Cards Czar
The Bird is the Word
By Todd McShay, Scouts Inc.
INDIANAPOLIS -- The hurry-up-and-wait experience known as the NFL scouting combine becomes tedious for coaches and personnel officials alike, but it's a necessary evil in the scouting process. With 333 NFL prospects in attendance, there is no more efficient means of gaining exact "measurables" than this seven-day event.
The other wonderful benefit for NFL teams is it allows them to formally interview 60 prospects throughout the week, which saves significant time and money. The Buccaneers will send scouts out to meet with and test all of the prospects on their draft board, but how many other chances will GM Bruce Allen and head coach Jon Gruden get to sit in the same room and talk to a prospect? While there isn't much action during the first two days of the combine, NFL teams nevertheless get a lot out of it.
The 2005 combine commenced at a snail's pace Thursday, and it doesn't promise to speed up much until Saturday morning. Thursday's morning session was devoted to measurements (height, weight, arm length and hand span) for 62 offensive linemen, four fullbacks, 14 running backs and 11 kicking specialists (punters and place-kickers).
The three-hour afternoon session featured more than 200 NFL personnel officials and coaches crammed into a conference room to witness 40 of those same prospects hammer out as many repetitions of 225 pounds on the bench press as possible.
Because many of the offensive linemen were running late due to the extensive medical process, there will be another group of 30 or so whose bench press was pushed to Friday. Place-kickers, punters, quarterbacks and wide receivers are exempt from the strength portion of the combine.
Quarterbacks, wide receivers and the second group of running backs were scheduled to get their measurements out of the way Friday morning. Those same prospects will try their luck on the bench press, while the place-kickers and punters showcase their skills on the turf of the RCA Dome.
The workout schedule for the remainder of the combine is as follows:
Saturday: Offensive linemen and running backs (Group 1).
Sunday: Running backs (Group 2), quarterbacks and wide receivers.
Monday: Tight Ends and defensive linemen.
Tuesday: Linebackers and defensive backs.
Here is a positional breakdown of Thursday's events. We'll follow with reports Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday detailing the results of each prospect who participated in the workouts.
Running back and fullbacks
All eyes have been on Maurice Clarett, and so far, so good. Clarett has a quiet but determined demeanor about him this week. He was a cut 234 pounds at the weigh-ins and produced the second most reps (22) of the nine running backs who participated on the bench press.
Scouts and coaches say Clarett seems to be a changed man. Maybe the failures and fallouts of the last two years have finally humbled him. If he continues to impress in interviews and has a strong workout Saturday, Clarett could move back into the first day of the draft.
As for the fullbacks, Texas A&M's Keith Joseph and North Carolina's Madison Hedge*censored* are in impressive physical condition and showed off their strength on the bench with 27 and 29 reps, respectively. Louisville RB Lionel Gates had the best bench press of the running backs with 23.
Cedric Benson (Texas), Ciatrick Fason (Florida) and Kay-Jay Harris (West Virginia) elected not to participate in the strength portion of the workout. Benson will not participate in any of the drills here, opting to do all of his work at his on-campus workout March 23. Fason might take part in one or two aspects of Saturday's workout but will do the majority of his work in Gainesville, Fla., March 9. Harris will bench on campus March 11, but will do all other aspects of the running back workout here Saturday.
Wisconsin RB Anthony Davis is well-built for his size but was even shorter than most anticipated at 5-foot-6 5/8. When his height was announced in the conference room this morning there was a buzz of disbelief from the scouts and coaches in attendance.
