** Official 2014 NFL Scouting Combine thread ** (2 Viewers)

[5Rings]

Thanks for all your work in this thread, Faust.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

@AlbertBreer: Here are the QB radar gun results from the last six combines (Thanks to @TysonNFL for the link): http://t.co/5CzfZrEaOh

OMG ... thank you Bigboy. And thank you, Albert.

ETA: seriously -- this is really helpful. Suspected that the problem with a couple QBs that had otherwise clean profiles was arm strength and this confirms it.

 

[Faust]

Andre Williams, Jordan Matthews lead overlooked combine stars

By Gil Brandt

NFL Media senior analyst

It was hard to find a player at the NFL Scouting Combine who hadn't put in a lot of work leading up to the event. So many of them performed above expectations -- not just the high-profile guys, but even the ones projected to go lower in the draft, which is a good sign.

Two things stood out for me at the combine: First, the emphasis on strength these days is unbelievable. Players these days are more strength-conscious than ever before.

To give you an idea of why that's notable, in 1997, an offensive line prospect out of Washington State named Scott Sanderson, who was a third-round pick by the Titans, threw the bar up only six times. At this year's combine, every offensive lineman that performed in the bench press put up 20 reps or more. That's never happened before.

The other thing that stood out for me was the incredible speed of these prospects, particularly the receivers and running backs. Of the 75 or so WRs and RBs at the combine, I personally timed 17 of them at under 4.4 seconds, and two of them at under 4.3 -- Oregon State's Brandin Cooks and Kent State's Dri Archer. (Officially, Archer was the only player who posted a sub-4.3 time, at 4.26; Cooks' official time was 4.33.)

On Wednesday, I talked about some of the top draft prospects who stood out at the combine. Let's turn to some of the less-talked-about guys at the combine who caught my attention, listed here in alphabetical order.

(The 40 times mentioned below are ones that I hand-timed myself at the combine. The official times are listed in parentheses.)

Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin, WRAbbrederis measured 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, and has 9 5/8-inch hands, which is a good size for a receiver. He ran an impressive 4.45 40 (4.50 officially). The one thing he didn't do is impress in the bench press -- he threw the bar up only four times. But he showed some great hands by making some really good catches, and I thought he really helped himself a great deal at the combine.

Martavis Bryant, Clemson, WRBryant (6-3 3/4, 211 pounds) was known as the "other" receiver at Clemson, where Sammy Watkins was the star, but he averaged about 20 yards per catch last season and was a big surprise at the combine, catching the ball very well and running faster than anyone thought he would -- I timed him at 4.39 seconds (4.42 officially). Watkins overshadowed him again at the event, but Bryant looked pretty good himself.

William Clarke, West Virginia, DEClarke has 34 5/8-inch arms and threw the bar up 22 times and also ran a 4.65 40 (4.77 officially). He worked as a strongside linebacker in the 3-4. He's probably too tall to do that in the NFL, at 6-6 1/8 (271 pounds), but he'll be someone that teams will keep a close watch on during his pro day and see if he can play that position or if he'll have to play defensive end and rush the passer. I think he'll do a good job either way as an every-down player.

Bruce Ellington, South Carolina, WRThe list of receivers who impressed at the combine could go on and on. Ellington (5-9 3/4, 197 pounds) looked exceptional with his quickness and body control. He is an athlete who just moves around really well, running right at 4.4 (4.45 officially). He also has 9 5/8-inch hands and caught the ball very well.

Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas, DEI drafted Jeffcoat's father, Jim, for the Cowboys, and he recorded over 100 sacks in 16 years in the NFL. Jackson Jeffcoat (6-3, 247) has 34-inch arms and put up 18 reps in the bench press. He ran a 4.69 40 (4.63 officially) and is a tremendous athlete who looks like he can probably play in that outside linebacker spot.

Kareem Martin, North Carolina, DEMartin (6-5 7/8, 272 pounds) helped himself considerably here. He worked as a linebacker and didn't look as though he could play there, but he has a lot of explosion and will be a very, very good pass-rushing DE, with his 35-inch arms and 4.69 speed (4.72 officially).

Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt, WRMatthews (6-3 1/8, 212 pounds) has huge, 10 3/4-inch hands and posted 21 reps in the bench press. I had him timed at 4.45 in the 40 (4.46 officially). Everyone was worried about his speed, and some wonder whether he's going to be just a possession receiver. What I know about Matthews is that he's one of the hardest-working prospects out there. He's the guy who, whenever he stops playing football, will be a hugely successful person, whether it's as a politician or a banker or an entrepreneur. He's a really special guy.

Jerick McKinnon, Georgia Southern, RBMcKinnon (5-8 7/8, 209 pounds) is built like a fire hydrant. He's short but is really well put together, and his speed and strength really attracted my attention. He was timed officially at 4.41 in the 40, and he threw the bar up 32 times (actually, 34 times, but two reps weren't counted because he didn't get the bar up all the way). He doesn't have very good hands (8 5/8 inches), but with his speed and strength, somebody will find a position for him and bring him to training camp, and his athleticism is sure to excite a lot of people.

Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss, WRMoncrief is a big receiver (6-2 3/8, 221 pounds) with great speed; his 40 was timed officially at 4.40. He didn't play nearly as well last season as he did in his 2012 season, but he looked impressive catching the ball at the combine, and I thought he really helped himself.

