NFL Combine News and Other NFL News, Rumors--Monday Feb 25th

[C Mart]

How far has Senior Bowler Ziggy Ansah climbed up the draft board? ExecDir Phil Savage evaluates the DL/DE at combine http://bit.ly/YxWbgR

COMBINE REVIEW: Monday -- DL
Senior Bowl 2013 Combine Workout Evaluations
*Senior Bowl participant

Groups 7-8/DL and Group 9/Linebackers encompass the entire Front Seven. Executive Director Phil Savage separates the prospects further by breaking them down accordingly:

DL = DT or DE or OLB
LB = ILB or OLB or DE

Because there is so much variation between 3-4 and 4-3 systems, the DL can generally be classified as "inside" DT's or "outside" DE's, while the LB's are categorized as "box/off-the-line" or "edge/on-the-line" linebackers. These distinctions are very important and difficult to master, especially for the organizations that are changing schemes in the off-season after scouting for a different defense during the Fall.


GROUPS 7-8/DL
Missed Workout with Medical Exclusion (unless noted):
-Tank Carradine/Florida State
-Quinton Dial/Alabama
*Malliciah Goodman/Clemson (pulled 2nd 40, no drills)
-Brandon Jenkins/Florida State (no 40, drills only)
*John Jenkins/Georgia
-Abry Jones/Georgia
-Kapron Lewis-Moore/Notre Dame
-Bennie Logan/LSU (no 40, drills only)
-Star Lotulelei/Utah
-Stansly Maponga/TCU
-Stacy McGee/Oklahoma
-Damontre Moore/Texas A&M (pulled 2nd 40, no drills)
*Alex Okafor/Texas
*KK Short/Purdue
*John Simon/Ohio State
-Quanterus Smith/Western Kentucky
-Damion Square/Alabama
-Walt Stewart/Cincinnati
-Jesse Williams/Alabama
-Tourek Williams/FIU (pulled 1st 40, no drills)
*Trevardo Williams/UConn (pulled 1st 40, no drills)

Olympic Events/Podium Awards:
40-Yard Dash/DT
Gold- Sharrif Floyd/Florida 4.92
Silver- Nick Williams/Samford 4.94
Bronze-Sheldon Richardson/Missouri 5.02

40-Yard Dash/DE
Gold- *Cornelius Washington/Georgia 4.55 (worked out with LB's)
Silver- *Margus Hunt/SMU 4.60
Bronze-*Ziggy Ansah/BYU 4.63

Vertical Jump/DT
Gold- Nick Williams/Samford 33.0"
Silver- Jared Smith/New Hampshire 32.5"
Bronze-Sheldon Richardson/Missouri 32.0"

Vertical Jump/DE
Gold- *Cornelius Washington/Georgia 39.0"
Silver- Damontre Moore/Texas A&M 35.5"
Bronze-Devin Taylor/South Carolina 35.0"

Bench Press/DT
Gold- *Brandon Williams/Missouri Sou 38 reps
Silver- Akeem Spence/Illinois 37 reps
Bronze-*Josh Boyd/Mississippi State 32 reps

Bench Press/DE
Gold- *Margus Hunt/SMU 38 reps
Silver- *Cornelius Washington/Georgia 37 reps
Bronze-Tank Carradine/Florida State 28 reps

Body Beautiful Award:
DT- Nick Williams/Samford 6044/309/34 1-8" arm/10 1-4" hand
DE- *Ziggy Ansah/BYU 6052/271/35 1-8" arm/10 1-4" hand

Forget the 40/Trust the Tape:
DT- *Brandon Williams/Missouri Sou 5.37
Johnathan Hankins/Ohio State 5.31
DE- Bjoern Werner/Florida State 4.83

Acknowledge the 40/Better Check the Tape:
DT- T.J. Barnes/Georgia Tech 5.30 (at 369lbs)
DE- Corey Lemonier/Auburn 4.60
Devin Taylor/South Carolina 4.72


"Best in Show":
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Sharrif Floyd/Florida – Sharrif proved his worth as a potential top 10 pick with his athleticism, body control and quickness. After running 4.92, he changed directions well in the drills and showed that he belongs as the #1 DT at this point.

2. Sheldon Richardson/Missouri – Sheldon ran 5.02, repped 30 times on the bench and jumped 32". He came in at 294lbs, but will certainly be over 300lbs by the time he plays as a first-year pro starter in 2013. Dominated at times in the SEC, he will be a household name by the time April rolls around.

