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By Clark Judge
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Clark your opinion!
INDIANAPOLIS -- Steve Smith, wide receiver from Southern California, is in the middle of a news conference when someone asks if he has ever heard of a wide receiver named David Ball. Smith shakes his head.
"He's the guy who broke Jerry Rice's record for touchdowns," Smith is told.
He shrugs his shoulders and apologizes. It still doesn't ring a bell.
"I'm sorry," says Smith, "but I'd like to meet the guy."
No problem. Ball is here at the NFL scouting combine with Smith, Calvin Johnson, Dwayne Jarrett and the rest of the draft's top receivers. Smith knows Johnson because the Georgia Tech wide receiver is the best prospect in this year's draft.
Smith doesn't know Ball because he played at the University of New Hampshire. But look at what Ball did. He caught 304 passes. He scored 58 times. He produced 4,655 yards in receptions and averaged 15.3 yards per catch.
And he eclipsed Rice's Division I-AA record.
"It's the highlight of my career," said Ball, who has met Rice. "Not a lot of people can say that. Just to be associated with Jerry Rice and what he accomplished in college and the NFL is something I'm really proud of. It's a pleasure to be mentioned with him."
Despite his credentials, Ball was not a popular target of autograph seekers this weekend. Like Smith, they didn't know who he was. In fact, Ball later conceded that only "a few" of the draft prospects here for the weekend recognized him, but where's the surprise? I mean, he was a walk-on at UNH who didn't know the difference between a zone and man-to-man defense when he left high school.
Honest.
Yet he has decent size (6-feet-1, 196), outstanding hands and is motivated to make it at the next level. He also has a pedigree that includes Colt Brennan, the University of Hawaii star who was Ball's quarterback in prep school.
What David Ball doesn't have is speed, which was the complaint scouts had with Rice when he emerged from college over two decades ago. Now, I'm not saying that David Ball is the next Jerry Rice. What I am saying is don't be quick to write the guy off.
"He has terrific body control," said Detroit offensive coordinator Mike Martz, "as well as the ability to make that really difficult catch. He can be off-balance, yet still come up with the ball."
He proved that in the East-West game, making a difficult sideline catch and playing so well that, he said, he felt he "belonged" with wide receivers like the Trojans' Steve Smith. Well, now he has to prove himself all over again -- this time so coaches and GMs know who he is.
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"I'm very self motivated," he said. "I don't have to be pushed by coaches and trainers. I have to keep working hard every day to prove myself. That's what got me here. I'm proud of what I've done, but I'm not satisfied."
David Irons a cut-up
David Irons, older brother of Auburn running back Kenny Irons, would be the first player taken if draft choices were based on interviews. Irons' session with the media wasn't as much an exchange as it was a stand-up comedy routine -- with Irons cracking the jokes.
It started when Irons was asked who was the better running back -- he or his brother.
"Me," he said. "I was 10 times better (in high school) when he was my blocking back. I would just tell him to go in there, wear a clear visor or don't wear a visor at all. They look at his face, they move out of the way and we win the game. The days he wore a visor and didn't show his face are the days we lost."
But ...
"We had what was called ugly sweeps," Irons said. "Ugly sweep on the right, ugly sweep on the left. That's when he doesn't get in visors to try to look pretty, and he scares opponents away and I'm down the sideline for touchdowns."
When Irons was finished, he was applauded. Good luck, David.
Okoye, 19, will go early
The most intriguing choice in this year's draft is Louisville defensive tackle Okobi Okoye, and not only because he could be a top 15 choice, but because he's 19 years old.
Okoye, who first started playing at Louisville when he was 16, drew an enormous crowd when he addressed the media Saturday and has the interest of clubs looking for help in the middle of their defensive line. Michigan's Alan Branch is considered the first choice at the defensive-tackle position, but Okoye might be second.
"I'm looking forward to (the NFL)," said Okoye, who is not related to former NFL star Christian Okoye. "It's kind of like when I was going to high school. I was 15, and I got criticism because I was going to play people who were 23 or 24 years old. It's a challenge, and I've always had challenges in life. It's one of the challenges I'm looking forward to."
WR Johnson as good as advertised
Wide receiver Calvin Johnson solidified his reputation as the top player in this draft with a 4.35-second 40 and a lights-out demonstration of catching the ball. Keep in mind that the guy is 6-5, 239, yet still breaks 4.4. Wow. Now the question is: If the Oakland Raiders take JaMarcus Russell with the first pick of the draft, how can Detroit pass up Johnson as the second?
You know he plays a position that Lions president Matt Millen loves. Three of his past four first-round draft choices have been wide receivers. He would be perfect for Mike Martz's pass offense. And he's no risk.
It's that last item the Raiders should consider. If they choose Russell, it's a gamble. No one can be sure he'll be a franchise quarterback, and the record of first-round quarterbacks hitting it big has holes. But if Oakland were to choose Johnson it would have a franchise receiver who could perk up a dreadful offense.
The only question: Who throws him the ball? That's why the Raiders have a dilemma.
Florida DE Moss shows his speed
Look out for Florida's Jarvis Moss. The Gators defensive end has the attention of clubs looking for a speed pass rusher, with Moss considered the most explosive player at his position.
