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Saturday saw the first workouts of the Combine with the kickers, offensive line, and tight ends starting us off today. Day 4 also had Groups 7,8,9 (DLs and LBs) do their measurements, team interviews and media work. The star of the media center for the day was none other than Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o. Word had slipped early in the morning that he was scheduled to meet the press at noon but was a no show (just like Lennay Kakua, hey rimshot!). Te'o finally showed up around 2 pm eastern. In non Te'o news, there were some good stuff going on during the on field drills.
Day 4 News:
Te'o holds his own, writes NFL.com's Marc Sessler
Te'o presser in video form brought to you by Jim Wyatt
NFL Network's Mike Mayock and Rich Eisen provide their reactions here
Optimum Scouting give their recaps on the on field workouts
Mike Loyko of nepatriotsdraft.com was kind enough to create a spreadsheet with every prospect and their numbers listed on it.
Charlie Campbell of walterfootball says his piece about the OL workouts
Mike Garafolo of USA Today, opines the Eagles and Chefs are discussing a Nick Foles trade
Jarvis Jones news isn't helping his stock any this weekend
walterfootball has a handy list of which prospects met with every team
Dane Brugler on injuries
Following linemen will NOT work out: Xavier Nixon (R hamstring), Dallas Thomas (R labrum tear), Khaled Holmes (pec strain)
#NFLCombine
Mike Mayock on Menelik Watson
"That kid I think is a starting left tackle in the league, Menelik Watson."
Dane Brugler on Brandon Jenkins
Brandon Jenkins says he will do DL and LB drills. Has been working on both
#NFLCombine
Barkevious Mingo has a friendly wager
Barkevious Mingo says he and Sam Montgomery have a bet on who gets drafted first. $5,000 and a car wash on the line
My notes:
- Terron Armstead (Arkansas Pine Bluff) and Lane Johnson (Oklahoma) ran a blazing 40. Armstead ran 4.71 which barely beat out LJ's 4.72. Johnson had great closing speed during his run.
- Kyle Long (Oregon) showed his athleticism during every drill. He had quick feet and good hip control.
- Brian Schwenke (Cal) continues to show well in a lot of drills. He ran 5 flat in the 40.
- Virginia Tech's Vinston Painter stole the show today
- Chance Warmack had a good broad jump result but poor 40 time (5.49) and 10 split (1.83)
- Warmack showed little explosion during the pulling portion of the shuttle drill nor the kickslide drill
- Warmack went 50/50 in both of his punch drill battles (faced Larry Warford and Menelik Watson)
My thoughts:
- The 40 times for offensive linemen are nearly irrelevant but the 10 yard split times are.
- Despite Warmack's lackluster performance, I still like him with the 10th pick. He has great feet, good hip control, and immense body strength. If he could learn to refine his already excellent skill set with more technique rather than straight brute force, he could turn into something special.
- Kyle Long and Menelik Watson are athletic freaks of nature. When Watson learns the game and gets it, he'll be massive. The tools are there to be molded.
- Oday Aboushi (Virginia) is not having a good draft process, continuing his bad form from the Senior Bowl, where he got abused by the defensive linemen.
- Alvin Bailey (Arkansas) could be a sleeper pick for somebody.
- USC C Khaled Holmes is not having a great process either after a poor senior season.
- Jarvis Jones medical being red flagged by so many team doctors is concerning but not unexpected given his history.
- It's amazing to see so many sub 5.2 40 times put up by O-linemen and their physiques as well. The game has definitely changed in this regard. They don't make em like they used to during your daddy's generation, that's for sure.
Programming note: The on field workouts will start tomorrow at 9 am EST on NFL.com and NFL Network. Rich Eisen's 40 will air on Tuesday afternoon (the only reason to watch, right?)