UNLV Pro Day

Per NFL Prospect analyst Gil Brandt:

A good indication of whether a prospect may get drafted is if positional coaches show up to his Pro Day workout. That was the case for a pair of smaller school players this week.

At UNLV’s Pro Day, 14 players worked out outdoors on FieldTurf, in front of representatives for 16 teams. RB Frank Summers, who was not invited to the combine, got a positive sign because of the presence of Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson.

Summers checked in at 5-foot-9 1/8, 241 pounds and ran a 4.63-second and a 4.64-second 40-yard dash. He put up a 34.5-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot, 4-inch broad jump, a 4.35-second short shuttle, a 7.23-long shuttle and 30 bench press reps.

Crabtree Has Successful Surgery

Per NFL.com:

Former Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree underwent successful surgery on Wednesday on the slight stress fracture in his left foot. Crabtree was still recovering on Wednesday afternoon, according to a marketing representative, and was expected to be released on Thursday.

The surgery took place at the Carolina Medical Center, in Charlotte, North Carolina by renowned orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Robert Anderson. Crabtree was expected to have a pin inserted in his foot, which would sidelined him for 10 weeks.

“Michael’s surgery today was successful and I expect a very routine recovery and a full return to football this season,” Anderson said in a statement.

Crabtree’s injury — which he announced in a statement was a pre-existing injury — was initially discovered during medical testing at the NFL Scouting Combine. After initially saying that he would workout at the Texas Tech Pro Day on March 26, Crabtree reconsidered and opted for surgery.

NFL senior analyst Pat Kirwan has Crabtree, widely regarded as a top-10 pick prior to the combine, going to the Bengal’s with the sixth overall pick in his latest mock draft.

Wisconsin Pro Day

Per NFL Prospect analyst Gil Brandt:

There were 28 teams represented at Wisconsin’s pro day. The Badgers’ NFL prospects ran on FieldTurf. Wisconsin did not put a rubber matting across the field like it did last year.

Two position coaches — Carolina’s offensive line coach Dave Magazu and Jaguars tight ends coach Mike Tice — were in attendance. A total of 11 players worked out and they all ran position drills.

Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema spent a great deal of time answering questions prior to the workout and was very helpful.

Running back P.J. Hill measured in at 5-foot-10 1/8, 218 pounds. It is the lighest he’s been since junior high school. He ran 4.65 and 4.63 in the 40-yard dash. He had a 37-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot 2-inch broad jump. He ran a 4.24 in the short shuttle and had a 7.09 in the three-cone drill. He had 16 bench press reps.

Tight end Travis Beckum checked in at 6-2 3/4, 239 pounds. He ran a 4.61 and 4.63 in the 40-yard dash as well as recording a 9-foot 10-inch broad jump. He had a 38.5 inch vertical, a 4.10 short shuttle and a 7.05 three-cone drill. He did not lift.

Guard Kraig Urbik came in at 6-5 3/8, 328 pounds. He ran 5.30 and 5.25 in the 40 and tallied a 4.75 second short shuttle. He did not run the three-cone drill. He put up a 25.5-inch vertical jump and an 8-foot 2-inch broad jump. He did not lift.

Guard Andy Kemp was measured at 6-4 3/4, 306 pounds. He ran 5.35 and 5.38 in the 40 and had a 7-foot 11-inch broad jump. He also put up a 27.5-inch vertical jump and ran the short shuttle in 4.83 seconds.

Defensive end Matt Shaungnessy checked in at 6-5 1/8, 263 pounds. He ran a 4.86 40, but did not do any other drills.

Linebacker Jonathan Casillas is injured and did not work out, nor did linebacker DeAndre Levy. They will work out on April 2.

OL Eric VandenHeuvel, who declined a combine invitation, has made the decision to attend medical school rather than pursue a career in the NFL.

Texas A&M Pro Day

Per NFL Prospect analyst Gil Brandt:

Stephen McGee. Remember this name because he could be a real sleeper in next month’s draft.

Certainly the 17 NFL scouts and one coach who showed up at Texas A&M’s pro day will remember the quarterback and his workout. The Aggies held their pro day on Wednesday, but it actually began with meet-and-greets Tuesday night at Wings-n-More in College Station, where scouts had an opportunity to conduct personal player interviews as well as ask questions of the A&M coaching staff.

