Weekend Warriors
The NFL Scouting Combine kicked off at Lucas Oil Stadium over the weekend, as quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends and offensive linemen, along with kickers and specialists, were worked out, timed, tested and interviewed in the most important job interview of their football careers.
Unless injured or advised otherwise, future pros and Pro Bowlers alike ran the 40-yard dash, bench pressed 225 pounds, ran cone drills, took the Wonderlic test, ran the gauntlet of position drills, were medically examined and pop quizzed during one-on-one time with NFL owners, general managers, coaches and scouts.
Superman Returns
After a lackluster showing under center at the Senior Bowl, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was back to his superhuman self at the Combine — running a 4.72 in the 40, posting a quarterback-Combine-record-tying 38.5” vertical leap, a 9’7” broad jump, an ironic 6.66 time in the 3-cone shuttle drill and measuring in with a gripping 10-1/8” hands, which happened to be the biggest among this year’s passers. This type of performance was expected, however, after watching Tebow train for the Combine.
The Heisman Trophy winning BCS national champion will not throw until his Pro Day in Gainesville on March 17, but the lefty did show off his trademark competitive fire on the field turf as well as his customary cool, humble poise in interviews. As impressive as any quarterback in Indy, Tebow definitely helped improve his draft stock.
Part of the reason that Tebow was able to look so good was that no other big names did much, if anything, at all. Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford (right shoulder) and Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen (right big toe) — the consensus top two signal-callers in this year’s class — sat out of drills nursing injuries. Both Bradford (March 25) and Clausen (April 9) plan on throwing at their respective Pro Days.
Meanwhile, Texas’ Colt McCoy ran well (4.79) but still cannot throw after suffering a nerve injury in his right arm in the BCS title game against Alabama. The man McCoy once beat out, Ole Miss’ Jevan Snead, who committed to Florida and competed at Texas before transferring, undoubtedly continued to field questions on why he entered the draft after a disappointing junior season.
West Virginia’s Jarrett Brown looked good in shorts, running a quarterback-best 4.54 in the 40 and posting explosive Tebow-esque numbers in the vertical (34.5”) and broad jump (9’6”). A three-year backup to wildcat Pat White who went 11–3 as a starter, Brown displayed the size, arm and athleticism to play at the next level.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Central Michigan’s Dan LeFevour ran (4.66) away from the spotlight by choosing not to throw until his Pro Day on March 24. With only the likes of Cincinnati’s Tony Pike, Oklahoma State’s Zac Robinson and Fordham’s John Skelton spinning the ball, LeFevour passed up a chance to shine in front of all 32 teams, seemingly shrinking rather than rising to the occasion on the big stage.
Better Than Best
A former high school state champion track star, Cal’s Jahvid Best set the pace among running backs, where the 40-yard dash is especially important. Though Best’s 4.35 in the 40 was not quite the 4.24 run by 2,000-yard Titans blur Chris Johnson — who went No. 24 overall out of East Carolina in 2008 — it was good enough to re-establish the concussed ball-carrier as an elite prospect.
Still, this is easily the worst time to have any head injury issues, as all 329 invited players were given “baseline brain activity” ImPACT tests for the first time in Combine history.
The top backs leaving Indy, however, appear to be Clemson triple-threat C.J. Spiller, Fresno State workhorse Ryan Mathews and Georgia Tech option Jonathan Dwyer. Although Spiller ran the fastest (4.37) among the trio, Mathews had the most complete workout — running a 4.45 in the 40, with 19 reps of 225 on the bench and a 36” vertical.
Those numbers nearly matched Tennessee’s Montario Hardesty — who went 4.49 in the 40, with 21 reps of 225, a running back-best 41” vertical and back-best 10’4” broad jump — and Auburn’s Ben Tate — who ran a 4.43, did 26 reps, had a 40.5” vertical and 10’4” broad jump. Both Hardesty and Tate are strong runners who produced against SEC competition; their showing in shorts will cause teams to find their tape for another look.
Wild cards like USC’s Joe McKnight, Stanford’s Toby Gerhart and Ole Miss’ Dexter McCluster did nothing to hurt their stock. Each is a niche player with second-round potential and lingering question marks. That did not change.
