Notes from the NFL Combine

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Greg Olsen ran a 4.47 and a 4.45

 

:shock:

 

Joe Thomas (reported by PFT) ran a 4.93 40 which is just absolutely ridiculous.

 

Guess Greg won't be around for the Bears.

[soccer10k]

If I were the Raiders with that putrid O-Line, I'd trade down and pick up extra picks. Then you can draft a QB later (Stanton, for example). I just think you build the line first, and boy do they need to do that.

 

Yeah, unless they upgrade that offensive line I can't see any QB succeeding there-I doubt they will able to be trade down (the #1 pick is usually seen as too expensive unless there is a sure-fire person at the top) but they do need to build the line through either later picks or free agency.

 

with no obvious guy at #1, why wouldn't the Raiders just take Joe Thomas if that 's a need? As you said, I don't know of any team that is clamoring for Quinn or Russell to the point that they'll trade multiple picks just to move up a few slots

 

Two words: Calvin Johnson.

 

Get rid of Moss for whatever a team will give you - some team will give up a second rounder for him. Draft Calvin Johnson #1 overall. Draft Drew Stanton with either the #1 second round pick, mid second rounder or #1 third rounder (depending on where he might go) and then pick a couple O-line.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

This note from John Clayton makes me believe Russell is the man for the Raiders.

 

Link.

 

Al Davis will forever be a fan of speed, so it may be hard for him to pass on a wide receiver as big and as fast as Calvin Johnson of Georgia Tech. But Thursday's release of quarterback Aaron Brooks leaves the Raiders with only Andrew Walter on their roster with any quarterbacking experience. Russell is a fit, and friends of new coach Lane Kiffin only hear Russell's name when they hear him talking about next season.

[Andy]

I view Calvin Johnson as the only sure thing in this draft, including Quinn. If I was Oakland, I'd either take him and trade Moss and/or Porter, or I'd trade down.

[Chocolate Milk]

Calvin Johnson just ran a 4.35. He weighs 239 pounds.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If the draft goes as projected, the Bucs will get a steal taking Johnson with the fourth pick.

[Chocolate Milk]

If the draft goes as projected, the Bucs will get a steal taking Johnson with the fourth pick.

 

Yup. Seems like it's going to go:

 

Russell

Thomas

Peterson

Johnson

 

at this point.

[dew1679666265]

A 4.36 and 4.38 40 by Robert Meachem just guaranteed him a top 15-20 pick. I think he also cemented himself as at least the third, if not second, best receiver in the draft.

Especially since they said on NFL Network that Jarrett decided not to run today after running a 4.7 earlier in the offseason.

 

EDIT: Meachem also just talked about how dissapointed he was that he didn't run faster. And after watching him this past season, I believe him.

[Chocolate Milk]

Peterson runs an unoffish 4.38

[dew1679666265]

Peterson runs an unoffish 4.38

 

He's a beast, either the Browns or Texans better grab this guy. I think if Houston can get him, the Peterson/Mario Williams duo will be far better than Reggie Bush/Gaines Adams-Abiamiri-Charles Johnson-etc.

[KaiserCesar]

As good as Johnson may be, I don't think I could take a WR with a top pick, they are just too far away from the ball. For a team whose best QB since Rich Gannon was Kerry Collins, they are in serious need of a sure thing starting caliber QB (which Stanton is not, so I'm not advocating a trade down)

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Calvin Johnson just ran a 4.35. He weighs 239 pounds.

 

Man, what a freak.

[soccer10k]

As good as Johnson may be, I don't think I could take a WR with a top pick, they are just too far away from the ball. For a team whose best QB since Rich Gannon was Kerry Collins, they are in serious need of a sure thing starting caliber QB (which Stanton is not, so I'm not advocating a trade down)

 

And JaMarcus Russell is a sure thing?

[soccer10k]

I view Calvin Johnson as the only sure thing in this draft, including Quinn. If I was Oakland, I'd either take him and trade Moss and/or Porter, or I'd trade down.

 

I don't think they need to trade Porter and I don't think they should. His beef last year was mainly with Art Shell. So if he gets along with Kiffin, there is no reason to trade him. Moss is completely different story.

[KaiserCesar]

As good as Johnson may be, I don't think I could take a WR with a top pick, they are just too far away from the ball. For a team whose best QB since Rich Gannon was Kerry Collins, they are in serious need of a sure thing starting caliber QB (which Stanton is not, so I'm not advocating a trade down)

 

And JaMarcus Russell is a sure thing?

 

Close to one, but look towards South Bend for another

[soccer10k]

As good as Johnson may be, I don't think I could take a WR with a top pick, they are just too far away from the ball. For a team whose best QB since Rich Gannon was Kerry Collins, they are in serious need of a sure thing starting caliber QB (which Stanton is not, so I'm not advocating a trade down)

 

And JaMarcus Russell is a sure thing?

 

Close to one, but look towards South Bend for another

 

Russell is far from a sure thing. The hype machine really started rolling around him because of one game - the Sugar Bowl against a bad (sorry Andy but it's true) Notre Dame defense. He decided to go pro because the media was going crazy over his performance. Personally, I think Brady Quinn is the better QB and will be the better QB but I'm not sure if he's worth the number 1 pick.

