Clifton Geathers showed potential as a developmental 5 technique.

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NFL Scouting Combine 2010 Results: DT, DE, and LB by Chris Maier
Chris Maier
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Written on March 01, 2010
Scott Boehm/Getty Images Vote Now! - Author Poll
Who is the top defensive tackle in the 2010 NFL Draft?

Ndamukong Suh Gerald McCoy Other vote to see results NFL Draft101 is providing a Scouting Combine Live Chat (10 am - 2 pm daily) but we will also recap the day's biggest stories in article format as well. Here is the defensive tackle, defensive end, and linebacker buzz:

The story of the day was the battle for No. 1 defensive tackle supremacy by Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy . First, both players deserve props for working out despite the possible one-two draft positions. As for the workout itself, McCoy entered the workout with the reputation for being the more athletic of the two but was unable to back it up in the drills or tests. Their 40 times were a wash. Suh won the bench battle by nine reps. Most importantly, Suh looked to have more burst, explosion, and power in his workout. This is not to say McCoy looked bad (although his 40 and bench press were disappointing) but Suh clearly had the better workout and likely pulled ahead in the battle for the number one slot unless the team selecting runs a Tampa Two.

Enough McCoy and Suh talk (this is starting to sound like a Tim Tebow lovefest), here are today's other winners and losers by position.

(note all 40 times are unofficial)

Defensive Tackle:

Winners:
Linval Joseph —NFLDraft101 has been promoting Joseph's combination of size, strength and athleticism for the past few weeks, and after watching the 6'4", 328 lbs nose tackle prospect run a 5.09 and put up 39 bench reps others will jump on board soon, too. He also performed well in drills although he did fall down in one bag drill.

Geno Atkins —Weighed in at 293 lbs without losing any of his speed as he managed to run a 4.75 40-yard dash. Also put up 34 bench reps and showed good burst, balance, and footwork in the drills.


Earl Mitchell —The 6'3", 285-pounder is probably limited to the Tampa Two or Five technique due to his lack of bulk, but showed good speed (4.7 40) and athleticism throughout the workout. Showed especially strong footwork and balance.

Lamaar Houston —Weighed in at 6'3", 300 lbs, and put in an excellent all-around workout including a 4.85 40.

Dan Williams —Showed good short area burst and power. Moved well for a 327-pound nose tackle.

Losers:
Brian Price —Did well in the bench press but did not show the burst and acceleration that has helped him move up draft boards. Not a terrible workout but was not as explosive as expected.

Vince Oghobaase —I expected Terrence Cody to run a terrible 40, but Oghobaase is a 6'5", 303 lbs, supposedly-athletic defensive tackle who ran a 5.43 40. He also looked off-balance and tight. Arguably the most disappointing workout of the weekend thus far.

Al Woods —Looked stiff and showed poor lateral agility. Was not nearly as athletic as his competition.


Defensive End:

Winners: (my apologies for the long list)
Jason Pierre-Paul —Was the athletic "freak" among the defensive ends as he showed tremendous athleticism throughout his workout. That said, remember he is extremely raw, did not look comfortable in conversion drills, and put up just 19 bench reps. He's a great athlete and sure-fire first-rounder, but the top-10 talk may be premature.

Koa Misi —Not only did he show the athleticism to play rush linebacker, he looked more fluid than some of the linebackers. Could even get drafted to play SAM.

Junior Galette—Impressive all-around workout. Showed good quickness, burst, change of direction, and looked comfortable in the conversion drills.

Jerry Hughes —Showed excellent athleticism throughout his workout and looked like a natural in the conversion drills.

CJ Wilson —Moved well for a 6'3", 290 lbs DE/DT. Has great feet and underrated athleticism and could play multiple positions.

Clifton Geathers —The workout itself was up and down, but you could not help but be intriqued by such a long athletic player. A developmental "Five" technique.

Thaddeus Gibson —Had a great all-around day including a 4.71 40-yard dash, 34 bench reps, and excellent conversion drills. Buyer beware, though; athleticism has never been his problem.

Everson Griffin —Showed the physical gifts that have many saying he is a first-rounder. Like Gibson, be sure the tape backs up the potential. Did not look comfortable in conversion drills.

Losers:

Kevin Basped —Ran well but was too high in the drills and uncomfortable in the conversion drills. Likely an undersized defensive end.

Carlos Dunlap —Lost the athletic "freak" tag to Pierre-Paul and had an uneven workout despite a good 40.

Greg Hardy —Looked a little heavy, lacked explosion in the drills and did not test well. He is not the same player he was two years ago.

Sergio Kindle —Did not have a terrible workout but failed to stand out in the conversion drills despite playing some linebacker in college.

Antonio Coleman —Looked stiff in the drills, lacked suddenness, and did not look comfortable in his drops.

Linebackers:

Winners:

Jamar Chaney —Ran the fastest 40 among linebackers (4.54) while also ranking among the leaders in the bench press and vertical jump. More importantly, he was fluid in the drill showing excellent change of direction and good feet. One of the best workouts getting the least pub.

Sean Weatherspoon —Coming off a disappointing senior season, Weatherspoon has done an excellent job at rebuilding his stock. Was the top linebacker at the Senior Bowl and followed it up with one of the top linebacker performances at the combine. Has excellent feet, moves well laterally and looks like a natural dropping into coverage.

Pat Angerer —The tackling machine showed better than expect athleticism. Looked very fluid in the drills.

Eric Norwood —Did not expect to include Norwood on this list, but he showed better than expected speed and change of direction skills.

Losers:

Brandon Spikes —Was exposed for his limited range and athleticism in the drills, especially when dropping in coverage.

Roddrick Muckelroy —Ran better than expected but has bad feet and does not change directions well.

Boris Lee —Was not as athletic as expected. Slow and a bit stiff.

Micah Johnson —Ran a 4.99 40, is tightly wound, and does not change directions well.

Rennie Curran —Due to his lack of size, Curran needed an exceptional workout, but ran a disappointing 4.72 40-yard dash, straining his hamstring in the process. Probably needed a strong workout more than most.

Navarro Bowman —Did not have a terrible workout, but did not show elite athleticism and paled in comparison to Weatherspoon.

The combine wraps up tomorrow with the cornerbacks and safeties. Look for a heated battle among the cornerbacks as a host of players battle for early round positions behind Joe Haden. Be sure to visit NFLDraft101's Live Chat for on the spot analysis and to join the conversation.

Chris Maier is Senior Editor for NFLDraft101.com . He can be reached at cmaier@nfldraft101.com . Follow me on Twitter: nfldraft101
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/354942-2010-nfl-scouting-combine-buzz-dt-de-and-lb
 
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