Reilly
02-23-2005, 12:31 AM
Rolle, Clarett must impress
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
All the attention turns to Indianapolis this week, as the annual NFL Scouting Combine gets set to kickoff. Most teams will arrive on Wednesday, but the actual process does not begin until Thursday, with the offensive linemen, running backs, place kickers and punters getting their heights and weights measured.
While there will be a big media buzz surrounding the early stages of the combine, the majority of the workouts do not begin until the weekend. The first couple of days are designed mostly for players to arrive, get measured and partake in some of the interviewing and psychological testing.
Over 330 prospects -- seniors and underclassmen -- have been invited to participate. Nearly all are expected to show for at least the weigh-ins and interviewing process, but several of the top prospects are not expected to participate in the position workouts, agility drills, 40-yard dash and weight-lifting (reps of 225 pounds) aspects of the process.
From what I've been told to this point, some of the top prospects that do plan to take part include QBs Alex Smith (Utah) and Aaron Rodgers (Cal), WR Mark Clayton (Oklahoma), OT Alex Barron (Florida State), DTs Shaun Cody (USC) and Anttaj Hawthorne (Wisconsin), DEs Dan Cody (Oklahoma) and Matt Roth (Iowa), ILB Odell Thurman (Georgia), OLB Shawne Merriman (Maryland) and Daryl Blackstock (Virginia), CBs Adam "Pac-Man" Jones (West Virginia) and Marlin Jackson (Michigan) and DS Brodney Poole (Oklahoma).
As is the case each year, a solid group of mid-to-late round prospects were not invited to the annual event. The good news for those unfortunate few is that there are several players currently enjoying successful NFL careers who also got snubbed, including two rookies in 2004 -- DS/RS J.R. Reed, who averaged 23.1 yards per kickoff return for the Eagles, and DC Earthwind Mooreland, who wound up playing a starting role down the stretch for the Super Bowl champion Patriots.
Eight men out
The following is look at eight players capable of contributing in the NFL who weren't invited to the Scouting Combine:
Gino Guidugli, QB, Cincinnati
Had some off-the-field troubles but matured late in his career and had an excellent second half of the 2004 season. Has the arm strength and competitiveness to warrant a look in the late rounds.
Stan Hill, QB, Marshall
Lacks size and failed to improve much as a senior, but has enough arm strength and was productive enough on the collegiate level to at least deserve a ticket to Indy.
Damien Nash, RB, Missouri
Character issues are hurting him the most. The Scouting Combine would have been a great forum for him to impress coaches and scouts in the interview process.
Jason Anderson, WR, Wake Forest
Production dipped as a senior but has the size and hands to catch on as a No. 4 or No. 5 possession receiver in the NFL.
Steve Fleming, TE, Arizona State
Has good size, adequate athletic ability and reliable hands. Improved each season and has enough upside to develop into a versatile No. 2 TE in the NFL.
Santonio Thomas, DT, Miami-FL
Midseason injury killed his momentum but he was the Hurricane's best defensive lineman early in the 2004 season. Has enough upside to warrant a late-round selection.
James Kinney, OLB, Missouri
Lacks ideal "measurables" but was one of the nation's most productive linebackers over the course of the last three years.
Antwaun Rogers, DC, Purdue
An experienced, reliable and productive cover corner with the size and instincts to catch on in the NFL as a sub-package contributor.
In the spotlight
In my opinion, the following are the eight players with the most riding on their showing during this year's Scouting Combine and/or pro timing day workouts:
Adrian McPherson, QB, Florida State
Much-publicized gambling scandal got him kicked out of school, but he's a much more mature person and has developed his passing skills in the Arena Football League. He needs to impress NFL personnel officials in workouts and in the interview room next week.
Maurice Clarett, RB, Ohio State
Hasn't done much right over the course of the last two years. Will he continue in that trend by showing up out of shape or will he finally take the process seriously?
Frank Gore, RB, Miami-FL
Two-season ending knee injuries will be scrutinized heavily by doctors. He needs to pass his physicals and run in the low-4.5's in order to solidify a spot on Day 1.
Heath Miller, TE, Virginia
Whether it's in Indy next week or in Charlottesville in March, Miller's 40-time will dictate whether he's a top-10 draft selection or top-20 selection. To warrant top-10 attention, he needs to run in the 4.6's.
Marcus Spears, DE, LSU
Had an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl but will need to build on that momentum during his workouts. He needs to show he's fast and agile enough to rush the passer from the perimeter.
Channing Crowder, ILB, Florida
Needs to prove he's healthy and answer some questions about his academic and off-the-field problems, while also flashing the athletic ability that made him one of the most impressive freshmen in the country during the 2003 college football season.
Antrel Rolle, DC, Miami-FL
Speed is the big concern right now. If he can run in the high-4.4's, he will regain a spot in the top-10.
Marlin Jackson, DC, Michigan
Off-the-field problems, injuries and position changes during his final two seasons at Michigan negatively affected his draft status. He needs to "right the ship" with an impressive workouts and interviews.
Coming out party
In my opinion, the following are the three players that will improve their draft stock the most thanks to this year's Scouting Combine and/or pro timing day workouts:
Troy Williamson, WR, South Carolina
Is flying under the radar a bit right now but his combination of size, speed and agility should turn heads during his workout.
Shawne Merriman, DE/OLB, Maryland
An absolute "workout warrior" who will solidify a spot in the middle of the first round with his size, 40-time and bench press.
Brandon Browner, DC, Oregon State
Another enigma early-entry with supposedly a rare combination of size and speed. We know about the size but he needs to prove his speed on the turf of the RCA Dome.
