Rutgers’ Davis plus three other offensive linemen struggle. Wes Bunting
This morning, the National Football Post looked at the players who performed well this weekend at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Here’s a breakdown of prospects who didn’t put up the numbers and/or performances needed to impress.
Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
It wasn’t a great weekend for Davis, who possesses good overall size (6-5, 323) and length for the position (34 inches) but came off as young and almost overwhelmed by the experience. To his credit, Davis is only 20 years old and is still maturing from an intellectual standpoint. However, he didn’t run (5.38 in the 40) or lift well (21 reps), and although the best part about his workout was his position drills, there seems to be something missing that could keep him from living up to his pro potential.
Offensive linemen Thomas Welch (Vanderbilt), Cole Pemberton (Colorado State) and Kyle Jolly (North Carolina)
Talk about three guys who simply didn’t match up from an athletic standpoint. Welch, Jolly and Pemberton were painfully stiff and slow-footed during position drills and struggled to change directions or generate any kind of explosion laterally. All three possess good size, but their lack of athleticism is going to make it tough for any of them to make an NFL roster.
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Everyone seemed surprised to see Gresham run in the high 4.7, low 4.8 range. To be honest, I didn’t think he played that fast on film and thought would end up running exactly how he did. Watching him Saturday, something still doesn’t seem right because it’s taking him far too long to get up to speed, and he didn’t look as explosive initially out of his stance than before. This could be part of the healing process, and I’m impressed he decided to come out and compete. But I still see him as a Marcedes Lewis-type player in the NFL, not as a top-tier tight end.
Nate Byham, TE, Pittsburgh
Byham isn’t a real explosive athlete at 6-4, 268, and after watching him lumber through his workout, there isn’t much about his game that jumps out. He’s a strong blocker on tape who can win at the point and seal on the edge, but he demonstrated only one gear during his workout, didn’t look overly natural catching the football and simply isn’t a guy who will be able to consistently beat man coverage at the next level. A reserve type only in the NFL.
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Check out the NFP's 2010 "Draft Central" for more combine and draft coverage!
would davis be better off accepting a role as a teams starting RT? in the short term he may make less (does he fall out of the 1st?) but he can develop at a better pace & have less of the spotlight on him.
Combine weekend sliders. Sounds like a new dish at Applebees.
Not Applebees. Your favorite oyster bar!
I agree with you about Gresham. Never really understood the hype that surrounded him in college.
I wouldn't call prospects like Byham, Welch and Jolly sliders. They weren't much beyond PFA anyway. Dwyer? Now there's a slider.
How about some vaunted programs? Alabama for example, whose bigs were DNP mainly except Cody who was laughable. McClain went off with a hamstring and so did Arenas. Then there's Florida. Dunlap's WO numbers are Harvey-mediocre; Cunningham was DNP too and Haden is presently credited with a 4.57.
Or, by position? Last season's WR class was all about speed. This year, only Ford went under 4.4. Dickerson is versatile, and he posted the #2 40 among receivers. So far, the DB aren't burning it up either.
On the plus side, the bigs, both sides, were generally excellent. Berry showed he can carry his (new) weight.
i think you are wrong about gresham - he has always been a beast at tight end - a game breaker - he will be a success in the nfl.
Sorry, Big Woody, I'm allergic to oysters. I'm talkin' burger style sliders here!
Anthony Davis' workout numbers are similar to Kareem McKenzie's, who ran 5.33, benched 20 @ +320#. Good, durable pro. With both, the positive is vertical jump, 33" being a good number for a big man. Davis, it is said, is better in pass pro. There may however be questions as to his level of aggression.
IMO, Buluga is the top OT to fall on measurables. Modest WO numbers, not awful but not good either; smallish structure (hands). .
I'm sorry, but you are full of crap about Byham ! He is first a team player, second, did you have your eyes open during the passing drills at the combine ? He caught one pass at the gauntlet at it's apex, the next at his shins and never broke stride or hesitated. He is 4.7 average in the 40. A NATURAL pass catcher with INCREDIBLE hands and balance! He blocks like a fiend...now you know why Shady McCoy and Dion Lewis had the yardage they had....mostly on Byham's back !!!!
Tebow were asked to and able to throw the ball downfield more and/or their receivers were better able to gain yards after catch because they were hit in stride but McCoy and LeFevour's completions were more of the dink and dunk variety. LeFevour's numbers were also against lesser competition in the MAC.
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Mar 01, 2010
02:24 PM
"Dickerson is an athlete that has lined up everywhere from tight end to wide receiver to linebacker to fullback. He has never taken a position and taken it over although he has shown flashes everywhere he lined up. He will probably end up as a fullback/H back that is used in situations and can line up in a variety of positions. He is athletic and catches the ball well but is not going to threaten many secondaries down the middle. He has decent straight line speed as a fullback but lacks a big burst as he hits the hole. He is not apt to be the kind of fullback that you want to be the lead blocker in a power running game." -nfl.com
Byham's team mate as a likely Mr.Irrelevant. He's played a lot of positions, could be useful for a scout squad from that aspect, and as a special teamer.