Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nf...e-preview_N.htm
MCFADDEN BACKING DOWN?
Arkansas RB Darren McFadden is wavering on whether to run the 40-yard dash. McFadden dropping out would be comparable to post-Buster Douglas Mike Tyson, when intimidation was his best asset and he refused to show up to the pre-fight weigh in. McFadden's most defining attribute, which was to separate him from the strong field of underclassmen backs and make him a top-three lock, is his 4.4 long speed.
The gamebreaker lit up the SEC for three consecutive seasons, showing next to no weakness while playing against quite possibly the most NFL-like competition college football offers. He held off Felix Jones, who would've topped the depth chart for 100+ other Division I schools, to be a clear-cut starter in all three seasons. However, McFadden's stock, at least in the media's eye, has taken a recent tumble, and his decision to withdraw from the forty wouldn't help. You can bet that NFL teams would frown upon this approach.
FOUR WITH MUCH AT STAKE
1. Texas WR Limas Sweed: Sweed missed seven games in 2007 after undergoing wrist surgery. He was forced to drop out of the Senior Bowl after aggravating the injury. The early word is that Sweed may not be able to take part in the combine's receiving drills, but he should have no problems running the forty. As with all big wideouts (Sweed is 6-4, 212), speed is a question mark. If he doesn't run, it won't look good.
2. West Virginia RB Steve Slaton: Slaton was a human highlight reel early in his college career, but finished up with an injury-plagued junior year before declaring for the NFL. He seemed to lack the burst in 2007 that he showed as a freshman. In a draft rich with scatbacks, the 5-10, 190-pounder may need to do something special just to be taken on the first day.
3. Oklahoma State WR Adarius Bowman: Bowman couldn't catch a cold at the Senior Bowl, but no one can question his physical skills. The 6-3, 220-pound Andre Johnson lookalike must atone for the drops with a confident combine week. Bowman is a certain first-day draft pick and future NFL starter when things are going well.
4. Virginia DE Chris Long: Long could probably turn in an average week and still be a top five selection. His game is so nasty and relentless, his ability to be an every-down end so valuable, and lineage as Howie's son so reassuring that each team (if any) that passes on Long will likely second guess the decision at some point. Long played end in UVA's 3-4 under Al Groh, a Bill Parcells disciple. However, at 6-4, 278 he's a bit undersized for an NFL 30 front. If Long can show the speed, explosiveness, and hip fluidity to be a drop or rush linebacker in the Mike Vrabel or Terrell Suggs mold, he'll be hard for Parcells to pass up. A strong week would make Long the clear favorite to go No. 1.
I FEEL THE NEED
The 40-yard dash is the most publicized portion of the combine. Here are five players with something to gain from exceptional timing.
1. Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall: With McFadden potentially dropping out, this is Mendenhall's chance to solidify himself among the top two draft-eligible running backs and possibly lay claim to the premier spot. One reputable analyst is already calling Mendenhall No. 1. The only concerns with his game are his pass protection and long speed, although Mendenhall proved against Southern California in the Rose Bowl that he can run away from elite defenders. With only one season of film on this mack truck-built back, NFL brass will be intently examining everything Mendenhall does. A time in the low 4.5s could lock him into the top 16 picks. A dash in the 4.4s could make Mendenhall top-ten material.
2. Kansas State WR Jordy Nelson: At 6-3, 215, white, and muscle bound, Nelson resembles former Broncos stud Ed McCaffrey. The proven senior has a chance to be a top-50 pick if he can show 4.4 speed. Even if Nelson runs in the 4.5s, he'll always have this absolute torching of possible first-round Kansas corner Aqib Talib to hang his hat on.
3. Indiana WR James Hardy: Some knocked Sidney Rice for being too slow off the line during the pre-draft process in 2007. Similar questions are being asked about the Big Ten's leading touchdown catcher this year. Hardy will want to prove he's not another Clarence Moore and that he'll beat physical press coverage at the next level. The 6-6, 219-pound early entrant certainly won't be hard for evaluators to spot.
4. Rutgers RB Ray Rice: With the back-and-forth surrounding Mendenhall and McFadden, Rice seems to be getting lost in the running back debate. Rice has never been considered a burner, but did show breakaway speed on occasion in the Big East. A 4.47-4.49 forty would be an outstanding feat for Brian Leonard's former understudy and could vault the Frank Gore clone into the top two rounds.
