Combine - DBs

Okay, I'm pissed.  I bet Mike Mayock is pissed, too.  Brandon Flowers ran a 4.58.  You know, I can try to rationalize this and spin it in my favor, cuz this is my site and normally other guys would do that.  But hey, it speaks for itself.  Sure he plays faster, has "game speed" or whatever, but Brandon, you gotta get it done with the spotlight is on you.  Unfortunately, another favorite of mine, Chevis Jackson, ran the same time, but we knew he wasn't a burner.

That's not to say a linebacker, who had a faster 40, could do what they do.  Of course they couldn't, which is why the combine's importance can be a little exaggerated.  I saw what these guys did on the field, and I will stick by my prediction that Flowers will be the best one of the group in three years.

Then on the flip side, you have Justin King, who played like absolute dogshit this year, who burns through the 40 in 4.31.  So basically, whoever is looking for a Phillip Buchanon, I think I found you one.

Okay, I'm not sure if these guys will run the 40 again or not, but they'll have their second chances at their respective Pro Days.  *Ahem* Brandon *Ahem*. 

Okay, this thing just started but I'm seeing a lot of energy out there and people having fun.  I told you these boys are the best.  More this afternoon.

***Update #1***

Top 10 40 Times of all DBs at the combine today:

1. Justing King  (Penn State)  4.31
    Tyvon Branch  (UConn)  4.31
3. Orlando Scandrick  (Boise State)  4.32
4. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tenn State)  4.33  (lot of buzz about this kid after his stellar performance in the Senior Bowl.  Deion Sanders is familiar with him and has given his stamp of approval, and after watching his speed and quicks today, you can't help but agree)
5. Josh Barrett  (Arizona State)  4.35
6. Terrence Wheatley  (Colorado)  4.37
    Tracy Porter  (Indiana)  4.37
    Michael Grant  (Arkansas--they had DBs?)  4.37
9. Jonathan Wilhite  (Auburn)  4.38  (reader AuJClayton's favorite dback)
    Leodis McKelvin  (Troy)  4.38

But hey, at least Simeon Castille ran a 4.70.  From August 18th, subconsciously imploring Nick to move him over to safety:

Factor in Castille’s 4.6 speed (slow 4.5 at best), and he’s just not going to be able to compete with the Steve Smiths and Santana Mosses of the NFL.  He’s got the height at 6’1, and he’s  a wiry 190 or so.  He was PLENTY of room on his frame to add mass, and his ballhawking skills and solid tackling would be an incredible help at such a weak position for Alabama at this time...not to mention, he'd already have a leg up on the intricacies of the safety position at the next level, which is where he's heading anyway IMO.

Aaaanyway.

Top vert numbers:

1. Rodgers-Cromartie 38.5"
2. Aqib Talib 38
3. Antwaun Molden 37.5
4. Glenn Sharp 37
5. Terrence Wheatley 36.5
6. Chevis Jackson 36
7. Antoine Cason (and others) 35.5

Safety David Roach also hit 38 inches.  That's leapin, kids.  I think last I measured mine was 23 or 26 or something.  And your fatter, lazier ass is even worse, so stop laughing.

Rodgers-Cromartie and Aqib Talib showed out all day, and they also tied for the lead in the broad jump with 10 feet, 11 inches.  I think my best is 2 feet.  On a trampoline.

So the all-important questions facing scouts and owners and managers and coaches and everyone else involved in the draft is---because DRC and AT performed the best at the scouting combine, does this mean they're the two best corners?  Does this bump them up to the first round?  Or do we pay more attention to the game film, their interviews, their off-field incidents, etc? 

Or you could just be Al Davis, rub your velour jumper, and ask "zat boy fast or not?"  You know, whichever.  Probably followed by "Oops, I crapped my pants" or "Since when can women vote?  That's mularkey!"

So you're probably thinking okay, he posted when the combine was held, but now what?  Two months later at the draft?  Probably.  So click on my links and read my fellow bloggers until then.  They're good people.  In the meantime, my REAL job beckons.  Sigh.

Comments

[PGrizzle]

I can see it now:

"And with the 35th pick of the 2008 NFL Draft the Oakland Raiders select Justin King, DB Penn State.

And with the 36th pick of the 2008 NFL Draft the Kansas City Chiefs select Chris Johnson, RB East Carolina.

There has been a trade: The Chiefs have traded the rights to the 36th pick to the Raiders for 1st round picks in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and a 7th round pick in 2013."

[Joker]

I don't know if it would be quite that bad, but after following a bit of Al Davis' career, I wouldn't scoff at him reaching, in ny round, just for speed.

Hang in there, Patrick. One day the Silver and Black will be back.

~J

[El Matteo]

Can the Honolulu Blue get at least one good season before the Silver and Black are back? Sheesh, man. This is killing me.

Fernando! We hardly knew ya!

[AUJclayton]

Ok, you have got to get off of me about the Wilhite thing. All of what I said about him is in print elsewhere, and he is a hell of an athelete, damn it...just had a tough year...and he gambles too much...and, etc...

You are never going to let that go are you?

[Joker]

Wow, all I said was that he was your boy.

Litle sensitive, are we? Just be proud he ran a 4.38.

~J

[AUJclayton]

Tru tru. And yeah, after last season, I am a little sensitive. It has a lot to do with how I talked him up preseason.

Like the new look.