NY Post: BEWARE OF UTAH QB'S RAVE REVIEWS

[WoodysGirl]

and other draft prospect info...
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By KEN PALMER
March 27, 2005 -- DON'T believe the hype. Those present at Alex Smith's workout certainly didn't. Sure the former Utah quarterback looked good in working out in front of numerous scouts and personnel men on March 16. But his performance was nowhere near as good as the agents who leaked the workout 'information' would have you believe.


Last week, The Post visited with several men who were on hand to watch Smith's workout, which afterward was being compared to Troy Aikman's great performance of 1989. It wasn't even close.

For one, did you know that Smith's receivers at the workout were told not to run full speed? Of course, that makes the fact that only two of his 90 passes hit the ground much less impressive.

Another factor overlooked while grading Smith's "near-perfect" performance was the fact that he worked almost exclusively out of the shotgun.

"He sure looked clumsy taking the snap from under center," one scout revealed.

As for the standing ovation at the end of his workout? Those in attendance weren't seated, and always clap at the end of workouts, partially out of courtesy and partially because they're now free to grab a bite and a cold one. This wasn't exactly the Garden faithful when Willis Reed came limping out of the locker room more than three decades ago. "We were standing because we had no chairs to sit on," one personnel man said with a laugh.



This isn't to say that Smith won't make it on the pro level. Just that his personal workout was rigged to his strengths and shouldn't be given nearly as much credence as it has been. Tim Couch threw passes through a hanging tire 40 yards away and Kyle Boller lofted tosses 60 yards from his knees. Unfortunately for both disappointing QBs, neither of those skills gets you anywhere on Sunday afternoons.

Other workout tricks that have been used through the years include marking off only 38 or 39 yards for a 40-yard dash, thus clearly decreasing the time, and using barbells that are lighter than marked, a tactic used to make players appear stronger than they actually are.

With Smith's status up in the air, it would not be the least bit surprising if Auburn running back Ronnie Brown went first overall, regardless of whether the Niners keep the top pick or trade it.

Here are three other players The Post has learned are rising meteorically:

Georgia DE David Pollack - It would be shocking if Pollack got past the Lions at 10, and he very likely could go higher. He's certainly not exceptionally big, strong, or fast, but the kid can flat-out play. He reminds many scouts of a Tedy Bruschi type-player.

Maryland DE/LB Shawne Merriman - A great offseason has him almost definitely jumping into the Top 10. He's extremely versatile and a relentless, aggressive pass rusher who could land in Washington at No. 9.

Georgia S Thomas Davis - Extremely big hitter continues to climb the charts and looks to be headed toward the top half of the first round, potentially going to Houston with the 13th pick, or even possibly sixth overall to Tennessee.

As for those who have hurt themselves:

Michigan DB Marlin Jackson - A corner who also projects to play safety didn't do himself any favors by injuring his wrist at Michigan's pro day. He's likely to drop into the bottom of the first round. The Eagles, at 31, would love to jump on Jackson.

West Virginia CB Adam "Pac-Man" Jones - While the media's hyping Jones as a Top 5 pick, several scouts and personnel types said they wouldn't be surprised if he fell all the way to the bottom of the first round, and potentially into the second. While possessing tremendous speed, Jones is very short (5-8), very undisciplined and needs a lot of technique work.

Texas LB Derrick Johnson - His production clearly doesn't match his hype. The rap on Johnson is that he can dominate lesser competition, but disappears in big games. Not a great way to enter the professional level.


CLOSING THE GATES


Look for Chargers star tight end Antonio Gates to sit out training camp if he doesn't get a new contract before then. Several of Gates' teammates told The Post he's not going to show if he doesn't get a new pact. Gates, who burst onto the scene last season with 81 catches for 964 yards and 13 touchdowns, is scheduled to make a mere $380,000 this season, the last of his deal. Gates is looking to be paid commensurate with his production, and isn't expected to show up at camp until he is. Several messages left by The Post with Gates' agent, Roosevelt Barnes, went unreturned.