Running backs and fullbacks
Prospect Position School Ht. Wt. Arm Hand Bench reps
Kevin Dudley FB Michigan 6004 238 31.3 9.3 19
Justin Green FB Montana 5113 251 31.6 9.4 23
Madison Hedge FB UNC 6030 266 31.4 9.6 29
Keith Joseph, FB Texas A&M 6017 254 31.5 10 27
J.J. Arrington RB California 5087 214 30.4 8.6 18
Marion Barber III RB Minnesota 5113 221 31.4 8.7 20
Cedric Benson, RB Texas 5104 222 32 9.1 NL
Decori Birmingham RB Arkansas 5096 210 -- 9 14
Nehemiah Broughton RB Citadel 5114 250 32.3 9.6 --
Ronnie Brown, RB Auburn 6002 233 31.5 9.3 18
Maurice Clarett RB Ohio St 5115 234 30.6 9.3 22
Deandra Cobb, RB Mich St 5096 196 31.6 8.7 17
Anthony Davis RB Wisconsin 5065 200 29.6 8.5 18
Ciatrick Fason RB Florida 6006 207 30 8.3 NL
Lionel Gates RB Louisville 5115 222 31.1 10.1 23
Frank Gore RB Miami 5093 217 31 9.3 --
Ryan Grant RB Notre Dame 6011 215 31.6 8.4 17
Kay-Jay Harris RB West Virginia 6003 243 31.5 10 -
Note: In NFL scouting circles, heights are listed in four-digit form. The first digit represents feet, the second two represent inches, and the fourth represents eighths of an inch. So, the listing 6037 translates to 6-foot-3 7/8.
Offensive tackles
Four offensive tackle prospects opted out of the bench press, three because of injuries – Adam Terry (strained oblique), Michael Watson (right shoulder) and Erik Pears (torn labrum). Trai Essex did not work out because his pro timing day is so soon. Terry's on-campus workout is March 16, Watson's is March 11, Pears' March 23 and Essex's March 4.
Of the other 28 tackle prospects, 12 were scheduled to lift Friday morning because they were running late due to medical examinations. Those include Anthony Alabi, Calvin Armstrong, Khalif Barnes, Alex Barron, Jammal Brown, Chris Colmer, Jonathan Colon, Jon Dunn, Sam Lightbody, Michael Munoz, Frank Omiyale and Rob Petitti. Petitti lost some much needed weight and did a good job of getting down to 347 pounds, but still could stand to drop another 10 or so pounds.
Ray Willis gets the "intensity award" for the biggest commotion made during his bench press attempts. He had one of the best results from the OT group with 27 reps, an impressive showing for a prospect with such long arms (35.4). Willis was just edged out by Adam Kieft, who finished with 28. "Reach" is a big test for offensive tackles, and Barron more than passed with 37.6 inches.
This has to be one of the tallest OT classes in NFL combine history, as 10 of the 28 stand taller than 6-foot-7, and three of those stand 6-8 or taller. Sam Lightbody is the tallest at 6090.
Offensive tackles
Prospect, Position School Ht. Wt. Arm Hand Bench
Anthony Alabi OT TCU -- -- -- -- --
Calvin Armstrong OT Wash. St 6071 325 34.1 10.2 --
Khalif Barnes OT Wash. 6056 305 34 10.1 --
Alex Barron OT Fl State 6074 320 37.6 10.2 --
Wesley Britt OT Alabama 6080 314 32.4 9.2 --
Jammal Brown OT Oklahoma 6057 316 34.6 9.1 --
Chris Colmer OT UNC 6052 310 32.1 10.1 --
Jonathan Colon OT Florida 6072 317 34.6 11.3 --
Harvey Dahl OT Nevada Reno 6061 299 34.5 10.3 --
Jon Dunn OT Virg Poly 6072 328 -- -- --
Trai Essex OT Northwestern 6048 324 33 10 --
Marcus Johnson OT Miss 6064 321 35.4 9.4 --
Adam Kieft OT Central Mich 6072 337 33.5 10.1 --
Sam Lightbody OT Wash. 6090 321 35.3 10 --
Daniel Loper OT Texas Tech 6060 306 33 10.6 14
Pete McMahon OT Iowa 6075 329 34.3 10 26
Michael Munoz OT Tennessee 6054 306 34 9.6 --
Doug Nienhouse OT Oregon St 6056 307 33.3 10 22
Frank Omiyale OT Tenn. Tech 6042 310 36 10.1 --
Jeremy Parquet OT So. Miss. 6066 323 34.3 10 17
Erik Pears OT Colorado St 6076 312 33.4 10.1 --
Rob Petitti OT Pittsburgh 6057 347 33.6 10 --
Michael Roos OT E. Wash 6065 320 32 9.1 19
David Stewart OT Miss. State 6064 314 34.3 10.1 24
Adam Terry OT Syracuse 6080 330 32.4 10.6 --
Michael Watson OT West Va. 6041 316 31.6 9.6 --
Sam Wilder OT Colorado 6047 398 31.5 8.7 23
Ray Willis OT Florida State 6055 327 35.4 10.5 27
Offensive guards
Willie McNeill was a no-show, and there seems to be confusion as to why. Nick Steitz did not lift because of a sore throat. He has three pro timing days at Oregon (March 3, 10 and 31) to make up for it. Elton Brown is simply not working out and will have one shot in Charlottesville, Va., on March 23.
