Scott Campbell
03-19-2007, 01:10 PM
Risers and Fallers
By Rob Rang
Special to CBS SportsLine.com
Updated on Mar. 12, 2007
Right on the heels of the Combine, scouts turn their attention to Pro Days around the country. From Ohio State to Miami, Notre Dame to Cal, some of biggest names from the best football factories in the country have been on display over the past week.
Many of the workouts include high-profile names who did not participate in drills in Indianapolis, by choice or due to injury.
Perhaps no workout was more heavily attended than the University of Florida's. After winning the National Championship and having more prospects invited to the Combine than any other program, it should come as no surprise that the Gators' Pro Day was of keen interest.
However, that doesn't guarantee positive impressions were made. This week's Risers & Fallers:
Risers:
1. Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame: After fielding questions at the Combine about his perceived drop, Quinn silenced critics with a strong performance during Notre Dame's March 4 workout. More than 65 coaches and scouts were in attendance, including representatives from Detroit, Cleveland, Minnesota and Miami -- teams drafting in the top ten thought to be entertaining adding a quarterback in the first round. Quinn, who took most of his snaps out of the shotgun with the Irish, showed good footwork and the strong, accurate right arm that had scouts buzzing as they left the workout.
2. Reggie Nelson, S, Florida: News of Nelson's timed speed during Florida's Pro Day swept through the scouting community almost as fast as the safety's 4.35 showing in the 40-yard dash. After a somewhat pedestrian performance at the Combine, including electronic times of 4.56 and 4.60, questions were starting to arise about Nelson's overall athleticism. But he stood out not only with his straight-line speed during his Pro Day, but his fluidity throughout the day's drills also answered scouts' questions. With his showing in Gainesville, Nelson likely cemented his status as the draft's No. 2 safety behind LSU's LaRon Landry, a likely top 10 pick.
3. Courtney Brown, CB, Cal Poly: The most impressive overall workout of the early Pro Day sessions unquestionably belongs to Brown. Not invited to the Combine due to questions about his speed, Brown's efforts March 6 at San Jose State silenced critics in exactly 4.35 seconds. After running that first blistering time, Brown's second attempt was timed at 4.32, matching the top time in Indianapolis this year (Arkansas CB Chris Houston). Brown wasn't only fast, his 41.5-inch vertical jump, 10'11" broad jump and 4.07-second short shuttle were also among the elite turned in by any athlete at the Combine or subsequent Pro Days. Perhaps most exciting is the fact that Brown is hardly considered a workout warrior. He missed nearly the entire 2004 season with a torn ACL, but returned in 2005 to earn D-IAA All-American honors with seven interceptions. Timed at a 4.60 last spring, Brown entered his senior season discounted by some scouts, yet rarely challenged by the opposition, leading to less than eye-popping statistics in 2006 (one interception, seven pass break ups, 55 tackles). With size, athleticism and obvious upside, Brown certainly won't be overlooked any more.
4. Brandon Jackson, RB, Nebraska: The 2007 running back class has been characterized by many as being Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch and not much else. Jackson is one of several backs competing to be among the next group selected at the position. After electing to leave after his junior year, Jackson needed to work out well to separate himself from the pack. His performance at the Combine was solid, but with his forties being electronically timed in the 4.56-4.58 range, scouts were looking for a little more explosiveness. With a pair of low 4.4 times during Nebraska's March 7 Pro Day, Jackson provided exactly that.
5. Melvin Bullitt, S, Texas A&M: Despite flashing at the East-West Shrine Game, Bullitt wasn't invited to the Combine. He showed with a noteworthy performance at Texas A&M's March 3 workout that he should have been. After weighing in at 6-1, 201 pounds, Bullitt, viewed as a physical in-the-box safety, showed surprising overall athleticism. He was timed at a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash and his 40'6" vertical jump and 3.97 second shuttle, designed to show explosiveness and quickness, are among the elite results of the early Pro Day sessions.
Fallers:
1. Alan Branch, DT, Michigan: Michigan's Pro Day isn't until March 16, and with a solid workout at the Combine, Branch won't necessarily have anything to gain. The concern scouts have is the more they put in the film, the more concerned they are that Branch was simply able to over-power collegiate players. Even his most ardent supporters would agree that Branch isn't your typical playmaking defensive tackle, and his pass rush skills will never earn comparisons to Warren Sapp. Still, for a player who is thought to be a physically dominant presence, Branch was so meek in Combine interviews with teams that some are a little worried he'll struggle to adapt to the intensity of the pro game. Don't expect Branch to drop far. Houston, Miami, Atlanta and San Francisco, teams selecting between No. 8 and No. 11 overall, all could use help inside. However, Branch's status as a top five pick is in question.
2. Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida: Moss may have answered the question as to his ultimate pro position with underwhelming results in linebacker drills at the Combine and his Pro Day. Considered light for end at 6-6, 250 pounds, Moss was viewed as a potential 3-4 rush linebacker candidate or perhaps even the strong-side position in the 4-3 alignment. Slow times in workouts are forcing teams to re-evaluate Moss as strictly a defensive end. With 40-yard dashes that ranged from the low 4.7s to the mid 4.8s in Indianapolis and similar times on a "fast" Gainesville track March 7, scouts grew concerned. A very mediocre 7.21 time in the three-cone drill, designed to show the quickness and change of direction required of linebackers, drew even more concern. One veteran scout, on hand to view Moss as a potential rush linebacker in his team's 3-4 scheme, described the Pro Day workout as "a waste of time." While remaining at end may not seem like a poor alternative, especially considering his explosiveness off the edge, it doesn't bode well for his draft prospects. The list of defensive ends weighing 250 pounds drafted in the first round is not a long one.
3. Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State: After sustaining a sprained left ankle during the celebration of his opening kickoff return for a touchdown in the National Championship game, scouts have been waiting to see Ginn work out. He cited the ankle as the reason for not working out at the Combine and then again elected not to work out at Ohio State's March 10 Pro Day. While Ginn is certainly a game-changing athlete, his slow recovery is a growing concern for scouts, who questioned his toughness even before the injury occurred. The former Buckeye is expected to produce one of the fastest times of any athlete available for the 2007 draft. He is leaving himself precious little time to work out for scouts, and should he attempt to run and produce anything slower than the sub-4.40 time expected, Ginn could suffer a dramatic fall come draft day.
4. Michael Bush, RB, Louisville: Still rehabbing the broken leg that ended his 2006 season shortly after halftime of the season opener, scouts knew Bush wouldn't be able to work out at the Combine. With Pro Days scheduled for March 14 and March 26, Bush has plenty of opportunities to prove his health. And according to scouts, he'll have to. His broken leg has drawn all of the attention, but scouts are also concerned with Bush's propensity for other foot injuries throughout his career. In fact, Bush has missed either significant practice time or games due to foot pain three of the past four years.
5. Earl Everett, OLB, Florida: Throughout his time with the Gators, Everett was characterized as an ultra-athletic linebacker whose speed and agility made up for a lack of top instincts or physicality for the position. Everett was viewed as so effective in coverage that some teams were considering him as a potential safety. He pulled his right hamstring during his first 40-yard dash at the Combine, excusing a horrible 4.8-4.90 time. After his time dropped only to the mid 4.7s on a fast Florida track and a very disappointing three-cone drill time (7.39), scouts are questioning if the speed surrounding Everett in Gainesville made him appear more athletic than he really is. Considered a likely second-round pick at the end of the season, Everett's stock is now plummeting. He may find himself still available on the draft's second day.
By Rob Rang
Special to CBS SportsLine.com
Updated on Mar. 12, 2007
Right on the heels of the Combine, scouts turn their attention to Pro Days around the country. From Ohio State to Miami, Notre Dame to Cal, some of biggest names from the best football factories in the country have been on display over the past week.
Many of the workouts include high-profile names who did not participate in drills in Indianapolis, by choice or due to injury.
Perhaps no workout was more heavily attended than the University of Florida's. After winning the National Championship and having more prospects invited to the Combine than any other program, it should come as no surprise that the Gators' Pro Day was of keen interest.
However, that doesn't guarantee positive impressions were made. This week's Risers & Fallers:
Risers:
1. Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame: After fielding questions at the Combine about his perceived drop, Quinn silenced critics with a strong performance during Notre Dame's March 4 workout. More than 65 coaches and scouts were in attendance, including representatives from Detroit, Cleveland, Minnesota and Miami -- teams drafting in the top ten thought to be entertaining adding a quarterback in the first round. Quinn, who took most of his snaps out of the shotgun with the Irish, showed good footwork and the strong, accurate right arm that had scouts buzzing as they left the workout.
2. Reggie Nelson, S, Florida: News of Nelson's timed speed during Florida's Pro Day swept through the scouting community almost as fast as the safety's 4.35 showing in the 40-yard dash. After a somewhat pedestrian performance at the Combine, including electronic times of 4.56 and 4.60, questions were starting to arise about Nelson's overall athleticism. But he stood out not only with his straight-line speed during his Pro Day, but his fluidity throughout the day's drills also answered scouts' questions. With his showing in Gainesville, Nelson likely cemented his status as the draft's No. 2 safety behind LSU's LaRon Landry, a likely top 10 pick.
3. Courtney Brown, CB, Cal Poly: The most impressive overall workout of the early Pro Day sessions unquestionably belongs to Brown. Not invited to the Combine due to questions about his speed, Brown's efforts March 6 at San Jose State silenced critics in exactly 4.35 seconds. After running that first blistering time, Brown's second attempt was timed at 4.32, matching the top time in Indianapolis this year (Arkansas CB Chris Houston). Brown wasn't only fast, his 41.5-inch vertical jump, 10'11" broad jump and 4.07-second short shuttle were also among the elite turned in by any athlete at the Combine or subsequent Pro Days. Perhaps most exciting is the fact that Brown is hardly considered a workout warrior. He missed nearly the entire 2004 season with a torn ACL, but returned in 2005 to earn D-IAA All-American honors with seven interceptions. Timed at a 4.60 last spring, Brown entered his senior season discounted by some scouts, yet rarely challenged by the opposition, leading to less than eye-popping statistics in 2006 (one interception, seven pass break ups, 55 tackles). With size, athleticism and obvious upside, Brown certainly won't be overlooked any more.
