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5 Players the NFL Combine Will Hurt, Not Help
Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford: I am actually a big fan of Stepfan Taylor, but anyone who has watched him knows that he isn’t a burner that is going to excel in the 40 yard dash. He is quick so he might do well in other drills, but he’s not an overly explosive athlete that makes his money at events at the combine. If he can run under 4.55 he should be fine, but any slower than that and (fair or not) some will start to overlook him for players who might have tested better. He looks great on a football field, not in a 40 yard dash. I personally won’t be docking him if he runs slow, but some will.
Dancing with the Starters: Championship - NFL Videos
See who will reign supreme as the NFL's best celebration artist in the Dancing with the Starters finale.
Draft Tracker: 2013 NFL Scouting Combine preview | NFL.com Podcasts
Matt "Money" Smith, Bucky Brooks and Daniel Jeremiah discuss what to expect at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine, including players who will make a name for themselves in Indianapolis and how NFL teams interview prospects. Plus, the guys debate what the Kansas City Chiefs should do with the No. 1 overall pick and which defensive linemen have skyrocketed up their draft boards.
Marcus Lattimore, Denard Robinson, cornerbacks on the spot - NFL.com
Can Denard Robinson catch the football? How far along in the recovery process is Marcus Lattimore? Daniel Jeremiah has five questions on his mind entering the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine.
TSV's First 50 Draft Prospects | The Sideline View
Luke Joeckel, LT, Texas A&M - Not too many weaknesses to target in his game. Excels with his technique and balance and was a 3 year starter. Joeckel is the safest player in this draft.
TonySoftli.com: May the combine begin
The yearly combine and the importance for both the participants and NFL clubs have not changed since 1982. The 2013 combine class is no different than past year’s prospects, other than the names on the jerseys. Every year, the main focus is directed at the medical exams, workouts, interviews, psychological and aptitude testing. But the NIC (National Invitational Camp), better known as the NFL Scouting Combine, has come full circle since I started in the business back in 1995 with the Carolina Panthers.
Richard Sherman Holds Crown of King of Shutdown Cornerbacks Over Darrelle Revis | NFL | NESN.com
You may not like Richard Sherman, or his big mouth, but his play on the field backs up all the trash talk he serves out. Darrelle Revis, however, is tired of all the talk. On Wednesday, the Jets cornerback took to Twitter in attempt to shut up Sherman.
TonySoftli.com: FIVE COMBINE PREDICTIONS
1. MONTORI HUGHES WILL BE A BEAST UT Martin nose tackle Montori Hughes will show us why Tennessee wanted him so badly out of high school. Hughes is going to run in the 5.1 or better range at 6’5 325-330 pounds and put up around 35 bench press reps. I also think he’ll impress in position drills and cement himself as a top 100 pick.
Q&A With SB Nation's Field Gulls: So, About This 4-3 Under, Tampa 2... (Part II) - Blogging The Boys
We return to our Q&A with Field Gulls Danny Kelly on how Seattle constructed their front seven to see what we can glean about Monte Kiffin's future plans.
2013 NFL Combine Blog | The Sideline View
I asked three high-ranking NFL executives this week for a quick list of players some under-the-radar players for free agency. While their opinions differed quite a bit, one name that showed up on all three lists was San Francisco 49ers DL Ricky Jean-Francois.
2013 Combine Preview - All Star Circuit - Rotoworld.com
The importance of the NFL Combine has recently shifted in the public's eye. Once viewed as a crucial piece of the evaluation process, it is now more of a media spectacle. The significance lies in the eye of the beholder, of course. In the NFL, teams value test results and measurements differently. What happens behind closed doors might impact prospects' draft value more than any stopwatch.
Pittsburgh Steelers echoing New York Jets' dysfunctional ways - NFL.com
Anonymous comments. Disgruntled players. Hyperbolic coaches. More drama with the New York Jets? Not quite. Adam Schein wonders what has become of Big Ben's Pittsburgh Steelers.
49ers, Hawks have most picks minus comps - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The NFL has released the 2013 NFL draft order, subject to change when the league hands out 32 compensatory choices offsetting losses incurred during free agency last off season.
Seahawks' short to-do list before draft starts with improving pass rush | Seahawks | The Seattle Times
Entering this week's NFL combine, the Seahawks' priority is improving their pass rush. That won't be easy because it's a position that commands a premium.
Five D-Linemen that NFL teams are watching closely at the Combine | National Football Post
These players will be on the spot in Indy.
Seahawks John Schneider will 'listen to everything' on Matt Flynn - CBSSports.com
Seahawks GM John Schneider said the team will 'listen to everything' when it comes to offers for Matt Flynn.
