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Tag:Stanford
Posted on: February 25, 2012 8:12 am
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Feeling better, OT Martin to do positional drills

Stanford offensive tackle Jonathan Martin - NFLDraftScout.com's No. 14 overall rated prospect for the 2012 draft - appears to have gotten over the food poisoning or flu-like symptoms he had experienced in his final days at Athletes Performance and will be doing the positional drills today at the Combine. 

"I just can't sit there and watch [the positional drills]. That's not me," Martin said.
 
Feeling less than himself, Martin had initially told the media and 20+ teams he's interviewed with this week that he would not be doing any athletic drills.  However, after starting to feel better yesterday and wanting to show scouts that his competitive streak, the Stanford product decided this morning that he would take advantage of the audience and perform. 

Having taken the past several days off of his normal training regimen for the 40-yard dash, three-cone drill and the battery of other athletic tests due to his illness, Martin will not be performing in these drills Sunday. 

Instead, he'll be waiting to finish that portion of his workout at Stanford's March 22 Pro Day. That workout could be the most heavily attended Pro Day of the year. Not only will scouts want to see Martin perform these timed and measured athletic drills, quarterback Andrew Luck is saving his throwing session for the Pro Day. Tight end Coby Fleener, a potential first round pick, who wasn't able to participate this week due to a high ankle sprain suffered in the Fiesta Bowl and NFLDraftScout.com's top-rated guard, David DeCastro, are the primary members of a strong Stanford class that could force representatives from every NFL team to attend the workout in Palo Alto. 

Martin is our third-rated offensive tackle of the draft behind Southern Cal's Matt Kalil and Iowa's Riley Reiff. Each are expected to be among the first 20 picks of the draft and some believe each could contend for top 10 honors. Martin is viewed by some as more athletic than either Kalil or Reiff and therefore is getting higher grades based on his upside from some clubs. There is considered to be a steep drop-off at left tackle following these three junior prospects.    
 
Category: NFL Draft
Tags: 2012 Combine, Combine, Jonathan Martin, Pro Day, Scouting Combine, Stanford
 
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Posted on: February 24, 2012 3:08 pm
 

Luck, Griffin won't throw at Combine

The speculation is over, the top two rated quarterbacks in the 2012 NFL draft won't be throwing passes at the Combine. 

Stanford's Andrew Luck and Baylor's Robert Griffin each made their announcements during today's media session at the Combine. Luck will do every other athletic drill at the Combine other than throw. Griffin will run. Each is saving their throwing session until they can work with their own receivers during their Pro Days. Stanford's Pro Day is March 22. Baylor's was scheduled for the same day until it was changed so that scouts could see both Luck and Griffin throw. 

While scouts would certainly love to see Luck and Griffin choose to throw this week, their decisions to push back their throwing sessions won't impact their draft stock. Highly regarded quarterbacks often choose to wait until their Pro Day workouts. Cam Newton, last year, was a notable exception.

Luck and Griffin III are NFLDraftScout.com's top two rated prospects for the 2012 draft and are projected as the first two picks in my current mock draft.   
Category: NFL Draft
Tags: 2012 Combine, Andrew Luck, Baylor, Combine, Pro Days, Robert Griffin III, Scouting Combine, Stanford
 
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Posted on: February 23, 2012 3:34 pm
 

Stanford OT Martin to push workout to Pro Day

Stanford left tackle Jonathan Martin is expected to wait until his March 22 Pro Day to work out for scouts rather than compete at the 2012 Scouting Combine.

Martin is in Indianapolis to undergo all of the medical testing and interviews. However, according to a source close to him, he was limited by illness in recent days preparing for the Combine at Athletes Performance Institute and doesn't feel comfortable performing the drills with his draft stock on the line until he's back to 100%. 

Though currently rated by NFLDraftScout.com as the No. 3 offensive tackle prospect in the 2012 draft, Martin is viewed by some as an even better athlete than Southern Cal's Matt Kalil and Iowa's Riley Reiff and therefore possessing higher upside. Each is among NFLDraftScout.com's top 14 rated prospects for the 2012 draft.

Workouts are, of course, important for every prospect but considering the strong tape Martin has over three starting seasons protecting Andrew Luck's blindside, pushing off the workout isn't likely to have any negative impact on his stock.

Should Martin indeed elect to push back his workout until his Pro Day, he won't have to worry about a lack of NFL interest.  High-ranking officials are expected to flock to Stanford's Pro Day to see Luck throw as well as see senior tight end Coby Fleener make his workout debut. A high ankle sprain suffered against Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl kept Fleener out of the Senior Bowl and the Combine this week.

In all, Stanford has four prospects currently viewed as potential first round prospects: Luck (rated No. 1), Martin (14), Fleener (37) and junior offensive guard, David DeCastro (9), NFLDraftscout.com's top-rated prospect at the position.

