Cbz40
The Grand Poobah
- Messages
- 31,387
- Reaction score
- 39
Posted on Mon, Feb. 26, 2007
NFL SCOUTING COMBINE NOTES
Kolb's reviews mixed; Johnson steals show
By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Calvin Johnson posted the third-fastest 40-yard dash (4.35 seconds) among receivers Sunday.
INDIANAPOLIS -- University of Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb worked out Sunday at the NFL Combine. His ball speed was 55.3 mph, and he ran an unofficial time of 4.78 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Kolb's throwing session prompted one AFC head coach to say: "I didn't know he was that good." But a scout for an AFC team had a different view: He called Kolb's workout "average" before adding that it won't change his opinion that Kolb should be a first-day draft choice.
"I think I did pretty well," said Kolb, a Stephenville High graduate. "I got good feedback from coaches and scouts. I felt very confident. I did what I wanted to do, which was to be consistent with my throws. The one thing I didn't do today that I wanted to do was to throw a good deep ball.
"Overall, I was happy with what I accomplished here, including my tests and interviews. I just feel good about the entire experience."
Kolb had interviews with the Texans, Lions, Browns, Commanders, Saints, Eagles and Bills on Saturday night. The Lions are thought to be interested in making Kolb their second-round choice, but Kolb wouldn't be disappointed if he landed in Houston later in the draft.
"I was happy with all my interviews, but I just thought I clicked with the Texans," Kolb said. "I felt comfortable with them. I think they were pleased, too. They asked me if I thought I could be the hometown guy. They asked me if I thought I could play if something happened to [current starter David] Carr. I told them yes and yes."
Georgia Tech receiver stars
Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson officially ran a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash to solidify his spot as a top-five pick. Johnson borrowed the running shoes of his friend, East Carolina quarterback James Pinkney, but it wasn't the shoes. Pinkney ran in the 4.7 range.
Officially, Kansas State's Yamon Figurs led receivers with an electronic time of 4.30, followed by Washington State's Jason Hill (4.32), Johnson and Central Florida's Mike Walker (4.35), and Virginia Tech's David Clowney (4.36).
Another big-name receiver, USC's Steve Smith, ran a 4.44.
The top two running backs, Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson and Cal's Marshawn Lynch, ran Sunday. Peterson ran unofficial times of 4.38 and 4.43 on his two attempts, and Lynch was timed in 4.52 and 4.49.
Jones makes a save
Two players -- Syracuse defensive back Tanard Jackson and Washington defensive back Dashon Goldson -- were late arriving to the combine Sunday because of weather problems that led to the cancellation of their flights. They might not have made it at all, if not for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who sent his private plane to Love Field to pick them up.
Jackson and Goldson missed their connections at D/FW Airport on Saturday night and couldn't get out Sunday morning, either. They took a cab to Love Field, where Jones' plane landed from Indianapolis early Sunday afternoon.
"Once Mr. Jones heard our problem, he was very gracious in helping out," said Jeffrey Foster, president of National Football Scouting, which organizes the combine.
Ex-UT back runs slow
Former Texas running back Ramonce Taylor didn't help his cause, running an unofficial time of 4.53 in the 40-yard dash Sunday.
Taylor gained 778 rushing yards and scored 15 touchdowns during UT's championship season of 2005. But he hasn't played since, other than in the inaugural Texas vs. The Nation all-star game Feb. 2 at the Sun Bowl in El Paso.
Taylor was arrested in May 2006 and later pleaded guilty to a marijuana charge. He was academically ineligible last season, denied by the NAIA to play at Texas College.
But Taylor, who measured 5-foot-11 and weighed 195 pounds, said all he needs is a second chance to make a first impression.
Taylor said, "Football-wise, I'm straight. I'm ready for the next level."
Charean Williams, 817-390-7760 [email protected]
NFL SCOUTING COMBINE NOTES
Kolb's reviews mixed; Johnson steals show
By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Calvin Johnson posted the third-fastest 40-yard dash (4.35 seconds) among receivers Sunday.
INDIANAPOLIS -- University of Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb worked out Sunday at the NFL Combine. His ball speed was 55.3 mph, and he ran an unofficial time of 4.78 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Kolb's throwing session prompted one AFC head coach to say: "I didn't know he was that good." But a scout for an AFC team had a different view: He called Kolb's workout "average" before adding that it won't change his opinion that Kolb should be a first-day draft choice.
"I think I did pretty well," said Kolb, a Stephenville High graduate. "I got good feedback from coaches and scouts. I felt very confident. I did what I wanted to do, which was to be consistent with my throws. The one thing I didn't do today that I wanted to do was to throw a good deep ball.
"Overall, I was happy with what I accomplished here, including my tests and interviews. I just feel good about the entire experience."
Kolb had interviews with the Texans, Lions, Browns, Commanders, Saints, Eagles and Bills on Saturday night. The Lions are thought to be interested in making Kolb their second-round choice, but Kolb wouldn't be disappointed if he landed in Houston later in the draft.
"I was happy with all my interviews, but I just thought I clicked with the Texans," Kolb said. "I felt comfortable with them. I think they were pleased, too. They asked me if I thought I could be the hometown guy. They asked me if I thought I could play if something happened to [current starter David] Carr. I told them yes and yes."
Georgia Tech receiver stars
Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson officially ran a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash to solidify his spot as a top-five pick. Johnson borrowed the running shoes of his friend, East Carolina quarterback James Pinkney, but it wasn't the shoes. Pinkney ran in the 4.7 range.
Officially, Kansas State's Yamon Figurs led receivers with an electronic time of 4.30, followed by Washington State's Jason Hill (4.32), Johnson and Central Florida's Mike Walker (4.35), and Virginia Tech's David Clowney (4.36).
Another big-name receiver, USC's Steve Smith, ran a 4.44.
The top two running backs, Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson and Cal's Marshawn Lynch, ran Sunday. Peterson ran unofficial times of 4.38 and 4.43 on his two attempts, and Lynch was timed in 4.52 and 4.49.
Jones makes a save
Two players -- Syracuse defensive back Tanard Jackson and Washington defensive back Dashon Goldson -- were late arriving to the combine Sunday because of weather problems that led to the cancellation of their flights. They might not have made it at all, if not for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who sent his private plane to Love Field to pick them up.
Jackson and Goldson missed their connections at D/FW Airport on Saturday night and couldn't get out Sunday morning, either. They took a cab to Love Field, where Jones' plane landed from Indianapolis early Sunday afternoon.
"Once Mr. Jones heard our problem, he was very gracious in helping out," said Jeffrey Foster, president of National Football Scouting, which organizes the combine.
Ex-UT back runs slow
Former Texas running back Ramonce Taylor didn't help his cause, running an unofficial time of 4.53 in the 40-yard dash Sunday.
Taylor gained 778 rushing yards and scored 15 touchdowns during UT's championship season of 2005. But he hasn't played since, other than in the inaugural Texas vs. The Nation all-star game Feb. 2 at the Sun Bowl in El Paso.
Taylor was arrested in May 2006 and later pleaded guilty to a marijuana charge. He was academically ineligible last season, denied by the NAIA to play at Texas College.
But Taylor, who measured 5-foot-11 and weighed 195 pounds, said all he needs is a second chance to make a first impression.
Taylor said, "Football-wise, I'm straight. I'm ready for the next level."
Charean Williams, 817-390-7760 [email protected]
