2007 NFL Combine

[Hache Man]

Combine Preview: Stock Watch
Near this time last year, Vernon Davis was taking the NFL by storm. The 6-3/254-pound tight end ran a freakish 4.38 forty, jumped 42 inches vertically, and benched 225 33 times. Leading up to the draft, rumors swirled that teams like Denver wanted to trade up to take him. "Vernon Fever" ended when the Niners nabbed the former Maryland Terrapin with the No. 6 overall selection.

Vernon's younger brother A.J., a corner from N.C. State, is on this list. It doesn't appear that USC wideout Dwayne Jarrett will participate. Ted Ginn Jr. (mid-foot sprain) from Ohio State will show up but won't work out. Brady Quinn is chilling, the same approach his agent Tom Condon had Matt Leinart take in 2006.

The Combine started Wednesday with the weigh ins and interviews and completes next Tuesday. In this edition of our NFL Draft Preview, I run through some concerns pro teams may have about the following ten players and what these individuals need to do at the Combine to improve their draft values. I also provide a broad window these players are looking at in terms of where they might be drafted and give my best guess as to where they'd land if the NFL Draft was held today.

1. Arkansas DE Jamaal Anderson

Concern: lacks ideal experience
Could go as high as: Detroit at #2
Shouldn't get past: Denver at #21

It is surprising that Anderson has not gotten more hype to this point. A beautiful physical specimen at 6-6/280 with background as a star prep basketball player, Anderson is coming off a truly dominant season in the SEC. If I had to target someone to put on a show like Davis did last February, Anderson would be my pick. Though he only had one big year, all the attributes of a Julius Peppers-type player appear to be there. Since he's so young at 21 (just turned) and possesses such tremendous size potential, during individual drills at the Combine he'll likely be lined up in a five technique so those attending see how he might transition as a containing, blocker-occupying 3-4 defensive end. Running in the 4.6s or a low 4.7 should cement Anderson a top-eight pick despite his limited starting experience.

If the draft was today: Washington at #6

2. Louisville RB Michael Bush

Concern: recovering from broken leg
Could go as high as: Atlanta at #10
Shouldn't get past: Green Bay at #47

First and foremost, Bush will need to show his leg is healthy enough to run a forty in the low 4.6s or even high 4.5s and go through all the agility drills. Even though he's not a home-run hitter like Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, or even Lorenzo Booker, Bush is a phenomenal natural athlete with great hands and power. If he's in good shape and times as well or better than expected, it's difficult to imagine him falling past the first 21 picks. The "bod pod" and Cybex Test will give us ideas of how focused Bush has been on his training. There is some concern about weight issues the 6-3/247-pound manchild has dealt with in the past.

If the draft was today: Atlanta at #10

3. Purdue DE Anthony Spencer

Concern: NFL position
Could go as high as: Pittsburgh at #15
Shouldn't get past: Dallas at #53

Spencer wrecked house in his final college season, tallying an NCAA-best 26.5 tackles for loss, and is fast enough to play outside linebacker in a 3-4. However, it takes more than pure speed to make the transition from a being a down lineman to playing hands up. The coaching staff at the Combine will run Spencer through drills that test the fluidity in his hips to get an idea of how effective he can be with expanded responsibilities in coverage. Teams already know Spencer is a ferocious hitter with a relentless motor, which takes care of downs one and two, but most look for every-down potential in the draft's first round.

If the draft was today: Baltimore at #29

4. South Carolina WR Sidney Rice

Concern: speed, maturity
Could go as high as: Minnesota at #7
Shouldn't get past: Buffalo at #74

Rice's speed is being questioned, but there can't be too much concern about his ability to explode off the line and separate after how proficient he was at doing so in 2006. Still, a forty in the low 4.5s could be the determining factor regarding Rice's potential to be taken in Round One. Rice is also quite lanky, so showing some strength would be a promising step towards filling out and improving as a blocker. Interviews with NFL personnel could be another big factor for Rice, who left school as a third-year sophomore and is considered underdeveloped on as well as off the field.

If the draft was today: San Francisco at #11

5. Houston QB Kevin Kolb

Concern: arm strength, transition to pro offense
Could go as high as: Houston at #39
Shouldn't get past: Seattle at #85

Kolb failed to distinguish himself at the Senior Bowl like many had hoped. There are a number of factors (like the weather) that could've contributed, but Kolb's arm strength did not seem to be up to par, according to reports from Mobile. Whatever the cause, Kolb comes into the Combine as someone teams looking for QB help will monitor closely as he tries to bounce back. Kolb is savvy on the field and has mobility, which is now en vogue in the league and gives him appeal, but showing accuracy and strength on his deep pass is what he'll need to master to have a shot at being picked higher than Round Three.