5. Wake Forest WR Kenneth Moore: We know he can catch. Can he run? Moore broke Torry Holt's ACC single-season mark for receptions by hauling in 98 balls as a senior. The 5-11, 200-pounder has soft hands and learned to excel on quicker, shorter routes in a weak Demon Deacons passing attack. NFL people will want to see if Moore can catch the rock when it's coming over his shoulder, and if he has the speed to beat cornerbacks deep. If not, he'll still be a nice slot prospect.
THE QB STATUS QUO
Quarterback stock is minimally affected at the combine. It's been proven that you can even score a six on the Wonderlic (a 10 score out of 50 is considered literacy) and still be a top-five selection. Like everyone, the QBs will run their forties, but there is other testing available. Last year, Central Missouri State's Toby Korrodi turned in the top MPH read on the radar gun. He didn't have the accuracy to succeed in the pros and is currently out of football, but it at least earned him a shot with the Cardinals in training camp. It wouldn't hurt Colt Brennan to throw a few heaters after having his arm strength ripped at January's Senior Bowl.
POTENTIAL SHOWSTOPPERS
In 2007, current Falcons starting CB Chris Houston (Arkansas) and Titans RB Chris Henry (Arizona) burned up the combine turf with blistering, sub-4.4 forties. In 2006, Vernon Davis (Maryland) stole the show. Remember Willie Middlebrooks (Minnesota)? It happens every year. Like Davis, these three players are already top prospects, but have great chances to become more known on the national stage by timing, working out, and interviewing well.
1. Arkansas RB Felix Jones— Jones is already bordering on a high second-round grade despite playing second fiddle to McFadden with the Razorbacks. A big week could send him into the late first-round realm.
2. Michigan WR Mario Manningham— Don't be surprised if Super Mario challenges Houston's Donnie Avery and Cal's DeSean Jackson for the Yamon Figurs award as the combine's fastest wideout.
3. Ohio State DE/OLB Vernon Gholston— Gholston is reportedly creeping into "top five territory" on one team's draft board. The early entrant can bench 450+ lbs, so look for Gholston to respond with Cardinals strength coach John Lott screaming in his ear.
MCFADDEN BACKING DOWN?
Arkansas RB Darren McFadden is wavering on whether to run the 40-yard dash. McFadden dropping out would be comparable to post-Buster Douglas Mike Tyson, when intimidation was his best asset and he refused to show up to the pre-fight weigh in. McFadden's most defining attribute, which was to separate him from the strong field of underclassmen backs and make him a top-three lock, is his 4.4 long speed.
The gamebreaker lit up the SEC for three consecutive seasons, showing next to no weakness while playing against quite possibly the most NFL-like competition college football offers. He held off Felix Jones, who would've topped the depth chart for 100+ other Division I schools, to be a clear-cut starter in all three seasons. However, McFadden's stock, at least in the media's eye, has taken a recent tumble, and his decision to withdraw from the forty wouldn't help. You can bet that NFL teams would frown upon this approach.
FOUR WITH MUCH AT STAKE
1. Texas WR Limas Sweed: Sweed missed seven games in 2007 after undergoing wrist surgery. He was forced to drop out of the Senior Bowl after aggravating the injury. The early word is that Sweed may not be able to take part in the combine's receiving drills, but he should have no problems running the forty. As with all big wideouts (Sweed is 6-4, 212), speed is a question mark. If he doesn't run, it won't look good.
2. West Virginia RB Steve Slaton: Slaton was a human highlight reel early in his college career, but finished up with an injury-plagued junior year before declaring for the NFL. He seemed to lack the burst in 2007 that he showed as a freshman. In a draft rich with scatbacks, the 5-10, 190-pounder may need to do something special just to be taken on the first day.
3. Oklahoma State WR Adarius Bowman: Bowman couldn't catch a cold at the Senior Bowl, but no one can question his physical skills. The 6-3, 220-pound Andre Johnson lookalike must atone for the drops with a confident combine week. Bowman is a certain first-day draft pick and future NFL starter when things are going well.
4. Virginia DE Chris Long: Long could probably turn in an average week and still be a top five selection. His game is so nasty and relentless, his ability to be an every-down end so valuable, and lineage as Howie's son so reassuring that each team (if any) that passes on Long will likely second guess the decision at some point. Long played end in UVA's 3-4 under Al Groh, a Bill Parcells disciple. However, at 6-4, 278 he's a bit undersized for an NFL 30 front. If Long can show the speed, explosiveness, and hip fluidity to be a drop or rush linebacker in the Mike Vrabel or Terrell Suggs mold, he'll be hard for Parcells to pass up. A strong week would make Long the clear favorite to go No. 1.