Caraun Reid, Princeton, DLReid (6-2 1/8, 302 pounds) was very aggressive in all his drills and probably improved his draft status. He looks like he'll be able to play inside as a defensive tackle. Historically, defensive linemen with long arms and big hands have been more successful than those who don't have those traits. Reid has 10 1/2-inch hands and 33-inch arms. He also threw the bar up 20 times and ran a 4.85 40 (4.91 officially).

Paul Richardson, Colorado, WRThe concern with Richardson is that he's short and skinny, at 6-0 3/8 and 175 pounds, and has small hands (8 7/8 inches). But he got everyone's attention by running the 40 in 4.4 seconds officially, and he showed off impressive receiver skills by catching the ball really well.

Tom Savage, Pittsburgh, QBThe quarterbacks at the combine were divided into two groups. Savage's accuracy and velocity in his drills were probably the best of any QB in his group, which included South Carolina's Connor Shaw, North Carolina's Bryn Renner, Virginia Tech's Logan Thomas and Ball State's Keith Wenning. I had Savage (6-3 7/8, 228 pounds) running the 40 in 4.85 (4.97 officially).

Chris Smith, Arkansas, DE Smith was tried as a linebacker at the combine. He's short (6-1, 266 pounds), but he has excellent quickness, as he showed when he gave Texas A&M's Jake Matthews problems when Arkansas played the Aggies last season. He ran the 40 in 4.65 (4.71 officially) and also threw the bar up 28 times. I don't know if a guy his size can overcome the big offensive tackles in the NFL, but because he's so quick he looks like someone who'll cause a lot of havoc.

Jordan Tripp, Montana, OLBTripp is small for his position (6-2 3/4, 234 pounds), but I think he'll be a good player. He had 22 reps in the bench press, and I timed his 40 in 4.57 (4.67 officiallly). One of the coordinators that worked the prospects out in the individual drills told me he was really impressed by Tripp's athleticism and the way he caught the ball. My feeling is that he probably will play on special teams for the first couple of years, but eventually will become a starter.

Billy Turner, North Dakota State, OTTurner (6-4 7/8, 315 pounds) played three years at left tackle for North Dakota State and is a guy with a lot of upside. He's a tough player who put up the bar 25 times, and with his 34-inch arms it looks like he can be a good pass protector. Turner had a good showing at the Senior Bowl, but he was better than anyone thought he would be at the combine.

Trai Turner, Louisiana State, GTurner (6-2 5/8, 310 pounds) isn't a spectacular player, except he has good toughness -- he's the kind of guy you want as your offensive guard. He has 34-inch arms and posted 25 reps in the bench press. I think he'll end up starting in the league for a long time, probably not his first year, but the next eight or nine years after that.

Andre Williams, Boston College, RBWilliams (5-11, 230 pounds) is going to be an interesting player to follow in the draft because he doesn't have good hands. He's worked hard to improve but has a long way to go. The question mark on him is going to be whether you can play a running back who defenses will know is not going to be involved in the passing game. But he ran pretty well for a player his size, with a 4.57 40 (4.56 officially), and he's a really bright, deep-thinking guy with tremendous character.

Follow Gil Brandt on Twitter @Gil_Brandt.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Treadwell. He was the guy they went to when a reception was needed ...

I think that's why Treadwell was the guy they went to when a catch was needed.

Except that Moncrief had more targets.

 

[Faust]

2014 Combine performance: QBs RBs and WRs

 

[Bigboy10182000]

Martavis Bryant, Clemson, WR

Bryant (6-3 3/4, 211 pounds) was known as the "other" receiver at Clemson, where Sammy Watkins was the star, but he averaged about 20 yards per catch last season and was a big surprise at the combine, catching the ball very well and running faster than anyone thought he would -- I timed him at 4.39 seconds (4.42 officially). Watkins overshadowed him again at the event, but Bryant looked pretty good himself.

I want him in Eagles green!!!!

 

[Faust]

Johnny Manziel's arm among unanswered combine questions

 

[Gold Dragon]

Can someone comment on how the RB prospects looked in receiving drills? I understand Sankey looked great but I still don't have a good grasp of how Hill, Hyde, Seastrunk and Mason will perform as receivers in the NFL, which has a huge impact on fantasy. It is hard to evaluate when their teams don't use them as receivers.

 

[jonboltz]

Can someone comment on how the RB prospects looked in receiving drills? I understand Sankey looked great but I still don't have a good grasp of how Hill, Hyde, Seastrunk and Mason will perform as receivers in the NFL, which has a huge impact on fantasy. It is hard to evaluate when their teams don't use them as receivers.

I didn't get a chance to watch this part, but I know several people commented on these forums that Seastrunk looked pretty good in the receiving drills.

 

[lod01]

Can someone comment on how the RB prospects looked in receiving drills? I understand Sankey looked great but I still don't have a good grasp of how Hill, Hyde, Seastrunk and Mason will perform as receivers in the NFL, which has a huge impact on fantasy. It is hard to evaluate when their teams don't use them as receivers.

Mini camps will tell a story on that.

