Archive for February, 2006

2006 NFL Combine Official Times - Day 6 - LB, DB

Official Times - Linebackers - Group 10

40 YARD DASH TIME Jon Alston 4.40 Thomas Howard 4.42 Brandon Johnson 4.44 Ernie Sims 4.50 Tarna Nande 4.51 Leon Williams 4.54 James Anderson 4.58 Clint Ingram 4.58 3 CONE DRILL TIME James Anderson 6.67 Spencer Havner 6.81 A.J. Hawk 6.82 Jon Alston 6.90 Williams Kernshaw 6.95

20 YARD SHUTTLE TIME A.J. Hawk 3.96 James Anderson 4.07 Spencer Havner 4.07 Tim McGaringle 4.07 Clint Ingram 4.10 Tarna Nande 4.11 Freddie Keiaho 4.12 BROAD JUMP FT / IN Jon Alston 11′ 0 Demeco Ryans 10 9 Anthony Trucks 10 5 Ernie Sims 10 5 Thomas Howard 10 4 Tarna Nande 10 4

60 YARD SHUTTLE TIME A.J. Hawk 11.06 Anthony Trucks 11.20 Thomas Howard 11.22 James Anderson 11.32 Travis Williams 11.34 VERT JUMP INCHES Roger McIntosh 42.5 James Anderson 41.0 Clinton Ingram 41.0 Ernie Sims 41.0 Jon Alston 40.0 A.J. Hawk 40.0






Official Times - Defensive Backs - Group 11

40 YARD DASH TIME Tye Hill 4.30 Johnathan Joseph 4.31 Tim Jennings 4.32 Michael Huff 4.34 Daniel Bullocks 4.38 Willie Andrews 4.38 Antoine Bethea 4.39 Jason Allen 4.39 Kelly Jennings 4.39 3 CONE DRILL TIME Tye Hill 6.63 Reed Doughty 6.66 Jason Allen 6.75 Cedric Griffin 6.84 Marcus Demps 6.91 Daniel Bullocks 6.94

20 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Jason Allen 3.81 Kelly Jennings 4.00 Tye Hill 4.01 Darnell Bing 4.07 Marcus Demps 4.09 Cedric Griffin 4.10 BROAD JUMP FT / IN Antonio Cromartie 11 0 Jason Allen 10 11 Tye Hill 10 9 Antoine Bethea 10 7 Rueben Houston 10 7 Michael Huff 10 5 Cedric Griffin 10 5 Darrell Brooks 10 5

60 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Marcus Demps 11.10 Jason Allen 11.17 Tye Hill 11.17 Daniel Bullocks 11.22 Johnathan Joseph 11.23 VERT LEAP INCHES Rueben Houston 41.5 Tye Hill 41.0 Josh Lay 40.5 Chris Harrell 40.5 Michael Huff 40.5 Kelly Jennings 40 Jason Allen 39.5 Jahmile Addae 38.5






Official Times - Defensive Backs - Group 12

40 YARD DASH TIME Donte Whitner 4.40 Dee Webb 4.41 Pat Watkins 4.42 Richard Marshall 4.42 Gerrick McPherson 4.42 David Pittman 4.44 Ko Simpson 4.45 Derrick Martin 4.45 Daniel Manning 4.46 3 CONE DRILL TIME Richard Marshall 6.65 Jarrad Page 6.68 Derrick Martin 6.72 Anthony Smith 6.75 Nate Salley 6.79

20 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Derrick Martin 3.95 Danieal Manning 4.07 Charlie Peprah 4.09 Eric Smith 4.10 Demario Minter 4.10 Jarrad Page 4.14 BROAD JUMP FT / IN Pat Watkins 11 1 Donte Whitner 11 0 Demario Minter 10 11 Bernard Pollard 10 11 Richard Marshall 10 9 Marcus Maxey 10 9 Gerrick McPhearson 10 9

60 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Derrick Martin 10.69 Charlie Peprah 10.83 Eric Smith 10.94 Nate Salley 11.28 Richard Marhsall 11.33 VERT JUMP INCHES Marcus Maxey 41.5 Gerrick McPhearson 41.5 Anthony Smith 41.0 Pat Watkins 41.0 Alton McCann 40.5 Ko Simpson 40.5

2006 NFL Combine Official Times - Day 5 - TE, DL

Official Times - Tight Ends- Group 7

40 YARD DASH TIME Vernon Davis 4.38 Tony Scheffler 4.54 Leonard Pope 4.62 Joe Klopfenstein 4.62 Garrett Mills 4.64 Owen Daniels 4.65 David Thomas 4.67 3 CONE DRILL TIME Garrett Miles 6.81 Tony Scheffler 6.81 Owen Daniels 6.87 Anthony Fasano 6.94 Jeff King 6.99 Vernon Davis 7.00

20 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Tony Scheffler 4.01 Garrett Mills 4.05 Jeff King 4.09 Owen Daniels 4.10 Vernon Davis 4.17 BROAD JUMP FT / IN Vernon Davis 10′ 8 Marcedes Lewis 9′ 10 Leonard Pope 9′ 10 Jason Pociask 9′ 7 Tom Scheffler 9′ 7 Owen Daniels 9′ 6 Quinn Sypniewski 9′ 6

60 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Garrett Mills 11.05 Tony Scheffler 11.41 Tim Day 11.43 Quinn Sypniewski 11.45 Jeff King 11.54 VERT JUMP INCHES Vernon Davis 42.0 Leonard Pope 37.5 David Thomas 37.5 Marcedes Lewis 37.0 Joe Klopfenstein 36.0 Garrett Mills 35.5






