2013 NFL Scouting Combine Day 3:
9:37 a.m. EST: Good morning from Day 3 of the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
DenverBroncos.com is live from the press room where we expect to hear from linebackers, defensive linemen and possibly some running backs, wide receviers and quarterbacks that didn’t get a chance to meet the press yesterday.
Stay tuned throughout the day for live updates. Remember, you don’t have to refresh this page, as new posts will automatically appear. Use the comments section to let us know if there are any defensive linemen or linebackers that you want to hear from today.
10:21 a.m. EST:
Testing results are beginning to trickle in, beginning with unofficial 40-yard dash times for offensive linemen.
Terron Armstead has set an unofficial record with his 4.69 time. The 6’5″ 306-pound lineman’s time was nearly half a second faster than the next best mark by an offensive lineman this season, which belonged to Colorado lineman David Bakhtiari. He beat the previous record of 4.84 seconds that was set by Missouri Southern State’s Allen Barbre in 2007.
Speed was something that Armstead was hoping to display for coaches and scouts at the combine.
“Show them my athleticism, speed, quickness, be smooth, be fluid,” he said. “I have some pretty good technique but I know I need some work on every aspect of my game.”
In addition to his record-setting 40, Armstead also tied for eighth among offensive linemen with 31 reps in the bench press drill.
11:21 a.m. EST:
The first player to talk to the press today was Georgia Tech defensive tackle T.J. Barnes.
Barnes, who has lost nearly 10 pounds since the Senior Bowl, said that he has met with the Broncos here at the combine.
Barnes measured in at 6’6″ and 369 pounds. The lineman said he hopes to play at 350 pounds in the NFL.
1:02 p.m. EST:
One of the most interesting stories at the combine this year comes from defensive end Ziggy Ansah. Ansah, who has two brothers, two sisters, his mom and dad back in Africa, went to Brigham Young University having watched “zero” football in his life.
He tried out for the basketball team at first — “I don’t know why I didn’t make it,” he smiled — then track before settling on trying out for football.
“I was really athletic and I didn’t want to just sit around and go to school — I wanted to do something,” he said. “Since basketball didn’t really work out, I decided to go do football.”
The 6-foot-5, 271-pound lineman said the thing he likes most about football is the challenge. He has been described as a “raw” player, and he said he tries to pattern his game after the Giants’ Jason Pierre-Paul.
Ansah notched seven tackles in the Senior Bowl — three-and-a-half of which were for loss — in addition to one-and-a-half sacks. He also provided one of the biggest laughs of the combine so far when asked to name the toughest offensive lineman he faced in college.
“I hesitate to answer that question because I don’t think he was the toughest, but I give it to the Oregon State right tackle,” he said. “Because I got held a lot in that game and it was never called, so he did a good job.”
1:24 p.m. EST:
Florida defensive tackle Sharrrif Floyd has been projected by some as a top-five pick.
On Saturday, he told the press that he’s trying to ignore that praise and just focus on what he can control.
“My agent has been telling me about it, but I haven’t been focusing on it,” he said. “I’ve been looking forward to putting on a show here. I can’t wait to run actually. I’ve just been focusing on the task at hand and not letting anything get me above where I am right now or below.”
1:31 p.m. EST:
Defensive end Dion Jordan originally went to Oregon planning to be a member of the high-powered Ducks offense.
His coaches had other ideas, however, and switched him over to the defensive side of the ball.
“I imagined myself running down the field and catching the ball,” he said. “But things don’t work out that way and you have to adjust.”
“I understood that was the best opportunity for me to be on the football field, so I took it,” Jordan continured. “I stuck with it and things worked out for the best.”
Now that he’s here at the combine as a highly-regarded NFL defensive prospect, he’s happy with that move.
“I would rather do the hitting than get it,” he said with a smile.
1:43 p.m. EST:
Georgia nose tackle John Jenkins said that he has dropped about 30 pounds from the 370 that he played at during the season.
“It wasn’t tough at all,” he said of dropping the weight. “Just all in the work ethic. I knew where I wanted to be, so I went ahead and did it.”
Along with the weight loss, he’s hoping to demonstrate his versatility to the NFL scouts and coaches in attendance at the Combine.
“I’m just working on everything,” Jenkins said. “I want to show every team that I can play in every system. It’s not really anything in particular that I’m working on. I just want to be able to show that you can put me in any situation and I can do the job.”
1:54 p.m. EST:
LSU defensive tackle Bennie Logan talked about how happy he was just to get an invitation to the combine.
“It’s a great feeling and shows what hard work and dedication can get you,” he said. “Right now, I’m competing against the best in the nation.
“I have to continue to work hard and get better.”
2:43 p.m. EST:
Ohio State defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, who CBSSports.com’s Rob Rang believes will be the Broncos’ pick at No. 28, just left the podium.
The 6-foot-2, 320-pound lineman said he tries to pattern his game after Haloti Ngata and Vince Wilfork. He also grew up with an interesting array of favorite teams — the Steelers and Ravens for their defense, and the hometown Detroit Lions.