 

[Faust]

Thoughts from a week spent at the NFL combineBruce Feldman

Back from a week in Indy at the NFL combine. Here are some thoughts from what I saw and heard:

[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] As I wrote a month ago, Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas is a fascinating case for NFL personnel people. Thomas actually didn't have much quarterbacking experience before arriving in Blacksburg. He was recruited as a tight end. He had a terrific sophomore year but was shaky the past two years as the skill talent around him declined. His accuracy is suspect, as is his decision-making. His physical tools and size are jaw-dropping as NFL folks now can attest. At 6-feet-6 and 250 pounds, he had the fastest 40 among all the QBs (4.61), the best vertical (35.5 inches), longest broad-jump (9-10) and also most velocity on his throws (60 mph ... Pitt's Tom Savage was next at 57 mph I'm told). Having spent a lot of time around Thomas for the past two months for my upcoming QB book, I've found him very easy-going and likable. Of course, the latter two impressions don't necessarily mean he'll impress NFL brass who are looking for presence and confidence in their QB prospects. Still, Thomas as a developmental project will be very tempting for some NFL teams I suspect.

[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] Quietly, a great trip for Stanford's hard-running Tyler Gaffney. I doubt anyone -- player or coach -- in the Pac-12 would've predicted the 220-pound Cardinal RB would've run a faster 40 time than Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas, who has had a pretty dismal past six months. Gaffney ran a 4.49 to go with an 11.36 60-yard shuttle -- best among running backs. DAT, who is blazing fast on the field and also has legit track credentials, "only" clocked a 4.50 despite weighing just 174 pounds and is coming off an underwhelming season plagued by injury.

[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] I spoke to several NFL personnel folks who came away loving LSU WR/KR Odell Beckham Jr. almost as much as Cam Cameron and the Tigers staff does. I've been on the Beckham bandwagon for a while, and he promptly tore it up in Indy, running 4.4 and displaying magnificent hands and quickness in the on-field drills. He's gonna be a star in the NFL. Fast.

[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] There are two-super sized WRs in this draft: Texas A&M's Mike Evans and Florida State's Kelvin Benjamin. Evans was the much more productive college player. Benjamin has more of a wow factor when you first see him. Both are still very raw as route runners. Evans, though, separated himself even more from Benjamin with a very impressive workout, running 4.53 and vertical jumping 37 inches -- 4.5 inches more than the big Nole, who ran a 4.61 40. Evans' shuttle times also were faster than Benjamin's. Evans is still young -- he won't turn 21 until a few weeks before Week 1 of the 2014 NFL season. If he has even an average NFL starting QB, my hunch is he'll be in the Pro Bowl by the time he's 23.

[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] Speaking of Evans, Missouri CB E.J. Gaines, who lined up against many of the best WRs in the SEC, called Vandy's smooth Jordan Matthews, not Evans, the top wideout he faced in his career. Like Evans, Matthews has terrific size and hands, but Gaines said the difference in college was the Commodore's polished route-running. This draft is stacked with good receivers. I feel like now that Beckham's stock seems to be soaring, Matthews may be the most underrated in the group. He's 6-3, 212, has huge hands and ran in the mid 4.4s. The guy made a ton of plays in the SEC despite being the main focus of rival teams and he was on one of the few teams that didn't have a standout QB.

[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] I think if O-linemen worked out later in the week than at the start of the combine more people outside of Indy would've been talking about what an awesome showing Auburn's Greg Robinson had. The 6-5, 332-pounder clocked a stunning 4.92 in the 40 (only Michigan's Taylor Lewan ran faster) along with broad jumping 9-5. Why wasn't there more talk about Robinson's workout? Probably because it occurred at a time when many people aren't sure exactly when the workout part begins in Indy and most of the media is focused on the QBs, skill guys and head coaches and GMs filtering into the interview room.

[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] I don't care about Jadeveon Clowney's relatively low number of reps (21) benching 225 pounds. Clowney, again, more than backed up beliefs that he's the Freakiest athlete we've seen in college football in a long time with his 4.53 40 at 266 pounds. Clowney basically repped the same number on the bench as two of the NFL's top pass-rushers this year, Robert Quinn and Greg Hardy. And Clowney is even more explosive than they are. I do think his lack of effort at times is cause for concern, but for those saying he is just a workout warrior, keep in mind he averaged 0.67 sacks a game in his college career -- only two other active college players were higher in 2013, as South Carolina's Charles Bloom pointed out.

Draft 2014Brinson: Clowney is best player in draft[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] The D-lineman who had the best week in Indy was Pitt's Aaron Donald, who was great in-season and at the Senior Bowl. Seen as a bit undersized for a DT at 285 pounds, Donald clocked in the 4.6s. His long arms were also measured at 32 5/8 inches, which makes his 35 reps on the bench even more impressive. Best of all, he has tons of terrific film. "The guy is [an] absolute beast," one NFL scout said. "He's relentless. I would've hated to play against this guy." I saw people make comparisons to Geno Atkins and Hall of Famer John Randle. That's impressive company.