Official Times - Defensive Line - Group 8

40 YARD DASH TIME Mark Anderson 4.61 Charles Bennett 4.70 Chris Gocong 4.70 Elvis Dumervil 4.75 Charlton Keith 4.78 Parys Haralson 4.80 3 CONE DRILL TIME Mark Anderson 6.95 Charlton Keith 7.03 Chris Gocong 7.05 Copeland Bryan 7.11 Julian Jenkins 7.11

20 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Chris Gocong 4.08 Mark Anderson 4.22 Julian Jenkins 4.23 Parys Haralson 4.26 Copeland Bryan 4.30 BROAD JUMP FT / IN Mark Anderson 10′ 7 Chris Gocong 10′ 3 Copeland Bryan 9′ 9 Charles Bennett 9′ 7 Parys Haralson 9′ 7 Ray Edwards 9′ 6

60 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Chris Gocong 11.35 Mark Anderson 11.75 Copeland Bryan 11.83 Charlton Keith 11.98 Charles Bennett 12.04 VERT LEAP INCHES Mark Anderson 42.0 Ray Edwards 39.0 Chris Gocong 38.5 Jason Hatcher 35.5 Manaia Brown 34.5






Official Times - Defensive Line - Group 9

40 YARD DASH TIME Manny Lawson 4.43 Ryan LaCasse 4.54 Kamerion Wimbley 4.61 James Wyche 4.63 Mario Williams 4.66 3 CONE DRILL REPS Manny Lawson 6.90 Rob Ninkovich 6.96 Kamerion Wimbley 6.97 Jeremy Mincey 6.99 Mario Williams 7.19

20 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Mathias Kiwanuka 4.13 Manny Lawson 4.18 Rob Ninkovich 4.18 Jeremy Mincey 4.25 Ryan Lacasse 4.30 Mario Williams 4.36 BROAD JUMP FT / IN Kamerion Wimbley 10′ 9 Manny Larson 10′ 4 Mathias Kiwanuka 10′ 0 Mario Williams 9′ 10 Rob Ninkovich 9′ 8 Jeremy Mincey 9′ 8

60 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Manny Lawson 11.08 Rob Ninkovich 11.33 VERT JUMP INCHES Mario Williams 40.0 Manny Lawson 39.5 Stanley McClover 39.0 Kamerion Wimbley 38.5 Julian Jenkins 34.5 Mike Kudla 37.0

2006 NFL Combine Official Times - Day 4 - QB, RB, WR

Official Times - Running Backs - Group 4

40 YARD DASH TIME Jerious Norwood 4.40 Leon Washington 4.42 Wendell Mathis 4.51 Derrick Ross 4.52 Cory Ross 4.53 3 CONE DRILL TIME Jerious Norwood 6.81 Wendell Mathis 6.93 Leon Washington 6.94 Derrick Ross 7.00 Dontrell Moore 7.10 Terrence Whitehead 7.21

20 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Wendell Mathis 4.22 Jerious Norwood 4.25 Terrence Whitehead 4.27 Dontrell Moore 4.32 Leon Washington 4.37 BROAD JUMP FT / IN Jarious Norwood 10′ 2 Deangelo Williams 10′ 1 Wendell Mathis 9′ 9 Dontrell Moore 9′ 8 Derrick Ross 9′ 4

60 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Wendell Mathis 11.27 Jerious Norwood 11.52 Derrick Ross 11.59 Leon Washington 11.62 VERT JUMP INCHES Jarious Norwood 36.5 DeAngelo Williams 35.5 Wendell Mathis 33.0 Leon Washington 32.5 Dontrell Moore 32.0






Official Times - Quarterbacks - Group 5

40 YARD DASH TIME Bruce Gradkowski 4.59 Ingle Martin 4.68 Tavaris Jackson 4.75 Brett Basanez 4.75 Jay Cutler 4.77 BALL SPEED MPH Ingle Martin 61 Jay Cutler 60 Brodie Croyle 58 Tavaris Jackson 57 Bruce Eugene 55

20 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Travis Lulay 4.07 Bruce Gradkowski 4.16 Ingle Martin 4.17 Brett Basanez 4.22 Brody Croyle 4.25 BROAD JUMP FT / IN Brett Basanez 9′ 6 Ingle Martin 9′ 3 Travis Lulay 9′ 3 Darrell Hackney 9′ 2 Omar Jacobs 9′ 0

3 CONE DRILL TIME Brett Basanez 6.75 Travis Lulay 6.94 Jay Cutler 7.10 Bruce Gradkowski 7.12 Ingle Martin 7.13 BENCH PRESS REPS Jay Cutler 23






Official Times - Wide Receivers - Group 5

40 YARD DASH TIME Chad Jackson 4.32 Devin Aromashodu 4.35 Derek Hagen 4.42 Skyler Green 4.44 Will Blackmon 4.46 Miles Austin 4.47 3 CONE DRILL TIME Will Blackmon 6.67 Chad Jackson 6.73 Hank Baskett 6.79 David Anderson 6.88 Jason Carter 6.89

20 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Chad Jackson 3.97 Jovon Bouknight 4.03 Derek Hagan 4.07 Ed Hinkel 4.10 Mike Hass 4.14 Miles Austin 4.14 BROAD JUMP FT / IN Will Blackmon 11′ 1 Derek Hagan 10′ 4 Miles Austin 10′ 3 Marques Colston 10′ 3 Chris Hannon 10′ 2

