Day Six/Combine Wrapup
Next Level's John Murphy reports live from Indianapolis

posted March 3, 2005 - print me!
neworleansprofootball.com

UPDATED HIGHLIGHTS NOT PREVIOUSLY REPORTED:

Stanford senior tight end ALEX SMITH did 28 reps of 225 pounds, which was tops in his group.

USC senior tight end ALEX HOLMES did 23 reps of 225 pounds, but was credited with only 18, as he lost five reps because he failed to lockout completely.

UTEP senior tight end JONAS CRAFTS, who did 24 reps of 225 pounds, did not run the 40-yard dash, as he was cited as being medically exused on most teams charts.

UCLA senior wide receiver CRAIG BRAGG pulled his right hamstring, while running the 40-yard dash on Sunday.

Oklahoma senior defensive end/linebacker DAN CODY did 32 reps of 225 pounds, but will do the rest of his workout at his Pro Day.

Wisconsin senior defensive end/outside linebacker JONATHAN WELSH did 40.5" vertical, 10'10" broad jump and 4.07 short shuttle.

Baylor senior defensive end KHARI LONG did 4.07 short shuttle, 38.5" vertical, 10'1" broad jump and had 35" arms, which gives him a 70-plus" wingspan.

Wisconsin senior defensive end ERASMUS JAMES did 37.5" vertical, 10'2" broad jump, while showing excellent quickness and speed in the pass rush portion of his on-field workout.

Georgia senior defensive end DAVID POLLACK did 37" vertical, 3.90 short shuttle, but had the shortest arms in his group at 30.5".

Florida State senior defensive end CHAUNCEY DAVIS did 37" vertical, while also performing both defensive line and linebacker drills.

Virginia Tech senior defensive lineman JIM DAVIS ran between 4.85 and 4.91 in the 40, 7.11 three-cone drill, and looked much more fluid in his drills than some of the smaller defenders in his group.

Marshall senior defensive end/linebacker JONATHAN GODDARD ran 4.14 short shuttle, and looked very fluid in all of his drills, as there are a wide variety of concepts, regarding his best potential pro position.

Kansas State senior defensive lineman KEVIN HUNTLEY did not perform at the Combine due to an ACL injury in his left knee, but expects to workout at one of his school's upcoming Pro Days.

California senior defensive end/linebacker RYAN RIDDLE did not run the 40-yard dash at the Combine, as a result of a sore right hamstring, but looked better than most expected when he participated in the linebacker drills, but was still taking a few too many false steps.

San Diego State senior linebacker KIRK MORRISON did 25 reps of 225 pounds.

Cal-Poly senior linebacker JORDAN BECK did 25 reps of 225 pounds.

California senior defensive tackle LORENZO ALEXANDER ran between 5.03 and 5.09 in the 40... 4.50 short shuttle... 7.53 three-cone... 29.5" vertical and 8'10" broad jump. Had hoped to run in the mid-to-late 4.9's, so he will run again at his Pro Day.

Utah senior defensive tackle SIONE POUHA did 32 reps of 225 pounds.

Northwestern senior defensive tackle LUIS CASTILLO did 32 reps of 225 pounds.

Lehigh senior tight end ADAM BERGEN did 25 reps of 225 pounds, 38" vertical, 4.02/4.08 short shuttle.

Colorado State senior tight end JOEL DREESSEN had 36" vertical, 4.01 short shuttle and 7.09 three-cone.

Boston College senior tight end DAVID KASHETTA had 35.5" vertical, and also caught the ball very well during that portion of his workout.

Iowa senior tight end TONY JACKSON had 33" vertical, while Texas senior tight end BO SCAIFE had 32.5" vertical.

Fort Hays State senior tight end KELLY GRIFFETH ran 4.27 short shuttle, 7.25 three-cone, and he said afterwards that he felt most teams would continue to evaluate him as a tight end for the most part, but that he was open to do other drills at his Pro Day workouts.

Rice senior safety TERRY HOLLEY did 24 reps of 225 pounds.

Michigan senior defensive back MARLIN JACKSON did 23 reps of 225 pounds.

Michigan State senior safety JASON HARMON did 23 reps of 225 pounds.

Florida State senior cornerback BRYANT MCFADDEN did 23 reps of 225 pounds.

Virginia senior safety MARQUIS WEEKS did 23 reps of 225 pounds.

Howard U. senior defensive back RONALD BARTELL, JR. did 22 reps of 225 pounds.

Stanford senior safety O.J. ATOGWE did 21 reps of 225 pounds.

