2010 Combine Thread

[Fritz]

Th bench press record was "set in 2000 by Texas-El Paso’s Leif Larsen, which was tied in 2006 by Ohio State DE Mike Kudla, then again at last year’s combine by Arkansas guard Mitch Petrus."

And those guys are all well known perennial All-Pro's in the NFL now.

[Bretsky]

I'm not ready to curse anybody yet but here are some guys who right now I'd be excited about seeing in Green n Gold

Last yr I really liked Jerry Hughes (turned out to be a bomb up to this point), McCluster, and the Zoltan who is now the Patriots Punter.

Here is a start of a list to bash or agree with

[Bretsky]

THIS WOULD BE AWESOME

Ryan Kerrigan, DE-OLB, Purdue: 6-4, 267. Intensity level has been compared to Green Bay's Clay Matthews. "He plays his (expletive) off," one scout said. "Will he get blocked and knocked down? Yes. But he gets back up off the ground. I don't know if he can stand up. That's the hardest projection there is. I know one thing: He's a good player." Three-year starter at DE with 33½ sacks. "We think he can stand up," a scout for a 3-4 team said. "He's a Patrick Kerney, a (Kyle) Vanden Bosch. He's just going to make it because he's so persistent and savvy. He cares so much. He's a little tight."

[Bretsky]

Gabe Carimi, T, Wisconsin: 6-7, 314. Four-year starter from Monona Grove High School. "I think he's probably the most ready to play," one scout said. "He's the most experienced and can probably play early for you. I don't think he will be an elite-type tackle but he will be a good, solid pro." Replaced Joe Thomas at LT for UW. "What he did this year that I liked, he went against Iowa and that guy (Adrian Clayborn) that beat on him the year before," another scout said. "He went out and attacked him and did a hell of a job. I enjoyed that. But you've got to be careful where you draft Carimi. To me, he's a right tackle." Two other scouts also said he was a RT only. "He's not as good as (Bryan) Bulaga," a third scout said. "There's not uniformity in our room that he's a starting-level player. I think he is first-round (pick) almost by default. He gives you length and he's a smart kid (22 on the Wonderlic) and he will battle you. You could do worse."

BUT.......WE DON'T DRAFT BADGERS

[Bretsky]

J.J. Watt*, DE, Wisconsin: 6-5½, 290. Can play either end in any front and also three-technique DT in a 4-3. "Very physical player," one scout said. "Strong passion. Got better as a pass rusher. Good run defender. Real savvy. He's got nine PBUs (passes broken up) at the line of scrimmage. Just a good, solid football player. He will be a good starter in the league." Caught eight passes as the starting TE at Central Michigan in 2007 before transferring. Two-year starter with 11½ sacks. From Pewaukee High School. "He may not look pretty but the guy has such great eyes and instincts," another scout said. "He plays the first play and the last play the same. He's going to beat you with his motor, instincts and vision. He's always going to make a couple plays."

[Bretsky]

Robert Quinn*, DE, North Carolina: 6-4, 265. Ruled ineligible by NCAA for 2010 season because of involvement with an agent, then declared a year early. "He's the (second) best D-end but he hasn't played in a year," one scout said. "What team would be willing to take a top-10 pick on a guy who really only played as a freshman and sophomore? He's a good kid. Nothing wrong there. He's a pass rusher with size." Two-year starter with 13 sacks. Diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. Disagreement among 3-4 teams on whether he can play LB. "He may not be the sharpest tool in the drawer and he's a little inconsistent in his effort," another scout said. "But when it's time to rush the passer on rush downs he's got a lot to offer. Very fluid. Very good athlete."

[Bretsky]

Akeem Ayers*, OLB, UCLA: 6-3, 255. Had six interceptions and 14 sacks in 37 games (28 starts). "When he's behind the line there's something missing in terms of his instincts or ball location," one scout said. "Yet, he can cover. He gets interceptions. He's big. He can run. He has a little bit of a mean streak to him." Projected to OLB in a 3-4. "He had a couple big games early this year, then I really do think he shut it down," another scout said. "He just didn't play. He kind of quit against Oregon and in other games. There's a lot of issues in terms of effort and ability to learn the game. He's had a very inconsistent career in terms of his competitive physicalness."

[Bretsky]

Titus Young, WR, Boise State: 5-11, 174. Made big plays on a consistent basis and has potential as a kick returner. "On the field and off the field, everybody compares him to DeSean Jackson," one scout said. "He's a quick, elusive, explosive, dynamic playmaker. Off the field, he has some issues that need to be researched." Two-year starter with 204 receptions for 3,063 (15.0) and 25 TDs.

