Notes from the NFL Combine

[dew1679666265]

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.

 

He's incredibly talented, but as you've said he's extremely inconsistant. I think if he had a good QB coach he would be a great pick.

[Milli1306]

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.

 

not to make excuses for him, but a lot of QBs looked terrible against Florida...also, while I'm by no means comparing the two...I don't think anyone would have considered Jerry Rice fast by today's standards either.

[CuseCubFan69]

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.

 

not to make excuses for him, but a lot of QBs looked terrible against Florida...also, while I'm by no means comparing the two...I don't think anyone would have considered Jerry Rice fast by today's standards either.

 

Rice is a funny case. You put a ball in his hands and he moves the same but IMO a lot of players slow down a little when they carry a football. Also, cutting is important and players like Rice and Harrison can do it on a dime.

[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.

 

not to make excuses for him, but a lot of QBs looked terrible against Florida...also, while I'm by no means comparing the two...I don't think anyone would have considered Jerry Rice fast by today's standards either.

 

True-but then the question becomes, what about Russell makes him better than Quinn? I don't think either of them are worth the number 1 pick in the draft (not a normal draft anyway-maybe if this draft turns out like the Alex Smith draft, but I don't think this one is that bad), but I just don't see how Russell is supposedly better now than Quinn.

[Derwood]

I caught a bit of the bench press stuff from the Combine. Amazing how stronger the OL guys are than the RB's. They have to press 225 lbs. as many times as they can. Levi Brown did 20, Blalock did like 27, while the RB's did maybe 12.

[Mark Priors Calves]

I caught a bit of the bench press stuff from the Combine. Amazing how stronger the OL guys are than the RB's. They have to press 225 lbs. as many times as they can. Levi Brown did 20, Blalock did like 27, while the RB's did maybe 12.

I didn't watch the RB's lift, but I saw Brady Quinn put up 23. I was impressed.

 

Also, the spotter for the bench press is more than enough reason for me to watch. "Come on, Sunshine". "Booyah".

[rawaction]

Great weekend for the top players. Peterson, Johnson, and Joe Thomas all cemented their picks in the top 4. None of them will go beyond the #4 pick. I think Meachem's weekend will cause the Vikings to look to trade down and get him in the middle of the first round. There's no way I'd pick Ginn ahead of him, despite the return skills. I think whoever wants Quinn will trade up to #7 and get him before the Dolphins have a shot. Carolina and Houston come to mind.

 

Olsen was amazing. I think he may be gone by the Bears pick, but I wasn't big on them picking a TE in the 1st anyway. I still think Ben Patrick would be a great pick if he lasts to the end of the 3rd round, or possibly if the Bears trade down and get an extra pick early in the 3rd.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I caught a bit of the bench press stuff from the Combine. Amazing how stronger the OL guys are than the RB's. They have to press 225 lbs. as many times as they can. Levi Brown did 20, Blalock did like 27, while the RB's did maybe 12.

There were a couple of lineman that got over 40 I believe. Most were in the 24-30 range. But yeah, much stronger than the backs were.

 

Once you start watching the combine, you can't stop. It's almost hypnotic.

[Banedon]

The Cleveland Browns won the coin toss over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this morning for the rights to the third pick in the NFL Draft. Tampa Bay called heads and the coin landed on heads. The Buccaneers wil select fourth.

 

Peter King's article pretty much confirms that this was a misprint.

 

He called heads again. It came up tails.

[cubweiser03]

LB's

Willis 6'1 242 goes at 4.49

David Harris 6'2 243 drops a 4.53. Damn.

Timmons 6'1 234 goes 4.59

Poz 6'1 238 goes 4.67

Beason 6'0 237 goes 4.64

For you PSU fans...Shaw 6'1 236 drops a 4.51

Earl Everett- 4.88 Ouch

Rufus-4.70

 

Link with all the combine numbers.

http://fflivewire.com/players/PlayersCombine.asp

 

Relative unknown linebackers Antwan Barnes and Zak DeOssie had impressive workouts at the combine.

 

Barnes, an outside linebacker from Florida International, put on an impressive display of speed and strength. He led all linebackers with a 4.40 40-yard dash and finished second among his peers with 31 reps of the 225 bench. At 6'1" 240 pounds he has the size, speed, and strength scouts love.

 

DeOssie, a huge linebacker from Brown, showed amazing speed for someone his size. After weighing in at 6'5" and 250 pounds he went out and ran a 4.53 40-time.

[OleMissCub]

Willis with a 4.49!!! WOOO!! 41 inch vertical too!

