DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2018 NFL Season 2018 NFL Draft http://www.nfl.com/combine Feb 27 - Mar 5

http://www.nfl.com/combine

The NFL Scouting Combine is a vital event in the path to the draft. More than 300 prospects will participate in the 2018 combine in their quest to achieve their NFL dreams.

Combine workout schedule:
» Friday, Mar 2: RB, OL, PK, ST
» Saturday, Mar 3: QB, WR, TE
» Sunday, Mar 4: DL, LB
» Monday, Mar 5: DB

http://www.nfl.com/combine/participants

I just hope that people will remember that the stats achieved at the combine doesn't change who they are as players.

Ask 5: Who has most riding on 2018 NFL Combine interviews?Print

By Daniel Jeremiah
NFL Media analyst
Published: Feb. 21, 2018 at 12:34 p.m. Updated: Feb. 21, 2018 at 12:49 p.m. 0 Likes | 0 Comments
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Aside from the medical evaluation for prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine (March 2-5 on NFL Network), the most important part of the event from a scouting standpoint is the interview, not the workout. The interviews take place each night. They're a good opportunity for clubs to get questions answered and begin to learn more about these prospects.

In my years as a scout, I saw some prospects alleviate concerns during these 15-minute sessions, and I saw others be removed from our draft board based on their handling of the questions.

With that in mind, and this year's combine a week away, I reached out to five NFL personnel executives with this question: Which player in the 2018 NFL Draft has the most riding on his combine interviews? Here are their answers.

Executive 1: UCLA QB Josh Rosen
"I feel like Baker Mayfield will have the confidence and charisma to carry a room in a quick interview setting. Rosen could be polarizing. Intelligent but no telling how he will come across. Gut feel is that half the room is turned off and other half is impressed."

Executive 2: Rosen
"First impressions can set the tone for the spring, and he could easily dazzle a team in a 15-minute first interview. I'd expect him to excel in that arena."

Executive 3: LSU edge rusher Arden Key
"Key really needs to explain what happened last offseason and talk about where he is now. He was the biggest disappointment of the 2017 season."

Executive 4: Key
"People have to meet the person and see if he can explain everything that's happened over the last two years. He needs to gain the trust of the decision makers. When right, he's a special talent."

Executive 5: Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield
"It's a big opportunity for Mayfield. Let's see if he owns up to his past incidents and how he conducts himself."


Summary: That's two votes apiece for Rosen and Key, and one vote for Mayfield.

Conclusion: I'm not surprised to see these three players mentioned. Each is immensely talented, and the questions will be different for all three of them.

For Rosen, teams will want to get a better feel for his personality/intangibles that have been the subject of criticism. For Key, the questions will likely be related to the leave of absence he took from the team last offseason and his disappointing 2017 season. For Mayfield, it comes down to maturity. Is he mature enough to handle what will be asked of him at the next level?

I think all three players could go a long way to alleviating concerns with good team interviews in Indianapolis. However, that is just a starting point for them. Any team that's interested in selecting these players will definitely schedule team visits to the facility where they can delve a lot deeper than they're able to in a 15-minute interview session at the combine.

Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks.

Can't wait. A lot of people have things to prove. I'll be very interested to see how Courtland Sutton runs. All the tall WRs could really rise with good 40 times. I'm interested to see how Marquise Haynes and Griffin do on their bench press and 3 cone drill. I'm really excited to see Barkley tear it up at the combine. I'm so happy that RBs are in the first group.

Three questions we want answered at 2018 NFL Combinerint

By Daniel Jeremiah
NFL Media analyst
Published: Feb. 6, 2018 at 11:08 a.m. 0 Likes | 0 Comments
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The NFL Scouting Combine is an important marker in the draft process for NFL evaluators. We now know which prospects will be attending the annual event in Indianapolis, as the list of this year's participants was released on Tuesday.

The main attraction at this year's combine will be the QBs. It's the first opportunity to see all the top signal-callers together on the same field. We had a chance to see Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen on same field in the Reese's Senior Bowl. Now we'll get to see those two joined by Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen and Lamar Jackson. Hopefully they will all elect to throw at the event.

There are some big lingering questions about some of the top talents in this year's draft, and the combine should provide us with the answers we're seeking. Here are three questions that I'm anxious to have answered:


1. Has Sam Darnold shortened his release, and what's his hand size?
Of all the QBs in the 2018 draft, I'm most intrigued by USC's Darnold. He'll be the most scrutinized guy of the bunch at the combine. If he decides to throw in Indy, I'll be watching his throwing motion. While I believe he's the top QB in the draft, one of the biggest knocks against him is his elongated release. Some QBs have a very difficult time adjusting their throwing motion, and it will be fascinating to see if Darnold has made any changes to shorten his windup.

