2010 NFL draft combine thread

[Bretsky]

Spiller runs 4.28 round one; dude is blazing

McCluster weighs 170 but put up 225lbs twenty times; he slipped on his first run and only put up a 4.55%. Love to see him in Green n Gold with our round three pick

[Brandon494]

Spiller runs 4.28 round one; dude is blazing

McCluster weighs 170 but put up 225lbs twenty times; he slipped on his first run and only put up a 4.55%. Love to see him in Green n Gold with our round three pick

I would love to get him with our 3rd round pick but I don't see him making it out of the 2nd round. That guy has Deshawn Jackson play-making ability.

[red]

4.27 for spiller's second run.

.03 behind chris johnson

[mission]

4.27 for spiller's second run.

.03 behind chris johnson

Him and Jacoby Ford doing exactly what I've been saying ... :P

[mission]

Spiller runs 4.28 round one; dude is blazing

McCluster weighs 170 but put up 225lbs twenty times; he slipped on his first run and only put up a 4.55%. Love to see him in Green n Gold with our round three pick

If TT is actually interested in Dex then we caught a huge break with the 40 slip ... we don't need him wowing anyone right now.

I knew he was a tough cat but 20 reps for that size is a ton... Im a clean 172 and could probably only do one or two reps max (if that lol).

[packrulz]

Combine provides proving ground for RB class filled with questions
Steve Wyche By Steve Wyche | NFL.com
Senior Writer
Danny Klimetz / Associated Press
The open-field ability of Mississippi's Dexter McCluster makes him an enticing prospect at the pro level.


INDIANAPOLIS -- Stanford’s Toby Gerhart was one of the most productive running backs in college football last season (1,871 yards, 27 touchdowns) and was the Heisman Trophy runner-up; but he’s rarely mentioned as an elite pro prospect. Could he be another second- to mid-round steal, like a Shonn Greene or Jamaal Charles?

That could depend on his 40-yard-dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday. A sub-4.6 time and the powerful Gerhart, who bypassed his senior season, could pique the interest of the multitude of teams that need running backs and increase his draft stock. Anything slower and he could confirm suspicions and be viewed as a late-round, low-risk gamble.

Clemson’s C.J. Spiller, a breakaway threat in the mold of Tennessee’s Chris Johnson, is the best running back in the draft. Fresno State’s Ryan Matthews, a prototypical tailback with good size, speed and pass-protection skills, could be the next running back off the board.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some prospects who enter the combine with question marks but also enough potential to make them worth the risk:
LeGarrette Blount (Oregon, 6-0, 241)

Blount is a gamble. No sugar coating it. What was worse than him sneaking a punch to the face of a helmetless Boise State player early last season was the escalation of his temper in the following moments. That Sprewellian moment will scare teams off, as will other off-field concerns. He also missed most of the season because of discipline handed down from the incident, so there isn’t much fresh tape of him. He is still an NFL talent with a huge body and quick feet. If he can redeem his character in any way, he could be a sleeper pickup for a team in need of an old-school power back.
Dexter McCluster (Mississippi, 5-9, 172)

The diminutive speedster is an open-field threat who can play tough when he needs to. McCluster can be used in a variety of ways, including as a returner, which makes him valuable. A blistering 40 at the combine will generate enough attention to possibly make him an early-round sleeper. The NFL game is played in space and McCluster in the open field is an advantage a lot of teams would love.
Youth movement at RB
With teams looking for younger, more affordable and more durable RBs, aging veterans are being released to make room for the next crop of fresh legs, writes Steve Wyche. More ...
Toby Gerhart (Stanford, 6-0, 231)

Gerhart can run, jump and compete with any of his counterparts. There are teams looking for between-the-tackles running backs and Gerhart, who’s constantly outworked people to get where he is, could be an answer.
Jonathan Dwyer (Georgia Tech, 5-11, 229)

Another big back who could help himself by running a good 40 time and showing solid change of direction in the variety of drills. Some teams don’t know what to make of the highly productive player because he gained a ton of yards in a Wing-T, option system. Dwyer has played in a pro set before from a two-point stance but his heaviest production was as an option fullback. His powerful style seems like a solid fit for San Diego or (surprise) the Vikings if they lose Chester Taylor in free agency. Backing up a physical Adrian Peterson with the physical Dwyer could be scary.
Jahvid Best (California, 5-10, 199)

You can’t coach speed and Best can flat out giddy-up. Injuries, especially a concussion that kept him out of action for a few games last season, are red flags that could scare some teams off. Best has Felix Jones-type qualities and if he’s used that way and stays healthy, he could be equally as explosive.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Combine provides proving ground for RB class filled with questions
Steve Wyche By Steve Wyche | NFL.com
Senior Writer
Danny Klimetz / Associated Press
The open-field ability of Mississippi's Dexter McCluster makes him an enticing prospect at the pro level.