If the draft was today: Houston at #73

6. Virginia Tech S Aaron Rouse

Concern: ability in coverage
Could go as high as: Tampa Bay at #35
Shouldn't get past: Round Four

Though he's much more experienced and polished at this stage of his career, Rouse's skill set is remarkably similar to that of Pat Watkins, a fifth-round pick in 2006 who started on and off in Dallas' secondary. Watkins struggled to cover wideouts and maintain good position as a first-year free safety. Rouse is already an established playmaker but one thing that separates an impressive athlete with upside from an NFL-caliber starting safety is consistency in coverage. The technique and instincts Rouse shows at the Combine will have a major bearing on his draft status. It has certainly not appeared to be straight-line speed that Rouse lacks, but a blazing forty time would at least be reassuring.

If the draft was today: Green Bay at #47

7. East Carolina WR Aundrae Allison

Concern: transition period expected
Could go as high as: Indianapolis at #32
Shouldn't get past: Houston at #73

There was talk in Mobile that Allison may have been the second best wideout on the practice field, behind only Dwayne Bowe. Allison also scored a touchdown in the game. Already possessing superior speed, Allison's stock will continue to rise if he shows some versatility as a potential return man and the hands that allowed him to haul in 62 passes in a decidedly poor passing offense at East Carolina. If exhibited, these traits should convince pro teams that, despite not being from a college powerhouse and facing top competition, he's ready to contribute in some capacity and even compete for a starting job. The 6-0/195-pound Allison's situation is somewhat similar to Greg Jennings' at this time last year.

If the draft was today: Detroit at #66

8. Wyoming S John Wendling

Concern: ability in coverage
Could go as high as: New England at #24
Shouldn't get past: Denver at #86

Wendling ran a 4.38 forty last winter and is an instinctive, smart on-field leader. However, like Rouse, his ability to slide over and shut down the slot is questionable. Because he's also not known as a particularly fierce hitter, Wendling is a bit of a "tweener"; not naturally a traditional center fielder or an enforcer. In order to convince pro teams he has starting potential in the league and isn't simply a special teams prospect, Wendling needs to show that he can use his speed to recover, not just stay with a wideout running a fly pattern. Adam Archuleta has tremendous speed as well but sat on the bench all last year because he couldn't make up ground when he bit on a certain offensive look.

If the draft was today: Jacksonville at #48

9. NC State CB A.J. Davis

Concern: lacks ideal ball skills, bulk
Could go as high as: Cleveland at #36
Shouldn't get past: New Orleans at #88

Davis is a good enough tackler to play the nickel in a Tampa 2 but may not possess the necessary size at 5-9.5/192 to step in, start, and hold up for 16 games. Also, he didn't pick off a pass as a senior and struggled with a minor hamstring injury. A.J. does have his brother's fast-twitch athleticism and can bring back kicks but at the Combine, it would be nice to see that he's been working on his in-coverage playmaking ability. Especially with so many secondaries these days playing zone defenses that place an emphasis on takeaways, Davis will increase his value if he shows his senior year numbers were more a result of teams throwing away from him than his inability to catch the football. There's not much he can do about being slight until after he's drafted and hits the NFL weight room.

If the draft was today: Minnesota at #72

10. Nebraska RB Brandon Jackson

Concern: lacks ideal experience
Could go as high as: Houston at #39
Shouldn't get past: Round Four

Jackson has as much riding on this Combine as any other player in the draft because he only produced for two-thirds of a season at the college level, then decided to leave school early. There's not a whole lot of tape on him and he lacks the experience of a Darius Walker or Kenneth Darby, two players with whom he's vying for position. He has shown brilliant playing speed, produced as a receiver, and seemed to really bloom when given the opportunity late in 2006, so if he builds on that momentum, there's no telling how high he might go. I'm cautious about "predicting" a landing spot because he has plenty left to show, but wouldn't bet against Jackson going as high as the second round if he clocks, measures, and performs individual drills like he seems capable.

If the draft was held today: ?