Draft notes: Seahawks are in perfect position to trade, but up or down? - Seattle Seattle Seahawks | Examiner.com
With the Seahawks just a couple of players shy of being a complete Super Bowl contender, this would be the year they might consider trading up in the draft for an impact defensive lineman -- if it were worth it.
John Schneider: ‘Very blessed that we have two quarterbacks like this’ | Seahawks Blog | Seattle Times
"It’s so early," Schneider said. "Everybody’s been in their draft meetings and everything so it’s not like I’ve had a chance to sit down with other general managers or some of the people that I’m close with around the league, you talk about what their situation is and that sort of thing. As you guys well know, we’re always going to listen to everything, and we feel like we’re not doing our job but that doesn’t necessarily mean we will do something with Matt."
NFL Draft 2013: 'Small school' players to watch at the Combine - SBNation.com
Forget the big names you've been hearing about for weeks and months leading up to the 2013 NFL Draft. Who are some of the under-the-radar 'small school' guys to watch at this weekend's Combine in Indianapolis?
Scouting combine preview " Seahawks Draft Blog
You’re going to hear a lot of people say the scouting combine doesn’t matter. For me, it’s one of the best events in the football calendar.
From the combine: Coaches and GMs see bright — if limited — future for new read-option packages | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports
Through read-option offensive schemes have been used in the NFL with success for at least the last decade, 2012 was the year that the general idea really took off. Between Robert Griffin III, Colin Kaepernick, and Russell Wilson (and let's not forget that Cam Newton guy), defenses are learning more and more that they'll be adjusting to quarterbacks being elusive in designed run packages more than ever before The difference now, with quarterbacks like the ones named above, is that they have the pure throwing ability to take these concepts far above mere gimmick status. And that's very much on the minds of the coaches and executives at this week's scouting combine.
Marcus Lattimore, Denard Robinson, cornerbacks on the spot - NFL.com
Can Denard Robinson catch the football? How far along in the recovery process is Marcus Lattimore? Daniel Jeremiah has five questions on his mind entering the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine.
Richard Sherman on Darrelle Revis: 'Numbers don't lie' - Blog - MyNorthwest.com
"I respect him as a player, but I'm not going to just take disrespect without a reaction," Sherman told "NFL32" on Wednesday. "Guy disrespects you like that, then it's time to put him in his place."
Read-option offense won't be short-lived - Blog - MyNorthwest.com
"He was saying that defensive coordinators are going to figure out the pistol and the read-option within a year or two," Kravitz said. "... I still think that to win Super Bowls, you've got to win it from the pocket, as did Joe Flacco. It's great if you can run a little bit, but I don't think that can be the core of your offense. ... Going forward, I don't think that type of offense has staying power in this league."
Brock and Salk Blue 42 - Podcasts - MyNorthwest.com
What is the NFL considering doing to prevent coaches from wandering too far away from the sidelines during games? Why is former Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones not working out at the scouting combine? What will the Cowboys do with quarterback Tony Romo?
Curry, Ruud and Jackson trades paying off - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Recent draft choices Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright have become very good young linebackers for the Seattle Seahawks.
John Schneider Press Conference at the NFL Combine
Seahawks General Manager John Schneider talks with the media at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.
John Schneider Doesn't See the Seahawks Necessarily Using the Franchise Tag | Bleacher Report
Seahawks general manager John Schneider took the podium earlier this afternoon in Indianapolis to address the media at the NFL Scouting Combine. It has been an a relatively quite offseason for Seattle—no major cap casualties, just a couple coaching changes and front office reshuffles.
Rex Ryan: Mark Sanchez has to compete to keep job - NFL.com
A strange thing happened in the New York Jets' offseason once the Darrelle Revis trade story popped up. Everything -- including the embarrassing QB situation -- became an afterthought.
Alex Smith reportedly on Arizona Cardinals' radar - NFL.com
San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke acknowledged the possibility of shopping Alex Smith this offseason. One potential trade partner is the NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals.
Richard Sherman explains his Twitter feud with Darrelle Revis, and John Schneider backs his guy | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports
Sherman, who walks the earth with a chip on his shoulder, wasn't going to let it slide. "I am not going to let no dude talk like a little girl and just walk freely. I am going to quiet him down the best way I know how ... It is about respect. You are not going to let a guy run his mouth, I am not that kind of person [to] let a guy say bold statements and let them ride. It is not who I am and who I am not going to be."
From the combine: 49ers ready to see more from 2012 draft class | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports
It's the oldest rule in the book: In the NFL, you build through the draft. But the San Francisco 49ers, who were a few plays and a couple of interesting calls from a Super Bowl victory a couple of weeks ago, are still looking for a few more on-field results from a 2012 draft class that has was underwhelming at best in Year 1. The good news from an organizational perspective was that the 49ers did not need any of its seven draft selections to start a single game in order to succeed.
