-2, 203 pounds). He also showed outstanding ball skills, awareness and hands in drills. With defensive coordinators searching for guys capable of matching up with the big-bodied receivers and tight ends dominating the NFL, Davis will certainly garner strong consideration as a potential mid-round selection.

Robert Marve, QB, PurdueScouts pay close attention to the progress of high-profile high school recruits throughout their college careers. Marve was a highly decorated prospect coming out of Plant High School in Tampa, Fla. After spending two seasons at Miami, he transferred to Purdue hoping to snag a starting role. But Marve suffered three ACL injuries during an up-and-down career that was marked by some spectacular moments amid typically inconsistent play. On the regional combine circuit, Marve displayed impressive arm talent and passing skills, throwing tight spirals with better-than-average zip and velocity. Most importantly, he delivered accurate balls within the strike zone and showcased the capacity to make all the pro throws from the pocket. Given the lack of quality quarterbacks in the 2013 class, Marve's strong performance in workouts will lead a team to take a flier on his talent and potential as a developmental prospect in undrafted free agency.

Sam McGuffie, RB/WR, RiceThe diverse job description of the slot receiver in the NFL leads evaluators to covet prospects with versatile skills. McGuffie definitely qualifies, based on his standout career as a running back/receiver at Rice following a one-year stint at Michigan. He finished with over 1,000 yards rushing and receiving at Rice, displaying intriguing skills with the ball in his hands. McGuffie routinely turned quick passes and bubble screens into big gains, while also showing the ability to work effectively between the hashes. He continued to impress scouts with his talent at regional combines. He clocked 40 times in the 4.3-second range while also posting impressive measurements in the vertical jump (40.5 inches), broad jump (11-foot-2) and short shuttle (4.02 seconds). Those numbers place McGuffie near the top of the charts among his peers in the 2013 draft class. Now, McGuffie's injury history (numerous concussions) is a concern, but his combination of speed, quickness and running skills will make him a strong late-round prospect in draft rooms across the league.

Reggie Dixon, RB, HamptonSpeed demons will always catch the eyes of scouts in workouts. Dixon wowed everyone in Dallas with his speed, burst and explosiveness. The former Hampton standout ranked among the fastest prospects in camp with 40 times in the low-4.3-second range. He continued to impress with strong measurements in the vertical (38.5 inches) and broad jumps (10-foot-4). Of course, those numbers were expected, given his background as a top track and field athlete. Dixon clocked a 10.35-second 100-meter dash during his track career with the Pirates, earning recognition as one of the top performers in the MEAC. While his size (5-7, 172 pounds) will limit opportunities in the NFL, Dixon's speed might earn him a shot as an undrafted free agent with a team looking for some juice in the return game.

Follow Bucky Brooks on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.
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Last edited by a moderator:
West Virginia QB Geno Smith scored a 24 on the Wonderlic test, according to Dan Pompei of the National Football Post.
"Of course, it also should be pointed out that clients of Creative Artist Agency almost always score well on the Wonderlic," Pompei writes. Smith is actually represented by Select Sports Group, but that is besides the point. Some of questioned Smith's success on the whiteboard during the process, and although scoring high on the Wonderlic does not equate to football knowledge, this solid score certainly does not hurt. He was a tick late on a number of throws last season.

so the kid studies up before the interviews and tests and people knock him on it
 
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