Connect with your Facebook Account

• Contact

Football Articles

2

NFL Combine: Offense OL/QB/TE

Posted by Scipio Tex on February 22nd, 2009 under Football

A quick tour of the NFL combine thus far, which included some promising performances by Longhorns at WR/RB (covered in my next post). It’s easy to inappropriately fixate on these numbers, but they do have some significance – particularly when an athlete is able to address a negative preconception or when pressure causes the inevitable flake-out from a well-regarded prospect.

As always, if you’re percieved as a great football player, testing adequately is sufficient. If you’re perceived as a good college player with no pro upside, you need to throw up some numbers to make GMs reconsider their assumptions.

Click on bolded position for the breakdown on each participant.

Combine OL

Alabama’s Andre Smith demonstrated great flakiness with his comments that he wouldn’t test because he hadn’t prepared and subsequently going AWOL, but he has the ability to correct that at Alabama’s pro day. He is still the best OL in this draft. As Brian Billick pointed out (I think I’m one of the few people that likes Billick) the combine is nothing more than an open book intelligence and motivation test and Andre Smith failed both.

Nebraska’s S&C program was a big winner. OT Lydon Murtha measured in at 6-7 306 and busted off the only sub 5.0 40 OL yard dash with a blazing 4.89. Husker OG Matt Slauson went 6-5 316 with a 34 inch vertical – better than several high profile skill position players. Both Huskers forced GMs to go back and re-watch their tape.

OU’s Phil Loadholt physically looked good – he went 6-7.5 332 – dropping 25-30 pounds since the Fall, but his drillwork did little to address his bad feet. Future RT or OG. Orakpo cost him a lot of money.

OU C Jon Cooper did fine, but he was the second smallest OL at the combine and the Pac-10 centers from Oregon and Cal are miles ahead of him as football players. The other Sooner OL – Braxton and Robinson – lost some weight, tested adequately, and guaranteed their draft status.

Baylor’s Jason Smith tested well enough to seal his position as a sure Top 10 pick. The kid has beautiful feet and that doesn’t show up in traditional testing – but the film doesn’t lie.

Tech’s Louis Vasquez (6-5, 333) threw 225 up 39 times. He wisely skipped out on running the 40 as he would have put up a smooth 5.8. The average rube will talk about Vasquez as the “strongest OL at the draft” but you need only see him block to know that explosive power and bench press, although related, are cousins at best.

Combine QB

If I’m a NFL GM who needs QB help, I work to unload an early pick for more picks and target Josh Freeman in the later rounds.

Stafford and Sanchez appear to be fighting it out for the top spot, but I’m still not blown away by either. Stafford did help himself in showing that he’s more athletic than his body suggests and the rocket arm allows a GM to do a lot of optimistic projection.

Josh Freeman is the best QB value in a weak year. 6-5.5 248 with good weight distribution (he has really re-made his body); his excellent vertical and broad jump tell you the kind of power he has in his hips and legs. His feet are more than adequate. This is a guy who can stand strong in the pocket, shrug off pressure like Roethlisberger, get his feet right, and then fire a dart. He’ll extend plays with his strength and he can take a beating – as evidenced by his time in Manhattan.

Stephen McGee looked decent throwing the ball. Injuries, bad coaching, and a terrible offense really hurt his development, but there’s still something there from Burnet High School that hasn’t been totally eradicated. Pity.

Pat White is interesting. He has a weak, accurate arm and he’s 6 feet even, but he throws a catchable ball, is a great team guy, and Seneca Wallace suggests that there’s a viable future there as an affordable backup who can win games for you. If he fails as a QB, you still have a sub 4.5 receiver.

Graham Harrell, who it was argued was the first example of a Tech QB who wasn’t a system guy, proves to be what I’ve said all along: the ultimate system QB. Aside from being a turd in the pocket, he put on bad weight over the last three months to correct the perception of him as fragile. Consequently, he measured out at 6-2 223 but with a sweet 5.07 40. Bad arm, mentally weak, but incredible production in his system; Mike Leach could get All-Conference production from a junior high girl.

I don’t like Nate Davis from Ball State.

Rhett Bomar’s saga continues – 3rd or 4th rounder?

Chase Daniel will be drafted out of pity.

Combine TE

A very strong TE draft IMO.

South Carolina’s Jared Cook made himself some cash. He was a productive if slightly underutilized 1st team All-SEC guy, but his combine workout just made some NFL GMs alter their draft boards: 6-4.5, 246 4.50 40, 41 inch vertical leap. I have no idea if he can block, but those numbers are freak territory.

Don’t get caught up in Pettigrew’s slowish 40. No one in the league can stop that giant animal from catching a 8 yarder over the middle and he has the ability to humiliate a quality NFL OLB or DE in the running game.

