Woody'sGirl said:
To me what made Clarett look so bad at the combine was how labored he looked while running. I think the difference outside of the 40 time is how smooth he looked while running and doing his drills. Numbers don't tell the whole story.
Side note: I'm not sure why Clarett invokes such strong feelings in people. Clarett is one of many student-athletes who partake of university alums generosity. I've seen it personally, so while it may be wrong as far as NCAA rules, it's not anything out of the ordinary for many college athletes.
Great point.
These kind of things have been going on on most campuses for decades.
Even moreso on big time schools like Ohio. I don't see same disgust for other players. Noone is mentioning that the Ohio State athletic program is under investigation from the NCAA and their athletic President quit a couple of months ago. Tressel is on the hot seat. Claretts crime if nay was for being stupid. He overestimated the value of items stolen from car given to him by a local car dealer who has connections to Buckeye boosters.
Claretts talent is undeniable. If it wasn't then why have NFL teams sent scouts to his individual work-out.
Here is a more up to date work-out info from ESPN.
Clarett posts better times than at combineESPN.com news services
A slightly heavier but more sculpted Maurice Clarett might have improved his draft status Thursday during a vigorous solo workout for NFL scouts in Youngstown, Ohio.
The running back weighed in at 236 pounds, two pounds heavier that at the NFL combine, but his 40-yard dash times were better than in February.
He ran 40s in 4.67 and 4.68 seconds, according to his agents Steve Feldman and Josh Luchs, and one team clocked him at 4.65. In Indianapolis last month, he was timed at 4.87 and 4.72.
Inclement weather forced the 75-minute workout to be moved indoors and performed on artificial turf, the same surface on which the combine was conducted.
Bengals and Browns assistants put him through running back drills, which he performed with his shirt off. He wore a form-fitting lycra shirt for the 40.
Prior to the workout, Clarett was projected to be selected as high as the sixth or seventh rounds, and possibly not at all. However, Luchs said draft position isn't a priority.
"We're not that concerned with where he goes, because wherever he's drafted is going to be far below where his talent level really is," he said. "So, we're really preparing for minicamps and training camps and trying to get Maurice ready for going out and earning a job, regardless of where he's drafted."
The Steelers, Colts, Rams and Ravens also observed the workouts. The Dolphins and Patriots had RSVP'd and were expected to have representatives there.
