Merk
March 1st, 2006, 1:43:10 PM
Indianapolis is widely known for 2 things, the Indy 500 and of course the NFL combine. The combine is considered the Mecca for all college football players looking to be drafted in late April. Like the Senior Bowl before it, it is a place where a players stock can rise through the roof or drop through the floor in a matter of days, or even tenths of a second as proven by the 40 times. So we will take a look at 15 players who saw their stock rise during this combine and benefited from working out. We will also take a look at three players who chose not to work out, who saw their stock drop.
1. Vernon Davis (TE Maryland): One Word, Wow! There is usually one player each year that makes the combine his own stage. In 2006 that player is Vernon Davis. Davis came in ranked by most as the number 1 TE on that board. Upon leaving the combine he might be the number 1 ranked player overall on some teams boards. He started off his visit to Indy by putting an end to rumors that he was too short. He measured in at 6’3. He began his workouts by breaking the record in the 40 for TE’s by posting a 4.38. He then went on to flash amazing agility, body control, pass catching, and blocking skill. Overall, nobody helped themselves more at the 2006 Combine than Vernon Davis.
2. Jay Cutler (QB Vandy): Can this kid do anything wrong ? Scouts are just enamored with him. He is the only highly rated QB that decided to go through all the drills at the combine and for that he should be commended. He threw up 23 reps on the 225, which is impressive for a QB, especially considering its rare that a QB prospects even take part in the drill. He put his arm strength on display and showed more accuracy than people had given him credit for. Cutler has shown a lot of moxie so far this off-season.
3. Marques Colston (WR Hofstra): One thing was known about Colston before he came to the combine, and that is he has the height to play WR in the NFL (he measured in at 6’4). What was not known was does he have the speed? The answer is a resounding Yes. He removed all doubt by posting a 4.43 40 time. Another question that needed to be answered was does he have the hands to compete at the next level. While the answer was not quite as definitively answered, scouts came away no longer overly concerned. Colston has moved up the draft board from the early second day pick to a definite 3rd rounder, with an outside shot at landing in the 2nd round.
4. Haloti Ngata (DT Oregon): Ngata came to the combine as the top rated DT on many teams draft board and after the combine he will retain that title. There had been rumors that Ngata had lost control of his weight but those rumors were quickly dispelled when he came in at 338 lbs. He had a good showing in his drills, showing good technique all day. He leaves the combine w/ 3-4 teams drooling over him and 4-3 teams still intrigued.
5. Brodrick Bunkley (DT Florida St): With Ngata holding the top spot for DT’s, the number 2 has been somewhat up for grabs. Well after the combine the race is pretty much over for the number 2 spot. Bunkley has secured that position. He passes the eyeball test. From the moment you see him all you see is muscle. He is put together extremely well. He did very well in all his tests, putting up 225 lbs 44 times and running the 40 in the 4.9’s. He also showed good technique and a high level of intensity throughout his workouts. With the title of number 2 DT firmly in his grip there is no doubt he will now set his sights on the number 1 spot. In fact, he may already be there for teams seeking a single gap penetrator.
6. Chad Jackson (WR Florida): Jackson put up a blazing 40 time w/ a 4.32. With S.Holmes from OSU not participating in the combine Jackson has taken over as the top WR in this year's draft. He has a great combination of size, speed, and hands. He put them all on display at the combine.
7. Charles Spencer (Guard Pitt): Spencer came into the combine ranked all over the place as far as guards go. There was worry that a man his size would not have great mobility. His combine performance started to lay to rest some of that thinking. For a man weighing in at 352 lbs he showed a great deal of quickness for that size and athleticism by posting a 5.23 in the 40. That is a great score for a man his size.
8. Michael Huff (CB/S Texas): Came to the combine and showed he is as athletic as advertised. Ran a great 40 w/ a 4.36 and showed that he has the speed to play any secondary position that he is asked. He also put up 21 reps of 225 showing that he has the strength to add to a teams run support. He has assured himself to be the first secondary player of the board in April
9. Mark Anderson (DE Alabama): Anderson has been on a roll since the Senior Bowl. He is now making a serious run at being a solid 2nd round pick and maybe even jump into the late 1st. He posted good times in all his drills, including the 40 where he ran a 4.61. He is now starting to draw comparisons to John Abraham.
10. Tye Hill (CB Clemson): 4.30 40, now that is moving! He followed up a great showing at the Senior Bowl w/ a great 40 time and was excellent in drills showing fluid hips and good ball tracking skills. Right now he has passed Jimmy Williams as the top CB on the board, if you consider Huff as a safety.
11. Ernie Sims (LB Florida St): Sims was ranked in a lot of different places on scout's LB boards. Some have him as the 5th or 6th best prospect, while others have him at #2 between Hawk and Greenway. He posted a great 40 time at 4.5 and graded out very high on the other LB drills. He has likely assured himself of being at least the third rated LB on the board.