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
All the attention turns to Indianapolis this week, as the annual NFL Scouting Combine gets set to kickoff. Most teams will arrive on Wednesday, but the actual process does not begin until Thursday, with the offensive linemen, running backs, place kickers and punters getting their heights and weights measured.
While there will be a big media buzz surrounding the early stages of the combine, the majority of the workouts do not begin until the weekend. The first couple of days are designed mostly for players to arrive, get measured and partake in some of the interviewing and psychological testing.
Over 330 prospects -- seniors and underclassmen -- have been invited to participate. Nearly all are expected to show for at least the weigh-ins and interviewing process, but several of the top prospects are not expected to participate in the position workouts, agility drills, 40-yard dash and weight-lifting (reps of 225 pounds) aspects of the process.
From what I've been told to this point, some of the top prospects that do plan to take part include QBs Alex Smith (Utah) and Aaron Rodgers (Cal), WR Mark Clayton (Oklahoma), OT Alex Barron (Florida State), DTs Shaun Cody (USC) and Anttaj Hawthorne (Wisconsin), DEs Dan Cody (Oklahoma) and Matt Roth (Iowa), ILB Odell Thurman (Georgia), OLB Shawne Merriman (Maryland) and Daryl Blackstock (Virginia), CBs Adam "Pac-Man" Jones (West Virginia) and Marlin Jackson (Michigan) and DS Brodney Poole (Oklahoma).
As is the case each year, a solid group of mid-to-late round prospects were not invited to the annual event. The good news for those unfortunate few is that there are several players currently enjoying successful NFL careers who also got snubbed, including two rookies in 2004 -- DS/RS J.R. Reed, who averaged 23.1 yards per kickoff return for the Eagles, and DC Earthwind Mooreland, who wound up playing a starting role down the stretch for the Super Bowl champion Patriots.
Eight men out
The following is look at eight players capable of contributing in the NFL who weren't invited to the Scouting Combine:
Gino Guidugli, QB, Cincinnati
Had some off-the-field troubles but matured late in his career and had an excellent second half of the 2004 season. Has the arm strength and competitiveness to warrant a look in the late rounds.
Stan Hill, QB, Marshall
Lacks size and failed to improve much as a senior, but has enough arm strength and was productive enough on the collegiate level to at least deserve a ticket to Indy.
Damien Nash, RB, Missouri
Character issues are hurting him the most. The Scouting Combine would have been a great forum for him to impress coaches and scouts in the interview process.
Jason Anderson, WR, Wake Forest
Production dipped as a senior but has the size and hands to catch on as a No. 4 or No. 5 possession receiver in the NFL.
Steve Fleming, TE, Arizona State
Has good size, adequate athletic ability and reliable hands. Improved each season and has enough upside to develop into a versatile No. 2 TE in the NFL.
Santonio Thomas, DT, Miami-FL
Midseason injury killed his momentum but he was the Hurricane's best defensive lineman early in the 2004 season. Has enough upside to warrant a late-round selection.
James Kinney, OLB, Missouri
Lacks ideal "measurables" but was one of the nation's most productive linebackers over the course of the last three years.
Antwaun Rogers, DC, Purdue
An experienced, reliable and productive cover corner with the size and instincts to catch on in the NFL as a sub-package contributor.
In the spotlight
In my opinion, the following are the eight players with the most riding on their showing during this year's Scouting Combine and/or pro timing day workouts:
Adrian McPherson, QB, Florida State
Much-publicized gambling scandal got him kicked out of school, but he's a much more mature person and has developed his passing skills in the Arena Football League. He needs to impress NFL personnel officials in workouts and in the interview room next week.
Maurice Clarett, RB, Ohio State
Hasn't done much right over the course of the last two years. Will he continue in that trend by showing up out of shape or will he finally take the process seriously?
Frank Gore, RB, Miami-FL
Two-season ending knee injuries will be scrutinized heavily by doctors. He needs to pass his physicals and run in the low-4.5's in order to solidify a spot on Day 1.
Heath Miller, TE, Virginia
Whether it's in Indy next week or in Charlottesville in March, Miller's 40-time will dictate whether he's a top-10 draft selection or top-20 selection. To warrant top-10 attention, he needs to run in the 4.6's.
Marcus Spears, DE, LSU
Had an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl but will need to build on that momentum during his workouts. He needs to show he's fast and agile enough to rush the passer from the perimeter.
Channing Crowder, ILB, Florida
Needs to prove he's healthy and answer some questions about his academic and off-the-field problems, while also flashing the athletic ability that made him one of the most impressive freshmen in the country during the 2003 college football season.
Antrel Rolle, DC, Miami-FL
Speed is the big concern right now. If he can run in the high-4.4's, he will regain a spot in the top-10.
Marlin Jackson, DC, Michigan
Off-the-field problems, injuries and position changes during his final two seasons at Michigan negatively affected his draft status. He needs to "right the ship" with an impressive workouts and interviews.
Coming out party
In my opinion, the following are the three players that will improve their draft stock the most thanks to this year's Scouting Combine and/or pro timing day workouts:
Troy Williamson, WR, South Carolina
Is flying under the radar a bit right now but his combination of size, speed and agility should turn heads during his workout.
Shawne Merriman, DE/OLB, Maryland
An absolute "workout warrior" who will solidify a spot in the middle of the first round with his size, 40-time and bench press.
Brandon Browner, DC, Oregon State
Another enigma early-entry with supposedly a rare combination of size and speed. We know about the size but he needs to prove his speed on the turf of the RCA Dome.