Eleven guard prospects had their lifting sessions pushed to Friday. Those include Logan Mankins, Chris Myers, Leon Robinson, Joe Berger, Clinton Brooks Jr., Doug Buckles, Jonathon Clinkscale, Dylan Gandy, Justin Geisinger, Nick Kaczur and Chris Kemoeatu.
Brooks Jr. has the most impressive frame of any of the guards. He has great height for a guard at 6-5½ and has the longest reach of any of the linemen who measured Thursday. He always has possessed the talent, but the knock on was that he's an underachiever who doesn't work hard enough and is too inconsistent.
Evan Mathis looks to be in peak physical condition. He played guard and tackle at Alabama and is tall enough to play both in the NFL. He also was impressive on the bench with 35 repetitions.
Scott Young has set the bar on the bench press with 43 reps. It's even more impressive when considering he has a relatively long reach of 34 inches.
Offensive guards
Prospect Position School Ht. Wt. Arm Hand Bench
Joe Berger OG Michigan Tech 6054 303 32.1 9 --
C.Brooks Jr. OG Maryland 6054 309 36.3 10.4 --
Elton Brown OG Virginia 6047 329 34.2 9.7 --
Doug Buckles OG Mississippi 6052 311 34 10.5 --
Dan Buenning OG Wisconsin 6037 320 33.2 9.2 29
J. Clinkscale OG Wisconsin 6022 315 33.3 10.4 --
Dan Connolly OG SEMO 6035 311 32.2 9.2 22
Dylan Gandy OG Texas Tech 6030 304 33.3 9.7 --
J. Geisinger OG Vanderbilt 6036 322 32.6 9.5 --
Nick Kaczur OG Toledo 6044 319 32.7 10.3 --
Chris Kemoeatu OG Utah 6034 344 33.5 10.3 --
Logan Mankins OG Fresno State 6041 307 33.3 9.3 --
Evan Mathis OG Alabama 6052 304 32.4 10.6 35
Willie McNeill OG UNC No Show
Chris Myers OG Miami 6045 300 32.3 10.3 --
Leon Robinson OG Georgia Tech 6040 314 34.7 10.6 --
Wes Sims, OG Oklahoma 6050 318 32.2 11.1 26
Adam Snyder OG Oregon 6053 316 32.7 10.3 21
Nick Steitz OG Oregon 6034 312 32.6 10.5 --
Claude Terrell OG New Mexico 6022 343 33.1 9.2 27
Scott Young OG BYU 6035 312 34.3 9.2 43
Centers
None of the 13 center prospects opted out of the bench press, but five were moved to Friday morning: Jason Brown, Geoff Hangartner, Drew Hodgdon, Scott Mruczkowski and Ben Wilkerson.
The only two with 30 or more reps were Eric Ghiaciuc (30) and Rob Hunt (31). Ghiaciuc provided comic relief for the afternoon when he used a reverse grip during his bench press attempt. He claims he has been using the unorthodox style for two years now, and the NFL officials in attendance simply shook their heads and allowed him to proceed.
David Bass played the majority of his career at guard before moving to center with nine games remaining in his senior season. He is working out with the centers this week and has gotten off to a good start. He is in great physical shape, has excellent overall size for the position, has the biggest hands of all the center prospects, and had an impressive outing on the bench with 29 reps.
