Combine info and notes...

[hawaiianboy]

Hopefully you folks with NFL Network can summerize for those of us without...


Per Clayton:

Brady Quinn won't do any drills at the combine... JaMarcus Russell to at least throw and Adrian Peterson and Calvin Johnson to also do some drills...


I'm not a Quinn hater but no combine, no SR Bowl, iffy in big games... I'm starting to wonder if he is the type to get stagefright standing at a urinal if you know what I mean...

At the very least, it should be mandatory that a QB throw and WR's and RB's run...

 

[RZ]

Hopefully you folks with NFL Network can summerize for those of us without...


Per Clayton:

Brady Quinn won't do any drills at the combine... JaMarcus Russell to at least throw and Adrian Peterson and Calvin Johnson to also do some drills...


I'm not a Quinn hater but no combine, no SR Bowl, iffy in big games... I'm starting to wonder if he is the type to get stagefright standing at a urinal if you know what I mean...

At the very least, it should be mandatory that a QB throw and WR's and RB's run...

Is Quinn going to work out for Scouts after the Combine?

 

[BigTron]

Is Quinn going to work out for Scouts after the Combine?

He doesnt seem all that confident IMO. He seems like he doesnt want his stock to go down any further. What does he have to lose besides millions

 

[Banter]

Gawd damn. Quinn spent 5 weeks working out in Arizona just so he could take his shirt off and stand on a scale and get his height measured. What a fuck a waste of money.

 

[hawaiianboy]

Is Quinn going to work out for Scouts after the Combine?

On March 4th within the protective bubble of the Notre Dame Pro day where the 40 times are generous and he won't be throwing side by side with JaMarcus Russell...


I really don't understand why he won't even throw with the quality or receivers that will be at the combine... I really hope he changes his mind... I hope all the top guys, be it Quinn, JaMarcus, Peterson or whoever, at least participate in things that are relevant to their position...

 

[BigTron]

Gawd damn. Quinn spent 5 weeks working out in Arizona just so he could take his shirt off and stand on a scale and get his height measured. What a fuck a waste of money.

He doesnt want to stand next to JR and he def doesnt wanna throw near him. Quinn's to busy spiking his hair to show off his skills at the combine. I dont like that early sign on Quinn. A fiery competitior who wants to prove he is #1 worthy would be out there confident and strong. I really think that JR is looking more and more like the pick. As much as i love AD and CJ, it might be the right way to go. When are we ever going to have a chance at a 21 year old guy with limitless potential. Kiffin and JR could grow together, they both will need time to adjust to the NFL. We need to trade Moss because he wont be here whne JR finally is groomed. Id rather let Bowe or another 2nd round WR grow with them too. RB's and Wr's come around all the time. I guess im gettting off the #1 overall AP bandwagon today, But i still would trade down over anything.

 

[RZ]

Gawd damn. Quinn spent 5 weeks working out in Arizona just so he could take his shirt off and stand on a scale and get his height measured. What a fuck a waste of money.

lol.. he is doing a little more than that, but ya, I get the point.

This is what he is doing:

Team Interviews
Urinanalysis
Height/Weight/Arm Length/Hand Span
Wonderlic Test
Physical Examination/Medical Exams
Vision Test
EKG & Possible Stress Test
Orthopedic Stations
Blood Test
Medical History

This is what he is NOT doing:

10/20/40-yard dash
Bench press
Vertical jump
Broad jump
20-yard shuttle run
60-yard shuttle run
3-cone drill

QB specific skill drills
1. Grip
2. Drops and throwing motion
3. Rollouts
4. Throws (ball speed) and routes to receivers

 

[RZ]

On March 4th within the protective bubble of the Notre Dame Pro day where the 40 times are generous and he won't be throwing side by side with JaMarcus Russell...

I really don't understand why he won't even throw with the quality or receivers that will be at the combine... I really hope he changes his mind... I hope all the top guys, be it Quinn, JaMarcus, Peterson or whoever, at least participate in things that are relevant to their position...

Thats what I figured he would do. I don't understand it either. Its only hurting him IMO.

 

[hawaiianboy]

To be fair, I didn't like it then either but neither Young or Leinart did anything at the combine...It hurt Leinart IMO and Cutler damn near leapfrogged him in large because of what he did at the combine... Neither Young or Leinart had questions about performing under pressure attached to them and to me the combine is a pressure situation... Granted his arm strength isn't going to compare with JaMarcus, but he has a chance to show that he's maybe more techniquely sound and that his ball placement and touch is at least on par...

