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Monday April 09, 2012 - 6:04 AM
Several prospects hoping for good news at medical recheck in Indy

By Frank Cooney | NFLDraftScout.com



Some of the big names in the 2012 NFL Draft returning to Indianapolis this week for a medical recheck include Alabama running back Trent Richardson, LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne and Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

However, little drama is expected to be attached to the combine follow-up visit to Indianapolis by those players, all of whom are expected to be selected early in the first round.

Tannehill already looked great working out on his surgically repaired foot; Richardson ran hard on the knee he had cleaned out; and Claiborne's injured wrist ligaments aren't that much of a concern, especially for a cornerback.

However, this will be an important re-check for a few players, most notably Oklahoma's record-breaking wide receiver Ryan Broyles and Virginia defensive back Chase Minnifield, both of whom are coming off knee surgery.

Broyles, who had ACL surgery on his left knee after his great college career was ended last November, is so eager to show he is making progress that he has a pro day scheduled Thursday before heading to Indianapolis the next day.

"I want to show I am making great progress," Broyles told NFLDraftScout.com. "I may not be 100 percent, but I feel great."

Broyles was rated as high as an early second-round prospect before the knee injury, but fell a couple of rounds until recent news that his rehabilitation is going well.

Minnifield had a scheduled clean-out in January, but it has taken an unusually long time to recover, reportedly due to excess swelling. The swelling was noted at the February combine, where he was unable to run. And his March 15 pro day performance was disappointing.

Minnifield, the son of former Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl performer Frank Minnifield, is currently projected as a third- or fourth-round prospect by NFLDraftScout.com.

Here is a closer look at players scheduled for recheck:

Offense

QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M (6-4, 221): After breaking a bone in his right foot, Tannehill couldn't participate in the Senior Bowl or combine and missed the Aggies' pro day in early March. He had surgery and was even forced to limp down the aisle with crutches during his wedding in January. Tannehill was finally able to get on the field on March 29 for a workout in College Station and looked good throwing off that foot and running a 4.58 40-yard dash. He is expected to be selected in the top 12.

RB Trent Richardson, Alabama (5-9, 228): Even though he played healthy throughout the entire 2011 season, Richardson had a meniscus scope on his knee and was held out of workouts in Indianapolis. He was back at full health for his workout on March 29 on Alabama's campus and didn't show any signs of being hampered by the injury. Richardson ran his 40 in the high-4.4, low-4.5-second area and looked good in positional drills, cementing his status as an early first round pick.

WR T.Y. Hilton, Florida International (5-10, 183): There might not be a more explosive athlete in this draft class, but strong durability concerns hurts his NFL future, including a hamstring issue that kept him out of any all-star games and the combine. Hilton was healthy enough to run at his pro day on March 9 and ran consistent times in the 4.3s, showing off his natural speed to pro scouts. He battled injuries over his career and his frail-looking frame creates concern with NFL teams, pushing his draft value into the middle rounds.

WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma (5-10, 192): The NCAA's all-time leading receiver suffered a devastating knee injury late in the 2011 season, which has kept him sidelined during the pre-draft process. Broyles couldn't participate at the combine or Oklahoma's on-campus pro day and has yet to set a date as to when he'll be able to run for NFL teams before draft weekend. He feels confident he will be able to show "something" before the draft but the injury will make it tough for a team to invest an early round draft pick in him.

TE Coby Fleener, Stanford (6-6, 247): After spraining his ankle in the Fiesta Bowl, Fleener only lifted at the combine (27 reps). He rehabbed his injury to get ready for Stanford's pro day on March 22 and blew away scouts with his 40 times in the mid-4.4s. Fleener has been beaten up over his football career and carries some durability issues, but is still expected to be the top player off the board at his position because of his athleticism for his size.

G Joe Looney, Wake Forest (6-3, 309): A solid senior season earned him an invite to Tampa to participate in the East-West Shrine Game, where he had a good week of practice. However, an ankle injury kept Looney from working out in Indianapolis or at Wake Forest's pro day, and there are some concerns he might not be able to reach full health before draft weekend. A possible mid-round pick, he will fall down draft boards if he's not able to show scouts his ankle is at full-go.

