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Who Stole the Show at the Combine?
By Kel Miper
CFL News
Keep in mind, some players who had excellent workouts didn't perform up to that level with the pads on during game situations. That's why the combine workout can be so misleading. The true football players may not perform up to the level expected, while others rise up the draft board when their play on the field didn't warrant such an evaluation. What the combine should do is work toward separating players at a position who may have had a comparable grade going in.
Here's a position-by-position look at how some key players fared:
Quarterbacks
Gerald Griffith, Dixon Judy and Ethan Perez entered the combine as the top three quarterbacks on most draft boards. While none appear to be a franchise QB, they each performed well at the combine. Griffith was one of the stronger QB’s with 14 presses and good marks in agility (7.51), broad jump (9-05) and position drill (81). However, at only 5% developed (he did play at Appalachian State) he will be a project. Also with a lot of development needed is Judy, but he did tie for the highest Solecismic for QB’s with a 39. Perez is the most developed of the top 3 at 46% and had a good dash (4.71), Solecismic (35) and agility (7.48). An intriguing prospect for a first round selection is Thurman Crane. Crane ran the fastest 40 yard dash for ALL players at the combine with a blistering 4.31. Throw in good strength (15) and position drill (86) and it may not take long for someone to take a shot at this excellent athlete. Adrian Weaver (4.64 dash, 14 strength) and Mo Klech (13 strength, 7.43 agility and 81 position drill) are 6’ 5” prototype pocket QB’s to keep an eye on. Ernie Chatman is small at 5’ 10” but has a gun of an arm (13 strength and 9-05 broad jump – tied for highest of all QB’s). Oliver O’Neal is recovering from an MCL strain so he passed on all tests but the Solecismic (average at 29) and position drill (a very respectable 78). He was all-conference at New Mexico and is rated a low first high – high second choice by many teams.
Running Backs
Four running backs dominate this position with Howie Knight a good bet to be the #1 overall selection. Knight ran the second fastest 40 overall at 4.32, had a superior 43 in the Solecismic test while scoring a 39 in the position drill (which is 7 points higher than the next highest RB). Add in great scores in strength (21), agility (7.14) and broad jump (10-04) and you have my pick for top player in the draft. J.T. Stargell had great scores in Solecismic (25), strength (18, agility (7.23), broad jump (10-05) and position drill (29) while also being the most developed of the RB’s. Jermaine Cobb had a lingering hamstring injury which kept him from doing the physical tests but he had great Solecismic (24) and position drill (26) scores. Teams will have to judge him based on his game film while at Rice. As a pure athlete, Mo McClennen is second only to Knight. His numbers include great scores in dash (4.56), Solecismic (32), strength (18) and broad jump (10-04). He also had the best agility score for all RB’s at 6.99.
At Fullback, Deion Bishop is the clear cut top performer. He was superior in dash (4.58), agility (7.09) and position drill (46) while also being great in strength (26) and broad jump (9-07). The question is will a team take a shot at him in the first round or wait until round 2? Frank Dawson achieved a superior 43 in the position drill along with great scores in dash (4.67), strength (25) and agility (7.22) to firmly place himself as the second best FB. Willie Reed is not highly rated but scored a FB high 28 in strength.
Wide Receivers
There were two clear favorites at wide receiver entering the combine and they didn’t disappoint. Frankie Parker is a top 5 talent in the draft and is a viable option for #1 overall. He has speed (4.44 dash) to go with superior ratings in Solecismic (43), agility (6.90) and position drill (65). Daniel Saba is right behind Parker in dash (4.46), tied in strength (14) and surpasses him in position drill (69). Jerald Francis ran a WR leading 4.37 in the dash and added a great 7.08 in agility. J.T. Borkowski and Rob Boyer each ran a 4.39 dash while Borkowski also added a position leading 6.85 agility. Willie Czarniecki posted a superior 6.92 agility, which is right behind Parker, Saba and Borkowski.
Tight Ends
It appears to be a down year for tight ends in the draft as there doesn’t appear to be a single first round talent (heck, some would say there is not even a second round talent at this position). Ernie Pisano and K.C. Devine are neck and neck for best tight end. Devine is a slightly better athlete (4.66 to 4.71 dash and 7.55 to 7.56 agility) while also posting a superior rating of 30 in strength. Pisano threw down a great 9-11 broad jump to even the scales a bit. Norm Anderson tied Devine for the top dash time for TE’s at 4.66 to go with a great 32 Solecismic. Tyrus Gardner, Ed Ackerman and Monty Killings are not rated as highly but each had superior Solecismic scores.
Offensive Linemen
The most popular linemen on draft day are tackles so we will start with them. There are three that are first round talents, with all three a good bet to go in the top 10. Barry Davis had three superior marks at the combine: Dash (4.98), Solecismic (44) and agility (7.49). Steve Russell had two superiors (agility at 7.49 and broad jump at 9-01) and two great scores (dash at 5.13 and strength at 32). Right behind Davis and Russell is Ricky Meske. Meske actually has the better all-around scores with three superiors (dash at 5.02, strength at 37 and broad jump at 9.01) and two great scores (Solecismic of 33 and agility at 7.60). The talent level drops a bit but there are four additional tackles with solid second round / early third round ratings and 40+ superior Solecismic scores – Andy Kragen (41), Sam Upshaw (42), Randy Berry (41) and Herb Lawton (46).
Like the tackles, there are three guards who have separated from the pack although they are more of a bottom of the first round talent. Julio O’Donnell is a very intriguing prospect with the top bench (42) and dash (4.89) at his position. Marshall Barker is right at the top with O’Donnell thanks to great scores in dash (5.15), strength (35), agility (7.66) and broad jump (8-08). Leland Schneider ran a 5.00 dash for a superior rating and added great scores in strength (34) and agility (7.78). Marshall Donovan recorded a superior (and sub 5) dash time of 4.98 but only has average strength. Cary Thompson had the top guard agility score of 7.46 and could be a player to watch.
