Troy Williamson is going to be a Jaguar, and the Minnesota papers couldn't be happier. It's not good sign when the Vikings deal a former top-ten pick for a sixth-rounder, and the hometown guys call Jacksonville a sucker

My favorite Troy Williamson stat: he's never caught more than three passes in a game. The Jaguars may as well take a look at him, but I wouldn't expect that stat to change in 2008. He'll compete for a role on the outside, but even a roster spot can't be guaranteed.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Long time readers will know of our love of the Combine's strength and conditioning guru John Lott.

He yells at every player as they do the bench press, giving each one some nickname. Notre Dame safety and boxer Tom Zbikowski was benching Monday, when Lott yelled down to him, "That's it Rudy, come on now."

Guess he's not a Sean Astin fan. Zbikowski, 12 reps at 225 pounds in, finds the energy to fire right back, "Don't ever call me that again."

Lott kept yapping, but he didn't use the R word again as Zbikowski got up to 24 reps. I am officially afraid of Tom Zbikowski.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Some notable forty times Tuesday at cornerback and safety. Cornerback is so tightly bunched that the Combine is looming larger than ever for this group. All these times are unofficial.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - 4.28
Justin King - 4.31
Leodis McKelvin - 4.35
Mike Jenkins - 4.40
Aquib Talib - 4.47
Antoine Cason - 4.49
Brandon Flowers - 4.54
Kenny Phillips - 4.55
Chevis Jackson - 4.58

Continue reading "Defensive Back Times" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Some news and notes picked up from this morning's news ...

The always quotable Antonio Pierce is requesting a new segment in NFL Films highlight films.

"Show the highlights of all the players we beat, crying, with that stupid look on their faces, saying, 'How did we lose?"

Darren McFadden ran a 4.33 in tennis shoes.

Continue reading "Skinny Posts: Giant Schadenfreude" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

The linebackers didn't provide too many fireworks at the combine Monday. One player that stood out for the wrong reasons was LSU's Ali Highsmith. He built his second-round rep as a burner, but ran slower than 4.9 officially on both of his forty runs. His second time was over five seconds. The Combine, like politics, can sometimes be all about expectations. Highsmith fell well short Monday.

Unofficially, no one ran faster than a 4.5 forty by the NFL Network's clock.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Very busy weekend on the news page, worth checking out if you can. Some nuggets that may get lost in the shuffle...

Marion Barber keeper owners are hoping for 300 carries, but the Cowboys are probably going right back to a committee. I still expect Barber's touches to pick up.

Continue reading "Skinny Posts: Barbarian Not Free Yet?" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 01:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Dustin Keller, like Greg Olsen last year, may have have secured a first-round grade with his big Combine performance. I just heard Mike Mayock say that Keller could now be the first tight end drafted. He was graded as a second-round pick on tape, and his measurables could push him up a round.

For redraft fantasy leaguers, I don't see a rookie tight end that will be worth drafting, no matter where they land. But Keller could be the top tight end pick in dynasty leagues.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

There could be seven defensive linemen taken in the first round, and they are all working out at the Combine today. Some forty times ...

Cliff Avril - 4.51
Vernon Gholston - 4.67
Chris Long - 4.75
Patrick Sims - 5.06
Trevor Laws - 5.07
Sedrick Ellis - 5.21

Continue reading "DL Forty Times" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The more I thought about it, the less I thought Darren McFadden's forty time helped him Sunday. 4.33 is flying and it certainly won't hurt him. But his primary competition, Reshard Mendenhall and Jonathan Stewart, had equally impressive days. Guys that big running sub 4.5 will push them into consideration for any team looking at a back in the top-20.

The overall depth of the running back class could also work against McFadden. I'm not saying his stock is sliding, just that teams have a lot of options this year at the position. And I don't think it's outrageous to suggest some teams would prefer the bigger backs because they may be more ready to play every down.

Continue reading "Running backs move up as a group" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Chris Johnson ran the fastest time in ten years

Darren McFadden was expected to put up a blazing forty time, and he didn't disappoint with an official 4.33. That was good for second among running backs - who ran much faster as a group than the '06 class.

Here are the top ten times, courtesy of Reiss' Pieces.

Continue reading "McFadden doesn't disappoint" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)