Florida State senior safety JEROME CARTER did 21 reps of 225 pounds.

UCLA senior safety BEN EMANUEL III did 21 reps of 225 pounds.

Nebraska junior cornerback/return man FABIAN WASHINGTON did 19 reps of 225 pounds.

Wisconsin senior safety/return man JIM LEONHARD did 19 reps of 225 pounds.

DEFENSIVE BACK AND LINEBACKER RESULTS:

West Virginia junior cornerback ADAM "PAC MAN" JONES, Miami senior ANTRELL ROLLE, both decided not to run the 40-yard dash at the Combine, while Jones also did not participate in any of the positional drills.

Auburn senior cornerback CARLOS ROGERS ran between 4.31 and 4.40 in the 40.

Nebraska junior cornerback/return man FABIAN WASHINGTON ran between 4.28 and 4.35 in the 40, as some watches had him as fast as 4.25.

Howard U. senior defensive back RONALD BARTELL ran between 4.42 and 4.45 in the 40, although many had him as fast as 4.36/4.38.

Oregon State junior defensive back BRANDON BROWNER ran between 4.62 and 4.69 in the 40, while weighing 6034, 221 pounds, but also did just 13 reps of 225 pounds.

Clemson junior cornerback/return man JUSTIN MILLER ran between 4.42 and 4.49 in the 40.

Bethune-Cookman senior defensive back NICK COLLINS ran between 4.45 and 4.50 in the 40.

Washington State senior cornerback KARL PAYMAH ran between 4.45 and 4.51 in the 40, while also doing a group leading 28 reps of 225 pounds.

Arizona State senior cornerback CHRIS MCKENZIE ran between 4.31 and 4.38 in the 40, as well as doing 45" vertical and 11'4" broad jump.

Houston senior cornerback STANFORD ROUTT ran between 4.28 and 4.33 in the 40.

Miami, OH senior cornerback ALPHONSO HODGE ran between 4.47 and 4.52 in the 40.

Oklahoma State senior cornerback/return man DARRENT WILLIAMS ran between 4.34 and 4.39 in the 40.

Stanford senior cornerback STANLEY WILSON ran between 4.34 and 4.38 in the 40.

Wake Forest senior cornerback ERIC KING ran between 4.49 and 4.55 in the 40.

Washington senior cornerback DERRICK JOHNSON ran between 4.49 and 4.52 in the 40.

Michigan senior defensive back MARLIN JACKSON ran between 4.57 and 4.62 in the 40; seemed to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder, as he said he felt some of his former coaching staff may have told scouts that his best pro position will be free safety, since he lacks top-end speed.

Cincinnati senior cornerback DAVEN HOLLY ran between 4.45 and 4.48 in the 40.

Virginia Tech senior cornerback ERIC GREEN ran between 4.59 and 4.62 in the 40, but then looked much quicker and fluid during the positional drills portion of his workout.

Maryland senior cornerback DOMONIQUE FOXWORHTH ran between 4.41 and 4.49 in the 40, although some had him as fast as 4.38.

LSU senior defensive back TRAVIS DANIELS ran between 4.57 and 4.61 in the 40.

Michigan senior defensive back MARKUS CURRY ran between 4.61 and 4.65 in the 40.

Iowa State senior cornerback ELLIS HOBBS ran between 4.45 and 4.49 in the 40, while also showing exceptional technique and quickness during the positional portion of his workout.

Illinois senior cornerback KELVIN HAYDEN ran between 4.45 and 4.52 in the 40, but was only average during the positional portion of his workout.

Ohio State senior defensive back DUSTIN FOX ran between 4.47 and 4.54 in the 40, but did only seven reps of 225 pounds.

Hawaii senior defensive back ABRAHAM ELIMIMIAN ran between 4.69 and 4.73 in the 40.

Oregon State senior cornerback ARIC WILLIAMS (eight) and LSU senior cornerback COREY WEBSTER (nine) recorded the lowest number of reps in the 225-pound bench press at the cornerback position.

The average time for strong safeties who were invited and ran the 40-yard dash at last year's NFL Combine was 4.60.

One of the most important number comparisions to review when it comes to defensive backs is their ratio of 40-times to short shuttle times, as if a player's short shuttle should be more than .04 seconds faster than his 40-time, as that means he has both very good straight-line speed, but also excellent agility and movement skills. Example, if a player runs a 4.5 in the 40 than he should run about 4.10 in the short shuttle, so if a player runs a 4.6 in the 40, but then runs a 4.00 short shuttle it means he has better quickness than straight-line speed, while a player that runs a 4.55 in the 40, but runs 4.20 in the short shuttle it means he has good straight-line speed, but struggles when it comes time to change direction, which is just as important if not more when playing defensive back.