Others To Watch:: Arkansas CB Chris Houston, Fresno State CB Marcus McCauley, Hampton LB Justin Durant, Mississippi LB Rory Johnson, Oregon State S Sabby Piscatelli, Lane WR Jacoby Jones, Wake Forest S Josh Gattis, Penn State LB Tim Shaw, Florida State OT Mario Henderson, Hawaii DE Ikaika Alama-Francis, Baylor CB C.J. Wilson

[Hache Man]

Combine Liveblog
Calvin Johnson checked in at the NFL Combine at 6'5 and 239 pounds.

He looks lean and is expected to run a sub 4.4 forty time. He's a physical freak. Dwayne Jarrett of USC checked in at 6'4 and 219 pounds. Dwayne Bowe of LSU was 6'2 and 221 pounds, while Ohio State's Ted Ginn was 5'11 and 178 pounds

[Hache Man]

February 24, 2007

Nice Appetizer


Today's linemen and tight ends was a good introduction to on-field activities at the combine. Joe Thomas solidified his top-three status. C Ryan Kalil stood out, and T Tony Ugoh showed some toughness. TE Michael Allen of Whitworth got himself noticed. Greg Olsen has been explosive is now the clear favorite to be the first tight end drafted.
Tomorrow's quarterback, running back, and wide receivers day are the main event, especially for fantasy leaguers. We'll see Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch battle each other. We'll see the quarterbacks and wideouts spin it. It's no mistake the NFL is putting the most exciting Combine day on Sunday.
I'll check on some of the pressers going on the rest of the day, and the remaining action, but check back with the blog on Sunday morning. Thanks for stopping by.
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)



Twin times for Olsen


Arizona State TE Zach Miller and Rutgers TE Clark Harris both ran in the 4.8's on their second forty time unofficially.
Miami TE Greg Olsen could have pushed himself into the first round by running 4.45. We'll get the official times later, but Olsen made himself some money. Olsen also made a nice grab with his hands in the first passing drill. In the second drill, his speed helped him make a great long grab.
Miami didn't have a good passing game because of their quarterbacks, which kept Olsen's numbers down in college. He had a nice vertical leap.
The second fastest tight end was DIII Michael Allen, out of Whitworth. Allen has looked great. Olsen also looked great in the gauntlet drill, while Zach Miller was all over the place.
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 01:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)



Ugoh not done yet!


Okay, so maybe Arkansas T Tony Ugoh isn't out for the day. He just blew the doors off the broad jump, going for 9'9. The longest jump last year was at 9'2. Wow.
Just a note about all our forty times. They are unofficial, and from the NFL Network. It was just announced that Joe Thomas actually ran a 4.92. He ensured himself some money today.



Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 01:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)



Zach Miller/Greg Olsen diverging


We have some draft stock affecting news! Arizona State's Zach Miller ran an unofficial 4.84 forty, which is a little disappointing for a speedy tight end type. He had a bad take-off. Of course, the hosts pointed out that Tony Gonzalez runs about a 4.8.
Greg Olsen of Miami, however, just ran an unofficial 4.47! Okay, so he can't block. But if Olsen was graded close to Miller, well, he's probably the top tight end in the draft now. He's the fastest tight end thus far and it's not close. Delaware's Ben Patrick ran an unofficial 4.74.
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 01:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)



Tony Ugoh


Arkansas tackle Tony Ugoh pulled his quadriceps and is out for the rest of the day. Dick Vermeil speculated he'll probably miss at least a few weeks of workouts.
Luckily for Ugoh, Arkansas has two pro days. The second one is April fourth.
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)



Future's so bright ...


Herbert Taylor of Texas Christian has made the interesting choice of working out in sunglasses. Indoors.
Anyhow, here's Mayock's top five tight ends...
1. Greg Olsen - Miami
2. Zach Miller - Arizona State.
3. Ben Patrick – Delaware
4. Martrez Milner – Georgia
5. Scott Chandler - Iowa
Olsen and Miller may have a chance to be drafted in the first round since this draft class at tight end is so weak. I'm not so sure. As recently as 2005, only one tight end (Heath Miller) was drafted in the top 70 picks. The talent of the draft didn't justify higher picks. There is no Heath Miller in this class from the sound of it.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)



Second Forty


Tony Ugoh from Arkansas ran a 4.99 on his second crack at the forty. Joe Thomas got his time down to 4.96 unofficially. Vermeil pointed out that Thomas was more impressive in his final 30 than his first ten, which isn't a good thing.
Either way, Thomas isn't getting past the first three picks. And the lineman are almost done with their four days at the Combine. Let's get to the speed positions!