[Bretsky]

Lee Ziemba, T, Auburn: 6-6, 317. Four-year starter at LT. "He's a brawler-mauler tough guy who's pretty smart," one scout said. "He's just ol' country redneck who's gonna beat you with his size and true grit. He's got stiffness in the hips and lacks a little bit of lateral movement."

[Bretsky]

Cameron Jordan, DE, California: 6-4, 287. Tailor-made to play DE in a 3-4. "He was a first-round pick at the Senior Bowl but he wasn't on tape (during the season)," one scout said. "In one-on-one drills at the Senior Bowl, he was the best player there. In the game, he was a lot more like he was on (collegiate) game days. He is physical. He has not been consistent against double-teams. He just is not good at splitting or occupying double-teams." Started 33 of 50 games, finishing with 16½ sacks. "He put on such a show at the Senior Bowl that he'll be top 20," another scout said.

[Lurker64]

Tomorrow will be really important for the Packers (at least from my perspective). There's a bunch of guys who *could* play OLB in our defense, but it's kind of important to see how they grade out as athletes.

As for Bretsky's list, I like Cam Jordan and Watt but they'll be gone at 32. I like Quinn a lot, but he's like the #2 overall pick and we're not trading up that far. I think Ayers is a tad soft at the point, may be better playing OLB in a 4-3. Ziemba's like a fifth round pick, and he plays pretty stiff. I think Titus Young is an intriguing option, though. I don't think I'd take him at #32, and he probably won't be there at #64. I like Young, but I think that Thompson is a big fan of larger wide outs. If we would pick a WR at #32, I think it might be someone like Hankerson out of Miami.

[swede]

Gabe Carimi, T, Wisconsin: 6-7, 314. Four-year starter from Monona Grove High School. "I think he's probably the most ready to play," one scout said. "He's the most experienced and can probably play early for you. I don't think he will be an elite-type tackle but he will be a good, solid pro." Replaced Joe Thomas at LT for UW. "What he did this year that I liked, he went against Iowa and that guy (Adrian Clayborn) that beat on him the year before," another scout said. "He went out and attacked him and did a hell of a job. I enjoyed that. But you've got to be careful where you draft Carimi. To me, he's a right tackle." Two other scouts also said he was a RT only. "He's not as good as (Bryan) Bulaga," a third scout said. "There's not uniformity in our room that he's a starting-level player. I think he is first-round (pick) almost by default. He gives you length and he's a smart kid (22 on the Wonderlic) and he will battle you. You could do worse."

BUT.......WE DON'T DRAFT BADGERS

I think there is a chance with Carimi if he is there. There are three really good LT candidates ahead of him in my mind, but he'd be a solid pick at the end of the first round. If not I suppose it will be best available DE or OLB.

[packrulz]

INDIANAPOLIS — Mark Ingram arrived at the NFL Scouting Combine hoping to silence questions about the knee injury he suffered last season at Alabama.


Alabama RB Mark Ingram runs the 40-yard dash Sunday during the NFL Scouting Combine.
Ingram took a step in that direction Sunday by participating in the 40-yard dash, but the marquee running back in this year’s draft class isn’t its quickest, finishing well out of the top 5 at 4.62 seconds.

The 5-foot-9 Ingram, who rushed for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns while winning the Heisman Trophy in 2009, told reporters Friday that he has shed about 10 pounds — weighing in at 215 — and said he feels “more explosive” at the lighter weight.

“Ingram’s probably disappointed in his 40 time because he lost the weight to enhance his 40,” NFL.com’s Steve Wyche said. “But he’s not a blazer, he’s not expected to be the next Chris Johnson. That’s why the comparisons, at least physically and speed-wise, to Emmitt Smith are pretty accurate.”

The best 40 of the day went to Da’rel Scott at 4.34 seconds. Scott was Maryland’s second-leading rusher in 2010 behind Davin Meggett with 708 rushing yards. Scott is considered a burner but injury-prone.

This year’s running back class hasn’t generated a ton of enthusiasm, at least not like 2008, when Chris Johnson, Rashard Mendenhall, Jonathan Stewart, Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, Ray Rice and Matt Forte were coming up.

Here’s the top finishers in the 40:

1. Scott: 4.34
2. Mario Fannin, Auburn: 4.38
3t. Derrick Locke, Kentucky: 4.40
3t. Jordan Todman, Connecticut: 4.40
4. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma: 4.41
5. Roy Helu, Nebraska: 4.42

– Marc Sessler

INDIANAPOLIS — In what definitely was the B-side to Oregon State DT Stephen Paea‘s hulking 49 reps in the 225-pound bench press Sunday, Ohio State’s Ross Homan led all linebackers at the NFL Scouting Combine with 32 lifts.

