oldschooler Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 [b] The Official NFL Combine Invite List[/b] [url="http://www.nflcombine.net/players/official-invite-list"]http://www.nflcombin...ial-invite-list[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigris Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Adam Adams goes by Joe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredtoast Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 What position is "OH"? Looks like most of them are RBs, but how the hell do they get OH from RB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredtoast Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 [quote name='Tigris' timestamp='1328621945' post='1094532'] Adam Adams goes by Joe. [/quote] I am just glad it isn't "A Ad" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coup000 Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 [quote name='fredtoast' timestamp='1328671700' post='1094655'] What position is "OH"? Looks like most of them are RBs, but how the hell do they get OH from RB? [/quote] Offensive halfback? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBandJoeyV Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 [quote name='fredtoast' timestamp='1328671700' post='1094655'] What position is "OH"? Looks like most of them are RBs, but how the hell do they get OH from RB? [/quote] Hmm...something halfback? Offensive halfback? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|Numbers| Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 [quote name='JBandJoeyV' timestamp='1328672008' post='1094660'] Hmm...something halfback? Offensive halfback? [/quote] Yes. Offensive Halfback is kinda like calling a Defensive Tackle a Defensive Guard, its normally not done but can happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texbengal Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 OH - offensive halfback WO - wideout OB - outside backer iB - inside backer DC - defensive cornerback PT - punter ... the rest are more "familiar" nomenclature. It's stupid, but whatever. Just like the player measurements for height... weird. Instead of 6-1 1/2, it's 6014. Each player gets gear that has his position group and a specific number... They're in alphabetical order. So for example, Emmanuel Acho is LB01 - he's first in the LB group, and he'd be the first guy to run the 40 in his group. I believe they stay true to the player order for events like the 40 and the broad jump and vertical jump, shuttles and weight lifting, but for position-specific drills, they don't necessarily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|kennethmw| Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 A kid to watch is Jeromy Jones from Wayne State. He played with my son. Really good free safety. I think he had eight interceptions this year and helped lead Wayne to the Div 2 national championship game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 [size=3]Breaking down the top offensive prospects to get the snub from the [url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/scouting_department.html"]NFL combine…[/url][/size] [size=3][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=qb"]QB G.J. Kinne: Tulsa (6-2, 234)[/url][/size] He isn’t nearly as impressive physically as some of the other quarterbacks to get invites. But he is your typical gritty QB prospect who is the son of a coach and in my view will find a way to make a roster and potentially fight for playing time down the line. Also, displays the kind of sneaky arm strength to make all the throws. [indent=1][size=3][img]http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c1910342/media_center/images/rendered/blog/wysiwyg/GJ-Kinne.jpg[/img][/size][/indent][right]Kinne is one of the draft's most underrated prospects. [size=3][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=qb"]QB Alex Tanney: Monmouth (6-3, 216)[/url][/size] [size=3]At worst, the guy looks like an intriguing priority free agent with a good amount of upside to his game and could end up warranting a draft pick late on day three.[/size] [size=3][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=rb"]RB Michael Smith: Utah State (5-9, 205)[/url][/size] [size=3]An overlooked senior because of the talent in front of him at Utah State but has an NFL skill set and should make a roster. Is compact, displays a good burst and was extremely productive during the regular season.[/size] [size=3][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=rb"]RB Bryce Brown: Kansas State (6-0, 220)[/url][/size] [size=3]Watching him run in Lane Kiffin's zone scheme as a freshman, the guy was an impressive back with a lot of natural talent. He was the number one ranked recruit out of high school, ahead of Trent Richardson in 2009 and no doubt has the skill set to play in the league. The biggest question mark for him going forward is his overall character.[/size] [size=3][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=wr"]WR Lance Lewis: East Carolina (6-3, 209)[/url][/size] [size=3]A big guy who can line up both inside and out, cleanly get out of his breaks and track the football. Lewis isn't overly dynamic, but has good play speed tracking the football and is guy who could mature into a starter, but more so as a prominent reserve.[/size] [size=3][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=te"]TE Brian Linthicum: Michigan State (6-5, 245)[/url][/size] [size=3]A limited blocker, but has some savvy as a pass catcher and adjusts well to get the football. Isn't a dynamic athlete and his limitations in the run game will hurt him. Looks more like a late round type/reserve only who could potentially make a team because of his ability to work the middle and move the chains.