[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] I've been chirping about Buffalo's Kahlil Mack all season and was glad to see he more than backed up that hype. His 40-inch vertical at 250 was a good example of the explosiveness that makes his so special. I'll be surprised if he isn't a top-10 pick. Amazing considering most coaches looked right past him in the recruiting process when they flocked to his high school to check out a four-star teammate (Miami DT Luther Robinson). Mack actually first committed to FCS Liberty before then-UB assistant Danny Barrett spotted him.

[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] I had a chance to visit with an NFL linebackers coach not long after he had met with former Ohio State star Ryan Shazier. The coach seemed surprised -- and thrilled that Shazier came in at 237 pounds. Word was he was almost 20 pounds lighter than that near the end of the Buckeyes' 2013 season. The coach loved Shazier's athleticism, which was later backed up by a 42-inch vertical.

[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] South Dakota's Tyler Starr didn't set the combine record for linebackers in the three-cone drill like he said he might. His time of 6.64 seconds, though, was tops among all LBs, but the 6-4, 250-pounder's 40 time of 4.95 is at least 0.2 slower than expected. The small-school LB that created the most buzz in Indy was Montana's Jordan Tripp, a lighter guy at 234 who moved exceptionally well. Tripp ran 4.67 in the 40 and his 3.69 in the short shuttle and 6.89 in the 3-cone were among the fastest at the position. Tripp also was very impressive in the on-field drills.

[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] I'm a big Darqueze Dennard fan. He's physical and tough and was as close to a lock-down corner as we get in college football, but after watching the DBs group in Indy, I suspect Oklahoma State's Justin Gilbert will be the top corner picked. He measured at over 6-feet and weighed 202 while running 4.37. He also has terrific film.

[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] Shrinkage is rarely a good thing, although in Calvin Pryor's case I'm not sure it's gonna be a big deal. Still, it was curious to see the DB Louisville had listed at 6-2 this year measure just 5-11. Regardless, he hits like a linebacker and has very good range.

[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] Over the years of doing the Freaks list there has been some skepticism about the validity of some of the testing numbers included in the stories. Thanks to Aaron Aloysius, for the heads-up noting the case of Ole Miss WR Donte Moncrief, who last year put up these numbers: 4.44 in the 40, 11-1 broad jump and 39-inch vertical. At the combine, his numbers almost mirrored them: 4.40 in the 40; 11-0 in the broad jump and 39.5 vertical.

[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] Last note: I don't know how much Mizzou pays strength coach Pat Ivey, but I'm pretty sure whatever it is, the school is getting a bargain. Ivey may have been the most impressive guy I spoke to in Indy. The former NFL D-lineman was at the combine with a Mizzou SID in the media area. (A few schools send SID staffers to Indy to produce reports and updates on their own players and Missouri was doing that.) The Tigers had a big contingent of players taking part in the combine. They also produced the guy who drew the biggest crowd at the interview session Michael Sam, the 2013 SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

Michael Sam's story wasn't just about Michael Sam. It touched on a lot of things, including Mizzou football. Sam's teammates, too, were part of the story. And so, the Tigers players in Indy all expected to be asked about playing with a teammate who had come out to the team before the season. All of the Tigers players I saw in the media sessions, including Sam, handled a potentially difficult issue extremely well. And no one was prouder to witness all of that than Ivey, who watched from a distance.

"Every one of our guys are expecting this and they're welcoming this," Ivey told me when asked about Tiger players getting questioned about Sam. "They're like 'Man, great. When I step on that stage, how I answer the questions about my teammate may tell you more about me than my talking about myself.' I think our guys know that.

"Our core values at Missouri are honesty, treating women with respect; and our final core value is 'respect cultural differences.' That is on the locker room door. As they exit the locker room every day, it's 'respect cultural differences.' Our guys know that's part of our culture. You don't take a bunch of two and three-star athletes and win a bunch of games against a lot of four and five-star guys without them being great character people, and without them developing as people, mentally, socially and emotionally."

Strength coaches spend more time with the football players over the course of a year than any other coach in a college program. They are the real backbones of the college football team. Talking to Ivey for an hour, I started to get why the Tigers have won so many games over the last seven or eight years.

"I think it's just something that's really known at Mizzou now, that once you set foot in our locker-room, this is a brotherhood," said Tigers DB E.J. Gaines. "Everything they talk about on your recruiting visit about it being a family atmosphere, that is the truth. Tolerance and just accepting people as they are that really does go along with being a Missouri Tiger. [ivey] sets that tone. He doesn't just talk about it. He does it by example. He really teaches us how to be leaders."

Ivey, who finished his Tiger playing career as the strongest guy in MU history and got his doctorate in sport psychology earlier this year, said he believed that Sam coming out to his teammates brought the team even closer together and that it "absolutely" played a role in helping a 5-7 team become a 12-2 team. "We love adversity. When you have good character people go through adversity they come out better."

Ivey told me he had suspected for about three years that Sam might be gay. I asked him how concerned he was about the team's reaction.

"I'm going to make a strong statement here," said Ivey. "I want to talk to every head coach in the NFL, every GM in the NFL, every owner in the NFL. We are responsible for setting our culture and our environment. The athletes are not responsible for setting our culture and our environment. It's up to us to set an environment that is accepting and understanding of our differences and be respectful of our differences. It is not on our freshmen or rookies or whomever to decide how the workplace environment is. It is on us. I take that very seriously. I select the songs that we play in the weight room based on the environment and the mood that I want. Not a freshman, not a senior, not a captain. I do it. It's my responsibility. If someone is being disrespectful in my presence, that's my responsibility."

