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
Ray Ray Armstrong for Safety.
Von_Doom I like Eifert and mentioned picking him up before. It was shot down rather quick. I still am not opposed to it as teams around the NFL have very hard times stopping TEs and while Dressen and Tamme are solid, what Eifert brings to the table is so much more and unlike Tamme and Dreesen he is a much biigger big play threat. I also wouldnt mind that 6-8 TE from Stanford for redzone target. His hands arnt the best but defiantly can be worked on.
Strand thanks. Thats the 6-3 230 guy I just mentioned.
I like yours RB order. Im not a big fan of Gio and would put Taylor infront of him. If we didnt have Holiday I would stay with Gio for his KR abilities but since we dont need him for that and also the fact I think Taylor is the better back is why I would switch them.
Anyways, some NE fans out there think they can get a top 1st round pick for Mallet alone. (KC NYJ Cleveland Bills are a few teams ive heard them mention) IMO thats way more then hes worth. I dont see them being able to net that. Granted its a weak class but Mallet hasnt had any chance to show what he can due in the NFL (Because Brady of course). Mallet is loaded with potential and I think they could get a 3rd and later round pick for him but without a bigger package I just dont see any team listed as taking the big risk of a top 1st for him.
No problem. I figured that was him.
Strand heres some good news for you. Dolphins and Bush are likely to prt ways as they seem to be far off on contract negotiations.
Alaska, I can understand that. Taylor is a jack of all trades as a RB, he’d be a great asset.
Bush is wanting big money. He might need to tone it down a bit. The NFL teams will let him know his worth. Bush might be asking for too much. Hmmmm
Yes Taylor is. Can run outside inside block and catch out of the backfield. Very well rounded back. All of the things that are “bad” about him are all things that can easily be coached up. A lot of it is just impatience on his part.
Without a doubt Bush is asking for a lot. When FA hits hes going to see his real worth (Like you said) and will have to relax his view on his own worth.
Also did you see Harrison Ford is going to play Han Solo in the new movie?
Oh no way! Oh, ya gotta like that! A man on a mission, gotta love Harrison playing Han Solo. I couldn’t see anuone else filling his shoes. Nice!
Yup Strand. I was so happy when I saw that. John Williams is pushing really hard to do the score. I hope they find someone else to play Leia. Carrie Fischer is always doped up on cocaine and/or drunk to do it.
plus she’s aged a has always had a weight problem. I haven’t seen Fischer lately but the last time I did, she was pretty big. Not good for hollywood. LOL
TRB, Im mostly saying a CB because I want a guy who can cover one on one first but against taller TEs. Adams tried this year doing just that with spotty results. Mostly cause Adams is a Safety first and not a CB.
Other than that, I think we are basically discussing the same thing.
I like that we are talking about Star Wars on the blog. Hope you all had a good day. The press has made a huge impact on the combine this year, it’s a little insane how many of them are there.
I have a feeling that Miguel Maysonet is going to be the sleeper RB from this years draft.
Keep telling u guys and lbf will back me. Its all about LeVeon Bell.
TRB
1st round Kwann Short DT Purdue
Helps our big need for a talented DT that can collapse holes and push the pocket.
2nd round Montee Ball RB Wisconsin
A durable do it all RB.
3rd round Ryan Swope WR Texas A&M
A combination of Welker and Stokley. Rare he drops to ball isnt afraid to go up and take the hit getting it. Faster than you think and good route runner.
4th round Kiko Alonso ILB Oregon
Good awareness in the run game. Athletic and quick. Good strength to make wrap up tackles. Can drop back in coverage. Needs help in all aspects of his game.
5th round Zeke Motta S Notre Damn
Good coming up in run support and flys to the hole and makes the big hit and good at avoiding blockers. In pass coverage he needs to be able to see the QB in order to be really successful and needs help getting better when his back is turned.
6th round Ricky Wagner OT Wisconsin
Saw time at OG during his time at Wisconsin. He is big with long arms and able to get his hands onto the defender right away. Wont be one of the best but with help tightening his technique can be a solid starter at OT or OG.
7th round T.J Barnes DT Georgia Tech
A big body that can plug the holes. Will be a solid guy rotating in and can play the Zero tech and take up multiple bodies just with his massive size. Sometimes gets to high and gets knocked back easily when he does.
Those are interesting names AB! I don’t like the idea of going offense with picks 2 and 3, especially not for position players that are easily duplicated in later rounds!!!
I’ll take BEEF, BEEEEF and MORE BEEEEEEEF!!! Give me a cheap RB late, A no name WR late and some PREMIUM HOGS up front EARLY and OFTEN!!!
REVOKE THE CHOKE!!!! VON CLOWNEY FOOTBALL 2014!!!
AB… I like the WR Swope (Man were the Aggies Loaded this season, their last coach had to be a BAD-ASS recruiter)… But if we are going to get a small WR in the first 3 rounds I really hope they pull the Trigger on Austin!
AB? if you watch NBA game film you have to check out the Nuggets game last night… que 2:30 left in the 4th (game is long over) and watch Ty Lawson cross-up three Bobcat defenders! It is GREAT! cause the gym is empty/dead silent and in unison you can see and hear their sneakers SQUUEEEEEKKKKK! lol and Ty is standing all alone no one within 3 feet of him!
In Rd2 of the Jadaveon Steal’o'rama (NFL Draft 2014) we can fill our Middle Linbacker need with Max Bulloughs MST (put a star by his name and remember him for next year!)… Pretty much that’s all we get (and we still win the Draft), had to trade the house to land a CLOWN!!!
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!
I like Swope a lot and I had to put him on there because of that. But two other mi late WRs I like are Dobson from Marshall and Vernon from Duke. As for Ball I just love his play style and think itd be nice to replace McGahee with him. I know a lot like Bell but with Heater on roster already who does basically everything Bell would jut a little slower I went with who I think will be a much better version than McGahee who we need to replace sooner or later. I also like Taylor for a RB as well and I think we could get him in the 3rd. In which case we can get something else in round two.
I like Austin as well but I see him going before our pick in the first round. What I would prefer us to do is really trade back out of the first into early second and hopefully pick up an additional 3rd or 4th and later round pick. I know a good many probably don’t like that idea but I like it a bit. As much as I love Short there are a few 2nd round DTs I like as well. And who knows maybe he falls.
I actually changed some of my pika multiple times for different reasons.
I didn’t see it but will have to look that up BT. I like Lawson a lot and before his new deal he was considered the player to be the best paid for his bang (in other words way underpaid) now it seems to be Faried. I will look that up for sure.
I apologize for all the spelling errors as I was typing it up on my computer when the power went out and I’m too lazy to go an proof read on my phone.
Broncos reportedly pursuing Shonne Greene..
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000144514/article/denver-broncos-atlanta-falcons-to-court-shonn-greene