Centers usually are not as highly sought after when compared to guards and tackles and this year is no exception as the group is not really that good. Louie Bueter ran the top dash time of 5.15 and when added to his top agility time of 7.75, he is likely the #1 center. Casey Davidds has the top strength score at 30, which was the only great strength score for the entire position group.
Defensive Linemen
Every year there is at least one defensive lineman with a shot to be the #1 pick in the draft and this year that player is Sam Strom. Strom was the definition of solid with great scores across the board (4.79 dash, 30 Solecismic, 32 strength, 7.33 agility and 9-10 broad jump) with his strength score the highest for all DE’s. Also rated a high first round talent is A.J. Newhart. Newhart ran the top dash (4.70) to go with great scores in strength (30) and agility (7.42). Stanley Bruce has a late first round grade thanks to a 35 Solecismic and 7.37 agility score. Additional late first / second round talents include Stephen Spillman (superior 7.18 agility score), Sammie Hanson (superior 10-06 broad jump), Kent Grooms (great 4.74 agility) and Curtis Borders (superior and top among DE’s agility of 6.97).
Right up there at the top of the draft with Strom will be defensive tackle Mike Heitz. Heitz led all DT’s with a great bench of 35 and a superior agility score of 7.25. Rated just a tick lower than Heitz is J.R. Myers, who achieved a 7.15 agility score which was second highest for all defensive linemen. Other DT’s to look out for are Jorge Zaccardelli (superior 4.94 dash) and Norbert Richardson (superior 9-08 broad jump).
Linebackers
Teams looking for an impact ILB better draft one early as the talent level at the top is minimal. Butch Ellison is by far the top talent superior scores in Solecismic (41) and agility (7.19). He has had great scores in dash (4.77) and strength (27) and should be a first round pick. Bernard Dixon solidified himself as a late first / early second round selection with a superior 42 Solecismic and great scores in dash (4.75), strength (28) and position drill (36). The rest of the talent has issues so it depends on what you are looking for. Do you want speed? Glen Kitts (4.70) and Nolan Sutton (4.72) are out there. How about strength? Keep your eye on Jon Roundtree (28) and Bryce Kickert (26). What about agility? Your targets may include Deron Greco (7.44) and Rusty England (7.47).
The talent on the outside is a little better but not by much. Graham Benton is at least a top 15 talent and his skillset is highlighted by a superior score of 6.96 in agility. He also had great scores in dash (4.58), Solecismic (30) and position drill (36). Johnny Tracey had great scores in agility (7.15) and position drill (35) but some teams may be scared off by his 17 Solecismic score. ). Lewis Caraway is a solid second round talent with great scores in strength (22 and tied for highest at OLB) and agility (7.29). Daryl Greer should generate some interest thanks to his superior score of 7.08 in agility. It will be interesting to see who takes a chance on Blaine Harper. The former UCLA Bruin was leading the Pac-10 in tackles for loss until broke his foot in week 8. He had average scores for Solecismic and position drill but his talent on game day should make him a second round selection. Finally, if you want a player with a high Solecismic score than look no further than J.B. Conway. Conway scored a 48, which is 15 points higher than the next highest score for an OLB and was the highest for all players tested at the combine.
Defensive Backs
Cornerbacks are always highly sought after in the draft and this year there could be 5-6 selected in round 1. Leading the group, and a top 5 talent, is Moe Vanderlaan. Vanderlaan ran the third fasted dash at the combine at 4.36. He also posted a superior mark of 6.84 in the agility drill. The only question mark is average strength but he is a 6’ 0” CB with blazing speed: who cares! Ralph Myers is a different type of corner than Vanderlaan at 5’ 9” and a superior score of 21 in strength. His 40 time was great at 4.44. Cornell James doesn’t have the 4.4 speed (his best time was 4.50) but scored a superior, and combine topping, 6.75 in agility. Sherman Burdge should also find himself a round 1 selection thanks to great scores in Solecismic (32) and agility (7.02). Players who are right at that late first / early second point in the draft include Alan Sapia (6.96 agility), Sammy King (4.42 dash), Amos Eppright (4.47 dash and 50 position drill) and Devin Bober (superior 4.40 dash).
The Safety spot is one deep. But what a great one it is. Harold “The” King has the fourth best 40 time (4.37) and fourth best agility time (6.90) for all players. Add in superior scores for strength (24) and position drill and you have another option for the #1 overall selection. The next highest rated safety is Jumbo Guilbeaux, who has great scores in dash (4.49), strength (21), agility (7.20) and position drill (45) but is at best a mid to late second round pick. Similarly rated to Guilbeaux is Bill Kemp. Kemp has great ratings for dash (4.45), strength (21), agility (7.12) and position drill (45) with a superior rating for Solecismic (46 and highest for all defensive backs). J. R. Cunningham and Bryant Sheppard both turned in superior agility times at 6.97 and 7.04.
Kickers
Normally I don’t care what the kickers are rated but his year there is an interesting player. Punter Quentin Godfrey received the highest grade of all players entering the combine. He backed that up with superior scores in dash (4.66) and strength (22) while also adding a great broad jump of 9-05 (which is very respectable). Godfrey set NCAA records at Oklahoma State for career field goal percentage at 90.07 and a single season field goals made of 34. In addition, he played on the kickoff coverage and return teams. Does this mean he will be a first round pick? Not likely but someone may pull the trigger in round 2.
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