Shonn Greene Pro Day (1 Viewer)

[Multiple Scores]

Shonn Greene Has Solid Showing At Iowa Pro Day

Posted by Mike Florio on March 23, 2009, 8:35 p.m.

When the top running backs for the 2009 draft are identified, Iowa’s Shonn Greene often is overlooked.

His Pro Day workout could change that.

Per a league source, 29 teams attended Greene’s session.

He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.50 and 4.54 seconds.

His vertical leap was 39 inches, a two-inch improvement over his Scouting Combine performance. Greene launched a 10′6″ broad jump, good for a five-inch improvement.

He pushed up 23 reps in the 225-pound bench press, a four-rep improvement over his Combine performance.

Per the source, the 227-pounded looked explosive and agile in running back drills.

Greene opted to sacrifice his final year of eligibility at Iowa and enter the NFL draft.

 

[Toads]

Shonn Greene Has Solid Showing At Iowa Pro Day

Posted by Mike Florio on March 23, 2009, 8:35 p.m.

When the top running backs for the 2009 draft are identified, Iowa’s Shonn Greene often is overlooked.

His Pro Day workout could change that.

Per a league source, 29 teams attended Greene’s session.

He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.50 and 4.54 seconds.

His vertical leap was 39 inches, a two-inch improvement over his Scouting Combine performance. Greene launched a 10′6″ broad jump, good for a five-inch improvement.

He pushed up 23 reps in the 225-pound bench press, a four-rep improvement over his Combine performance.

Per the source, the 227-pounded looked explosive and agile in running back drills.

Greene opted to sacrifice his final year of eligibility at Iowa and enter the NFL draft.

Significant improvement here. To knock off .15 seconds from a 40 time is radical.Nice vertical #'s and jump #'s.....significant increases, all.

This helps sort out the #4-#5 Rookie RB.

 

[Avery]

Significant improvement here. To knock off .15 seconds from a 40 time is radical.

Nice vertical #'s and jump #'s.....significant increases, all.

This helps sort out the #4-#5 Rookie RB.

Is is becoming more clear from the times we saw at the combine vs. what we have seen over the past several years at the combine that the new track was a particularly slow one.

 

[Ketamine Dreams]

Isn't this guy pretty much a one-trick pony ala Rudi Johnson? Guess I don't know too much about him, but I thought he's a two-down bruiser back with stone hands.

 

[awesomeness]

Isn't this guy pretty much a one-trick pony ala Rudi Johnson? Guess I don't know too much about him, but I thought he's a two-down bruiser back with stone hands.

I've noticed a lot of people here are thinking that a Rudi Johnson comparison means the player sucks, people seem to forget how good he was. Johnson was a top 10 back 3 years in a row, and a top 20 back 4 years in a row. I'm don't think anyone would mind getting that kind of production out of there first round pick. Shonn Greene reminds me personally of Michael Turner without the long speed. Like Rudi Johnson and Michael Turner, if Shonn Greene is given the opportunity to be a starting runningback on a team i see no reason why he can't have a top 10 type of season. He's a lot more of a prototypical runningback than Beanie Wells. Wells is faster and quicker than Shonn Greene, but Greene is pretty much better than Beanie in all other facets imo.

 

[encaitar]

Significant improvement here. To knock off .15 seconds from a 40 time is radical.

Nice vertical #'s and jump #'s.....significant increases, all.

This helps sort out the #4-#5 Rookie RB.

Is is becoming more clear from the times we saw at the combine vs. what we have seen over the past several years at the combine that the new track was a particularly slow one.

If this is truly the case, then DHB might be the fastest man to ever enter the NFL draft. Cut .1 - .15 off of his time and he's right near world record 40 yard splits.

 

[Blackjacks]

Shonn would be a nice fit for the Eagles in round 3. I just don't buy Philly spending a 1st round pick on a rb. Their past just says they won't. I think the plan will be to get a big back for short yardage and if anything would happen to Westbrook, which of course it will, they will count on Booker (who I still think is very talented).

 

[CentralPA]

Shonn would be a nice fit for the Eagles in round 3. I just don't buy Philly spending a 1st round pick on a rb. Their past just says they won't. I think the plan will be to get a big back for short yardage and if anything would happen to Westbrook, which of course it will, they will count on Booker (who I still think is very talented).