Asked if there were some instances where some things might have been said by teammates that were challenging in light of Sam coming out, Ivey acknowledged that there were.

"There was that going on," the coach said. "But who's supervising the environment? Who's educating that young freshman? 'Hey, That's not the right thing to say. You may have said that for your first 18 years but for the rest of your life, or at least the rest of your time at Missouri, you won't use gay slurs. You won't use racial slurs. You won't use sexual innuendo. You won't do that here.' That's on Coach [Gary] Pinkel. That's on Mike Alden. That's on me. Every day we're talking about respect. I have to do it often. 'Hey, pull your pants up. That's disrespectful to show your underwear.' 'Hey, let the lady get a nutrition bar first.' We talk about that every day."

Ivey smiles now whenever he hears skepticism about Sam's NFL prospects.

"He was 'two-star' athlete in high school. Some people thought that he'd never amount to anything," Ivey said. "He's not just now hearing criticisms. He's heard it his whole life. Can you imagine growing up like he did and hearing the criticisms he heard in the sixth grade, in high school -- every day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is nothing. Life is bigger than football."

 

[Milkman]

Thoughts from a week spent at the NFL combine

Bruce Feldman

[SIZE=xx-large]•[/SIZE] Speaking of Evans, Missouri CB E.J. Gaines, who lined up against many of the best WRs in the SEC, called Vandy's smooth Jordan Matthews, not Evans, the top wideout he faced in his career. Like Evans, Matthews has terrific size and hands, but Gaines said the difference in college was the Commodore's polished route-running. This draft is stacked with good receivers. I feel like now that Beckham's stock seems to be soaring, Matthews may be the most underrated in the group. He's 6-3, 212, has huge hands and ran in the mid 4.4s. The guy made a ton of plays in the SEC despite being the main focus of rival teams and he was on one of the few teams that didn't have a standout QB.

I think he might be one of those players that's so smooth he doesn't catch anybody's eye. There have been other players that have said this about Matthews before to.

 

[werdnoynek]

Treadwell. He was the guy they went to when a reception was needed ...

I think that's why Treadwell was the guy they went to when a catch was needed.

Except that Moncrief had more targets.

And less receptions? That says a lot.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Treadwell. He was the guy they went to when a reception was needed ...

I think that's why Treadwell was the guy they went to when a catch was needed.

Except that Moncrief had more targets.

And less receptions? That says a lot.

It does. It says that they had him running deep routes, while Treadwell ran the underneath stuff.

What it doesn't say is all that stuff you said it meant.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

Treadwell. He was the guy they went to when a reception was needed ...

I think that's why Treadwell was the guy they went to when a catch was needed.

Except that Moncrief had more targets.

And less receptions? That says a lot.

It does. It says that they had him running deep routes, while Treadwell ran the underneath stuff.

What it doesn't say is all that stuff you said it meant.

It may hint at that but I wouldn't assume that without some kind of metric type data that Greg Peshek infrequently posts.

 

[werdnoynek]

Treadwell. He was the guy they went to when a reception was needed ...

I think that's why Treadwell was the guy they went to when a catch was needed.

Except that Moncrief had more targets.

And less receptions? That says a lot.

It does. It says that they had him running deep routes, while Treadwell ran the underneath stuff.

What it doesn't say is all that stuff you said it meant.

It may hint at that but I wouldn't assume that without some kind of metric type data that Greg Peshek infrequently posts.

No, let's continue with the rash assumptions!ETA: On a serious note, I'm not sure what exactly the point was. Quon played in the slot almost exclusively. I'm pretty sure most coordinators keep their slot receivers in shot/intermediate routes most of the time don't they? My original post said he looked like the better receiver last year and the guy they went to when they needed a reception. I'm not sure what that has to do with targets and depth of target.

 

[Faust]

San Diego State RB Adam Muema leaves Combine early, cites religion

Excerpt from Peter King's MMQB:

I think this is not the way to get drafted by your dream team, the Seattle Seahawks: U-T San Diego reported Sunday that San Diego State running back Adam Muema bailed from the combine without working out, telling the website that if he didn’t work out, he would get his wish and play for the Seahawks. Muema had been projected as a late-round pick in May. He said God told him to “sit down, be quiet, and enjoy the peace.” I’m sure combine officials and the NFL are pleased to have had Muema take a running back slot at the prestigious tryout camp and to have paid his way from San Diego to Indianapolis for the combine, and then have Muema inform them God didn’t want him to work out. Just a hunch: This won’t raise his grade on the Seattle draft board. Or anyone’s. If he’ll be on one at all.

Adam Muema’s friends reportedly ‘have no idea where he is’ after early combine exit

Rotoworld:

San Diego State RB Adam Muema, who unexpectedly left the NFL Combine before working out, spent three days in the airport after God told him to stay there and "not do anything."
Oklahoma linebacker Corey nelson has been working out with Muema, and the running back called to request a pick up from the airport. Muema was apparently "focused, cheerful and very wise," per Nelson. Muema previously left the Combine, saying God promised he would be drafted by the Seattle Seahawks.