Oklahoma junior safety BRODNEY POOL, Michigan junior safety ERNEST SHAZOR, Virginia Tech senior defensive back VINCENT FULLER and Central Florida senior safety ATARI BIGBY did not run the 40-yard dash at the Combine.

Georgia junior safety/linebacker THOMAS DAVIS ran between 4.58 and 4.65 in the 40, while weighing 6012, 230 pounds.

Washington State senior safety HAMZA ABDULLAH ran between 4.62 and 4.67 in the 40, although some had him as fast as high 4.5's and others as high as 4.68.

Rice senior safety TERRY HOLLEY ran between 4.61 and 4.65 in the 40, although some had him as fast as 4.58, plus as earlier mentioned he also led his group with 24 reps of 225 pounds.

Ball State senior safety JUSTIN BERIAULT ran between 4.55 and 4.61 in the 40, he also showed good ball skills during his workout, and the potential to be a "Swing" safety in terms of having both free and strong safety skills.

Nebraska senior safety JOSH BULLOCKS ran between 4.55 and 4.59 in the 40, but showed very good balls skills during his workout, and made some of the best adjustments to the ball throughout his workout session.

UNLV senior safety JAMAAL BRIMMER ran between 4.75 and 4.83 in the 40, showing later that he is likely to struggle in the pros if he is ever asked to step up and cover slot receivers. His workout and times will likely cause him to slip into the mid-to-later portion of the second day.

Florida State senior safety JEROME CARTER ran between 4.53 and 4.59 in the 40, but looked several steps slower in the positional drills, and failed to play to his timed speed on game film.

Georgia Tech senior safety JAMES BUTLER ran between 4.60 and 4.68 in the 40, but some had him even slower on their watches. He also dropped several balls during the drills, which is not ideal for a free safety prospect. Did not show fluid motion, and looked tight on his back pedal, as he seemed to get too high in transition. His grade seems to be dropping, as he was not overly impressive in the Senior Bowl practices either.

Iowa senior safety SEAN CONSIDINE ran between 4.55 and 4.62 in the 40, while showing very good ball skills and better-than-advertised athleticism during his positional drills. Is not as fast as former Hawkeyes' safety Derek Pagel (NY Jets), but is likely to be taken higher than the fifth round, which is where Pagel came off the board a few years back.

UCLA senior safety BEN EMANUEL III ran between 4.60 and 4.66 in the 40, plus he took a few false steps during his positional drills, as he needs to learn to stay lower and maintain better balance in his back pedal.

BYU senior safety AARON FRANCISCO ran between 4.75 and 4.81 in the 40, plus he too took a few false steps during his positional drills, as he is too high in his back pedal and dropped a few balls, as well.

Virginia senior safety MARQUIS WEEKS had a 9'11" broad jump, while running between 4.55 and 4.60 in the 40.

Louisville senior linebacker ROBERT MCCUNE ran between 4.51 and 4.55 in the 40, as some had him below 4.50, added 34 reps of 225 pounds. Pulled up slightly during his drills with tightness in his right hamstring, but said afterwards it was tight, but not pulled.

Texas senior linebacker DERRICK JOHNSON ran between 4.55 and 4.62 in the 40,

Troy State senior linebacker/defensive end DEMARCUS WARE ran between 4.58 and 4.62 in the 40, also did 38" vertical.

Georiga junior linebacker ODELL THURMAN ran between 4.62 and 4.68 in the 40.

Nebraska senior linebacker BARRETT RUUD ran between 4.60 and 4.65 in the 40, while weighing 241 pounds. Played primarily at inside linebacker in college, but participated in drills for both inside and outside linebacker at the Combine.

Southern Mississippi senior linebacker MICHAEL BOLEY ran between 4.61 and 4.66 in the 40, while nursing a right elbow injury, although some had him below 4.6 (4.57/4.59).

UNLV senior linebacker ADAM SEWARD ran between 4.58 and 4.65 in the 40, while showing better-than-advertised pass rush skills during his positional workout.

BYU senior linebacker/defensive end BRADY POPPINGA ran between 4.60 and 4.65 in the 40, while also doing 26 reps of 225 pounds, but had tight hips and did not look as fluid as you would desire unless you plan to use him as an OLB in a 3-4 scheme.

UNLV senior linebacker RYAN CLARIDGE did not workout at the Combine, as he is rehabbing an injured right shoulder, so he may have to schedule his own Pro Day date closer to April in order to run or lift for scouts.