I FEEL THE NEED
The 40-yard dash is the most publicized portion of the combine. Here are five players with something to gain from exceptional timing.
1. Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall: With McFadden potentially dropping out, this is Mendenhall's chance to solidify himself among the top two draft-eligible running backs and possibly lay claim to the premier spot. One reputable analyst is already calling Mendenhall No. 1. The only concerns with his game are his pass protection and long speed, although Mendenhall proved against Southern California in the Rose Bowl that he can run away from elite defenders. With only one season of film on this mack truck-built back, NFL brass will be intently examining everything Mendenhall does. A time in the low 4.5s could lock him into the top 16 picks. A dash in the 4.4s could make Mendenhall top-ten material.
2. Kansas State WR Jordy Nelson: At 6-3, 215, white, and muscle bound, Nelson resembles former Broncos stud Ed McCaffrey. The proven senior has a chance to be a top-50 pick if he can show 4.4 speed. Even if Nelson runs in the 4.5s, he'll always have this absolute torching of possible first-round Kansas corner Aqib Talib to hang his hat on.
3. Indiana WR James Hardy: Some knocked Sidney Rice for being too slow off the line during the pre-draft process in 2007. Similar questions are being asked about the Big Ten's leading touchdown catcher this year. Hardy will want to prove he's not another Clarence Moore and that he'll beat physical press coverage at the next level. The 6-6, 219-pound early entrant certainly won't be hard for evaluators to spot.
4. Rutgers RB Ray Rice: With the back-and-forth surrounding Mendenhall and McFadden, Rice seems to be getting lost in the running back debate. Rice has never been considered a burner, but did show breakaway speed on occasion in the Big East. A 4.47-4.49 forty would be an outstanding feat for Brian Leonard's former understudy and could vault the Frank Gore clone into the top two rounds.
5. Wake Forest WR Kenneth Moore: We know he can catch. Can he run? Moore broke Torry Holt's ACC single-season mark for receptions by hauling in 98 balls as a senior. The 5-11, 200-pounder has soft hands and learned to excel on quicker, shorter routes in a weak Demon Deacons passing attack. NFL people will want to see if Moore can catch the rock when it's coming over his shoulder, and if he has the speed to beat cornerbacks deep. If not, he'll still be a nice slot prospect.
THE QB STATUS QUO
Quarterback stock is minimally affected at the combine. It's been proven that you can even score a six on the Wonderlic (a 10 score out of 50 is considered literacy) and still be a top-five selection. Like everyone, the QBs will run their forties, but there is other testing available. Last year, Central Missouri State's Toby Korrodi turned in the top MPH read on the radar gun. He didn't have the accuracy to succeed in the pros and is currently out of football, but it at least earned him a shot with the Cardinals in training camp. It wouldn't hurt Colt Brennan to throw a few heaters after having his arm strength ripped at January's Senior Bowl.
POTENTIAL SHOWSTOPPERS
In 2007, current Falcons starting CB Chris Houston (Arkansas) and Titans RB Chris Henry (Arizona) burned up the combine turf with blistering, sub-4.4 forties. In 2006, Vernon Davis (Maryland) stole the show. Remember Willie Middlebrooks (Minnesota)? It happens every year. Like Davis, these three players are already top prospects, but have great chances to become more known on the national stage by timing, working out, and interviewing well.
1. Arkansas RB Felix Jones— Jones is already bordering on a high second-round grade despite playing second fiddle to McFadden with the Razorbacks. A big week could send him into the late first-round realm.
2. Michigan WR Mario Manningham— Don't be surprised if Super Mario challenges Houston's Donnie Avery and Cal's DeSean Jackson for the Yamon Figurs award as the combine's fastest wideout.
3. Ohio State DE/OLB Vernon Gholston— Gholston is reportedly creeping into "top five territory" on one team's draft board. The early entrant can bench 450+ lbs, so look for Gholston to respond with Cardinals strength coach John Lott screaming in his ear.
BTW, as for the coin flip between ATL/OAK/KC at the combine. I could be mistaken, but I could have sworn that I heard because of strength of schedule or something, Oakland cannot pick behind Kansas City. So the Raiders can get 1.03 or 1.04, but not 1.05.
BTW, as for the coin flip between ATL/OAK/KC at the combine. I could be mistaken, but I could have sworn that I heard because of strength of schedule or something, Oakland cannot pick behind Kansas City. So the Raiders can get 1.03 or 1.04, but not 1.05.