3. Nick Williams/Samford – Wrote this player at seniorbowl.com in September because he has an intriguing package of size and ability. A former high school basketball player, he has filled out (309lbs) and is a quality candidate as a 3-4 DE (5-technique). Needs to play more physical with a tougher demeanor. The NFL decision-makers have to go back and watch him on video now.

4. *Montori Hughes/UT-Martin – This Tennessee transfer is an athletic big man with balance and feet. He ran 5.23 at 329lbs and handles his body well when going through the drills. Every team in the league has done a character check on him, so that will go a long way in determining his draft value, but this prospect can really move for his size.

5. *Sylvester Williams/UNC – Huge props to Sylvester for finishing his senior season with a sprained ankle, committing to the Senior Bowl and completing every practice and the game and now coming to the Combine and doing everything. He has approached the pre-draft process as if he is still working at the carburetor factory like he did for one year after high school graduation. He simply punches the clock every day and is one of the most reliable prospects in this entire draft.

DEFENSIVE ENDS
1. *Ziggy Ansah/BYU – Maybe the most gifted athlete in the entire draft, he has rare traits for a potential DE in the NFL. He is explosive, has a punch in his hands and an incredible upside. Cannot imagine him not going in the top 10, someone is going to take a shot on this world class size/speed candidate.

2. *Cornelius Washington/Georgia – Cornelius worked out with the LB's, but he is a 4-3 DE, pure and simple. Give him one thing to do and turn him loose. Since the Senior Bowl, he has been on an upward ascent because of his physical ability. Ran 4.55, vertical jumped 39.0" and benched 37 times. He and Ansah overwhelmed the North offensive line in the Senior Bowl game, they almost did the same thing at the Combine today. NFL clubs are going to really have to dig and then decide if Cornelius is for them.

3. *Margus Hunt/SMU – The ultimate size/speed prospect, the SMU coaches have said for nine months that Margus "would blow up the Combine" and he absolutely did that today. Ran 4.60 at 6081/277, benched 38 times with 33 3-4" arms and jumped 34.5". Best fit is probably as a 3-4 DE (5-technique), but his best plays at the Senior Bowl came when he was on the edge. Might take a year plus, but should be a worthwhile project.

4. *Datone Jones/UCLA – Datone continued his consistent ways at the Combine with another solid performance. He ran 4.80, benched 29 times and jumped 31.5". He has coordinated feet and hands with the size and instincts to play DE in either the 3-4 or 4-3 (as a LE). Most likely a 2nd round pick in April.

5. Sam Montgomery/LSU – This junior ran 4.81, jumped 34.5" and will bench at his pro day on March 27. He is a straight-line athlete with a motor and should end up with a 4-3 team as a left DE.

Projected 1st Round Selections:
*Ziggy Ansah/BYU
-Sharrif Floyd/Florida
-Sam Montgomery/LSU
-Sheldon Richardson
-Bjoern Werner/Florida State
*Sylvester Williams
Possible 1st Round Selections:
-Tank Carradine/Florida State
-Johnathan Hankins/Ohio State
-Damontre Moore/Texas A&M
*Kawann Short/Purdue

http://seniorbowl.com/article.asp?articleID=528

[C Mart]

COMBINE REVIEW: Monday -- LB
Senior Bowl 2013 Combine Workout Evaluations
*Senior Bowl participant

Groups 7-8/DL and Group 9/Linebackers encompass the entire Front Seven. Executive Director Phil Savage separates the prospects further by breaking them down accordingly:

DL = DT or DE or OLB
LB = ILB or OLB or DE

Because there is so much variation between 3-4 and 4-3 systems, the DL can generally be classified as "inside" DT's or "outside" DE's, while the LB's are categorized as "box/off-the-line" or "edge/on-the-line" linebackers. These distinctions are very important and difficult to master, especially for the organizations that are changing schemes in the off-season after scouting for a different defense during the Fall.

GROUP 9/LINEBACKERS
Missed Workout with Medical Exclusion (unless noted):
-Kiko Alonso/Oregon (no 40, drills only)
*Arthur Brown/Kansas State
-Jelani Jenkins/Florida (no 40, drills only)
*Nico Johnson/Alabama
-Jarvis Jones/Georgia
-Jake Knott/Iowa State
-Mike Mauti/Penn State
-Lerentree McCray/Florida
-Etienne Sabino/Ohio State (pulled 1st 40, no drills)
-Mike Taylor/Wisconsin

Olympic Events/Podium Awards:
40-Yard Dash/Inside Linebackers
Gold- *Zaviar Gooden/Missouri 4.47
Silver- Jonathan Bostic/Florida 4.61
Bronze-*Sio Moore/UConn 4.65