[/size] [size=3][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=te"]TE Kevin Koger: Michigan (6-4, 258)[/url][/size] [size=3]Flashed on tape at times and does have some talent. However, is raw in all areas of the game and looks more like a later round pick who could blossom.[/size] [size=3][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=te"]TE Chase Ford: Miami (6-6, 245)[/url][/size] [size=3]Had a good showing at this year's East-West Shine game and for a guy at his size with his body control looks like a option you can draft mid/late and try to mature into an every down type option. Has the frame to add weight and get bigger.[/size] [/right][indent=1][size=3][img]http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c1910342/media_center/images/rendered/blog/wysiwyg/Adcock.jpg[/img][/size][/indent][right][size=3]ICON[/size] [size=3]Adcock could play both inside and out at the next level.[/size] [size=3][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=ot"]OT Levy Adcock: Oklahoma State (6-6, 322)[/url][/size] [size=3]Needs to clean up his footwork in pass protection, but he's coordinated, can bend and should improve with time. Looks like a guy who is ideally suited to play right tackle, but I could see him being effective as a guard. At best a low-end starter who looks more like a reserve to me.[/size] [size=3][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=og"]OG Brandon Brooks: Miami (Ohio) (6-5, 343)[/url][/size] [size=3]Is a big, strong kid who has some lateral quickness for his size but needs some technique work. Nevertheless, has some upside and can win consistently in the run game and pass game and looks like an NFL starter in an angle scheme to me.[/size] [size=3][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=og"]OG Derek Dennis: Temple (6-5, 328)[/url][/size] [size=3]Is worth a pick because he moves so well for a 325-pound lineman. Needs to learn to play lower though if he ever hopes to be anything more than a reserve. However, his fluidity on the move says he has a chance to mature into a starter.[/size] [size=3][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFL-Combine-Snubs-Offense.html"]http://www.nationalf...bs-Offense.html[/url][/size] [/right] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|SF2| Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 [quote name='oldschooler' timestamp='1328620116' post='1094515'] [url="http://www.nflcombine.net/players/official-invite-list"]http://www.nflcombin...ial-invite-list[/url] [/quote] Leave it to the dinosaurs to create a list that can't be sorted by position. I wonder if they made this list on some old graph paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 [size=1] [size=3]Breaking down the top defensive prospects to get the snub from the [url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/scouting_department.html"]NFL combine…[/url] [url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=de"]DE Kentrell Lockett: Mississippi (6-5, 248)[/url] Flashes some real talent, however, his play gets too predictable as a pass rusher and he's still learning the game. Medical is a huge question mark as well, but he looks like a developmental guy at this stage who needs to prove he's healthy.[/size][/size] [color=#072055][size=1][indent=1][size=3][img]http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c1910342/media_center/images/rendered/blog/wysiwyg/4801001020229CottonBowlOSUvOleMiss.jpg[/img][color=#999999][right]ICON[/right][/color]Lockett is a long, lean athlete with some upside.[/size][/size][/color][/indent][size=1] [size=3][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=dt"]DT Chigbo Anunoby: Morehouse (6-4, 324)[/url] He's never going to be a "plus" pass rusher in the NFL. However, he's a strong, long kid with a really well proportioned frame who can anchor inside and certainly has the talent to get plenty of looks from both 34 and 43 teams as a developmental big body. [url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=dt"]DT Micanor Regis: Miami (6-3, 305)[/url] Improved as a senior. Did a better job keeping his pad level down and using his quickness to get up the field. Could fight his way into an NFL rotation. [url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=olb"]OLB Sammy Brown: Houston (6-3, 240)[/url] A highly productive pass rusher who has come a long way since being a JUCO transfer. Has a feel for getting after the passer, exhibits a good burst and closing speed around the edge and is an intriguing 34-type prospect.[url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=ilb"] ILB Jerry Franklin: Arkansas (6-1, 245)[/url] A coordinated middle linebacker prospect who picks his way through the line of scrimmage, finds the football and can hold his own in coverage. However, would like to see a more explosive element to his game in all areas. A solid MLB prospect, not the top-tier senior backer many are making him out to be in my view.[url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=ilb"] ILB Chris Marve: Vanderbilt (6-0, 242)[/url] He's a natural leader and plays with a passion for the game. His size is the one negative to his game and he is a bit tight and lacks great range. Is a classic overachiever who could get a look late as a reserve only. [url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=cb"]CB Donnie Fletcher: Boston College (6-1, 195)[/url] Possesses good size, ball skills and has a natural feel in coverage. Gets a bit leggy, but can sink his hips and get out of his breaks. Looks like an ideal cover two type corner at the next level with some man-to-man upside.