Were finally settled in and with a full stomach I'm now ready to give you the wrap up on the Ohio St pro day as promised.
With work outs scheduled to start at 10am in the morning it had to be disheartening for those who came to get their first glimpse of WR Ted Ginn when they saw him strolling into the Woody Hayes Athletic Center just minutes before the players started drills. We were able to catch up with Ginn who avoided scouts and media for the most part to ask him how hard it is not to put on a show for scouts this time of year. Perhaps more discouraging then not seeing Ginn on the field was the way he addressed the issue. Ginn classified his status as a "relief" saying he can not do anything about the injury. I was left wondering just what was the relief. The relief of not having to run a 40 and not live up to the expected times or the relief of not getting the chance to show scouts that he's not just a speed guy and can actually play the position. Forgive me young man if I find it difficult to swallow the fact that your about to be handed millions by some NFL team but can't find the guts to take the field and show your skills or even more so at least act like it bothers you. I know more then one NFL scout felt the same way after Ginn turned down numerous requests to field balls stationary.
Ginn may have felt as if he did not need this opportunity but several others did in what became a important pro day for many in front of Representatives from all 32 teams.
The man who threw the ball to Ginn last season, QB Troy Smith put on a impressive work out. He displayed great accuracy and showed he could make all throws as he consistently connected with Ohio St WR Anthony Gonzalez and Roy Hall. Smith even took some time to work one on one with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz who came away impressed. In a interview with Beacon Journal writer George Thomas Martz was asked if Smith had the tools needed to play in the NFL, Martz answered with an emphatic ``yes.'' Smith did not field question after the workout but was seen speaking to Representatives of the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders.
One of the best performances put on this day was by WR Roy Hall. It was the kind of day that could earn Hall having his name called on draft day. Not invited to the combine Hall took advantage of this opportunity and has drawn the attention of several NFL teams. Hall posted a 4.40 by our clocks in the 40 and was reported by some to be sub 4.0. Measuring in at 6'2" and 229 pounds combined with that speed is certainly going to put some teams on notice. Roy looked fluid running routes but did have some issues with letting the ball into his body, something that can be coached. The Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots and New York Giants showed the most interest but almost every team tried to make time to get some one on one with Hall.
DT Quinn Pitcock continued to confuse scouts as he decided to sit on his numbers from the combine and did not take part in positional drills. He did take part in the bench press but did not help himself by recording 23 reps. General consensus among scouts from what we gathered is Pitcock was working his way into a late day 1 selection. A few I talked to said they felt he had a down year and did not display the consistency they looked for while others had him rated as a round 1 prospect with round 3 production. This work out could have really helped him and he disappointed more then a few teams.
Another Ohio St player who could have separated himself from the pack is RB Antonio Pittman who chose only to weigh in and stand on the rest of his combine numbers. While tit will not effect his stock much many were hoping to see Antonio attempt to make a statement and back his belief that he is a round 1 prospect. Word has it Pittman did impress during his interviews and was seen in lengthy conversations with representatives from the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers.
All in all 16 players took part in this pro day in one form or another. All but Ginn and Pitcock improved their draft stock according to most scouts.
Monday, March 12, 2007
The Life Of A Scout
It's been a while between updates. I'm sure most of you have been getting a chuckle at the "live on location" part of this title. It's only been about a week but I'm getting a pretty good idea what life as a NFL scout entails. I'm also understanding why you don't see scout blogs on the net! This is a 24/7 job. Just when you think your headed one direction your pulled in another, just when you think your doing one thing your doing another and just when you think you can sleep the phone rings.
Shorty after we left Nebraska, landed in Ohio and settled into our hotel David Hinson received a call. Seems we were no longer needed in Ohio (for this day anyways), the scout who was covering the Illinois State Pro Day had a family emergency and we were needed. The replacement was already on the way to cover Akron and our plane leaved for Illinois is 12 hours. I could not get many details as to who or what would be there that would make it so important to change our plans at the time but once there it made perfect sense.
There were by last count representatives from 13 NFL teams on hand. The center piece of the workout that took place indoors was Illinois State WR Laurent Robinson. There were some familiar faces among the scouts who were here to see Robinson put on what turned out to be a pretty good darn show. C.O. Bratco from the Titans was front and center showing most of the young scouts who were probably given this assignment as a learning experience how to do it. We will be meeting up with the Titans later this week so I made sure to take some notes on how they approached these work outs as to know what to expect later. It was pretty clear as to what teams were serious about Robinson. Lead scouts from the Titans, Bills, Patriots and Eagles were all on hand and after Robinson work out I expect more teams will follow their lead.