INDIANAPOLIS -- Stanford’s Toby Gerhart was one of the most productive running backs in college football last season (1,871 yards, 27 touchdowns) and was the Heisman Trophy runner-up; but he’s rarely mentioned as an elite pro prospect. Could he be another second- to mid-round steal, like a Shonn Greene or Jamaal Charles?

That could depend on his 40-yard-dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday. A sub-4.6 time and the powerful Gerhart, who bypassed his senior season, could pique the interest of the multitude of teams that need running backs and increase his draft stock. Anything slower and he could confirm suspicions and be viewed as a late-round, low-risk gamble.

Clemson’s C.J. Spiller, a breakaway threat in the mold of Tennessee’s Chris Johnson, is the best running back in the draft. Fresno State’s Ryan Matthews, a prototypical tailback with good size, speed and pass-protection skills, could be the next running back off the board.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some prospects who enter the combine with question marks but also enough potential to make them worth the risk:
LeGarrette Blount (Oregon, 6-0, 241)

Blount is a gamble. No sugar coating it. What was worse than him sneaking a punch to the face of a helmetless Boise State player early last season was the escalation of his temper in the following moments. That Sprewellian moment will scare teams off, as will other off-field concerns. He also missed most of the season because of discipline handed down from the incident, so there isn’t much fresh tape of him. He is still an NFL talent with a huge body and quick feet. If he can redeem his character in any way, he could be a sleeper pickup for a team in need of an old-school power back.
Dexter McCluster (Mississippi, 5-9, 172)

The diminutive speedster is an open-field threat who can play tough when he needs to. McCluster can be used in a variety of ways, including as a returner, which makes him valuable. A blistering 40 at the combine will generate enough attention to possibly make him an early-round sleeper. The NFL game is played in space and McCluster in the open field is an advantage a lot of teams would love.
Youth movement at RB
With teams looking for younger, more affordable and more durable RBs, aging veterans are being released to make room for the next crop of fresh legs, writes Steve Wyche. More ...
Toby Gerhart (Stanford, 6-0, 231)

Gerhart can run, jump and compete with any of his counterparts. There are teams looking for between-the-tackles running backs and Gerhart, who’s constantly outworked people to get where he is, could be an answer.
Jonathan Dwyer (Georgia Tech, 5-11, 229)

Another big back who could help himself by running a good 40 time and showing solid change of direction in the variety of drills. Some teams don’t know what to make of the highly productive player because he gained a ton of yards in a Wing-T, option system. Dwyer has played in a pro set before from a two-point stance but his heaviest production was as an option fullback. His powerful style seems like a solid fit for San Diego or (surprise) the Vikings if they lose Chester Taylor in free agency. Backing up a physical Adrian Peterson with the physical Dwyer could be scary.
Jahvid Best (California, 5-10, 199)

You can’t coach speed and Best can flat out giddy-up. Injuries, especially a concussion that kept him out of action for a few games last season, are red flags that could scare some teams off. Best has Felix Jones-type qualities and if he’s used that way and stays healthy, he could be equally as explosive.

Toby Gerhart is a clone of Jim Taylor. Watch his film and see if I'm wrong.

In the old days, he'd be a first round pick because in the old days you had a nifty, shifty halfback and a bruising full back. The two complemented each other. Nowadays, if you're not the nifty, shifty back, and you're not a 250 lb. blocking machine you have no place.

I'd love to see the Packers take a chance on Gerhart regardless of his 40 time. The guy is a player and a throwback.

[pbmax]

Spiller runs 4.28 round one; dude is blazing

McCluster weighs 170 but put up 225lbs twenty times; he slipped on his first run and only put up a 4.55%. Love to see him in Green n Gold with our round three pick

I would love to get him with our 3rd round pick but I don't see him making it out of the 2nd round. That guy has Deshawn Jackson play-making ability.

The scout guy at move the sticks said no one he talked to with a watch had him below 4.57 on his second, "clean" run. Presumably the one without the slip.

The official numbers will be out tomorrow on nfl.com though, I think. I can't figure out which way is up at this point.

[Joemailman]

Toby Gerhart is a clone of Jim Taylor. Watch his film and see if I'm wrong.

Um... Max. You probably won't get much of an argument since most people on this site probably weren't alive when Jim Taylor played for the Packers.

[Patler]

Toby Gerhart is a clone of Jim Taylor. Watch his film and see if I'm wrong.