Offensive centers
Prospect Position School Ht. Wt. Arm Hand Bench
David Bass OC Michigan 6044 319 32.2 10.5 29
Jason Brown OC North Carolina 6026 313 32.4 10.3 --
Tim Brown, OC West Virginia 6044 318 33.3 9.7 23
Juice Coston OC North Carolina 6033 310 33.6 10.3 21
Eric Ghiaciuc OC Central Mich 6040 302 32.3 10.1 30
Richie Incognito OC Nebraska 6032 305 32.3 10.1 29
Geoff Hangartner OC Texas A&M 6050 301 33.3 10 --
Dew Hodgdon OC Arizona State 6026 309 32 10 --
Rob Hunt OC North Dakota 6036 301 32.1 11.2 31
Scott Mruczkowski OC Bowling Green 6044 321 33.1 10.1 --
Raymond Preston OC Illinois 6051 311 33.7 10.1 21
Chris Spencer OC Mississippi 6027 309 33.4 10.1 26
Ben Wilkerson OC LSU 6034 299 35 10.5 --
Punters and place-kickers
Thursday's events were more of a formality for the punters and kickers. Height, weight, arm length and hand size don't play a great role in evaluating kickers and punters, and they also are exempt from the bench press.
Friday will be a much more critical aspect of the scouting process for those positions, as the punters and place-kickers will kick from inside the RCA Dome with hundreds of NFL personnel officials and coaches looking on. Historically, punters and kickers have struggled mightily in these workouts. The pressure of the event combined with the new and much harder footballs seem to be two of the best theories as to why.
Punters and Kickers
Prospect Position School Ht. Wt. Arm Hand
Bryce Benekos PK UTEP 6051 227 32.4 11.2
Dustin Colquitt K Tennessee 6023 211 31 8.6
Cole Farden PK Oklahoma State 5104 205 29 8.5
Adam Finley PK Michigan 6035 221 30.6 9.4
Reggie Hodges PK Ball State 6003 226 28.7 8.6
Tyler Jones PK Boise State 6006 201 30.3 8.7
Nick Novak PK Maryland 5114 191 27.6 9.1
Mike Nugent PK Ohio State 5095 182 29 9.7
Matt Payne PK BYU 6040 229 30.2 9.3
Dave Rayner PK Michigan State 6020 210 31.5 9.6
Joe Rheem PK Kansas State 6002 217 30.5 8.3
INDIANAPOLIS -- The hurry-up-and-wait experience known as the NFL scouting combine becomes tedious for coaches and personnel officials alike, but it's a necessary evil in the scouting process. With 333 NFL prospects in attendance, there is no more efficient means of gaining exact "measurables" than this seven-day event.
The other wonderful benefit for NFL teams is it allows them to formally interview 60 prospects throughout the week, which saves significant time and money. The Buccaneers will send scouts out to meet with and test all of the prospects on their draft board, but how many other chances will GM Bruce Allen and head coach Jon Gruden get to sit in the same room and talk to a prospect? While there isn't much action during the first two days of the combine, NFL teams nevertheless get a lot out of it.
The 2005 combine commenced at a snail's pace Thursday, and it doesn't promise to speed up much until Saturday morning. Thursday's morning session was devoted to measurements (height, weight, arm length and hand span) for 62 offensive linemen, four fullbacks, 14 running backs and 11 kicking specialists (punters and place-kickers).
The three-hour afternoon session featured more than 200 NFL personnel officials and coaches crammed into a conference room to witness 40 of those same prospects hammer out as many repetitions of 225 pounds on the bench press as possible.
Because many of the offensive linemen were running late due to the extensive medical process, there will be another group of 30 or so whose bench press was pushed to Friday. Place-kickers, punters, quarterbacks and wide receivers are exempt from the strength portion of the combine.
Quarterbacks, wide receivers and the second group of running backs were scheduled to get their measurements out of the way Friday morning. Those same prospects will try their luck on the bench press, while the place-kickers and punters showcase their skills on the turf of the RCA Dome.
The workout schedule for the remainder of the combine is as follows:
Saturday: Offensive linemen and running backs (Group 1).
Sunday: Running backs (Group 2), quarterbacks and wide receivers.
Monday: Tight Ends and defensive linemen.
Tuesday: Linebackers and defensive backs.
Here is a positional breakdown of Thursday's events. We'll follow with reports Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday detailing the results of each prospect who participated in the workouts.
