***OFFICIAL*** NFL 2012 Combine Thread (1 Viewer)

[Time Kibitzer]

RBs jump yet? Haven't seen anything about that.

Yes, Wilson blew everyone away on the jumps.

Wilson had a great day if his 4.40 40 is accurate. 11' is a great leap for a 5'10" player (or anyone for that matter). 41" is also an elite mark. There's no doubting his athletic qualities. He has a ton of pop in his legs. Only sticking point is his size. 5'10" 206 is shaded just slightly on the small side of things. You'd like to see him 5-10 pounds heavier for featured duty. Good numbers overall though, especially when you pair it with his production on the field. Martin and Turbin also both solid, topping my magical 35" and 10' marks in the vert and broad.

Wilson is very young though. Lot of time to add bulk. McCoy was in that same situation coming out in terms of size. He really added to his frame after his rookie year. Maybe Wilson can too.

No doubt. This was a good day for him. I think he might be a more impressive overall package than Miller.I still favor Martin for FF purposes because he's just so solid in every way, but Wilson seems to have a bit of Clinton Portis potential.

How old is Wilson? Miller is only 20.

So is Wilson.

 

[cstu]

RBs jump yet? Haven't seen anything about that.

Yes, Wilson blew everyone away on the jumps.

Wilson had a great day if his 4.40 40 is accurate. 11' is a great leap for a 5'10" player (or anyone for that matter). 41" is also an elite mark. There's no doubting his athletic qualities. He has a ton of pop in his legs. Only sticking point is his size. 5'10" 206 is shaded just slightly on the small side of things. You'd like to see him 5-10 pounds heavier for featured duty. Good numbers overall though, especially when you pair it with his production on the field. Martin and Turbin also both solid, topping my magical 35" and 10' marks in the vert and broad.

Wilson is very young though. Lot of time to add bulk. McCoy was in that same situation coming out in terms of size. He really added to his frame after his rookie year. Maybe Wilson can too.

No doubt. This was a good day for him. I think he might be a more impressive overall package than Miller.I still favor Martin for FF purposes because he's just so solid in every way, but Wilson seems to have a bit of Clinton Portis potential.

How old is Wilson? Miller is only 20.

Do you have Miller's birth date? Can't find it anywhere, only that he was born in 1991.

 

[jurb26]

RBs jump yet? Haven't seen anything about that.

Yes, Wilson blew everyone away on the jumps.

Wilson had a great day if his 4.40 40 is accurate. 11' is a great leap for a 5'10" player (or anyone for that matter). 41" is also an elite mark. There's no doubting his athletic qualities. He has a ton of pop in his legs. Only sticking point is his size. 5'10" 206 is shaded just slightly on the small side of things. You'd like to see him 5-10 pounds heavier for featured duty. Good numbers overall though, especially when you pair it with his production on the field. Martin and Turbin also both solid, topping my magical 35" and 10' marks in the vert and broad.

Wilson is very young though. Lot of time to add bulk. McCoy was in that same situation coming out in terms of size. He really added to his frame after his rookie year. Maybe Wilson can too.

No doubt. This was a good day for him. I think he might be a more impressive overall package than Miller.I still favor Martin for FF purposes because he's just so solid in every way, but Wilson seems to have a bit of Clinton Portis potential.

How old is Wilson? Miller is only 20.

Do you have his birth date? Can find it anywhere, only that he was born in 1991.

They mentioned during the combine that he turns 21 the day before the draft.

 

[BeTheMatch]

RBs jump yet? Haven't seen anything about that.

Yes, Wilson blew everyone away on the jumps.

Wilson had a great day if his 4.40 40 is accurate. 11' is a great leap for a 5'10" player (or anyone for that matter). 41" is also an elite mark. There's no doubting his athletic qualities. He has a ton of pop in his legs. Only sticking point is his size. 5'10" 206 is shaded just slightly on the small side of things. You'd like to see him 5-10 pounds heavier for featured duty. Good numbers overall though, especially when you pair it with his production on the field. Martin and Turbin also both solid, topping my magical 35" and 10' marks in the vert and broad.

Wilson is very young though. Lot of time to add bulk. McCoy was in that same situation coming out in terms of size. He really added to his frame after his rookie year. Maybe Wilson can too.

No doubt. This was a good day for him. I think he might be a more impressive overall package than Miller.I still favor Martin for FF purposes because he's just so solid in every way, but Wilson seems to have a bit of Clinton Portis potential.

How old is Wilson? Miller is only 20.

So is Wilson. Turns 21 in June.

 

[BeTheMatch]

RBs jump yet? Haven't seen anything about that.

Yes, Wilson blew everyone away on the jumps.

Wilson had a great day if his 4.40 40 is accurate. 11' is a great leap for a 5'10" player (or anyone for that matter). 41" is also an elite mark. There's no doubting his athletic qualities. He has a ton of pop in his legs. Only sticking point is his size. 5'10" 206 is shaded just slightly on the small side of things. You'd like to see him 5-10 pounds heavier for featured duty. Good numbers overall though, especially when you pair it with his production on the field. Martin and Turbin also both solid, topping my magical 35" and 10' marks in the vert and broad.

Wilson is very young though. Lot of time to add bulk. McCoy was in that same situation coming out in terms of size. He really added to his frame after his rookie year. Maybe Wilson can too.

No doubt. This was a good day for him. I think he might be a more impressive overall package than Miller.I still favor Martin for FF purposes because he's just so solid in every way, but Wilson seems to have a bit of Clinton Portis potential.

How old is Wilson? Miller is only 20.

Do you have his birth date? Can find it anywhere, only that he was born in 1991.

They mentioned during the combine that he turns 21 the day before the draft.

That's Miller that turns 21 right before the draft.

 

[jurb26]

RBs jump yet? Haven't seen anything about that.

Yes, Wilson blew everyone away on the jumps.

