9:50 a.m. EST: Hello from the brand spanking-new Lucas Oil Field in frigid Indianapolis. DenverBroncos.com is live from the combine this weekend as we bring you the sites, sounds, times and measurable from the NFL’s version of a job fair.
General Managers, coaches, scouts and personnel from all 32 teams are in attendance as the NFL draft winds pick up speed.
Today the offensive lineman, kickers, punters, long snappers and tight ends make their way to the media room and around 1:30 p.m. MST on Friday Head Coach Josh McDaniels will meet with the combine press. So stay logged in all weekend.
Also, fire any combine related questions you might have or prospects you want more info on below and we will do out best to get them answered.
10:03 a.m. EST: And we are under way, the first person to step to the podium, Buffalo Bills Head Coach Dick Jauron. In year’s past, the NFL has setup two podiums for the prospects, coaches and general managers. This year, they have added a third podium … should be interesting.
10:50 a.m. EST: Still no players as of yet, but along with Jauron, Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz, the Colts Jim Caldwell and the Falcons Mike Smith have spent time at the podium. According to Corry Rush of the NFL, well over 300 media have been credentialed for this year’s event.
11:02 a.m. EST: And the first player has made his way to the media room. Ohio State offensive tackle Alex Boone. First impression, he is every bit of 6’8″ 330 lbs.
Boone was arrested earlier this month in California for resisting arrest and obstruction of a law enforcement officer, said some teams have asked him about it and he responded by taking full responsibility for his actions and vowing to never do it again.
11:00 a.m. EST: ***UPDATE*** Change of plans, earlier in the blog I said Coach McDaniels would speak today, he will actually meet with the media tomorrow (Friday) at around 1:30 p.m. MST.
11:20 a.m. EST: Hartwick’s Jason Boltus has taken his turn at the podium. Where is Hartwick you might ask? Well, we didn’t know either so we looked it up. Hartwick is “a private liberal arts and sciences college of 1,480 students, located in Oneonta, NY in the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains” according to the school’s website.
Boltus will attempt to be the first Division III quarterback to be drafted in the NFL since 1991.
12:00 p.m. EST: Alabama’s Andre Smith, who many believe is the top-rated offensive lineman, has stepped to the podium with a throng of media surrounding him. Smith is still undecided if he will take part in full workouts at the combine.
While most of the media is gathered around Smith at podium three, Furman’s Joel Bell has a small contingent with him at podium two.
Smith spent several minutes answering questions about being suspended from the Crimson Tide’s Sugar Bowl appearance. He didn’t say what exactly caused the suspension, but he called it a “mistake” and said that missing the game was a difficult thing to endure.
12:30 p.m. EST: Activity has picked up, right now Stanford center Alex Fletcher and BYU’s Ray Feinga are holding court with Wisconsin’s Kraig Urbik just making his way in the room.
Most of the media is gathered around Fletcher, who should look into a career in broadcasting or public speaking after his time in football is done.
12:50 p.m. EST: Baylor’s Jason Smith, who is considered a top offensive tackle prospect, has the media’s attention. So far he may have the quote of the combine. “When I am on the field I take a lot of pride in physically assaulting someone,” Smith said.
1:45 p.m. EST: The media center at Lucas Oil has been busy the last hour. Top offensive line prospects Phil Loadholt of Oklahoma and Mississippi’s Michael Oher have each taken a turn at one side of the room, while Redskins Head Coach Jim Zorn, the Dolphins Tony Sparano and the Raiders Tom Cable have handled the other side.
It hasn’t been just the podiums that have been busy, the interview tables have all been full as well with the largest group gathered around LSU’s Herman Johnson. Now that my friends is a big man — prior to the combine he was listed at 6’7″ 382 lbs. Not sure what he tipped the scales at this morning, but he said that his weight is down.
But being big is not a new thing for Johnson. According to his LSU bio, Johnson weighed 15 pounds and 14 ounces at birth and is listed as one of the biggest babies on record to be born in the state of Louisiana.
2:00 p.m. EST: We have just had our first tight end sighting — Missouri’s Chase Coffman, who is considered one of the top prospects at the position. Coffman spoke at length about his father, former Packers and Chief’s tight end Paul Coffman.
2:15 p.m. EST: Colorado State tight end Korry Sperry just spent a couple of minutes with the media. His first question when he found out a bunch of us were from Colorado, “How is the weather?” Sperry said he has spent the last month in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in preparation for the combine, but is headed back west when the festivities wrap next week.
2:26 p.m. EST: One thing has been evident as the offensive linemen have come through the media room. Most of them — especially the interior linemen — have expressed the importance of being versatile along the line. With most teams only keeping seven linemen active on game day, the ability to play two positions or even three makes them a bigger asset to the team and to the longevity of their career.
