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

I heard Baker Mayfield won't be able to ride the rides at Cedar Point if the Browns draft him

I find it interesting to the point of baffling that a span of 3", roughly the length of a French Fry, can make Mayfield a question mark instead of a sure-fire stud.

I find it interesting that people think his height are his only limitations. He has a ton of question marks in addition to his height.

Billy Price - C - Player

The MMQB's Albert Breer reports Ohio State C Billy Price is believed to have suffered a torn pectoral during the bench press at the Combine.

It's the worst possible news after Price went down in pain following his third rep on Thursday. Generally regarded as the top pivot in the draft, Price had a shot at sneaking into the first round. That's probably gone now. The good news is, Price should have enough time to get healthy for Week 1.

Source: Albert Breer on TwitterMar 1 - 9:55 PM

Orlando Brown only did 14 reps on the bench press. That is rather shocking.

I think the bench press is overrated as far as number of reps.

A one rep max might be more valuable.

I don't think a player will ever need to "bench press" 30 times during a single play. Possibly not during an entire series.

How fast they can recover to that one rep max would be useful.

Orlando Brown’s Combine off to a slow start
Posted by Darin Gantt on March 2, 2018, 9:32 AM EST

AP
Orlando Brown is clearly hoping teams value his game tape more than his combine testing.

The Oklahoma tackle just put down a ponderously slow 5.86-second 40-yard dash on his first attempt. He’ll get another try, but it’s not as if he fell down and tied his shoes and got up and finished the 40, so it’s probably not likely to get much faster.

This comes after he underwhelmed scouts yesterday by managing just 14 repetitions in the 225-pound bench press. For comparison’s sake, running back Saquon Barkley did 29. Granted, players with shorter arms have an easier time with the bench press, but the number is alarming for a guy who is going to have to push people away from him.

The son of the former Ravens tackle said yesterday he wasn’t sweating the lift.

“Personally, I didn’t stick to my routine, my breathing routine. That’s the lowest number I’ve done. I’ll redo it at my pro day,” Brown said, via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. “Keeping it real, all my numbers will be held against me. I’m an offensive tackle and all my numbers are going to be compared to the other offensive tackles. That’s just the reality of it.”

The 6-foot-7, 345-pounder is actually smaller than he used to be, as he was 415 pounds in high school — which set him on a certain path to follow his father to the NFL.

“I’ve been fat my whole life,” he said. “I wish I was fast. If I was fast, 6-2, I’d probably be playing [defensive back], but God blessed me. … It is what it is. I don’t necessarily try to live up to his expectations.”

At least he has a sense of humor about things, and it’s not as if he’s not talented. He’s projected as a first-rounder because of his rare size and long arms, and he was an All-American last season.

UPDATE 9:34 a.m. ET: Brown improved to an unofficial 5.77-second 40 on his second attempt. Still very slow.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/03/02/orlando-browns-combine-off-to-a-slow-start/

To me the bench press at the combine isn't about strength its about preparation.

As far a positional/functional strength test I couldn't care less.

But the bench press for me is glimpse into work ethic because regardless of how strong a person is you can't do high reps @ 225 without working at it.

I think most agree that the bench isn't a good measure for strength.

But knowing that they are going to test for it then why didn't you as prospect prepare for it?

Most important question on Rosen is how many times has he had concussions....can combine require brain scans- MRI, CATSCANS,etc to determine how prone you are to concussions. He being smart would mean he'll have his bell rung ONCE badly and QUIT. Just saying, if I had millions in bank I ain't going to be punch drunk in my late 20s for anyone....playing a game....GO Browns!!!!

Long Armed players struggle in the bench at the combine. That said, an o-lineman doing less than 20 raises an eyebrow. It really isn't much of a strength test and is more of an endurance test.

Not surprising. Good in college because of his immense size. Reminds of that guy from USC we picked up from the Colts (Banner?). Not mobile and weak is not good.

I'm slowly starting to agree with this. I don't think he's as bad as Banner, but often times I see him win on his size alone. On plays you can see the entire line down blocking, besides Orlando. He'll be standing up with his defender and looking to toss him to the cutback side.