Wilson had a great day if his 4.40 40 is accurate. 11' is a great leap for a 5'10" player (or anyone for that matter). 41" is also an elite mark. There's no doubting his athletic qualities. He has a ton of pop in his legs. Only sticking point is his size. 5'10" 206 is shaded just slightly on the small side of things. You'd like to see him 5-10 pounds heavier for featured duty. Good numbers overall though, especially when you pair it with his production on the field. Martin and Turbin also both solid, topping my magical 35" and 10' marks in the vert and broad.

Wilson is very young though. Lot of time to add bulk. McCoy was in that same situation coming out in terms of size. He really added to his frame after his rookie year. Maybe Wilson can too.

No doubt. This was a good day for him. I think he might be a more impressive overall package than Miller.I still favor Martin for FF purposes because he's just so solid in every way, but Wilson seems to have a bit of Clinton Portis potential.

How old is Wilson? Miller is only 20.

Do you have his birth date? Can find it anywhere, only that he was born in 1991.

They mentioned during the combine that he turns 21 the day before the draft.

That's Miller that turns 21 right before the draft.

I know. Or did you mean to say Wilson?

 

[cstu]

I meant Miller. Finally found it - 4/25.

 

[BeTheMatch]

RBs jump yet? Haven't seen anything about that.

Yes, Wilson blew everyone away on the jumps.

Wilson had a great day if his 4.40 40 is accurate. 11' is a great leap for a 5'10" player (or anyone for that matter). 41" is also an elite mark. There's no doubting his athletic qualities. He has a ton of pop in his legs. Only sticking point is his size. 5'10" 206 is shaded just slightly on the small side of things. You'd like to see him 5-10 pounds heavier for featured duty. Good numbers overall though, especially when you pair it with his production on the field. Martin and Turbin also both solid, topping my magical 35" and 10' marks in the vert and broad.

Wilson is very young though. Lot of time to add bulk. McCoy was in that same situation coming out in terms of size. He really added to his frame after his rookie year. Maybe Wilson can too.

No doubt. This was a good day for him. I think he might be a more impressive overall package than Miller.I still favor Martin for FF purposes because he's just so solid in every way, but Wilson seems to have a bit of Clinton Portis potential.

How old is Wilson? Miller is only 20.

Do you have his birth date? Can find it anywhere, only that he was born in 1991.

They mentioned during the combine that he turns 21 the day before the draft.

That's Miller that turns 21 right before the draft.

I know. Or did you mean to say Wilson?

Wilson's birthday is in June. He turns 21 then. Miller turns 21 just before the draft.

 

[cstu]

I'm pretty amazed by the 40 times in this RB class. Of the top 11 RB's I had going in none of them posted a time above 4.50.

 

[Hoosier16]

Anyone know why miller didn't participate in the drills? I missed the reason if they said it earlier.

Anyone know the answer to this?

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

I'm pretty amazed by the 40 times in this RB class. Of the top 11 RB's I had going in none of them posted a time above 4.50.

You didn't have Miller in your top 11?

 

[cstu]

I'm pretty amazed by the 40 times in this RB class. Of the top 11 RB's I had going in none of them posted a time above 4.50.

You didn't have Miller in your top 11?

He's ran a 4.38.Edit: I meant that they all ran a 4.50 or better.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

I'm pretty amazed by the 40 times in this RB class. Of the top 11 RB's I had going in none of them posted a time above 4.50.

You didn't have Miller in your top 11?

He's ran a 4.38.

I just misread what you wrote.

 

[Faust]

West Virginia DL Bruce Irvin’s unofficial 40 time is ridiculous

By NFL.com Staff

INDIANAPOLIS — The first “wow” moment of Monday’s defensive line workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine came when the unofficial 40-yard dash time for West Virginia’s Bruce Irvin flashed across the screen.

4.43 seconds? For a guy who’s 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds? Chris Tucker and Ice Cube have something to say about that.

If Irvin’s time somehow stands, that’s right behind Baylor QB Robert Griffin III’s 4.41 and faster than two speedy running backs in Oregon’s LaMichael James and San Diego State’s Ronnie Hillman (4.45).

It can’t be.

– Simon Samano

Note: Irvin officially clocked in at 4.50. It’s no 4.43, but it’s still pretty awesome for a man his size.

 

[Faust]

Burfict from yellow flags to red ones?

Bruce Feldman

Over the weekend in Indy, I spoke to a few NFL scouts and assistants about some draft hopefuls. I'm not sure any player here sparked a worse reaction than Vontaze Burfict. Seems the Arizona State linebacker has gone from being plagued by yellow flags to eliciting red ones now.

"I wouldn't touch him," said one scout. "He does have some talent, but he is so undisciplined on and off the field. The guy is completely out of control. There's no way you could trust him. I can't believe they (ASU coaching staff) didn't cut him loose."

Burfict, who measured in at 6-feet-3, 248 pounds (about 12 under his playing weight this season, he said), has received a lot of hype over his college career. Much of it stemmed from some of his thunderous hits, but it was his recklessness that also dogged him and the Sun Devils from his first season at ASU to his last. He was selected to some all-American teams as a sophomore in 2010, but didn't even earn All-Pac-12 honors in 2011 before he opted to enter the draft as a junior, when he made just 69 tackles on a team that many thought would win at least 10 games but instead finished just 6-7.

“I played average,” Burfict explained to reporters in Indy. “I could've played better. That's what hurt me at times. The coaches kind of messed me up. I didn't know if I would start a game or be benched. It hurt me, but I tried to fight through it.”

NFL personnel folks cringe when they hear a player publicly put some of the blame on his coaches.

"You just scratch your head at some of the knucklehead things he does on tape," said one NFL coach. "It was the same thing over and over and over again with him. He seemed to personify why that team always seemed to underachieve."

One of things Burfict was asked about by the media in Indy was his role in a rumored locker-room fight with an ASU wideout. Burfict confirmed the incident, adding that he wished it never happened.

“We're not supposed to hit each other in seven-on-seven,” Burfict said. “We had an argument, and we brought it into the locker room. We started chattering about it. He started rough-housing me. He pushed me, and my first instinct was to swing. And everyone thinks I’m the bad guy because my first instinct was to swing on the guy.”