The 6-foot, 240-pound Homan — viewed by some as an undersized, weakside backer with good instincts — wasn’t the only Buckeye to crack the top 5, as Brian Rolle came in fourth with 28 reps.

Marquee prospect Von Miller from Texas A&M found himself well down the list with 21 reps, and Oregon’s Casey Matthews notched 13.

Here’s the top 5 among linebackers:

Homan: 32
Justin Houston, Georgia: 30
Mark Herzlich, Boston College: 29
Brian Rolle, Ohio State: 28
Orie Lemon, Oklahoma State: 27

– Marc Sessler

[packrulz]

INDIANAPOLIS – Maybe this year’s draft will help the Green Bay Packers decide where to play offensive lineman T.J. Lang.

Lang, a fourth-round draft pick in 2009, has been a backup his first two seasons in the NFL but is a viable starter at either right tackle or left guard heading into 2011. He’s played both positions for the Packers, along with left tackle, and the organization remains split on whether guard or right tackle is the best place for him.

If the Packers select a tackle in the early rounds of this year’s draft, maybe that will decide Lang’s future for them. Perhaps the same if they take a guard.

For now, Lang’s best chance to get into the starting lineup is at left guard, especially if the Packers don’t re-sign Daryn Colledge, whose free-agent status remains in flux with the league’s collective bargaining agreement set to expire this week and no new agreement in sight.

But there are plausible, if less likely, scenarios that have Lang competing for the starting job at right tackle in 2011 also.

“I always thought T.J. was a left guard or a right guard,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said at the NFL scouting combine last week. “But he’s pretty natural outside. You don’t want a guy to get into that he’s a jack of all trades master of none. I think we need to find out, he’s getting to that spot where he needs to go compete somewhere. That’s a great question, because I always thought he was a guard, but he’s pretty natural at tackle.”

Going into the offseason, Chad Clifton seems likely to return as the Packers’ starting left tackle at a salary of $5.25 million when the 2011 season opens. He’ll turn 35 in June and has a long history of sore knees, which are reasons to wonder whether he’ll hold up for another year. But he came back from knee problems early last season to provide solid play protecting quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ blind side, and he maintained that level at the end of the year, when older players sometimes fade. He also did not have any surgeries this offseason.

“Yeah, we certainly plan on him being with us,” General Manager Ted Thompson said.

That means the Packers’ first-round pick last year, Bryan Bulaga, won’t be their left tackle in 2011, at least as long as Clifton is healthy and maintaining an adequate level of play. Bulaga likely will remain at right tackle for a second season after starting there 16 games last year, playoffs included, in place of injured Mark Tauscher.

Bulaga still looks like Clifton’s successor at left tackle – during the stretch run last season, quarterback Aaron Rodgers several times referred to Bulaga as the left tackle of the Packers’ future – and for that reason there’s a chance the Packers could move him to left guard. That way, he’d have an easier transition to left tackle if he were needed to replace Clifton during the season. That also would put Lang as the front-runner to start at right tackle, depending on this year’s draft.

Bulaga’s future could change if the Packers draft a tackle they think is better suited long term for the left side, and McCarthy said that regardless, the Packers want left tackle-type athletes on both sides because he runs so much offense out of spread formations that both can end up on islands as pass blockers. Also, defenses more than ever are moving their best outside rusher against the weaker tackle on passing downs.

“We’re playing our best football when we have two left tackles,” McCarthy said. “The thing about the old right tackle, you had the big tight end right next him, but you play with an open edge as much as we do with no tight end right next to him, you better have a right tackle than can pass protect too. Ted and I talk about this a lot, we don’t do the big mammoth right tackle, athletic left tackle.”

McCarthy wouldn’t say whether Tauscher will be back with the Packers this year, though his return appears unlikely. Tauscher turns 34 in June, and after a long, accomplished 11-year career his body is breaking down, as evidenced by the shoulder injury that ended his 2010 season after four games.

McCarthy said he spoke with Tauscher on the Wednesday after the Super Bowl and wanted to wait a while before they seriously addressed Tauscher’s future. Tauscher has one season left on his contract at a salary of $4.1 million. If they don’t meet by March 3 and there’s a lockout, they won’t be allowed to have contact until there’s a new CBA.

“Just get some distance (from the end of last season), sit down and talk,” McCarthy said “We have a great relationship with Mark, see where he’s at, see where his mind is at.”

Regardless of where the Packers play Lang, they have another potential future starter at guard or center in Nick McDonald, who made the roster last year as an undrafted rookie out of Division II Grand Valley State.