12. Jerious Norwood (RB Miss St): The RB portion of the Combine should have been renamed the “Jerious Norwood Show” after his showing. He posted top 5 marks in almost every drill and placed first in a bunch of them. He is proving himself to be a jack-of-all-trades RB and is now at worst a solid 2nd round pick.
13. Andrew Whitworth (LT LSU): Whitworth coming into the combine was considered by many to be a first day selection. After the combine he is at least a late second rounder. He surprised scouts by showing excellent athleticism in all the drills. Whitworth showed good hips along and great feet for a tackle. He leaves the combine having proved that he is more athletic than advertised.
14. Jason Allen (S Tenn.): Concerns about a hip injury he suffered earlier in the year were wiped away when he ran the 40 in 4.42. He also had a good showing in the drills and solidified himself as a first day pick. He is a good bet to go in the 2nd or early 3rd round.
15. Ingle Martin (QB Furman): Who? That’s what most scouts where saying when he lined up to go through drills. But he did much to improve his stock this weekend. He showed great arm strength, velocity and some accuracy to go w/ it. Before the combine most considered him a only as an undrafted FA rookie prospect. He should now expect a call in the later rounds of April's draft.
Now that we have completed the riser’s part of the review its time to take a look at 3 players who lost stock during this years combine. It should be noted that though it is hard to lose a lot of stock at the combine just by going through the drills (most players who participate either gain or stay the same, unless a player completely flops in drills. That didn't happen this year). What can make a player's stock drop is his decision not to participate at all in the Combine. Not participating can raise questions in scouts minds and can even irritate some. Here are two examples
Vince Young (QB Texas): For someone who didn’t participate in any drills Young sure got a lot of Headlines. The first were rumors of a low wonderlic score, which plagued him over the whole event and probably will up to the day of the draft. Vince also has the most questions of any of the top QB’s in this draft and he should take every opportunity that is presented to him to answer these questions. Unfortunately he did not and for that and the sudden rise of Cutler his stock has fallen a bit. He is now under a lot of pressure to light it up at his pro day and individual team workouts
Charlie Whitehurst (QB Clemson): His stock drops for not working out either. At least Vince has a bit of an excuse in the fact that usually a top 5 QB does not work out at the combine. But what is Whitehurst's excuse? By not working out O.Jacobs or Croyle may have surpassed him as the number 4 or 5 QB on the board depending on where you had them ranked. Also by not going to the combine he is showing a lack competitive fire to showcase his skills as much as possible. In the end this decision may come back to haunt him
Claude Wroten (DT LSU) Wroten was arrested for possesion with the intent to sell narcotics last month. If that wasn't cause enough to have him free fall, the first opportunity he has to change some minds, he begged out of working out. Wroten has 1st round talent, but now many teams may have completely removed his name from their boards.
1. Vernon Davis (TE Maryland): One Word, Wow! There is usually one player each year that makes the combine his own stage. In 2006 that player is Vernon Davis. Davis came in ranked by most as the number 1 TE on that board. Upon leaving the combine he might be the number 1 ranked player overall on some teams boards. He started off his visit to Indy by putting an end to rumors that he was too short. He measured in at 6’3. He began his workouts by breaking the record in the 40 for TE’s by posting a 4.38. He then went on to flash amazing agility, body control, pass catching, and blocking skill. Overall, nobody helped themselves more at the 2006 Combine than Vernon Davis.
2. Jay Cutler (QB Vandy): Can this kid do anything wrong ? Scouts are just enamored with him. He is the only highly rated QB that decided to go through all the drills at the combine and for that he should be commended. He threw up 23 reps on the 225, which is impressive for a QB, especially considering its rare that a QB prospects even take part in the drill. He put his arm strength on display and showed more accuracy than people had given him credit for. Cutler has shown a lot of moxie so far this off-season.
3. Marques Colston (WR Hofstra): One thing was known about Colston before he came to the combine, and that is he has the height to play WR in the NFL (he measured in at 6’4). What was not known was does he have the speed? The answer is a resounding Yes. He removed all doubt by posting a 4.43 40 time. Another question that needed to be answered was does he have the hands to compete at the next level. While the answer was not quite as definitively answered, scouts came away no longer overly concerned. Colston has moved up the draft board from the early second day pick to a definite 3rd rounder, with an outside shot at landing in the 2nd round.
4. Haloti Ngata (DT Oregon): Ngata came to the combine as the top rated DT on many teams draft board and after the combine he will retain that title. There had been rumors that Ngata had lost control of his weight but those rumors were quickly dispelled when he came in at 338 lbs. He had a good showing in his drills, showing good technique all day. He leaves the combine w/ 3-4 teams drooling over him and 4-3 teams still intrigued.