The draft is always full of "boom-or-bust" guys. That's Burfict, although because he's had so many issues, he'll probably be less of a risk since few people project him as such a high draft pick any more.

 

[Faust]

Dontari Poe: More than just a Combine Freak?

Bruce Feldman

Every year one prospect lights up the NFL combine by putting on a dazzling showing as the Freak of all freaks. Monday, Dontari Poe, a 6-4, 346-pound defensive tackle from Memphis, was That Guy.

We've been touting Poe for a year or so now after being told about him by a Memphis staffer of his staggering athleticism. The guy squats over 700 pounds, bench presses over 500 and power cleans over 400, all jaw dropping numbers, but he's more than just weight room powerhouse. He was also a Tennessee state champion shot putter in high school, a testament to some of that explosiveness.

As expected, Poe was impressive in the weight room in Indy, benching 225 pounds 44 times, more than anyone else at the combine. But it was when he dug his cleats in to run the 40-yard dash Monday morning when jaws really dropped. Poe was unofficially timed at an unheard-of 4.87 seconds. And this was as the fourth-heaviest defensive linemen to weigh in at the Ccmbine since 2000. Later, the league announced his official time was 4.98, which is still remarkable for such a mammoth athlete.

Some immediately wondered if Poe is just a "workout warrior"? After all, he only was named to the second-team All-Conference USA team in 2011 with 33 tackles, eight TFLs and one sack for the nation's No. 115 defense. The year before, he was just an honorable mention all-league pick.

In truth, it's tricky to try to read too much into the stats of an interior defensive lineman. Poe, as one college coach who faced him this year pointed out to me Monday, was not surrounded by much talent. You shaped your game plan around him, the coach said. Plus, different defensive scheme dictate how "productive" certain D-linemen can be. Steelers star nose man Casey Hampton's been to five Pro Bowls and he barely registers on the postgame stat sheet.

I spoke to a veteran O-line coach who faced Poe several times during his college career. His take: "He's probably the best talent I've seen in several years. He took plays off and wasn't a great effort guy, but he is a freakish talent."

But don't all 320-plus pound D-linemen take some plays off?

"Yeah," said the coach, "but he took off more than most. He did get better last year than he was the year before. He just was never that productive, but I heard they didn't require him to do that much. He was definitely someone I took into account with schemes. ... I'm not at all surprised to hear that he's blowing up at the combine at all. He was never on the ground in college."

That last detail may actually be just impressive as the speed Poe displayed Monday, because as the O-line coach said, it shows the guy's great balance.

"It's the first thing I look at in recruiting linemen.

"He has definite first-round talent."

 

[Faust]

Faulk: Plenty of RBs not named Richardson make their marks

Editor’s note: Marshall Faulk, a Hall of Fame running back and an NFL Network analyst, watched all the backs work out Sunday at the NFL Scouting Combine and shares his thoughts.

INDIANAPOLIS — I felt bad for Trent Richardson all day Sunday at the NFL Scouting Combine. You could just tell he was itching to be out there and that he wanted to compete.

The show must go on, though, and I’ve got to say the running backs showed me something during their workouts.

One thing I understand now about the drills that I didn’t in previous times here is that they aren’t designed to make the kids successful. They’re meant to stress them out, to put them in challenging situations, especially with the pass routes they run. These aren’t routes that were featured in college, so it’s good to see them rise to the occasion.

So who did? I’ve got to show some love to Doug Martin, David Wilson, Chris Rainey, LaMichael James, and my fellow San Diego State Aztec, Ronnie Hillman.

Martin solidified my belief that he’s an every-down back in the NFL. He showed he’s fast enough to run off tackle, strong enough to run inside, and he can catch — all things you need a back to do to be successful. He made it look effortless.

Wilson was a surprise, because I was impressed with his skills catching the ball downfield. He showed he had good feet.

Rainey easily could be to a team what Darren Sproles is to the Saints. Rainey showed how lightning fast he is with a 40-yard dash time of 4.45 seconds. The only question mark with him is his commitment to football, since he also loves track.

James and Hillman were two little guys I thought did a great job with everything. They both ran 4.45, and that’s what they needed to do at their size. I believe both of them have the potential to be game-changers in the NFL.

So, when you look at this class of running backs, there’s definitely some solid talent for teams to scoop up in April.

– Marshall Faulk

 

[Faust]

Official three-cone drill, shuttle results: Running backs

By NFL.com Staff

INDIANAPOLIS — Here are the leading three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle results for running backs who worked out Sunday at the NFL Scouting Combine:

Top 5 in three-cone drill

Chris Rainey, Florida: 6.5 seconds

Doug Martin, Boise State: 6.79

LaMichael James, Oregon: 6.88

Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati: 6.95

Brandon Bolden, Ole Miss: 6.96

Top 5 in 20-yard shuttle

Rainey: 3.93 seconds

Dan Herron, Ohio State: 4.04

James: 4.12

David Wilson, Virginia Tech: 4.12

Bradie Ewing, Wisconsin: 4.16

Doug Martin, Boise State: 4.16

Top 5 in 60-yard shuttle

Rainey: 11.06 seconds

Martin: 11.29

Davin Meggett, Maryland: 11.53

Wilson: 11.59

Herron: 11.60

 

[jurb26]

Dontari Poe officially surpasses Hill as the most impressive player at the combine. What a sick day that guy had.

 

[Andrew74]

Official three-cone drill, shuttle results: Running backs

By NFL.com Staff

INDIANAPOLIS — Here are the leading three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle results for running backs who worked out Sunday at the NFL Scouting Combine:

Top 5 in three-cone drill

Chris Rainey, Florida: 6.5 seconds

Doug Martin, Boise State: 6.79

LaMichael James, Oregon: 6.88

Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati: 6.95

Brandon Bolden, Ole Miss: 6.96

Top 5 in 20-yard shuttle

Rainey: 3.93 seconds

Dan Herron, Ohio State: 4.04

James: 4.12

David Wilson, Virginia Tech: 4.12

Bradie Ewing, Wisconsin: 4.16

Doug Martin, Boise State: 4.16

Top 5 in 60-yard shuttle

Rainey: 11.06 seconds

Martin: 11.29

Davin Meggett, Maryland: 11.53

Wilson: 11.59

Herron: 11.60

I must say with his 40 time and bench reps, Martin is very impressive.