Source: UT San Diego

 

[Faust]

2014 NFL combine: Real winners, losers, surprises of 40-yard dash

 

[cstu]

Rotoworld:

San Diego State RB Adam Muema, who unexpectedly left the NFL Combine before working out, spent three days in the airport after God told him to stay there and "not do anything."
Oklahoma linebacker Corey nelson has been working out with Muema, and the running back called to request a pick up from the airport. Muema was apparently "focused, cheerful and very wise," per Nelson. Muema previously left the Combine, saying God promised he would be drafted by the Seattle Seahawks.

Source: UT San Diego

Crazy kid will be a hot UDFA, hope the Chargers get him.

 

[Gandalf]

He sounds manic. As in real bipolar disorder.

 

[Donnybrook]

@AlbertBreer: Here are the QB radar gun results from the last six combines (Thanks to @TysonNFL for the link): http://t.co/5CzfZrEaOh

Benjamin Allbright‏@AllbrightNFL

There has never been a QB who threw less than 54 mph w/ any long term success in NFL. http://blogs.ourlads.com/2013/03/27/quarterback-ball-velocity-at-nfl-combine-2008-2012/

YEAR: 2014
Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech 60

Stephen Morris, Miami 59
Tom Savage, Pittsburgh 57
Blake Bortles, Central Florida 56
Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois 56
Jeff Mathews, Cornell 56
Keith Wenning, Ball State 56
Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois 55
Tajh Boyd, Clemson 54
Bryn Renner, North Carolina 54
David Fales, San Jose State 53
AJ McCarron, Alabama 53
Dustin Vaughan, West Texas A&M 53
Connor Shaw, South Carolina 50
Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville – Did not throw
Derek Carr, Fresno State – Did not throw
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M – Did not throw
Zach Mettenberger, LSU – Did not throw
Aaron Murray, Georgia – Did not throw

 

[Donnybrook]

I am surprised that no one commented on the QB velocity data from the combine. AllBright did not factor in Drew Brees' 52 mph football velocity into his statement above. http://www.livestrong.com/article/397904-maximum-speed-of-a-football/ With arm strength having such a strong correlation with QB success in the modern NFL, it might explain why so many QBs are choosing not to throwing at the combine. I expect Connor Shaws' 50 mph ball will cause his draft stock to take a huge hit.

 

[MoveToSkypager]

Treadwell. He was the guy they went to when a reception was needed ...

I think that's why Treadwell was the guy they went to when a catch was needed.

Except that Moncrief had more targets.

And less receptions? That says a lot.

What does it say? I expect many words, since it says a lot.

 

[MoveToSkypager]

He sounds manic. As in real bipolar disorder.

Yeah. That's a future Jovan Belcher.

 

[cstu]

Treadwell. He was the guy they went to when a reception was needed ...

I think that's why Treadwell was the guy they went to when a catch was needed.

Except that Moncrief had more targets.

And less receptions? That says a lot.

It does. It says that they had him running deep routes, while Treadwell ran the underneath stuff.

What it doesn't say is all that stuff you said it meant.

It may hint at that but I wouldn't assume that without some kind of metric type data that Greg Peshek infrequently posts.

No metric data, but when one guy averages 8 YPC and the other 16 YPC I'm going to assume the latter is running deeper routes.

BTW, where are you getting target data?

 

[Rhythmdoctor]

Does anyone know where I can obtain exact height on the rookies? nfl.com rounds up/down.

 

[identikit]

Does anyone know where I can obtain exact height on the rookies? nfl.com rounds up/down.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AseLAGMydisldHE0Rl9kOGxPXzhPckREX3NQd0dQTGc&usp=drive_web#gid=2

 

[voiceofunreason]

I am surprised that no one commented on the QB velocity data from the combine. AllBright did not factor in Drew Brees' 52 mph football velocity into his statement above. http://www.livestrong.com/article/397904-maximum-speed-of-a-football/ With arm strength having such a strong correlation with QB success in the modern NFL, it might explain why so many QBs are choosing not to throwing at the combine. I expect Connor Shaws' 50 mph ball will cause his draft stock to take a huge hit.

But how do Dalton and Newton have the same numbers? There seem to be a lot of guys who look out of wack to me so it's hard to give it a lot of value.

 

[Faust]

2014 NFL Draft: Winners, losers, surprises in combine vertical jump

 

[Bracie Smathers]

I am surprised that no one commented on the QB velocity data from the combine. AllBright did not factor in Drew Brees' 52 mph football velocity into his statement above. http://www.livestrong.com/article/397904-maximum-speed-of-a-football/ With arm strength having such a strong correlation with QB success in the modern NFL, it might explain why so many QBs are choosing not to throwing at the combine. I expect Connor Shaws' 50 mph ball will cause his draft stock to take a huge hit.

I'm not sure that some of the QBs listed with high velocity truly had big arms.

For example, Colt McCoy's velocity reading was very good comparatively to other QBs but he does not have a strong arm. Yet he tied to top his QB class for velocity.

YEAR: 2010
Levi Brown, Troy 56
Colt McCoy, Texas 56 (Did not throw at Combine. Throw was recorded at a private workout with a Radar Gun & Computer Chip in Ball.
Then for other QBs who had strong velocity and do in fact have great arms, well a good arm is a great starting point but obviously we know they have to have other abilities.