Virginia junior linebacker DARRYL BLACKSTOCK ran between 4.70 and 4.78 in the 40, although some had him as fast as 4.66/4.68, but had a 39" vertical and then performed very well in the positional drills portion of his workout. St. Louis and Cleveland were two of the teams that seemed to take particular interest in him during the day.

Penn State senior linebacker DEREK WAKE did 45.5" vertical, which was tops among all but one player at this year's Combine, as North Carolina senior safety GERALD SENSABAUGH did 46" vertical, while running between 4.49 and 4.55 in the 40.

Cal-Poly senior linebacker JORDAN BECK did 41" vertical and ran between 4.58 and 4.63 in the 40, while Southern Utah senior linebacker/defensive end MARQUES HARRIS did 40.5" vertical and ran between 4.70 and 4.78 in the 40.

Illinois State senior linebacker BOOMER GRIGSBY ran between 4.56 and 4.62 in the 40, but may have suffered a strained right groin, as he got his right shoe caught in a seam on the RCA Dome turf, while attempting one of his shuttle runs. He made several upset/angry gestures upon feeling the pull, and let out a few obscenities, as well.

Cincinnati senior linebacker TYJUAN HAGLER ran between 4.56 and 4.63 in the 40, while leading his group in the bench press with 35 reps of 225 pounds.

Temple junior linebacker RIAN WALLACE completed only ten reps of 225 pounds, while USC senior linebacker/safety MATT GROOTEGOED and Alabama senior linebacker CORNELIUS WORTHAM each did 22 reps of 225 pounds.

OTHER NFL NEWS & NOTES:

Valparaiso cornerback ELLIOTT POWELL (#11) was recently informed by the NCAA that he would not be receiving an extra year of eligibility, meaning that his time has elapsed after this past season, since his JC did not recognize the year he spent away from football due to the passing of his mother, as a redshirt season... so he is now eligible for this year's NFL Draft... he is 6006, 197 pounds... 4.43/4.47 in the 40... 35" vertical and 16 reps of 225 pounds... JC transfer out of Fullerton JC in California... gave up just five catches for 60 yards this past season... added 35 tackles, two interceptions and six pass breakups... recently set two track & field records in the 60 and 200 meter (21.3) races to help the school finish 4th in a major competition... played both corner spots and free safety this season... also has had some success returning kickoffs... best games were Dayton, Morehead State and North Dakota State... missed two games with a sprained left ankle... #11 on game film... has good size, but limited big-time experience... eligible to attend Northwestern's Pro Day if there are interested teams, as his teammate, wide receiver ROB GIANCOLA, is already scheduled to be part of Northwestern's Pro Day... if not he could try either Notre Dame or one in California, as he is originally from out there... more to come on Powell, as it is received from the school's coaching staff.

TOLEDO held its first Pro Day on Wednesday, March 2nd (a second is scheduled for March 29th) just one day after the end of the NFL Combine, but senior safety PATRICK BODY took full advantage by running between 4.31 to 4.33 in the 40, plus a 37" vertical, while weighing in at 6011, 193 pounds... he plans to perform a full-workout once again on March 29th... meanwhile, former Wisconsin transfer MICHAEL BROUSSARD, who played throughout the secondary and special teams during his college career ran between 4.46 and 4.52 in the 40... 4.12 short shuttle... 7.15 three-cone... 34 1/8" vertical... and 22 reps of 225 pounds, while weighing in at 5102, 206 pounds...

HOFSTRA and FORDHAM will now share the same Pro Day Date, which will be MARCH 22nd on the campus of Hofstra University, which is located directly across the street from the New York Jets complex in Hempstead, NY, the workout will feature Hofstra senior kicker CHRIS ORONATO, Fordham senior cornerback/return man TAD KORNEGAY, senior defensive tackle AKIL JONES and senior linebacker NAQUINTON GAINOUS.

Kansas senior defensive back SHELTON SIMMONS (#22) is a very athletic cornerback who played all 13 games, as a junior, but was used on a part-time basis this past season. Played on the JC National Championship team at Georgia Military, which was the National runner-up his other season with them. Currently, he is 5110, 175 pounds... 4.45 in the 40... 3.95 short shuttle... 6.5 three-cone... 10'5" broad jump... 36" vertical... ten reps of 225 pounds, while training for his Pro Day... worth an extended look in terms of positional drills, as he could be a free agent find.