60 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Ed Hinkel 11.10 Chad Jackson 11.19 Marques Colston 11.27 Miles Austin 11.30 Devin Aromashodu 11.38 VERT JUMP INCHES Not yet given






Official Times - Quarterbacks - Group 6

40 YARD DASH TIME Reggie McNeal 4.35 Marcus Vick 4.42 Brad Smith 4.46 DJ Shockley 4.56 Barrick Nealy 4.57 BALL SPEED PEAK MPH DJ Shockley 56 Brad Smith 55 Drew Olson 54 Erik Meyer 52 Reggis McNeal 53

20 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Marcus Vick 4.08 Quinton Porter 4.10 Charlie Whitehurst 4.11 Erik Meyer 4.12 DJ Shockley 4.17 BROAD JUMP FT / IN Brad Smith 10′ 8 Kent Smith 10′ 2 Reggie McNeal 10′ 1 DJ Shockley 10′ 1 Marcus Vick 9′ 9 Quinton Porter 9′ 8

3 CONE DRILL TIME Quinton Porter 6.76 Erik Meyer 6.83 Reggie McNeal 6.96 Brad Smith 7.00 Charlie Whitehurst 7.00 VERT JUMP INCHES Brad Smith 39.5 DJ Shockley 37.5 Marcus Vick 36.0 Kent Smith 35.0 Quinton Porter 34.5 Charlie Whitehurst 33.0






Official Times - Wide Receivers - Group 6

40 YARD DASH TIME Willie Reid 4.34 Sinorice Moss 4.38 Jeff Webb 4.40 Todd Watkins 4.40 Jonathon Orr 4.41 Adam Jennings 4.42 Ben Obomanu 4.45 3 CONE DRILL TIME Greg Jennings 6.68 Travis Wilson 6.70 Greg Lee 6.80 Jeff Webb 6.81 Maurice Stovall 6.81

20 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Travis Wilson 3.99 Brandon Williams 4.07 Demetrius Williams 4.08 Martin Nance 4.08 Adam Jennings 4.12 BROAD JUMP FT / IN Demetrius Williams 10′ 7 Jeff Webb 10′ 6 Maurice Stovall 10′ 2 Brandon Marshall 10′ 0 Travis Wilson 10′ 0 Richie Ross 10′ 0

60 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Greg Jennings 11.15 Adam Jennings 11.37 VERT LEAP INCHES Demetrius Williams 38.0 Ben Obomanu 38.0 Adam Jennings 37.5 Willie Reid 37.5 Brandon Marshall 37.0 Greg Jennings 36.5 Travis Wilson 36.5

2006 NFL Combine Official Times - Day 3 - OL, RB

Official Times - Running Backs - Group 3

40 YARD DASH TIME Maurice Drew 4.39 Joseph Addai 4.40 Andre Hall 4.42 Wali Lundy 4.45 Jerome Harrison 4.47 Quinton Ganther 4.50 BENCH PRESS REPS Quinton Gather 29 Matt Bernstein 22 P.J. Daniels 21 Gilbert Harris 20 Jerome Harrison 19

20 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Jerome Harrison 4.07 Brian Calhoun 4.20 Mike Bell 4.21 David Kirtman 4.31 Wali Lundy 4.36 BROAD JUMP FT / IN Joseph Addai 10′ 5 Jerome Harrison 10′ 4 Brian Calhoun 10′ 4 Quinton Ganther 9′ 11 Gilbert Harris 9′ 9

60 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Wali Lundy 11.27 Maurice Drew 11.39 Mike Bell 11.48 Gilbert Harris 11.72 VERT JUMP INCHES Joseph Addai 38.5 Maurice Drew 36.0 Gilbert Harris 36.0 Wali Lundy 35.0 Quinton Ganther 35.0

3 CONE DRILL TIME Jerome Harrison 6.77 Wali Lundy 6.99 Gilbert Harris 7.00 Taurean Henderson 7.01 Brian Calhoun 7.05






Official Times - Offensive Line - Group 1

40 YARD DASH TIME Chris Chester 4.88 Daryn Colledge 5.04 Nick Mangold 5.05 Marcus McNeil 5.07 Paul McQuistan 5.07 Davin Joseph 5.09 Will Montgomery 5.09 Chris Kuper 5.10 Greg Eslinger 5.13 Jimmy Martin 5.14 BENCH PRESS REPS Will Montgomery 35 Robin Meadow 29 Ryan Cook 28 Fred Matua 28 Greg Eslinger 28 Paul McQuistan 28

20 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Nick Mangold 4.36 Will Montgomery 4.43 Chris Chester 4.50 Winston Justice 4.53 Rashad Butler 4.55 Daryn Colledge 4.58 Chris Kuper 4.60 BROAD JUMP FT / IN Davin Joseph 9′ 3 Paul McQuistan 9′ 2 Winston Justice 9′ 2 Daryn Colledge 9′ 2 Chris Kuper 9′ 1 Rashad Butler 8′ 10 Chris Chester 8′ 10

3 CONE DRILL TIME Winston Justice 7.31 Chris Chester 7.31 Will Montgomery 7.40 Daryn Colledge 7.43 Nick Mangold 7.49 Greg Eslinger 7.59 Chris Kuper 7.59 VERT LEAP INCHES Winston Justice 35.0 Daryn Colledge 32.5 Davin Joseph 32.0 Chris Chester 31.5 Kevin Boothe 31.5