[url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=cb"] CB Keith Tandy: West Virginia (5-10, 199)[/url] A solid athlete with a strong frame, good ball skills and natural turn-and-run ability. At times, he will struggle to find the football in man and is raw with his footwork, but he has the talent to warrant a later round pick as a potential inside zone cover man. [url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=cb"]CB Jeremy Lane: Northwestern State (6-0, 183)[/url] Has the size and talent to get drafted. Needs to get a bit stronger and clean up his footwork, but has the skill set to play both inside and out in the NFL.[/size][/size] [color=#072055][size=1][indent=1][size=3][img]http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c1910342/media_center/images/rendered/blog/wysiwyg/PHP4D1C1B23A4AD0.jpg[/img][color=#999999][right]ICON[/right][/color]Golden looks like an ideal cover-two corner.[/size][/size][/color][/indent][size=1] [size=3][url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=cb"]DB Robert Golden: Arizona (5-11, 200)[/url] Might be limited to more of a cover two/click and close type corner, but he does have some developing press coverage skills. Also, has a lot of value as a safety, as he can anticipate in the deep half, drive on throws under him and play over a receiver in nickel situations.[url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_big_board_rankings.html&position=fs"] FS Aaron Henry: Wisconsin (6-0, 210)[/url] A good-sized kid with some natural cover skills and range, but is still learning the mental nuances of the game. Still developing at the position, but skill set says potential starter.[/size][/size] [size=1] [size=3]Follow me on twitter: [url="https://twitter.com/#!/WesBunting"]@WesBunting[/url][/size][/size] [size=1] [size=3]Check out the [url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/scouting_department.html"]NFP Draft page here...[/url][/size][/size] [size=1] [/size] [size=1] [url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFL-Combine-Snubs-Defense.html"]http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFL-Combine-Snubs-Defense.html[/url][/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 as you may remember, there are regional combines this year. [url="https://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider"]RavensInsider[/url] [color=#999999][size=3]Aaron Wilson[/size][/color] [color=#999999][size=2] [/size][/color] [font=Arial,] Former Maryland player Emani Lee-Odai advanced to NFL super regional combine. The 6-1, 199-pound safety ran a 4.46[/font] [url="https://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider/status/169536082592014336"]1 minute ago [/url][size=2][url="https://twitter.com/#"][b]Favorite[/b][/url] [url="https://twitter.com/#"][b]Retweet[/b][/url] [url="https://twitter.com/#"][b]Reply[/b][/url][/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted February 15, 2012 Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 [size=3] [b]Thursday, February 23 [/b] 2:30 PM – Around the League: 2012 NFL Scouting Combine Press Conferences 7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: 2012 NFL Scouting Combine[/size] [size=3] [b]Friday, February 24 [/b] 2:30 PM – Around the League: 2012 NFL Scouting Combine Press Conferences 7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: 2012 NFL Scouting Combine[/size] [size=3] [b]Saturday, February 25 [/b] 9:00 AM – Workouts: Kickers, Offensive Linemen, Tight Ends – LIVE (Encores with cut-down versions at 8:00 PM & 12 Midnight) 7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: 2012 NFL Scouting Combine (Encores at 11:00 PM) STARTING AT 9:00 AM – NFL.com LIVE: Complete, all-access coverage of two groups[/size] [size=3] ALL DAY – NFL.com: Exclusive daily video clips available[/size] [size=3] [b]Sunday, February 26 [/b] 9:00 AM – Workouts: Running Backs, Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers – LIVE (Encores with cut-down versions at 8:00 PM & 12 Midnight) 7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: 2012 NFL Scouting Combine (Encores at 11:00 PM) STARTING AT 9:00 AM – NFL.com LIVE: Complete, all-access coverage of group workouts[/size] [size=3] ALL DAY – NFL.com: Exclusive daily video clips available[/size] [size=3] [b]Monday, February 27 [/b] 9:00 AM – Workouts: Linebackers, Defensive Linemen – LIVE (Encores with cut-down versions at 8:00 PM & 12 Midnight) 7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: 2012 NFL Scouting Combine (Encores at 11:00 PM) STARTING AT 9:00 AM – NFL.com LIVE: Complete, all-access coverage of group workouts[/size] [size=3] ALL DAY – NFL.com: Exclusive daily video clips available[/size] [size=3] [b]Tuesday, February 28 [/b] 9:00 AM – Workouts: Defensive Backs – LIVE (Encores with cut-down versions at 8:00 PM & 12 Midnight) 7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: 2012 NFL Scouting Combine (Encores at 11:00 PM) STARTING AT 9:00 AM – NFL.com LIVE: Complete, all-access coverage of group workouts[/size] [size=3] ALL DAY – NFL.com: Exclusive daily video clips available[/size] [size=3] [/size] [size=3] [url="http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2012/2/15/2800250/nfl-network-releases-scouting-combine-schedule"]http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2012/2/15/2800250/nfl-network-releases-scouting-combine-schedule[/url][/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted February 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2012 [size=6][b]Off to Indy: Three positions to watch[/b][/size] 02/22/12 at 4:35pm • Written by jreedy Last year’s