NFL Scouting Combine: Last Day

Another Scouting Combine has come to a conclusion. Some players improved their stock, while others certainly hurt it. The defensive backs had the entire day all to themselves. Deion Sanders joined the NFL Network round table to provide his always interesting commentary. I’m far from a “Primetime” supporter, but the guy doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to breaking down prospects.

Here are my Final Day impressions:

• Chris Clemons – not the dude currently on the Eagles’ roster – but a safety from Clemson, looked pretty good. I used to live near Clemson, so I’ve seen him play a few times. He’s a fifth-year senior who started every game the last three seasons. He ran the top 40 among safeties and handled the back-pedal drills well. At 6’0″, 210, has the size and speed to play either safety position. I’m not saying he’s another Brian Dawkins, but he could end up being a great pick in the 4th or 5th round.
• Mike Mayock on why the Combine is important: “Back pedal drills expose weak hips. That’s why they run those drills.” He’s absolutely right. If you watch guys trying to turn-and-burn, you’ll see who struggles and who doesn’t.
• Speaking of struggling, top-rated cornerback Malcolm Jenkins looked tight the whole day. Deion observed his footwork was not good. The debate on him is if he’s a corner or free safety. If I was a GM, I’d want to be positive where he can play before I made him a top 10 pick.
• The best name goes to South Carolina’s Captain Munnerlyn. Perfect name for the leader of a defense. He’s not big (5’9″, 185) but he was a legit shutdown corner at South Carolina.
• Deion offered some solid insight as to why the corners were not running good 40 times. They were all standing around talking before they ran, rather than jogging or stretching.
• There was an Andy Reid sighting today. He and Tom Heckert were in the cheap seats laughing it up. Sanders said Reid was smiling because he “just got texted that McNabb is staying in Philly.” Deion is obsessed with Don.
• Alabama’s Rashad Johnson had a good day. An experienced leader, he reminds me of LaRon Landry. Not as athletic, but a smart, instinctive guy. Like Clemons, he’s probably a second day selection.
• Brandon Hughes has speed but boy did he look bad in the back-pedal drills. His feet were all over the place. Didn’t play much off-coverage in college.

Well, that’s all she wrote on the 2009 Scouting Combine. Since I watch a ton of college football, there were not many surprises. However, some guys like Brian Robiskie, Sean Nelson and Rashad Johnson impressed me more than I thought they would.

Now we turn our attention to free agency, which begins Friday. I’m not expecting the Birds to make a huge splash, but anything is possible.