Official Times - Offensive Line - Group 2

40 YARD DASH TIME Eric Winston 4.94 Guy Whimper 4.95 Pat Ross 4.96 Michael Toudouze 5.10 Joe Toledo 5.11 Andrew Whitworth 5.15 Issac Sowells 5.15 Marvin Phillip 5.24 Jeremy Trueblood 5.25 Charles Spencer 5.28 Dennis Roland 5.28 BENCH PRESS REPS Joe Toledo 32 Charles Spencer 30 Terrence Pennington 28 Andrew Whitworth 28

20 YARD SHUTTLE TIME Eric Winston 4.44 Mark Setterstrom 4.53 Jason Spitz 4.55 Guy Whimper 4.59 Dan Stevenson 4.62 BROAD JUMP FT / IN Andrew Whitworth 9′ 4 Eric Winston 9′ Terrance Pennington 8′ 6 Jason Spitz 8′ 6 Guy Whimper 8′ 6 Jonathan Scott 8′ 5 Issac Sowells 8′ 5 E.J Whitlet 8′ 5

3 CONE DRILL TIME Guy Whimper 7.38 Michael Toudouze 7.45 Eric Winston 7.47 E.J. Whitley 7.53 Dan Stevenson 7.58 VERT JUMP INCHES Andrew Whitworth 30.5 Guy Whimper 29.0 Eric Winston 29.0 Terrence Pennington 28.5 Jason Spitz 28.5 Issac Sowells 28.5

2006 NFL Combine - Day 2 Notes

Matt Leinart:

On how much of a better quarterback he is after having stayed in college for his senior year:

Oh, far better. That offseason, I was able to really approach the game mentally. Physically, I was going to get stronger. Mentally, the film watching, I studied a lot of NFL quarterbacks: Peyton Manning, Rich Gannon, Tom Brady, Brett Favre. I spent a day with Rich Gannon. He came down to SC. I spent a day with him, just about how he prepares, every game, every day, day by day, every week.

The mental part, the first day of fall install, I learned more practically that day than I did the whole year before, with Steve Sarkisian; who was with the Raiders last year - or two years ago - and is now back with SC.

Just overall mentally and physicall, I just grew. A lot of people say I’m a 1000 throws more experienced this season. Now I’m kind of getting kicked out of college and I’m ready to go.

On how he will mentally adjust to the possibility of not playing for a winning team:

Obviously, anywhere I go - being at SC, we practically won every single game we could have played - and then going to a team that possibly may struggle. It’s all preparation. It’s all work. I work hard and no matter what, I’m going to bring my talent and ability, I’m going to bring my work ethic to an organization and help that team win- whether it’s in a year or two or three years. That’s my mindset so… who knows what the future is going to tell, but I know what I’m going to bring: a lot of hard work. I’m going to work my butt off, get better, and be a player that is going to help that team.

On how he views his own mobility:

I think I’m deceivingly fast; that I have deceptive speed. I know I can throw on the run better than people think. I’ve always been a good athlete; I played basketball, baseball growing up. I’ve always been a great athlete. I think, just because I don’t run around, people think that I’m just this drop back passer - which I am - but that I can make a guy miss and I can get out of the pocket and throw on the run.

On if the Saints situation concerns him at all:

Absolutely not. If I were to go to the Saints, it would be an honor. Just to get drafted into the NFL is an honor. Obviously, the city of New Orleans is going through some troubles right now. But it would be kind of cool to be a part of that; the rebuilding of the city. So, we’ll see what happens, but whatever team takes me, that’s where I’m going to go and be happy.



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Vince Young:

I just want to play football no matter what team I go to.

On his throwing motion:

Just sitting down with some of the coaches now and just hearing the things they’ve been saying about my throwing motion, there’s nothing really wrong with it. It’s like, the media, that’s who keeps talking about this. There’s nothing wrong with the throwing motion, but just hearing it from them, to just keep continuing to get my mental part of the game better and better and keep playing what I’ve been doing all my life - just playing football.

On how patient he is if he doesn’t get to play right away:

Like I said, I’m a very confident player. I want to go out there and compete for the starting job. But if that doesn’t happen, you’ve got to be patient as a quarterback and wait your time. When it’s my time to go, I want to step up in the game and know what I’m doing in my offense and know where my 1, 2, and 3 receivers are at. I just want to be real comfortable and not just go out and straight out on talent. That set me back a long time when I was in college. When I was a freshman, I just tried to go out there and use my abilities and now it’s just more than that.

If there is an ounce in his body that worries about not succeeding at the next level:

Not really. It depends on myself. And how much you don’t see behind the scenes, watching film and how much work I put in, how much effort I put in and how much I want to better myself at the next level. It all goes around myself, so…

Was there a particular time, a game or a play, that is when a lightbulb (maturity) went on:

No, just sitting down with coach Brown and coach Davis. After we lost to OU that 12-0, they beat us 12-0, I was pretty down after that game and I take losses pretty hard. Just walking around and seeing my teammates, how down they were and how big they wanted to win that game, I didn’t want our guys to feel that anymore so I’ve taken upon myself to better myself to get better and better so I can help out my guys to win more ballgames.

On if he could see himself playing for Al Davis:

It doesn’t matter who I play for. I feel like I have great character. I respect coaches a whole lot, they’ve been through more than I’ve been through.



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Marcus Vick

On the stomping incident:

I talked to a lot of coaches last night. I just gave them the truth. I told them that during the game, there was a lot of frustration, a lot of things being said. I jumped up and reacted and I didn’t think. I regret that situation, I’m embarassed about that situation. I embarassed my family. My family didn’t speak to me for weeks after that. It was very hard.

