The Joker Report

Combine - DBs

Okay, I'm pissed.  I bet Mike Mayock is pissed, too.  Brandon Flowers ran a 4.58.  You know, I can try to rationalize this and spin it in my favor, cuz this is my site and normally other guys would do that.  But hey, it speaks for itself.  Sure he plays faster, has "game speed" or whatever, but Brandon, you gotta get it done with the spotlight is on you.  Unfortunately, another favorite of mine, Chevis Jackson, ran the same time, but we knew he wasn't a burner.

That's not to say a linebacker, who had a faster 40, could do what they do.  Of course they couldn't, which is why the combine's importance can be a little exaggerated.  I saw what these guys did on the field, and I will stick by my prediction that Flowers will be the best one of the group in three years.

Then on the flip side, you have Justin King, who played like absolute dogshit this year, who burns through the 40 in 4.31.  So basically, whoever is looking for a Phillip Buchanon, I think I found you one.

Okay, I'm not sure if these guys will run the 40 again or not, but they'll have their second chances at their respective Pro Days.  *Ahem* Brandon *Ahem*. 

Okay, this thing just started but I'm seeing a lot of energy out there and people having fun.  I told you these boys are the best.  More this afternoon.

***Update #1***

Top 10 40 Times of all DBs at the combine today:

1. Justing King  (Penn State)  4.31
    Tyvon Branch  (UConn)  4.31
3. Orlando Scandrick  (Boise State)  4.32
4. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tenn State)  4.33  (lot of buzz about this kid after his stellar performance in the Senior Bowl.  Deion Sanders is familiar with him and has given his stamp of approval, and after watching his speed and quicks today, you can't help but agree)
5. Josh Barrett  (Arizona State)  4.35
6. Terrence Wheatley  (Colorado)  4.37
    Tracy Porter  (Indiana)  4.37
    Michael Grant  (Arkansas--they had DBs?)  4.37
9. Jonathan Wilhite  (Auburn)  4.38  (reader AuJClayton's favorite dback)
    Leodis McKelvin  (Troy)  4.38

But hey, at least Simeon Castille ran a 4.70.  From August 18th, subconsciously imploring Nick to move him over to safety:

Factor in Castille’s 4.6 speed (slow 4.5 at best), and he’s just not going to be able to compete with the Steve Smiths and Santana Mosses of the NFL.  He’s got the height at 6’1, and he’s  a wiry 190 or so.  He was PLENTY of room on his frame to add mass, and his ballhawking skills and solid tackling would be an incredible help at such a weak position for Alabama at this time...not to mention, he'd already have a leg up on the intricacies of the safety position at the next level, which is where he's heading anyway IMO.

Aaaanyway.

Top vert numbers:

1. Rodgers-Cromartie 38.5"
2. Aqib Talib 38
3. Antwaun Molden 37.5
4. Glenn Sharp 37
5. Terrence Wheatley 36.5
6. Chevis Jackson 36
7. Antoine Cason (and others) 35.5

Safety David Roach also hit 38 inches.  That's leapin, kids.  I think last I measured mine was 23 or 26 or something.  And your fatter, lazier ass is even worse, so stop laughing.

Rodgers-Cromartie and Aqib Talib showed out all day, and they also tied for the lead in the broad jump with 10 feet, 11 inches.  I think my best is 2 feet.  On a trampoline.

So the all-important questions facing scouts and owners and managers and coaches and everyone else involved in the draft is---because DRC and AT performed the best at the scouting combine, does this mean they're the two best corners?  Does this bump them up to the first round?  Or do we pay more attention to the game film, their interviews, their off-field incidents, etc? 

Or you could just be Al Davis, rub your velour jumper, and ask "zat boy fast or not?"  You know, whichever.  Probably followed by "Oops, I crapped my pants" or "Since when can women vote?  That's mularkey!"

So you're probably thinking okay, he posted when the combine was held, but now what?  Two months later at the draft?  Probably.  So click on my links and read my fellow bloggers until then.  They're good people.  In the meantime, my REAL job beckons.  Sigh.

Combine - DEs and LBs

I'ma give y'all some random ass numbers.  Surprises surprises.

DE 40s - Quentin Groves 4.57, Shawn Crable 4.64, Vernon Gholston 4.67

LB 40s - Gary Guyton (Georgia Tech, 6'2, 245) ran a 4.47.  DAMN.  Wesley Woodyard 4.51, Jerod Mayo 4.54.

