Combine Winners and Losers (1 Viewer)

[Chaos Commish]

Looking over the D-lineman numbers on

Mark Anderson followed up a surprisingly good Senior Bowl week with the dominant athletic performance of group 9 and placed himself firmly in the first day mix. This DE class really lacks a clear cut #4 after Williams, Hali, and Kiwanuka and Anderson could himself in the mix yet.

Two guys who project as very disruptive long 3-4 OLB types are Manny Lawson and Kamerion Wimbley. Lawson's performance was as impressive as Vernon Davis's in my eyes. Lawson's speed/explosion/quickness combo is scary to imagine coming from the edge. Wimbley also posted great numbers across the board and is looking like a solid 2nd rounder.

Someone among Lawson, Wimbley and Anderson is going to be drafted before Kiwanuka. Maybe a couple of them. I think Kiwi is continuing the slide, not because he's doing poorly, but because he's being shown up. Lawson is the most likely suspect. Look who hurried to interview him:

Manny Lawson, DE, N.C. State

Dolphins, Buccaneers, Giants, Cowboys, Jaguars, Falcons

Four 4-3 teams. He can play DE in a 4-3. He's being underrated by people who ONLY see him in a 3-4.

I think you're right on both counts, Im being too heavily influenced by Ware and Merriman being converted last year, so I wasnt counting Lawson or Wimbley as DEs. Lawson could also be groomed to be a Jason Taylor type - although the idea of Lawson and Ware as pinchers on the edge in Dallas is intriguing.

And I agree, converted to OLB in the 3-4 is the better way to go. You know I want Dallas to take a top OT, but I'd settle for Lawson in a heartbeat. Ware and Manny... nice edges.

 

[Chaos Commish]

More KutlerKoolAid from NFL.com this time

Now, few think that Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler will be drafted ahead of USC quarterback Matt Leinart or Texas quarterback Vince Young.

And he could be.

The man who ultimately might make the decision is New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, holder of the draft's No. 2 overall pick.

Those close to Payton say that, behind closed doors, the Saints coach has conveyed the opinion that Cutler could turn out to be the next Brett Favre. Payton has yet to study extensive game tape of Cutler, but he has seen enough to believe that the quarterback has a real chance to be a bona fide star at the next level.

What do we know about Sean Payton? He needs his QB to have a big arm. It is requisite to running his offense which relies on variations of deep outs, deep crosses, and comebacks. Who has he coached? Kerry Collins, Quincy Carter, Vinnie Testaverde, Drew Bledsoe... all cannon arms. Of course he is concerned about Leinart. He can study three years of game tape and he will not see ONE SINGLE successful 20 yard out thrown with NFL velocity. You know the one? The QB HAS to throw the ball AS the player breaks and the ball HAS to get to the sideline at the same time as the receiver. This is the key throw in the expression, "he has all the throws" and Leinart does not have this throw. He's working on it though. Brees didn't have it, but he developed it. Leinart can do the same. But Cutler makes that throw all day long and with little effort.

I'm not saying the Saints make Cutler QB1. I'm just sayin'...

 

[Chris Smith]

There is no way Jay Cutler is going to go # 1 in the draft.  This is simple the pre-draft rhetoric you always seem to hear.

To be honest, I wasn't even that impressed with Cutler.  He has a cannon of an arm and ran a good forty time but the same thing can be said for tons of quarterbacks that failed at the next level (Heath Shuler, etc.).

I didn't think he threw the ball fabulous during the drills and there is no way a team is going to trade up to # 1 to take him in the draft.  That makes no sense whatsoever.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the opposite occur and to see him plummet during the draft much like Aaron Rodgers did a year ago while teams pick up strong prospects at offensive line, linebacker, etc.

No way. Many times its all about the momentum you have going into the draft. People were down on Rodgers the same is not even close to true about Cutler. Many teams want him and some team will take him early or panic and trade up to pick him up early. He is closer to Philip Rivers or Kyle Boller than to Aaron Rodgers at this point.

That could be. However I believe he is closer to Kyle Boller right now in potential than to a Carson Palmer or Ben Roethlisberger.From what I saw in the Combine, he throws hard but often doesn't put the ball right where it needs to be. Now I am watching it on television and not live but if you can't hit a receiver in stride with no pressure and no coverage, how will you do it when it is game time.

I could be way off base on him as I have NEVER seen him play a full collegiate game (Bottom feeder teams aren't a big-ticket item in Canada - go figure) but I did not see an early first-round pick performing at the combines. I still wonder if teams are pumping him up as a smokescreen of sorts. We'll see.

 

[Jason Wood]

The unfounded speculation continues to come in from both sides...ultimately it seems that every year we have to remember that what beat writers anonymously cite in February is rarely indicative of how things actually play out in April.

For all the "Cutler MAY be the top QB" items people are posting, John Clayton was on Mike & Mike this morning and said definitively that Cutler had a strong Combine but didn't have the "wow" factor, that he absolutely didn't work his way into top consideration, and has virtually no chance of going ahead of Matt Leinart.