Missouri senior linebacker HENRY SWEAT (#46) recorded 61 tackles, ten tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and two pass breakups, as a senior. Played both inside and outside during his college career. An aggressive, smart player, who was recruited to Harvard, as a scholar/athlete. Currently, he is 6000, 238 pounds... 4.58 in the 40... 3.90 short shuttle... 6.79 three-cone... 9'10" broad jump... 37" vertical... 22 reps of 225 pounds, while training for his Pro Day... perfect attitude and approach for special teams play... smart guy that could find a way onto a roster because of his smarts, instincts, versatility and better-than-advertised athleticism.

UTEP senior running back/return man HOWARD JACKSON (#4) is getting an extended look from teams, as a possible all-purpose back. The diminutive 5084, 160-pounder is expected to run sub-4.4 times at his Pro Day, but gives the added dimension of being a fine pass catcher out of the backfield, as well as being an exciting return man prospect. Some teams see him as being a possible scat back, slot receiver and return man. Two others that are fitting into that category are Western Carolina wide receiver/return man TUBYASUS ALFORD (#4), who some teams are thinking about converting to cornerback, and Tennessee running back/return man COREY LARKINS (#23), who is also getting some looks as a defensive back.

Nebraska senior linebacker IRA COOPER (#11) has been posting some solid workout numbers, while training for his Pro Day... 6024, 240 pounds... 4.43 in the 40... 22 reps of 225 pounds... 36" vertical... in his one start, as a senior, he earned Defensive Player of the Game honors with 12 tackles and one interception against Western Illinois... noted, as one of the teams top special teams performers, as well. Pro Day will be March 8th.

Northern Iowa senior tight end ANDY THORN (#89) is currently 6046, 260 pounds... 4.69/4.75 in the 40... 20-22 reps of 225 pounds... 32" vertical... 4.38 short shuttle... played at Iowa before transferring... known for being a better blocker than pass catcher, but scored ten touchdowns on just 38 receptions the past two years... tough to bring down after the catch... recognized as team captain for his senior year. Pro Day will be March 23rd.

Vanderbilt senior defensive tackle MATTHEW CLAY (#99) is currently 6014, 310 pounds... 5.02/5.07 in the 40... had run 4.97 at a lower weight earlier in his college career... 37 reps of 225 pounds... has excellent lower body strength; 700-pound squat... very durable, as he played in all 33 games over the past three years... grabbing 11 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery... top games came against LSU, Navy (2004) and Mississippi State (2003)... also a member of the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll the past two years... Pro Day will be March 18th.

South Carolina junior-to-be running back DEMETRIUS SUMMERS seems to have finally worn out his welcome with the Gamecocks, as head coach Steve Spurrier has announced that he has been dismissed for violating team rules. According to more than one source, he has failed two-or-more team imposed drug tests, including one as recent as last month, which created a no-win situation for Spurrier and his new staff. If you remember six Gamecocks were caught stealing/vandalizing property after they found out the team was going to impose a self-suspension barring it from playing in a bowl game last year, but while Summers was not involved in that episode, he has had other off-field and even academic issues. It is likely that he will travel down to the Division I-AA level with South Carolina State, Southern U. and Furman all being likely options.

Mississippi State senior-to-be safety DARREN WILLIAMS, who was dismissed from the team recently for violating team policy, is likely headed for the University of Delaware, although many others have speculated it would be to a southern-based Division I-AA program. From all indications, Williams may have failed a team imposed drug test, which came on the heels of starting offensive tackle Richard Burch being arrested for possession and possible selling of drugs out of his off-campus apartment. No formal word has come from school officials, regarding his status for the fall or the actual reason why he was dismissed from the team.

*Be sure to listen to Sirius' NFL Radio program each day leading up to April's NFL Draft as you will also get to hear one of our staff members featured on a weekly basis talking NFL Draft and taking your calls.

*Next Level Scouting Staff members Justin Van Fulpen, Dean Zarafonetis and Jared Van Fulpen also contributed to this report.

*SPECIAL THANKS TO STEVE ALIC, CHRIS JENKINS, RANDALL LIU and the rest of the NFL staff who once again did a great job of providing the players, coaches, staff and detailed information that made our job that much easier throughout the NFL Combine.

*All rights reserved by Next Level Scouting, Inc. and John Murphy... any use of the material enclosed without the express written or verbal consent of Next Level Scouting, Inc. or John Murphy is prohibited... John Murphy can be reached via phone or email at 504.415.9979 and draftjm13@aol.com.

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NFL Team Notes | Pre-combine prospects | Breakdown of Combine trends | Invitee List

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