Running back and fullbacks
All eyes have been on Maurice Clarett, and so far, so good. Clarett has a quiet but determined demeanor about him this week. He was a cut 234 pounds at the weigh-ins and produced the second most reps (22) of the nine running backs who participated on the bench press.
Scouts and coaches say Clarett seems to be a changed man. Maybe the failures and fallouts of the last two years have finally humbled him. If he continues to impress in interviews and has a strong workout Saturday, Clarett could move back into the first day of the draft.
As for the fullbacks, Texas A&M's Keith Joseph and North Carolina's Madison Hedge*censored* are in impressive physical condition and showed off their strength on the bench with 27 and 29 reps, respectively. Louisville RB Lionel Gates had the best bench press of the running backs with 23.
Cedric Benson (Texas), Ciatrick Fason (Florida) and Kay-Jay Harris (West Virginia) elected not to participate in the strength portion of the workout. Benson will not participate in any of the drills here, opting to do all of his work at his on-campus workout March 23. Fason might take part in one or two aspects of Saturday's workout but will do the majority of his work in Gainesville, Fla., March 9. Harris will bench on campus March 11, but will do all other aspects of the running back workout here Saturday.
Wisconsin RB Anthony Davis is well-built for his size but was even shorter than most anticipated at 5-foot-6 5/8. When his height was announced in the conference room this morning there was a buzz of disbelief from the scouts and coaches in attendance.
Running backs and fullbacks
Prospect Position School Ht. Wt. Arm Hand Bench reps
Kevin Dudley FB Michigan 6004 238 31.3 9.3 19
Justin Green FB Montana 5113 251 31.6 9.4 23
Madison Hedge FB UNC 6030 266 31.4 9.6 29
Keith Joseph, FB Texas A&M 6017 254 31.5 10 27
J.J. Arrington RB California 5087 214 30.4 8.6 18
Marion Barber III RB Minnesota 5113 221 31.4 8.7 20
Cedric Benson, RB Texas 5104 222 32 9.1 NL
Decori Birmingham RB Arkansas 5096 210 -- 9 14
Nehemiah Broughton RB Citadel 5114 250 32.3 9.6 --
Ronnie Brown, RB Auburn 6002 233 31.5 9.3 18
Maurice Clarett RB Ohio St 5115 234 30.6 9.3 22
Deandra Cobb, RB Mich St 5096 196 31.6 8.7 17
Anthony Davis RB Wisconsin 5065 200 29.6 8.5 18
Ciatrick Fason RB Florida 6006 207 30 8.3 NL
Lionel Gates RB Louisville 5115 222 31.1 10.1 23
Frank Gore RB Miami 5093 217 31 9.3 --
Ryan Grant RB Notre Dame 6011 215 31.6 8.4 17
Kay-Jay Harris RB West Virginia 6003 243 31.5 10 -
Note: In NFL scouting circles, heights are listed in four-digit form. The first digit represents feet, the second two represent inches, and the fourth represents eighths of an inch. So, the listing 6037 translates to 6-foot-3 7/8.
Offensive tackles
Four offensive tackle prospects opted out of the bench press, three because of injuries – Adam Terry (strained oblique), Michael Watson (right shoulder) and Erik Pears (torn labrum). Trai Essex did not work out because his pro timing day is so soon. Terry's on-campus workout is March 16, Watson's is March 11, Pears' March 23 and Essex's March 4.
Of the other 28 tackle prospects, 12 were scheduled to lift Friday morning because they were running late due to medical examinations. Those include Anthony Alabi, Calvin Armstrong, Khalif Barnes, Alex Barron, Jammal Brown, Chris Colmer, Jonathan Colon, Jon Dunn, Sam Lightbody, Michael Munoz, Frank Omiyale and Rob Petitti. Petitti lost some much needed weight and did a good job of getting down to 347 pounds, but still could stand to drop another 10 or so pounds.
Ray Willis gets the "intensity award" for the biggest commotion made during his bench press attempts. He had one of the best results from the OT group with 27 reps, an impressive showing for a prospect with such long arms (35.4). Willis was just edged out by Adam Kieft, who finished with 28. "Reach" is a big test for offensive tackles, and Barron more than passed with 37.6 inches.