Agreed, Shonn Greene is the perfect type of back for Andy Reid, if only because he isn't going to be 2nd or 1st round pick probably.

 

[Avery]

Significant improvement here. To knock off .15 seconds from a 40 time is radical.

Nice vertical #'s and jump #'s.....significant increases, all.

This helps sort out the #4-#5 Rookie RB.

Is is becoming more clear from the times we saw at the combine vs. what we have seen over the past several years at the combine that the new track was a particularly slow one.

If this is truly the case, then DHB might be the fastest man to ever enter the NFL draft. Cut .1 - .15 off of his time and he's right near world record 40 yard splits.

New running tracks tend to be slower the same way new race tracks tend to be slower. Rubber gets worked into the track over time creating more friction therefore more power goes into acceleration rather then small slipping and the result is faster times. I also heard somewhere, don't remember where, that the fastest time for a CB this year was slower then the average time last year. Even if it is an off year for speed, that seems like an awfully big drop.

 

[Biabreakable]

Significant improvement here. To knock off .15 seconds from a 40 time is radical.

Nice vertical #'s and jump #'s.....significant increases, all.

This helps sort out the #4-#5 Rookie RB.

Is is becoming more clear from the times we saw at the combine vs. what we have seen over the past several years at the combine that the new track was a particularly slow one.

If this is truly the case, then DHB might be the fastest man to ever enter the NFL draft. Cut .1 - .15 off of his time and he's right near world record 40 yard splits.

This might also be true.There is a pretty glaring difference between 40 times from last year across the board and this year. I don't think this is all because of the respective players actual speeds, but also because of a difference in how the testing was recorded. I think this difference may have people incorrectly downgrading the rookie prospects from this year compared to last year.

Also RB picks in the NFL draft were inflated by the lack of talent at other skill positions. When the Titans took Johnson for example (when their greater need was WR) was I think at least partly because he had more skill as a receiver than any of the WR did last year. That is not the case this year as there are many much more talented WR and TE available from this rookie class than there were last year, as well as more talent from the Offensive Tackles and I think possibly more overall talent on the defensive side of the ball in this class compared to last.

I point this out because I see some people baking this kind of thinking into their rookie rankings when perhaps they should step back a bit, look at the big picture and the possibility of a discrepancy between the measurables relative to each class rather than comparing apples to oranges based on these metrics.

Maybe I am wrong but I think these things are something to consider.

Shonn Greene looks to be a pretty solid prospect outperforming expectations on the measurables. That makes 5 very solid RB prospects at the top with several more (3-4) who in the right situations could also perform well. So similar to the RB crop from last season. Yet from what I have seen most do not rank this group of RBs anywhere close to last years crop. I think this is somewhat do to the relative strength of the other skill positions available, as well as some hindsight in how the rookie RB performed last year out of the gate than it does the actual evaluation of talent of the RB prospects this year.

To illustrate an example of this I think some might consider Greene as a similar RB prospect to Michael Bush or Tashard Choice who was something like the 8th ranked RB prospect last year. I mean in terms of rookie RB prospect ranking of potential talent not comparing the players skill sets. When Greene should perhaps be considered more closely to Ray Rice, Kevin Smith or Matt Forte (again in terms on ranking not similarity of the players skill sets) were ranked as prospects last year.

We will have more data to gauge relative talent based off of the NFL draft and how highly the NFL teams and their scouts rank these RBs. But I offer a word of caution to take into account the greater talent across the board in this draft class compared to last year which will undoubtedly drive the draft position of these RBs down, while I am still of the opinion that the RB draft position from last year was inflated due to the lack of talent at other positions (relatively). Somewhere between the 2 shall meet and I think at this point most of the RB prospects for this year are being somewhat undervalued because of these things.

Overall I see this draft class shaping up to be one of the more talented groups we have seen since 2004. These guys do not have the hype that surrounded many of those players and I don't think the QBs are near what was available in that draft class, but in terms of the depth of talent across multiple positions this draft class is looking to be one of the stronger ones we have seen since then.

As far as Greene goes I don't think he could crack my top 10 but that isn't because I don't think he is a good prospect, but rather because I think there are too many other better prospects than him available. DHB is one of them.