the Bengals came to the NFL Scouting Combine looking for their next quarterback and getting ready to move on from Carson Palmer. After getting the foundation of their offense set with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green, the task this time is to find more pieces to put around them. “Having done their playoff game we all ping them a little bit too much,” said NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock about some criticisms the team has taken in recent years. “Then you go to the Pro Bowl and see four guys under 25. Depending on where they are they don’t have to reach for a position.” With two first-round picks for the first time since 1998, the Bengals should be in a great position to fill some of their most pressing needs. With the 17th and 21st picks, here is a look at where the coaching staff is expected to focus most of its attention on over the next week in Indianapolis: Secondary Both cornerback and safety have plenty of questions. At corner, no one knows when Leon Hall (Achilles) will be ready to play after his injury in the Nov. 13 loss to Pittsburgh while Nate Clements is entering his 12th season. Kelly Jennings and Adam Jones, who saw lots of playing time in the second half of the season, are free agents. For the first time since selecting Hall in the first round in 2007, taking a corner there again seems to be a near certainty. The three names that are getting the most attention are Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick, North Alabama’s Janoris Jenkins and Nebraska’s Alfonzo Dennard. All three have question marks – Kirkpatrick and Jenkins for off-field issues and Dennard for his struggles at the Senior Bowl. Kirkpatrick could also be intriguing because some teams think that he could possibly play safety. Speaking of safety, Reggie Nelson remains one of the team’s top priorities to re-sign but Chris Crocker is also entering the last year of his deal. Gibril Wilson saw the third-most playing time at safety but he is a free agent. Taylor Mays has potential but still has a steep learning curve and battled injuries for most of last season. Alabama’s Mark Barron is the only safety that could be picked in the first two rounds but he will not do any drills at the combine due to a double hernia surgery last month. Offensive guard Both starters – Nate Livings and Williams – are free agents along with Mike McGlynn, who started the last four games once Williams was injured. They have Clint Boling, who struggled in starting the first three games when Williams was suspended for the first four games, and Otis Hudson, who has spent most of his two seasons on the practice squad. The Bengals have never taken a guard in the first round but Stanford’s David DeCastro would be worth it. The pre-combine mock drafts have had DeCastro going anywhere from 12th to 21st. (Click the link for the entire article) http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2012/02/22/off-to-indy-three-positions-to-watch/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texbengal Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 I don't see why it's a certainty that they'll go CB in round 1. There's FA, and some good players who will likely be there when they pick in round 2, or trade down from one of the #1 spots they have. It all depends who's on the board when they pick. And there are other guys at S who could be picked in round 2. FWIW, I think Reedy is a lousy columnist. Pretty lame article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted February 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 [b] [size=6]10 to watch at the scouting combine: The defense[/size][/b] By [url="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/author/doug-farrar/"]Doug Farrar[/url] | [url="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/"]Shutdown Corner[/url] – 33 minutes ago Every year, many who come to cover the scouting combine insist that the drills are relatively meaningless, and that it's the game tape that really matters. And every year, there are a handful of guys whose performances -- whether terrific or terrible -- vault them up or down the NFL's draft boards. Here are 10 defensive players to watch during this year's combine drills -- for each of them, this experience will mean a great deal. 1. DE/DT Quinton Coples, North Carolina -- People question Coples' speed and overall effort; I'm be more of a mind to question why his college coaches moved him around so much. At the next level, he'll most likely be a better-than-average pass rusher with the ability to slip inside in sub packages. What he is not, is a one-tech tackle -- and there's too much of him getting washed out on tape in that role. Some would like to compare Coples to Julius Peppers, but he doesn't have quite that much burst, nor has he developed the "dip-and-rip" moves common to the best edge rushers. Coples' 40 time will be of interest, but far more important will be the agility drills showing how he can use his feet to impact pressure off the snap. 2. DE/DT Jared Crick, Nebraska -- The question about any defensive lineman around Ndamukong Suh, and the ability of those linemen to get free without the big man as a point of focus for any offensive line, isn't just an NFL concern. Crick heard it when Suh was humiliating college blockers on the Nebraska line, and his drop in production since (affected by injuries as it has been) have some wondering of Crick can be a real table-setter. He's a great all-around player who puts some in mind of Pittsburgh's Aaron Smith, but teams will want to know that he's totally recovered from his pectoral injury, and that he can flash