For instance. Brandon Weeden has a gun but his decision making is too slow and he doesn't throw open receivers, in addition to many other things that he is sub-par on.

Yet he topped his QB class in velocity.

YEAR: 2012
Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State 59

Looks great on paper to compare guys but I don't know how much value it has other than establishing a base-line for them to not fall below.

 

[cstu]

I am surprised that no one commented on the QB velocity data from the combine. AllBright did not factor in Drew Brees' 52 mph football velocity into his statement above. http://www.livestrong.com/article/397904-maximum-speed-of-a-football/ With arm strength having such a strong correlation with QB success in the modern NFL, it might explain why so many QBs are choosing not to throwing at the combine. I expect Connor Shaws' 50 mph ball will cause his draft stock to take a huge hit.

But how do Dalton and Newton have the same numbers? There seem to be a lot of guys who look out of wack to me so it's hard to give it a lot of value.

That was the hardest throw of Dalton's life...

It's more concerning when a guy throwing his hardest can only manage 50 mph.

 

[Xue]

The definitive proof that Chris Johnson never ran a 4.24:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I85NZj8BzvQ

 

[ShaHBucks]

The definitive proof that Chris Johnson never ran a 4.24:

Is that your youtube page?

 

[Xue]

Dri Archer beat Chris Johnson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CAkQwOagJk

 

[Brewtown]

Dri Archer beat Chris Johnson:

Nice video - I wonder if running on the painted grass is slightly harder than on non-painted grass???

 

[Faust]

2014 NFL Draft: Winners, losers, surprises in combine broad jump

 

[cstu]

The definitive proof that Chris Johnson never ran a 4.24:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I85NZj8BzvQ

I always knew he was slow.

 

[cstu]

Dri Archer beat Chris Johnson:

Archer is 26 lbs. lighter.

 

[Faust]

2014 NFL Draft: Winners, losers, surprises in combine 3-cone

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

San Diego State RB Adam Muema, who unexpectedly left the NFL Combine before working out, spent three days in the airport after God told him to stay there and "not do anything."
Oklahoma linebacker Corey nelson has been working out with Muema, and the running back called to request a pick up from the airport. Muema was apparently "focused, cheerful and very wise," per Nelson. Muema previously left the Combine, saying God promised he would be drafted by the Seattle Seahawks.

Source: UT San Diego

Crazy kid will be a hot UDFA, hope the Chargers get him.

Adam Muema attended church services before leaving Indy

 

[cstu]

"He told me numbers told him to do this," Baraniak said. "I thought he meant the book of the Bible."

 

[MoveToSkypager]

Rotoworld:

San Diego State RB Adam Muema, who unexpectedly left the NFL Combine before working out, spent three days in the airport after God told him to stay there and "not do anything."
Oklahoma linebacker Corey nelson has been working out with Muema, and the running back called to request a pick up from the airport. Muema was apparently "focused, cheerful and very wise," per Nelson. Muema previously left the Combine, saying God promised he would be drafted by the Seattle Seahawks.

Source: UT San Diego

Crazy kid will be a hot UDFA, hope the Chargers get him.

Adam Muema attended church services before leaving Indy

Good to know where his priorities are.

 

[Faust]

2014 NFL Draft: Winners, losers, surprises in combine short shuttle

 

[Bigboy10182000]

I am surprised that no one commented on the QB velocity data from the combine. AllBright did not factor in Drew Brees' 52 mph football velocity into his statement above. http://www.livestrong.com/article/397904-maximum-speed-of-a-football/ With arm strength having such a strong correlation with QB success in the modern NFL, it might explain why so many QBs are choosing not to throwing at the combine. I expect Connor Shaws' 50 mph ball will cause his draft stock to take a huge hit.

I'm not sure that some of the QBs listed with high velocity truly had big arms.

For example, Colt McCoy's velocity reading was very good comparatively to other QBs but he does not have a strong arm. Yet he tied to top his QB class for velocity.

YEAR: 2010
Levi Brown, Troy 56
Colt McCoy, Texas 56 (Did not throw at Combine. Throw was recorded at a private workout with a Radar Gun & Computer Chip in Ball.
Then for other QBs who had strong velocity and do in fact have great arms, well a good arm is a great starting point but obviously we know they have to have other abilities.

For instance. Brandon Weeden has a gun but his decision making is too slow and he doesn't throw open receivers, in addition to many other things that he is sub-par on.

Yet he topped his QB class in velocity.

YEAR: 2012
Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State 59

Looks great on paper to compare guys but I don't know how much value it has other than establishing a base-line for them to not fall below.

FWIW I think this is just their max MPH. Colt McCoy may not have sustained velocity which would equal a weak arm whereas Cam Newtown could hit his high repeatedly

 

[Faust]

2014 NFL Draft: Winners, losers, surprises in combine long shuttle

 

[Faust]

2014 NFL Draft: Winners, losers, surprises in combine positional drills

 

[Faust]

2014 NFL Draft: Winners, losers, surprises in combine interviews


By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

March 8, 2014 11:00 am ET

The exciting part of the annual NFL combine may lie with the athletic drills but the most important part of the process remains the medical testing and interviews that take place.