To me if he doesn't at least do the QB Specific drills RZ listed, he's basically conceeding the #1 QB spot to JR... I want a guy that will step up in the face of competition rather than play it safe... If that's not Quinn and that's not Russell, then I'd rather pass on taking a QB...

 

[BigTron]

To be fair, I didn't like it then either but neither Young or Leinart did anything at the combine...It hurt Leinart IMO and Cutler damn near leapfrogged him in large because of what he did at the combine... Neither Young or Leinart had questions about performing under pressure attached to them and to me the combine is a pressure situation... Granted his arm strength isn't going to compare with JaMarcus, but he has a chance to show that he's maybe more techniquely sound and that his ball placement and touch is at least on par...

To me if he doesn't at least do the QB Specific drills RZ listed, he's basically conceeding the #1 QB spot to JR... I want a guy that will step up in the face of competition rather than play it safe... If that's not Quinn and that's not Russell, then I'd rather pass on taking a QB...

Thats what im saying, millions and pride at stake. If your BQ how can you let JR just take your #1 spot like that... Bitch move. Cutler had to prove himself and get his name out. Lienart was a better prospect than BQ too. First Brady loses the hiesman while having a cupcake schedule, now the #1 spot. The good news is he will be able to buy and sell people like me in two months!

 

[Crossbones]

lol.. he is doing a little more than that, but ya, I get the point.

This is what he is doing:

Team Interviews
Urinanalysis
Height/Weight/Arm Length/Hand Span
Wonderlic Test
Physical Examination/Medical Exams
Vision Test
EKG & Possible Stress Test
Orthopedic Stations
Blood Test
Medical History

This is what he is NOT doing:

10/20/40-yard dash
Bench press
Vertical jump
Broad jump
20-yard shuttle run
60-yard shuttle run
3-cone drill

QB specific skill drills
1. Grip
2. Drops and throwing motion
3. Rollouts
4. Throws (ball speed) and routes to receivers

That's might Christian of him.

To be fair, I didn't like it then either but neither Young or Leinart did anything at the combine...It hurt Leinart IMO and Cutler damn near leapfrogged him in large because of what he did at the combine... Neither Young or Leinart had questions about performing under pressure attached to them and to me the combine is a pressure situation... Granted his arm strength isn't going to compare with JaMarcus, but he has a chance to show that he's maybe more techniquely sound and that his ball placement and touch is at least on par...

To me if he doesn't at least do the QB Specific drills RZ listed, he's basically conceeding the #1 QB spot to JR... I want a guy that will step up in the face of competition rather than play it safe... If that's not Quinn and that's not Russell, then I'd rather pass on taking a QB...

I think you hit the nail exactly on the head. Quinn is screwing up. Now I have decided to change my vote from Quinn to "trade down"...

 

[hawaiianboy]

He's a fave of some here so:


Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.Played at Rockford High School, in western Michigan.
Combine weigh in: 6-5-7, 305 pounds.
Hands: 10.25.
Arms: 34.25.
Agent: Rick Smith of Chicago.

Background: Staley was a track star in high school. He has recorded times of 10.8 seconds for 100 meters and 21.9 for 200 meters. He made all state as a senior at Rockford.

He gained about 80 pounds from the time he enrolled at CMU in 2003. He was a four-year player at CMU. He was switched from tight end in 2003, to right tackle in 2004, then to left tackle his last two seasons.

He had planned to do all of the tests at the Combine but said he injured his right hamstring doing a mock Combine workout the week before the Combine. He has been training at The Plex in the Houston area since Jan. 3.

Staley will not workout at the Combine. His Pro Day is at CMU on March 15.


“I’m about 80 percent now,” he said. “I don’t want to pull it again.”


On how he developed his speed:
“I came to Central, I was about 230 pounds. After my first year, the new coaching staff came in. I was about 255. I thought I was a good sized tight end then. No, I was going to be a right tackle. They moved me. It kind of worked out for me.”


On his weight progression:
“I gained 30 pounds the first year, and played at 260 my first year at tackle.
I moved to the left side and played at 285.”
He was 295 as a senior, then 305 for the Combine weigh-in, Staley said.


On the Combine atmosphere:
“It’s exciting. I never really had this stuff at Central Michigan. I kind of wish we had this stuff at Central Michigan. I see everybody on ESPN. It’s exciting. I enjoy the moment and try to soak it in.”