There also will be plenty of intrigue about Darnold's hand size. He had fumbling issues during his college career and some believe his hand size is part of the problem. There was a similar concern with Jared Goff before his measurements came back at a sufficient number. Teams generally view 9 inches as the minimum requirement for QB hand size.

2. Which CB will separate from the pack?

The position group with the most at stake at the combine is the same every year -- it's the cornerbacks.

The early word in scouting circles is that Ohio State's Denzel Ward will blow everyone away with his combine testing. Now, Ward is an elite CB prospect, but he's listed at 5-foot-10 and it's possible he checks in closer to 5-9. Every team values height at the CB position, and while Ward is a special talent, his height could end up being a dilemma in a few draft rooms around the league.

In addition, speed is absolutely imperative at cornerback, so the 40-yard dash is huge for that group. I've been told Ward is going to put on a show with his speed, but I'm also anxious to see how fast guys like Louisville's Jaire Alexander and UCF's Mike Hughes run.

3. How will Texas OT Connor Williams measure up?
I've mentioned measurements a couple times already in this post, and it's really a key part of the combine for underclassmen. It's the first opportunity for NFL scouts to collect official measurements on the underclassmen in the 2018 draft. All of the seniors were measured in the spring. Why is it such an important part of the evaluation process? Well, when a player is listed at 6-4 and he's only 6-2, that can affect the way he's valued. As well, arm measurements carry importance, especially at OL position.

I believe Williams, who left Texas after his junior season, is the most talented offensive tackle in this draft class, but there is some concern about his arm length. It's tough to play at an elite level with short arms at that position. Some believe he would be better served to kick inside to guard. His arm length measurement could have a big impact on his draft stock.

Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks.

I think that last article hit the nail squarely on the head as it pertains to the most important part of the combine.

The interviews? Thats a bingo.

Then they should televise the interviews instead of the work outs.

But they have so many fooled that the work outs are so much more important. lol

I always look forward to the combine.

Its a good chance to confirm what we see on film and to discover some prospects to go back and check out.

The combine helps with the athletic profile of an athlete that can be lost due to level of competition or scheme.

How they move, how the run, can they flip their hips, 3 cone, explosion numbers, how the catch, can they be accurate in a controlled setting, are they natural catchers etc.

The info from the combine helps to break up clusters.

For example right now I have Derwin and Minka rated interchangeably.

There combine performance may be the deciding factor for me.

I also think the interview aspect is the most important. I guess if an NFL talent evaluator wants another look at a prospect showing their athletic abilities up close, that would help, but personally I think the combine is over-rated, over-analyzed and plus, really boring.

Like, I don't need the combine results to determine which QB I want.

The combine isn't for everyone. I fully understand not everyone is gonna get something out of watching and no one is asking the people who don't get anything out of it to watch.


The 2 most important parts are the medicals and the interviews but we're not privy to either one so I don't even talk about the aspects that I can't observe.

Like I said before the combine helps break up clusters and provide athletic measurable comparison in a sterile environment. That absolutely helps people evaluate.

For example right now how many people mention Derwin James as being the same caliber player as Minka? And even though its there on tape, Derwin can confirm that he belongs in the same conversation as Minka with a good combine.

Also, since you mentioned QBs....everyone said that Deshaun Watson was too inaccurate (despite him showing otherwise on tape) Deshaun goes to the combine and has the best throwing session of any QB which actually confirmed what the people that bothered to watch film saw.

Maybe some people can't learn anything from the combine.
But I do.

I hate bringing this up because you freak out w/a series of insults every time I dare ask you a question, but when did Watson's tape disprove he was inaccurate?

I am fairly certain anyone that reads this forum regularly and has reads our posts knows that your comment above is a pure lie.

Like I said, anytime you are questioned, you reply w/insults.

I'll let you go on deceiving people. It isn't worth the time and aggravation to dare question your evaluations such as RGIII making great reads and being accurate, Cody Kessler being better than Wentz, Kizer being accurate and going through progressions quickly, Tyrod Taylor being accurate and not abandoning the pocket, Lamar Jackson being accurate and displaying good post snap reads, etc.

Have at it.

It has been reported that Baker Mayfield will run his 40 around 4.8. My guess is that Josh Rosen posts a similar time.

I am really looking forward to both Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. They both should do things that we rarely see a QB do.

Also, it has been said that all the QBs will be throwing. That's always fun.

Your MO is to pretend you want to talk football. But in most discussion you fabricate other posters positions at whim like you do in the post above.

You seem to have a real problem with me (and with several other posters) and I don't know what that's about but that's your problem.

I'm still waiting on your response to our 'discussion' about Rosen's USC game.
All the recent animosity towards me stems from that conversation where once again you fabricated claims despite the fact that I clearly stated exactly what my points were.

Are you going to quote any of the instances where I insult you?

You just make unsubstantiated claims at whim and make everything into personal vendetta.