Gholston ran through 37 bench presses and posted a 35.5 inch vert, both tops.

Guyton hit 36.5 in the vert.  These two guys also topped the broad jump category.

Xavier Adibi disappointed, with no top ten finish in bench and a (comparatively speaking) slow 4.69 40.

That's all I got, cuz I missed it.  You better believe I'll be glued to the tv tomorrow.  The most important guys on the team (no I'm not biased) strut their stuff.  Color me excited.

Combine - QBs, RBs, and WRs

Hello Darren McFadden.  4.33 40, unofficially it was 4.27 and everybody freaked out.  As if 4.33 is too slow now.  Jamaal Charles 4.38, Mendenhall 4.45, Felix 4.46, and Jonathan Stewart rounds it out with a 4.48.  Chris Johnson of ECU led the pack, and the entire group of players thus far, with a scorching 4.24.  Cool him off, yo.

Mario Manningham runs eggZACKlee like me.  Same mechanics, burst, everything.  Only thing is, that's bad for him.  Last year I ran a 4.6 just dickin' around on the softball field.  Today he was clocked at 4.59 and 4.62.  Oh yeah, I forgot to mention I'm 30 YEARS OLD and haven't played sports in 12 years!!  Yeah, he didn't help himself at all today.  That's disappointing cuz I root for the Michigan guys.

D.J. Hall ran a 4.55.  That's a pretty good time for a "good route runner".  Keith Brown, had he kept his head on straight during his college career, could have put up some pretty good numbers at the combine.  Maybe we'll see him in the supplemental draft or AAFL.

As for the top dogs, DeSean Jackson hit 4.35, Andre Caldwell (surprisingly to me) hit 4.37 as did Will Franklin of Missouri and Dexter Jackson of Ap State, and Eddie Royal of Va Tech clocked in at 4.39, also doing the most bench reps of the wide receivers with 24.

As for QBs, who cares.  Josh Johnson of San Diego blazed a 4.55 though.

Keenan Burton of Kentucky boasted a 38.5" vert, Royal with a 36 and Limas Sweed hitting 35.

I got some drama in my life right now, so that's all you're getting today.  And no picture, either.

Combine - OL, TE, K

What it is, kids.  So I watched a bunch of big slow guys today run their 40s, among other things.  Jake Long has impressed everyone with just about everything, but for Saturday Purdue tight end Dustin Keller stole the show.  He posted a 4.55 40 yard dash---he's 6'3, 242.  Just imagine a dude that big running that fast right at you.  No thanks.  Not only that, if he decided not to run over my weak ass, he could simply use his 38" vertical and teabag my forehead.  El Matteo, I know that turns you on, but try to stick to the topic with the rest of us.

Jacob Tamme, the WR turned TE from Kentucky, posted a comparable 4.58, and he showed excellent hands in the routes.  Other than that, I was too busy playing my Bama dynasty on NCAA 08.  And yes, I created Saleem Rasheed.  Dude's sick.

Tomorrow things will get a lot more fun, with QBs, RBs, and WRs showing their skills.  Why do they leave defensive backs for the last day?  Cuz they're the best.  For the record, noted analyst and scout Mike Mayock agrees with me on the #1 corner, Brandon Flowers, and the #1 safety, Kenny Phillips.  Know what that means?  Getting paid or not, I know what I'm talkin' bout, fool.

Stay tuned for updates.  Right now I gotta get back to this quite entertaining Memphis/Tennessee b-ball game.  Word, thunderbird.

P.S.---Zach Thomas one year deal with the Cowboys.

Holy shit---a post!

The NFL scouting combine is finally freakin' here.  Finally we'll see who is really 6 feet tall and who is only 5'9".  Finally we'll know once and for all if ol' dude runs a 4.4 or a 4.6 40.  Finally the public will see Brandon Flowers show out like I said he would.  I'm guessing 4.38, cuz he closes faster than just about anyone in this class.

So far only the boring guys have worked out, and they haven't completed them all  yet.  For the tight ends, Craig Stevens of Cal benched 27, most for that position.  And surprise surprise, Jake Long leads all offensive linemen with 37.  Dude's a hoss.

Tomorrow those guys and "specialists", I'm assuming punters and kickers, will all finish their workouts.  Ain't nothing else to do tomorrow, so I'll be giving you updates for a good 4 days in a row.  Yeah, who'da thunk?!  Till then, my friends.  Oh, and hell no I'm not finishing the third mock draft.