 

[Reaper]

Kills me to read all these "Draftniks" who every year have to "educate" the rest of us on the meaning of the combine... They point fingers and laugh when good 40 times come out and tell us how much TAPE they watch and how little the times matter...

Anyone into the NFL enough to follow the Combine numbers knows EXACTLY what the combine means and what we're watching.... Spare us the 100's of Tweets trying to show how much smarter you are.

Or even better yet the "HA.. I told you guys about X player in January.. Glad everyone else is falling into line"....

Or they act as if players move up and down an NFL Team's Draft Board when they have no clue at all what that draft board looked like in the 1st place.

taking the good with the bad - the coverage and info coming out of the college ranks is pretty insane based on even just a few years ago. Love it!!!!

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

so what this Raineys kids height & weight, havent herd much about him but his combine #'s look good

 

[identikit]

so what this Raineys kids height & weight, havent herd much about him but his combine #'s look good

5'8" 180 lbs.Tiny.

 

[Xue]

Dontari Poe officially surpasses Hill as the most impressive player at the combine. What a sick day that guy had.

No way. I'll take Bruce Irvin. Nearly identical height, weight, 40, 3-cone, and 20-yard as Von Miller.http://www.nfldraftscout.com/members/ratings/profile.php?pyid=108840http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=70987&draftyear=2011&genpos

 

[gump]

Kirkpatrick with an unofficial 4.43.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Kirkpatrick with an unofficial 4.43.

Jenkins 4.44Official time have been consistently slower than first reports throughout. What is the holdup with getting official times anyway?

 

[jurb26]

Dontari Poe officially surpasses Hill as the most impressive player at the combine. What a sick day that guy had.

No way. I'll take Bruce Irvin. Nearly identical height, weight, 40, 3-cone, and 20-yard as Von Miller.http://www.nfldraftscout.com/members/ratings/profile.php?pyid=108840http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=70987&draftyear=2011&genpos

You do realize that Poe is 100 lbs bigger than Irvin and nearly 2x as strong. That's a small human being. When you consider athletic ability in relation to size, Poe is untouchable IMO. Those are video game mesurables.Irvin is very impressive, no doubt. I'm not taking anything away from him.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

I don't get guys that chose not to run. It seems like you'd want two bites at the apple rather than giving yourself only one chance at your pro day.

 

[jurb26]

I don't get guys that chose not to run. It seems like you'd want two bites at the apple rather than giving yourself only one chance at your pro day.

I don't get it either. It's like they think if they run poorly it will cost them big time. We have seen over and over again over the years that isn't the case though. Guys like B. Wells and Manningham both ran poorly at the combine and redeemed themselves at pro days. I can't see any way that getting 2 shots at it isn't better. The exception being you are nursing an injury.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I don't get guys that chose not to run. It seems like you'd want two bites at the apple rather than giving yourself only one chance at your pro day.

Someone (Outsiders maybe?) found that Pro Day times are consistently faster than those at the Combine. So it's not surprising that slow guys might hope to game the time a bit by avoiding the stricter process in Indy.And you only have to look at the times these guys think they'll run based on their practice sessions vs what they actually clock to see that running under the controlled conditions of the combine produces 'slower' times.

 

[jurb26]

I don't get guys that chose not to run. It seems like you'd want two bites at the apple rather than giving yourself only one chance at your pro day.

Someone (Outsiders maybe?) found that Pro Day times are consistently faster than those at the Combine. So it's not surprising that slow guys might hope to game the time a bit by avoiding the stricter process in Indy.And you only have to look at the times these guys think they'll run based on their practice sessions vs what they actually clock to see that running under the controlled conditions of the combine produces 'slower' times.

This is true, but there are no vialbe instances I can think of where the combine 40 reduced a guys draft position significantly. The teams and scouts are going to take their best time. If that time comes at the combine, they will take that one. If it comes at the pro day, they will take that one. I just don't get why they wouldn't want to run 2x. Especially seeing that Indy seems like a fast track.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I just don't get why they wouldn't want to run 2x

Some could be nursing something minor. Don't want to wind up jacking it up compltely and killing a Pro Day run as well.

 

[jurb26]

M. Claiborne sure looks the part of a great CB in these drills. Great fluidity in the hips and changes direction with no loss of speed.

 

[BeTheMatch]

I don't get guys that chose not to run. It seems like you'd want two bites at the apple rather than giving yourself only one chance at your pro day.

Someone (Outsiders maybe?) found that Pro Day times are consistently faster than those at the Combine. So it's not surprising that slow guys might hope to game the time a bit by avoiding the stricter process in Indy.And you only have to look at the times these guys think they'll run based on their practice sessions vs what they actually clock to see that running under the controlled conditions of the combine produces 'slower' times.

This is true, but there are no vialbe instances I can think of where the combine 40 reduced a guys draft position significantly. The teams and scouts are going to take their best time. If that time comes at the combine, they will take that one. If it comes at the pro day, they will take that one. I just don't get why they wouldn't want to run 2x. Especially seeing that Indy seems like a fast track.

Lombardi and Casserly said that all the scouts adjust the pro day 40 times down anyway, so it won't work to skip the combine and run on a fast track at your pro day.

 

[JAA]

Dontari Poe officially surpasses Hill as the most impressive player at the combine. What a sick day that guy had.

No way. I'll take Bruce Irvin. Nearly identical height, weight, 40, 3-cone, and 20-yard as Von Miller.http://www.nfldraftscout.com/members/ratings/profile.php?pyid=108840http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=70987&draftyear=2011&genpos

You do realize that Poe is 100 lbs bigger than Irvin and nearly 2x as strong. That's a small human being. When you consider athletic ability in relation to size, Poe is untouchable IMO. Those are video game mesurables.Irvin is very impressive, no doubt. I'm not taking anything away from him.