[texascub]

I caught a bit of the bench press stuff from the Combine. Amazing how stronger the OL guys are than the RB's. They have to press 225 lbs. as many times as they can. Levi Brown did 20, Blalock did like 27, while the RB's did maybe 12.

 

Brown actually did 31 reps, and both Blalock and Manuel Ramirez of Texas Tech did 40 reps. I believe Peterson put up like 22 or 25, and several other RBs broke into the 20's this year.

[Andy]

Darius Walker ran a 4.57 40 (lower than projected) and pulled off a ridiculous 40.5-inch vertical leap. He probably cemented himself as a first-day pick and might even sneak into the 2nd round.

[CubColtPacer]

Darius Walker ran a 4.57 40 (lower than projected) and pulled off a ridiculous 40.5-inch vertical leap. He probably cemented himself as a first-day pick and might even sneak into the 2nd round.

 

40.5? For a RB? :shock: The only thing is, I don't think that's exactly that important for him. I think he can succeed as an alternative back in the NFL, but he will need a little bit of seasoning first.

[stuy119]

I caught a bit of the bench press stuff from the Combine. Amazing how stronger the OL guys are than the RB's. They have to press 225 lbs. as many times as they can. Levi Brown did 20, Blalock did like 27, while the RB's did maybe 12.

 

Brown actually did 31 reps, and both Blalock and Manuel Ramirez of Texas Tech did 40 reps. I believe Peterson put up like 22 or 25, and several other RBs broke into the 20's this year.

 

Lorenzo Booker from FSU put up 26 reps, apparently. To show how far our OL has dropped over the past few years, an OT from FSU only produced 21 reps.

[texascub]

I caught a bit of the bench press stuff from the Combine. Amazing how stronger the OL guys are than the RB's. They have to press 225 lbs. as many times as they can. Levi Brown did 20, Blalock did like 27, while the RB's did maybe 12.

 

Brown actually did 31 reps, and both Blalock and Manuel Ramirez of Texas Tech did 40 reps. I believe Peterson put up like 22 or 25, and several other RBs broke into the 20's this year.

 

Lorenzo Booker from FSU put up 26 reps, apparently. To show how far our OL has dropped over the past few years, an OT from FSU only produced 21 reps.

 

I see that Mario Henderson only got 20 reps, who else from FSU's line was there?

[stuy119]

I caught a bit of the bench press stuff from the Combine. Amazing how stronger the OL guys are than the RB's. They have to press 225 lbs. as many times as they can. Levi Brown did 20, Blalock did like 27, while the RB's did maybe 12.

 

Brown actually did 31 reps, and both Blalock and Manuel Ramirez of Texas Tech did 40 reps. I believe Peterson put up like 22 or 25, and several other RBs broke into the 20's this year.

 

Lorenzo Booker from FSU put up 26 reps, apparently. To show how far our OL has dropped over the past few years, an OT from FSU only produced 21 reps.

 

I see that Mario Henderson only got 20 reps, who else from FSU's line was there?

 

Geez, I gave him credit for an extra rep - that's even more hideous!

[Flames24Rulz]

Garrett Wolfe had 22 reps. Doug Free, NIU's O-Lineman who is supposed to be drafted in the first day, came in with a poor 22 reps as well.

 

Wolfe also had the best time on the shuttle and the cone drill in his class as well. He's not running the 40 though because of a hamstring issue. That's unfortunate because he's had a great combine so far.

[imb]

Garrett Wolfe had 22 reps. Doug Free, NIU's O-Lineman who is supposed to be drafted in the first day, came in with a poor 22 reps as well.

 

Wolfe also had the best time on the shuttle and the cone drill in his class as well. He's not running the 40 though because of a hamstring issue. That's unfortunate because he's had a great combine so far.

 

It always amazes me to see a 6'7 OT put up 225 30+ times. That's a long way to push a bar.

[Flames24Rulz]

Garrett Wolfe had 22 reps. Doug Free, NIU's O-Lineman who is supposed to be drafted in the first day, came in with a poor 22 reps as well.

 

Wolfe also had the best time on the shuttle and the cone drill in his class as well. He's not running the 40 though because of a hamstring issue. That's unfortunate because he's had a great combine so far.

 

It always amazes me to see a 6'7 OT put up 225 30+ times. That's a long way to push a bar.

 

No doubt.

 

Wolfe's only 5'7 though and he's benching 22 reps. Free's a huge guy and he's benching the same amount. Hopefully it won't hurt his stock too much. He did play with an injured leg the whole season, but I think he can still be a real solid tackle.