BELL RINGS RISKY
No doubt, the Chiefs were happy to land free agent linebacker Kendrell Bell. But sources within the organization stated they're "holding their breath" regarding Bell's injured shoulder and are fearful that it could hamper and even end his career in the near future. The former defensive rookie of the year scared some teams off with his high salary demands, others with his questionable attitude. Kansas City did sign Bell, but split his signing bonus up so it'd be covered in case his shoulder turns out to be a problem. Of his $10 million bonus, he'll get $3.5 million if he's still on the roster in 2006 and another $3 million if he's around in '07.

http://www.nypost.com/sports/43284.htm

[jksmith269]

I wonder who the "Several Men" were? From everything that was first reported was he received a standing O after his workout and only one pass was not caught.... I find it hard to beleive his receivers wouldn't run full out that would throw their timing off IMO...

[Eagles-UK]

wow, this draft is really ugly

[Avery]

Nothing but disinformation from everyone.

And Pac-Man is not going to fall out of the first round. He's not even going to fall out of the top ten.

[BulletBob]

Originally Posted by Woody'sGirl

Texas LB Derrick Johnson - His production clearly doesn't match his hype. The rap on Johnson is that he can dominate lesser competition, but disappears in big games. Not a great way to enter the professional level.

... perhaps Winky is right!

<***shudder***>

[boysfanindc]

Georgia DE David Pollack - It would be shocking if Pollack got past the Lions at 10, and he very likely could go higher. He's certainly not exceptionally big, strong, or fast, but the kid can flat-out play. He reminds many scouts of a Tedy Bruschi type-player.

Maryland DE/LB Shawne Merriman - A great offseason has him almost definitely jumping into the Top 10. He's extremely versatile and a relentless, aggressive pass rusher who could land in Washington at No. 9.

No way both Pollack and Merriman go top 10.

I would much rather have Pollack and his production, then Merriman's potential.

He was not a dominate player at UMD, just a very good player. While Pollack was dominate.

[jterrell]

Nothing here suprises me honestly.
Pac Man will fall. He isn't 5'8" and is actually close to 5'10" but he isn't going as high as most mocks have him. He simply didnt play with enough technique to warrant a top 10 selection at his size. He reminds me a great deal of Buchanon coming out of Miami, Fla., cockiness and all.

Merriman is simply a much better physcial specimen than Pollack and his college body of work is nothing to apologize for. Pollack had an extra year and took advantage of it but Merriman has been very good at UMD. Pollack was a DT as a freshman but really broke on the national scene with a phenomenal sophomore season. He was playing on a very talented DL though. In 2003 as a junior he was less successful as the DL wasn't as good. He didn't enter the draft and was projected as a 2nd rounder. He had a strong senior campaign and now after workouts could go as high as 9.

Both guys were all american high school guys and super preps. Both were the defensive player of the year in their home state. Both played multiple positions with Merriman playing the 3-4 rush end called "lion" and a 4-3 Rush DE type position his final 2 years.

Merriman is at 272 pounds and has more strength than Pollack he had 22 sacks in 3 collegiate seasons, 2 as a starter.
Pollack is extremely agile and works tirelessly. He had 36 sacks in 4 college seasons, 1 as a DT.
Merriman is 2 years younger than Pollack.

I'd really like to get both guys but that looks to be extremely unlikely now. I DO think they both go top 11 with us drafting one of them.

[boysfanindc]

Merriman is a very good player, but it is not like he did not have help either.

Watch some of the tapes of MD, and you will see a guy who played next to him who is a star in the making.

D'Qwell Jackson, this will be the next star from MD. He was a Sophmore this year, a little small for MLB but is another weight room fanatic.

Started all 13 games at middle linebacker ... a second team All-ACC selection ... ranked seventh in the ACC rankings for tackles per game with 10.5 ... led the team with 136 tackles (90 solo) ... other numbers include 7.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions (one returned for a TD), two pass breakups, 10 QB hurries and one forced fumble ... tackle total was one short of the Maryland record for a sophomore

Both Pollack and Merriman had help. I just love Pollack's motor.

[Qwickdraw]

That's garbage.
The whole point of a workout is too exibit and highlight a players strong points. In other words, make him look good overall. All schools and teammates are going to do what they can to help a prospects workout go well. In other words...
I bet in ALL QB workouts, the receivers don't run full speed.

As for the comment about the Eagles loving Marlin Jackson in the 1st round, I don't get it.
They have Sheppard, Brown, Lewis and Dawkins with additional depth. They don't need secondary players. They have far more pressing needs at WR, DT, LB and even RB.