I could easily see Cutler as QB2 [ahead of Young], but ahead of Leinart?

 

[Family Matters]

No offense bojang but I've heard no one at the Combine suggest Cutler has moved into that consideration. In fact, the only comments I've heard explicitly about Cutler relative to other prospects was an interview today with Charlie Casserly on ESPN Radio and he said in no uncertain terms that while Cutler is a solid pro prospect, he's not in the "same league" as Matt Leinart.

I also don't think Santonio hurt himself at all, he just didn't help himself. Chad Jackson has now put the pressure on him for sure AND has likely secured himself a 1st round pick, but Holmes will determined whether he's WR1 or WR2-3 at his Pro Day. He could easily run a blistering time at his pro day and re-take the WR1 mantle from CJ.

I was wondering if anyone was going to say anything but I ahve to agree with Jason. First off I agree Cutler helped himself. But I disagree he will be #1. As for Holmes, he didn't do anything to hurt himself. Just because the other 2 did well doesn't mean that Holmes did poor. You should remember that NFL teams are looking at the complete picture, not just the combine results. Holmes career will serve him well and after his Pro Day he will continue to be the #1 WR pick IMO. So unless he disappoints at his Pro Day then I cannot agree he hurt himself.

 

[Ridgelake]

I dug up these stats on DeMarcus Ware from NFL.com. 4.51 in the 40-yard dash (wind-aided) … 4.56 in the 40-yard dash (normal conditions) … 430-pound bench press … Bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times … 570-pound squat … 360-pound power clean … 4.27 20-yard shuttle … 7.08 three-cone drill … 38½-inch vertical jump … 10-foot-7 broad jump … 34-inch arm length … 10-inch hands … Right-handed.

Here is what I found on Lawson at NFL.com: 4.43 40-yard dash. 39.5 inch vertical jump. 10 foot 4 broad jump. 4.18 20-yard shuttle. 11.08 60-yard shuttle. 6.90 3-cone drill.

So Lawson is faster and quicker than Ware in just about every measure. What we don’t know is how their strength compares.

 

[Joe Kidd]

I dug up these stats on DeMarcus Ware from NFL.com. 4.51 in the 40-yard dash (wind-aided) … 4.56 in the 40-yard dash (normal conditions) … 430-pound bench press … Bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times … 570-pound squat … 360-pound power clean … 4.27 20-yard shuttle … 7.08 three-cone drill … 38½-inch vertical jump … 10-foot-7 broad jump … 34-inch arm length … 10-inch hands … Right-handed.

Here is what I found on Lawson at NFL.com: 4.43 40-yard dash. 39.5 inch vertical jump. 10 foot 4 broad jump. 4.18 20-yard shuttle. 11.08 60-yard shuttle. 6.90 3-cone drill.

So Lawson is faster and quicker than Ware in just about every measure. What we don’t know is how their strength compares.

NFL draft scout shows D. Ware's measureables to be a little better than nfl.com's D.Ware

 

[buck naked]

I watched Cutler becnh pressing 225Lbs 23 times, and I could swear he was bouncing the last few off his chest.

That ought to really help him throw an out pattern or read coverages, huh?Think Joe Montana lifted wights?

Combine = mostly stupid.

 

[Bri]

re-watching the combine show. I saw a TE over and over and yet can't recall his name. I think he was from Western Michigan, ran quite fast fell/tripped after the run. I wanna say 4.47 but not 100%. Anyhow what's the deal with him?

 

[pigskinliquors]

Reggie McNeal - The guy can flat out fly when he needs to (4.35 40). May be a great project for some team but looks like he has made his way to the first day.

He ran a tad bit slower than most expected/hoped (he's been timed at 4.32). I would imagine that this time didn't surprise anyone, and don't anticipate he'll move up to a day 1 pick.

 

[Bloom]

re-watching the combine show. I saw a TE over and over and yet can't recall his name. I think he was from Western Michigan, ran quite fast fell/tripped after the run. I wanna say 4.47 but not 100%. Anyhow what's the deal with him?

Tony Scheffler. Long Frame (6'6") type that is a solid receiver, but has little to offer on the more physical side of the TE game. Good late round flier type.

 

[cstu]

Reggie McNeal - The guy can flat out fly when he needs to (4.35 40). May be a great project for some team but looks like he has made his way to the first day.

He ran a tad bit slower than most expected/hoped (he's been timed at 4.32). I would imagine that this time didn't surprise anyone, and don't anticipate he'll move up to a day 1 pick.

There always seems to be someone who can't resist taking a guy with his speed by round 3 and trying to turn him into a WR like Randle El (2nd round). I have no idea how well McNeal catches though. Anyone?

 

[cstu]

re-watching the combine show. I saw a TE over and over and yet can't recall his name. I think he was from Western Michigan, ran quite fast fell/tripped after the run. I wanna say 4.47 but not 100%. Anyhow what's the deal with him?