 

[az_prof]

Shonn would be a nice fit for the Eagles in round 3. I just don't buy Philly spending a 1st round pick on a rb. Their past just says they won't. I think the plan will be to get a big back for short yardage and if anything would happen to Westbrook, which of course it will, they will count on Booker (who I still think is very talented).

I don't know if the Eagles will draft Greene but I know that they will draft someone to take over eventually for Westbrook. It isn't going to be Booker: the guy has never had a stellar season in his college or Pro career. If he was good enough to be a featured back he would have shown more than he has by now.

 

[Fallerjw]

If the Browns are able to either:

1. Trade Braylon Edwards for at least a 2nd round pick this year (and maybe something else)

and or

2. They trade down in the first and pick up an extra day one pick

look for them to take a long, hard look at Shonn Greene.

 

[MAC_32]

look for them to take a long, hard look at Shonn Greene.

Wrote that several months ago, feel the same way today. With or without the Braylon trade.

 

[B Maverick]

seems like a good fit. Also seems like people want to compare greene to rudi, but why not Jamal Lewis? All three are similar type backs.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

.

 

[Moniker]

seems like a good fit. Also seems like people want to compare greene to rudi, but why not Jamal Lewis? All three are similar type backs.

I can see comparing him to today's Jamal, but Jamal in his prime was fast as hell.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

seems like a good fit. Also seems like people want to compare greene to rudi, but why not Jamal Lewis? All three are similar type backs.

I can see comparing him to today's Jamal, but Jamal in his prime was fast as hell.

I was going to say the same thing. People seem to remember the plodding Jamal from the last couple of seasons due to the ankle and other injuries that have caught up to him, but early in his career Jamal had an unparalled size and speed combo.I think the Rudi and Greene comaprisons are appropriate and shouldn't be taken as an insult to Greene. Neither has great speed or much wiggle but found holes, punsihed defenders, moved the pile and fell forward. In the right type of offense Greene can be a highly productive back, much as Rudi was in his heyday.

 

[akaoni]

seems like a good fit. Also seems like people want to compare greene to rudi, but why not Jamal Lewis? All three are similar type backs.

I can see comparing him to today's Jamal, but Jamal in his prime was fast as hell.

I was going to say the same thing. People seem to remember the plodding Jamal from the last couple of seasons due to the ankle and other injuries that have caught up to him, but early in his career Jamal had an unparalled size and speed combo.I think the Rudi and Greene comaprisons are appropriate and shouldn't be taken as an insult to Greene. Neither has great speed or much wiggle but found holes, punsihed defenders, moved the pile and fell forward. In the right type of offense Greene can be a highly productive back, much as Rudi was in his heyday.

I think Greene's success on the next level will largely depend on what kind of offense he winds up in. He thrived in the Iowa zone-blocking system and Shonn excelled with a one-cut, upfield running style. He's powerful, had decent burst and acceleration through the hole and ran with the low pad level dish out punishment on the first or second hit. And at times showed some surprising straight-line speed for his size (although it's doubtful that he would be able to consistently break big [30+] runs at the next level) .He does not have great elusiveness and wasn't used much in the passing game (although he wasn't a bad blocker) but the screen and passes to the RB aren't featured that much in the Iowa offense. I don't know that he necessarily has "hands of stone" but he was rarely used in that way at Iowa so it's difficult to evaluate from game tape. I think his best fit would be a team like Houston who uses the zone blocking scheme. He would be a natural "thunder" to Slaton's "lightning" and the offense would fit his skill set well. Put in the wrong set up, however I think Shonn could look fairly pedestrian, but overall, I think he has the chance to make a solid pro if drafted by a team who will make use of his skill set.

 

[zdaddy]

One would hope that only the right "type" of offensive team would draft him. Why would a team in which his skills wouldn't fit take him?

 

[tex]

If he's still available in the 3rd, look for Houston to jump on him. I would love to see them grab a big back like Greene, Andre Brown, or Gartrell Johnson to complement Slaton. But I see them concentrating on defense for at least the first 2 rounds.

 

[zdaddy]

If he's still available in the 3rd, look for Houston to jump on him. I would love to see them grab a big back like Greene, Andre Brown, or Gartrell Johnson to complement Slaton. But I see them concentrating on defense for at least the first 2 rounds.