The only non-scout at the pro day was Jaguars quarterbacks coach David Shula, who put McGee through QB drills. And let me tell you, McGee looked outstanding.

McGee, who ran the second-fastest 40 among quarterbacks at the combine (4.66), measured 6-2 7/8 and weighed 222 pounds, down 3 from his combine weigh-in.

Watch out for this kid on draft day.

Among the 14 players who worked out for scouts:

Running back Mike Goodson (5-11 3/4, 212 pounds) ran the 40 in 4.43 and 4.47 seconds and did positional drills for the scouts. His 40 times might be inflated a little because A&M is one of three schools (Wisconsin and Ohio State are the others) to lay down a rubber surface over the top of their indoor field turf, which can result in quicker times. Goodson ran a 4.54 40 at the combine, the seventh-fastest among running backs in Indy two weeks ago.

Defensive end Michael Bennett (6-2 7/8, 282) ran two 40s, both in 4.86 seconds, and had a vertical of 36.5 inches. The vertical jump event was conducted by A&M coaches.

Punter Justin Brantly (6-3 3/8, 247 pounds) looked pretty good in his workout.

Cornerback Danny Gorrer (5-11 5/8, 185 pounds) ran the 40 in 4.42 and 4.40 seconds, had a 35.5-inch vertical, a 9-foot 5-inch broad jump, and a 6.90-second 3-cone drill. He slipped in his short shuttle and no time was recorded.

Matt Stafford + Lions = Destiny?

Per NFL.com

In his first mock draft, NFL.com’s Steve Wyche has the Detroit Lions taking Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Makes sense to Stafford, according to the Detroit Free Press.

“I don’t know if it’s destiny, but I’d love to have the opportunity to be a Lion, for sure,” Stafford said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for me. It could work out in the end, for sure.”

The destiny part has to do with Bobby Layne, the Lions quarterback who when traded to Pittsburgh in 1958 — the year after leading Detroit to its last championship — supposedly put a curse on his old team, saying the Lions wouldn’t win for 50 years. The newspaper points out that Detroit has only one playoff win and one Pro Bowl quarterback since Layne was traded.

The interesting part, NFL.com’s Gil Brandt points out, is that Stafford (a neighbor of Brandt’s in the greater Dallas area) went to the same high school as Layne, football-powerhouse Highland Park High. So did Doak Walker, who followed in Layne’s cleats at Highland Park in 1944.

Brandt also notes that three top prospects, who could all go in the top five picks, went to high schools within seven miles of each other in the Dallas area — Stafford, Texas Tech wideout Michael Crabtree and Baylor tackle Jason Smith. “I don’t think that’s ever happened before,” Brandt said.

Like Layne, Walker enjoyed a Hall of Fame career with the Lions. Question is, will Stafford be next?

Prospect Update: Pat White

Per NFL.com:

Former West Virginia quarterback Pat White was in-house Tuesday at the NFL Network and NFL.com, taping segments to go on the Network and chatting live with fans online.

Talking with White in the “Green Room” before, after and during our chat brought out a few interesting points. One, he said that he wants to remain at quarterback and during his interviews with teams, he estimates that only two of the 32 NFL teams are giving him serious consideration at the position. Two, if there’s one team White is hoping will take him, that’s the Pittsburgh Steelers (White comes from a Steelers family — in Alabama). Three, he will work some at receiver during his pro day workouts.

White is training at Velocity Sports Performance in Irvine, Calif., with around 20 other NFL hopefuls, including USC’s Mark Sanchez, Purdue’s Curtis Painter, Fresno State’s Tom Brandstater and Nate Brown of Central Arkansas. He’s in a two month program there leading up to his pro day on March 12.

Prospect Update: Michael Oher

In more recent prospect new, Ole Miss Rebel offensive tackle and NFL draft hopeful Michael Oher has changed agents, leaving Bus Cook and signing with James Sexton.

Not sure the implications this will have on Big Mike and his career in the NFL but if Mr. Sexton can hype up Big Mike more so than he already is than kudos and all the best, all I can say is Michael Oher will need some good press after sub par Senior Bowl and Combine workouts where the once #1 overall tackle is now third or fourth at best and maybe even fallen out of the top 10 come April 25th.