Robinson stood on his combine numbers where he posted a 4.38 40 but did take part in the positional drills. He looked very fluid running routes and caught the ball well. One knock on Robinson according to scouts is that he lets the ball chew him up and he received some praise as it was something he obviously has been working on as he consistently plucked the ball from the air dropping only 4 of 70+ passes that were thrown this day. We left a little a disappointed that Robinson did not run again, scouts wanted to see if he could duplicate his performance at the combine but from everything I gathered, he did enough to continue his rise up the boards. One scout I talked to who did not want his name or employer released said that his team see's Robinson as mid to late 2nd round prospect. While not everyone I talked to set's his stock that high there is no doubt you will see Robinson taken in day 1.
Before leaving Illinois St and heading BACK to Ohio I had a chance to catch up with the members of the Titans scouting department and get some idea of what to expect when I meet up with them at Clemson on March 13th. It's going to be a busy week as we will be hitting 3 different Pro Day workouts in 3 days. Clemson on the 13th, Michigan State on the 14th and Central Michigan on the 15th. History tells me not to put anything in stone but as of right now, that's the plan.
I still had one more stop with the Bills and David Hinson so we left after a quick meal and boarded a plan for Ohio State. I'll have a complete break down of our day with the Buckeye's later today. Right now, I have to get ready for Clemson. I will be back after I settle into the hotel bringing you all the news from what turned out to be a very busy and action packed day for the prospects from Ohio St.
-till next time
D.B.
Shorty after we left Nebraska, landed in Ohio and settled into our hotel David Hinson received a call. Seems we were no longer needed in Ohio (for this day anyways), the scout who was covering the Illinois State Pro Day had a family emergency and we were needed. The replacement was already on the way to cover Akron and our plane leaved for Illinois is 12 hours. I could not get many details as to who or what would be there that would make it so important to change our plans at the time but once there it made perfect sense.
There were by last count representatives from 13 NFL teams on hand. The center piece of the workout that took place indoors was Illinois State WR Laurent Robinson. There were some familiar faces among the scouts who were here to see Robinson put on what turned out to be a pretty good darn show. C.O. Bratco from the Titans was front and center showing most of the young scouts who were probably given this assignment as a learning experience how to do it. We will be meeting up with the Titans later this week so I made sure to take some notes on how they approached these work outs as to know what to expect later. It was pretty clear as to what teams were serious about Robinson. Lead scouts from the Titans, Bills, Patriots and Eagles were all on hand and after Robinson work out I expect more teams will follow their lead.
Robinson stood on his combine numbers where he posted a 4.38 40 but did take part in the positional drills. He looked very fluid running routes and caught the ball well. One knock on Robinson according to scouts is that he lets the ball chew him up and he received some praise as it was something he obviously has been working on as he consistently plucked the ball from the air dropping only 4 of 70+ passes that were thrown this day. We left a little a disappointed that Robinson did not run again, scouts wanted to see if he could duplicate his performance at the combine but from everything I gathered, he did enough to continue his rise up the boards. One scout I talked to who did not want his name or employer released said that his team see's Robinson as mid to late 2nd round prospect. While not everyone I talked to set's his stock that high there is no doubt you will see Robinson taken in day 1.
Before leaving Illinois St and heading BACK to Ohio I had a chance to catch up with the members of the Titans scouting department and get some idea of what to expect when I meet up with them at Clemson on March 13th. It's going to be a busy week as we will be hitting 3 different Pro Day workouts in 3 days. Clemson on the 13th, Michigan State on the 14th and Central Michigan on the 15th. History tells me not to put anything in stone but as of right now, that's the plan.
I still had one more stop with the Bills and David Hinson so we left after a quick meal and boarded a plan for Ohio State. I'll have a complete break down of our day with the Buckeye's later today. Right now, I have to get ready for Clemson. I will be back after I settle into the hotel bringing you all the news from what turned out to be a very busy and action packed day for the prospects from Ohio St.
-till next time
D.B.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Update From Nebraska
We arrived in Nebraska early Wednesday. The weather here was a bit different then what it was back in NY when I left. It's nice to feel the sun and have the temps be anything over 20. From my count Representatives of 30 NFL teams were in attendance. Easily one of the biggest showing from what I'm told. For the most part everyone was here to get a glimpse of Nebraska DE Adam Carriker.