He said leaving school a year early was “a tough decision,” but he was relieved when he received a first-round grade from the draft advisory. Still, he’ll be grateful whenever he is drafted.
“Going through this process, I’ve been working extremely hard to get to the combine,” Hankins said. “I’m just going to let my talents and my efforts show on the field on Monday, let it speak for itself. Wherever I get drafted, I’m blessed to even be here. Wherever I go, I’m happy with that.”
2:51 p.m. EST:
Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o just met the media, drawing the largest crowd of the combine. Click here to watch the full press conference.
4:42 p.m. EST: Apologies for the long delay. It’s been quite a rush of players over the past two hours. We’re hard at work putting together content. In other words, that will do it for today’s live blog, but more will be posted shortly.
Don’t worry, we will post plenty more information about today’s linebackers and defensive linemen in the coming weeks leading up to the draft. Thanks for sticking with us throughout the combine.
-Gray Caldwell, Stuart Zaas and Andrew Mason
Tags: NFL Scouting Combine
I’d love to hear from Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah today. The kid is a stud, and together with Tavon Austin, are my two early favorites.
A 350 lb. DT!! Sign him up.
Anah will be a top 15 pick, you gotta love the young mans play.
Manti Teo about take take the stage for an interview on NFLN. This will be interesting.
Te’o looks annoyed answering questions hes already answered. Not surprising.
If I was in his shoes, that would get old real quick. I’d draft him!
20 teams to meet with Teo.
Including the Broncos. Elway wants to meet him.
Whered you hear that Strand?
In the Denver Post today.
Never mind. Just saw it.
If we drafted him, I wouldn’t flip out. I believe in second chances. He didn’t commit no crime, he’s just embarrassed is all.
I used to want Teo, but the more I watch over the Bama ND game I dont…He just looked really lost all game and vs a team that is very pro ready just scares me.
Manti seems like a great guy. Saw the press conference. Seemed very genuine. unscripted. Wouldn’t mind if the Broncos wanted to get this guy. Would like it alot
I didnt pay much attention to the whole thing.
The whole Teo hoopla
It lets me post it separately but not together.
Teo played a horrible game against Alabama.
Yes he did Strand. And they are a very pro ready team and the fact he was a big non factor just doesnt sit well with me
So tomorrow is RB’s and WR’s. I’m looking forward to watching that.
I cant either Strand. The Gauntlet is my favorite drill for some reason.
No OL really impressed me…granted I didnt see much have to go back watch the recording. But the TEs really impressed me.
But of course the combine doesnt mean everything
The TE from Stanford Lavine Toilolo is 6’8″ with a long wing span. I’d draft him in the 5th or 6th round.
Yes he is Strand. Big redzone target. Of his 10 TDs (Last two seasons) 8 of them where in the redzone. Luck and the current QB loved to just toss it up for him to go grab.
Thats what I’m talking about! HaHa!
I’m putting Levine on my wish list in my Mock, its official. LOL
Lol Strand!
1. Eddie Lacy RB
2. Jesse Williams DT
3. Margus Hunt DE
4. Ryan Swope WR
5. Levine Toilolo TE
@kennystac, size isnt everything
Just me strand but i truly hope we dont spend a first round pick on a RB. Knowing Fox RB love we very well could. I want Teo, especially if he gets past Chi I say we trade up to early 20s to get him. Also like Kenny V but he will be long gone. Lotta depth in big RBs in the mid rounds i think.
Sure Teo had his worst game against a “pro” caliber team but it wasnt just him. Was the entire defense. They looked out coached and out played. And any LB will tell you that your front four needs to bring it for u to shine brighter. He did also miss some tackles against lacy a big back, something i think easily rectified with sound coaching. His instincts were still sound for the most part, when things started to break down felt he tried to compensate for the entire defense instead of just sticking to HIS role. Needs some coaching but he seems like a good kid with the right stuff just waiting to be harnessed. His 40 will make or break him in alot of ways i think. After all, we just had a 306 pound OL run a 4.71. Teo runs sub 4.6 and he will be gone in the top 15.
TRB
“If you look at where we are, 65 percent of our snaps last year we were in nickel,” Elway said, referring to the defensive package in which the middle linebacker is replaced by an extra defensive back. “I’m not trying to downplay the importance of that position. But nickel is so important too.
“We drafted Nate two years ago in the third round to take over at middle linebacker. I have a great deal of confidence that he’s going to come in and give him that responsibility and he’ll step up to it.”
Elways got a good point when u realize how much we played from the Nickel. But Irving and Johnson do NOT instill confidence in me. With what he just said, MLB looks off the board in the first round. Definitely not important enough to trade up for it. Still think we need a better SS … need to cover those TEs.
TRB
i’d rather give nate the shot than draft teo! of course yall already know how i feel about teo. wasnt just the bama game, he had other games he looked outplayed. fast offenses givem problems too and i couldnt agree more about his 40 time being huge for him. i say good luck to him he’s a good, tho really naive, kid.
im taking your advice trb. copying what i write before i post just in case. i lost 2 huge messages yesterday and it aggravated me so bad i turned off the computer. man i was ready to post for a good while too. dang blog admin.