C Peter Konz, Wisconsin (6-5, 314): Injuries have been an issue for the talented Wisconsin center, who suffered a blood clot in both lungs in 2009, a sprained ankle in 2010 and a dislocated ankle that forced him to miss the final few games of 2011. Konz was also forced to sit out at the combine and has yet to work out for pro teams, continuing his rehab on that ankle. He still expects to work out sometime in April, but durability is a bright red flag for Konz.

Defense

DE Donte Moss, North Carolina (6-3, 268): Paige-Moss tore the ACL in his right knee during North Carolina's Independence Bowl loss to Missouri but the junior defensive end still elected to enter the draft after his junior season. The injury and expected recovery time could keep him sidelined for the entire 2012 season, making it unlikely that an NFL team will invest anything more than a late-round pick to acquire his services. To assure even that, doctors will want to make sure that Paige-Moss is healing on schedule.

DT Josh Chapman, Alabama (6-1, 316): In a remarkable testament to Chapman's toughness and dedication, the Alabama senior nose guard played through much of the 2011 season on a left knee with a torn ACL and meniscus. Chapman underwent surgery to repair the torn ligaments Jan. 17 and will not be able to work out before the draft. Like with Paige-Moss, doctors will want to see how the rehabilitation is proceeding.

LB Bobby Wagner, Utah State (6-0, 241): Unlike most of the others on this list, Wagner hasn't undergone recent surgery and performed well the past two times scouts have seen him -- earning Most Outstanding Player on the North Team for his effort during the Senior Bowl and blowing up his March 29 pro day workout. He wasn't able to attend the combine due to a bout with pneumonia that required hospitalization, however, and thus is heading to Indianapolis as a precautionary measure.

CB Brandon Boykin, Georgia (5-10, 182): Boykin suffered a slight fracture to his right fibula at the Senior Bowl, which caused him to miss the combine workouts. He's scheduled to work out for scouts on campus April 9, which will ease some concerns about his recovery and also is likely to be asked to travel back to Indianapolis so doctors can take a closer look, as well.

CB Morris Claiborne, LSU (5-11, 188): Claiborne underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left wrist March 23, a day after working out for scouts at LSU's pro day. The rehabilitation isn't likely to knock Claiborne off his perch atop the cornerback rankings and as a likely top-six pick in the draft, but doctors will want to make sure the wrist is healing as expected.

CB Chase Minnifield, Virginia (5-10, 183): Minnifield did not run at the combine due to a medical exclusion that noted "bilateral ankles." That term apparently refers to edema or the swelling has resulted in his slower-than-expected recovery from a Jan. 3 arthroscopic procedure on his right knee. It was a simple clean-out to remove loose cartilage. Minnifield didn't participate in the combine workouts and said he was functioning at only 80 percent when he had a disappointing pro day workout March 15 on campus.

SS Mark Barron, Alabama (6-1, 213): Barron underwent a double-hernia operation following the season and missed the Senior Bowl and combine. While he proved athletic enough during the Crimson Tide's second pro day March 29 to assure scouts the first-round talent is well on his way to recovery, Barron characterized himself as still only 80-90 percent himself following the workout.

FS Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State (6-1, 207): Martin announced via his personal Twitter account before the combine he wouldn't be participating due to suffering an injury to his right knee while preparing for the audition. He then underwent surgery and was unable to work out for scouts March 9 at OSU's pro day. web page

web page

Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News writes that the Eagles will “almost certainly” trade CB Asante Samuel by the end of the month.

Samuel has been on trading block for quite some time now, but it seems like the Eagles will begin to make a push to finally move the 31-year-old cornerback who is set to make over $10 million for the upcoming season. Logically speaking, it would make the most sense for Philadelphia to trade him before the draft, considering that they could use the picks that they acquire to address some other areas, but finding someone that’s willing to meet their demands hasn’t exactly been easy.

Bowen adds that the Eagles system is better suited for defensive backs that can play press coverage, which fits the skill sets of Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie more than Samuel’s.

Despite being shopped around for a number of season’s now, Samuel has been the team’s most consistent corner. He’s said that he’s willing to renegotiate his current contract to facilitate a trade out of Philly, but the Eagles will most likely have to lower their demands to get something done.