Tony Scheffler. Long Frame (6'6") type that is a solid receiver, but has little to offer on the more physical side of the TE game. Good late round flier type.

Speaking of Western Michigan, anyone have the height and weight for WR Greg Jennings? He ran a 4.48 and was one of my sleepers before the draft.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Speaking of Western Michigan, anyone have the height and weight for WR Greg Jennings? He ran a 4.48 and was one of my sleepers before the draft.

No numbers from the weigh-in but he's listed at 5-11 192.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Reggie McNeal - The guy can flat out fly when he needs to (4.35 40). May be a great project for some team but looks like he has made his way to the first day.

He ran a tad bit slower than most expected/hoped (he's been timed at 4.32). I would imagine that this time didn't surprise anyone, and don't anticipate he'll move up to a day 1 pick.

There always seems to be someone who can't resist taking a guy with his speed by round 3 and trying to turn him into a WR like Randle El (2nd round). I have no idea how well McNeal catches though. Anyone?

McNeal upset some people by refusing to workout with the WRs. He's determined to play QB. It's his call, but Randle El was a lot smarter than him... I think. Reggie's ball speed was not NFL caliber (53 mph was his best and 55 is a must for an accurate weak armed thrower, 60 is impressive). Reggie was below 20th in accuracy drills. Omar Jacobs (first), Jay Cutler and Ingle Martin (tied 2nd) were top three. Martin and Cutler threw 60+ MPH. I think McNeal is hurting his draft position by insisting on being a QB. By just being open to the option of converting he'll move up a round. Then he'll get the sam opportunity to QB that he wants, but he'll get bigger automatic deposits every other week.

 

[Bri]

re-watching the combine show. I saw a TE over and over and yet can't recall his name. I think he was from Western Michigan, ran quite fast fell/tripped after the run. I wanna say 4.47 but not 100%. Anyhow what's the deal with him?

Tony Scheffler. Long Frame (6'6") type that is a solid receiver, but has little to offer on the more physical side of the TE game. Good late round flier type.

thanks Bloom

 

[Tau837]

I'm late on this but found this on the N.C. State site. Mario Williams & Manny Lawson were N.C. State's defensive ends last season.

Manny ranked 1, 2, or 3 in every event!

Defensive Linemen

40 Yard Dash Times:

1. Manny Lawson NC State 4.43

2. Ryan LaCasse Syracuse 4.54

3. Kamerion Wimbley Florida St. 4.61

3. Mark Anderson Alabama 4.61

5. James Wyche Syracuse 4.63

6. Mario Williams NC State 4.66

7. Charles Bennett Clemson 4.70

7. Chris Gocong Cal. Poly 4.70

9. Elvis Dumervil Louisville 4.75

10. Charlton Keith Kansas 4.78

11. Parys Haralson Tennessee 4.80

Vertical Jump:

1. Mark Anderson Alabama 42

2. Mario Williams NC State 40½

3. Manny Lawson NC State 39½

4. Stanley McClover Auburn 39

4. Ray Edwards Purdue 39

6. Kamerion Wimbley Florida St. 38½

6. Chris Gocong Cal. Poly 38½

8. Mike Kudla Ohio State 37

9. Jason Hatcher Grambling 35½

10. Manaia Brown BYU 34½

10. Julian Jenkins Stanford 34½

Broad Jump:

1. Mark Anderson Alabama 10-foot-7

2. Kamerion Wimbley Florida St. 10-foot-9

3. Manny Lawson NC State 10-foot-4

4. Chris Gocong Cal. Poly 10-foot-3

5. Mathias Kiwanuka Boston College 10-foot

6. Mario Williams NC State 9-foot-10

7. Copeland Bryan Arizona 9-foot-9

8. Rob Ninkovich Purdue 9-foot-8

8. Jeremy Mincey Florida 9-foot-8

10. Charles Bennett Clemson 9-foot-7

10. Parys Haralson Tennessee 9-foot-7

12. Ray Edwards Purdue 9-foot-6

Three-cone:

1. Manny Lawson NC State 6.90

2. Mark Anderson Alabama 6.95

3. Rob Ninkovich Purdue 6.96

4. Kamerion Wimbley Florida St 6.97

5. Jeremy Mincey Florida 6.99

6. Charlton Keith Kansas 7.03

7. Chris Gocong Cal. Poly 7.05

8. Copeland Bryan Arizona 7.11

8. Julian Jenkins Stanford 7.11

10. Mario Williams NC State 7.19

Short Shuttle:

1. Chris Gocong Cal. Poly 4.08

2. Mathias Kiwanuka Boston College 4.13

3. Manny Lawson NC State 4.18

3. Rob Ninkovich Purdue 4.18

5. Mark Anderson Alabama 4.22

6. Julian Jenkins Stanford 4.23

7. Jeremy Mincey Florida 4.25

8. Parys Haralson Tennessee 4.26

9. Copeland Bryan Arizona 4.30

9. Ryan Lacasse Syracuse 4.30

11. Mario Williams NC State 4.36

Long Shuttle:

1. Manny Lawson NC State 11.08

2. Rob Ninkovich Purdue 11.33

3. Chris Gocong Cal. Poly 11.35

4. Mark Anderson Alabama 11.75

5. Copeland Bryan Arizona 11.83

6. Charlton Keith Kansas 11.98

7. Charles Bennett Clemson 12.04

Very impressive. Lawson was top 3 in every event. How much money did he earn himself?As for Mario, how high might he go now? Is there any chance he won't be the first defensive player taken?