As many teams are hoping that he falls to the thrid, would it suprise any one if he went in the second?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

If he's still available in the 3rd, look for Houston to jump on him. I would love to see them grab a big back like Greene, Andre Brown, or Gartrell Johnson to complement Slaton. But I see them concentrating on defense for at least the first 2 rounds.

As many teams are hoping that he falls to the thrid, would it suprise any one if he went in the second?

It would not surpise me as I see only Wells, Moreno and McCoy (and maybe Donald Brown) going before him.

 

[Ghost of Bill Walsh]

Significant improvement here. To knock off .15 seconds from a 40 time is radical.

Nice vertical #'s and jump #'s.....significant increases, all.

This helps sort out the #4-#5 Rookie RB.

Is is becoming more clear from the times we saw at the combine vs. what we have seen over the past several years at the combine that the new track was a particularly slow one.

If this is truly the case, then DHB might be the fastest man to ever enter the NFL draft. Cut .1 - .15 off of his time and he's right near world record 40 yard splits.

This might also be true.There is a pretty glaring difference between 40 times from last year across the board and this year. I don't think this is all because of the respective players actual speeds, but also because of a difference in how the testing was recorded. I think this difference may have people incorrectly downgrading the rookie prospects from this year compared to last year.

Also RB picks in the NFL draft were inflated by the lack of talent at other skill positions. When the Titans took Johnson for example (when their greater need was WR) was I think at least partly because he had more skill as a receiver than any of the WR did last year. That is not the case this year as there are many much more talented WR and TE available from this rookie class than there were last year, as well as more talent from the Offensive Tackles and I think possibly more overall talent on the defensive side of the ball in this class compared to last.

I point this out because I see some people baking this kind of thinking into their rookie rankings when perhaps they should step back a bit, look at the big picture and the possibility of a discrepancy between the measurables relative to each class rather than comparing apples to oranges based on these metrics.

Maybe I am wrong but I think these things are something to consider.

Shonn Greene looks to be a pretty solid prospect outperforming expectations on the measurables. That makes 5 very solid RB prospects at the top with several more (3-4) who in the right situations could also perform well. So similar to the RB crop from last season. Yet from what I have seen most do not rank this group of RBs anywhere close to last years crop. I think this is somewhat do to the relative strength of the other skill positions available, as well as some hindsight in how the rookie RB performed last year out of the gate than it does the actual evaluation of talent of the RB prospects this year.

To illustrate an example of this I think some might consider Greene as a similar RB prospect to Michael Bush or Tashard Choice who was something like the 8th ranked RB prospect last year. I mean in terms of rookie RB prospect ranking of potential talent not comparing the players skill sets. When Greene should perhaps be considered more closely to Ray Rice, Kevin Smith or Matt Forte (again in terms on ranking not similarity of the players skill sets) were ranked as prospects last year.

We will have more data to gauge relative talent based off of the NFL draft and how highly the NFL teams and their scouts rank these RBs. But I offer a word of caution to take into account the greater talent across the board in this draft class compared to last year which will undoubtedly drive the draft position of these RBs down, while I am still of the opinion that the RB draft position from last year was inflated due to the lack of talent at other positions (relatively). Somewhere between the 2 shall meet and I think at this point most of the RB prospects for this year are being somewhat undervalued because of these things.

Overall I see this draft class shaping up to be one of the more talented groups we have seen since 2004. These guys do not have the hype that surrounded many of those players and I don't think the QBs are near what was available in that draft class, but in terms of the depth of talent across multiple positions this draft class is looking to be one of the stronger ones we have seen since then.

As far as Greene goes I don't think he could crack my top 10 but that isn't because I don't think he is a good prospect, but rather because I think there are too many other better prospects than him available. DHB is one of them.

Completely agree with you on your assessment of this years rb's in the fact of all the talent available at the other positions both offensively and defensively it has significantly undervalued the talent level/ability/skill set of this years crop of runningbacks. I think they'll end up proving they're every bit as talented as last years' group no matter where they end up. Of course they'll need opportunity to prove it once they're drafted. Since 29 teams were there to observe, were they watching anyone else lol, teams seem to realize there's more than just a couple of rb's this year that could really help their teams and they wanna get a good look at them to see where they rate them and when they can still get them in the draft.Could be a very good year for dynasty rookie rb's. People are finally opening their eyes and realizing it.