Orlando Brown also ran something like a 5.86 forty and coaches were yelling at him for loafing during the drills.

Not good.

14 reps does show a lack of strength for a lineman....not enough hand punch. Ad in he is slow makes him a mid round pick at best in my book.

The combine doesn't thrust many way up a board, but it can sure drop you.

Brown just lost a lot of money.

I was hoping the combine would help me break up my cluster with Minkah and Derwin James but it just made me more confused.

Right now I have them equally ranked.
1a and 1b SAF prospects.

I think production wise you lean towards Fitz, star potential maybe you lean toward James.

Their production is about the same though...2 very good prospects.

I give the edge to James because of size and explosion...he reminds me of Sean Taylor 21( (as a former Washington fan that's high praise) and Gregg loved Sean.


Would you try Fitz at CB? Or just S/NB?

Starting out, I think corner. But it would depend on who else we get say in free agency, and I’d have to see him at team drills and practice. His speed is fine for corner, but I have to question if he’s gonna be quick enough and have the technique for it. Saban moves him to safety and inside that says something to me. Wether he had someone better outside or just wanted Fitz to be in that position for his versatility. Idk.

I do have to mention another player who I liked on tape quite a bit and who is quite comparable to Fitz in some regards, he’s played a couple different positions is Dane Cruikshank from Arizona. The guy can cover outside, watched tape of him doing so, tackles, big kid, 6-1 206 I think is what he weighed in at. But he ran and tested better then I thought he would. 4.41 40 was great for him, plenty fast to be a corner, plus he tackles well enough to play safety. Could be a steal in later rounds.

I really like both of them. I have to give it to Fitz though for his perceived defensive IQ. Saban has raved about him like no other Bama player before him. He's been given special privilege to join the coaches during their first rewatch of the game. Saban has never let a player do that before and I doubt he'll start allowing them to do it. In my mind, a Saban voucher is as good as gold. Take his word to the bank.

As far as position, I play Fitz at S/NB to begin with. As much as I like him as a corner, too many good WRs play in the slot. We currently want Jarvis Landry who plays 1/2 of his snaps in the slot, so it's imperative that we have a player who can cover those type of guys. I also think being in the slot allows him a bit more fluidity. We can move him around and disguise him a lot more as a slot/safety vs him as a CB1.

James did not play that great after returning from his knee injury.

Fitz is a stud. I would play him at FS in the base defense, but I would let him cover some of the dynamic TE's, cover slot guys if we want to go Cover 0 for a couple plays a game, blitz him, and move him all around.

Like you said, the dude is so intelligent and versatile. He is a better player than James in my opinion.

https://deadspin.com/derrius-guice-says-...impression=true

Derrius Guice Says Teams Asked At NFL Combine If He Liked Men, If His Mother Was A Prostitute

Former LSU running back Derrius Guice said that one team used last week’s NFL Combine to ask him if he liked men, with another asking if his mother was a prostitute.

Guice talked about his experience on the SiriusXM NFL show Late Hits on Wednesday night. As transcribed by USA Today:

“It was pretty crazy. Some people are really trying to get in your head and test your reaction... I go in one room, and a team will ask me do I like men, just to see my reaction. I go in another room, they’ll try to bring up one of my family members or something and tell me, ‘Hey, I heard your mom sells herself. How do you feel about that?’”

Pro Football Talk has reported that an independent source confirmed a team did ask about Guice’s sexuality.

This is only the latest in a tradition of deeply stupid questioning at the combine.

Idk, the stats for Derwin James and Minkah are very comparable.....
Minkah..... 60 tackles/38 solo......8 tackles for loss.....1.5 sacks.....1 interception
James........84 tackles/49 solo.......5.5 tackles for loss.....1 sack.......2 interceptions

The tape really didn’t show a huge drop off to me from before the injury. And he should be even better being two years removed from knee surgery. Not saying James is better, just saying they may be closer then what we as fans believe.