Any claims I've actually made I stand by. As far as your fabrications...well quote me and we can move on from there.

Until that time I'll just expect you to be...well...YOU.

Do you have any comments about the combine or just your personal issue with me?

Anyhow....for the fellow draft geeks out there....keep an eye out for Mike Mayock's pre-combine tele-conference. It's always full of good information on the draft prospects

My problem w/you is simple. You constantly come on here and pretend you are a qb expert while knocking the opinions of others. You then blow a gasket when asked a question, just like you did last year when I dared to say that you can't just use stats to evaluate Wentz and Kessler when you were making a long-winded point about why Kessler was a better qb than Wentz.

You sound intelligent when you discuss things, but your qbs have been RGIII, Tyrod Taylor, Kizer, Watson, and Lamar Jackson. Watson has looked good in his limited time, but the others....uhmmmm, not so much.

So please stop pretending you are the Guru of QBs. I will gladly ignore your crap, but I really grow tired of you constantly acting like no one else has a clue.

Sorry tab. I didn't read your post until after I posted my reply to ed. I'm tired of his arrogant and insulting attitude.

As far as the Combine goes. Meh, it's cool because it gives us something to watch and talk about in March. I think the interviews and medicals are more important than what goes on in the drills for the teams. I think many fans and media guys place too much importance on what some of these guys do. For example, I don't think you get much from watching the qbs throw. I'd rather watch the game tapes to do my evaluating.

Get better Eo....

As far as combine, I think it is a way to maybe weed out a few players....verify speed and see if they are strong enough for the position they play.

You might see a few move up with great jumps.

I think the tape is where it is at. That should dictate nearly 75% of the evaluation. Interviews should be about 20%....the last 5%, all the other stuff. But if it isn't on the tape, forget him.

I saw someone refer to the Combine as the "Underwear Olympics"

I don't really care what your problem with me is. A message board isn't a place to air personal grievances.

I really shouldn't respond to this non-sense but there's only so much BS from you that other posters should be expected to put up with.


How you interpret how I post has nothing to do with me. However, claiming that I knock the opinion of other is a lie. There is a quote feature, when you make claims like that you need to back it up.

Lucky for you the Rosen thread is closed now but clearly shows YOU doing exactly what you are falsely accusing me of.
actually you know what...here ya go...
Here is the next post from another person in response to YOUR post:


Lol, I welcome questions because I actually like having a dialogue about the football and the draft. Blowing a gasket is what you did in the Rosen thread...and you've still made no attempts to answer those questions.

Now here you delve into your forte fabrication:
Please quote where I said Kessler was better then Wentz.

Lol, stop. I don't even know what this post means? What does 'my QBs have been' mean? Those are not the only QBs I've discussed. In this very same post claim that I said that Kessler was better then Wentz. Why did you omit Nick Foles, Case Keenum, Mitch, Davis Webb etc. Curious...

I don't pretend to be anything, it funny you feel that way.



Notice: 'ignore your crap' is an insult. Where are the insults I've made towards you?

Always a pleasure Vers.

By the way any chance you are gonna respond to this:

Moving on.....

I think the interviews and the medicals far out weight the importance of everything else. Then comes the film then the combine performances to play small role.

Its wrong to assume that because people are interested in the combine that they believe the combine is everything.

I haven't found the date for Mike Mayock's pre-combine tele-conference with the media but when it comes out i'll post it.

But there is this....
https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/02/26/nfl-combine-mike-mayock-draft-prospects-mmqb-peter-king

Heck I watch the combines. What else does an avid football fan have to watch in March?

LOL.......what was the rest of your post?

Back in the Al Davis days, you could just look for the guy with the fastest 40 time and figure out who the Raiders were going to draft with their first pick.

Pretty much! lol

Lol, that's right...you probably didnt recognize...its called the truth.

Any new fabrications today?

Or any response to the Rosen discussion?

Oh...okay.

Praying for a 100% recovery and another 25-30 years to enjoy our Browns eotab

Audio: Mike Mayock 2018 Pre-NFL Scouting Combine Media ...
www.steelersdepot.com › NFL Draft

51 mins ago - Monday afternoon, NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock held his annual conference call with the media ahead of the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis getting underway and as usual, he talked extensively about several different players. As you can imagine, the session was quite lengthy but ...

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2018/02/aud...onference-call/

^^Contain link to the 2018 tele-conference:

Direct link to audio:
https://soundcloud.com/steelersdepot/mike-mayock-2018-pre-nfl-scouting-combine-media-conference-call

I'm surprised you haven't posted Grossi's thing on the Combine Interviews from a REAL source.

Guess I'll do it. Not real Tablet savy, but I'll try. Lol

It's a good read.

http://www.espn.com/blog/cleveland//post/_/id/4728

Veteran personnel executive takes us inside the interview process at the Combine.

I am not going to play this game, ed.