They have quite different builds and measurables, your 100lbs denotes it. How else do you explain the differences in 40yd (10%), vert leap (14%), broad jump (17%), 3cone (15%), 20y shuttle (12%). The bench press shows 91% ... have you seen the video of build differences?If you dont see my point, look at the #1 rated ILB Kuechly compared to Poe

 

[Faust]

Jefferson comes in last at NFL combine with 44 rating out of 100

Written by

Glenn Guilbeau

Gannett Louisiana

BATON ROUGE - Of the 315 players graded by NFL.com at the NFL scouting combine that concluded in Indianapolis Tuesday, former LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson finished 315th with a rating of 44 based on a scale that had a top rating of 100.

"Jefferson has serious mechanical issues that affect his play," NFL.com said. "He lacks awareness in the pocket and tries to rely on his scrambling ability too heavily, causing him to take bad sacks. There are many fundamental elements of Jefferson's game that need work before he would be ready to run an NFL offense."

The player that garnered the highest rating was quarterback Andrew Luck of Stanford with a 97. Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III drew a 95. Jefferson was unable to outscore Purdue kicker Carson Wiggs, who finished 314 out of 315 with a 44.7 score.

"When in a two-minute offense or under pressure late in a game, Jefferson uses poor judgment and is ripe for turnovers," NFL.com said of Jefferson, who fumbled three times in the Tigers' 21-0 loss to Alabama in the BCS national championship game on Jan. 9 and six times through five starts last season.

"After some off-the-field issues prior to his senior year at LSU, Jefferson split time with fellow senior quarterback Jarrett Lee and did nothing to overwhelm NFL talent evaluators," NFL.com said.

Specifically on Jefferson's mechanics, NFL.com said, "He locks out his front leg when stepping into the ball, and the follow through that results from this stiff motion causes him to have an inconsistent release point that makes it very difficult to make quick, accurate throws in the short game."

Under "strengths," NFL.com said: "Jefferson has good size (6-foot-4, 220), is a decent game manager running a spread-option offense, and is an athletic mover when avoiding pressure or moving outside the pocket. He has a consistent, explosive drop set that puts him in a good position on his five- and seven-step drops. He has the arm strength to make NFL throws, and has shown accuracy on some deep balls over the years. He can extend plays with his feet and has started a lot of games against top-notch SEC competition throughout his career."

Jefferson, who often said he played well after poor statistical games, tweeted about his performance at the combine apparently as if it was a good one Wednesday morning. "I wonder what Mike Detillier's got to say about the combine now."

Jefferson apparently was referencing some unflattering comments about Jefferson by Detillier, an NFL Draft expert, prior to the combine that started on Feb. 22.

"I was surprised he was invited to the combine," Detillier told Gannett Louisiana on Feb. 17. "I don't think Jordan can throw accurately enough to play in the NFL. He has a strong arm. He's a good athlete, but in the NFL you have to throw accurately from the pocket. Jordan struggled with that his whole career. He's erratic throwing the football. He always has been. I think he'll be invited to a camp as a free agent, but he will not be drafted."

Cornerback Morris Claiborne drew the highest NFL.com score among the eight former LSU players invited with a 91.5. Former LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers got a 90. Claiborne and Brockers left LSU a year early to enter the draft and are expected to be first round picks, according to Detillier.

Former LSU wide receiver Rueben Randle, who also left a year early as a junior, is now considered a likely first round pick as well by Detillier after being considered a second round pick just months ago. Randle was given an 83 by NFL.com.

LSU had two other players among the lowest scorers. Tight end Deangelo Peterson had a 47.2, while outside linebacker Ryan Baker scored a 48.7. Other LSU players and their scores were cornerback Ron Brooks with a 53.7 and strong safety Brandon Taylor with a 52.5.

Former Louisiana-Lafayette tight end Ladarius Green had a 56, while former ULL cornerback Dwith Bentley had a 47.5. Running back Lennon Creer out of Louisiana Tech had a 50.5.

The linked article above doesn't work anymore, but I would be interested to see where NFL.com has all of these draft rankings as cited in the article for the LSU players!

 

[Faust]

2012 Scouting Combine awards

Don Banks

The awards season might be over for the movies now that the Oscars have wrapped, but the dog and pony show known as the NFL's scouting season is just getting started with the week-long NFL Scouting Combine over in Indianapolis.

Trade the red carpet for an expanse of green FieldTurf, the elaborate dresses for those skin-tight workout togs, and we could pass out our own collection of shiny trophies for the over-hyped proceedings we just witnessed. In fact, I think we will. Call them the "Combies,'' the "Mamulas'' or the "Indys,'' all that really matters is that we call them winners. The envelopes, please:

• Lifetime Achievement award -- Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State: Relax, we're just having a little fun with the 28-year-old Cowboys QB. He's not really all that old. And the former minor-league Yankees pitcher did score some points by referencing late-career quarterback stars like Roger Staubach, Kurt Warner and Rich Gannon in his remarks to the media, shrewdly touching only briefly on the less-than-helpful Chris Weinke comparisons.

So what if Weeden would be older as an NFL rookie than Green Bay quarterback and current league MVP Aaron Rodgers, who's entering his eighth season? It's a proven fact we all mature at different stages in life.

"It used to kind of get under my skin, but there can be a lot worse things I can be answering questions about,'' Weeden said of the age issue. "I think I've got a lot left in my tank. Those guys played into their late 30s. A 10-year career in the NFL is a great career, and I think I've got every bit of that.''

• The Most Interesting Man in the World award -- Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor: Having interviewed him during Super Bowl week, I knew the league was going to swoon over the poised, polished and engaging RGIII. But the crushes that developed in Indy were perhaps unprecedented. Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli opined that he'd be thrilled if either Griffin or Andrew Luck married his daughter. The media fell under Griffin's spell in a 12-minute Friday afternoon press conference and really didn't care to talk to anyone else the rest of the weekend. And Kansas City head coach Romeo Crennel walked away from his 15-minute chat with Griffin saying, "we could have talked to him for an hour.''