I do think Minkah is the smarter player, it shows up on tape. But as leaders, I think they’re very close. I’ve read about how both are great locker room types. I do think James is a bit more athletic even being the bigger of the two. Both can cover, edge to Minkah because of playing corner, but James has also played a bit of corner, just not as much as Minkah. Both tackle well, edge to James, he’s got more power behind him. Both have played multiple positions. If you’re a size/speed ratio guy you might like James more. If you like smart, run the back end of your defense type, Minkah will appeal. Although when James went down that defense was a lot different for FSU. I just don’t know if they’re really all that far apart. What will Dorsey think?

I think Williams could look at James and posibly see a Sean Taylor type. Didn’t he want Obi last year? Thought I read something about that. Does Williams like bigger safeties?

I'd rather have the Eric Berry type - Minka.

Hope you are not comparing Obi to Taylor. Other than being a physical feak, Obi is what he showed on tape, a big nothing.

Isn't Peppers supposed to be the future SS... why would you want Fitz?

Minkah IMHO is not like Eric, he does not have the athleticism.

Also Eric was a FS in college while Fitz was a slot cover and nickle...

What was he in 2016?

Minkah can play dang near any position in the secondary, and he's not athletic? Kid is very smart... AND athletic.

Well since you mentioned the comp:

https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/derwin-james

They matched Derwin James measurables at a 82.5% match to Eric Berry.


Minkah's top comp from their database was Reggie Nelson:

https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/minkah-fitzpatrick

Caveat: I'm just relaying information. Don't take this as invitation to put words in my mouth. Thank you.

Earlier on in the draft process I read Saban's praise of Fitz and carried a lot of weight with me. To me its the equalizer that puts Fitz up there or even slightly ahead of James.

But whose is to say that Derwin isn't/can't/doesn't have that same ability or aptitude?

Either of these 2 guys would be great gets for the secondary.
Both face a transition to single post Free Safety but the both imho have the required skills to make the transition.

You beat me to it ed, was gonna post the James/Berry comp.

Truthfully I don’t see that comp. myself but get it.

As for Obi, yes I was comparing athletism, and size. And he did show some things on tape. He hasn’t done much yet in the NFL but he’s played one year. He didn’t come from a power school, so there is a learning curve. And I read an article starring Williams wanted the kid in last year to play FS, who do you think he saw in him?

Obi stuggled with injury. He was injured a lot last year, injured reserve to start the season came back and played out of position at CB then was injured again requiring surgey.

Rough season.

I remember charting some of Obi's games last year.He moved exceptionally well for his size. Wasnt the most physical FS though. If i had to make a Gregg Williams comp i would say Lamarcus Joyner.

Wasn't sure where to put this:

https://twitter.com/pff_college?lang=en

good info on prospects

There is a lot of hype regarding Fitz...

Fitz never played FS nor outside CB, and regarding the physical aptitudes to play the position I think there are some doubts...

Hard for a player to play FS or Outside Cb with a low 30 vertical jump...

IMHO James will the first DB picked....

I'm not really big on predicting which prospects will get drafted before which other prospects. I just like evaluating the prospects.

But i'm always interested in a good football convo.

I noticed you said that Fitz never played FS or outside CB. But that is not true. I've watched him on tape and certainly watched him play both outside CB and FS. Maybe you mean hasn't played Single Post FS?

If that is the case then I agree, I've already said that both he and Derwin face a transition when it comes to playing Single Post FS. But, imo both have the skillset to make the transition.

Fitz had 13 reps has outside CB in his college career, and there are no recolection of him playing FS, maybe playing cover 2?

There are question of him playing outside Cb and I would say a 33 inch vertical does not cut it....

First you said he never played now you are saying he only has 13 reps as outside CB? Why make these exaggerated and false claims?...it takes away from the discussion.

here's an entire game of him at outside CB:
Check out the play at the 2:12 mark. That's high level off coverage tech.

I asked you specifically if you meant Single Post FS with no response. I'm trying to bridge the gap in a possible misunderstanding of terms. Single Post FS is middle of the field Cover 1/3. Is that what you mean when you say you've haven't seen him play FS? If so, like I've already stated I agree that he hasn't played there and neither has Derwin.

I do agree there some questions about whether or not he can play outside CB in the NFL. But, I was talking about him playing SAF.

I think you stumped him.