TRB of course it was the whole defense. But like you said he missed tackles. Teo had the hole and had Lacy and missed the tackle…..badly….The whole defense was bad but Teo was awful. When he dropped back into coverage he failed badly as well by missing his tackle or letting his guy get to far by to make a clean catch. For the guy they needed to be big he was far from it.
Also I know you want a safety and I dont see us drafting one before round 4. If anything I see us going out and getting a guy in FA. Fox and Elway remain very confident in Moore and Carter as the starters. Carter is the bigger unknown factor here due to his injury this past season but his rookie year he looked really good and very capable starter. Moore was a very good safety. If you look at how many picks he got or the one play vs Ravens he looks awful. However look at his game at a whole. He is a very solid player right now. He needs to work on decision making (Obviously) and his hands as he couldve had a handful more picks but just didnt hold on.
Strand like the mock. If Jesse Williams falls to the second for us thatd be great! I just dont see him making it past 20. I love the Swope choice
LBF is correct about Teo. Bama is just the most used because of it being most recent. Stanford USC and Purdue were three other games I watched and he was very off and on.
sorry to say strand but i do not like that mock… actually not one player you put there is a player i’d want or where i’d want them! funny how opinions vary so much when it comes to the draft. who the heck knows? gotta love it tho!
actually i do like swope so i cant say all of them
I cant wait to see Swope run the gauntlet tomorrow.
2 great points there alaskan and HUGE reasons i stand fast on my teo opinion. the blatant missed tackle (i know exactly which one you mean, i yelled at the tv, but there were others) and coverage was just goofy bad at times. and yes the whole d played bad but if he’s a top 15 backer like some are saying then those are the games you stand out. a top 15 player is the one on the field you say ‘man, if only the whole d played like he’s playing’. he was not and you could say like ab did he was one of the worst.
Im going to have to check out Barnes. Hes a big boy and while it looks great it may not be. If he comes off the snap to high hes going to get knocked back. Gonna have to check that out.
Teo is supposed to be the leader of that D and stand up and say enough is enough were better than this so lets play like it. He may have I dont know but as the game went on the D and himself looked to get a lot worse.
I think the Broncos will pass on Teo even if he drops to 28. He is not the mold Denver is looking for. Denver seems to be looking for someone slimmer and faster. Not a down hill thumper who can only play a zone coverage.
I would really like a tall, fast CB who is not a top CB to be converted to a nickle safety. Preferably a guy who is 6`2″ and 195-220 lbs. The point is to enter the box and line up one on one with some of the league’s pass catching TE. This guy would sub in with Tony Carter depending on how an offense lines up.
RH David Amerson. 6-2 192 corner who also played safety in college. Many feel he will be better at safety in the NFL.
Rd 1: TE Eifert… i think he would be a Monster Weapon for Denvers Offense and hes fast enough to line up at WR in spread situations
Rd 2: RB Lattimore… although he may have to sit out half a year or a whole year i think he will be a great RB for the future, Moreno proved he can play
Rd 3: MLB Alonso… Big MLB with speed i think he really fits the fast paced Defense that Del Rio is building hes a solid starter
Rd 4: S/CB B.W Webb… Hes a solid DB from a small school and may be a steal in the 4th round
FA’s: Sign DE Freeney: some say he had a bad year last year but that was making the switch to OLB, bring him here to play DE he will put up numbers, DT Starks: one of the best FA tackles out there and denver needs some depth at that position, S Glover Quin its possible houston lets Quin go since they have so many FA’s hes a playmaker and would be an upgrade at Safety
Resign: Vickerson, Bannan, Stokley, Carter, Colquitt, Koppen, Clady, Bruton
Thats alright LBF, we’re allowed to have different opinions. All ion good taste, we’re still Bronco bros. LOL
Ill concede, dont watch as much college football as you guys. I do disagree on your assesments. Players have bad games. All of them (I also know the missed tackle u speak off on Lacy) but my point is there is way more good film than bad, and rest can be coached. I don’t think all the analysts and coaches are blind.
RH, i aggree we sport understized LBs. Thats why we have been linked to Arthur Brown
I personally have no confidence in Irving or Steven Johnson but i suppose they deserve their chance and it appears thats what will happen. And for the ammount we play in Nickel … makes sense
Id much rather get a S RH (who are usually tall that can also cover like a corner in Nickel situaiton. Personally
TRB
TRB, my next choice at RB is Montee Ball, he’s a TD machine.
TRB Teo does have good film as does every player. But next to no good film came against tougher competition like Bama and Stanford.
If we get a safety in the draft, I think itd be later rounds (Like I said before) but there is a safety who is 6 ft 3 and 230 pounds that is rather talented but slated to go late because of a suspension this past season or some other reason. I cant remember his name so I will have to look it up.
Strand I like Ball a lot. He is very good on the field and a very good person off the field from what ive been told by a friend of mine who goes to Wisconsin. Very helpful to his teammates on the field and off.
RB’s in this order I’d want to see in ORANGE.
1. Eddie Lacy
2. Montee Ball
3. Giovani Bernard RB/PR/KR
4. Stephan Taylor
5. Marcus Lattimore