2:58 p.m. EST: Another of the top tight end prospects Brandon Pettigrew just entered in the room. Pettigrew measured in at just over 6’5″ and weighed in at 263 lbs. He said the one knock on him that he has heard is his speed. So to rectify that, he has been working out with Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Johnson. Sounds like a pretty good teacher to me.
3:30 p.m. EST: So we have had a bit of a lull in the media room. The occasional guy will come in — including Oklahoma center and Ft. Collins native Jon Cooper — but it is not as busy as it was two hours ago.
3:46 p.m. EST: The Dean of the NFL Combine, former Cowboys Vice President of player personnel and current Sirius NFL Radio commentator Gil Brandt just introduced Cincinnati guard Trevor Canfield. As he was doing so, he mentioned that six players from Cincinnati are at the combine this year — the most ever for the Bearcats.
Just a random fact you should know.
By the way, Canfield mentioned that one of the players he looked up to was Conrad Dobler.
4:15 p.m. EST: Well looks like that is going to put a wraps on day one from the media room. Later tonight we will be posting the media sessions of Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith and Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew. Also, we will post the best sound bites of the day.
Tomorrow the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers make their way through the media room as well as Coach McDaniels.
Talk to you all then.
COMBINE LINKS:
NFL.com: Combine page | Participants | Top-Performers | Workouts
NFL Network: Programming Schedule
DenverBroncos.com on Twitter
When will the players weigh-in? Also if you dont mind could you spot light TE Shawn Nelson of Southern Miss. I want to know how he handles himself.
D.J.55 — That starts today and will be done by position. Once we get it, we will post it. We will keep our eye out for Nelson.
Thank you.
Here we go Combine 2009, super pumped.. Thanks to you Kyle for the upcoming updates…
Let’s build a winner via the draft supplemented by astute free agent signings a la the model the New England Patriots have used. No more wasted draft picks and free agent busts. Let’s build a complete defense that gets the job done on the line, at linebacker and in the secondary.
Oh year, a game-changing running back will do wonders too in taking pressure of Jay Cutler as well as the defense by controlling the clock.
I want to hear about Mr. Maualuga out of USC…I already know of his downhill blitzing and run gam skills…I’m really interested in how well he drops back and plays the ball…I’ve seen some flashes of that but I want to see if he has a real good foundation in the area…
I think we need to get one more WR in the draft but focus this draft on the secondary and D-line. The only good player on the d-line is Elvis, Jarvis Moss cant stay on the field and we dont have any DT,We have no Safteys and only one CB which is Champ.
Denver should make a big splash for Albert Haynesworth and then focus the rest of the draft on Secondary and D-line.
pinoymidgyt – I think we are all anxious to see Maualuga. He will make his way through the media room on Saturday.
real excited about this, especially rey maualuga. the only concern i have about rey is that he he sometimes overpursues and doesnt wrap up when he hits. he sounds a lot like nate webster (who i loved cuz of his intensity), but i dont know if thats what our organization would really like. maybe they’ll want a more sure tackler in laurenitis…. who knows. either way im keeping my eyes on both of them….
Hey Kyle, good work. Now that Dre Bly has been released, would it be a good idea to go for a solid CB in the first round? I know that Malcolm Jenkins and a few other guys like D.J. Moore and Alphonso Smith could be great corners in the NFL…..
I should add that i left out CB Vontae Davis in that group…..
Kyle,
One thing I have noticed watching the 3-4 defenses this year is that every one of them has a nop notch safety. It has to be an important key to this defensive scheme, so who is the best safety coming out this year? Anyone you think the Broncos have their eye on? Thank for your time.
From what the “experts” are saying, Jenkins will probably be gone by our pick at #12. But who knows, I think any of them would do well opposite Champ.
twinblaze- One thing I don’t know is who we are looking at. This time of year, they keep most of that pretty close to the vest. But like cornerback, I am guessing that safety will be addressed in free agency or the draft.
i know that guy! i live near the catskill mountains, 20 min south of albany. dude. represent us!
We could get Louis Delmas in round two seeing as taylor mays stayed at USC.
BTW, Josh Barrett has a lot of potential.
i think we should build our defence up i agree so much! but i would like to c a good RB! shaun green from iowa would be a good fit for our team! green ran over 100 yds every game! it would take some pressure off my main man jay cutler! mile high salute!
Hey Kyle, can you keep an eye out for Louis Vasquez the guard from Texas Tech i rate him very highly but i would like to know how he looked in drills.
MILE HIGH SALUTE
15thebeast – Will do… we aren’t privy to the workouts, but we will give him the ole eye-ball test for you.