Griffin didn't pick up a football all weekend, of course, but he did snap off a 4.41 in his 40-yard dash -- the fastest by any quarterback at the combine -- and he measured in at an impressive 223 pounds at 6-foot-2 and three-eighths, a bit taller than he was thought to be. I certainly hope he can play, because he's going to leave a trail of broken hearts if he turns out to be more Andre Ware or David Carr than Cam Newton or Aaron Rodgers.

• Career Self-Destruction award -- Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State: Burfict had a nice week. He proclaimed himself the "best linebacker in this draft,'' blamed everyone else but himself for his shaky 2011 season, defended his decision to "swing on'' a teammate in a locker-room fight last year, and then ran a disappointing 5.09 and broad-jumped just 8 feet, 7 inches. This is a guy who came across to the league as having blind spots the size of, well, the Grand Canyon, which coincidentally is in Arizona.

Burfict thinks he's a misunderstood first-round talent. The league is more likely to give him an underachiever's third-round grade. And factoring in his winning personality and personal baggage, don't be surprised if you don't hear his name called on draft weekend until the third and final day.

• Mike Mayock Says You "Killed It'' award -- Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech: There's helping your draft stock with a strong combine showing, and then there's hitting the motherlode of a draft riser's dream scenario, having NFL Network draft analyst Mayock drop into a little scouting vernacular to describe your weekend of work.

What passes for killing it these days? Glad you asked. Hill ran a 4.36 in his 40, tying for the combine's fastest showing, and for good measure, he broad-jumped a combine-best 11-1. He turned in what my colleague Peter King described as the catch of the combine in Sunday's workout, laying out to nab a long bomb by Arizona quarterback Nick Foles. And to make sure everyone got the memo, Hill's 39.5-inch vertical leap was fifth overall among combine jumpers.

The 6-4, 215-pound receiver sometimes looked like a spare part in Georgia Tech's triple-option offense last season, but he might have just vaulted himself into strong consideration for the bottom of the first round or top of the second.

• What Took So Long award -- Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor: I knew RGIII's favorite target had run slower than expected when the scouts put away their stopwatches and took out their sun dials for his second attempt at the 40. Wright wound up running a sluggish 4.61, which was 0.2 seconds slower than his Heisman-winning quarterback. And it was Wright who was supposed to be the Bears' speed threat.

After Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon, many scouts before the combine had Wright as the draft's second-best receiver. But he didn't exactly nail that spot down, leaving the door wide open for Notre Dame's Michael Floyd to climb into the No. 2 slot. Floyd ran a sub 4.5 40, dispelling any concerns about his speed, and his size (6-3) and jumping ability (36.5 vertical) really stood out.

• Don't Want to Grow Up award -- Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State: This was a new one for most of us. Osweiler measured more than an inch shorter than he was thought to be, and was thrilled about it. Why? Because there's no history of success in the NFL for extremely tall quarterbacks, and Osweiler's listed height of 6-8 set off alarm bells for those scouts old enough to remember 1991 first-round bust Dan McGwire of Seattle, who was 6-8 and ran like a baby giraffe -- all gangly legs and a lack of coordination.

Well, lo and behold, Osweiler checked in at the combine at just 6-6 and seven-eights, having had two vertebrae removed from his back in a desperate attempt to be shorter (just a joke, we can't verify anything). Alas, the measuring was the only good news of the weekend for Osweiler, who didn't throw or run at the combine due to a foot sprain he suffered during training this winter. So scouts still don't know much about the one-year ASU starter except he has been able to ride every ride at Disney World since he was 8 or 9.

• I Wanna Be a Star award -- Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin: We media types love a good quote. But there's something a little off-putting about a guy who tells you he's a good quote before he ever says anything quotable. In his media session in Indy last week, Konz seemed to be trying a bit too hard to get a jump on that post-playing broadcasting/acting career.

"My major is radio-television-film,'' he said. "I love it. I love attention! I don't know. As a kid, my mom would put on Brett Favre interviews and loved how he didn't talk about, 'We played a great game. We gave 100 percent. We respect the other team.' I wanted to break that cycle. I wanted to be that guy to say, 'You know what? I've got a personal story. I've got more tied into this game than somebody else might have.''

Which is fine and dandy, and I hope he gets to see his name in lights some day. But Konz might have endangered his status as the only center with a first-round grade by managing a meager 18 reps on the bench press, calling into question his strength and weight-room dedication. Last I checked, Hollywood still hasn't been granted an NFL franchise.

• Didn't Know You Had It in You award -- Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: Uh, oh. Could it be that Luck is about to get unfairly typecast as an athletic quarterback, the NFL's latest version of Kordell "Slash'' Stewart? I mean, what's with Luck running a 4.67 in the 40 on Sunday? That's Cam Newton territory. And a 36-inch vertical, which was an inch better than the old entertainer/icon who wowed everyone as a rookie in Carolina last year? What could Luck have been thinking?

Luck didn't throw in Indy, so he probably got bored and decided to work on his athleticism while he was killing time in his hotel room. Those crazy Stanford kids. Always tinkering with the wheel and trying to make it better. Fortunately, Luck can get back to chucking the football at his pro day next month and stop messing around with his moves. Somebody needs to tell him it's statistically proven that you can't improve your draft stock when you're a 100 percent lock to go first overall anyway.

• Alligator Arms award -- Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa: Maybe it means the fear is that Reiff will never pick up a check throughout his entire NFL career -- and what organization would want that kind of guy around? -- but you seem to hear about a short-armed offensive lineman every year at the combine. And it's one of the more ridiculous things that NFL scouts ever babble on about. For example, Reiff's arms measured 33 and one-quarter inches, which is viewed as less than ideal for a left tackle. But less than ideal is another way of saying not perfect, and I would submit we're all kind of in that category in some form or fashion.

If you're a receiver and you short-arm it -- think Dwayne Bowe of the Chiefs, late in that loss to the Steelers last season -- it's not good. It speaks to your lack of willingness to go all-out for the ball. But there have been plenty of quality offensive tackles with less than ideal arm length, and some of them even make the Pro Bowl: Joe Thomas and Michael Oher, to name two. So let's go a bit easy on Riley, the stubby-armed ex-Hawkeye. If he can buckle his chin strap, tie his own shoes, and give a proper high five, he has every right to play in this league.