Also found a partial interview transcript with him:

Q: Are you faster than Mario?

Lawson: By far. It's not even close. Not even.

Q: How many reps did you do in the bench?

Lawson: I did 23 reps.

Q: Is that the most you've ever done?

Lawson: Actually, that's the only time I've ever done it.

Q: Would you liken your abilities to anyone currently in the NFL, or is there anyone you model your game after?

Lawson: The guy who I look up to is a guy about my size, my height: Jason Taylor. And another guy is Dwight Freeney, because I wish I had the spin move to where I could keep spinning and spinning and somehow end up at the quarterback. I just can't do it.

Q: Who's the better end, you or Mario Williams?

Lawson: Better end? Better looking is me hands-down.

Good stuff.

 

[Jason Wood]

I'm late on this but found this on the N.C. State site. Mario Williams & Manny Lawson were N.C. State's defensive ends last season.

Manny ranked 1, 2, or 3 in every event!

Defensive Linemen

40 Yard Dash Times:

1. Manny Lawson NC State 4.43

2. Ryan LaCasse Syracuse 4.54

3. Kamerion Wimbley Florida St. 4.61

3. Mark Anderson Alabama 4.61

5. James Wyche Syracuse 4.63

6. Mario Williams NC State 4.66

7. Charles Bennett Clemson 4.70

7. Chris Gocong Cal. Poly 4.70

9. Elvis Dumervil Louisville 4.75

10. Charlton Keith Kansas 4.78

11. Parys Haralson Tennessee 4.80

Vertical Jump:

1. Mark Anderson Alabama 42

2. Mario Williams NC State 40½

3. Manny Lawson NC State 39½

4. Stanley McClover Auburn 39

4. Ray Edwards Purdue 39

6. Kamerion Wimbley Florida St. 38½

6. Chris Gocong Cal. Poly 38½

8. Mike Kudla Ohio State 37

9. Jason Hatcher Grambling 35½

10. Manaia Brown BYU 34½

10. Julian Jenkins Stanford 34½

Broad Jump:

1. Mark Anderson Alabama 10-foot-7

2. Kamerion Wimbley Florida St. 10-foot-9

3. Manny Lawson NC State 10-foot-4

4. Chris Gocong Cal. Poly 10-foot-3

5. Mathias Kiwanuka Boston College 10-foot

6. Mario Williams NC State 9-foot-10

7. Copeland Bryan Arizona 9-foot-9

8. Rob Ninkovich Purdue 9-foot-8

8. Jeremy Mincey Florida 9-foot-8

10. Charles Bennett Clemson 9-foot-7

10. Parys Haralson Tennessee 9-foot-7

12. Ray Edwards Purdue 9-foot-6

Three-cone:

1. Manny Lawson NC State 6.90

2. Mark Anderson Alabama 6.95

3. Rob Ninkovich Purdue 6.96

4. Kamerion Wimbley Florida St 6.97

5. Jeremy Mincey Florida 6.99

6. Charlton Keith Kansas 7.03

7. Chris Gocong Cal. Poly 7.05

8. Copeland Bryan Arizona 7.11

8. Julian Jenkins Stanford 7.11

10. Mario Williams NC State 7.19

Short Shuttle:

1. Chris Gocong Cal. Poly 4.08

2. Mathias Kiwanuka Boston College 4.13

3. Manny Lawson NC State 4.18

3. Rob Ninkovich Purdue 4.18

5. Mark Anderson Alabama 4.22

6. Julian Jenkins Stanford 4.23

7. Jeremy Mincey Florida 4.25

8. Parys Haralson Tennessee 4.26

9. Copeland Bryan Arizona 4.30

9. Ryan Lacasse Syracuse 4.30

11. Mario Williams NC State 4.36

Long Shuttle:

1. Manny Lawson NC State 11.08

2. Rob Ninkovich Purdue 11.33

3. Chris Gocong Cal. Poly 11.35

4. Mark Anderson Alabama 11.75

5. Copeland Bryan Arizona 11.83

6. Charlton Keith Kansas 11.98

7. Charles Bennett Clemson 12.04

Very impressive. Lawson was top 3 in every event. How much money did he earn himself?As for Mario, how high might he go now? Is there any chance he won't be the first defensive player taken?