Golden Opportunity
Notre Dame receiver Golden Tate put on a gold medal performance on the final weekend of the Olympics, while his former coach, Chiefs offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, watched from the stands and his former quarterback, Clausen, stood in a sweatshirt on the sidelines. The Biletnikoff Award winner ran a 4.42 in the 40, had 17 reps of 225 on the bench and exploded for 10’ in the broad jump.
Tate’s combination of on-field production, Combine athleticism and versatility — having also played running back and wildcat quarterback, while returning kicks and punts — give the Golden Domer an outside shot at the first round, which will be televised in prime time on Thursday, April 22.
The top wideout prospect, Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant, did not work out due to an injured hamstring. But the highly productive pass catcher did answer plenty of questions related to NCAA interrogation lies and dinner at Deion Sanders’ house — two issues that contributed to the junior being suspended for the final 10 games of his collegiate career.
While Clemson burner Jacoby Ford ran the fastest 40 of all offensive players, with a double-take 4.28, the time raised red flags concerning his “football speed” in pads during games, which never appeared to be faster than his Tiger teammate Spiller, who ran slower in shorts but has more speed on tape.
Illinois’ Arrelious Benn remains an enigma, with the size and strength (20 reps of 225) to overshadow his lack of production with the Illini. Just the opposite, SMU’s Emmanuel Sanders was ultra-productive with the pass-happy Mustangs and his showing at the Combine — 4.41 in the 40, a 39.5” vertical and receiver-best 10’6” broad jump — is a step toward disproving the knock that he may be a “system” player.
Tight Fight
This year’s tight end class is headlined by two players who missed the 2009 season — Oklahoma’s Jermaine Gresham (knee) and Arizona’s Rob Gronkowski (back).
Gresham likely took the edge in Indy, by posting a 4.76 in the 40 and 20 reps of 225 on the bench. Meanwhile, Gronkowski chose only to lift on the bench press (23 reps) and wait until his Pro Day on March 12 (or a later private personal workout) to run, since he is not quite at 100 percent following the back injury.
Florida’s Aaron Hernandez disappointed by choosing not to run the 40 and Gator-arming the weigh-in with 32-1/4” arm length. But at least Hernandez played last season, something neither Gresham nor Gronkowski can say. And, he’ll bring even more attention to the March 17 Tebow show circus at Florida’s Pro Day.
Miami power forward turned tight end Jimmy Graham showed all-around athleticism with a 4.56 in the 40, a 38.5” vertical and 10’ broad jump. Although raw, Graham has the type of frame and potential to inspire Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez roundball and red zone references.
Fear the Turtle?
Although no one may ever put on a more made-for-NFL-Network Combine workout than Vernon Davis did by blazing a 4.38 in the 40, skying 40” in the vertical and ripping off 33 reps on the bench in 2006, a fellow Terrapin brought the phrase “workout warrior” into play this weekend.
Maryland left tackle prospect Bruce Campbell ran an offensive-line-best 4.85 in the 40, had 34 reps of 225 on the bench and a 32” vertical. Unfortunately, his inconsistent and less-than-dominant play in the ACC could have personnel men fearing the Turtle rather than embracing the obviously strong showing in Indy.
The top tackle prospect, Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung, owned the bar with 38 impressive long-armed reps on the bench press. That was second only to Arkansas guard Mitch Petrus’ 45 shorter-armed reps with Cardinals strength coach John Lott yelling “Shoot this thing!” and taking the weight back.
Oklahoma’s Trent Williams likely helped himself the most among top-tier tackles, with a 4.88 in the 40, an offensive-line-best 34.5” in the vertical and an explosive 9’5” broad jump. Also, Division II Hillsdale fast riser Jared Veldheer continued his ascension up draft boards with an all-around athletic effort, including a 5.09 in the 40, a 33.5” vertical and 9’1” broad jump. Those numbers, along with the ability to play left tackle, could have fans asking “Who is that?” about Veldheer earlier than expected on draft day(s).
While the offensive players are done running, jumping, lifting, testing and BOD POD-ing, the defensive players are just starting — with defensive linemen and linebackers working out on Monday (March 1) and defensive backs holding their track meet on Tuesday (March 2).
