ESPN - NFL combine: 10 things we learned Friday

[Risen Star]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/162229/nfl-combine-10-things-we-learned-friday

INDIANAPOLIS -- The on-field workouts began at the NFL's scouting combine Friday with offensive linemen and tight ends opening up the workout phase of the annual event.

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston also made his first media appearance at the combine, trying to project an ultra-confident prospect who had learned from his off-the-field woes and is prepared to be "the face of a franchise." Winston said he would also throw during the quarterback drills, meaning both Winston and Oregon's Marcus Mariota will participate Saturday.

Winston acknowledged Friday he had been taken for an additional MRI on his right (throwing) shoulder Thursday. But he offered his shoulder felt "great."

And St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher, who is also the co-chairman of the league's competition committee, said he expects the committee to receive "numerous" proposals about adding penalties to the plays eligible to be reviewed by replay, but he also added "I'm not sure we want to go there with our game right now."

Here are 10 things that grabbed the attention of NFL Nation's reporters at the combine Friday:

1. Jameis would be legend in New York ... or train wreck: Jameis Winston is a Type A personality all right. The former Florida State star displayed the "it" factor during his 15-minute news conference, controlling the room with his presence, his smile and, yes, his ego. Winston declared that he doesn't want to be compared to fellow quarterback prospect Marcus Mariota, as if that were beneath him. Instead, he said he wants to be mentioned with Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Could you imagine if the New York Jets drafted Winston? His personality would make him a hit with the media and fans, but there's the dark side of the Winston package -- his penchant for making bad decisions off the field. He'd be a classic boom-or-bust pick for the Jets. -- Rich Cimini

2. Williams likes Raiders but wants to go higher: If USC defensive endLeonard Williams is available at No. 4, the Oakland Raiders will likely grab him. He's that dynamic a player. Williams would be fine with that scenario. He was born in California and said he likes the Raiders' colors and their tradition. He, however, has designs on going higher and referred to going to Oakland as dropping. I don't think Williams, who said he wants to pattern his game after J.J. Watt's, has anything to worry about. He may not get past the Tennessee Titans at No. 2, and if he does, theJacksonville Jaguars would grab him at No. 3. -- Bill Williamson

3. Collins works out well: LSU's La'el Collins was one of the stars of workouts for offensive linemen and his impressive showing may have moved him out of range for the Kansas City Chiefs, if they were so inclined. The Chiefs have the 18th pick in the first round. Collins could wind up as a guard or tackle in the NFL and both Chiefs general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid prefer offensive linemen who can play more than one position. Whether or not they select Collins or another lineman in the first round, the Chiefs will likely choose at least one somewhere in the draft. They lost three regulars in free agency last year and four players who started at least one game in 2014 could leave as free agents this year. -- Adam Teicher

4. "Big offer" to Lynch: That's how Pete Carroll described what the Seahawks have told Marshawn Lynch's representatives about a contract extension. "I haven't talked to Marshawn," Carroll said. "But we have been negotiating in earnest for a great deal of time now to get Marshawn back with us. It's been an ongoing, long process and we've had big offers out there and continue to work with that. We're excited about the future. He's been an integral part of our program. We would like to move it ahead swiftly. It's such a big deal to get our elite players intact and we're working at that now." -- Terry Blount

5. Everything remains fluid with Suh: Negotiations continue between theDetroit Lions and Ndamukong Suh's agent, Jimmy Sexton, as they try to find a deal that could work for both parties. Mayhew said the decision whether to tag Suh is a "fluid process" and Mayhew made it sound as if the Lions aren't in a rush to make that decision until close to the March 2 deadline. He wouldn't commit to making Suh the highest-paid defensive player in the game because Mayhew does not want to negotiate publicly. Mayhew said the Ford family is on board with what the Lions want to do with Suh. -- Michael Rothstein

6. RB prospects factor into Murray's decision: As the assorted general managers met the media this week, they all praised the running back class. Stephen Jones said the Dallas Cowboys are scheduled to meet with all the top runners, but he did not want to include the names. Melvin Gordon and Jay Ajayisaid they will meet with the Cowboys. Georgia running back Todd Gurley, who is coming back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, is also on their list. "This draft is as heavy as it's ever been," Jones said. "This is one of the strongest years there's ever been with running backs." That's another factor when it comes to the DeMarco Murray talks. -– Todd Archer

7. Watt serves as role model: Friday afternoon, Houston Texans defensive endJ.J. Watt tweeted these three words: "High motor guy." He didn't explain the tweet, but that designation is one he's talked about in the past with annoyance, as if Watt's "motor" is all there is to him. Obviously, the two-time defensive player of the year, who garnered 13 overall MVP votes this season, is much more than that. He'd be pleased to know that one of the most talented defensive linemen at the combine looks to his game for ideas. Southern California defensive end Leonard Williams watches a lot of Watt. "He's very versatile, like I see myself," Williams said. "When I see the film, I see how the coaches try to make mismatches, like they do for him, at USC. I try to pattern myself after a lot of things he does." It's a lofty and worthy pursuit. -– Tania Ganguli

8. Bengals ready to check on Dupree: Among the several needs the Cincinnati Bengals have this offseason, shoring up their pass-rush ranks atop the list. While it seems the growing belief is that they may use free agency in order to address that concern, there is also a chance they could ultimately be sold on drafting a prospect who could be groomed into their system. One possible option is Kentucky product Alvin "Bud" Dupree. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound player listed as a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker told ESPN.com Friday that he had an interview set up with Cincinnati. Dupree also said he felt comfortable playing on the line as a rush end if the team that drafted him wanted him to do exclusively that. -- Coley Harvey

9. Pierre-Paul inches closer to tag: The New York Giants and Jason Pierre-Paul do not appear to be close to a deal, and Pierre-Paul can expect to be designated the team's franchise player before March 2. As of midday Friday, Pierre-Paul's agent was not among those with whom the Giants have met at the combine, even though they're meeting with the agents for their own free agents. Based on preliminary talks around the end of the season, the Giants believe Pierre-Paul's demands are significantly higher than their preferred price. And while there's still time to get a deal done, a source close to the talks said both sides expect Pierre-Paul to get the (maybe $15 million) franchise tag and possibly play out the year on it. –- Dan Graziano

10. Cutler-friendly staff: At least on the surface, it appears that the newChicago Bears staff is Jay Cutler-friendly with its hiring of offensive coordinator Adam Gase and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains. According to multiple sources, Cutler started to grow close to Gase after spending considerable time with the former Denver Broncos OC at the wedding of former Bears quarterbacks coach Shane Day, a disciple of former Bears coordinator Mike Martz. Cutler has wanted to work with Gase for a long time. Interestingly, Martz tried to bring Gase aboard back in 2010 as the quarterbacks coach, but the Denver Broncos wouldn't allow him out of his contract, which led to the hiring of Day. Back in 2012, Cutler wanted former Bears coach Lovie Smith to hire Loggains, but he wasn't allowed out of his contract with the Tennessee Titans. Cutler and Loggains have a close personal relationship, according to sources, and both the quarterback and coach have wanted to work with one another for quite some time. So while Fox and Pace have been noncommittal regarding Cutler, the club's recent hires indicate the team ultimately wants to make things work with the quarterback. -– Michael C. Wright