Also found a partial interview transcript with him:

Q: Are you faster than Mario?

Lawson: By far. It's not even close. Not even.

Q: How many reps did you do in the bench?

Lawson: I did 23 reps.

Q: Is that the most you've ever done?

Lawson: Actually, that's the only time I've ever done it.

Q: Would you liken your abilities to anyone currently in the NFL, or is there anyone you model your game after?

Lawson: The guy who I look up to is a guy about my size, my height: Jason Taylor. And another guy is Dwight Freeney, because I wish I had the spin move to where I could keep spinning and spinning and somehow end up at the quarterback. I just can't do it.

Q: Who's the better end, you or Mario Williams?

Lawson: Better end? Better looking is me hands-down.

Good stuff.

Lawson had worked his way into 2nd round/late 1st round consideration at the Senior Bowl and with his combine performance has locked in at least a mid 2nd round pick I would think. Teams will still need to figure out whether he's a 3-4 OLB or can play 4-3 DE in order to determine whether he'll be a 1st rounder.Mario Williams probably will be the first defensive player taken, but A.J. Hawk did nothing to dissuade his supporters either; and a team could conceivably take Ngata [DT] or Huff [DB] ahead of him too, although that seems unlikely.

 

[Football Jones]

Jeremy Bloom - His situation is understandable but I still think coming in underweight and running slower than expected will hurt him for the time being.

I disagree. He's the one of the best stories in this draft. He seems like a character guy that some teams(sadly) sorely need. "Olympic shape" is an accomplishment or feat. I would think NFL scouts would be thoroughly impressed.

173 pounds and a 4.5 isn't going to cut it in the NFL.

Considering hes starved off most of his muscle, i thought the 4.5 was impressive. Let him get back up to 185-190 and we'll see him get in the mid 4.3s-4.4.Now whether he has any actual football skills is debateable, but knocking him for size and speed when he has been working to make himself smaller and not working on running is a little ridiculous.

This is correct. If anyone has ever cut a significant amount of weight for a sport (like I did for wrestling), they know how much it takes out of you. It's very likely once he gets back up to his natural weight, he'll run a better time.The weight he gained after the Olympics is mostly water weight. His body hasn't had time to adjust to its normal state yet. I suspect his football skills will be much more apparent in a month or so.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Lawson had worked his way into 2nd round/late 1st round consideration at the Senior Bowl and with his combine performance has locked in at least a mid 2nd round pick I would think. Teams will still need to figure out whether he's a 3-4 OLB or can play 4-3 DE in order to determine whether he'll be a 1st rounder.

I know this class is deeper than last year's, but I have a feeling Lawson is going to make a move similar to Ware last year. Ware went 12th, and that's a little high for Lawson given this talent, but I think top 20 is very realistic. He's been interviewed by a bunch of 4-3 teams. Granted they're still evaluating things, but he's one of this draft's truly athletic marvels. I just can't see him not being a first rounder. Before the combine I had him at 1.29 to Denver (4-3 team). Now I think that's too conservative.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Lawson had worked his way into 2nd round/late 1st round consideration at the Senior Bowl and with his combine performance has locked in at least a mid 2nd round pick I would think. Teams will still need to figure out whether he's a 3-4 OLB or can play 4-3 DE in order to determine whether he'll be a 1st rounder.

I know this class is deeper than last year's, but I have a feeling Lawson is going to make a move similar to Ware last year. Ware went 12th, and that's a little high for Lawson given this talent, but I think top 20 is very realistic. He's been interviewed by a bunch of 4-3 teams. Granted they're still evaluating things, but he's one of this draft's truly athletic marvels. I just can't see him not being a first rounder. Before the combine I had him at 1.29 to Denver (4-3 team). Now I think that's too conservative.

Cleveland HAS to give him a look at 12 after seeing the impact Merriman had last year.

 

[Yenrub]

Lawson had worked his way into 2nd round/late 1st round consideration at the Senior Bowl and with his combine performance has locked in at least a mid 2nd round pick I would think. Teams will still need to figure out whether he's a 3-4 OLB or can play 4-3 DE in order to determine whether he'll be a 1st rounder.

I know this class is deeper than last year's, but I have a feeling Lawson is going to make a move similar to Ware last year. Ware went 12th, and that's a little high for Lawson given this talent, but I think top 20 is very realistic. He's been interviewed by a bunch of 4-3 teams. Granted they're still evaluating things, but he's one of this draft's truly athletic marvels. I just can't see him not being a first rounder. Before the combine I had him at 1.29 to Denver (4-3 team). Now I think that's too conservative.

Cleveland HAS to give him a look at 12 after seeing the impact Merriman had last year.

Could/would a 4-3 team look at him as WLB instead of a DE?

 

[cosmonaut]

Greenway didn't help himself. Ran a 4.74 40 and only did 16 bench reps.