• Sexy and I Know It award -- Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis: I don't think you get to pick your own music yet during the combine drills, but Poe was probably humming the song in the title, with its signature riff: "I work out.'' But he need not remind us, because his results in Indy did the trick nicely. Where to begin? At 6-4, and a cool 346 pounds, Poe did a combine-best 44 reps on the bench press, and ran a 4.98, making him the World's Fastest Largest Man. In addition, he vertically jumped 29.5 inches, and that's the equivalent of fitting at least 10 phone books between him and the floor.

Before the combine I was rooting like heck for Poe to slip some in the first round and last all the way until No. 29 Baltimore -- Poe, a Raven, alas, nevermore -- but it is not to be. He came out of Indy as a top 15 pick, and it's not out of the question that someone in the top 10 could fall in love with him. In the NFL, big, fast and good is a very intriguing combination.

• In All Honesty award -- Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: Rarely have I seen a combine prospect enter the media work room and open a vein for reporters quite like Jenkins did Sunday afternoon in his 10-minute interview session. I'll say this, Jenkins is no Ryan Mallett, the Arkansas quarterback who took the stage in the 2011 combine and defiantly refused to shed any light on the rumors of collegiate drug use in his background. Jenkins turned the spotlight on his own behavior and filled in all the blanks. In detail. If the first step toward overcoming mistakes is acknowledging them, Jenkins is well on his way.

Jenkins, the ex-Gators star, talked about his three arrests, two of them for marijuana possession. He talked about his bar fight arrest. His failed drug test at Florida. Being kicked off the team by new Gators head coach Will Muschamp last spring and winding up at Division II North Alabama. And his four children, all age 3 and under. It was a remarkably revealing Q&A, and he struck just the right tone of remorse and responsibility throughout. No Vontaze Burfict, he.

On Tuesday, Jenkins went out and dazzled the scouts on the field, running a blazing 4.46 in the 40, broad-jumping 10-1 and looking smooth and athletic in all the defensive back drills. He's a first-round talent, and he may have earned himself a fresh look from a handful of wary teams with his stellar combine performance.

• Good Bloodlines award -- Drew Butler, P, Georgia: We're all out of linebacking Matthews brothers to chew on, and the "Matt Kalil, brother of Ryan Kalil" storyline has well been chronicled at this point. So I'm going with Butler, whose father, Kevin, was the successful and pouty-faced Chicago Bears kicker and recipient of one of the greatest nicknames in NFL history. I'll let the chip off the old block, his son Drew, tell it:

"Dad was called 'Butthead,' '' the younger Butler said, with obvious pride. "Everybody just calls me 'Butt.' I don't know what the deal is with that. But it's just Butt for me.''

Ah, fathers, sons and a game that creates those special bonds between them, tying together the generations in a family. A family of Buttheads.

 

[Faust]

Toronto’s Blake impresses

Toronto’s Philip Blake was named the “best value” prospect at the 2012 NFL Combine by the NFL Network’s Mike Mayock.

Blake, a 6-foot-2, 311-pound center, played at Toronto’s Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School before an outstanding collegiate career with the Baylor Bears.

According to QMI Agency, Blake’s performance at the 2012 NFL Combine caught the attention of NFL Network’s lead talent analyst Mike Mayock.

“I like the big Canuck,” Mayock told QMI’s John Kryk in Indianapolis. “I had a third- or fourth-round grade on him, and I believe that he’s a starting centre in this league. I thought he did everything today that I hoped he would do, and he actually did a tad better in the measurables than I expected.

“From a value perspective — Philip Blake, you’re my man.”

Windsor, Ontario native Tyrone Crawford was another Canadian competing at the Combine in Indianapolis.

A graduate of Windsor’s Catholic Central High School, Crawford played the past two seasons as a defensive lineman with the Boise State Broncos. The 6-foot-4, 276-pound end recorded 13.5 tackles for loss last season with the Broncos.

Mayock told QMI that Crawford impressed him as an end in a 3-4 scheme.

“That Crawford kid I like a lot,” Mayock told QMI. “He’s long enough. He’s strong enough. He can line up right across from the tackle and smack him in the mouth. The 3-4 teams love to find these kinds of guys.

“I think he’s a natural mid-round pick.”

The 2012 NFL Draft will be held April 26-28.

At the 2011 NFL Draft Canadians Danny Watkins and Orlando Franklin made history.

It was the sixth time two Canadians were selected, yet no Canadians had ever been selected as high in the same draft (Watkins 23rd overall, Franklin 46th overall).

The previous high was in the 1986 draft when Mike Schad was selected in the first round by the Los Angeles Rams, and Saskatchewan’s Reuben Mayes was selected in the third round by the New Orleans Saints.

 

[Faust]

'Bama's Upshaw, Kirkpatrick disappoint in Indy; Poe, Hill rise

By Charley Casserly NFL.com

Analyst

INDIANAPOLIS -- The headline grabber at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine was Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. Coming into the combine, I didn't have any questions about his speed, so his 40-yard dash time was not important to me. But his blazing 4.41 time was impressive nonetheless. And it was nice to see him measure up at 6-foot-2 3/8, but if he had been 6-1, it would not have changed my opinion of him or what St. Louis will get in a trade. The most important part of the combine for RGIII was the interview portion. This was the biggest unknown entering the combine, but I am told he was outstanding. If teams liked him on tape, they loved him after an interview. He displayed a magnetic personality and is clearly a very intelligent young man.

But not everyone put on an impressive display in Indy ...

Biggest disappointments

» Alabama DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw: I just didn't see the explosion that you want to see from a pass rusher off the edge.

» Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick: Generally the second-rated CB, he was monotone in his drill work. The burst that you want to see from a top-15 corner was lacking.

» Arizona State LB Vontaze Burfict: He entered the 2011 campaign as a highly rated linebacker, but suffered a disappointing season. The downslide continued at the combine with a horrible official 40-yard dash of 5.09.