5. Brodrick Bunkley (DT Florida St): With Ngata holding the top spot for DT’s, the number 2 has been somewhat up for grabs. Well after the combine the race is pretty much over for the number 2 spot. Bunkley has secured that position. He passes the eyeball test. From the moment you see him all you see is muscle. He is put together extremely well. He did very well in all his tests, putting up 225 lbs 44 times and running the 40 in the 4.9’s. He also showed good technique and a high level of intensity throughout his workouts. With the title of number 2 DT firmly in his grip there is no doubt he will now set his sights on the number 1 spot. In fact, he may already be there for teams seeking a single gap penetrator.
6. Chad Jackson (WR Florida): Jackson put up a blazing 40 time w/ a 4.32. With S.Holmes from OSU not participating in the combine Jackson has taken over as the top WR in this year's draft. He has a great combination of size, speed, and hands. He put them all on display at the combine.
7. Charles Spencer (Guard Pitt): Spencer came into the combine ranked all over the place as far as guards go. There was worry that a man his size would not have great mobility. His combine performance started to lay to rest some of that thinking. For a man weighing in at 352 lbs he showed a great deal of quickness for that size and athleticism by posting a 5.23 in the 40. That is a great score for a man his size.
8. Michael Huff (CB/S Texas): Came to the combine and showed he is as athletic as advertised. Ran a great 40 w/ a 4.36 and showed that he has the speed to play any secondary position that he is asked. He also put up 21 reps of 225 showing that he has the strength to add to a teams run support. He has assured himself to be the first secondary player of the board in April
9. Mark Anderson (DE Alabama): Anderson has been on a roll since the Senior Bowl. He is now making a serious run at being a solid 2nd round pick and maybe even jump into the late 1st. He posted good times in all his drills, including the 40 where he ran a 4.61. He is now starting to draw comparisons to John Abraham.
10. Tye Hill (CB Clemson): 4.30 40, now that is moving! He followed up a great showing at the Senior Bowl w/ a great 40 time and was excellent in drills showing fluid hips and good ball tracking skills. Right now he has passed Jimmy Williams as the top CB on the board, if you consider Huff as a safety.
11. Ernie Sims (LB Florida St): Sims was ranked in a lot of different places on scout's LB boards. Some have him as the 5th or 6th best prospect, while others have him at #2 between Hawk and Greenway. He posted a great 40 time at 4.5 and graded out very high on the other LB drills. He has likely assured himself of being at least the third rated LB on the board.
12. Jerious Norwood (RB Miss St): The RB portion of the Combine should have been renamed the “Jerious Norwood Show” after his showing. He posted top 5 marks in almost every drill and placed first in a bunch of them. He is proving himself to be a jack-of-all-trades RB and is now at worst a solid 2nd round pick.
13. Andrew Whitworth (LT LSU): Whitworth coming into the combine was considered by many to be a first day selection. After the combine he is at least a late second rounder. He surprised scouts by showing excellent athleticism in all the drills. Whitworth showed good hips along and great feet for a tackle. He leaves the combine having proved that he is more athletic than advertised.
14. Jason Allen (S Tenn.): Concerns about a hip injury he suffered earlier in the year were wiped away when he ran the 40 in 4.42. He also had a good showing in the drills and solidified himself as a first day pick. He is a good bet to go in the 2nd or early 3rd round.
15. Ingle Martin (QB Furman): Who? That’s what most scouts where saying when he lined up to go through drills. But he did much to improve his stock this weekend. He showed great arm strength, velocity and some accuracy to go w/ it. Before the combine most considered him a only as an undrafted FA rookie prospect. He should now expect a call in the later rounds of April's draft.
Now that we have completed the riser’s part of the review its time to take a look at 3 players who lost stock during this years combine. It should be noted that though it is hard to lose a lot of stock at the combine just by going through the drills (most players who participate either gain or stay the same, unless a player completely flops in drills. That didn't happen this year). What can make a player's stock drop is his decision not to participate at all in the Combine. Not participating can raise questions in scouts minds and can even irritate some. Here are two examples
Vince Young (QB Texas): For someone who didn’t participate in any drills Young sure got a lot of Headlines. The first were rumors of a low wonderlic score, which plagued him over the whole event and probably will up to the day of the draft. Vince also has the most questions of any of the top QB’s in this draft and he should take every opportunity that is presented to him to answer these questions. Unfortunately he did not and for that and the sudden rise of Cutler his stock has fallen a bit. He is now under a lot of pressure to light it up at his pro day and individual team workouts
Charlie Whitehurst (QB Clemson): His stock drops for not working out either. At least Vince has a bit of an excuse in the fact that usually a top 5 QB does not work out at the combine. But what is Whitehurst's excuse? By not working out O.Jacobs or Croyle may have surpassed him as the number 4 or 5 QB on the board depending on where you had them ranked. Also by not going to the combine he is showing a lack competitive fire to showcase his skills as much as possible. In the end this decision may come back to haunt him
Claude Wroten (DT LSU) Wroten was arrested for possesion with the intent to sell narcotics last month. If that wasn't cause enough to have him free fall, the first opportunity he has to change some minds, he begged out of working out. Wroten has 1st round talent, but now many teams may have completely removed his name from their boards.