I bet those numbers improve on Pro Day, because they don't seem consistent with his skills.

I know Gallery came back from the Combine with low for him bench reps, because his form was bad, and some of his lifts weren't counted.

 

[singe du doigt]

No offense bojang but I've heard no one at the Combine suggest Cutler has moved into that consideration. In fact, the only comments I've heard explicitly about Cutler relative to other prospects was an interview today with Charlie Casserly on ESPN Radio and he said in no uncertain terms that while Cutler is a solid pro prospect, he's not in the "same league" as Matt Leinart.

I also don't think Santonio hurt himself at all, he just didn't help himself. Chad Jackson has now put the pressure on him for sure AND has likely secured himself a 1st round pick, but Holmes will determined whether he's WR1 or WR2-3 at his Pro Day. He could easily run a blistering time at his pro day and re-take the WR1 mantle from CJ.

bojand is not talking out of the air, ESPN radio have been saying it for sometime.

ESPN Radio where? Nationally syndicated? The Herd? Dan Patrick? Mike & Mike? ESPN locally in Texas? Tennessee?I've got ZERO interest in some local radio host pimping Jay Cutler or Chris Mortensen singing the guy's praises. Give me the guys actually at the Senior Bowl, at the Combine or paid by an NFL team to evaluate talent. I've not heard or read one NAMED source that says Cutler is a better prospect than Leinart.

Mike Mayock's been saying it forever. That's the only name I know for sure.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Lawson had worked his way into 2nd round/late 1st round consideration at the Senior Bowl and with his combine performance has locked in at least a mid 2nd round pick I would think. Teams will still need to figure out whether he's a 3-4 OLB or can play 4-3 DE in order to determine whether he'll be a 1st rounder.

I know this class is deeper than last year's, but I have a feeling Lawson is going to make a move similar to Ware last year. Ware went 12th, and that's a little high for Lawson given this talent, but I think top 20 is very realistic. He's been interviewed by a bunch of 4-3 teams. Granted they're still evaluating things, but he's one of this draft's truly athletic marvels. I just can't see him not being a first rounder. Before the combine I had him at 1.29 to Denver (4-3 team). Now I think that's too conservative.

Cleveland HAS to give him a look at 12 after seeing the impact Merriman had last year.

Could/would a 4-3 team look at him as WLB instead of a DE?

I have mentioned the possibility (Ted Hendricks anyone?), but you're talking about a developmental project that would take awhile, and I think he needs to be pressuring the QB more than anything else.

 

[3C's]

A quarterback who impressed me that I knew nothing about whatsoever was Ingle Martin of Furman. He consistently put the ball right where it needed to be and showed great touch. He could emerge down the road much like Trent Green, Marc Bulger and Kurt Warner did. Someone to keep an eye on.

Glad someone finally mentioned him. His "fastball" was clocked at 61mph (Cutler was 60), his 40 was one of the best for qbs, and he was one of the more accurate guys. Kellen Clemens looked good throwing too.

 

[pigskinliquors]

Reggie McNeal - The guy can flat out fly when he needs to (4.35 40). May be a great project for some team but looks like he has made his way to the first day.

He ran a tad bit slower than most expected/hoped (he's been timed at 4.32). I would imagine that this time didn't surprise anyone, and don't anticipate he'll move up to a day 1 pick.

There always seems to be someone who can't resist taking a guy with his speed by round 3 and trying to turn him into a WR like Randle El (2nd round). I have no idea how well McNeal catches though. Anyone?

McNeal upset some people by refusing to workout with the WRs. He's determined to play QB. It's his call, but Randle El was a lot smarter than him... I think. Reggie's ball speed was not NFL caliber (53 mph was his best and 55 is a must for an accurate weak armed thrower, 60 is impressive). Reggie was below 20th in accuracy drills. Omar Jacobs (first), Jay Cutler and Ingle Martin (tied 2nd) were top three. Martin and Cutler threw 60+ MPH. I think McNeal is hurting his draft position by insisting on being a QB. By just being open to the option of converting he'll move up a round. Then he'll get the sam opportunity to QB that he wants, but he'll get bigger automatic deposits every other week.

Rumor in Aggie-land is that Reggie had a couple of workouts to try to run routes, and to work on his hands, and did not look good = why he didn't want to join the WR workouts at the combine. As physically skilled as RM is, he was very ineffective as an option qb as he had poor decision-making skills, and never learned how to read defenses during his tenure here (he locks on one WR regardless of coverage). Even though I'm an Aggie, here's my Reggie Checklist:

Accuracy: Mediocre at best

Arm strength: suspect

Speed: lightning fast

Decision-making: Very poor

Leadership: Very poor

Intelligence: box of rocks comes to mind

I can't imagine somebody taking a shot on him on day 1 if they actually go back and look at game film, and interview him.

