A lot of good stuff going on this week at the Combine and that means some really good reading. See below.
GM John Schneider talks quarterbacks at the combine - Blog - MyNorthwest.com
Seahawks general manager John Schneider joined "The John Clayton Show" on Saturday morning live from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Schneider immediately addressed the Seahawks' quarterback situation for the upcoming 2012 season and Tarvaris Jackson's status as the starter.
Seahawks.com Blog | Chris Polk: Marathon man "
Whichever team selects Chris Polk in April’s NFL Draft, they won’t have to give the running back from the University of Washington that old "the season is a marathon, not a sprint" speech.
Scouting combine day three " Seahawks Draft Blog
Work-outs are underway at the combine, with the offensive lineman and tight ends running through drills today. Defensive lineman and linebackers also arrived in Indianapolis ahead of their work-outs on Monday – Seahawks fans should make a point of tuning in for those drills. Tomorrow is also a key date with the running backs, receivers and quarterbacks performing. Seattle is likely to be watching the running backs closely, so keep an eye on the likes of Doug Martin, Lamar Miller and David Wilson. I’m a big fan of Boise State’s Martin in particular and believe he could work his way into the back end of round one – he’d be a steal in round two. For the receivers, watch Stephen Hill at Georgia Tech – a player we’ve highlighted on this blog during the season who’s created a bit of buzz in Indianapolis.
Wrapping up Saturday with Brock Osweiler - NFC West Blog - ESPN
A few quick thoughts on Brock Osweiler after the Arizona State quarterback passed through Lucas Oil Stadium's media workroom:
ASU's Brock Osweiler attends NFL scouting combine
"I want to show GMs, head coaches that starting only 15 games in my college career was enough," Osweiler said, when asked what he hoped to prove at the combine. "Get me in the meeting room and let me show you the person, the leader, the competitor that I am, and the football player."
ASU’s Osweiler: I’m not Dan McGwire | Seahawks Insider
Some draft analysts had concerns about Osweiler’s mobility because of his height, and compared him to former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Dan McGwire. But Osweiler said he can move pretty well for a big guy. "I would hear it tossed around every once in awhile," Osweiler said about comparisons to McGwire. "But I didn’t pay too much attention to it because I feel like I’m my own style of a quarterback. I don’t feel like there’s ever been a quarterback that’s 6-7, 240 pounds that had the athleticism I do and can make every throw on the football field.
Osweiler joins QB list not throwing at Combine - CBSSports.com
Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler is joining Stanford's Andrew Luck, Baylor's Robert Griffin III and Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill as quarterbacks who will not be throwing in front of scouts at the 2012 Combine. The foursome make up the top quarterback prospects on NFLDraftScout.com's board, leaving a rather ho-hum group of passers left to throw to receivers during Sunday's throwng session.
Packers draft outlook - JSOnline
Based on interviews with executives in personnel from five teams, it is possible to narrow down just a little bit the pool of players who might be considered by the Green Bay Packers regardless of position if they exercise their current 28th selection in the first round of the National Football League draft April 26.
10 Notes From Thursday and Friday Combine Numbers | Articles
While Thursday and Friday had no times recorded, no passes thrown, or drills run, the Combine still provided some useful insight onto the makeup of the offensive side of the ball. Here are ten notes that really meant something from these weigh-in and offensive line bench press numbers.
You know JPP? Brockers looking like bigger version of Giants' ex-project - NFL, NFLDRAFT - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com
If this season's playoffs told us anything it's that defense still matters in the NFL. In fact, it was defense that won a second Super Bowl in five years for the New York Giants, and consider that a lesson for everyone at this weekend's annual scouting combine.
Size doesn't necessarily measure Ingram's potential as pass rusher - NFL, NFLDRAFT - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com
Pass rushers are in greater demand than ever before, even if the current class lacks a supply of cookie-cutter, blue-chip defensive end prospects.