He is not switching back to tight end:
“Everybody’s talking to me about playing tackle,” he said – obviously.


Describing his style:
“I’m an athletic tackle, I get out in space well. Definitely a hard worker.
I take pride in finishing my blocks. I’m real competitive.”


Does he pattern himself after anyone?
“I don’t emulate anyone.”
At The Plex, he worked out with Brad Hopkins, who was there to help the linemen:
“I worked out with Brad Hopkins, just preparing for this whole deal. He was a 13-year veteran in the league. We have similar styles. He’s an athletic tackle. He came into the league a little bigger than I was. He lost weight through his career. He was an athletic tackle and moved well.

“Especially on the left side, you’re dealing with speed rushers so much. Playing tackle and having that athletic background I have is definitely going to help me. I have the balance and coordination that comes with being a left tackle.”


He said he was upset that he could not follow through on his plan to workout at the Combine:
“I’m really ticked I’m not doing everything at the Combine. I was very excited. I did a really good job putting some film together my senior year. We were running a mock Combine back at the place I was training at in Houston. I just had an unfortunate incident. When I ran my 40, I pulled my right hamstring.

“I rehabbed it real hard last week to get ready. I really wanted to run here. I really wanted to show my athleticism off. It was somewhere where I could have put the icing on the cake as far as my season went. I wasn’t ready yet. I didn’t want to risk pulling it more.”


He tested it Tuesday, one day before departing Houston for Indy.
“I was actually walking through a drill. It wasn’t feeling strong at all.”


On what he hears about his draft stock:

“I’m excited to play for any team. I’m hearing late first, second round.”


On playing at the Senior Bowl – he was put on the South team, even though CMU is one of the northernmost teams in the country, because the people running the Senior Bowl wanted to make sure he played left tackle not right tackle:


“It was a great learning experience, the speed and temnpo of the next level. Everybody we were playing against was the best players in the country. They were going to be on an NFL roster.

“I thought I had a great week at the Senior Bowl. There’s a lot of talent at the left tackle position.”

 

[hawaiianboy]

Raiders doing their due diligence?....

Raiders have dinner with NFL prospect

The Oakland Raiders, armed with a new coach and a new way of thinking, are moving quickly to determine what direction they will take with their picks in the NFL Draft. The process began on Wednesday in Indianapolis when the team met with a prospect over dinner.

SilverandBlack.com and Scout.com has confirmed that Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas sat down for a formal meeting with the Oakland Raiders. The 6-foot-6, 311-pound behemoth is widely considered the top left tackle prospect on the NFL Draft board and will be a consideration for the Raiders – even with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Ideally, Oakland would prefer to trade down two or three spots and pick up Thomas, netting the extra picks to help a team that has a number of areas that need improvement.

Thomas tore a ligament in his knee last year while playing defensive end – that’s right, defensive end. He came back and had another strong season for the Badgers in 2006.

The Raiders could use a man of his talents along the line, moving Robert Gallery back to right tackle. Thomas is considered a strong run blocker and a developing pass protector that could be a cornerstone for a franchise.

He is a player that will be in high demand at the top of the NFL Draft board, already meeting with Detroit and Cleveland.

 

[BigTron]

Raiders doing their due diligence?....

Raiders have dinner with NFL prospect

The Oakland Raiders, armed with a new coach and a new way of thinking, are moving quickly to determine what direction they will take with their picks in the NFL Draft. The process began on Wednesday in Indianapolis when the team met with a prospect over dinner.

SilverandBlack.com and Scout.com has confirmed that Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas sat down for a formal meeting with the Oakland Raiders. The 6-foot-6, 311-pound behemoth is widely considered the top left tackle prospect on the NFL Draft board and will be a consideration for the Raiders – even with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Ideally, Oakland would prefer to trade down two or three spots and pick up Thomas, netting the extra picks to help a team that has a number of areas that need improvement.

Thomas tore a ligament in his knee last year while playing defensive end – that’s right, defensive end. He came back and had another strong season for the Badgers in 2006.

The Raiders could use a man of his talents along the line, moving Robert Gallery back to right tackle. Thomas is considered a strong run blocker and a developing pass protector that could be a cornerstone for a franchise.

He is a player that will be in high demand at the top of the NFL Draft board, already meeting with Detroit and Cleveland.