Chase Coffman didn’t participate in anything. He’ll wait for Mizzou’s pro day.

James Casey from Rice did really well. He’s an older guy without much physical upside, but I think he surprised people with his overall athleticism and his hands are really good. Great Chris Cooley style H-back.

I was also impressed with Dan Gronkowski from Maryland, who I was not familiar with. Good hands, gets in and out of his routes well, more than adequate physical specs across the board. His drillwork was impressive.

I’d argue that there are eight to ten high quality NFL TEs in this group, though only 2-3 of them are every down players with a real blocking upside. Nice year for the position overall.

Thoughts?

Article Tags:

, , , ,

More from this Barker


Share This

  • StumbleUpon

2 Responses

  1. Woody Bombay said:

    February 22nd, 2009 at 5:42 pm

    Andre Smith seems like a real dumbass. He should have a colorful NFL career.

    After McGee threw poor passes, did he start bobbing his head, waving his hands and talking trash at the guys on the sideline?

    Great, great, great rundown of Graham Harrell.

  2. dedfischer said:

    February 23rd, 2009 at 10:49 am

    I didn’t see this early, but I’m on board with this post.

    - I think Michael Oher is the most overrated OL in this draft. I wasn’t impressed with him in the Cotton Bowl, and he’s not as good a athlete as advertised, which is starting to show in his Combine numbers.

    - I’m liking Freeman’s value more all the time. What we don’t know is if he’s ever had a halfway decent coach to work with and that gives him some potential, which could damn near talk me into the 2nd round. You know Sanchez and Stafford had good coaching and better talent around them, but weren’t anymore productive than Freeman. His OL ws terrible and Graham Harrell or Chase Daniel would have both looked like shit playing for KSU.

    - If I need a TE, I’m taking Pettigrew. Cook is an interesting talent, but Pettigrew’s special because you have to respect him more in the running game, which is why he’s always wideass open in the passing game.

Leave a Reply

Follow Us

Related Articles

Hot Forum Topics

Activity

  • Trips Right commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   1 hour, 4 minutes ago

    Don’t have time to address each and every comment now, but I wanted to say thanks to everyone for contributing to the site this season. It’s made it a lot of fun to follow a team that’s tough to watch at times.

    Also, I wanted to thank you for the kind words as

  • Hiphopopotamus commented on the blog post Big Dance: Day Two   1 hour, 5 minutes ago

    And that’s all she wrote…relatively boring day so far. A&M out to a nice early lead.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Art Vandelay commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   1 hour, 8 minutes ago

    Trips,

    Great work all year long. Love the passion. The fact that you kept writing these (even around the birth of a child), is fantastic, shows your commitment, and is a little freaky. :-)

    I think you showed great restraint in this post. It would have been easier to “go off” on Barnes.

  • ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post Barnes worst team   1 hour, 9 minutes ago

    Second awesomest thing — Magnus gets his woman to go to Hooters with him.

  • Hiphopopotamus commented on the blog post Big Dance: Day Two   1 hour, 16 minutes ago

    Missouri going to hang on…

    Sconsin clinging to a 2 point cushion

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • BrickHorn commented on the blog post Barnes worst team   1 hour, 29 minutes ago

    Are there any women who are not skanks at any place on 1960?

  • Hiphopopotamus commented on the blog post Big Dance: Day Two   1 hour, 30 minutes ago

    Make that a 1 point Wofford lead with 4+ to play…

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Hiphopopotamus commented on the blog post Big Dance: Day Two   1 hour, 36 minutes ago

    Pitt rolling Oakland.

    Purdue holds on against Siena…I missed it in my bracket, but I’m actually happy for them.

    Missouri pulling away from Clemson (68-60) with 7 to play…knew I should have never bet on Oliver Purnell, even if it was against this Missouri team.

    Amazingly, game of the day so far might be Wisco/Wofford – 2

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post Barnes worst team   1 hour, 40 minutes ago

    I ain’t talking about the girls Brick.

  • BrickHorn commented on the blog post Barnes worst team   1 hour, 42 minutes ago

    The girls don’t wear jorts at Hooters. They dress like Richard Simmons.

  • ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post Barnes worst team   1 hour, 45 minutes ago

    That, by the way, was the best thing that’s come out of this basketball season. Knowledge of Magnus’ intimate familiarity with the service and cut-off threshold at Hooter’s as compared to BWW3. Hooter’s — worse food at a higher price than a titty bar, served with jean shorts, cheaper beer, and more stretch

  • Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post Arkansas Razorback Football Spring Practice Preview: Running Backs   2 hours, 10 minutes ago

    Who thinks that one back could step up and be the go to this year?