NFL.com Blogs " Blog Archive Coples unfazed by criticism, appreciates high expectations "
Quinton Coplesmight have the most to gain here at the NFL Scouting Combine, but the North Carolina defensive lineman isn’t concerned about people who knock him for a lack of consistency or an overall drop in play in 2011.
NFL.com news: Jets' Tannenbaum says Sanchez must get better faster
New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum wants to see better play out of embattled quarterback Mark Sanchez next season.
NFL.com news: Stanford's Fleener has makings of next great NFL tight end
The copycat nature of the NFL is routinely revealed on draft day. Teams will attempt to duplicate the success of their rivals by acquiring players with characteristics and skills that are prevalent in the game's biggest stars.
NFL.com news: Athleticism trumps weight for many top DL draft prospects
At 225 pounds, it was only natural that South Carolina DE/OLB Melvin Ingram played basketball in high school. He's athletic. He's powerful. And yes, even if he's more massive now at 264 pounds, he was also pretty large then. Here's the part that isn't natural: Ingram played point guard. "I was a scorer," joked Ingram, asked if he was a shooter or a pass-first player.
NFL.com news: Egnew, Gettis among Saturday's top performers at combine
The first day of workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine provided scouts with an opportunity to see several of the top prospects display their immense talent and potential. Here are a few of the notable standouts in my mind:
NFL.com news: Jaguars GM: Prospects should do what they can in combine
"We like to see players who want to compete in an environment that puts the best against the best under the same conditions," Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Gene Smith told the Florida Times-Union this week.
2012 NFL Scouting Combine: At 216 pounds, South Carolina's Jeffery makes good first impression -
South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, whose stock had fallen a bit because of concerns over his weight and speed, made a good first impression Friday by weighing 216 pounds at the Scouting Combine.
Combine Notes: Ryan Tannehill, the third man, will have to wait his turn | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports
Certainly, all the talk about quarterbacks at this year's scouting combine has been about Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. Neither of those top prospects will throw in Sunday's positional drills, leaving a lot of face time for the next level of quarterbacks -- names like Brandon Weeden, Kirk Cousins, Brock Osweiler, and Nick Foles. While one or two of those guys may move up based on their performances, it's the man between the top and the bargain bin -- Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill -- who will have to shine it on until his Pro Day on March 29. The young man who wants to be an orthopedic surgeon after his football career will have a lot of time to study foot structure in the meantime -- the January injury to the fifth metatarsal bone, suffered while preparing for the Senior Bowl, will have him sitting out all the drills in Indianapolis.
‘Endbackers’ are among the toughest reads in draft projections | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports
With more NFL teams running base 3-4 or 5-2 defensive fronts in recent years, and given the success of pass-rushing outside linebackers (we'll call them "endbackers" for short), in those schemes, you might be surprised to learn that NFL teams generally have a difficult time scouting and finding the next James Harrison, Tamba Hali, or Clay Matthews among the defensive ends and outside linebackers in the college ranks. Because so few college teams play 3-4 defense as a base concept, and many are just catching up to the concept of hybrid defenses, it's a guessing game when projecting for success at that position -- especially when looking at high-round prospects.
Ryan Tannehill will make a mark in the early first round of the NFL Draft - Don Banks - SI.com
He was the other quarterback Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine, the one without the catchy, ready-made moniker and Heisman Trophy (RG3) or the lofty track record of collegiate success, NFL pedigree and projected No. 1 pick status (Andrew Luck).
Offensive linemen - Tony Pauline - SI.com
The combine got under way in earnest Saturday as the offensive linemen took to the field of Lucas Oil Stadium to be physically tested and then work through a battery of blocking drills. It was a very athletic group of blockers who pleased scouts as most exceeded expectations with their outstanding physical skills. Here's a look at the risers and sliders from the group.
Whitney Mercilus works to shed 'one-year wonder' label - Don Banks - SI.com
Musings, observations and the occasional insight from day three of the 40-fest known as the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium ...