Category: NFL Draft
Tags: 2012 Combine, Andrew Luck, Coby Fleener, Combine, David DeCastro, Jonathan Martin, NFLDraftScout.com, Pro Days, Scouting Combine, Stanford
 
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Posted on: February 23, 2012 12:25 pm
Edited on: February 23, 2012 12:26 pm
 

NFL: Once order set, Colts free to sign No. 1

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello informed the media today at the 2012 Scouting Combine that once the final order is determined for the first round, the Indianapolis Colts are free to sign whomever they intend to draft No. 1 overall. 

The Colts are widely expected to select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, but owner Jim Irsay also specifically mentioned Baylor's Robert Griffin III as another player his franchise is considering with the first pick. Irsay has said that his team plans to select a quarterback with the first pick. Dane Brugler, Pete Prisco and I each project the Colts to ultimately choose Luck in our current mock drafts.

The Colts aren't necessarily expected to actually sign anyone at this early stage of the process but the ability to negotiate with players could make their decision at No. 1 that much easier. 

The vast majority of the draft order has already been determined, but four teams -- the Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks -- won't know which pick they'll be using until coin-flips break ties. The winner of a coin flip tomorrow morning will determine whether it will be the Panthers or Dolphins selecting eighth. The loser will pick ninth. The Buffalo Bills own the 10th pick. The Chiefs and Seahawks' coin flip will determine which club gets the No. 11 and No. 12 overall picks. 

Regardless of which teams win the coin flip, the competing teams will alternate picks in Rounds 2-7.   
             

Category: NFL Draft
Tags: 2012 Combine, Andrew Luck, Baylor, Carolina Panthers, Combine, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Robert Griffin III, Scouting Combine, Seattle Seahawks, Stanford
 
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Posted on: February 20, 2012 12:44 pm
Edited on: February 20, 2012 3:02 pm
 

Blackmon to 'do it all' at Combine; Fleener won't

NFL scouts will get the opportunity to see Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon, who most rated as the elite wide receiver in the 2012 draft, participate fully in this week's Scouting Combine.

NFLDraftScout.com has learned that a high ankle sprain will keep another potential first round pass-catcher from doing the same, however. 

Albert Breer of NFL.com reports that Blackmon plans to "do it all" in Indianapolis this week and even predicts that he'll be timed between 4.4 and 4.5 seconds when he runs the 40-yard dash. Despite Blackmon dominating the competition at the collegiate level, including winning back to back Biletnikof Awards as the nation's elite receiver, scouts have reservations about his straight-line speed. Blackmon, in fact, has been routinely estimated as a receiver with 4.55-4.60 speed by area scouts who have scouted him numerous times in person. A perceived lack of top-end speed is the one physical characteristic Blackmon would appear to be lacking when compared to receivers taken in the top six in recent years like A.J. Green, Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson. Scouts also have some reservations about Blackmon's decision-making off the field, in large part due to an arrest for driving while under the influence of alcohol in October, 2010. Blackmon was just 20 years old at the time.

While scouts will get some of their biggest questions answered about arguably the elite non-QB skill-position talent in the draft at the Combine, they'll have to wait until Stanford's March 22 Pro Day to see Coby Fleener, NFLDraftScout.com's top-rated senior tight end, perform athletic drills. Considering that some guy named Luck is expected to throw that day as well as the presence of two first round caliber offensive linemen (OG David DeCastro, OT Jonathan Martin) also among those expected to be on hand for the workout, there should be plenty of decision-makers in Palo Alto for the workout.  

Ironically enough, Fleener suffered his ankle injury playing against Blackmon's Oklahoma State Cowboys January 3 in the Fiesta Bowl. The injury kept Fleener out of the Senior Bowl. According to a source close to the situation, Fleener has recovered suffiiciently from the injury but hasn't yet had an opportunity to prepare fully for the Combine-specific workouts. Though he won't be able to work out, Fleener will attend the Combine to participate in the medical testing and interview process.
Category: NFL Draft
Tags: 2012 Combine, 2012 Pro Days, Andrew Luck, Coby Fleener, Combine, David DeCastro, Jonathan Martin, Justin Blackmon, NFLDraftScout.com, Oklahoma State, Pro Days, Scouting Combine, Stanford
 
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Posted on: February 14, 2012 9:12 am
Edited on: February 14, 2012 10:48 am
 

Report: Prior to Tebow, Broncos eyed RG3

Prior to the development of Tim Tebow as the most talked about quarterback in Denver since John Elway, the Broncos were looking at another versatile, Heisman-winning passer as a possible first round target for the 2012 draft -- Baylor's Robert Griffin III. 

Rated behind only Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck and Southern California offensive tackle Matt Kalil among the elite prospects in the 2012 draft by NFLDraftScout.com, Griffin is likely to earn a top-five selection come April. That would almost surely keep RG3 out of Denver's reach, as the Broncos would have to package several picks -- including their current first round selection (No. 25 overall) to move up to get him. 