Um... Max. You probably won't get much of an argument since most people on this site probably weren't alive when Jim Taylor played for the Packers.

....and that is a shame. Taylor was very interesting to watch. He followed the path of shortest distance to where he wanted to go. "Least resistance" was an unknown term in his running style.

Good comparison, Maxie.

[pbmax]

Toby Gerhart is a clone of Jim Taylor. Watch his film and see if I'm wrong.

Um... Max. You probably won't get much of an argument since most people on this site probably weren't alive when Jim Taylor played for the Packers.

Please get off his lawn Joe.

[Joemailman]

Actually, I am old enough to remember Jim Taylor. Now if you'll excuse me, it's time to watch re-runs of the Lawrence Welk Show.

[3irty1]

Man, there is some stuff on the web that should just go straight to the garbage can. Like Bob McGinn's review of possible players of interest to Packers. I could have written that from Lurker's posts.

pete dougherty's article is even worse

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...5qWjIBb9a1E%3D

Having Jason Pierre-Paul as a OLB is just weird. I mean, sure he could probably do it while he's still young and healthy since he's a hell of an athlete, but it would be a terrible mismanagement of resources. JPP is a thousand times more valuable to a team looking for a 4-3 DE, than a team looking for a 3-4 OLB. You have to pay a premium for your 270 lb very explosive, very strong guys as there just aren't enough of them. It's the same reason I thought the Robert Ayers pick by the Broncos last year was just weird. When you take a guy with prototypical RDE measurables who has never, ever played in space and ask him to play OLB, it just seems like a waste. If the Broncos really wanted a pass rusher at #18 last year... you probably could have traded back a bit if Ayers is really the top pick on your board last year. Since if he's the top pass rusher on your board at this point and you're a 3-4 team, something strange has happened with your personnel department and there's almost certainly a 4-3 team willing to give you something for him.

It's not a given that JPP will actually get past the Raiders this year, as Al Davis is spoiled for choice: he can have Bruce Campbell, Taylor Mays, or Jason Pierre-Paul!

A thousand times more valuable how? The positions are different be they're not THAT different. Many players have made the transition.

[Lurker64]

A thousand times more valuable how? The positions are different be they're not THAT different. Many players have made the transition.

The pool of guys who can play 3-4 OLB at an elite level in the NFL is significantly larger than the pool of guys who can play 4-3 DE at an elite level in the NFL. The latter is as rare as hen's teeth, and those guys are incredibly valuable as a result (Gaines Adams was the fourth overall pick, for example).

If you draft a guy who could be elite at either position to play 3-4 OLB, you're basically wasting resources, since that player (and hence that pick) since presumably that pick could be marketed to a 4-3 team in need of a player like that (read: pretty much all of them).

Plus, certainly most 4-3 RDEs could play 3-4 OLB adequately, it's not necessarily clear that in a situation where you have many choices, the best choice to play 3-4 OLB is a guy who's also a clear cut 4-3 RDE. For example, would anybody disagree that Clay Matthews would have helped the Broncos more than Robert Ayers?

[3irty1]

A thousand times more valuable how? The positions are different be they're not THAT different. Many players have made the transition.

The pool of guys who can play 3-4 OLB at an elite level in the NFL is significantly larger than the pool of guys who can play 4-3 DE at an elite level in the NFL. The latter is as rare as hen's teeth, and those guys are incredibly valuable as a result (Gaines Adams was the fourth overall pick, for example).

If you draft a guy who could be elite at either position to play 3-4 OLB, you're basically wasting resources, since that player (and hence that pick) since presumably that pick could be marketed to a 4-3 team in need of a player like that (read: pretty much all of them).

Plus, certainly most 4-3 RDEs could play 3-4 OLB adequately, it's not necessarily clear that in a situation where you have many choices, the best choice to play 3-4 OLB is a guy who's also a clear cut 4-3 RDE. For example, would anybody disagree that Clay Matthews would have helped the Broncos more than Robert Ayers?

Yes I agree that more types of players can have success as 3-4 OLBs than 4-3 DEs. You can have your James Harrisons, your Shawne Merrimans, and everything in between. The reason that the Jets take a guy like Gholston or the Broncos take a guy like Ayers is the same reason that the Chargers took a guy like Shawne Merriman--to hopefully have a Shawne Merriman. Would Merriman be a better 4-3 DE than 3-4 OLB? Probably but in retrospect I think the Chargers are glad they didn't "market his pick to a 4-3 team."

Running a 3-4 means you never have to pass on any pass rushing talent due to body type. If you weigh between 230 and 530 pounds and can rush the passer there is a spot for you in the front 7 of a 3-4 team.