This has to be one of the tallest OT classes in NFL combine history, as 10 of the 28 stand taller than 6-foot-7, and three of those stand 6-8 or taller. Sam Lightbody is the tallest at 6090.
Offensive tackles
Prospect, Position School Ht. Wt. Arm Hand Bench
Anthony Alabi OT TCU -- -- -- -- --
Calvin Armstrong OT Wash. St 6071 325 34.1 10.2 --
Khalif Barnes OT Wash. 6056 305 34 10.1 --
Alex Barron OT Fl State 6074 320 37.6 10.2 --
Wesley Britt OT Alabama 6080 314 32.4 9.2 --
Jammal Brown OT Oklahoma 6057 316 34.6 9.1 --
Chris Colmer OT UNC 6052 310 32.1 10.1 --
Jonathan Colon OT Florida 6072 317 34.6 11.3 --
Harvey Dahl OT Nevada Reno 6061 299 34.5 10.3 --
Jon Dunn OT Virg Poly 6072 328 -- -- --
Trai Essex OT Northwestern 6048 324 33 10 --
Marcus Johnson OT Miss 6064 321 35.4 9.4 --
Adam Kieft OT Central Mich 6072 337 33.5 10.1 --
Sam Lightbody OT Wash. 6090 321 35.3 10 --
Daniel Loper OT Texas Tech 6060 306 33 10.6 14
Pete McMahon OT Iowa 6075 329 34.3 10 26
Michael Munoz OT Tennessee 6054 306 34 9.6 --
Doug Nienhouse OT Oregon St 6056 307 33.3 10 22
Frank Omiyale OT Tenn. Tech 6042 310 36 10.1 --
Jeremy Parquet OT So. Miss. 6066 323 34.3 10 17
Erik Pears OT Colorado St 6076 312 33.4 10.1 --
Rob Petitti OT Pittsburgh 6057 347 33.6 10 --
Michael Roos OT E. Wash 6065 320 32 9.1 19
David Stewart OT Miss. State 6064 314 34.3 10.1 24
Adam Terry OT Syracuse 6080 330 32.4 10.6 --
Michael Watson OT West Va. 6041 316 31.6 9.6 --
Sam Wilder OT Colorado 6047 398 31.5 8.7 23
Ray Willis OT Florida State 6055 327 35.4 10.5 27
Offensive guards
Willie McNeill was a no-show, and there seems to be confusion as to why. Nick Steitz did not lift because of a sore throat. He has three pro timing days at Oregon (March 3, 10 and 31) to make up for it. Elton Brown is simply not working out and will have one shot in Charlottesville, Va., on March 23.
Eleven guard prospects had their lifting sessions pushed to Friday. Those include Logan Mankins, Chris Myers, Leon Robinson, Joe Berger, Clinton Brooks Jr., Doug Buckles, Jonathon Clinkscale, Dylan Gandy, Justin Geisinger, Nick Kaczur and Chris Kemoeatu.
Brooks Jr. has the most impressive frame of any of the guards. He has great height for a guard at 6-5½ and has the longest reach of any of the linemen who measured Thursday. He always has possessed the talent, but the knock on was that he's an underachiever who doesn't work hard enough and is too inconsistent.
Evan Mathis looks to be in peak physical condition. He played guard and tackle at Alabama and is tall enough to play both in the NFL. He also was impressive on the bench with 35 repetitions.
Scott Young has set the bar on the bench press with 43 reps. It's even more impressive when considering he has a relatively long reach of 34 inches.