Steve Wyche of NFL.com reported Tuesday, however, that the Broncos were closely scouting Griffin this season. 

"At a certain point this season,” Wyche said “with conversations I had there, they were really doing their due diligence on RG3 because of some of the things he can do to the offense.”

Blessed with extraordinary foot speed and touch on the deep ball, Griffin is a multidimensional threat who appears perfectly suited to taking the NFL by storm. He's also entering the league at precisely the right time. The immediate success by Cam Newton will be used by some as evidence that Griffin, too, can make a quick transition to the NFL. 

Considering his unique talents, the fact that the Broncos were closely scouting Griffin is no surprise. Frankly, it would be a surprise only if they didn't scout Griffin (and every other highly regarded prospect) closely. Teams don't just scout the players at perceived positions of need. Each team works hard to do their "due diligence" on every prospect who could potentially help their team. 

While the Broncos aren't likely to be among them, there are several teams looking for help at quarterback. As owners of the No. 1 overall pick, the Indianapolis Colts, of course, will have the first option of taking Griffin. Team owner Jim Irsay mentioned RG3 by name when predicting who his Colts might take with the first pick.  

“With [Robert] Griffin and [Andrew] Luck and the way it’s shaping up at the top of the draft, [it] could very likely go one and two like with Peyton and Ryan Leaf [1998]," Irsay said.   

Besides the Colts, the Cleveland Browns (No. 4, No. 22 overall), Washington Redskins (No. 6), Miami Dolphins (No. 8 or 9*) and Seattle Seahawks (No. 11 or 12*) are teams thought to be keenly interested in Griffin. *The Dolphins and Seahawks' final draft slot won't be determined until a coin=-flip held at the Combine will break their tie with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively). 

If Mike Holmgren and Co. want Griffin in Cleveland, they may be able to wait for him to land in their laps at No. 4, overall. Considering the extra first round pick they have due to Atlanta's trade up for Julio Jones last April, they also have the ammunition to move up, if needed. Miami, Washington and Seattle do not have an extra first round pick this year but with enough talent on their rosters to potentially emerge as serious playoff contenders with better play at quarterback, one (or more) of the clubs could be willing to pony up several picks in an effort to move up for Griffin.

All of which is music to the ears of the St. Louis Rams, owners of the No. 2 overall pick and their own young franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford. The Rams, my CBS colleague Clark Judge argues, should auction off the pick to the highest bidder.
Category: NFL Draft
Tags: Andrew Luck, Baylor, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Indianpolis Colts, John Elway, Miami Dolphins, Robert Griffin III, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Stanford, Tim Tebow
 
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Posted on: February 12, 2012 12:06 pm
Edited on: March 30, 2012 7:06 am
 

Pro Day Schedule / Results

Pro Day workouts are held on campus. While the interview and medical testing components of the Combine are left out at Pro Days, the same athletic drills (40-yard dash, bench press, 3-cone drill, etc.) take place. It is the best opportunity to for athletes not invited to the Combine to audition in front of high-ranking NFL decision-makers. 

The full chronological order of the remaining Pro Day workouts. Check back here for updated stories and news from the various Pro Days around the country.
  