On what he hopes to show NFL teams:

Just the kind of athlete that I am. And I want to show coaches that I know about football; about protections, and who’s not blocked, and who’s blocked, checks and audibles, and things of that nature.

On how concerned that his troubles have affected his draft status:

At this time in my life, I just want one team to give me a shot. It doesn’t matter what round, or how much money we’re talking, I just want a shot to be able to prove my ability.

On if being able to stay in school another year would have helped him:

I think it would have made a big difference, I would have gotten more reps. I would have been able to do some of the things that I wanted to do this year that I couldn’t, so that would have been really big.

On comparisons to Maurice Clarett:

I really wouldn’t compare myself to Maurice Claurett. I hear he came in here and did the drills he wanted to do and sometimes he’d walk out of a drill. I’m not that type of person. I’m going to finish my drills and I’m going to do everything; whatever they want to see.

On the McDonald’s/gun incident:

That got blown way out of proportion. I don’t carry guns. I don’t affiliate with people who carry guns. They are very dangerous and they could go off at any time and hit any body… I had a cell phone in my hand, I don’t know what those guys were thinking… They must have (mistaken it for a gun). That’s the only thing I can think of. I didn’t even think that was going to be a situation until the detectives came to my house at 3 in the morning… They came to my house later that night… They charged me the next day… I don’t carry around guns. I don’t own a gun. I don’t have a gun in my name… I really don’t know (why it went down like that). I have no idea…. The guys, now I hear they are trying to bribe me for money and different things of that nature. One guy (of the accusers) last week, he just got locked up for armed robbery… I really don’t know what they were thinking.



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Jay Cutler:

On his mobility:

I think they want pocket guys who can move a little bit. I don’t think they are really looking for guys who can get out of the pocket and run around. Cause you’re not going to make a living running around in the NFL. They have been some quarterbacks in the past that have tried to do it and you’re only going to get yourself hurt. Being able to escape in the pocket and get rid of the ball quickly, I think that’s one thing they are definitely looking for though.



I worry for players like Vince Young whose reasons for not working out at the Combine are because he wants to be in his own environment and under his own determined circumstances when he works out. Had I not seen Young play those two straight Rose Bowls, that sort of thing bothers me in an athlete because hardly ever will anyone in the NFL, especially a quarterback, have everything lined up the way he wants them. It’s important to see players perform on someone else’s terms.

Marcus Vick came off as genuine, even though some of his answers were clearly practiced. He seems to be concerned solely about getting a chance to play football with someone.

And Jay Cutler’s air time on the Network was small. I’m interested in seeing him talk more. He seems a little too aw-shucks for a quarterback and having come from a college career that saw his team never have a winning season and to have never won a bowl game, the issue needs to be addressed of whether or not Cutler has the kind of leadership capabilities to lead a team to a playoff win. His personality could go the Jake Delhomme route, but so far, I think it’s fair to question how much of those intagibles he has.

Gil Brandt’s day 2 notes include a nice story about D’Brick showing up for his interviews in a shirt and tie.

DeAngelo Hall had an iteresting story to tell on day 2. He was asked if he knew at the Combine a couple years ago that the Falcons were going to draft him. Hall said that there were 31 teams that interviewed him; and the lone team that did not was Atlanta. They didn’t even show up to his pro day workout.

2006 NFL Combine - Day I Notes

The NFL Network showed two hours of press conferences on Thursday and naturally there really wasn’t much happening other than a lot of talk and a lot of John Lott.

Of the 83 players who arrived on Thursday, the Network covered extended portions of the press conferences with D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Reggie Bush, Winston Justice, and Maurice Drew. Here are some quotes I found interesting:

D’Brickahsaw Ferguson

When asked about how he had gained 30+ pounds since his sophomore year:

I was able to work on my diet, my habits. I really tried to just pay more attention to things that I was consuming, and things of that nature.

I was 250-ish, 260-ish. And, you know, being a 260 pound tackle, you’re just not given an opportunity to really exert yourself on other defenders as you may at 290 pounds. So, I really felt that I had an advantage and the added weight and size, I didn’t feel like it affected my mobility negatively.

On players he looked up to growing up:

Lomas Brown, NY Giants. He was an excellent player. He was a long and skinny individual like myself. So, I’ve tried to emulate some of the things that he does- he did.

On the idea of possibly playing for the Jets:

I grew up in New York, and I was always around New York sports, so definitely. I like the Knicks.

On why he is waiting until his pro day (March 21) to work out for NFL teams:

Again, I just want to give myself the best opportunity. I’m working down now currently in Orlando with Tom Shaw, just training. And I really feel like I’m making good progress and I just feel like I don’t want to short change myself.

On what his major was at Virginia:

Religious Studies. I’ve always had an interest in world religions. It’s always been somthing that I felt passionate about. I enjoyed doing it during school. I don’t know if I’ll be using it after school, but the possibilities are out there for me.



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Reggie Bush

I like to think of myself as an every down back. That’s something I feel like I want to emphasize to the teams - to every team, the team that takes me - that I can be an every down back. Even though I’m not the biggest guy, I’m not 220 pounds, I can still carry the load and be in there when the game’s on the line. Obviously, I’m going to want the ball in my hands, I’m a playmaker so…

When compared to what Matt Leinart has been doing lately (ie, fame, parties, photos shoots):

Yeah, I’ve had those same opportunities, but for me, what I’ve wanted to do is focus on this draft, focus on preparing myself for this combine. And really stay focused, and all those other things - the photo shoots - will come. But I have had those opportunities but I’ve just chosen, I guess, you know… just… (interrupted by another question)

When asked if he could compare himself to any other player:

Not really. I don’t want to compare myself to someone in the NFL who’s already done so much, just because they are at a whole other level and I’m trying to get to that level. But I guess, the most similar comparison I’ve seen is Marshall Faulk, the way the St Louis Rams used him.

