I'll keep this short because free agency is about to start next week and I have a lot I want to say about it.
What I already knew:
1) Teams primarily care about the medical evaluations of players and the interview process, not so much the physical drills. Players rarely dramatically change their status in the eyes of scouts at the combine, even with "poor" or "good" performances.
2) Manti Te'o is not fast in a straight line.
3) This year's QB's are not on the level of last year's QB's. To be fair last years class may be an all time class equal to 2004.
4) The strength of this class is the defensive and offensive lines.
What I thought I knew and was right:
1) Tyrann Mathieu is an NFL cornerback. Looked great in drills, is fast enough, and has great hands for a corner. He'll play at the next level.
2) Manti Te'o is quicker than fast. Shuttle and cone drill times were good. Still don't think he's a top 20 pick, but he won't last much into the second round.
3) Geno Smith wouldn't stand out. I was watching him (briefly) during drills and didn't see someone with a commanding presence or demeanor. Certainly not a definitive indictment on him, just a bit a circumstantial evidence that he's not a franchise QB prospect.
4) Barkevious Mingo is a very good athlete.
5) Sam Montgomery looks like he'll be ready to start week one. No one is really talking about the other LSU DE, but I think Montgomery will be one of those Justin Smith type of players; around for ten years, maybe a pro bowl or two, not a superstar, but definitely a difference maker.
What I thought I knew and was wrong:
1) Manti Te'o would be shunned by participants. I was paying close attention to how other players interacted with the ND star and I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. He seemed like one of the guys. Who knows what other players were thinking, tweeting, facebooking, but at least things weren't noticeably awkward.
2) Tyrann Mathieu would be a tough interview. Much more articulate than I thought he'd be in interviews. Honest about his troubles and self-reflective. Big plus in my book if I were a scout.
3) Alec Olgetree would put on a clinic. Not so much. 4.7 40, 20 reps, and shuttle and cone times slower than Manti Te'o. Is it effort? Focus? Commitment? Not sure what it is, but it isn't good.
What I simply didn't know
1) Tavon Austin is a potential difference maker. Wasn't sure if his success was more a product of the scheme or his athleticism and football IQ. Looks like it's more of the later. As good a prospect as Percy Harvin? That's a bit more believable after what I saw.
2) Margus Hunt is a physical freak. Dude is an athlete, that's not debatable. Whether or not he can use his immense strength and speed on Sundays is another question. On tape he does are really poor job of protecting his 6'8" frame from o-lineman. If he gets coached up to use his hands better then he could be a terror. If he doesn't develop those skills he'll be a bust.
3) Sharif Floyd is the real deal. Disruptive, strong, lightning first step. Physically resembles Warren Sapp. Great interview. Articulate, good football IQ, self-aware. He's a different prospect than Utah's Star; less of a space eater and more of a gap shooter. Both will be good pro's, sky is the limit on Floyd's impact.
4) Desmond Trufant is as good a prospect as his eldest brother. Fast, big, and the tape shows his consistency. Maybe won't be as good as Marcus was at his peak, but if he can stay healthy he'll have more of an impact.
5) Leon Sandcastle is probably faster than 75% of combine participants.
What I already knew:
1) Teams primarily care about the medical evaluations of players and the interview process, not so much the physical drills. Players rarely dramatically change their status in the eyes of scouts at the combine, even with "poor" or "good" performances.
2) Manti Te'o is not fast in a straight line.
3) This year's QB's are not on the level of last year's QB's. To be fair last years class may be an all time class equal to 2004.
4) The strength of this class is the defensive and offensive lines.
What I thought I knew and was right:
1) Tyrann Mathieu is an NFL cornerback. Looked great in drills, is fast enough, and has great hands for a corner. He'll play at the next level.
2) Manti Te'o is quicker than fast. Shuttle and cone drill times were good. Still don't think he's a top 20 pick, but he won't last much into the second round.
3) Geno Smith wouldn't stand out. I was watching him (briefly) during drills and didn't see someone with a commanding presence or demeanor. Certainly not a definitive indictment on him, just a bit a circumstantial evidence that he's not a franchise QB prospect.
4) Barkevious Mingo is a very good athlete.
5) Sam Montgomery looks like he'll be ready to start week one. No one is really talking about the other LSU DE, but I think Montgomery will be one of those Justin Smith type of players; around for ten years, maybe a pro bowl or two, not a superstar, but definitely a difference maker.
What I thought I knew and was wrong:
1) Manti Te'o would be shunned by participants. I was paying close attention to how other players interacted with the ND star and I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. He seemed like one of the guys. Who knows what other players were thinking, tweeting, facebooking, but at least things weren't noticeably awkward.
2) Tyrann Mathieu would be a tough interview. Much more articulate than I thought he'd be in interviews. Honest about his troubles and self-reflective. Big plus in my book if I were a scout.
3) Alec Olgetree would put on a clinic. Not so much. 4.7 40, 20 reps, and shuttle and cone times slower than Manti Te'o. Is it effort? Focus? Commitment? Not sure what it is, but it isn't good.
What I simply didn't know
1) Tavon Austin is a potential difference maker. Wasn't sure if his success was more a product of the scheme or his athleticism and football IQ. Looks like it's more of the later. As good a prospect as Percy Harvin? That's a bit more believable after what I saw.
2) Margus Hunt is a physical freak. Dude is an athlete, that's not debatable. Whether or not he can use his immense strength and speed on Sundays is another question. On tape he does are really poor job of protecting his 6'8" frame from o-lineman. If he gets coached up to use his hands better then he could be a terror. If he doesn't develop those skills he'll be a bust.
3) Sharif Floyd is the real deal. Disruptive, strong, lightning first step. Physically resembles Warren Sapp. Great interview. Articulate, good football IQ, self-aware. He's a different prospect than Utah's Star; less of a space eater and more of a gap shooter. Both will be good pro's, sky is the limit on Floyd's impact.
4) Desmond Trufant is as good a prospect as his eldest brother. Fast, big, and the tape shows his consistency. Maybe won't be as good as Marcus was at his peak, but if he can stay healthy he'll have more of an impact.
5) Leon Sandcastle is probably faster than 75% of combine participants.
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