    I still think it is going to be a by committee approach, but someone could separate themselves this spring. You just never know.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Nickel Rover wrote a new blog post: Barnes worst team   3 hours, 5 minutes ago

    Basketball:

    Texas lost to Wake Forest in the first round last night. Trips Right somehow found the inner strength to do a final post-mortem where he also prescribes a month of defensive drills for baby 2010-11 Texas basketball in order to foster its development into a team that can at least dribble towards the basket.

    PeterBean was

  • Trips Right commented on the blog post Weekly Whispers 3/17/2010: Duke and Kentucky Do the Chomping   3 hours, 12 minutes ago

    BigAaron, it’s what Ballerjunkie has been hearing in his circles. The information is certainly not an opinion, but what is out there at this time.

    We’ll have more on a weekly basis.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   3 hours, 27 minutes ago

    BiH,

    I actually agree with you. I think the charge and missing the two FTs earlier got in his head a bit. Also, he passed to Mason on the possession earlier which I didn’t think made sense. Mason had his pass knocked out of bounds, thankfully, but it seemed strange to me when

  • P.Drez commented on the blog post Champions League Draw   3 hours, 30 minutes ago

    Inter got the team everyone wanted, which will more than likely set up a great semifinal against Barcelona. I believe Mourinho will be putting everything into the Champs League now, even if it means sacrificing Serie A.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post Lucky   3 hours, 34 minutes ago

    Great stuff, Ted.

    Interesting discussion this has sparked about Calahan.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • gingerballs commented on the blog post Big Dance: Day Two   3 hours, 51 minutes ago

    Hearing Murray Hewitt’s voice never gets old…even if the commercials could use his comedic talent much better.

    Cornell is impressive, Temple got fucked with them as a 12.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • D W commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   3 hours, 51 minutes ago

    Turn off the sound and watch the replay of Johnson’s setup and motion shooting the free throws. They never had a chance of going in. After the first one, he sighs heavily, looks up at the ceiling (?), moves his feet nervously and generally gives off the body language of wishing the earth

  • Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post Baylor v. Sam Houston State Preview   4 hours, 10 minutes ago

    Memes by definition are to be shared.

    Congrats. Udoh is a beast. Rooting for you guys, strangely.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • D W commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   4 hours, 47 minutes ago

    Trips, thanks for all your posts this season. I don’t always agree with you but that is sort of the point of a blog isn’t it? Your assesments are usually well-written, informative and fair and where else can you find those qualities?

    As for the team, I watched a loose, confident and

  • texasengr commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   5 hours, 3 minutes ago

    Why didn’t we call a time out after Wake hit the go ahead jumper?

    The clock would have been reset to ~1.5 seconds. Wouldn’t the ball have been advanced to half-court? Or was that rule changed?

  • Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   5 hours, 8 minutes ago

    If AB can get inside the top 15 or so, he should go. If he can’t, then he should come back. He’s got a lot of warts on his game, but a lot to build on as well…..

  • Blake Stansbery wrote a new blog post: Arkansas Razorback Football Spring Practice Preview: Running Backs   5 hours, 10 minutes ago

    The Arkansas Razorbacks spring practices are creeping up and are officially set to begin Tuesday March 30th. This is a first part in a series of articles over the following days leading up to March 30th highlighting position battles to watch in the spring.

    It is by now well known that the Razorbacks will be without

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   5 hours, 13 minutes ago

    Trips, thanks for all of the post-mortems this year. It’s one thing when you’re 17 – 0, and it’s something else entirely when your year ends like our has. There is only one thing in this one will which I take issue. You said:

    “In the plus column, I was happy with the

  • Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest Open thread   5 hours, 18 minutes ago

    Nordie,

    Is that you being glib derived out of frustration (lord knows, I can empathize) or do you have actually have some source or evidence beyond the general media sources? Is that just conjecture that you’ve heard or do you know anything credible? Love to hear it if you do…..

  • Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   5 hours, 30 minutes ago

    “This may seem arrogant but I believe its true – if you are a coach in virtually any sport at UT, you will be a good recruiter. The state is loaded with athletes, including basketball players, UT as a university is top-notch by virtually any measure and just really doesn’t have any serious in-state competition.”

  • skymonkeyhorn commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   5 hours, 39 minutes ago

    Trips, I love you man ! Of course its man Love and not like the love you have with Henry…..

    You are the very best of all the talking heads on Texas Basketball, your knowledge is vast and your style is dynamic and you reach the crazies with your knowledge on hoops.

    You are right about the

  • GoHornsGo90 commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   5 hours, 42 minutes ago

    It’s not Brown’s fault they made a bad call. It is Brown’s fault giving the ball up there. In his defense, he was in a pretty sick spot in the corner. Not in his defense, he is allowed to dribble and shouldn’t BE in the corner in the first place.

  • Texastough commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   5 hours, 47 minutes ago

    I started that post before any of the other comments. Didn’t know redundancy could be so long-winded.