[CubColtPacer]

As good as Johnson may be, I don't think I could take a WR with a top pick, they are just too far away from the ball. For a team whose best QB since Rich Gannon was Kerry Collins, they are in serious need of a sure thing starting caliber QB (which Stanton is not, so I'm not advocating a trade down)

 

And JaMarcus Russell is a sure thing?

 

Close to one, but look towards South Bend for another

 

Russell is far from a sure thing. The hype machine really started rolling around him because of one game - the Sugar Bowl against a bad (sorry Andy but it's true) Notre Dame defense. He decided to go pro because the media was going crazy over his performance. Personally, I think Brady Quinn is the better QB and will be the better QB but I'm not sure if he's worth the number 1 pick.

 

Don't worry-I doubt any ND fan is going to argue with you about that-I'm certainly not. I agree with you about Russell-he was seen as ok with great physical skills but underachieving most of the year, and then suddenly after one great game he's the top QB-I'd sure liked to have seen more consistency out of him before I would be ready to draft him number 1 overall.

 

I agree also with the sentiment that if you want the player who's most likely to be a great player, it's Calvin Johnson.

[cubweiser03]

A 4.36 and 4.38 40 by Robert Meachem just guaranteed him a top 15-20 pick. I think he also cemented himself as at least the third, if not second, best receiver in the draft.

Especially since they said on NFL Network that Jarrett decided not to run today after running a 4.7 earlier in the offseason.

 

EDIT: Meachem also just talked about how dissapointed he was that he didn't run faster. And after watching him this past season, I believe him.

 

Thats awful. TE speed.

[Soul]

Neither Brady nor Russell are sure things, IMO.

[dew1679666265]

A 4.36 and 4.38 40 by Robert Meachem just guaranteed him a top 15-20 pick. I think he also cemented himself as at least the third, if not second, best receiver in the draft.

Especially since they said on NFL Network that Jarrett decided not to run today after running a 4.7 earlier in the offseason.

 

EDIT: Meachem also just talked about how dissapointed he was that he didn't run faster. And after watching him this past season, I believe him.

 

Thats awful. TE speed.

 

Yea, that was never confirmed but Mike Mayock said it and he's normally very reliable. Jarrett said later on that he wasn't running becuase he had tweaked his groin and would run during USC's pro day.

He indicated he expects to run in the 4.4 - 4.5 range. And with his size and hands, that would be a very solid speed, in my opinion.

[Andy]

As good as Johnson may be, I don't think I could take a WR with a top pick, they are just too far away from the ball. For a team whose best QB since Rich Gannon was Kerry Collins, they are in serious need of a sure thing starting caliber QB (which Stanton is not, so I'm not advocating a trade down)

 

And JaMarcus Russell is a sure thing?

 

Close to one, but look towards South Bend for another

 

Russell is far from a sure thing. The hype machine really started rolling around him because of one game - the Sugar Bowl against a bad (sorry Andy but it's true) Notre Dame defense. He decided to go pro because the media was going crazy over his performance. Personally, I think Brady Quinn is the better QB and will be the better QB but I'm not sure if he's worth the number 1 pick.

Sorry? Hell, I've been making the same argument ever since this whole JaMarcus crap started - anyone who says they saw anything but a QB who could simply loft the ball and watch his receivers go get it against that joke of a defense in the Sugar Bowl is lying to you. And he didn't even do that all that well. (21/34, 2 TDs, 1 INT)

 

I think it's a borderline catastrophic idea to pick JaMarcus high.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

When I checked near the end of the season, Russell was probably the most statistically complete QB(3rd nationally in QB rating, 5th in completion percentage, 4th in yds/attempt). I think an argument could be made that the Sugar Bowl brought to light how solid Russell has been.

[cubweiser03]

Chris Henry runs the fastest 40 for RB at 4.33 followed by...

Peterson runs a 4.38

Pittman runs a 4.42

Lynch runs a 4.49 and 4.52

 

Pittman is a solid RB that isnt get as much acclaim as he should.

 

Here is a scouting report of a player before his combine and 40 yard time. WR Jason Hill

While there is nothing Hill can’t do on the field, he really does not possess any outstanding physical trait. He is not a true burner that will fly by defenders, and he does not have great size to physically outmatch defensive backs.

 

Dude just ran 4.32.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Jason Hill is a great WR. Had a down year but he's a good talent and that 40 time really helps.

[CubColtPacer]

When I checked near the end of the season, Russell was probably the most statistically complete QB(3rd nationally in QB rating, 5th in completion percentage, 4th in yds/attempt). I think an argument could be made that the Sugar Bowl brought to light how solid Russell has been.

 

Russell was absolutely amazing against the weaker opponents of LSU this year-the problem is, is that enough of a sample size? This is his first great year, and he still struggled a great deal in 2 of the bigger games of the season for LSU. If he had mutliple years of good performances, or if he had more great performances against great teams, then he would be better in my eyes. He had 5 big games this year-Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, ND

 

Auburn-his numbers look all right, but his team scored 3 points, so he couldn't have been amazing.

Florida-he was terrible

Tennesee-he continued to let Tennessee back in it in the second half, but then came back with the game-winning TD pass at the end.

Arkansas-he played well in leading the way to an LSU victory over a good defense.

ND-He played very well against a bad defense in the blowout win.

 

 

Russell makes for a very interesting case-did he mature into a different QB this year? My big concern about him is his tendency to throw into coverage, which he's going to have to do a lot more in the NFL than in college.