[dew1679666265]

Great weekend for the top players. Peterson, Johnson, and Joe Thomas all cemented their picks in the top 4. None of them will go beyond the #4 pick. I think Meachem's weekend will cause the Vikings to look to trade down and get him in the middle of the first round. There's no way I'd pick Ginn ahead of him, despite the return skills. I think whoever wants Quinn will trade up to #7 and get him before the Dolphins have a shot. Carolina and Houston come to mind.

 

Olsen was amazing. I think he may be gone by the Bears pick, but I wasn't big on them picking a TE in the 1st anyway. I still think Ben Patrick would be a great pick if he lasts to the end of the 3rd round, or possibly if the Bears trade down and get an extra pick early in the 3rd.

 

I agree Johnson and Thomas won't fall out of the top four, but Peterson might if the Browns really like Quinn and choose him.

Meachem, in my opinion, is now the second receiver on the board. He might go top 10 at this point so if the Vikings want him they better not trade down.

As for Olsen, as impressive as he's been, I'm not sure a team ahead of the Bears needs a TE. Buffalo, the Jets, Detroit, Minnesota and Carolina could choose to take a TE, but they all have much larger needs. I would say the only ones with any real likelihood to take a TE are Buffalo and the Jets.

Of course, that's all moot if the Bears choose not to take a TE.

[dew1679666265]

Garrett Wolfe had 22 reps. Doug Free, NIU's O-Lineman who is supposed to be drafted in the first day, came in with a poor 22 reps as well.

 

Wolfe also had the best time on the shuttle and the cone drill in his class as well. He's not running the 40 though because of a hamstring issue. That's unfortunate because he's had a great combine so far.

 

It always amazes me to see a 6'7 OT put up 225 30+ times. That's a long way to push a bar.

 

No doubt.

 

Wolfe's only 5'7 though and he's benching 22 reps. Free's a huge guy and he's benching the same amount. Hopefully it won't hurt his stock too much. He did play with an injured leg the whole season, but I think he can still be a real solid tackle.

 

Wolfe really intrigues me. He's extremely fast and those bench reps will only help him. His size (which is easily his largest drawback) is much less of an issue if he proves he's strong.

[stuy119]

Garrett Wolfe had 22 reps. Doug Free, NIU's O-Lineman who is supposed to be drafted in the first day, came in with a poor 22 reps as well.

 

Wolfe also had the best time on the shuttle and the cone drill in his class as well. He's not running the 40 though because of a hamstring issue. That's unfortunate because he's had a great combine so far.

 

It always amazes me to see a 6'7 OT put up 225 30+ times. That's a long way to push a bar.

 

No doubt.

 

Wolfe's only 5'7 though and he's benching 22 reps. Free's a huge guy and he's benching the same amount. Hopefully it won't hurt his stock too much. He did play with an injured leg the whole season, but I think he can still be a real solid tackle.

 

Wolfe really intrigues me. He's extremely fast and those bench reps will only help him. His size (which is easily his largest drawback) is much less of an issue if he proves he's strong.

 

I wonder how much it will help that Michael Turner was from NIU. Doesn't mean squat to me, but the NFL GM's seem to feel that past success at a position from one school will better prepare players for what they'll face down the line.

 

I don't, but whatever.

[reggiemiller rules]

I read a rumor on another message board that Leak only got an 8 on his wonderlic. Making him just a little bit smarter then a 6 year old

[Flames24Rulz]

Garrett Wolfe had 22 reps. Doug Free, NIU's O-Lineman who is supposed to be drafted in the first day, came in with a poor 22 reps as well.

 

Wolfe also had the best time on the shuttle and the cone drill in his class as well. He's not running the 40 though because of a hamstring issue. That's unfortunate because he's had a great combine so far.

 

It always amazes me to see a 6'7 OT put up 225 30+ times. That's a long way to push a bar.

 

No doubt.

 

Wolfe's only 5'7 though and he's benching 22 reps. Free's a huge guy and he's benching the same amount. Hopefully it won't hurt his stock too much. He did play with an injured leg the whole season, but I think he can still be a real solid tackle.

 

Wolfe really intrigues me. He's extremely fast and those bench reps will only help him. His size (which is easily his largest drawback) is much less of an issue if he proves he's strong.

 

I wonder how much it will help that Michael Turner was from NIU. Doesn't mean squat to me, but the NFL GM's seem to feel that past success at a position from one school will better prepare players for what they'll face down the line.

 

I don't, but whatever.

 

I don't think it should. Wolfe is mainly going to be a backup RB with a main role of being a returner. I do find it odd how Wolfe is supposed to be picked late in the 3rd round, while Turner didn't go till the 5th.

 

Speaking of Turner, he's going to be cashing in on a nice payday pretty soon.