enough explosiveness to be more than a safe pick. 3. DT Alameda Ta'amu, Washington -- Ta'amu is known as a gentle giant to those to play with and interview the Huskies standout defender, but that lack of nastiness has shown up on the field at times. Historically, Ta'amu has been an inconsistent player despite armloads of talent, but when he puts it all together (as he did during Senior Bowl week, when he looked like Vince Wilfork, Jr. at his best), he's got the potential to be a great run-stopping and penetrating tackle at the NFL level. He'll have to answer questions about his weight fluctuation, inconsistent dominance, and his role in a Washington defense that completely imploded in the Holiday Bowl. 4. DT Akiem Hicks, Regina -- Hicks chose LSU in 2009 after two years in junior college, but sat out over recruiting issues and chose to transfer to a Canadian college instead. His size will intrigue NFL scouts and personnel people, but his raw playing style leaves him with the dreaded "developmental" label. Unless ... he can show off in combine drills and show that the surprising athleticism for a 6-foot-5, 325-pound player is backed up by maturity in team interviews. 5. DE Whitney Mercilus, Illinois -- Mercilus led the nation in sacks and forced fumbles in 2011, but his one-year status as an elite edge rusher may raise some questions about just how much of what he did in that can transfer to the next level. It's an optimal opportunity for him to show that he's not only ready to be that player again, but that he's expanded on his skill set -- right now, he's a very good burst edge rusher, but that doesn't always transfer to a more complete game, and teams will want to know about his strength against the run, and his tendency to get blocked out in power situations. 6. DE/OLB Jonathan Massaquoi, Troy -- As we wrote in his Shutdown 50 scouting report, Massaquoi has many of the tools required of a pass-rushing outside linebacker, which is most likely where he'll kick out to after his collegiate career as an end. He's got freakish speed off the snap, good basic agility in coverage, and an impressive sense to stop the run in space. The questions that remain -- gap integrity, cure strength, and more advanced technique -- can be answered to a degree in combine drills, but the best part of this week for Massaquoi is that he'll be able to compete against the best prospects, and teams will get a "like against like" read on him. Based on his athleticism, that may be enough to get a few teams buying in. 7. ILB/OLB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State -- With Burfict, the problems go beyond the penalties for which he is so very well-known -- many who have watched enough tape on the linebacker believe that he's more of a "highlight reel hitter" -- a player who will go for the kill shot at the expense of the wrap-up tackle. Former Sun Devils head coach Dennis Erickson once asked Ray Lewis to talk to Burfict about keeping the edge under control, but the results haven't shown up just yet. More than the on-field drills, Burfict will have to shine in one-on-one interviews with teams, especially when he's asked about his playing style and how his issues will improve. 8. OLB Zach Brown, North Carolina -- Unofficially timed with a 4.28 40-yard dash on the NC campus, Brown could light the combine up if he performs as expected from an athletic perspective. With more and more teams running nickel and dime sub packages more often, and in need of speed linebackers (Exhibit A: The Dallas Cowboys' pass defense with and without linebacker Sean Lee), Brown's pure speed and change of direction ability could very well have everybody talking -- especially after he looked so good during the 2012 Senior Bowl week. At a certain point, Brown's challenges with on-field acumen may not matter as much. 9. CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama -- Jenkins might be the most athletically impressive cornerback in this draft, but the fact that he was kicked off the Florida Gators team after two arrests will certainly be a red flag. Jenkins did enough against superior competition at Florida to eliminate most doubts about his strengths as a player, but he might be dinged by some for dominating less imposing players in 2011. Most importantly, Jenkins must show that he's learned from his mistakes -- the team interviews will be crucial for him. 10. FS Janzen Jackson, McNeese State -- Like Jenkins, Jackson started his college career as a much larger program (Tennessee) before off-field issues caught up with him, and he was forced to make tracks to a smaller school. Jackson is less a pure safety than a hybrid player in build and playing style, but his pure athleticism flashes very well on tape. Jackson did enough early on with the Vols to have teams thinking that he could be a star at the NFL level, but those same teams will want to do their due diligence on the other stuff -- before and after Jackson blows it up with what is expected to be one of the more impressive combine performances. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/10-watch-scouting-combine-defense-115759172.html#more-19263 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted February 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 [b] [size=6]10 to watch at the scouting combine: The offense[/size][/b] By [url="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/author/doug-farrar/"]Doug Farrar[/url] | [url="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/"]Shutdown Corner[/url] – 13 hours ago INDIANAPOLIS — Every year, many who come to cover the scouting combine insist that the drills are relatively meaningless, and that it's the game tape that really matters. And every year, there are a handful of guys whose performances -- whether terrific or terrible — vault them up or down the NFL's draft boards. Here is a group of offensive players to watch during this year's combine drills — for each of them, the drills will mean a great deal. 1. The "Best Supporting Actor" Quarterbacks — The top three quarterbacks in this draft class will most likely wait until their pro days to throw. Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III don't need to because they're going in the top five on a no-matter-what basis, and Ryan Tannehill is still recovering from a foot injury. So, with the spotlights on them, a host of second-tier quarterbacks will look to impress and up their draft stock the way Christian Ponder and Jake Locker did in 2011. For Arizona State's Brock Osweiler, the challenge will be to confirm that he can make every NFL throw — the questions about his experience and ability to run an offense will come later. Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden has all the on-field savvy in the world — and at age 28, he'll be given credit for the savvy he doesn't have — but he needs to display the consistent arm that will convince scouts that he can hit tight windows at the NFL level. That's even more true for Boise State's Kellen Moore, who has all the intangibles and a ridiculous "winning record" (for those who take stock in such things for quarterbacks), but he's generally struggled with any throw longer than intermediate at a consistent level. His throwing session could go a long way to telling his tale. Is he Chad Pennington or Jimmy Clausen? Michigan State's Kirk Cousins got most of his work done on underneath stuff, but he has flashed a better arm. It's time to flash that arm again. Arizona's Nick Foles will have people looking to see if he relapses to some occasionally sloppy mechanics. 2. RB Chris Polk, Washington — Polk bulled through defenses during a serious rebuilding program at Montlake, and now, he needs to redefine himself to a degree. He'll already have personnel people thinking of him as an inside back in the Mikel LeShoure mold, but a little more shake-and-bake might have people wondering if he could make more of a Marshawn Lynch-type impact, especially after a less-than-spectacular Senior Bowl week. For Polk, the agility drills will be even more important than his 40-yard dash time. 3. RB Doug Martin, Boise State — Martin is also classified by many as a power back, but he's fast enough to impress as a kick returner as well, which is fairly impressive for a 5-foot-9, 220-pound bowling ball. A time in the 4.4 range could have GMs going back to Martin's college tape and wondering if he isn't a first-round sleeper, the kind of do-it-all back any team could feature. 4. RB LaMichael James, Oregon — Mike Mayock put it best during a recent media conference call: James needs to show that he's more than "just a speed guy." Mayock opined that James would shine in the 40, but like Martin and Polk, the agility drills might paint him as more than a one-trick pony. 5. RB/WR Chris Rainey, Florida — Like Percy Harvin before him, Rainey has been a very versatile player for the Gators, but he might be like the piano in the middle of the living room to many teams -- they're not sure where to put him. If he puts on a show in the 40 (expect a sub-4.4 time for sure, and possibly sub-4.3), blows people away in the agility drills, and perhaps goes out for drills as a receiver, Rainey might pump his stock up a good round or so. He needs to prove that he's more than a luxury pick. The upside is Reggie Bush or Darren Sproles. The downside is Dexter McCluster, whose speed has been wasted in an ill-fitting scheme. 6. WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina — Well, Jeffery may have more to prove than anyone else at this combine, after rumors that he blew up to about 250 pounds and was running 40s in the 4.9 range in pre-combine training. It would be a red flag of monumental proportions if he showed up at Lucas Oil Stadium in anything but monster shape. All that production would go to waste. On the other hand, blowing those rumors out of the water with a solid performance might move him up in a logjam of bigger receivers in this draft class. 7. WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame — As with Jeffery, Floyd needs to stand out at the combine to overcome some serious concerns. There are off-field issues that teams will want to grill him about, and his average speed (especially off the line of scrimmage) could be a liability at the next level. Beyond the need to dispel concerns about his inconsistent hands, route correctness and initial burst are the two things Floyd need to display during drills. 8. WR Rueben Randle, LSU — No concerns on or off the field here; what teams will want to see from Randle is an explosiveness that belies the limited production he saw in LSU's prehistoric offense. He's got all the skills to impress on this stage — good hands, better speed than people think, and he can high-point just about any throw. The gauntlet drill will be important for him, as Randle has been a bit of a body catcher at times. 9. OG/OT Cordy Glenn, Georgia -- The 6-foot-6, 346-pound behemoth was a versatile and valuable player for the Bulldogs; he started 28 games at left guard and 17 at left tackle. There is some question as to whether he could make it as an NFL tackle — his fundamentals get out of whack at times — and he will need work on a tendency to play too high off the snap before he can be an elite guard. People will love Glenn's raw tools; but they'll want to see more of the fine points. 