2010 Combine List

[celticdb15]

Overall the list was encouraging seeing the 8 Wrs, then I saw the defensive players and that was a huge dissapointment. The more we've discussed the more I've realized that this list is a sham and that there are many talented guys missing from the list..

 

[Leonardfan]

The lack of d-linemen is very troubling. When given a shot it seems white players make very good defensive ends and most pan out to be at the very least solid players when given a chance to contribute.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Another guy I don't think anyone mentioned is Central Michigan WR Bryan Anderson. To me this is another guy if I were deciding the combine rosters would have been very strongly considered. Bryan Anderson is a tall #2 type WR who can go up and grab the ball at a high point. He runs pretty good routes and is strong and seems to adjust to the ball very well. I'd call him a possession type guy. You can watch him and Dan LeFevour right now in the GMAC bowl.

 

[Highlander]

Jack, you beat me to the punch. I was going to mention the lack of attention that O'Hanlon is receiving in comparison to his teammate Asante even though O'Hanlon, arguably, has better statistics.

Of course, Todd "%$*@!" McShay of ESPN lists Asante as his 7th best overall safety for the draft, when he may not even the best safety on his own team! Of course we know the statistic that really matters is skin color and O'Hanlon's lack of it will probably hold him back.

2009 Individual Stats:
O'Hanlon
Solo Tackles: 39
Assist Tackles: 30
Total Tackles: 69
Sacks: 2 for 19 yds
Int: 6 for 105 yds
Fumbles Recovered: 2

O'Hanlon was also the NCAA Defensive Player of the Week against Oklahoma this year and Defensive MVP of the Holiday Bowl!!!

Asante

Solo Tackles: 42

Assist Tackles: 37

Total Tackles: 79

Sacks: 0

Int: 2 for 74 yds
Fumbles Recovered: 0
<table id="siteColumns" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><t><tr><td id="CenterColumn" valign="top"></td><td id="rightCol" valign="top">
</td></tr></t></table>Certainly, there is no logical excuse for Asante to be invited to the combine and not O'Hanlon. I'm not saying that Asante is unworthy, but if he is, then so is O'Hanlon in a fair world.

So, I then checked out McShay's 2009 projected draft picks on ESPN and he didn't even have Gerhart listed in the first two rounds...he was projected as a third round draft choice!

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

another player that should've been included as a running back is Grand Valley State's Blake Smolen. i'm working on a write-up comparing him to former Villanova (and NFL) star Brian Westbrook, who most folks always mention when discussing Smolen's all-purpose attributes.


also, i wonder if Matt Szczur will get invited if he decides to forego his senior season ... he actually played at Westbrook's alma mater and carried Villanova to its first football national championship. you can see an example of Szczur's dominance in this highlight video our own dwid put together.

orhe may forego his senior season at 'Nova to play pro baseball, as it's said he's even better on the diamond than the gridiron.

Szczur is a LOT faster than Westbrook, with Rivals listing him as running a 4.31 in the 40.Edited by: Jimmy Chitwood

 

[celticdb15]

As expected Bulaga will enter the draft.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/9088/iowas-bulaga-declares-for-nfl-draft

 

[celticdb15]

Another player I completely forgot about who had a great career but sat out pretty much his whole senior season, who should have earned an invite based on production is Matt Grothe. He could work out as a quarterback and he's even mentioned he would be willing to give it a shot at safety or wide out. I am not sure of his exact speed but he was USF's best runner in his time there.

to Dwids video of Matt Szczur!! I did not realize how fast he is!Edited by: celticdb15

 

[whiteathlete33]

Celtic, NFLdraftscout has him running a 4.6 flat which is good speed for a safety.http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=57004&amp;draftyear=2010&amp;genpos=QB

 

[celticdb15]

Celtic, NFLdraftscout has him running a 4.6 flat which is good speed for a safety.http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=57004&amp;draftyear=2010&amp;genpos=QB

Good find WA33 a 4.6 or high 4.5 is plenty fast, he has USF's all time pro agility record with a time of 4.13 which is amazingly quick.

http://www.gousfbulls.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7700&amp;ATCLID=204765515

 

[whiteathlete33]

If Grothe could play safety or even receiver it would help our cause.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

I was remembering how in Max Komar's last bowl game- he only caught one medium range pass for a TD. He did go over 1,000 yards for the first time as a senior, but he needed to do more in his last game to impress scouts. These are the senior white WRs I wish would have gotten invited in this order- and the first 3 should definitely be there in my mind. Komar is my number 6 white WR not invited.
WR:

1. Marc Mariani: a highly productive speed blazing receiver who helped Montana get to the FCS championship. I've watched him play a couple times and was very impressed, but I hear he's a bit of a headcase.