 

[pigskinliquors]

A quarterback who impressed me that I knew nothing about whatsoever was Ingle Martin of Furman. He consistently put the ball right where it needed to be and showed great touch. He could emerge down the road much like Trent Green, Marc Bulger and Kurt Warner did. Someone to keep an eye on.

Glad someone finally mentioned him. His "fastball" was clocked at 61mph (Cutler was 60), his 40 was one of the best for qbs, and he was one of the more accurate guys. Kellen Clemens looked good throwing too.

Ingle is a very fascinating prospect. He was highly recruited out of H.S., and spent a year at Florida, prior to going to Furman.A little bit about Ingle:

Martin, a 6-foot-3, 224-pound Nashville, Tenn., native, completed 212 of 349 pass attempts (60.7 percent) for a school record 2,959 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2005 in leading Furman to an 11-3 record, semifinal playoff appearance, and No. 3 ranking in the Sports Network NCAA I-AA final poll. A consensus All-Southern Conference choice as a quarterback, he also earned All-America honors as a punter in 2005, averaging 42.5 yards per attempt.

In two seasons at Furman, Martin helped the Paladins compile a 21-6 record and set school career records for passing yards (5,751 yards), touchdown passes (42) and total offense (6,275 yards). He joined the Furman program in 2004 following three seasons at the University of Florida.

Furman currently has two players on active NFL rosters, including linebacker Orlando Ruff ‘99 (Cleveland Browns) and safety Cam Newton ‘05 (Atlanta Falcons). The last Furman quarterback to play in the NFL was David Whitehurst ‘77 with the Green Bay Packers (1977-83). Link

 

[Chaos Commish]

A quarterback who impressed me that I knew nothing about whatsoever was Ingle Martin of Furman. He consistently put the ball right where it needed to be and showed great touch. He could emerge down the road much like Trent Green, Marc Bulger and Kurt Warner did. Someone to keep an eye on.

Glad someone finally mentioned him. His "fastball" was clocked at 61mph (Cutler was 60), his 40 was one of the best for qbs, and he was one of the more accurate guys. Kellen Clemens looked good throwing too.

Ingle is a very fascinating prospect. He was highly recruited out of H.S., and spent a year at Florida, prior to going to Furman.A little bit about Ingle:

Martin, a 6-foot-3, 224-pound Nashville, Tenn., native, completed 212 of 349 pass attempts (60.7 percent) for a school record 2,959 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2005 in leading Furman to an 11-3 record, semifinal playoff appearance, and No. 3 ranking in the Sports Network NCAA I-AA final poll. A consensus All-Southern Conference choice as a quarterback, he also earned All-America honors as a punter in 2005, averaging 42.5 yards per attempt.

In two seasons at Furman, Martin helped the Paladins compile a 21-6 record and set school career records for passing yards (5,751 yards), touchdown passes (42) and total offense (6,275 yards). He joined the Furman program in 2004 following three seasons at the University of Florida.

Furman currently has two players on active NFL rosters, including linebacker Orlando Ruff ‘99 (Cleveland Browns) and safety Cam Newton ‘05 (Atlanta Falcons). The last Furman quarterback to play in the NFL was David Whitehurst ‘77 with the Green Bay Packers (1977-83). Link

I talked him up pretty hard on January 4th.

 

[P Boy]

Jeremy Bloom - His situation is understandable but I still think coming in underweight and running slower than expected will hurt him for the time being.

I disagree. He's the one of the best stories in this draft. He seems like a character guy that some teams(sadly) sorely need. "Olympic shape" is an accomplishment or feat. I would think NFL scouts would be thoroughly impressed.

173 pounds and a 4.5 isn't going to cut it in the NFL.

Agreed...now, Bloom [MB Bloom, not Jeremy Bloom] discussed this with me and suggested that Bloom [Jeremy] was worn out from the Olympics and will run much faster at his pro day. While that may be the case, I then have to question why he ran at the Combine in the first place. On top of being small and not as fast as many thought...I also question Bloom being a "character guy." I wouldn't say he's handled himself with the utmost of class and he's DEFINITELY an ego/glamour boy. These don't necessarily make him lacking in character, but I'm not sure how anyone views his character as a positive differentiator either.

I could be wrong about his character.I don't think I am about the Olympic training being a grind all athletes respect and that he's earned "brownie points" doing that and that his weight NOW won't matter.

I'd swear he was 158-160 for the Olympics, if he's 173 now....well then he wasn't "laying it on" when he said he had to almost starve himself to get to his olympic weight.

Having watched Bloom play at CU, I'd say Woody is much more likely wrong on this than you are in regard to character. He's a team guy, through & through, and a natural leader as well.And Bloom has speed that is absolutely knock-down special, and it translates in pads.

Make no mistake, he's too small to be an impact WR. But as a special teams guy who may catch a couple of balls a game in the passing game, he brings a lot to the table.

 

[3C's]

A quarterback who impressed me that I knew nothing about whatsoever was Ingle Martin of Furman. He consistently put the ball right where it needed to be and showed great touch. He could emerge down the road much like Trent Green, Marc Bulger and Kurt Warner did. Someone to keep an eye on.