10. OG Amini Silatolu, Midwestern State -- From San Joaquin Delta Junior College to Division II to the combine? It's been a whirlwind for one of this year's more intriguing small-school players. Teams with deep scouting portfolios will know all about Silatolu, the runner-up in the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year voting, and he might echo the successes of NFL players like Jahri Evans of Bloomsburg and Jared Veldheer of Hillsdale. The challenge will be for Silatolu to prove that he's more than a very big fish in a medium-sized pond, and this is the place to do it. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/10-watch-scouting-combine-offense-232703280.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted February 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 [url="https://twitter.com/#!/NEPatriotsDraft"]NEPatriotsDraft[/url]NEPatriotsDraft.com Visit our 2012 NFL Combine HQ - [url="http://t.co/PgKrLhNG"]http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2012-nfl-combine-headquarters/[/url] -- We'll be updating it throughout the week with times, measurements and reactions. [url="https://twitter.com/#!/NEPatriotsDraft/status/172666396457705473"]17 minutes ago[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted February 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 [b] [size=6]UM tailback Lamar Miller hopes to race up draft board with fast 40-time[/size][/b] [b] [size=6]UM standout Lamar Miller is shooting to get the Miami Hurricanes back into the first round of the NFL draft[/size][/b] By Omar Kelly, Staff writer 8:21 p.m. EST, February 22, 2012 INDIANAPOLIS — — For more than a decade, the faucet was open full blast and the Miami Hurricanes owned a reputation as the NFL's biggest talent pipeline. Then the pipe was shut off. It's been nearly four years since the Hurricanes had a player selected in the first round. Tailback Lamar Miller, who is universally viewed as one of the premier talents in the 2012 NFL Draft, is UM's best shot at ending the drought, which snapped the Hurricanes' record-setting streak of having a first-rounder for 14 years. Miller, who left UM as a redshirt sophomore after racking up 1,272 yards and nine rushing touchdowns, realizes he's a long shot to sneak into the first round. But he likes his chances. "All it takes is one team," said Miller, who averaged 5.6 yards per carry last season. "I'm trying to do everything to show the scouts what I've got. I'll leave it all out there on the field." Miller knows he must produce a sub-4.4-second 40-time at this week's NFL Combine to entice a team to make him one of the top 32 selections. Considering he's built a reputation as a tailback with track speed, he likes his chances. He plans to do everything except participate in the bench press test because of a injury he'll have extensively checked at the Combine. Following UM's season, Miller underwent a surgical procedure in late December to repair a right shoulder injury he suffered in September and played with. Two weeks ago, he was cleared to resume his training at Bommarito Performance in Aventura, and he's made tremendous strides since then. "I'm not going to say I'm 100 percent, but I'm getting back on track," Miller said. "When I'm fully healed, look out." Miller is expected to be the second tailback off the board, behind Alabama's Trent Richardson. His main competition is Virginia Tech's David Wilson. "They're both very similarly sized, and I think they are both downhill, one-cut, make-you-miss [runners] that way, as opposed to having too much shake and bake," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said when asked about Miller and Wilson. "I've got them really closely grouped early in the second round. I think they're really good football players." But good doesn't guarantee a first-round selection in today's NFL, where talent evaluators believe tailbacks are interchangeable, if not expendable, which somewhat explains why Miller decided to leave UM early. "Tailbacks don't have a long career in the NFL because they get banged up a lot," Miller said. "I wanted to take my talent to the next level and live a dream." That journey starts this week at the Combine and will be realized in April's draft. Last year, Mark Ingram, a Heisman Trophy winner, was the only tailback selected in the first round, and he was picked 28th overall by the Saints. But four tailbacks were selected in the second round. In 2010, three tailbacks — C.J. Spiller, Ryan Mathews and Jahvid Best — were taken in the first round, and another three were taken in round two. In 2009, Knowshon Moreno, Donald Brown and Bennie Wells were taken in the first round and LeSean McCoy was the only tailback taken in the second round. Complicating matters is the fact few NFL teams have a need for starting tailbacks. And those that do could easily address the position in free agency by signing one of the many options, like Oakland's Michael Bush, Cleveland's Peyton Hillis, San Diego's Mike Tolbert and Green Bay's Ryan Grant, who will likely be unrestricted free agents. okelly@tribune.com. Follow him at twitter.com/omarkelly. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/um-hurricanes/fl-nfl-combine-0223-20120222,0,3229577.story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted February 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 On to the Combine.... While the Super Bowl – three weeks before the Combine – is the sizzle, the Combine is the steak. Here is some insight about what goes on: The drills The “meat market” part of the Combine is probably most striking. Players walk around in shirts and sweats displaying numbers and names. They are asked to stand in front of hundreds of scouts in only their gym shorts, then asked to turn around and sometimes asked to bend, while scouts write down in the notebooks observations about their frame. Then come the measurables: speed, strength, agility, intelligence and, most importantly, medical, as each player is poked and prodded by all 32 NFL team doctors. ICONScouts came back drooling at Vernon Davis's workout at the Combine. As to whether teams place too much or too little emphasis on Combine measurables, my feeling is it is another set of metrics to go along with on-the-field game performance. Everything is data to be considered in evaluation. Do freaks of nature surface at the Combine? Sure. I remember in 2006 when scouts came back from the week in Indianapolis raving nonstop about Mario Williams and Vernon Davis. But again, it's all a part of the process, soon to be followed by Pro Days, more interviews, more testing, more game tapes to watch, etc. The agents There will be approximately 900 NFL agents in Indianapolis this weekend, many of whom have no clients. The annual NFLPA meeting is scheduled on Friday and agents are required to attend as part of their certification. I was asked to speak there one year while with the Packers, having been an agent, but due to ongoing bargaining the Packers and NFL Management Council told me to refrain. The meeting will be the first gathering since the negotiation of the new ten-year CBA with the NFL. Many agents felt ignored during the negotiation process and it will be interesting to see if the meeting becomes heated. I remember when agents could roam (relatively) freely among the players' hotel. Now agents are barred from most areas; however, they attend to take their players out to meals, give pep talks, and provide moral support while, of course, protecting their new assets from potential poachers that lie in wait. Agents have little to no influence in getting clients invited to the Combine. Or at least I did. I unsuccessfully tried to secure an invitation for a quarterback from Boston College named Matt Hasselbeck. Now fourteen years into a prosperous NFL career, Matt and I have a nice laugh every year while recalling the names of quarterbacks invited ahead of him that never played in the NFL. The interviews Beyond the physical workouts, players are shuttled from team to team for interviews. The answers are predictable – the most important person in their life is their mother, they are very coachable, the problem they had in college with their coach/teammate/girlfriend, etc. was an isolated incident, etc. The players have been “coached up” by agents and services specifically designed for these interviews. One year I joined the Packers’ interviews. With my legal background and inquisitive nature, I tried to dig deeper and go off-script, asking a lot of questions that started with “Why?” and see how they could re-focus on changed circumstances. Since our time with these players was very limited, I was soon told to ease up on the interrogations. The tampering The timing of the Combine – which precedes the opening of free agency and trading – necessitates discussion of player contract negotiations and/or movement. Meetings between team negotiators and agents take place in hotel rooms and lobbies and restaurants throughout downtown Indianapolis. With the Packers, we stayed at the Omni hotel, as did several other teams, and we would each have our section of the lobby where we would meet agents. Most of my meetings were about players that we had under contract already and we were either trying to re-sign (as the Finley deal last night) or listen to complaints about what the player was making. In the rare times where we were talking about potential free agents, I was careful to phrase questions such as “In the event your player is out of his contract next week, what would you be looking for?” What became frustrating as a team negotiator was when I could not even talk to agents of our players with expiring contracts because the agent had so many meetings scheduled with other teams. Could I prove that he was talking about our player? No, as most agents have existing players on many teams. But it was maddening to watch agents ignore the player’s existing team to seek out other options. Let the (Combine) games begin. http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Combine-Confidential-6657.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unleashed Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 Stupid question....does the combine start Friday or Saturday? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texbengal Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 [quote name='unleashed' timestamp='1330016278' post='1098450'] Stupid question....does the combine start Friday or Saturday? [/quote] If you mean the on-field position drills, they start on Saturday. From Wednesday through Friday, it's physicals, body fat measurement, interviews, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyrid Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 Yeah, I think the televised portion starts Saturday (I believe it is OL, TE and special teams). Sunday will be probably the most interesting day with QBs, RBs and WRs. Then defense on Monday and Tuesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 [quote name='unleashed' timestamp='1330016278' post='1098450'] Stupid question....does the combine start Friday or Saturday? [/quote] Television coverage starts Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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