"His first step is unbelievable," said one NFC scout. "Plus, you look at his frame, and you can see him carrying 285 pounds in two years."
Moss, Clemson's Gaines Adams and Purdue's Anthony Spencer are the best pure pass rushers in this draft, but it's Moss' burst, long arms and big-play ability that have scouts drooling.
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Moss made it this far after overcoming major obstacles in his life, including a one-game drug suspension in college and a childhood that had him living with his grandparents, aunts and uncles.
"I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me because I'm sure there are a lot of stories similar to mine," said Moss. "But the adversity you go through as a person makes you who you are. And I wouldn't change anything for the world."
Moss and Spencer were each clocked at 4.7 in the 40 on Monday.
Being little brother
You have to like the attitude of UTEP quarterback Jordan Palmer. If the name sounds familiar, it should: He's the younger brother of Carson Palmer. Jordan said comparisons to Big Brother are frequent, and he doesn't mind. In fact, he's flattered because his brother "is a great guy." But this is what I like about Jordan Palmer: His ability to take a punch. When asked to compare himself to Carson he said, "I don't think there's a huge difference beside that he's won a bunch of awards, he's really famous and he's really rich." Oh.
Etc. ...
• I guess that clinches it for Wisconsin's Joe Thomas. The left tackle ran a 4.92 40 with a 33-inch vertical jump. He's 6-6½, 313 pounds.
• Keep your eyes on Arkansas cornerback Chris Houston. He shut down USC's Dwayne Jarrett when the two faced each other, and that has the attention of clubs looking for cover corners. "Chris Houston is a great player," said Jarrett, "but at the same time a lot of people don't know that I had a quad injury. I wasn't 100 percent. USC was just using me as a decoy."
• Another sleeper: Fresno State running back Dwayne Wright. He's big. He's physical. He hits hard. And he has decent hands. What he doesn't have is speed.
• Clemson's Gaines Adams helped himself Monday with a 4.64 40, the fastest of his group. He also impressed scouts with his footwork dropping into coverage -- convincing them he can be used as a 3-4 linebacker. North Carolina State defensive tackle "Tank" Tyler led everyone with a bench press of 42 reps, but get this: Two others weren't counted. Gaines is a top 10 pick; Tyler could be a first-rounder.
• One of my favorite offensive linemen: Central Michigan's Joe Staley. The guy is close to 300 pounds, yet says he can run a 4.7 40. You better believe him. He was a championship sprinter in high school, running 100 meters in 10.8.
LINK
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Clark your opinion!
INDIANAPOLIS -- Steve Smith, wide receiver from Southern California, is in the middle of a news conference when someone asks if he has ever heard of a wide receiver named David Ball. Smith shakes his head.
"He's the guy who broke Jerry Rice's record for touchdowns," Smith is told.
He shrugs his shoulders and apologizes. It still doesn't ring a bell.
"I'm sorry," says Smith, "but I'd like to meet the guy."
No problem. Ball is here at the NFL scouting combine with Smith, Calvin Johnson, Dwayne Jarrett and the rest of the draft's top receivers. Smith knows Johnson because the Georgia Tech wide receiver is the best prospect in this year's draft.
Smith doesn't know Ball because he played at the University of New Hampshire. But look at what Ball did. He caught 304 passes. He scored 58 times. He produced 4,655 yards in receptions and averaged 15.3 yards per catch.
And he eclipsed Rice's Division I-AA record.
"It's the highlight of my career," said Ball, who has met Rice. "Not a lot of people can say that. Just to be associated with Jerry Rice and what he accomplished in college and the NFL is something I'm really proud of. It's a pleasure to be mentioned with him."
Despite his credentials, Ball was not a popular target of autograph seekers this weekend. Like Smith, they didn't know who he was. In fact, Ball later conceded that only "a few" of the draft prospects here for the weekend recognized him, but where's the surprise? I mean, he was a walk-on at UNH who didn't know the difference between a zone and man-to-man defense when he left high school.
Honest.
Yet he has decent size (6-feet-1, 196), outstanding hands and is motivated to make it at the next level. He also has a pedigree that includes Colt Brennan, the University of Hawaii star who was Ball's quarterback in prep school.
What David Ball doesn't have is speed, which was the complaint scouts had with Rice when he emerged from college over two decades ago. Now, I'm not saying that David Ball is the next Jerry Rice. What I am saying is don't be quick to write the guy off.
"He has terrific body control," said Detroit offensive coordinator Mike Martz, "as well as the ability to make that really difficult catch. He can be off-balance, yet still come up with the ball."
He proved that in the East-West game, making a difficult sideline catch and playing so well that, he said, he felt he "belonged" with wide receivers like the Trojans' Steve Smith. Well, now he has to prove himself all over again -- this time so coaches and GMs know who he is.
Advertisement
"I'm very self motivated," he said. "I don't have to be pushed by coaches and trainers. I have to keep working hard every day to prove myself. That's what got me here. I'm proud of what I've done, but I'm not satisfied."