40-Yard Dash/Outside Linebackers
Gold- *Trevardo Williams/UConn 4.57
Silver- Barkevious Mingo/LSU 4.58
t-Bronze-Dion Jordan/Oregon 4.60
Corey Lemonier/Auburn 4.60

Vertical Jump/Inside Linebackers
Gold- *Sio Moore/UConn 38.0"
Silver- John Lotulelei/UNLV 35.5"
Bronze-Zaviar Gooden/Missouri 34.0"

Vertical Jump/Outside Linebackers
Gold- *Jamie Collins/Southern Miss 41.5"
Silver- *Trevardo Williams/UConn 38.0"
t-Bronze-Barkevious Mingo/LSU 37.0"
Ty Powell/Harding U. 37.0"

Bench Press/Inside Linebackers
Gold- *Sio Moore/UConn 29 reps
Silver- Mike Mauti/Penn State 28 reps
t-Bronze-*Zaviar Gooden/Missouri 27 reps
Jelani Jenkins/Florida 27 reps

Bench Press/Outside Linebackers
Gold- *Trevardo Williams/UConn 30 reps
Silver- *Ty Powell/Harding U. 28 reps
Bronze-Nate Williams/Ohio State 24 reps

Body Beautiful Award:
ILB- *Zaviar Gooden/Missouri 6014/234/32 1-4" arm/10" hand
OLB- Dion Jordan/Oregon 6062/248/33 7-8" arm/10" hand

Forget the 40/Trust the Tape:
ILB- Manti Te'o/Notre Dame 4.82
Kevin Minter/LSU 4.81
OLB- None

Acknowledge the 40/Better Check the Tape:
ILB- *Zaviar Gooden/Missouri 4.47
OLB- *Jamie Collins/So.Miss 4.64

"Best in Show":
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. *Zaviar Gooden/Missouri – Expected to test well, Zaviar exceeded even the most optimistic numbers. He ran 4.47 and recorded times of 6.71 in the 3-Cone, 4.18 in the short shuttle and 11.28 in the 60-yard shuttle, plus, he benched 27 times and vertical jumped 34.0". He is sudden, has straight-line acceleration and good ball skills. He is an ideal linebacker candidate for defending the modern era "space" and spread offenses. Zaviar is a true Will in the 4-3 where he can get protection and chase the football without being required to have perfect instincts.

2. *Sio Moore/UConn – Sio has taken off since arriving at the East-West Shrine, playing in the Senior Bowl and now performing well at the Combine. He ran 4.65, benched 29 times and jumped 38" inches before working out with efficiency on the field. Can fit either scheme, he also has some pass rush/blitz ability.

3. Jonathan Bostic/Florida – Jonathanhad a real positive day after missing the Senior Bowl with a hamstring strain. He ran 4.61, then a 6.99 in the 3-Cone and a 4.24 in the short shuttle. He has the athletic skills to play Will with the size to hold up as a Mike. Jack-of-all-trades type that can help on special teams, too.

4. Alec Ogletree/Georgia – This former high school safety is a fluid athlete and also fits best as a Will in the 4-3. He tested well, but not spectacularly like many said he would. He is rangy, covers ground and has ball skills. Every team has to make a decision on his character, just in case he is on the board as the draft unfolds.

5. *Kevin Reddick/North Carolina – At times, Kevin looks one-speed on tape without much space ability. Today, he ran 4.72, moved through the drills well and did not look out of place athletically. He actually ran better than the two top ILB's, Minter and Te'o.

Others of Note:
-Kiko Alonso/Oregon – Did not run, but went through position work showing his effort and ball skills.

-Kevin Minter/LSU – Measured 5116/246 and ran 4.81, he was better in the on-field drills, but never showed supreme burst and quickness.

-Manti Te'o/Notre Dame – All eyes were on Manti as he ran 4.82. He was fluid in the drill work and caught the ball well, but does not have much explosion for a potential 1st rounder.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. Barkevious Mingo/LSU – Barkevious had a stellar workout as expected. No one questions his athletic ability and speed, but his skill set has not resulted in big-time production. A move to the 3-4 will help him because he can get matched up against tight ends and backs on occasion. Needs to be more physical at the point-of-attack, however, he is an ideal candidate for a team looking to add a right-side 3-4 OLB. He ran 4.58, jumped 37" and moves like a safety.

