This morning I was one of a dozen or so reporters allowed to watch Group 4 participate in drills at the combine in Lucas Oil Stadium.
After being led off the elevator, the group of reporters seemingly walked the entire perimeter of the stadium to a suite in the middle of the field. I glanced into one suite we passed along the way and saw the Cowboys' braintrust of Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips in conversation.
It was a long walk. Just wondering if perhaps Alabama tackle Andre Smith is not AWOL, after all. Maybe he jost got lost in Lucas Oil Stadium. He could still be wandering the halls, trying to find a way out.
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The Group 4 session consisted of:
Quarterbacks (11): Jason Boltus (Hardwick), Rhett Bomar (
Receivers (22): Ramses Barden (Cal Poly), Kenny Britt (Rutgers), Deon Butler (Penn State), Demetrius Byrd (LSU), Jeremy Childs (Boise State), Austin Collie (BYU), Quan Cosby (Texas), Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech), Jarett Dillard (Rice), Dominique Edison (Stephen F. Austin), Brooks Foster (North Carolina), Brandon Gibson (Washington State), Brian Hartline (Ohio State), Percy Harvin (Florida), Darrius Heyward-Bey (Maryland), Juaquin Iglesias (Oklahoma), Manuel Johnson (Oklahoma), Taurus Johnson (South Florida), Aaron Kelly (Clemson), Johnny Knox (Abilene Christian), Quinten Lawrence (McNeese State) and Jeremy Maclin (Missouri).
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My assignment was to file pool reports on Brandstater and Collie, so most of my focus was on those two prospects. Brandstater has tremendous physical ability. He had a very impressive day, as he was the standout thrower from this group of QBs. Brandstater is rated as a sixth- or seventh-round pick, according to NFLDraftScout.com.
Collie is viewed as a fourth-round pick. He did not fare as well. He ran a 4.55 in the 40, and after going perfect in the gauntlet drill, his hands betrayed him a little. Collie let a deep pass from Carpenter get too far into his body and he dropped it.
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Crabtree, obviously, did not take part in the workout. But he was on hand, catching some passes as a stationary target when the quarterbacks were going through mobility skills.
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There was a scare when
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The remaining receivers and quarterbacks, including Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez, are going through their workouts right now.
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Click here to keep tabs on all the performances from the combine.
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I think John Parker Wilson from Bama would be a nice young prospect in the mid rounds. Played a lot of college ball and can make all the throws. Plus he did not play in a gimick offense. Played a pro style offense.
The player that surprised me the most today - Boise State's Ian Johnson. He ran a 4.39 and 4.44, faster than I thought. He could be the late round/fa back the Niners could use. Scores touchdowns, great attitude, picks up the blitz, good hands out of the backfield, plays special teams with vigor. All about the team and not about himself.
Matt. what are the chances the niners pick-up Tony Fiammetta in the mid rounds? i didn't get to watch much film of him but it looks like he could clear some space.
I hope Brandstster impresses McSing. He would be the perfect late round pick up that could learn under Hill/A. Smith for 2-4 years.
Drew -I agree Ian Johnston's stock is on the rise -Pat White made a case for himself(he wants to taken seriously as a QB)...conversely Mark Sanchez did not impress seemed to underthrow in long routes and threw the ball widely out of bounds on one drill !
Ssshh! Franchise will have a nervous breakdown if he hears bad news about Sanchez.
What could anybody possibly learn from A. Smith? How to NOT have 'pocket presence"?
And speaking of A Smith, the one "lost" at Lukas Oil Stadium, it looks like there are only 3 OT in the top tier. No way Sing "Mr. Communication" would be interested in Andre Smith, and not many teams will risk a first round pick on him now. I don't know if he is a loser as a player, but he certainly lost millions of dollars.
Matt, I understand that the Niners will receive 2 compensatory picks this year. Do you know when will the NFL will announce where those picks will be sloted and what rounds?
Wait for next draft and get the good ol' qb from Ol' Miss!
Next Brett Favre!
always informative,
Mike Dukakis
Pat White's 40 time should keep scouts interested in him as a WR, which he will workout as at the WVU pro day. I don't see a QB future for him.
Knowshon Moreno ran a 4.6, which is slower than projected. He might dip into the top part of round 2 because the need for round 1 RB's isn't really there.
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey helped himself the most. He's a lock for the first round, possibly entering 15-25 category.
As I watch these QB's going through the workouts, I believe this is the weakest gathering of QB's in a long time! Maybe some real good QB coaches or HC's can turn one or two around. I don't think the 49ers have the ability to change any of them into what is needed.
Maybe some small college team QB's can come through for another team with the right combo of coaches!
I agree with Drew: I like Ian Johnson.
Good, hardworking kid, who thinks team first and should be able to pick up the short yardage with his heart alone.
Yeah I hope we can get him and if we do not get a QB in the first day and early in the second day, I do like Fresno Stat's Brandstater in the Sixth or Seventh Round.
Traj
I hear you -I know franchise loves Sanchez and my comment was really not intended to disparage him-he's certainly talented I just felt he showing was OK but not dramatically convincing -do I think his standing dropped on the board-probably not!
Yeah, I always knew Ian Johnson would find a job in the NFL. He's so versatile, and his 40 times had to be the talk of the day. Conversely, Shonn Greene, whom I've been advocating for, didn't have a great workout. I still think he's worth drafting, because he's got great size and runs hard. I'm happy for Pat White...the guy's a winner and hopefully the right NFL team will use his skills. He could become a mad Wildcat guy.
Collie never times well in the 40, but he is a big play receiver and has great football speed. He consistently put up big numbers against Utah which had one of the best defenses in college football in 2008. He always seems to get behind the secondary and is rarely caught from behind. 3rd or 4th round sounds about right for him.