-Matty

Prospect Update: Jeremy Maclin

In recent prospect news, Missouri Tiger wide receiver and kick returner Jeremy Maclin, who hurt his knee at the combine, has been cleared by Birmingham, Alabama specialist Dr. James Andrews to do all workouts at his Pro Day on March 5th and/or 19th.

This is good news for Maclin who has seen his stock drop a bit since under performing at the combine. He has first round ability as a wide receiver and electrifying kick returner but he'll need to show he is healthy and put together a nice Pro Day workout to cement his 1st round status as guys like Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Britt, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Percy Harvin are nipping at his heels.

-Matty

Baylor Pro Day

Per NFL Prospect Analyst Gil Brandt:

WACO, Texas — When you get on the main street leading into Baylor University, you immediately see the signs directing visitors to the football team’s pro day workouts. That’s what happens when you have a top draft pick in your midst.

There were representatives from 15 NFL teams at today’s workout, including three offensive line coaches — Andy Hecht (Jacksonville), Paul Alexander (Cincinnati), and Mike Solari (Seattle). The main attraction was offensive tackle Jason Smith, projected to be a top 10 draft pick next month. Smith was one of 12 players participating — 11 from Baylor and one player from nearby Mary Harden Baylor University. Baylor passed out a helpful information packet on its 11 players, complete with contact information for agents and where to reach the players on draft day.

Pro day was well organized. Players ran outdoors on grass. The overall event took a little over two hours, followed by extra time in which the three NFL line coaches worked out Smith and fellow Baylor OL Dan Gay.

Smith did position drills but stood on his combine numbers for the other drills. Gay participated at the combine but did everything Tuesday morning in hopes of improving his numbers.

Gay measured in at 6-foot-4, 303 pounds. He ran the 40 in 5.48, running with the wind. He had a 24 ½-inch vertical jump, 7-foot, 1 ½-inch broad jump, 5.40 short shuttle, 8.47 3-cone drill, and did 20 reps at the bench press.

All 15 of the NFL reps in attendance will be at Texas A&M’s pro day Wednesday morning.

The Rams, who have the second overall pick in the draft, will be back in Waco on March 12 for a private workout with Smith.

Combine: Where Careers Begin... Sometimes

For a few hundred lucky football players each year, the NFL Scouting Combine is the jumping off point for great careers on Sundays, unfortunately, sometimes it's as far as some athletes will go and that's the case for Brian Mandeville, TE from Northeastern.

NFL.com reports the following:

"Northeastern TE Brian Mandeville left the NFL Scouting Combine last week after doctors conducting a routine physical exam discovered that he has a non-life-threatening heart abnormality, the Boston Globe reported.

The doctors advised Mandeville that he shouldn’t play football because of an abnormal heart valve, according to the player’s agent, Ryan Tollner."

It's a real shame for Mandeville who was hoping to perform at the Combine and increase his draft stock so that he might be drafted but unfortunately his potential NFL career was cut short. Luckily for him, the condition is not life threatening and All Day Football wishes him the best in the future.

-Matty

Scouting Combine All Snub Team: Defense

There were a wealth of players who did not get invites to the combine and here are some of those players who's absence surprised me in light of the fact of some of the higher ranked guys (read Matt Stafford and Andre Smith) not choosing to work out... or in some cases show up would have given these guys an opportunity to shine. Without further delay, here's the All Snub Team Defense!

DE: Philip Hunt, Houston
DE: Nick Reed, Oregon
DE: Willie VanDeSteeg, Minnesota
DT: Clinton McDonald, Memphis
DT: John Gill, Northwestern
DT: George Hypolite, Colorado

LB: Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic
LB: Brian Toal, Boston College
LB: Ashlee Palmer, Ole Miss
LB: Antonio Appleby, Virginia

CB: Mark Parson, Ohio
CB: Ellis Lankster, West Virginia
CB: Jason McCourty, Rutgers

FS: Trimane Goddard, North Carolina
SS: Terence Moore, Troy State

Scouting Combine All Snub Team: Offense

There were a wealth of players who did not get invites to the combine and here are some of those players who's absence surprised me in light of the fact of some of the higher ranked guys (read Matt Stafford and Andre Smith) not choosing to work out... or in some cases show up would have given these guys an opportunity to shine. Without further delay, here's the All Snub Team Offense!