2. Tim Toone: Another highly productive FCS blazer that I only got to watch on TV once. From Weber State, he's on the small side ala Welker, Santana Moss, Steve Smith or DeSean Jackson, but would blow scouts away with his athleticism.

3. Andrew Brewer: Was Northwestern's best receiver and helped Northwestern almost win the bowl game- like they should have against hated SEC FAN ELITEST Auburn- if not for failures of the kicking game. Almost totaled 1,000 yards receiving and probably runs the 40 in the high 4.4s low 4.5s.

4. Pat Simmonds: I have actually never seen this guy play, but his production and size is VERY intriguing. Because he will probably run around a high 4.5x I'd prefer the first three guys to be invited because of their athleticism if I could only pick three.

5. Brett Hamlin: He put up numbers a little behind his WR teammate Naaman Roosevelt who missed the last two games. Hamlin was Buffalo's go to receiver down the stretch, but he is probably even a little faster than Roosevelt. But as we know Roosevelt gets all the media hype.

RB:
We all agree Jake Sharp got robbed by not getting invited and that him and Gerhart have the potential to be great starting RBs, but I've seen two other backs that I think should've gotten a combine invite and a third borderline guy. The top three I mention could've been invited over guys like black FB John Connor (who?) or small schoolers Joique Bell and Pat Paschall, the troubled LeGarrette Blount, BYU FB Manase Tonga, less statistically- far less athletically impressive than Jake Sharp and injured Matt Asiata- or a guy like Keiland Williams who is talented, but never even got much playing time.

Other than the most top tier prospects, the second tier prospects often get there over media hype and skin color rather than actual credentials. I also added a scouting report for the 4 tailbacks I watched- because I like scouting RBs.

1. Trevyn Smith: The tailback from Weber State has good size at 5'10 and 210 lbs. and runs about a 4.5 40 yard. He battled injuries this season, but still had a fine season and a fantastic career. I have watched Smith only once, but he really impressed me. He is shifty, great at making the first guy miss, will hit the seam quickly and looked like he had enough swivel to make guys miss in tight space. He will also fight hard to fall forward upon getting hit. Projected 5th/6th round pick without the caste system. Has a high ceiling of becoming a solid featured RB, but might be most efficient in a dual threat backfield.

2. Luke Lippincott: Lippincott rushed for a ridiculous 7.6 YPC this season and went over 1,000 yards. He has a good burst and is solid for a draftable prospect for his size at making the first guy miss and he quickly attacks the hole. He is definitely more of a one cut slash and attack the hole type than a darter. He gets up to top speed quickly and possesses solid power for his size- so his projected 40 of about 4.6 is good enough. He's a big back who could even add a little weight to suit his style. He usually does a good job falling forward. Knee injury history. Projected 6th/7th round pick without the caste system. Would probably help a team best splitting carries with a scat back.

3. David Sinisi: Won't run a great 40 (probably about a 4.6), but is a grid iron warrior who hits the hole hard and has a nice one cut bursting style and backs down from no one. He is from Monmouth University where Miles Austin of the Dallas Cowboys went. Sinisi has accomplished significantly more in offensive yardage and in conference leading statistics than Miles Austin did. He's only 5'8, but weighs about 205 lbs. 7th round, but more likely Priority FA consideration without the caste system. Probably a backfield by committee type.

Blake Smolen: From Division II. I've never seen this guy play, but I read the linked article on Blake from Draft Daddy. His versatility, athleticism and production is intriguing. I'll reserve judgment to others about whether he should be at the NFL combine.

One productive RB some of you may like who is a good athlete, but that I don't think was robbed of a combine invite is David McCarty who I see as a priority FA type:
He brings some speed and makes very quick cuts, but is very thin for an NFL RB at 190 lbs at 6 foot tall. I saw him play once and he runs a bit high and he didn't appear to have the nose for pounding it up the gut at the NFL level. He could be an intriguing priority FA for a team. If used correctly, he might be used mostly as a third and long back- who could get a few other carries if he stayed at RB, but could also switch to WR. Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

good find on that, celticdb15.

that record Grothe holds is for quarterbacks at USF. but still, it's an impressive time without a doubt.

also, i noticed the name Erskin at wide receiver ... he holds the all-time USF record for wide receivers with a 10'5" broad jump and a 4.26 40! wow! and he's a White man. unfortunately, his career has been devastated by injuries. but maybe he'll try and run track for the Bulls!