4. Brandon Jackson, RB, Nebraska: The 2007 running back class has been characterized by many as being Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch and not much else. Jackson is one of several backs competing to be among the next group selected at the position. After electing to leave after his junior year, Jackson needed to work out well to separate himself from the pack. His performance at the Combine was solid, but with his forties being electronically timed in the 4.56-4.58 range, scouts were looking for a little more explosiveness. With a pair of low 4.4 times during Nebraska's March 7 Pro Day, Jackson provided exactly that.
5. Melvin Bullitt, S, Texas A&M: Despite flashing at the East-West Shrine Game, Bullitt wasn't invited to the Combine. He showed with a noteworthy performance at Texas A&M's March 3 workout that he should have been. After weighing in at 6-1, 201 pounds, Bullitt, viewed as a physical in-the-box safety, showed surprising overall athleticism. He was timed at a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash and his 40'6" vertical jump and 3.97 second shuttle, designed to show explosiveness and quickness, are among the elite results of the early Pro Day sessions.
Fallers:
1. Alan Branch, DT, Michigan: Michigan's Pro Day isn't until March 16, and with a solid workout at the Combine, Branch won't necessarily have anything to gain. The concern scouts have is the more they put in the film, the more concerned they are that Branch was simply able to over-power collegiate players. Even his most ardent supporters would agree that Branch isn't your typical playmaking defensive tackle, and his pass rush skills will never earn comparisons to Warren Sapp. Still, for a player who is thought to be a physically dominant presence, Branch was so meek in Combine interviews with teams that some are a little worried he'll struggle to adapt to the intensity of the pro game. Don't expect Branch to drop far. Houston, Miami, Atlanta and San Francisco, teams selecting between No. 8 and No. 11 overall, all could use help inside. However, Branch's status as a top five pick is in question.
2. Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida: Moss may have answered the question as to his ultimate pro position with underwhelming results in linebacker drills at the Combine and his Pro Day. Considered light for end at 6-6, 250 pounds, Moss was viewed as a potential 3-4 rush linebacker candidate or perhaps even the strong-side position in the 4-3 alignment. Slow times in workouts are forcing teams to re-evaluate Moss as strictly a defensive end. With 40-yard dashes that ranged from the low 4.7s to the mid 4.8s in Indianapolis and similar times on a "fast" Gainesville track March 7, scouts grew concerned. A very mediocre 7.21 time in the three-cone drill, designed to show the quickness and change of direction required of linebackers, drew even more concern. One veteran scout, on hand to view Moss as a potential rush linebacker in his team's 3-4 scheme, described the Pro Day workout as "a waste of time." While remaining at end may not seem like a poor alternative, especially considering his explosiveness off the edge, it doesn't bode well for his draft prospects. The list of defensive ends weighing 250 pounds drafted in the first round is not a long one.
3. Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State: After sustaining a sprained left ankle during the celebration of his opening kickoff return for a touchdown in the National Championship game, scouts have been waiting to see Ginn work out. He cited the ankle as the reason for not working out at the Combine and then again elected not to work out at Ohio State's March 10 Pro Day. While Ginn is certainly a game-changing athlete, his slow recovery is a growing concern for scouts, who questioned his toughness even before the injury occurred. The former Buckeye is expected to produce one of the fastest times of any athlete available for the 2007 draft. He is leaving himself precious little time to work out for scouts, and should he attempt to run and produce anything slower than the sub-4.40 time expected, Ginn could suffer a dramatic fall come draft day.
4. Michael Bush, RB, Louisville: Still rehabbing the broken leg that ended his 2006 season shortly after halftime of the season opener, scouts knew Bush wouldn't be able to work out at the Combine. With Pro Days scheduled for March 14 and March 26, Bush has plenty of opportunities to prove his health. And according to scouts, he'll have to. His broken leg has drawn all of the attention, but scouts are also concerned with Bush's propensity for other foot injuries throughout his career. In fact, Bush has missed either significant practice time or games due to foot pain three of the past four years.
5. Earl Everett, OLB, Florida: Throughout his time with the Gators, Everett was characterized as an ultra-athletic linebacker whose speed and agility made up for a lack of top instincts or physicality for the position. Everett was viewed as so effective in coverage that some teams were considering him as a potential safety. He pulled his right hamstring during his first 40-yard dash at the Combine, excusing a horrible 4.8-4.90 time. After his time dropped only to the mid 4.7s on a fast Florida track and a very disappointing three-cone drill time (7.39), scouts are questioning if the speed surrounding Everett in Gainesville made him appear more athletic than he really is. Considered a likely second-round pick at the end of the season, Everett's stock is now plummeting. He may find himself still available on the draft's second day.