QB: Mike Teel, Rutgers
QB: Willie Tuitama, Arizona

RB: Devin Moore, Wyoming
RB: Aaron Brown, Texas Christian

FB: Travis McCall, Alabama

WR: Jamarko Simmons, Western Michigan
WR: Greg Carr, Florida State
WR: Casey Fitzgerald, North Texas

TE: Ryan Purvis, Boston College

OT: Sebastian Vollmer, Houston
OT: Andrew Hartline, Central Michigan
OG: Rich Ohrnberger, Penn State
OG: Ryan Stanchek, West Virginia
C: Dallas Reynold, Bringham Young

Devin Moore Pro Day

In light of all the Pro Day coverage here's a news article that took place before the combine involving Wyoming's electrifying running back who was snubbed and did not get a Combine invite.

Per NFL Prospect analyst Gil Brandt:

Wyoming RB Devin Moore wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, so he had to find another way to get his foot in the door.

Not only did he get in, but he had the first official workout in front of NFL team officials in Indianapolis.

Moore, who grew up in Indianapolis and attended high school there, held his own private “pro day” on Thursday at a sports-training facility near the airport. Fourteen teams attended the “off-campus” workout at which Moore ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 and 4.41 seconds, had a 35-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot long jump, posted short-shuttle runs of 4.22 and 4.29 seconds and a 7.14-second cone drill, and did 27 repetitions on the bench press.

Moore’s 4.41-second 40 would have ranked fifth-best at last year’s combine among running backs. Moore, who was measured at 5-foot-9½ and weighed 190 pounds, is the all-time leading rusher in Wyoming history and was the Mountain West Conference rushing champion last season.

Idaho State Pro Day

Per NFL Prospect analyst Gil Brandt:

Eight NFL teams sent representatives to Idaho State University to watch six players work out at the school’s pro day.

DB D.J. Clark, who did not participate at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, turned in the most impressive performance.

Clark, who measured in at 6-foot-1 1/8 and 200 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.55 and 4.52 seconds on AstroTurf. Clark had a 36-inch vertical and a 10-7 broad jump, and did the 20-yard shuttle drill in 4.01 seconds and the 3-cone drill in 6.91 seconds. Clark put up 14 repetitions of 225 pounds in the bench press.

Clark was a second-team All-Big Sky Conference performer, finishing his college career tied for third on the school’s career interceptions list with 15. He led the team in picks in all four of his seasons with the team, including five interceptions in 2008.

Matty's Big Board Prospect Countdown: 17!

Hey folks, the Super Bowl is behind us and it's time to focus on the next big event and that is the all powerful and mighty draft, which has the ability to take a team from the bottom of the barrel and turn them into a playoff caliber team (ex. Dolphins and Falcons). What I plan on doing is twice a week until draft weekend, I'll be counting down my top 25 prospects, discuss their strengths, weaknesses, overall impact in the NFL and potential landing spot. So, without further delay, I bring you the player who ranked number 17...

17. Andre Smith, OG/OT Alabama Crimson Tide

2008 Season Stats:
Outland Trophy Winner

Career Stats:
07-08 1st team All-SEC

Personal Stats:
6'4" 334 lbs. JR

Strengths:

Andre Smith is a beast of an offensive lineman and the pure definition of road grater. He is a wide bodied, long armed beast of a lad, he is a crushing run blocker and a well balanced pass blocker as he knows how to lock out, sink his hips and anchor against bullrushers and react to more finesse moves. He has fairly good athleticism and mechanics and definitely has a lot of upside and potential considering how young he is and the frame he has where he should be able to make himself a tad lighter so he can be quicker against speed rushers. He gets to the second level fairly well and blocks nicely in space, he has a mean streak and all the intangibles to be a solid NFL lineman.

Weaknesses:

Andre Smith has a few weaknesses, the most blatant and obvious one now is his severe lack of maturity. Andre Smith proved to be not ready for the rigors and bright lights of NFL when he came off as immature in his interviews and proved to be ridiculously unprepared as he was overweight, out of shape and not ready to handle his duties for the biggest job interview of his life. He also lacks the ideal athletic ability and height to be a great offensive tackle in at the next level, though he has long arms he has short legs and tends to bend at his hips a lot when he should be bending at the knees.