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Celtic, NFLdraftscout has him running a 4.6 flat which is good speed for a safety. http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=57004&draftyear=2010&genpos=QB

<div> </div>
<div>Good find WA33 a 4.6 or high 4.5 is plenty fast, he has USF's all time pro agility record with a time of 4.13 which is amazingly quick. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>http://www.gousfbulls.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7700&ATCLID=204765515</div>

Exactly, I had posted the research article "Lateral Agility Trumps Speed on the Football Field" linked by Draft Daddy. It showed that looking back- it's actually draft picks who do well in the agility drills- like the short shuttle, 3-cone (these two- show burst, one cut- and start and stop on a dime agility) and broad jump (shows hamstring strength, leg lift and swivel agility) that go on to do well in the NFL over speed blazers. A 4.6 or high 4.5 could make Grothe a good Safety, Flanker, Slot WR or even RB prospect with that pro agility time. I believe the difference in Grothe's 40 time 4.6-4.13 agility time=0.47 would have ranked Grothe first among all WRs last year. Hartline and Swift led the pack last year (two white guys) and Collie wasn't far behind! Edelman and Peterman also put up amazing agility numbers at their Pro Days.

 

[whiteathlete33]

Let's not forget guys like Kevin Kasper who I believe had the best 20 yard shuttle in combine history. This proves that whites are very good and even superior to blacks in other drills besides the 40 yard dash.

 

[whiteathlete33]

Hamlin and Mariani should have definitely gotten invites. I wasn't aware of Toone until Jimmy's post several days ago but he looks like a good prospect. Sinisi is a local kid here in Jersey who may catch on as a free agent but the odds are really stacked against him.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

I actually mentioned Toone first in this thread in my second post. He is extremely athletic despite being a little small. I think Toone, Mariani and Brewer should be invited already and Simmonds and Hamlin should get in depending on how many underclassmen declare.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

At RB- Toby Gerhart was the only white to make it. If fair- Toby would be drafted by the end of the first round this year for sure.

Jake Sharp should have made it. He projects as a late 3rd-4th round pick if fair right now. If he came back to school and had a C.J Spiller like season minus the kick returns- like I think he could- and runs his sub 4.4 at the combine- he would be a first rounder in a fair world.

Trevyn Smith and Luke Lippincott should have also made it in my mind, And David Sinisi possibly- if fewer underclassmen declare than expected.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

this article linked by Draft Daddy is a good read. it shows yet another example of how often White kids are late bloomers, but when given an opportunity they blossom into dominant players. in this case, the player is offensive tackle Jared Veldheer from Division II Hillsdale College.

if that name sounds familiar, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed an undrafted rookie free agent linebacker from there this past season, Tom Korte.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Tough, you mentioned Blake Smolen a bit earlier ...

he definitely has the talent and production that often merits affletes a Combine invitation. (i have watched him play a few times on the tube, and every time he's shown how gifted he really is.) i've been working on a short piece on him, as a matter of fact. and i mentioned a little bit about him at the bottom of page 1 of this thread.

despite the rigorous attempts by the Caste System, White athletes still shine when they get the chance.

it is onlythrough silence about their achievements and refusal to allow them to participate that the Caste System can continue to prop up the myth of black athletic superiority.Edited by: Jimmy Chitwood

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

i keep thinking of more guys who are legitimate candidates that were overlooked ...

strong safety Myles Burnsides is a two-time All-American, a two-time Academic All-American, and was the National Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. His 294 career tackles are the most ever by a defensive back at the school (the eighth-highest in school history) and his 16 career interceptions,two of which he returned for touchdowns,is third. his nose for the ball, physical playing style, closing speed (high 4.5 in the 40), and size should engender comparisons to Chuck Cecil ... but since it seems only "real affletes" from big conferences were invited this year, it's doubtful he'll get much of a look from the NFL.

Central Washington wideout Johnny Spevak is a tremendous all-around athlete at 6-3, 200. while not a burner, his size, leaping ability, and agility are impressive ... as shown by his collegiate performance in two sports: football and basketball.

