Quick Hits from the Combine

I had the opportunity to view inside the NFL Scouting Combine for the first time on Sunday and I took notes to share. It was a great experience to bring fans in for the first time. When I first got there, I was general admission so I had to wait on the priority to check in first. When I got done checking in, we had breakfast provided. Since I got up at 5am, I was so happy to see bacon on the breakfast line (fatty coming out right there). After that we got to go into the stadium to watch the combine. Here are my thoughts on what I saw

- The first group to run was QBs. In this group Robert Griffin displayed his world class athleticism by running an unofficial 4.38 40 yard dash. From where we were sitting we had a great view of the 40. I was not only impressed by the time (he was a great sprinter so this shouldn't come as a surprise), but how fluid he looked running it. Every movement seemed effortless. He did not throw but his 40, vertical, and broad jump were all outstanding.

-One QB who wasn't very good at the combine was Nick Foles from Arizona. He had the slowest 40 from all of the QB's at 5.15. Offensive lineman Matt Kalil ran faster than that. He also was less than impressive in the throwing drills. He underthrew several deep balls and did not throw a tight spiral all day.

-The QB that probably had the best day throwing was Michigan State's Kirk Cousins. He displayed good footwork in all of the drills and throws a very catchable ball. He was also very accurate with all of his throws. Another QB that looked good throwing the football was Chandler Harnish from Northern Illinois. He put every ball right on the money and probably threw the best deep ball out of any QB in the first group.

-There were alot of "big" wide receivers that ran well in the 40. They include Stephen Hill from Georgia Tech, Michael Floyd from Notre Dame, and Tommy Streeter from Miami (Fl). The also went on to look good in the guantlet drill. Hill and especially Floyd displayed great hands and picked every pass out of the air without having to bring it in to their bodies. Hill also made a diving catch running a go route. He may have pushed himself into late first round/early second discussion.

-One guy that didn't run that should have was Alshon Jeffery. He was a big wide receiver from South Carolina that has questions about his speed to it was surprising to see him not run even though he was healthy. Now he has a ton riding on his pro day.

-The second group of QB's featured probable number one draft pick Andrew Luck. He did not throw but showed he too is an athlete by putting down a 4.59 unofficial 40 time. He also had a 36" vertical and a 10'4" standing broad jump. He has a very thick lower body that will stand up well against the wear and tear in the NFL and also has lower body explosion as evidenced by the solid vertical and broad jump numbers. This workout only reaffirmed that he will be the number one overall pick in the draft.

-A couple of late round picks that stood out were Devon Wylie from Fresno State and Junior Hemingway from Michigan. Devon Wylie has alot of Wes Welker in him. He was a small guy, didn't post a 4.4 forty, but he was very quick. In the route tree he really displayed the ability to stick his foot in the ground and make very quick cuts. He also brings value as a kick returner, having returned two kicks for TDs last year. Hemingway also didn't have the greatest 40 time but showed great hands. He will be a solid number two possession receiver that has value in rounds 4-6.

Overall it was neat to see the process up close for the first time and see just what all these athletes are put through. If anyone has the opportunity to go in future years, take it. You will not regret it.