Like any other job interview, talent evaluators are looking for passion, honesty and ingenuity when they pose questions to the players. Some teams focus on getting to know the player personally. Others focus on football, asking players to diagram plays on the board or explain their responsibilities on big plays they made or gave up throughout their collegiate career.

Regardless of the style, each staff is looking for the same thing in these interviews -- those unique young men who will actually work harder once they've signed an NFL contract.

The Results:

All measurable results can be sorted by name, position, size, school or event here. The interviews, of course, aren't numbers-based.

The Winners:

Perhaps the biggest winner of the interviews conducted at the combine will prove to be Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr. He entered the week in Indianapolis with momentum after a strong performance on and off the field at the Senior Bowl and carried that over in meetings with teams, impressing scouts and coaches alike with his intelligence, humility and leadership.

It has been reported that the Cleveland Browns are targeting him with their second selection of the first round (No. 26 overall). Given the buzz building around Carr, I'd be surprised if he made it past the Minnesota Vikings at No. 8 and wouldn't be shocked if he would up being the first quarterback selected in the 2014 draft.

The Losers:

Given his well-documented arrest for cocaine possession shortly after abruptly leaving the Oregon Ducks, few players had more riding on their combine interviews than Colt Lyerla.

Given his talent, Lyerla should have commanded a podium and been addressing hundreds of people during his interview with the media. Instead, he relegated to a small table where a dozen or so reporters peppered him with questions. I listened to every question and evaluated his verbal and non-verbal responses. I wish I could say that I am convinced Lyerla won't get into trouble again but I can't.

His answers were short and sounded rehearsed rather than from the heart. Eye-contact with interviewers was inconsistent. He admitted that as of that time he had not much contact with his former coaching staff.

Frankly, Lyerla didn't have to convince me. His job was to earn the trust of an NFL team and I hope that he was successful in doing so.

Lyerla is a rare talent, a player who would warrant a first-round selection if teams were convinced of his dedication. If he's committed to the game, I have no doubt he'll compete for Pro Bowl honors early in his career.

That said, I'd put the over-under on where he'll ultimately be drafted as the sixth round.

Some of the greatest players in the history of the game had the ability to walk away from football once they left the field. Many others, however, are consumed by it. As such, when players readily admit that they don't watch football much, it can earn red flags.

Florida defensive tackle Dominique Easley told the media that he'd never watched an NFL game from start to finish and instead might "change it to a cartoon or something."

Easley has demonstrated his commitment to the game. He came back stronger and faster after tearing his left ACL in 2011. He may duplicate his impressive recovery if able to work out prior to the draft after a torn ACL in his right knee limited him to just three games in 2013. His lack of focus on the game, however, was criticized by some scouts.

The Surprises:

While Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert characterized the 2014 crop as the deepest he's seen in his 30 years in the business but also as one of the most immature. As such, it is worth mentioning that two of the younger players in the draft earned positive marks with teams during interviews.

Fresno State wide receiver Davante Adams and Florida State defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan, each just 21 years old, showed uncommon poise when fielding questions during the media session and I'm told this carried over into team interviews, as well.

Adams was characterized by one long-time scout as "being wired right," the same phrase used a year ago to describe wideout Keenan Allen, who was CBSSports.com's Offensive Rookie of the Year after the Chargers plucked him out of Cal in the third round.

Jernigan also impressed, answering tough questions about his conditioning, his role in Florida State's rise to the BCS championship and why he considered himself a leader with the Seminoles.

As he told the assembled media, "I definitely do [consider himself a leader], on the field and off the field. On the field I was definitely one of the leaders of our defense. I feel like we had probably the best defense in the country, and off the field I was a leader as well. Definitely in the weight room. I was a weight room warrior at Florida State. Just getting guys to follow behind me."

The Schedule:

40-yard dash -- Saturday, March 1
Vertical jump -- Sunday, March 2
Broad jump -- Monday, March 3
3 Cone -- Tuesday, March 4
Short Shuttle -- Wednesday, March 5
Long Shuttle -- Thursday, March 6
Positional Drills -- Friday, March 7
Interviews -- Saturday, March 8
Medical -- Sunday, March 9

 

[Faust]

2014 NFL Draft: Winners, losers, surprises in combine medicals

 

[Andy Dufresne]

2014 NFL Draft: Winners, losers, surprises in combine interviews

By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

March 8, 2014 11:00 am ET

The Winners:

Perhaps the biggest winner of the interviews conducted at the combine will prove to be Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr. He entered the week in Indianapolis with momentum after a strong performance on and off the field at the Senior Bowl and carried that over in meetings with teams, impressing scouts and coaches alike with his intelligence, humility and leadership.

It has been reported that the Cleveland Browns are targeting him with their second selection of the first round (No. 26 overall). Given the buzz building around Carr, I'd be surprised if he made it past the Minnesota Vikings at No. 8 and wouldn't be shocked if he would up being the first quarterback selected in the 2014 draft.

Say what?

 

[Donnybrook]

Rob Rang is a real donkey when it comes to QB evaluations. Last year, he had Matt Barkley as a early first round pick when people like Cossell was calling him a 4th round talent. This year, he must have his rose colored glasses firmly fixed on Carr.