2. Dion Jordan/Oregon – Dion also had a supremely impressive workout as a member of the DL group. He ran 4.60 at 6062/248, jumped 32.5" in the vertical and 10' even in the broad. Some are saying that he will gain 15-20lbs and become a 4-3 DE. The belief here is that he converts to 3-4 OLB and then becomes a Sub rusher more than a pass defender (like he was used at Oregon). An extremely gifted athlete, going to Philadelphia's new 3-4 as a long, athletic pass rusher at #4 may not be out of the question. In some ways, he brings Kalimba Edwards/South Carolina to mind, a very long-limbed prospect who could play as a LB or DE and did so at the NFL level.

3. *Jamie Collins/Southern Miss – Jamie ran 4.64 and recorded incredible vertical and broad jumps of 41.5" and 11'7", respectively. More OLB than DE, he measured 6034/250. His production is better on the stat sheet than on the tapes, but with this kind of raw talent, someone is going to try and teach him how to play pro football. Sat out most of the week at the Senior Bowl with an injury.

4. *Ty Powell/Harding U. – Ty was a late add to the Senior Bowl, but he has been on the way up ever since. He has explosiveness in his body as evidenced by his 37" vertical and 10'2" broad, plus his 4.64 in the 40. He worked with the DL, but there is no doubt here that he is a future
3-4 OLB. NFL scouts will be map-questing Searcy, AR on March 5.

Projected 1st Round Selections:
-Jarvis Jones/Georgia
-Dion Jordan/Oregon
-Barkevious Mingo/LSU
-Alec Ogletree/Georgia

Possible 1st Round Picks:
-Manti Te'o/Notre Dame

http://seniorbowl.com/article.asp?articleID=529

[Tinstar]

2. *Sio Moore/UConn – Sio has taken off since arriving at the East-West Shrine, playing in the Senior Bowl and now performing well at the Combine. He ran 4.65, benched 29 times and jumped 38" inches before working out with efficiency on the field. Can fit either scheme, he also has some pass rush/blitz ability.

I think Monte Kifin has just found his next Tampa 2 Middle Linebacker.

[Rexipus Rex]

Originally Posted by Tinstar

2. *Sio Moore/UConn – Sio has taken off since arriving at the East-West Shrine, playing in the Senior Bowl and now performing well at the Combine. He ran 4.65, benched 29 times and jumped 38" inches before working out with efficiency on the field. Can fit either scheme, he also has some pass rush/blitz ability.

I think Monte Kifin has just found his next Tampa 2 Middle Linebacker.

I think the Cowboys are set at WOLB and MLB with Lee and Carter

[Xmarco]

Surprised Khaseem Greene not gettting the love. Dude is a machine

[CTJetsFanII]

3. *Jamie Collins/Southern Miss – Jamie ran 4.64 and recorded incredible vertical and broad jumps of 41.5" and 11'7", respectively. More OLB than DE, he measured 6034/250. His production is better on the stat sheet than on the tapes, but with this kind of raw talent, someone is going to try and teach him how to play pro football. Sat out most of the week at the Senior Bowl with an injury.


I'm liking this kid in the 3rd-4th round if we don't address the position earlier.

[Eckesg1]

Originally Posted by CTJetsFanII

3. *Jamie Collins/Southern Miss – Jamie ran 4.64 and recorded incredible vertical and broad jumps of 41.5" and 11'7", respectively. More OLB than DE, he measured 6034/250. His production is better on the stat sheet than on the tapes, but with this kind of raw talent, someone is going to try and teach him how to play pro football. Sat out most of the week at the Senior Bowl with an injury.


I'm liking this kid in the 3rd-4th round if we don't address the position earlier.

I would go with him in the second round. He was given a 2nd-3rd round grade and his stock definitely rose. He could even go in the 1st.

[Paradis]

Do I need to bump my pre-combine Floyd thread?.... nope. cause there's no way in hell that future-stud makes it out of the top 6 now. Probably top 3.

[Ruby2]

Originally Posted by Paradis

Do I need to bump my pre-combine Floyd thread?.... nope. cause there's no way in hell that future-stud makes it out of the top 6 now. Probably top 3.

Gotta give credit where credits due, good call.

[Untouchable]

Originally Posted by Paradis

Do I need to bump my pre-combine Floyd thread?.... nope. cause there's no way in hell that future-stud makes it out of the top 6 now. Probably top 3.

Floyd was widely considered a Top 5 pick before the combine.

His workout simply cemented his status as a Top 3 pick.

[Paradis]

Originally Posted by Untouchable

Floyd was widely considered a Top 5 pick before the combine.

His workout simply cemented his status as a Top 3 pick.

bah, he was regarded as a top 5 DT for sure. Top 5 pick? Dunno about that one Johnny... but regardless. He is no longer a possibility for us at all sadly. Not with CLE, JAX, OAK in need.