Central's all-time record-holder for career receptions (318), receiving yards (4,426), touchdowns (54), and 100-yard receiving games (19), Spevak finished his senior season with 74 receptions for 1,020 yards and 12 touchdowns. He had at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his final three seasons, finished his career ranked second in NCAA Division II in total pass receptions, and has also been a multiple-time selection on the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VIII College Division and Academic All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference teams. Spevak is also one of the greatest two-sport student-athletes in modern CWU history, having started for four seasons in both basketball (2005-09) and football (2006-09) and participating in six of a possible eight NCAA Division II championship tournaments in the two sports combined.

while i don't think Spevak would burn up the 40, i suspect that he'd impress in every other drill.

the invitation of Division II running back Joique Bell is a real head-scratcher ... while he is certainly a good athlete and productive tailback, he doesn't measure up even close to Danny Woodhead in either category. and Woodhead was completely snubbed. of course, Bell is bigger, and more importantly blacker, so that is enough i guess.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Blake Smolen: all-purpose threat to the (caste) system.



by Jimmy Chitwood



One of the most exciting multi-threat players in college football this season was Grand Valley State's Blake Smolen. In a day and age where players are carefully selected to fit specific needs and positions on a football team, it is becoming increasingly rare to see a true "all-purpose"Â￾ player. Smolen fits that mold, though he breaks a few others in the mind of so-called "talent" scouts.
Apparently despite having breakaway speed and ideal size (6-0, 198) and being an all-everything player in high school in Michigan, he wasn't worthy of a Division I scholarship "¦ so he decided to do all his things at Division II powerhouse Grand Valley State.
He became one of the most dangerous players to ever suit up for the Lakers.

If my information is correct, Smolen became the fifth collegiate player to surpass the 2,000-yard mark in rushing and receiving in his career. NFL running backs Brian Westbrook (Villanova), Mewelde Moore (Tulane), Darrin Nelson (Stanford), and non-NFL running back Lindy Crea (Division III Hartwick College) are the other four players that have accomplished that impressive feat.

Crea, who was completely ignored by Division I teams despite having ideal size (5-11, 195) and speed (4.44 in the 40), was also completely ignored by the NFL despite leading the nation in all-purpose yards in 2005 and 2006, setting school records for career all-purpose yards (7,391) and career touchdowns (53), and being a two-time First-Team All-American. Crea and Smolen have a lot in common besides their dominant performance in all phases of the game as we'll soon see "¦

Now back to Smolen.

Often compared to Westbrook, Smolen is a truly all-purpose back. You can see for yourself by clicking this link: Smolen highlights (2008).


It's true that total career yardage favors Westbrook, as he was the featured go-to guy for four seasons at Villanova, while Smolen didn't see nearly as many touches on a more balanced team. But the per-touch average considerably favors the athlete from Grand Valley State.

You can see this for yourself here:
Smolen (6-0, 198;official 40 yet to be determined) â€" receiving (133 for 2220; 16.7 avg), rushing (298 for 2070; 6.9 avg); returning (1,386) for 5,676 all-purpose yards and 35 touchdowns.
Westbrook (5-10, 200; 4.57) â€" receiving (219 for 2582; 11.8 avg), rushing (725 for 4298; 6.3 avg), returning (2,289 yards) for 9,512 all-purpose yards and 84 touchdowns.
Though Smolen had a lot fewer touches during his career than the NFL star, it's safe to say that he was more of a big play threat than Westbrook. So will Smolen get an invitation to the NFL Combine like Westbrook (and Moore and Nelson) did? Will he get drafted in the 3<SUP>rd</SUP> Round or at all?
Or will we see, once again, how similar he is to Lindy Crea "¦ and how essential the proper skin color really is to NFL "talent" evaluators. Because, like Crea (who was ignored) and unlike the other three record-setters (who weren't), Smolen is White.

 

[celticdb15]

good find on that, celticdb15.

that record Grothe holds is for quarterbacks at USF. but still, it's an impressive time without a doubt.

also, i noticed the name Erskin at wide receiver ... he holds the all-time USF record for wide receivers with a 10'5" broad jump and a 4.26 40! wow! and he's a White man. unfortunately, his career has been devastated by injuries. but maybe he'll try and run track for the Bulls!

Thanks JC a 4.13 pro agility is top notch no matter what the position is. I do not know if he would be able to duplicate that time now because of his knee injury but he has the "potential" to run that time.

 

[celticdb15]

All the evaluations are spot on. Too bad we don't have a say in the invites

Sporting News'Russ Lande has posted his list of combine snubs. Im sending him some of our guys. Here's his e-mail I pointed out Matt Grothe and Matt O'Hanlon feel free to point out a couple of other guys. russelllande@yahoo.com &lt;russelllande@yahoo.com&gt;Edited by: celticdb15

 

[celticdb15]

Anyone know when the official list will come out?? Everywhere on the web has listed this list as "unofficial"

 

[FootballDad]

All that I've heard is that it's going to be later this month. Players are still being added.