Krangodnzr
Captain of Team Conner
Scouts question Suggs' speed after supbar workout
Dan Bickley
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 27, 2003 12:00 AM
Terrell Suggs walked off the practice field at Arizona State University, leaving behind an unexpected trail of money and doubt.
After obliterating the NCAA sack record at ASU, Suggs failed to wow a horde of NFL scouts and coaches during a private workout Wednesday. He wasn't particularly strong or fast, leaving those in attendance with more questions than exclamation points.
And although his dream of becoming the No. 1 pick in the draft on April 26-27 likely was dashed, there is a bright spot.
He may now be available when the Cardinals select sixth.
"If worse comes to worse, I hope the Cardinals know I'm a hometown guy," Suggs said. "I love them, and they love me."
Suggs admittedly was nervous performing in front of 75 NFL representatives, including every professional franchise but the Redskins. He bench-pressed the standard 225 pounds 19 times, compared with 24 for former teammate Mason Unck. By comparison, former ASU star Adam Archuleta produced an amazing 31 repetitions.
But Suggs' time in the 40-yard dash was what surprised scouts the most. Expecting times in the 4.6 range, Suggs clocked a 4.90 and a 4.77 by one official stopwatch, not the kind of speed that jumps out on paper, especially when Suggs was running on artificial turf.
"For a guy who achieved what he did in college, I would've thought he was a little faster than he showed," said Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, whose team has the No. 3 pick in the draft. "It wasn't an outstanding workout, but it wasn't bad, either."
Suggs attributed his lack of speed to the 12 pounds he has gained since the start of his final year at ASU. On Wednesday, he weighed in at 257 pounds.
"It's the excess weight," Suggs said. "But I think I'll get my speed back."
Suggs was billed as a speed rusher who may have been undersized as a defensive end. But in his quest to add bulk, he may have sacrificed his most marketable commodity. Now he may be viewed as a risky pick for teams drafting in the top five.
That said, there is no substitute for game speed, and Suggs' workout will only be part of the equation come draft day. As McNair admitted, the NFL is "in the business of rushing the passer, not running 40-yard dashes."
Either way, Suggs didn't seem too affected.
"I didn't do horrible, but I think I could've done a lot better," Suggs said.
"Just getting drafted is enough for me."
Dan Bickley
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 27, 2003 12:00 AM
Terrell Suggs walked off the practice field at Arizona State University, leaving behind an unexpected trail of money and doubt.
After obliterating the NCAA sack record at ASU, Suggs failed to wow a horde of NFL scouts and coaches during a private workout Wednesday. He wasn't particularly strong or fast, leaving those in attendance with more questions than exclamation points.
And although his dream of becoming the No. 1 pick in the draft on April 26-27 likely was dashed, there is a bright spot.
He may now be available when the Cardinals select sixth.
"If worse comes to worse, I hope the Cardinals know I'm a hometown guy," Suggs said. "I love them, and they love me."
Suggs admittedly was nervous performing in front of 75 NFL representatives, including every professional franchise but the Redskins. He bench-pressed the standard 225 pounds 19 times, compared with 24 for former teammate Mason Unck. By comparison, former ASU star Adam Archuleta produced an amazing 31 repetitions.
But Suggs' time in the 40-yard dash was what surprised scouts the most. Expecting times in the 4.6 range, Suggs clocked a 4.90 and a 4.77 by one official stopwatch, not the kind of speed that jumps out on paper, especially when Suggs was running on artificial turf.
"For a guy who achieved what he did in college, I would've thought he was a little faster than he showed," said Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, whose team has the No. 3 pick in the draft. "It wasn't an outstanding workout, but it wasn't bad, either."
Suggs attributed his lack of speed to the 12 pounds he has gained since the start of his final year at ASU. On Wednesday, he weighed in at 257 pounds.
"It's the excess weight," Suggs said. "But I think I'll get my speed back."
Suggs was billed as a speed rusher who may have been undersized as a defensive end. But in his quest to add bulk, he may have sacrificed his most marketable commodity. Now he may be viewed as a risky pick for teams drafting in the top five.
That said, there is no substitute for game speed, and Suggs' workout will only be part of the equation come draft day. As McNair admitted, the NFL is "in the business of rushing the passer, not running 40-yard dashes."
Either way, Suggs didn't seem too affected.
"I didn't do horrible, but I think I could've done a lot better," Suggs said.
"Just getting drafted is enough for me."