Glad someone finally mentioned him. His "fastball" was clocked at 61mph (Cutler was 60), his 40 was one of the best for qbs, and he was one of the more accurate guys. Kellen Clemens looked good throwing too.

Ingle is a very fascinating prospect. He was highly recruited out of H.S., and spent a year at Florida, prior to going to Furman.A little bit about Ingle:

Martin, a 6-foot-3, 224-pound Nashville, Tenn., native, completed 212 of 349 pass attempts (60.7 percent) for a school record 2,959 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2005 in leading Furman to an 11-3 record, semifinal playoff appearance, and No. 3 ranking in the Sports Network NCAA I-AA final poll. A consensus All-Southern Conference choice as a quarterback, he also earned All-America honors as a punter in 2005, averaging 42.5 yards per attempt.

In two seasons at Furman, Martin helped the Paladins compile a 21-6 record and set school career records for passing yards (5,751 yards), touchdown passes (42) and total offense (6,275 yards). He joined the Furman program in 2004 following three seasons at the University of Florida.

Furman currently has two players on active NFL rosters, including linebacker Orlando Ruff ‘99 (Cleveland Browns) and safety Cam Newton ‘05 (Atlanta Falcons). The last Furman quarterback to play in the NFL was David Whitehurst ‘77 with the Green Bay Packers (1977-83). Link

I talked him up pretty hard on January 4th.

Looks a lot like your blog. Good job on that. Not that I know what I'm talking about, but I thought he did very well at the combine. Do you think he improved his draft status? Like maybe moved up to an early day 2 spot?

 

[blend]

I asked this in the other thread -- Kai Parham... What happened? The other thread stated he ran a 5.11? Has anyone heard any explanation?ETA: Found this on a Titans website:

Inside LinebackersThis position was highlighted not so much by guys who did well but moreso by guys who did not do very good. Kai Parham of Virginia ran over 5.0 in his forties and looked awkward in the drills while Kevin Simon of Tennessee, whose game is supposed to be speed, only managed to run in the 4.9's. If there was a bright spot it might have been Leon Williams of Miami (FL) who looked athletic and ran a 4.54 time in the forty. This was an under whelming group overall.

 

[Chaos Commish]

A quarterback who impressed me that I knew nothing about whatsoever was Ingle Martin of Furman. He consistently put the ball right where it needed to be and showed great touch. He could emerge down the road much like Trent Green, Marc Bulger and Kurt Warner did. Someone to keep an eye on.

Glad someone finally mentioned him. His "fastball" was clocked at 61mph (Cutler was 60), his 40 was one of the best for qbs, and he was one of the more accurate guys. Kellen Clemens looked good throwing too.

Ingle is a very fascinating prospect. He was highly recruited out of H.S., and spent a year at Florida, prior to going to Furman.A little bit about Ingle:

Martin, a 6-foot-3, 224-pound Nashville, Tenn., native, completed 212 of 349 pass attempts (60.7 percent) for a school record 2,959 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2005 in leading Furman to an 11-3 record, semifinal playoff appearance, and No. 3 ranking in the Sports Network NCAA I-AA final poll. A consensus All-Southern Conference choice as a quarterback, he also earned All-America honors as a punter in 2005, averaging 42.5 yards per attempt.

In two seasons at Furman, Martin helped the Paladins compile a 21-6 record and set school career records for passing yards (5,751 yards), touchdown passes (42) and total offense (6,275 yards). He joined the Furman program in 2004 following three seasons at the University of Florida.

Furman currently has two players on active NFL rosters, including linebacker Orlando Ruff ‘99 (Cleveland Browns) and safety Cam Newton ‘05 (Atlanta Falcons). The last Furman quarterback to play in the NFL was David Whitehurst ‘77 with the Green Bay Packers (1977-83). Link

I talked him up pretty hard on January 4th.

Looks a lot like your blog. Good job on that. Not that I know what I'm talking about, but I thought he did very well at the combine. Do you think he improved his draft status? Like maybe moved up to an early day 2 spot?

I'm going to pat myself on the back with this one. I think I nailed it. Round 5, my early January prediction, would be a pretty big jump for someone who was mostly considered a UFA training camp type guy. Round 6 might be more realistic. More important than exactly where he's drafted will be how he "ranks" with the other QBs in the draft. Has he passed Pinegar, Clemens, Hackney, Basanez? I don't know. I think the first eight are going to be something like this:

No clue how the bottom four will sort out

Leinart

Young

Cutler

Whitehurst

Croyle

Jacobs

McNeal

Gradkowski

Then? Ingle is in the mix. Which is pretty impressive since he's been ranked in the mid 20s among QBs at most draft sites all year. Another thing with all the depth is the eight listed could linger well into round 5... so Martin could go later than I projected because of the other depth while still making a big move up the QB board.