Offensive guards
Prospect Position School Ht. Wt. Arm Hand Bench
Joe Berger OG Michigan Tech 6054 303 32.1 9 --
C.Brooks Jr. OG Maryland 6054 309 36.3 10.4 --
Elton Brown OG Virginia 6047 329 34.2 9.7 --
Doug Buckles OG Mississippi 6052 311 34 10.5 --
Dan Buenning OG Wisconsin 6037 320 33.2 9.2 29
J. Clinkscale OG Wisconsin 6022 315 33.3 10.4 --
Dan Connolly OG SEMO 6035 311 32.2 9.2 22
Dylan Gandy OG Texas Tech 6030 304 33.3 9.7 --
J. Geisinger OG Vanderbilt 6036 322 32.6 9.5 --
Nick Kaczur OG Toledo 6044 319 32.7 10.3 --
Chris Kemoeatu OG Utah 6034 344 33.5 10.3 --
Logan Mankins OG Fresno State 6041 307 33.3 9.3 --
Evan Mathis OG Alabama 6052 304 32.4 10.6 35
Willie McNeill OG UNC No Show
Chris Myers OG Miami 6045 300 32.3 10.3 --
Leon Robinson OG Georgia Tech 6040 314 34.7 10.6 --
Wes Sims, OG Oklahoma 6050 318 32.2 11.1 26
Adam Snyder OG Oregon 6053 316 32.7 10.3 21
Nick Steitz OG Oregon 6034 312 32.6 10.5 --
Claude Terrell OG New Mexico 6022 343 33.1 9.2 27
Scott Young OG BYU 6035 312 34.3 9.2 43
Centers
None of the 13 center prospects opted out of the bench press, but five were moved to Friday morning: Jason Brown, Geoff Hangartner, Drew Hodgdon, Scott Mruczkowski and Ben Wilkerson.
The only two with 30 or more reps were Eric Ghiaciuc (30) and Rob Hunt (31). Ghiaciuc provided comic relief for the afternoon when he used a reverse grip during his bench press attempt. He claims he has been using the unorthodox style for two years now, and the NFL officials in attendance simply shook their heads and allowed him to proceed.
David Bass played the majority of his career at guard before moving to center with nine games remaining in his senior season. He is working out with the centers this week and has gotten off to a good start. He is in great physical shape, has excellent overall size for the position, has the biggest hands of all the center prospects, and had an impressive outing on the bench with 29 reps.
Offensive centers
Prospect Position School Ht. Wt. Arm Hand Bench
David Bass OC Michigan 6044 319 32.2 10.5 29
Jason Brown OC North Carolina 6026 313 32.4 10.3 --
Tim Brown, OC West Virginia 6044 318 33.3 9.7 23
Juice Coston OC North Carolina 6033 310 33.6 10.3 21
Eric Ghiaciuc OC Central Mich 6040 302 32.3 10.1 30
Richie Incognito OC Nebraska 6032 305 32.3 10.1 29
Geoff Hangartner OC Texas A&M 6050 301 33.3 10 --
Dew Hodgdon OC Arizona State 6026 309 32 10 --
Rob Hunt OC North Dakota 6036 301 32.1 11.2 31
Scott Mruczkowski OC Bowling Green 6044 321 33.1 10.1 --
Raymond Preston OC Illinois 6051 311 33.7 10.1 21
Chris Spencer OC Mississippi 6027 309 33.4 10.1 26
Ben Wilkerson OC LSU 6034 299 35 10.5 --
Punters and place-kickers
Thursday's events were more of a formality for the punters and kickers. Height, weight, arm length and hand size don't play a great role in evaluating kickers and punters, and they also are exempt from the bench press.
Friday will be a much more critical aspect of the scouting process for those positions, as the punters and place-kickers will kick from inside the RCA Dome with hundreds of NFL personnel officials and coaches looking on. Historically, punters and kickers have struggled mightily in these workouts. The pressure of the event combined with the new and much harder footballs seem to be two of the best theories as to why.
Punters and Kickers
Prospect Position School Ht. Wt. Arm Hand
Bryce Benekos PK UTEP 6051 227 32.4 11.2
Dustin Colquitt K Tennessee 6023 211 31 8.6
Cole Farden PK Oklahoma State 5104 205 29 8.5
Adam Finley PK Michigan 6035 221 30.6 9.4
Reggie Hodges PK Ball State 6003 226 28.7 8.6
Tyler Jones PK Boise State 6006 201 30.3 8.7
Nick Novak PK Maryland 5114 191 27.6 9.1
Mike Nugent PK Ohio State 5095 182 29 9.7
Matt Payne PK BYU 6040 229 30.2 9.3
Dave Rayner PK Michigan State 6020 210 31.5 9.6
Joe Rheem PK Kansas State 6002 217 30.5 8.3
