Refs, not sure if this is ok or not - its technically a blog, but its (a) on nfl.com and (b) its from Gil Brandt, one of the more respected analysts out there. Sorry if it is not ok.
The Cleveland Browns, who have been everywhere during this pro day season, gave several players special attention at Clemson’s pro day on March 11.
Cleveland receivers coach George McDonald stayed after the event to individually work out WR Jacoby Ford, and Browns defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson stayed an extra day to work out defensive backs Crezdon Butler and Chris Chancellor on Friday.
The Browns are also expected to return to Clemson this week, so they can work out DE Ricky Sapp and LB Kavell Conner.
Despite all of the individual work, Clemson’s pro day actually lacked a whole lot of action. All 32 teams had representatives on hand, but the Tigers’ best prospects stood on most of their workout numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine.
In all, 13 players worked out ont indoors on TartanTurf and did position drills outdoors on grass.
RB C.J. Spiller (5-foot-10 1/4, 196 pounds) had a 36-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 6-inch broad jump, but kept the rest of his numbers from the combine. Ford had a 36-inch vertical jump and stuck to his combine numbers for everything else.
Sapp, Conner, Chancellor and Butler stood on all of their combine numbers.
Two noteworthy prospects who were not at the combine and had impressive workouts were G Thomas Austin and TE Michael Palmer.
Austin (6-2 7/8, 306) ran the 40-yard dash in 5.36 and 5.41 seconds, had a 28-inch vertical jump, 7-8 broad jump and did 33 bench press repetitions.
Palmer (6-4 3/8, 250) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.78 and 4.81 seconds, had a 29 1/2-inch vertical jump, 9-4 broad jump and did 20 bench press reps.
Shuttles runs and three-cone drills were not run due to rainy conditions.
Holmgren did talk about the possibility of adding a speedy receiver to stretch the field and Ford would do that. Anyone know what round he is projected?
School: Clemson NFL position: WR Height: 5-8 3/4 Weight: 181 40 time: 4.28 Current projection: Third-round pick Clemson WR Jacoby Ford will be one of the NFL's fastest players, but he's a small target for quarterbacks. Clemson WR Jacoby Ford will be one of the NFL's fastest players, but he's a small target for quarterbacks.
Strengths: Is an explosive athlete and a threat to score on every touch. Is quick getting off the snap and into his route, accelerates to full speed in a blink and uses quickness and agility to burst out of cuts and separate from cornerbacks. Shows good hands to reach out and pluck passes away from his body. Consistently twists body to catch offtarget passes. After the catch, is a competitive runner with the balance and strength to run through arm tackles; gains a lot of yardage after contact. Works hard as a blocker.
Weaknesses: Lacks height and size, and thus is a durability risk. Lack of height makes him tough to locate downfield. Won't be as successful breaking tackles in the NFL.
Bottom line: Ford is a big-time athlete with rare explosiveness and speed—his 4.28 40 was one of the fastest in Combine history—to be an impact slot receiver and return man. He must stay healthy to maximize his physical skills. He likely will be drafted lower than we have him rated, but on film he reminds us of the Steelers' Mike Wallace.
Yeah I was thinking of Steve Smith, but he's a #1 receiver and doesn't really play in the slot. But he's definitely a good example of a short receiver being successful.
Also, DeSean Jackson is listed at 5-10, but I don't think he's that tall.
Quote: He'd be worth a third IMO. Can't teach speed and from the video looks like he has a decent set of hands.
+1
I'd rather have a bunch of short, fast, sure-handed WR's than a bunch of tall, slow, rock handed ones (looking at you BE). The concept of have a #1, a #2 and a #3 is old. We need guys that can run routes, catch the ball, get space from the man, and put it in the endzone, period.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
I think I had us nabbing him in the 4th in my January mock. Wouldn't mind taking him in the third especially after we got that extra one from wimbley and rolle ran almost a 4.7.
I'd rather have a bunch of short, fast, sure-handed WR's than a bunch of tall, slow, rock handed ones (looking at you BE). The concept of have a #1, a #2 and a #3 is old. We need guys that can run routes, catch the ball, get space from the man, and put it in the endzone, period.
Yup, the first thing I thought of when I read that was "the Colts' receivers". Yes, technically speaking, they have a #1, #2, etc.... but what they really have is a collection of guys that are exceptionally good at running routes, creating separation, coming out of breaks and catching the damn ball. They may get YAC, they may not, but they almost always at least get the Ball.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
That is the thing about Clemson, every year they do not win anything. They play in a bad conference. I do not respect the level of play there, football wise.
Every year they expect me to beleive they have 2 players ready for the NFL at every position. I don't beleive it. I hope they stay away from Clemson players. That is nothing against the Clemson players already on the Browns, I like at least one of them. I like James Davis, but I"m not sold on CJ Spiller, at least not as a top 2 rounds guy.
Can Deshaun Watson play better for the Browns, than Baker Mayfield would have? ... Now the Games count.
What he said..I think the Browns have interest in Ford but I'm skeptical about his height..small receivers like that (and I've seen them a lot)often had a hard time on long plays downfield if they have to go get a ball...if he's a slot receiver ,fine,but as a # 1 guy,no. it only works if you make Mass the # 1 and then go to Jacobs..which could work very well..that type of speed would really cause defenses to scheme for him..
ToneDawg4724 has already said that we should go after both Troy Smith and Donte Whitner because, "What is wrong with bringing in players that your fans liked in college??? Seems like a good idea to me..."
Quote: Just what we need, another Ohio State homer.
That phrase gets old after awhile, I'm going to just start calling everyone who says that a OSU hater. Sounds fair compiling a bunch of fans into one group even if they don't share the same beliefs doesn't it?
Quote: ToneDawg4724 has already said that we should go after both Troy Smith and Donte Whitner because, "What is wrong with bringing in players that your fans liked in college??? Seems like a good idea to me..."
And now he is endorsing this Taylor Price guy.
Just what we need, another Ohio State homer.
Or perhaps you're jumping the gun and Price is an OU guy.
Don't be so sensitive to OSU homerism to insult a good one in Price.
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