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)



Kalil


Cal C Ryan Kalil may be the best center prospect of the last few years, even better than Nick Mangold last year. He surprisingly has added almost 15 pounds since the season ended, checking in at 296 pounds today. He still ran a speedy 4.96 forty.
NFLN's Mike Mayock and Dick Vermeil wonder why Kalil bother adding the weight. He's a technician and isn't going to play for a team that wants a mauler. Either way, he's probably a first round pick.
Mayock comes with another good scouting term: a guy that can only "play in a phone booth."
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)



Men Lifting Weights


Justin Blalock from Texas and Manuel Ramirez set the bar for the weightlighting among the OL Friday, tieing with 40 reps at 225 pounds each. Forget the car show, this is why Manny's late to spring training.
The record was set by Mark Kudla last year with 45, and he wasn't drafted.
The top center in the draft, Ryan Kalil, tied with a group of players for third with 34 reps. Penn St. T Levi Brown got the bar up 31 times.
Best scouting term of the day thus far is "ankle flexion", courtesy of Dick Vermeil.
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)



Live from Indianapolis!


Okay, not really. Live from my apartment. But NFL Network is live covering the Scouting Combine Saturday, so we are too.
Today isn't the flashiest of the next four: OL, TE, and K's are on the field. Some higher profile players are in interviews.
Early news, courtesy of profootball.talk.com, is that Penn state tackle Levin Brown only ran a 5.39. He says that's real bad, but the average is around 5.30. And it really doesn't matter. Coaches want to know a lineman's first ten yards. Brown should be the second tackle drafted.
Texas G Justin Blalock, at 330 pounds, ran a 5.31 forty.
Likely top five pick T Joe Thomas looked quite athletic, breaking five seconds at 4.98

[Hache Man]

	Calvin Johnson runs 4.35 at Combine
	Calvin Johnson - WR - CLG - Feb. 25 - 11:06 a.m. ET
	Calvin Johnson surprisingly ran the forty at the Combine Sunday, and burned it up with a 4.35. Ridiculous. We know that Johnson was supposed to run a time like this, but it still seems impossible that a 6'5, 239-pound man can move so fast. Johnson won't make it past the fourth pick in the draft, and we still think there's a decent chance he'll wind up in the top spot.Feb. 25 - 11:06 a.m. ET

[Hache Man]

	Peterson impresses at combine
	Adrian Peterson - RB - CLG -
	Adrian Peterson ran an unofficial 4.38 forty, according to the NFL Network. The number may change a bit, but Peterson confirmed his great speed with this time. Other unofficial interesting running back times: Rutgers FB/RB Brian Leonard ran an impressive 4.49, Florida State RB Lorenzo Booker was at 4.45, Ohio State RB Antonio Pittman ran at 4.44, Notre Dame RB Darius Walker was at 4.57 and Cal product Marshawn Lynch was at 4.52. Arizona's Chris Henry was tops thus far at 4.33. Again, all the times are unofficial.

[Hache Man]

Combine Winners and Losers www.eog.comwww.eogcontests.comwww.fantasysportspicks.comwww.therx.infowww.therx.wswww.sportspickwinners.com

The NFL Scouting Combine is more pressure-packed than the biggest bowl game. Imagine taking a job interview with millions of dollars at stake on national television. Now imagine doing it in your underwear.

The Combine is especially nerve-wracking because it's not about football. The NFL asks the prospects to perform unfamiliar drills and answer interview questions speed-dating style. The results could mean a round or two in the draft.

Here's my list of the winners and losers out of the offensive players at the Combine.

For more Combine coverage, including winners and losers at DB, check out Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech WR - Johnson is a winner just for showing up. 239-pound receivers with gigantic production and a spotless record really do exist. The scouting dream is the best player in the country, and it should not be assumed that he'll last until Tampa with the fourth pick in the draft. Larry Fitzgerald was the surest bet of any receiver I've personally covered coming out for the draft, but Johnson has him beat by a mile.

Greg Olsen, Miami TE - There was some debate about who the top tight end in the draft was: Olsen or Arizona State's Zach Miller. The debate is over. Olsen not only ran a 4.51 (Miller was in at 4.78); he looked fluid and explosive in every drill. He reportedly can't block a lick and may line up wide half the time, but that's good news for fantasy leaguers.