Overall:

Andre Smith has done a lot for his career at Alabama, but he has also done a lot to hurt it as well. Getting suspended for the Sugar Bowl, not interviewing well and leaving the combine early are all red flags but I believe some team will find the upside in Andre Smith and get themselves a Pro Bowl player. I feel he won't be a tackle at the next level but an elite guard, much like Davin Joseph, Shawn Andrews and Leonard Davis. I think he has a lot of value and versatility but considering his character red flags I would be tentative to give him a lot of guaranteed money that a top 5 to 10 selection warrants.



Projected NFL Destination:

With the 16th selection, the San Diego Chargers select...









There you have it folks, be sure to tune in later this week for Prospect #16!

Baylor Prospect Update: Jason Smith

Per NFL Prospect analyst Gil Brandt:

Offensive tackle Jason Smith will keep all of his combine numbers and will not run workout drills at Baylor’s March 3 Pro Day. He is willing to run any position drills for scouts.

Miami Pro Day

Per NFL Prospect analyst Gil Brandt:

Ten NFL teams sent representatives to Miami (Fla.) to see the private workout for 15 prospects on Friday. The players ran on grass.

CB Bruce Johnson worked out just three days after running drills at the combine. He checked in at 5-foot-9 and 3/4 inch, weighing 167 pounds.

Johnson posted better times in most categories than he did in Indianapolis. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 and 4.45 seconds, had a 38.5 inch vertical, a 10.4 inch long jump, a 4.03 inch short shuttle and a 6.92 second three-cone drill. Johnson did not do the bench press.

The most notable player to work out besides Johnson was fellow CB Carlos Armour. The defensive back was not at the combine, but looked good in Friday’s work out. He measured in at 6-2 and 1/8 inch, 201 pounds.

He ran a 4.55 and 4.59 second 40-yard dash, recorded a 37.5 inch vertical, a 10-foot long jump and 10 bench press reps.

The most high-profile member of a team to show up was Giants VP of Player Evaluation Chris Mara.

Florida Atlantic Pro Day

Per NFL Prospect analyst Gil Brandt:

Ten NFL teams sent representatives to Florida Atlantic to see the private workout for 14 prospects on Thursday. The players ran on field turf.

LB Frantz Joseph — who did not work out at the combine — was the headliner. He checked in at 6-foot-1, 242 pounds.

Joseph had an impressive workout with two 40-yard dashes at 4.85 seconds, a 27.5 inch vertical, a 9-foot, 7.5-inch long jump, a 4.41-second short shuttle, a 7.34-second three-cone drill and 19 bench press reps at 225 pounds.

Ball State Pro Day

Per NFL Prospect analyst Gil Brandt:

Fourteen NFL teams sent representatives to Ball State to see the private workout for 10 prospects on Thursday. OT Robert Brewster and QB Nate Davis, both of whom worked out at the combine, chose not to participate and will instead work out for teams on March 20.

Tight end Darius Hill had an impressive workout. He measured 6-foot-7 and weighed 246 pounds, had a 31-inch vertical leap, a 9-6 broad jump, and ran two 40-yard dashes in 4.75 and 4.74 seconds indoors on a hard surface. His 40 times would have been among the fastest run among tight ends at the combine.

Because of inclement weather, all the workouts were held indoors, which didn’t allow punter Chris Miller to participate. Miller, who measured 6-foot-1 and weighed 213 pounds, will work out for teams with Brewster and Davis next month.

Michael Crabtree opts for surgery

Texas Tech stand out wide receiver Michael "Crank Dat" Crabtree has decided that he will take the advice given to him by scouts and analysts and go in for surgery on his left foot. Crabtree was hesitant on going in for surgery and wanted to run on Texas Tech's Pro Day on March 26th but when he called into the NFL Total Access booth during the combine he was advised by Mike Mayock, Deion Sanders and other in the know analysts that he should let his tape speak for itself and that he should get the surgery because we know he can play but he shouldn't sacrifice his mini camp and OTA experience just so he can run a 4.55.

During his time at Texas Tech, Crabtree racked up 231 receptions for 3127 yards and 41 touchdowns in just two years of work. He is a top 5 pick at best regardless of what he does and at worst he's a top 10 pick. Crabtree will not lose much money in not working out because he'll never be a burner but his skills are unparalleled. However, it still will be very interesting to see how this effects his draft status.

-Matty