Is there one team he’d like to play for:

Whatever team I go to I could help out a lot. And if I were to go to Houston, they already have a great quarterback and a great receiver. Maybe it’s just those little pieces of the puzzle that they are missing. Hopefully I’d be able to help them out a lot and help them win some more games. I’m not saying we’re going to go to a Super Bowl right away, but hopefully we can work towards that and obviously I know it take a long process.

On blitz pickup:

Coming from USC, we played in a pro-style offense, so we had to know our blitz pickups. I’m pretty familiar with it - not to the extent of the NFL but I have a pretty good knowledge of it and what it takes.

If he thought that question of blitz pickup is going to come up a lot at the Combine:

Oh yeah. Definitely. Definitely.

On why he wasn’t an every down player at USC:

Oh, obviously, when the game is on the line like I said I want the ball, I’m a competitor. It’s the coaches decision ultimately, and it would have been completely wrong for me to go in there and make a fuss about it.



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Winston Justice

I played left tackle as a freshman. I think it’ll be an easy transition for me. I can play both tackles, easy, right or left, so it wouldn’t be a problem for me.

On how important was playing this last season:

I think it was very, very important. To show people that I character to come back to school and prove that I could be a good student, a good citizen, for a whole year and have a good season. I think that I accomplished that.

On what happened?

I was suspended for pulling a toy gun on a student. So I was suspended by the school for the 2004 season, for two semesters… It was actually me and some friends playing a game. We thought we knew the person in the car that we pulled the toy gun on and that wasn’t them. And that’s the story… in the past… and something I’m always going to regret doing. And always going to be sorry about and always something I’m going to be kicking myself for. But it’s in the past and I’m trying to live day by day to show people I am a good character guy.

On how hard will it be for you to explain this situation to all the NFL teams:

It’s not going to be that difficult. I like telling my side of the story. I like telling people what happened. So it’s not going to be that difficult at all.

On what he’s gotten out of boxing workouts with Freddy Roach:

I’ve gotten a lot out of that. Boxing helped me so much with my hands and my feetwork. I think that translates a lot with my football game too. I boxed for a whole year while I was out (suspended) so I sparred different amateurs and I think it helped me a lot with my football game.



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Maurice Drew

On why he’s chosen to work out this week:

Because I feel like if you come to the Combine, there’s no reason to come here and not work out. You’re taking up other people’s slots. You need to use the opportunity will all the coaches and the GMs here and be able to do your best. Just go out there and compete and that’s all they can ask of you, to just go out and do your best. And if you do your best, you can’t be mad at yourself.


Gil Brandt has his day 1 notes up as well- including a short list of the tallest, heaviest, shortest and other ests from the day 1 reportees.

It was interesting to hear Reggie Bush speak, especially his comments about Leinart’s fame. I got the impression he was making a real effort not to cast judgement on his former quarterback, while also trying to convey to everyone that his own personality is a different one. It was also interesting to hear him talk about Houston’s QB and WR and not anything about their filled stable of running backs.

Fantasy Baseball Preview - Part IV - NL Catchers

FULL CATCHERS LIST - 27-29 CATCHERS LIST



ON THE RISE

Michael Barrett - CHC: Turned 29 last October; As streaky as they come; hit above .300 for three full months last year and below .235 for four full months; finished the second half of the season with a .292 average despite a .200 September; Worked out at CES this winter in order to improve defense; Barrett loves to catch and has turned down previous attempts to move to 3B; Member of Team USA 30 man roster; DOWNGRADE: career .255 hitter in April

Brian Schneider - WAS: Excellent left-handed, contact hitter with limited power potential; known as a defensive specialist; Struggled to hit at home, but finished the season over .300 on the road; Coming off right shoulder injury that limited him in the second half of last season; If you’re in a platoon situation at catcher, Schneider isn’t a bad option to use away from Washington; Added to Team USA’s 30 man roster; DOWNGRADE: Signed a new 4 year, 16$ million contract this offseason; low run production totals

Johnny Estrada - ARZ: Last year I was tipped off by Braves Beat to avoid Johnny Estrada and it paid off; Estrada ended up hitting just .214 against LHP last year; Park factor is in Estrada’s favor now, even though he’s 1/12 lifetime at what is being now called Chase Field; But more importantly, the NL West competition is light on left-handed starters: just Jeff Francis, Odalis Perez, Noah Lowry, and Shawn Estes fill out the division’s 5 man rotation so there is reason to hope- and owners will probably be scared off by Estrada’s poor 2005; the DBacks have depth behind the plate, so chances are Estrada will play around 100 games and sit out against lefties; he could be a real value .300 hitting catcher; He only got a 1 year deal with Arizona so he’s also playing for a paycheck

Brian McCann - ATL: Best known for his Game 2, three run homer off of Roger Clemens in the 05 NLDS; PECOTA has him hitting .273 57-16-65 in ‘06, which really isn’t bad for a guy you can get off of free agency; DOWNGRADE: just turned 22; has yet to hit above .290 in pro career (3 seasons); capable backup (Todd Pratt) and hotshot youngster behind him (Jarrod Saltalamacchia)


OTHER NOTES
Look at Dioneer Navarro’s numbers last season against LHP and you’ll see just how far he has to go before becoming a regular threat.

