As the NFL Combine comes to the midway point the draft picture becomes clearer. Team needs clear as players are signed and released. Available talent is clearing up as well. The widely reported physical results have been matched in importance, in recent years, by the Wonderlic test. Saturday, the most important players; Offensive Lineman and Tight Ends, along side Specialists show their stuff. Those results will be met by Sunday's perfprmers; quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. With the following two days covering the four defensive slots; defensive linemen, linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties .
The big three stats; 40-yard time, reps bench pressing 225 lbs, and Wonderlic scores are the benchmark for measuring players. (Wonderlic results are not reported but rumors do get out there) Soem embraced the test as a chance to really raise their stock, while others left hoping their in-game performance outways their poor results at the combine.
Heading into the draft talented Junior, Darren McFadden(RB-Ark), was the subject of some behind the scenes doubt. While few days of drills and testing can't wipe away questions of charachter or durability, his event leading 4.33 40-time, 33" vertical leap, and 10'8" broad jump certainly make the risk of drafting him a lot easier to swallow.
Day one's biggest surprise was Dustin Keller. Keller outperformed expectations across the drills; 4.54 in the 40, 38" vertical, 26 reps @ 225 lbs. Keller's reps were some of the most important for him. Adding to his reputation as an athletic, pass-catching tight end, he showed that he has the strength to block in the NFL.
I had Jeff Otah as an early to mid-first rounder, based on his potential more than his performance. The potential, based primarily on his size, remains at 6'6" 332 lbs; performance didn't get much help though. His 5.56 time, 27 reps, and average-at-best agility drill performance moved him down to late first at best, more likely early to mid second round. Early looks could come from a team with some mentors on the O-line that could surround Otah.
Ryan Torain When you're a larger tailback you need to show your strength if you cant impress with your speed. With a 4.69 time, and only 21 reps Torain did neither.
I'll be back with a day 3 and a day 4 update over the next few days.
Rivals.com has a complete list of top 5 and bottom 5 combine performers.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
NFL Combine: Winners and Losers
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Saturday, February 23, 2008
Neuheisel's a jackass, great fit for UCLA
The powder blue JUCO across town brought on a new coach this offseason. After a bunch of spinning their wheels Rick Neuheisel was named as the leader for the Bruins football program. What a leader they have chosen.
When UCLA Athletic Director, Dan Guerrero, was asked about the trouble that seemed to follow Neuheisal from Clorado to Washington. Guerrero showed what UCLA is all about "In the end, it was all about 66 collegiate wins." referring to the number of wins Neuheisel got while head coach at Washington.
What else did Neuheisel get while he was in Washington. He got a safety onto the field despite being aware that the player had a warrant in his name to address charges that he cut his wife's face, broke her arm and nose.
Neuheisel also got Seattle PD to wait until the end of the season to charge one of his Linebackers with murder. The SPD already had his bloddy print before the season started but Neuheisels protective umbrella was wide enough to keep him safe, Until Neuheisel got his eligibilty out of him, and then the murder charges were filed.
Neuheisel got his star wide receiver out of charge after charge starting fromt he time he had signed his letter of intent, with an assualt, escalating to charges of hit-and-run as well as rape in his senior season. The cases that occured once he was producing touchdowns for UW were all dropped . The case he got before he actually got to UW was reduced to the extent that he no longer had to remain confined and was allowed to practice with the team.
After all of this was detailed recently in a great Seattle Times series Kurt Streeter of the La Times sat down to talk with Neuheisel. When Streeter asked why no internal university investigation into allegations regarding tight end, Jerramy Stevens , was completed as the university had promised. Neuheisel leaned back on his couch, looked out the window and said it just wasn't his place. He said that after the arrest was made he met with his athletic director, and that an agreement was made to not penalize his player until more facts emerged.
Dan Guerrero seemed pretty confident defending Neuheisel as his hire. With Neuheisel so comfortable playing pass the buck. Guerrero better be sure he is comfortable with him. Looks like he just made his bed with Neuheisel.
New England Patriots Offseason
New England Patriots have certainly had better offseasons recently. After one of the greatest seasons in history, an offseason begun watching the other team celebrate your defeat is difficult. The continuing, evergrowing struggle of spygate isn't helping. New England, in typical fashion, are not allowing that to detour them from the business of getting better.
The season long "what if they go 19-0" session was certainly entertainimg, but New England now faces the truth; they didn't shank a field goal, have a fluke fumble, or suffer catastrophic injuries. They were outplayed on the field, simple football, along with some great scheming by Giants defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnoulo, defeated them.
Which weakness, laid bare in the final game, will the Patriots address through the draft. With definite need at linebacker, Kieth Rivers(LB-USC) would be a likely prospect. Belichick has said in the past, he doesn not like to draft linebackers. Feeling that they can be evaluated much better after a few years in the league. Belichick's evaluation of recently released Dolphin, Zach Thomas, must have been good. Thomas was offered a contract during his visit to New England shortly after the Dolphins cut him loose.
Those two factors make a LB unlikely in the first round. The front line of the Patriots defense needs some attention. A solid group all year long, but they began to show their age as the season progressed, a situation likely to get worse not better. frontline options this earlyin the draft should still be good. Franchise defensive prospects Sedrick Ellis(DT-USC) and Vernon Gholston could still be available for New England. Ellis would be a great fit for Belichick, his motor suits Belichick play 60 minutes mantra. After his performance at the Senior Bowl he may not last until the Patriots pick. Gholston, certanly not be a bad consolation prize, may not be the best fit for the 3-4 the Patriots play. Whichever they choose to address it will be with the Niners #7 pick. The Patriots #31 pick was surredered as a penaty for spygate. The Giants now have the #31 pick.
New England is making all these preperations amidst ongiong spygate drama. Former video Assistant, Matt Walsh, has claimed he video taped the Rams wolk through prior to their Superbowl meeting with the Patriots. Belichick has denied ever filming or seeing film of a walk through. Alongside that back and forth Senator Arlen Specter is pressuring Roger Goodell with a laundry list of accusations; why did he punish Belichick priot to seeing the tapes, why did he destroy the tapes, why if he knew about Matt Walsh hasn't he persued questioning him.
Belichick has flatly denied Walsh's accusations. Along with personell director, Scott Pioli, Belicheck has gone out of his way to minimize Walsh. While Goodell and Belichick would love to see this go away; Specter, and the group of former Rams suing Belichick and the Patriots, seem bound to make sure that doesn't happen.
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