Chris Henry, Arizona RB - As if the world needs another Chris Henry. His lack of playing time in college is a big concern, but the NFL should find it easy to get excited about a 230-pound fullback/tailback who can run in the 4.3's.

Henry wasn't particularly likely to get drafted before this week, but he backed up his forty time with great numbers in the rest of the agility drills. He also caught the ball well. He seems like a great candidate to be a short-yardage player. No player came out of nowhere to make more cash than Henry the II.

Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma RB - This was a Combine when the elite players cemented their stock. Peterson, Wisconsin T Joe Thomas, Calvin Johnson, and Clemson DE Gaines Adams fall into that category. Peterson's speed and explosiveness were on display throughout the day, including his 4.4 forty time and second-place showing in the vertical leap.

It will be tough for Cleveland to pass on Peterson, but it will also be tough for them to pass on Calvin Johnson. What, they shouldn't draft the best wideout prospect because of Joe Jurevicius?

Peterson has been lauded for performing so well after learning of his half-brother's death. But his afternoon interview with NFL Network looks a little odd in retrospect. He was mugging for the camera and talking about how good-looking he was.

Steve Smith, USC WR - Smith played in the shadow of Dwayne Jarrett, but showed this week that he is faster than originally believed. His route running and 4.44 speed could push him into the second round.

John Beck, BYU QB - By all accounts, he shined in the passing drills. The murky third quarterback slot in this draft hasn't cleared up whatsoever. Beck may have thrown his name into the mix.

Antonio Pittman, Ohio State RB - His 4.4 forty was better than expected. His other drill times were solid. At first, I wasn't sold on this class of running backs. But there is a decent group of second tier picks like Pittman and Darius Walker to watch. It won't be as deep as last year's class, but it's not a terrible year to have a mid-first round pick in dynasty leagues.

Robert Meachem, Tennessee WR - Still has a chance to be taken in the first round after his 4.39 and a solid afternoon in the drills.

Anthony Gonzalez, Ohio State WR - A heady, route-running player that seemed destined for the slot in the NFL, Gonzalez showed a lot of short-area quickness this week. His 4.44 forty time was expected, but his times in the short shuttle and three-cone drill were among the best at the Combine.

Jason Hill, Washington State WR - He impressed us at the Senior Bowl and opened some eyes with a 4.32 forty time this week. He was expected to be in the 4.5's. Extremely productive early in his career, Hill had a poor senior season because of injuries. His skills, including route running and intelligence, transfer well to the NFL. He could be in the second round now.

Sliding

Zach Miller, Arizona State - Miller is known as a sure-handed receiver, but he was dropping balls all over the place at the Combine. Perhaps he was overwhelmed by the occasion. His 4.78 time compared to Greg Olsen didn't help him either. Miller is still the second best tight end in the draft and his game tape should get him selected in the second round. But he had a poor week.

Dwayne Jarrett, USC - He didn't run amidst reports that he was stuck in the 4.7 range in workouts before the Combine. Meanwhile, the rest of the tier of receivers behind Calvin Johnson enjoyed big days, including Tennessee's Robert Meachem, Ohio State's Anthony Gonzalez, South Carolina's Sidney Rice, and Jarrett's unheralded teammate Steve Smith.

Jarrett was also testy regarding comparisons to Mike Williams, and who can blame him? One of my favorite items I came across this week was reading Mel Kiper defend Mike Williams. Kiper had Williams ranked as the top player in the entire draft two years ago.

Gary Russell, Minnesota - Russell flunked out of Minnesota and was out of football last year. Before the draft, his friends told him, 'Just don't run what (Maurice Clarett) ran. I know I'm not going to do that."

But Russell did exactly that, running in the 4.8's. He said he would be around 4.5. He went from a potential mid-round pick to possibly falling out of the draft. Unless Mike Shanahan takes a liking to him.

Chansi Stuckey, Clemson - A smallish vertical threat with 4.61 speed isn't going to cut it. He started heading south at the Senior Bowl and this won't help.

Rich Eisen, NFL Network - His 6.43 forty time, albeit in a full suit and Xenia lace-ups, was embarrassing. He strained a hamstring, adding injury to insult. He had a year to improve on his 6.2 time from last year, yet apparently showed up out of shape. You have to question his motivation.