Yorvit Torreabla has a career .343 average in 14 games at Coors Field, so he may be worth a look after the season starts. But Torreabla has a lot of competition in Colorado, especially prospect JD Closser.

Fantasy Baseball Preview - Part III - AL Catchers

Full Catchers List - 27-29 Catchers List

I again endorse the mlb.com fantasy baseball preview and as a result of the availability (for free) of such a complete research tool, my own preview goals here have taken a turn.

Based on the list of projected starters at this position, here’s a look at some of this season’s factors that may not show up in a player’s linescore.



ON THE RISE

Victor Martinez - CLE: Not a question of if, but when should you draft Martinez; listed on preliminary roster for Venezuelan WBC team; hit .380/.449/.578 after the break last season, following a .236/.312/.380 first half; just turned 27 and is entering his third full MLB season; a .320 90-30-100 season very likely; DOWNGRADES: assuming he makes it through the WBC healthy, none

Joe Mauer - MIN: Long heralded prospect entering his second full MLB season; still low power numbers (9 HR) but the 26 doubles he hit last year show room for growth; isn’t playing in WBC because he wants to stay healthy; DOWNGRADE: backup Mike Redmond is a proven veteran who also kills left-handed pitching; look for Mauer to sit frequently against LHPs as a result

Ramon Hernandez - BAL: Signed a 4 year, $27.5 million dollar contract to play for the Orioles; there is no catching controversy in Baltimore, Ramon is the starter; contact hitter who’s power potential is limited around 20 HR per season; DOWNGRADE: turning 30 on May 20th; with new pitching coach Leo Mazzone and a young pitching staff, he may end up spending more time on the defensive side than offensive; no longer playing for a big contract

Kenji Johnjima - SEA: Turns 30 in June; signed for 3 years, $16.5 million; speaks enough English to get by; hit above .300 in each of his last 3 seasons in Japan; Matsui hit .287 with 16 HR his first MLB season, I’d expect Kenji to be around .300 with 10-15 HR; DOWNGRADE: unknown




ON THE DECLINE

Benjie Molina - TOR: Coming off a career year; very injury prone; very slow; turns 32 in July; has a solid backup in Gregg Zaun; UPGRADE: under a 1 year contract with an option for ‘07; hit .393 against LHP last season

AJ Pierzynski - CWS: Sox are coming off a WS Championship; signed a 3 year, $15 million dollar contract in December; hit a career high 18 HR last season but had just 21 2B, a career low; UPGRADE: Is still just 29, turns 30 in December

Rod Barajas - TEX: Rod seems to be purely a power guy, when it comes to fantasy baseball; his .254 last year was a career high; turned 30 last September; Texas has another prospect, Gerald Laird, waiting in line; will probably split time with Laird this season


LITTLE MENTION LIST
Too old to be worth their draft value, too young to be counted on, or just too WYSIWYG to spend time on:
Jason Varitek - Jorge Posada - Toby Hall - Ivan Rodriguez - John Buck - Jason Kendall - Jeff Mathis

2006 NFL Combine Advance Scouting

In preparation for next week’s NFL Combine, here are 7 links to prepare with:
• Complete list of players who’ve been invited to 2006 NFL Scouting Combine
• Gil Brandt’s pre-combine rankings
• Schedule of the NFL Network’s coverage of the NFL Combine
• Updated list of underclassmen players who have declared for the 2006 NFL Draft
• Breakdown of what and how the first round of the 2006 NFL draft was determined
• Complete NFL Draft home on nfl.com
• PFW Senior Bowl coverage

MLB.com Fantasy Baseball Preview

Just a special note here, mlb.com’s Fantasy Baseball Preview is a good one. They’ve been an interactive media leader over the last few years and what they’ve put together with this fantasy preview should be applauded. There’s no direct link to it, but you can find a launch link here.

Fantasy Baseball Preview - Part II - Starting Catchers

Starting Catchers (Pre-Spring)
AL EAST	AL CENTRAL	AL WEST
BAL Ramon Hernandez BOS Jason Varitek NYY Jorge Posada TB Toby Hall TOR Bengie Molina	CHW A.J. Pierzynski CLE Victor Martinez DET Ivan Rodriguez KC John Buck MIN Joe Mauer	ANA Jeff Mathis OAK Jason Kendall SEA Kenji Johjima TEX Rod Barajas
NL EAST	NL CENTRAL	NL WEST
ATL Brian McCann FLA Josh Willingham NYM Paul Lo Duca PHI Mike Lieberthal WAS Brian Schneider	CHI Michael Barrett CIN Jason LaRue HOU Brad Ausmus MIL Damian Miller PIT Humberto Cota STL Yadier Molina	ARZ Johnny Estrada COL Yorvit Torreabla LA Dioner Navarro SD Mike Piazza SF Mike Matheny

Fantasy Baseball Preview - Part I

There are a great number of factors to consider when searching for candidates for a breakout season.
• Strong end to last season
• Change of teams
• Position opening
• Health
Those are just a few. But one of the most best ways to find players on the verge of reaching their potential is too look at their how much professional level experience they have coming into this season.

Consider some of the great breakout seasons of recent years; Brian Roberts, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Lee, Aubrey Huff, Melvin Mora. And even last year with guys like Chase Utley and Chone Figgins. Every season, prospects seem to be able to put things together as they approach the ’so-called prime’ of their careers.