11 current Huskers including DE's Adam Carriker and Jay Moore as well as LB Stewart Bradley, QB Zac Taylor, RB Brandon Jackson, S Andrew Shanle, DT Barry Cryer, DT Ola Dagunduro, TE Matt Herian, FB Dane Todd and long snapper Lane Kelly. 2 former Huskers also were on display hoping to impress NFL scouts, Josh Sewell and Donald DeFrand.
The players were tested in the 40-yard dash, shuttle run, vertical jump and bench press, while most of the players participated in position-specific drills.
Coming in everyone expected defensive end Adam Carriker to do well and he did not disappoint. Teams showing the most interest in Carriker appeared to be the 49ers, Bills, Rams and Steelers.
The best show put on this day was by RB Brandon Jackson who improved on his 40 time from the combine putting him back in the running with the second tier of prospects looking to be taken in the 2nd round Aprils draft. While it was an extremely fast surface Brandon clocked in times of 4.46 and 4.47 by our watches. Some other had him clocked as low as 4.44 and as high as 4.48. All improvements over his high 4.5's at the combine. There were to many scouts to count around Jackson all day but teams that seemed to show the most interest where the Packers, Bills, Browns, Ravens, Bears, Jets and Cowboys but the team that spent the most time with him was the NY Giants.
Andrew Shanle who has hopes of being a second day pick had a good showing as he recorded 40 times in the low 4.4 range and weighed in at 212 pounds. One scout I spoke to said he projects out as a safety but most teams will look at him as a contributor on special teams that needs to prove he can play to stick around. Shanle spent a good amount of time with scouts from the Saints where his older brother LB Scott Shanle currently plays.
We will have the wrap up from Nebraska as well as the results from Akron's pro day tomorrow after we arrive back in the cold weather of Ohio.
11 current Huskers including DE's Adam Carriker and Jay Moore as well as LB Stewart Bradley, QB Zac Taylor, RB Brandon Jackson, S Andrew Shanle, DT Barry Cryer, DT Ola Dagunduro, TE Matt Herian, FB Dane Todd and long snapper Lane Kelly. 2 former Huskers also were on display hoping to impress NFL scouts, Josh Sewell and Donald DeFrand.
The players were tested in the 40-yard dash, shuttle run, vertical jump and bench press, while most of the players participated in position-specific drills.
Coming in everyone expected defensive end Adam Carriker to do well and he did not disappoint. Teams showing the most interest in Carriker appeared to be the 49ers, Bills, Rams and Steelers.
The best show put on this day was by RB Brandon Jackson who improved on his 40 time from the combine putting him back in the running with the second tier of prospects looking to be taken in the 2nd round Aprils draft. While it was an extremely fast surface Brandon clocked in times of 4.46 and 4.47 by our watches. Some other had him clocked as low as 4.44 and as high as 4.48. All improvements over his high 4.5's at the combine. There were to many scouts to count around Jackson all day but teams that seemed to show the most interest where the Packers, Bills, Browns, Ravens, Bears, Jets and Cowboys but the team that spent the most time with him was the NY Giants.
Andrew Shanle who has hopes of being a second day pick had a good showing as he recorded 40 times in the low 4.4 range and weighed in at 212 pounds. One scout I spoke to said he projects out as a safety but most teams will look at him as a contributor on special teams that needs to prove he can play to stick around. Shanle spent a good amount of time with scouts from the Saints where his older brother LB Scott Shanle currently plays.
We will have the wrap up from Nebraska as well as the results from Akron's pro day tomorrow after we arrive back in the cold weather of Ohio.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Pro Day Visit Schedule
I'm getting ready to start my Pro Day tour which will take place over the course of the next 3 weeks. I will be traveling with members of various media outlets as well as spending a few days with members of the Titans, Bill and Browns scouting departments. After some delay I finally set my schedule with Buffalo and now have the dates and locations of my destinations.
As always, you can always check back here at NFL Draft Forecast for live reports and offer comments and submit your questions.
He is what I have on tap for the next 3 weeks:
March 7th: Nebraska
March 9th: Akron
March 1oth: Ohio State
March 13th: Clemson
March 14th: Michigan St
March 15th: Central Michigan
March 20th: Syracuse
March 21st: Temple
March 22nd: Penn State
March 23rd: Youngstown St
March 29th: Mississippi St
As always, you can always check back here at NFL Draft Forecast for live reports and offer comments and submit your questions.
He is what I have on tap for the next 3 weeks:
March 7th: Nebraska
March 9th: Akron
March 1oth: Ohio State
March 13th: Clemson
March 14th: Michigan St
March 15th: Central Michigan
March 20th: Syracuse
March 21st: Temple
March 22nd: Penn State
March 23rd: Youngstown St
March 29th: Mississippi St
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