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*Ray Rice , Jr, Rutgers , 5-09, 195 (DS#7 RB)* Ray Rice proved in his three seasons at Rutgers that he knew how to be a running back. For NFL scouts Sunday, he proved he could be also be a sprinter. The New Rochelle, N.Y., native responded to questions of his speed by clocking an unofficial 4.44 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis ? which was below his target time entering the week. Rice, who is projected to be a second- to third-round pick, could not be reached Sunday night he traveled back to New York but did call home after the workout. "He called me right after and he was so excited," said Janet Rice, Ray's mother. "He said he ran a lot faster than any of the (scouts) thought he could run it. The whole day went well." Before the week, Rice felt anything better than 4.5 was a good time in the 40-yard dash, which was was believed to be the event scouts would look at most with him. To prepare, Rice dropped six pounds ? from 205 to 199 ? and decreased his body fat to 8-percent. "My training helped me out a lot," Rice said earlier this week. "I felt running-wise ? anywhere between 200 and 199 ? I'd feel great out there running. I have a little extra pop in my step." Rice was explosive in the combines other drills as well, especially the 20-yard shuttle, which he finished tied for third among the 31 running backs at the combine. Rice ran it in 4.2 seconds
Derrick Harvey , rJr, Florida , 6-5, 252 (DS#3 DE)* What seems to set Harvey apart appears to be his upside. Before his weigh-in at the combine, most scouts said Harvey - who arrived at UF weighing 235 pounds - could benefit from adding another 15 pounds to his lanky frame. Having turned 21 on Nov. 9, Harvey is still growing, which means his 82-inch wingspan could get even longer. "They [opposing blockers]can't touch your body with these long arms," said Harvey, who is ninth on Florida's all-time sack list. "It kind of helps keep their hands off you [because] you can lock them out." Harvey gave up his final year of eligibility to enter the draft, which helped to strengthen what at first seemed - other than projected No. 1 overall pick Chris Long of Virginia - to be a pedestrian class of defensive ends. Harvey is one of more than 50 juniors in this year's class to enter the draft. "There are some good ones," said Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio, who hopes to find a pass-rushing defensive end in free agency or in the draft. "He [Harvey] is definitely one of them." An AFC East scout, who asked not to be identified because of his team's media policy, said Harvey "is a much better player" than former Gator Jarvis Moss, who was picked 17th overall last year by the Denver Broncos. Harvey's experience in mismatches against 300-pounders, his burst off the line and the fact that he's played top competition should make Harvey's transition to the NFL seamless. At least, that's what he says. "I had great coaches and players around me [at Florida]," Harvey said. "It was like an NFL setting already. I'll just transfer it over to my new team." -
James Hardy , rJr, Indiana , 6-6, 220 (DS#4 WR)* "James Hardy is an interesting guy, a difficult guy to (judge),'' he said Sunday evening. "On tape he reminds me a little bit of (New York Giants receiver) Plaxico Burress. That's a pretty high bench mark.'' Hardy looks the part. He's 6-6, 217 pounds. During a three-year career at IU that ended when he decided to forgo his senior season, Hardy set school career marks with 191 receptions, 2,740 yards and 36 touchdowns. He registered at least 10 TDs each season. Mayock, though, was disappointed when Hardy struggled in the Hoosiers' 49-33 loss to Oklahoma State in the Insight Bowl. He had just five receptions for 50 yards, dropped a couple of passes early and, according to Mayock, seemed to "lack concentration.'' Hardy also must convince teams that he isn't a character risk. In May 2006, he was involved in a domestic incident with the mother of his son. The case was settled out of court and resulted in Hardy spending 72 hours in jail. In recent years, NFL teams have paid more attention to draft prospects who raise "red flags'' with off-field issues. Hardy expected to be grilled on his past, and was. - Mike Chappell, Indianapolis Star
Derrick Harvey , rJr, Florida , 6-5, 252 (DS#3 DE)* What seems to set Harvey apart appears to be his upside. Before his weigh-in at the combine, most scouts said Harvey - who arrived at UF weighing 235 pounds - could benefit from adding another 15 pounds to his lanky frame. Having turned 21 on Nov. 9, Harvey is still growing, which means his 82-inch wingspan could get even longer. "They [opposing blockers]can't touch your body with these long arms," said Harvey, who is ninth on Florida's all-time sack list. "It kind of helps keep their hands off you [because] you can lock them out." Harvey gave up his final year of eligibility to enter the draft, which helped to strengthen what at first seemed - other than projected No. 1 overall pick Chris Long of Virginia - to be a pedestrian class of defensive ends. Harvey is one of more than 50 juniors in this year's class to enter the draft. "There are some good ones," said Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio, who hopes to find a pass-rushing defensive end in free agency or in the draft. "He [Harvey] is definitely one of them." An AFC East scout, who asked not to be identified because of his team's media policy, said Harvey "is a much better player" than former Gator Jarvis Moss, who was picked 17th overall last year by the Denver Broncos. Harvey's experience in mismatches against 300-pounders, his burst off the line and the fact that he's played top competition should make Harvey's transition to the NFL seamless. At least, that's what he says. "I had great coaches and players around me [at Florida]," Harvey said. "It was like an NFL setting already. I'll just transfer it over to my new team." -
James Hardy , rJr, Indiana , 6-6, 220 (DS#4 WR)* "James Hardy is an interesting guy, a difficult guy to (judge),'' he said Sunday evening. "On tape he reminds me a little bit of (New York Giants receiver) Plaxico Burress. That's a pretty high bench mark.'' Hardy looks the part. He's 6-6, 217 pounds. During a three-year career at IU that ended when he decided to forgo his senior season, Hardy set school career marks with 191 receptions, 2,740 yards and 36 touchdowns. He registered at least 10 TDs each season. Mayock, though, was disappointed when Hardy struggled in the Hoosiers' 49-33 loss to Oklahoma State in the Insight Bowl. He had just five receptions for 50 yards, dropped a couple of passes early and, according to Mayock, seemed to "lack concentration.'' Hardy also must convince teams that he isn't a character risk. In May 2006, he was involved in a domestic incident with the mother of his son. The case was settled out of court and resulted in Hardy spending 72 hours in jail. In recent years, NFL teams have paid more attention to draft prospects who raise "red flags'' with off-field issues. Hardy expected to be grilled on his past, and was. - Mike Chappell, Indianapolis Star
