Combine 2/26/11

I'm going to make up for missing the last couple of days and getting some early posts in before the library opens. I give the NFL a lot of credit today. We know how stingy they are about streaming online games. If you don't it is absolutely ridiculous. They are currently allowing people to stream the combine for free. It is a win win. Not all of us get NFL network and they get more money off commercials. More channels could really learn from this. They are really making a lot of money by saying under armor and if you watch they say it a lot. Personally I am getting a kick out of it, because most the people watching this are not in competitive athletics anymore. They are allowing you to pick between two camera. If you want the link I have attached it directly below. I will try to mention UM and MSU players. They may not be at an area of need and may throw them into certain groups. Today is about TEs, OL, PK, and ST. Thus, we will really be concentrating on OL.

http://www.nfl.com/combine/live?campaign=Ext_Email_CombineLive_0225

OL
I think most of us will agree that the 40 time for OL aren't important. Trent Williams really got drafted last year 4th with the Redskins over Oklahoma State's Russel Okung based on his amazing 40 time. Now saying that nobody showed an overly impressive 40 time to say that guy is jumping way up. Both Carimi and Constanzo really helped themselves stabalize themselves. They both showed up and got the job done. You do not want to come out and be sloppy. It shows they were working hard and are ready for the combine.

Now Carimi did not look good at the first skill position (side to side, back and forth footwork). Now this drill is a great one for scouts, because it really exposes were your weight is at and how your footwork is. You want a good center of balance and short choppy steps. You want to try and duplicate Joe Thomas here and look like a dancer. James Carpenter out of Alabama showed that he is not a day one guy. He had his weight way to far upfront. Marcus Gilbert impressed both Mayock and myself. Mayock said, "You can tell he's a natural bender," a tremendous compliment for a lineman. Rodney Hudson is a guy out of FSU that really impressed me, he looked amazing in the first position drill and then went on to pull at the center position. Now snapping and pull doesn't impress me it all. He is trying to show he can play both guard and center, he has not done that yet and I am not going to account for that yet. Also, like to mention that Constanzo has fu manchu. Quick update TE Charlie Gantt tied for first in his position with 27 reps on the bench press. Brandon Fusco is a guy out of yes, Slippery Rock that looked good. Ran a decent 40 time and showed good footwork in the first position drill. Tyron Smith will only go through the medical exams and interviews. He is currently rehabbing a knee and will wait till his pro day to show off.

Slide step drill where people could really move up or down, surprisingly nobody moved.

I liked Marcus Cannon in the mirror drill. James Carpenter on the other hand looked bad and he hobbled off after the drill and is getting attention from medical staff. He is on his feet and walking fine, but clearly tweaked something. Brandon Fusco went up against Constanzo and just looked like he got beat. Which I think shows Constanzo is a guy that wants to beat you in practice and make you look bad. If he carries that attitude outside the combine, he will improve his team. Just to explain the mirror drill, you have between the hash marks to go side to side in your stance, while defender goes back and forth whenever he wants. If there is any questions about the drill please let me know, I probably will not explain every drill.

I don't see much of any significant in the broad jump and will take a break and pick it back up in about half an hour and watch position skills of group 2. I will post this now and edit it later and start a new heading for the late morning.