The Rams, 49ers, Lions and Browns have all been rumored to be possible landing spots for Samuel at different times.

The draft is this week, right?

WHAT? 2 weeks and 2 days???

I know so little about CB play that I'd have no idea if Samuel would be an upgrade for us. He's a big name, but that doesn't mean much. Plus, I have a feeling he'd want some big bucks.

I just really wish it would hurry up and get here already!!!

well, with Heckerts small sample size drafting here, he has not been shy from drafting guys with injury red flegs. I wouldn't expect him to stop now if one or more of those guys drops beyond where their talent says they should be drafted.

I completely agree. Broyles in the 4th would be a major draft day steal and just the type of player that Heckert seems to look for.

TJ Ward (knee)
Colt McCoy (shoulder)
Phil Taylor (foot)

There was talk about Ward ..

jc

http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2012/4/10...-draft-qb-class

Green Bay Packers scout high on 2012 NFL Draft QB class

In last year's NFL Draft, there were four quarterbacks taken in the first round and six in the first 36 picks. One Green Bay Packers scout tells the Green Bay Press Gazette that there are five quarterbacks this year better than each of them.

"I think there’s five of them that are better than any of them last year," the scout told Pete Dougherty.

That's not all. Another scout told Dougherty that Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III were better prospects than Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger in 2004. High praise, though nothing exactly new for Luck. He's who most consider the best quarterback prospect since John Elway. But Griffin hasn't been definitively lauded quite as much.

The two scouts agree Ryan Tannehill is the third-best quarterback and they split on Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden and Michigan State's Kirk Cousins being fourth.

Of course, this is the silly smoke screen time of the year. It could merely be an attempt by the scout to goad a team into trading back into the first round to take one of these quarterbacks.

Left out in the cold is Arizona State's Brock Osweiler, who is visiting the Miami Dolphins.

The top 3 are better than last years QB class including Cam. As far as a pure Passer Weeden is fantastic, if he could walk and chew gum at the same time well in this case move and throw, he would be a top 10 pick even at his age.

Dilfer on Weeden
Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden hears it all the time. He would be a first-round pick if not for his age.

Weeden, who delayed his football career for five years to play minor-league baseball, turns 29 on Oct. 14. That's a big difference from Andrew Luck, who will be 23 when the regular season begins.

But Trent Dilfer, former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst, disagrees that Weeden's age Insider is a negative:

His age (and accrued wisdom) has given him great perspective in life and as a player. Nothing is too big for Weeden and although old in age, he has plenty of time to be a good NFL QB. Think about it: who thinks of their QB on a 10-year plan? If he starts well, he can easily be solid for 7-8 years.


Judging by many mock drafts, Weeden won't slide too far into the second round. The popular pick has been Weeden going to the Browns at No. 37.

In Dilfer's insider piece, he analyzes the seven quarterbacks projected to go in the first three rounds. Of those quarterbacks, Dilfer rates two as immediate starters (Luck and Robert Griffin III) and one other (Weeden) as "able to start soon."

The Browns would send a message by taking running back Trent Richardson in the first round and Weeden in the second. This says that the Browns want players who can make immediate impacts. This also says they aren't concerned about the risks associated with taking a running back in the top-five and an older quarterback in the second round.

he better be rated as "able to start soon" otherwise he'll be retired

What I wonder is if Dilfer rates two as immediate starters (Luck and Robert Griffin III) and one other (Weeden) as "able to start soon", what does he think of Tannehill? Maybe he didn't hear the news?

big surprise... Trent Dilfer sticking up for an unathletic, old red-headed QB.

You guys should wait a little longer with your Weeden jokes as there's a 50% chance that he'll be a Cleveland Brown in 2 and a half weeks

Oh, and did I mention that he beat Luck, RG3 and Tannehill last season?

Tannehill or Weeden it is

Who's the other 50% ?

If you have it down to two players I wanna give you some money to buy me a lottery ticket.

He could mean 50% as in he will or he won't be the Browns pick - like a heads or tails.

j/c

If we take Weeden before a RT, we are nuts.

Quote:

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His age (and accrued wisdom) has given him great perspective in life

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Harrumph.