March 1: Missouri (Egnew scores record broad jump)
March 2: Cincinnati (RB Pead, TE Robinson impress)
March 5: Georgia, Alabama-Birmingham, Hawaii, McNeese State
March 6: Alabama A&M, Arkansas, Auburn, California Lutheran, Clark, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Liberty, Rhode Island, Sacramento State, Tarleton State, UCLA, Valdosta State
March 7: Alabama (Richardson rehabbing knee), California-Davis, Colgate, Eastern Washington, Fordham, Fort Valley, Kent State, Kentucky, Louisville, Northern Colorado, Southern California, Texas A&M (Tannehill working out March 29), UTEP, Wisconsin
March 8: Akron, Alabama State, Buffalo, Clemson, Colorado, Miami (Fla.), Mississippi State, Nebraska, North Alabama, Northwestern, Ohio, Syracuse, Texas Tech, Washington, West Texas, Western Kentucky, Wofford, Wyoming, Youngstown State
March 9: Florida International, Furman, Mississippi, Montana, Northern Illinois, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Presbyterian, Purdue, TCU, Troy, Washington State
March 12: Air Force, Arkansas-Monticello, Central Michigan, Central Washington, Pittsburgh, Tulsa, Wayne State
March 13: Ball State, California (Pa.), Florida, Kansas State, Marshall, North Texas, Sacramento State, Slippery Rock, Toledo, Western Michigan
March 14: Bowling Green, California, Central Arkansas, Central Oklahoma, Eastern Michigan, Florida State, Grambling, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisiana-Monroe, Maryland, Michigan State, Mount Union, Oklahoma, Penn State, Portland State, Tennessee Tech
March 15: Delaware State, Louisiana Tech, Michigan, UNLV, Nicholls State, Oregon, Southern Illinois, Townson, Tusculum, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wayne State (Mich.), William & Mary
March 16: Arizona State, James Madison, Missouri State, Oregon State, Richmond, Temple, Tennessee, West Virginia
March 19: Appalachian State, Arizona, Florida Atlantic, Iowa, Montana State, Rice, Southern, Wake Forest
March 20: Brown, Idaho, Iowa State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Monmouth, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T, South Florida, Texas
March 21: Baylor, Boston College, Houston, Nevada, N.C. State, North Dakota State, Rutgers, San Diego State, San Jose State, Tulane, Western Kentucky
March 22: East Carolina, LSU, Maine, Memphis, Middle Tennessee State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, Stanford, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Yale
March 23: Cornell, Jackson State, Missouri Western, N.C. Central, Southern Mississippi, Stonybrook, Vanderbilt
March 26: Indiana State
March 27: Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Merrimack College, Stephen F. Austin, Washburn
March 28: Central Florida, Connecticut, Newberry, Northern Iowa, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Carolina State
March 29: Alabama, Brigham Young, Georgia Southern, Texas A&M (Tannehill throwing)
March 30: Arizona State (Osweiler throwing), Bethune-Cookman, Dartmouth, Utah State (LB Bobby Wagner missed Combine due to pneumonia)
April 3: Abilene Christian, Notre Dame
April 4: SMU
April 9: Georgia (Brandon Boykin) 

Category: NFL Draft
Tags: 2012 Combine, Alabama, Andrew Luck, Baylor, Pro Days, Robert Griffin III, Scouting Combine, Stanford
 
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Posted on: February 10, 2012 3:26 pm
 

Stanford, Baylor each schedule March 22 Pro Days

Unless Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III defy the trend of top-rated quarterbacks choosing not to throw at the Scouting Combine, talent evaluators are going to have a tough time seeing both throw prior to the 2012 draft.

That's because Stanford and Baylor have each scheduled their on-campus "Pro Day" workouts on March 22, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The conflicting schedule could force teams to split up their decision-makers to take in the workouts. This happened last year when the Carolina Panthers sent head coach Ron Rivera to watch Cam Newton's Pro Day workout at Auburn while general manager Marty Hurney reportedly attended Ryan Mallett's workout at Arkansas.

Another possibility, of course, is that Luck and/or Griffin could schedule their own individual workouts so that scouts could attend both.

If scouts are, indeed, forced to choose one or the other, the smart money is on Griffin generating more interest despite the fact that Luck is regarded as the top prospect in the draft. While both quarterbacks are viewed as exceptional talents worthy of top five consideration, Griffin has many more questions to answer prior to the draft than Luck.

Having established himself as the elite talent in the country two years running, Luck's game has already been dissected by most decision-makers. Griffin's ascension has been more sudden. Furthermore, scouts will want to see how Griffin drops back from center after having taken the majority of his snaps out of the shotgun while at Baylor.

While there remains some debate as to which direction the Indianapolis Colts may go with the No. 1 overall pick, they are thought to be leaning towards Luck. Should they take Griffin or any other player with the first pick, the line of suitors to trade up into the St. Louis Rams' No. 2 pick would be a long one. Should Griffin not be drafted No. 1, however, it remains to be seen if he generates the same trade interest or if he "falls" past No. 2 overall. Among the teams expected to be interested in adding Griffin would be the Cleveland Browns (owners of the No. 4 overall pick), the Washington Redskins (No. 6), Miami Dolphins (No. 9*), and Seattle Seahawks (No. 12*).  *Miami and Seattle's first round pick won't be decided until a coin-flip at the Combine. They may move up one spot each in the draft order after finishing tied with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively.

As it stands now, I am projecting Griffin to slip to No. 4 overall, where the Browns could nab him. Dane Brugler has the Heisman winner landing with Cleveland, as well.

Scouts are quick to point out that Pro Day workouts in which quarterbacks are throwing "against air" rather than defenses do not ultimately play a significant role in determining his final grade. That hasn't stopped the "Pro Day season" from becoming a huge part of the pre-draft process. Teams dedicate plenty of money and time crossing the country to attend the workouts.

I, myself, have attended several Pro Day workouts of highly regarded quarterbacks, including last year's for Jake Locker, Sam Bradford's in 2010 and Mark Sanchez in 2009.

Category: NFL Draft
Tags: Andrew Luck, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Jake Locker, Kansas City Chiefs, Mark Sanchez, Marty Hurney, Miami Dolphins, Pro Day, Robert Griffin III, Ron Rivera, Ryan Mallett, Sam Bradford, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Stanford, Washington Redskins
 
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