Still not shy in stating "hands down I'm" best DT - CBSSports.com
Michael Brockers wasn't about to get drawn into a war of words. The LSU standout followed Penn State's Devon Still to the podium, and both drew large crowds as the top two defensive tackles in this draft - and potential top 10 overall picks.
Edge rushers coveted despite size, scheme - CBSSports.com
It's not always physical dimensions teams are worried about when scouring for the NFL's next great pass rusher, but whether a prospect measures up when it comes to production.
NFL Combine: tight end workout breakdown | National Football Post
Who stood out among the draft’s top tight ends?
Mercilus, Perry could climb at position of need - CBSSports.com
Only quarterbacks are in greater demand than pass rushers. In the 2012 draft class, the need outweighs the supply, pushing players such as Illinois' Whitney Mercilus and Nick Perry of Southern Cal up draft boards.
Dontari Poe, the NFL Draft's best nose tackle, opens up at the NFL Combine - Mocking The Draft
While quarterbacks and pass rushers always come at a premium, they're not nearly as hard to come by as true nose tackles. In the 2012 NFL Draft, there is no better true nose tackle than Memphis' Dontari Poe.
Sizing up Devon Still for the Seahawks - NFL Nation Blog - ESPN
Devon Still played multiple spots on the defensive line at Penn State. A first-round prospect in the 2012 NFL draft, Still's versatility could make him appealing for the Seattle Seahawks in particular. Their success in converting Red Bryant from traditional defensive tackle to five-technique end could focus their attention on players with Still's versatility.
Pete Carroll peruses Seahawks' shopping list for QB | Seattle Seahawks - The News Tribune
Pete Carroll arrived at the NFL scouting combine media center Friday afternoon to take his turn at the lectern for the first time since taking over as coach of the Seattle Seahawks two years ago.
Now the real 'stress' begins at the NFL Combine | National Football Post
Why I still value the workouts in Indy.
Report: Eagles could look to tag-and-trade DeSean Jackson | National Football Post
Move seems unlikely for wide receiver
Bottom five spenders in NFL didn't find success | National Football Post
NFLPA points out frugal clubs didn't win
NFL Combine: Offensive line workout breakdown | National Football Post
Who stood out among the draft’s top O-linemen?
NFL Combine: Safeties in demand | National Football Post
Is safety now a 'premium' position in the NFL Draft?
Unmasking the QB mystery
Pete Carroll would like to add a quarterback in this year's NFL Draft. But the Seahawks' third-year coach admits that deciding which one is the right fit, as well as when and if to select him, is a challenge.
Seahawks will pick 12th in the draft " Seahawks Draft Blog
The Seahawks lost the coin toss with Kansas City today, meaning they will pick 12th overall in the 2012 draft. Miami were victorious in the other coin toss, meaning they will pick 8th and Carolina 9th. This was of only minor significance - the Seahawks and Chiefs are not directly competing for the same players, at least that’s the impression I have. Kansas City needs to bolster their offensive line and could take a serious look at Stanford’s David DeCastro or Jonathan Martin. Seattle is zoned into the pass rushers and it’s one area the Chiefs have some real quality with Tamba Hali.
Brian Billick talks QBs | Seahawks Insider
Former NFL head coach turned analyst Brian Billick held court for about 15 minutes this morning, talking about the available options for teams at the top half of the draft looking for a quarterback.
Shawn Zobel's Draft Headquarters Website - Best of the best for NFL Draft Information!
Long day here in Indianapolis. This afternoon the punters and kickers worked out as well as the offensive line and tight ends on the bench.
Carroll likes Wright at OLB; Hawthorne on Hawks’ radar? | Seahawks Insider
With middle linebacker David Hawthorne set to become a free agent in March, Seattle head coach Pete Carroll has sent mixed signals on the possibility of the TCU product returning to Seattle.