What...Dilfer can't explain why he thinks Weeden is smarter due to his age so he's gotta start ripping off fortune cookie proverb's?

Perspective won't help you feel Mario Williams closing in on your blind-side, it won't help you learn the WCO any faster, and it won't help you learn to take snaps from under center.

Let's not get this twisted.

Quote:

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Judging by many mock drafts, Weeden won't slide too far into the second round. The popular pick has been Weeden going to the Browns at No. 37.

---

I may not feel as good about Weeden as most, but I can say this: In today's NFL, where over-paying for iffy college QB's means guys going a full round earlier than they should, and where having a great QB is even more critical than ever before, coughing up a 2nd round pick for a guy who probably only has 3-5 starting years in the NFL becomes a palatable risk.

I don't like it, but that's the cost of doing business today. Griffin cost a team three 1st rounders and then some and he wasn't even the highest rated QB in his class. Scary part is there will come a time when a team gives up more for a guy.

So while I've never seen Tannehill as the pick, I think I wouldn't bet against someone like Weeden going with our 2nd rounder.

Id rather have Tannehills arm and upside but at Weedens spot in the draft. Heck WHO knows... he may slide where he's actually suppose to be picked and we get him at 22. I'd be OK with that risk if the braintrust thinks he has IT.

Just an FYI for everyone. I just saw the the Browns will be "On the Clock" on Path to the draft Wednesday April 11 at 6pm. For those of you that get NFL Network.

We will certainly draft a RT and it is a good class for RT's but looks like you are gonna have to grab one in the first 2 rounds.

1st Reiff, Martin, Glenn
2nd Massie, Swartz, Sanders

I think Mike Adams could go before any of them as weird as that sounds. He looks like a true LT. I dont think we would take him for RT as we like more power.

Over the past few seasons Browns’ General Manager Tom Heckert has shown that he is not afraid to take risks on players who have a questionable history. He may be looking to do it again this year. Multiple sources tell ESPN Cleveland that the Browns have an interest in drafting troubled Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict.

One source said, “It would be a late round value pick,” if the Browns were to select the linebacker who has as many red flags as he does talent.

Entering his junior season, Burfict was widely regarded as one of the best linebackers in the country and a possible top 5 draft pick. Unfortunately, a locker room fight in the preseason, a mediocre year on the field, and poor interviews and performance at the combine have caused his stock to plummet to the point where experts think he may not even be drafted.

During pre-combine interviews, Burfict blamed coaches for his poor junior season and tried to justify punching teammate Kevin Ozier in the face after a practice. He then hit the field and was equally as underwhelming. He posted the second worst vertical leap among linebackers and the worst broad jump. He did not participate in the bench press or shuttle runs.

Despite the poor combine performance and questionable interview skills, Burfict is still an intriguing talent and sources say that is something Heckert recognizes.

Burfict plays middle linebacker, the same position as D’Qwell Jackson who just received a 5 year $42.5 Million contract extension. Perhaps Heckert feels that Jackson could teach Burfict how to become a professional and eventually develop him into the heir apparent at middle linebacker.

In the past, Heckert has not shied away from drafting players with a spotted history. In 2011, he drafted Greg Little and Jabaal Sheard who both had off the field concerns, but they both performed well with no distractions during their rookie seasons. Sheard led the team in sacks and forced fumbles while Little led the team in catches and receiving yards.

If the Browns do select the 6’2” 260 pound linebacker in the 2012 draft, it will be in the late rounds and he will be a project. It is exactly the type of low risk, high reward choice a team can afford to make in the final rounds of a draft where they hold 13 picks. Browns interested in Burfict

Yet another reason to add the facepalm smiley.

Ugh

would anyone really have a problem with Burfect in the 6th or 7th if he's there? the talent is there, so is the headcase.. but in the lower rounds,,, ehh,, you run the risk of getting someone that you won't have invested heavy in that may work out,., but if he doesn't.. its not the end of the world...

Personally, I'm no guru but everything I've read leads me to believe he'll go higher than 6th or 7th round... even as the headcase he appears to be.

The ability to hit someone hard is not in question.

Absolutely everything else is.

I want no part of him.

Headcase
Undisciplined
Slow

It will truly bum me out if he ends up on out team.