David Irons a cut-up
David Irons, older brother of Auburn running back Kenny Irons, would be the first player taken if draft choices were based on interviews. Irons' session with the media wasn't as much an exchange as it was a stand-up comedy routine -- with Irons cracking the jokes.
It started when Irons was asked who was the better running back -- he or his brother.
"Me," he said. "I was 10 times better (in high school) when he was my blocking back. I would just tell him to go in there, wear a clear visor or don't wear a visor at all. They look at his face, they move out of the way and we win the game. The days he wore a visor and didn't show his face are the days we lost."
But ...
"We had what was called ugly sweeps," Irons said. "Ugly sweep on the right, ugly sweep on the left. That's when he doesn't get in visors to try to look pretty, and he scares opponents away and I'm down the sideline for touchdowns."
When Irons was finished, he was applauded. Good luck, David.
Okoye, 19, will go early
The most intriguing choice in this year's draft is Louisville defensive tackle Okobi Okoye, and not only because he could be a top 15 choice, but because he's 19 years old.
Okoye, who first started playing at Louisville when he was 16, drew an enormous crowd when he addressed the media Saturday and has the interest of clubs looking for help in the middle of their defensive line. Michigan's Alan Branch is considered the first choice at the defensive-tackle position, but Okoye might be second.
"I'm looking forward to (the NFL)," said Okoye, who is not related to former NFL star Christian Okoye. "It's kind of like when I was going to high school. I was 15, and I got criticism because I was going to play people who were 23 or 24 years old. It's a challenge, and I've always had challenges in life. It's one of the challenges I'm looking forward to."
WR Johnson as good as advertised
Wide receiver Calvin Johnson solidified his reputation as the top player in this draft with a 4.35-second 40 and a lights-out demonstration of catching the ball. Keep in mind that the guy is 6-5, 239, yet still breaks 4.4. Wow. Now the question is: If the Oakland Raiders take JaMarcus Russell with the first pick of the draft, how can Detroit pass up Johnson as the second?
You know he plays a position that Lions president Matt Millen loves. Three of his past four first-round draft choices have been wide receivers. He would be perfect for Mike Martz's pass offense. And he's no risk.
It's that last item the Raiders should consider. If they choose Russell, it's a gamble. No one can be sure he'll be a franchise quarterback, and the record of first-round quarterbacks hitting it big has holes. But if Oakland were to choose Johnson it would have a franchise receiver who could perk up a dreadful offense.
The only question: Who throws him the ball? That's why the Raiders have a dilemma.
Florida DE Moss shows his speed
Look out for Florida's Jarvis Moss. The Gators defensive end has the attention of clubs looking for a speed pass rusher, with Moss considered the most explosive player at his position.
"His first step is unbelievable," said one NFC scout. "Plus, you look at his frame, and you can see him carrying 285 pounds in two years."
Moss, Clemson's Gaines Adams and Purdue's Anthony Spencer are the best pure pass rushers in this draft, but it's Moss' burst, long arms and big-play ability that have scouts drooling.
Advertisement
Moss made it this far after overcoming major obstacles in his life, including a one-game drug suspension in college and a childhood that had him living with his grandparents, aunts and uncles.
"I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me because I'm sure there are a lot of stories similar to mine," said Moss. "But the adversity you go through as a person makes you who you are. And I wouldn't change anything for the world."
Moss and Spencer were each clocked at 4.7 in the 40 on Monday.
Being little brother
You have to like the attitude of UTEP quarterback Jordan Palmer. If the name sounds familiar, it should: He's the younger brother of Carson Palmer. Jordan said comparisons to Big Brother are frequent, and he doesn't mind. In fact, he's flattered because his brother "is a great guy." But this is what I like about Jordan Palmer: His ability to take a punch. When asked to compare himself to Carson he said, "I don't think there's a huge difference beside that he's won a bunch of awards, he's really famous and he's really rich." Oh.
Etc. ...
• I guess that clinches it for Wisconsin's Joe Thomas. The left tackle ran a 4.92 40 with a 33-inch vertical jump. He's 6-6½, 313 pounds.
• Keep your eyes on Arkansas cornerback Chris Houston. He shut down USC's Dwayne Jarrett when the two faced each other, and that has the attention of clubs looking for cover corners. "Chris Houston is a great player," said Jarrett, "but at the same time a lot of people don't know that I had a quad injury. I wasn't 100 percent. USC was just using me as a decoy."
• Another sleeper: Fresno State running back Dwayne Wright. He's big. He's physical. He hits hard. And he has decent hands. What he doesn't have is speed.
• Clemson's Gaines Adams helped himself Monday with a 4.64 40, the fastest of his group. He also impressed scouts with his footwork dropping into coverage -- convincing them he can be used as a 3-4 linebacker. North Carolina State defensive tackle "Tank" Tyler led everyone with a bench press of 42 reps, but get this: Two others weren't counted. Gaines is a top 10 pick; Tyler could be a first-rounder.
• One of my favorite offensive linemen: Central Michigan's Joe Staley. The guy is close to 300 pounds, yet says he can run a 4.7 40. You better believe him. He was a championship sprinter in high school, running 100 meters in 10.8.
LINK