NFP previews five linebackers/defensive-backs that NFL teams are watching closely at the Combine. | National Football Post
Russ Lande offers his thoughts on five defenders NFL teams are watching closely at the Combine.
Decisions, decisions | National Football Post
Nnamdi Asomugha is scheduled to make $15 million in 2013. Will the Eagles bring him back for a third season?
There's a reason Jets can't slam door on Revis talk - CBSSports.com
If you listened to general manager John Idzik and coach Rex Ryan tap dance around the subject on Thursday, you'd know. Given the chance to end speculation by just saying, "no," they did just enough bobbing and weaving to make you think there's something to the idea.
QB options for Jets: Flynn, Smith - Jets Blog - ESPN New York
Flynn and Smith are two options for the quarterback-needy Jets. Both have a background in the West Coast offense, and Flynn is particularly intriguing because Jets GM John Idzik is a former Seahawks executive who negotiated Flynn's contract. Flynn is due to make $5.25 million for the coming season, which could be financially taxing for the Jets, who already have $8.25 million committed to Mark Sanchez.
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Four Downs: NFC West
Biggest hole: Quarterback No matter how you slice it, Kevin Kolb, John Skelton, Ryan Lindley, and Brian Hoyer were just plain awful. According to standard NFL statistics, Arizona's pass offense ranked 28th in yardage, 29th in completion percentage, 31st in touchdowns, 32nd in interceptions, and 32nd in sacks allowed. In passing DVOA, they ranked 31st (Kolb), 37th (Skelton), and 39th (Lindley) out of 39 quarterbacks with at least 100 passes.
49ers Blog and Q&A: Baalke on Jenkins: 'It's taken a while to grasp the pro system'
"He's a young guy that came out of a college system that's taken a while to grasp to the pro system," Baalke said. "It's not a work ethic issue, it's not a skill set issue. It's learning the craft at the pro level. And that's a position historically that some have adapted to more quickly than others."
Scouting the WRs: Keenan Allen, Cal | FirstRoundGrade.com
Keenan Allen is an impressive prospect who presents with the ideal height and length combination for a possession WR in the NFL. While not gifted with game-breaking speed, Allen has a loaded skillset that projects well for success in the NFL. Considered a five-star high school recruit by Rivals.com, Allen scored an incredible 53 touchdowns during his senior year for Northern Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina. Allen committed to Cal where he made an immediate impact as a freshman WR in 2010. After three years with the Golden Bears, Allen managed to set the school record for receptions (205) while finishing third in career receiving yards (2,570) and seventh for career TDs (17). Allen will turn 21-years-old the weekend of the NFL Draft. Honors: 2012 Honorable Mention All-Pac 12; 2011 First Team All-Pac 12.
2013 combine: Soft-spoken Joeckel stands out in loaded o-line class - CBSSports
Even with the spotlight fixed on College Station last season during Johnny Manziel's Heisman Trophy run, left tackle Luke Joeckel was content standing in the shadows and doing his job. Namely, keeping defenders away from "Johnny Football."
2013 Combine notes: Bakhtiari latest Colorado offensive line product - CBSSports
With just four wins the past two seasons, Colorado doesn't have many top-echelon talents in this year's draft class. But David Bakhtiari is an underclassman who stood out on the offensive line for the Buffs and is regarded as one of the more versatile blockers in this draft.
NFL combine 2013: Vols' Bray surprises with weight gain, demeanor - CBSSports
Many prospects, including Alabama right tackle D.J. Fluker, lost weight preparing for the NFL Scouting Combine.
2013 Combine: Short arms could be issue for Stanford TE Zach Ertz - CBSSports
While the results of the athletic drills conducted at the Combine each year generates the most buzz, scouts will tell you that the most important testing occurs off the field.
Scout’s Notebook: An Early Look At Draft’s Best O-Linemen
We’ve arrived at the scouting combine here in Indy at Lucas Oil Stadium. Straight from the plane to the dome, it’s time to get to work. Here are a few things I added to my Scout’s Notebook from Day 1:
NFL Combine News & Notes: Day 1
The biggest story thus far is the number of teams that have Jonathan Cooper/G/North Carolina ranked higher than Chance Warmack/G/Alabama on their offensive guard board. He’s much better blocking in motion compared to Warmack and a natural fit for a zone blocking scheme. Teams have referred to Cooper as "special" and they feel in time he can add weight, which will only improve his run blocking. I was told Cooper was told to purposely keep his weight down at North Carolina and would have no problem carrying additional bulk. On a side note I believe rival Mel Kiper claimed Cooper would be a top 8 pick just last week, so credit to Mel on this.