The 6-foot-4, 316-pound McDonald needs an excellent offseason to improve himself physically. A lockout could set back his development if it wipes out the team-run offseason workout program, which is the optimal way for a player to get stronger and improve individual skills.

“I think (McDonald) definitely has a chance at center, and I think he’s a very natural guard,” McCarthy said. “I like his body. I think he’s definitely a guy that has a very bright future.”

McDonald’s rise onto the roster last year was a surprise, because he regularly was beaten, often badly, in one-on-one pass blocking drills during training camp. But in games, he proved to be a tough, physical fighter, and he has the kind of big, square build and strong anchor that hold up well in interior line play in the NFL.

“Your interior linemen, one-on-ones is not their best drill,” McCarthy said. “I remember (former NFL center) Tim Grunhard in Kansas City, Tim was a hell of a football player. You’d go to one on one, he’d get his (butt) kicked every day. What you have to do is watch their feet. If you’re watching a guy winning and losing (the drill), that’s not as important as watching his feet – his hips, feet and ankles.”

[packrulz]

INDIANAPOLIS – University of Miami cornerback Brandon Harris could be in play for the Green Bay Packers on draft day as much as anyone considering that General Manager Ted Thompson tends to go for talent over need.
Thompson has the luxury, regardless, of not being in need of an immediate starter at any position except, maybe, outside linebacker.

Harris ranks No. 4 among cornerbacks, according to CBSSports.com, and measured 5-foot-9, 193 pounds. He was listed as 5-11 in college. Harris had a team-high 10 pass break-ups, was named All-ACC and was a Jim Thorpe award semifinalist.

Harris said Sunday at the NFL combine that he allowed one touchdown last year and models himself after Packers cornerback Charles Woodson.

“He’s a taller corner, but he does a lot of the things I do in my game,” Harris said. “He plays the slot. He blitzes and gets his head in the run game. He’s just a great athlete.
“That’s the guy I want to mimic my game after.”

Harris was a virtual stream of consciousness and emphatically jumped from subject to subject. He was poetic in his love for Miami and former UM players. Harris was simply hyped to be in Indianapolis.

“I think I’m more excited than (teams) are to meet them,” Harris said. “They’re excited to meet me, but it’s always been my dream to be here. To be here and to shake some of these coaches hands – it’s exciting.”

The Packers had some with success with a Miami cornerback during the Super Bowl run. Undrafted free agent Sam Shields took over the nickelback position and was a vital component of the defense. He played corner for just one year at Miami.

“I noticed it and it was great,” Harris said. “Sam was able to come in and earn his way on the field. He made a lot of great plays for them. That excites me to watch a guy like Sam Shields come in as a free agent and represent the University of Miami and represent his family well.

“He played opposite of me. I remember him just coming in on the off time, trying to get the extra skills in, trying to get a hold of the position. This was a guy that played receiver. To go to Green Bay and win a Super Bowl as a rookie is very impressive.”

MSU's Jones Defends His Decision

Michigan State inside linebacker Greg Jones was named Big Ten defensive player of the year as a junior in 2009, but chose to return for his senior year. He posted 154 tackles, 13.5 for loss and 6.5 sacks that year for a MSU team that went 6-7.

The Spartans went 11-2 in 2010 and won a share of the Big 10 title with their defensive leader. But Jones numbers slipped – 106 tackles, 10 for loss, one sack, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles.

He was asked Sunday why the decision to come back?

“It was a family decision,” Jones said. “We initially weren’t all on the same page. It took us a while, we went back and forth.

“I don’t regret anything.”

Jones was proud of returning to win a Big Ten championship.

“I’m more mature than I was then,” Jones said. “Overall, mentally I became better. I got better in the pass, which is what I wanted to do. And I wanted to become a better tackler.”

Jones measured at 6-foot, 242 pounds. He played inside during his collegiate career, but some project him as an outside linebacker.

“(It’s) looking like mostly inside right now, but I really want to show them that I can play outside linebacker, also,” Jones said. “At this point in time, I’m a lot more comfortable against the run, but what I want to work on is dropping back in the pass.”

Jones is ranked the No. 2 inside linebacker by CBSSports.com and projected to be selected in the second round of the draft. His stock fell with his numbers his senior year.

“It was difficult because I didn’t understand,” Jones said. “If you’re a leader of your team and your team does well and you lead your team to victory, doesn’t that make you a better leader? For people to say that, I don’t know what that means. Because you can have 200 tackles and go 0-for in games. So I don’t know if that makes you a better player or not.

“I received a lot more double teams and triple teams, especially in pass rush and just normal (scheming). A lot more than I did normally. But I felt like I produced. My team won. I did what it took to win.”