» Nebraska CB Alfonzo Dennard: Dennard has a chance to go in the latter portion of the first round, but his official 40 time (4.55) didn't blow me away, and I was disappointed with his drill work. He looked stiff and nothing jumped out to me as a real positive.

» Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu: The 40 time (4.67) was a big letdown. To his credit, though, he was efficient in drills.

» North Carolina DE Quinton Coples: The hyped defensive lineman ran well with a 4.78 40 at 284 pounds, but he lacked exceptional quickness, explosion and intensity in the drills for a supposed top-10 pick.

Meanwhile, there were also many players who significantly improved their draft stock ...

Biggest risers

» Memphis DT Dontari Poe: In a crowded and talented field of defensive tackles, Poe shot himself up the list with an outstanding workout. He displayed quickness (4.98 40), explosion and the ability to change direction. Pretty unbelievable stuff from a 346-pound behemoth.

» Georgia Tech WR Stephen Hill: He posted a blazing 4.36 40 time, but the most impressive part of his workout was his hands. On tape, he was inconsistent catching the ball. But during the workout, I thought he caught the ball very well.

» South Carolina DE/OLB Melvin Ingram: He recorded a 4.79 40-yard dash at 264 pounds, but his drill work actually impressed me the most. Ingram moved well for his size in both the LB and DE drills. He showed good quickness and change of direction.

» Clemson DE/OLB Andre Branch: Impressive measurements at 6-foot-4, with 34-inch arms. His speed was good at 4.70. I really liked his quickness and movement in both the LB and DE drills.

» Miami RB Lamar Miller: I believe he is the second-best back in the 2012 draft and by running an official 4.40 40 he may have moved himself into the first round. Cincinnati has two first-round picks -- if they don't get top RB Trent Richardson, this may be their guy.

» Ohio State WR DeVier Posey: He only played three games this past year (due to NCAA violations), so teams had limited exposure on him. But in Indy, he ran well (4.50 40), was smooth in his routes and caught the ball fairly well.

» Central Florida CB Josh Robinson: The fastest player at the combine with an official 40 time of 4.33. (I had him in 4.31 and 4.29.) Robinson moved well in the drills; he was fluid and quick, but did not necessarily show the explosion one would expect with his raw, straight-line speed. He was projected as a potential third-rounder coming into the combine with one of his major question marks being play speed. Teams will certainly go back and review that tape again this spring.

Additional notes

» The deepest positions at this year's combine were defensive tackle, outside linebacker, wide receiver and cornerback.

» The weakest positions were tight end, defensive end, safety and quarterback.

» A totally overlooked group of players were the punters and kickers. I was told by special teams coaches that this was the deepest group they had ever seen. Some of the more interesting players were Florida State punter Shawn Powell, Georgia kicker Blair Walsh and Purdue kicker Carson Wiggs.

 

[Drop]

I'm trying to find a nice clean printable version of the 2012 NFL Combine results for all the players. Preferably sortable by position or the groups they worked out with. I want the official measurements as well as the drill results.

 

[RUSF18]

After running a 4.65 at the combine, WR Mohamed Sanu ran 4.41 and 4.48 40s at the Rutgers pro day today.

 

[mlball77]

After running a 4.65 at the combine, WR Mohamed Sanu ran 4.41 and 4.48 40s at the Rutgers pro day today.

Quite a difference. Is there any explanation other than the pro day times are typically a bit (not this much) better than the combine times?

 

[RUSF18]

After running a 4.65 at the combine, WR Mohamed Sanu ran 4.41 and 4.48 40s at the Rutgers pro day today.

Quite a difference. Is there any explanation other than the pro day times are typically a bit (not this much) better than the combine times?

No explanation yet, although he was adamant that he would be able to run in the 4.4s heading in...so it may have just been a bad day.

 

[Xue]

After running a 4.65 at the combine, WR Mohamed Sanu ran 4.41 and 4.48 40s at the Rutgers pro day today.

Quite a difference. Is there any explanation other than the pro day times are typically a bit (not this much) better than the combine times?

No explanation yet, although he was adamant that he would be able to run in the 4.4s heading in...so it may have just been a bad day.

We know Sanu isn't really a 4.4 guy. Do they think scouts are stupid or what? Who is timing these things and why are they giving out false times?Bernard Pierce and Edwin Baker ran 4.3's at their Pro Days.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Bernard Pierce and Edwin Baker ran 4.3's at their Pro Days.

No they didn't. They may have been credited with times in the 4.3s, but they didn't run that fast.Funny how no one get slower under the less controlled, sloppier conditions of the pro days, huh.

 

[Bronx Bomber]

I'm trying to find a nice clean printable version of the 2012 NFL Combine results for all the players. Preferably sortable by position or the groups they worked out with. I want the official measurements as well as the drill results.

Whitney26's 2012 Draft Database

 

[RUSF18]

After running a 4.65 at the combine, WR Mohamed Sanu ran 4.41 and 4.48 40s at the Rutgers pro day today.

Quite a difference. Is there any explanation other than the pro day times are typically a bit (not this much) better than the combine times?

No explanation yet, although he was adamant that he would be able to run in the 4.4s heading in...so it may have just been a bad day.

We know Sanu isn't really a 4.4 guy. Do they think scouts are stupid or what? Who is timing these things and why are they giving out false times?Bernard Pierce and Edwin Baker ran 4.3's at their Pro Days.

Don't know if its an all in list, but scouts from the Pats, Jets, Saints, Falcons, Bills, and Eagles were there.

 

[Xue]

They uploaded workout videos from the Combine today:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine

 

[duaneok66]

Bernard Pierce and Edwin Baker ran 4.3's at their Pro Days.

No they didn't. They may have been credited with times in the 4.3s, but they didn't run that fast.Funny how no one get slower under the less controlled, sloppier conditions of the pro days, huh.

i agree, but when the top guy (Blackmon) runs a sub 4.5, there is far less outcry.

 

[Faust]

They uploaded workout videos from the Combine today:http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine

Nice Work !!!