Nice posts. I cant tell if we want to move Robert Gallery to RT. If thats the plan he needs to take a big paycut. There are alot of tackles that could start on either side of Gallery next year. L.Davis, Steinbach, Staley, L.Brown, L.Pettigout, W.Thomas, Gandy, T.Ugoh, J.Thomas, Columbo, Sears, Harris, Free, Grubbs, Blaylock and im forgetting like 5-6. Its crazy how many options there really are at tackle. It a good thing because we might need to move RobG out of LT mid season if he looks bad.

Will Grove be at C or G.
McQuistan at RT?
Boothe at LG or RG?
Gallery ar LT or RT.

Im guessing the fact they are moving McQuistan(3rd Rnd pick) to tackle means Gallery is staying at LT. Why put him behind someone? i know its early but they did change the position on the roster.

 

[007]

Mayock, Schefter AND Kiper all stated recently that it hurts prospects more in the eyes of team scouts and GM's when they don't do the drills.

If you get invited to the combine, and are able to do the drills, you should do them. I bet there are one thousand borderline kids who would relish the opportunity to be amongst those guys doing drills etc.

 

[Madturk]

I just don't want to see Ja Russ get the #1 by default but looks like Quinn is in danger of taking himself out of the top 10. I don't understand it, especially in light of all the questions surrounding him after the Sugar Bowl.

 

[Stanny]

I've said it before and I will say it again....Quinn is Tim Couch my friends. Please send all death threats to:

Hawaiian Boy
PO Box 1111
Da Big Island

 

[Stanny]

A little note:

Quinn's skill as a quarterback. He's got a great arm, is accurate, has a decent head from what I've seen and is likely to be the No.1 pick in the NFL draft. What I'm going to point out here is that when hack broadcasters like Brent Musburger, Bob Davie, Tom Hammond and Lou Holtz expound on how much Quinn has accomplished in his career and how he's etched his name into "Irish lore" repeatedly, they're lying to you.

Here are the facts:
In four years at the helm of Notre Dame's offense, Brady Quinn is 29-18 as a starter. Not too bad huh? Well, when you take out Stanford, BYU and the service academies that record changes to 18-17* (corrected from 17-18). That's legendary?

Quinn has never won a bowl game (0-2) and has never beaten USC (0-4). And while he's racked up tons of yards (11,614 career) and touchdowns (93 career) those numbers don't mean much without big victories. Hell, Timmy Chang put up huge college numbers, but he isn't considered an all-time great.

I looked long and hard for big wins in Brady's career and found two. Both over Michigan. But he only threw for a combined 318 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions in those games. And the 2005 win was over a Wolverine team that ended up 7-5. To be fair, they beat an 8-4 Penn State team this year, which is a decent victory. And in 2004 he led the Irish to a 17-13 road win over a No. 11 ranked Tennessee team.

So that's maybe four decent wins in four years? And he's supposed to be a storied quarterback. If you're not convinced that wins make great quarterbacks and want to point out Brady's statistics here's something to think about: People fail to mention how horrible he looked against Georgia Tech and UCLA this year, in games the Irish should have lost. In the Georgia Tech game he finished with a 79.5 rating, UCLA forced him into a 95.0 rating, and against USC last weekend, Quinn ended up with 48.9% completions and a 90.4 rating.

Nov 27, 2006
Posted by Phillips at 9:23 PM

 

[hawaiianboy]

I honestly don't get why he's skipping a combine that he apparently is well prepared for:

02/22/07 - He often lingers at the Athletes' Performance Institute in Tempe, Ariz., after hours, putting in a voluntary 75-minute boxing workout after everyone else has dispersed for the night. During his lunch break, Brady Quinn likes to hook himself up to a 3D vision-testing machine that, in theory, sharpens the small muscles in his eyes to give him that much more reaction time to deal with oncoming defensive linemen. So driven, so stubborn, so absolutely steadfast is the former Notre Dame quarterback to be the top pick in the next NFL Draft (April 28-29), he refused to skip a workout to take an afternoon flight to the Super Bowl in Miami earlier this month. Instead, he took a red-eye from Phoenix after completing his 12-hour-plus regimen, then headed to a gym in Miami for an hour-plus session shortly after stepping off the plane. Men's Heath Magazine was so taken by Quinn's workouts, it's going to make him the cover story for the July/August issue. - Eric Hansen, South Bend Tribune

 

[Banter]

So Staley ain't working out either. And he was one of the guys I'm most skeptical about with the scouting reports that paint him as a physical freak.