The Beach did a similar series of research last year, as we went through and wrote up a large portion of this list of breakout age candidates.

This preseason, that same theme remains but things will be done a little bit differently.

A series of lists has been compiled of a majority of the eligible players available in fantasy leagues this season. I’ve taken that list, which includes batting stats from the 2005 season, and added each player’s birth year to the table. On top of that, I’ve created a secondary list, again divided up by position, of all players who were born in 1976-1979. Give or take a few months, those are the athletes that are in their prime years of 27-29.

In the coming month, the Beach will preview these players in more depth.
In the meantime, help yourself to these lists as we approach the early days of Spring.

2005 NFL Playoffs - Super Bowl XL - Review

21-10 Steelers


• Continued play design excellence from the Steelers led the way.
  If you had to point to one key play of the game, I believe it came sooner than when most would think:
  Early in the second quarter, after the Steelers had just earned their first first down of the game, they came out with a power formation, with everyone lined up tight, and ran Ward on an end-around to the left. The RG on the play began off the snap to pull out right and then did a 360 spin to run left as the lone lead blocker in front of Ward. This move just helped sell the run to the right just a little more and made the play all more effective. And at the end of the play, Seahawks FS Manuel was injured, forcing Etric Pruitt into the game for the remainder of the night. This injury was probably the most crippling blow the Seahawks could have sustained on defense (see below).

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• Two other key plays:
  3rd and 28, late second quarter, Steelers still down 0-3. On the play before, Winstrom beat his man around the left edge and sacked Ben Berger for a big loss. So on third down, the Seahawks come out with just 3 defensive lineman and drop out into coverage in was looked like a relaxed cover 3 defense. The mistake Seattle made here was just rushing three because Winstrom again beat the Steelers LT around the edge but since there was no rush up the middle, Ben Berger had a huge hole to step into and buy all that time along the line of scrimmage. Either Winstrom should not have taken such a wide angle to the QB (knowing he didn’t have inside help) or Seattle should have put four on the line to limit the QB’s throwing and passing lanes. Ward got open because the Seahawks safety on the opposite side (Boulware) played the QB too much and gave up his position on the opposite side of the field. But Ben just had too much time to sit there on the 39 yard line and let receivers get open. The Seahawks’ ultimate mistake on this play was being too conservative on 3rd and 28 and not rushing more than three. I assume they thought that they’d let Pittsburgh settle for a field goal but clearly championship aren’t made by attempting kicks.
  
  Second play of the second half, with Michaels and Madden announcing that Manuel will not return for the game, the Steelers lined up with 3 wide and hand off right to Parker. Tatupu allows himself to be blocked by the RT 10 yards downfield and by the time the rookie MLB had gotten off this block, Parker was behind him. SS Boulware came up to the line of scrimmage quickly, but he played Parker to the outside and Willie made a nice cut in traffic to run up the middle. He probably saw Tatupu being occupied and knew he had room. And FS Pruitt, playing the off side deep, took a terrible angle on the fast Steelers running back, running in too far and then not being about to recover deep as Parker flew right by him. 14-3 Steelers.

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• Ben Burger is going to face a lot of defenses next season that will beg him to throw the ball deep. He’s shown numerous times this regular season and during the playoffs that he just doesn’t have the arm strength to put a ball over a safety’s head if the coverage is there. That’s one of the reasons the Steelers have been using gadgets to get receivers open down the field. Ben’s limit is probably around 45-50 yards, which isn’t bad, but it’s that extra 10-15 that many NFL QBs can throw that makes all the difference in putting a ball over the top.
  
  The INT he threw to Boulware went 45 yards in the air, from the middle of the field to the sideline. And Ben had time in the pocket and really stepped into that throw. It looked to be pretty much all he had.
  
  On the pass to Ward when Ben ran up to the line of scrimmage and stopped, he threw that ball from the 41 to the 3- again across half the field. Ben didn’t step into that throw, and he almost left it too short and too close to the defender. Ben’s mobility gets in the way a bit too, as he moves too much as he’s throwing to really get good distance.

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• The holding calls: It’s hard to compare what the refs were calling against Seattle and what they were calling against Pittsburgh because the Seahawks’ defensive line uses mostly bull rushes (straight lines) to get to the QB. The Steelers were constantly trying to use their speed on the edges and up the middle gaps to attack. There were two holding calls on Seattle in the first quarter (one was decline because the player being held picked up the sack anyway) and then the big call on Locklear in the fourth.
  
  On that play which took away a Stevens catch at the Steelers’ 1, Haggans had been timing Hasselback’s snap count (QB’s first Super Bowl experience) and he already had a step on Locklear off the line. Locklear hooked the rusher with his arm and, in my opinion, clearly held Haggans on the play. The flag was thrown before the catch was made, so it’s not like the ref was negating a big play by throwing the flag. Earlier, I had been watching the RT - LE matchup on the other side of the ball to see if there were any similar plays between Max Starks and Bryce Fisher. There was some similar holding going on there, but on those plays Fisher never really had the body position advantage that Haggans did on this particular play. The Steelers OLB had speed and the edge and there’s a good chance the Hasselback doesn’t get that throw off unless Locklear holds him. I’ve got no problem with that holding call.

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• There was a nice moment on the sideline after the Randel El touchdown pass. The former Indiana QB was celebrating with his Steelers QB when Ben was said: “Did you see my block?”

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• On that Randel El pass to Ward, it was again Pruitt who could be blamed (at least partially) for allowing Ward to get open deep. It’s impossible to know exactly what the called coverage there was, but Pruit