Why not try and develop spencer larsen at mlb? the guy is hungry for the ball and can tackle in the open field. Leadership comes with experience
I think we will end up with Rey some kinda way. Also if ray lewis doesn’t want much (which he will but I can dream right?) put him Rey and DJ to help bring this guy up. Pick up a fresh corner, a hard hitting safety, and a good DE. Kyle who do you think is the best all around safety? I would like to see Jarvis Moss play his heart out and hopefully Nolan can push him and if not lets get this guy outta here. Will any of our current players be at the combine to help talk to the prospects and if so who? Have fun wish I were there.
hey kyle! great work! thanks so much for keeping bronco nation informed. I know this isn’t exactly combine related, but i’m a recording artist and would love to find out how to submit music to be considered for the website’s videos. I went to high school with champ and boss and would love to contribute. thanks so much! BRONCOS = AFC WEST CHAMPS 09!!!
cutler6101 – None of our players will be here and outside of guys who are working for NFL Network, I don’t think any current NFL players are here. Top safety … quite honestly I loved watching William Moore play at Missouri. How that will translate to the NFL, remains to be seen.
Kyle,
A few things I’m interested in.
Knowshown Moreno – Watching him at the drills, critics say his tangibles are merely average, but his intangibles are what make him an elite prospect. Let us know how he fares please.
Jarius Byrd, C/S, Oregon – This tweener has a lot to prove at the combine and I think he will be able to do it.
Clay Matthews – I think he will rise into the first round after the combine, he is natural football player… come on it’s in his blood.
Ron Brace – This prospective 2nd rounder is blowing up the Mock Draft’s to fill in Denver’s NT spot.
Most importantly, the prospect of Denver trading down their pick to stockpile. After watching all of these guys I’d like to hear your opinion on what that possibility is.
Sorry for all the questions… I’m pretty jealous.
Mr. East
http://broncotalk.net
Mr.East- We will do our best… like you, I am a huge Clay Matthews fan. I worked with his Uncle Bruce for a couple of years and it is a tremendous blood line.
My jealousy only grows…
I’ve been reading these blogs for awhile but never commenting. Keep up the good work I’m very anxious to see what you guys have to say.
Everyone is disappointed about Taylor Mays not comin out. But I think William Moore is underestimated could you post his specs throughout the day from time to time. If he can ball hawk like they say he can than he might be the next Ed Reed. Thank you.
seeing as its only the o-line today could you tell us what you think of the centers you see? from what i know there are three very good prospects, and perhaps one of them could be around in the second or third round picks. i have heard that nalen might retire this offseason and i think this is the perfect time to grab a talented center for when weigmann is gone too.
chuntbuck- Alex Mack just spoke. Very impressed by him and the part that is interesting is he is a former wrestler. I would think that has to help with leverage down in the trenches.
i was wondering about ilb jasper brinkley, he started out great but got injured. one of the biggest questions about him is his quickness since his injury to his knee. would you mind taking a look at him once he comes in. also william moores production really dropped after his torn labrum, was this year just getting back to 100% or did he just get more attention or was he just a one hit wonder?
Kyle, Thnx for the links and info it’s great! One guy I can’t find anything on is DT Sammie Lee Hill out of Stillman, no bio’s no history, would you keep an eye out for him please.
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
tatumfan- We don’t see the linebackers until Saturday, but we will be looking for him. As far as Moore goes, it wouldn’t be fair for me to comment. All I know is that every time I saw him play, he played well.
monodono – Try this link — http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/sammie-lee-hill?id=79571#player-profile-tab-set-1:player-profile-tab-overview
I like the saftey from Alabama, Rashard Johnson. Johnson may be a litttle undersized and miss a few open field tackles but he’s a play maker, and if we could get him in the 2nd or 3rd round that would be great. Do you know when we might see him?
66forHOF- Defensive backs are the last group to come through, we don’t see them until Sunday and they don’t workout until Tuesday.
Thanx
Thanks Kyle, great links and good info.
Do me a favor Kyle, keep your eyes open for Him He could be that diamond in the rough.
I POSTED THIS COMMENT ON A DIFFERENT BLOG BUT I THOUGHT IT MIGHT GET SOME GOOD CONVERSATION STARTED HERE.
What do you guys think of Chris McAllister, the former Ravens CB. Here are some move we need to make. What do you guys think?
Future Tranactions:
TRADE FOR – - – DE Julius Peppers
SIGN – - – - – - – CB Chris McAllister
RELEASE – - – - – DE Ebenezer Ekuban
TRADE AWAY – - OLB Boss Bailey
DRAFT – - – - – - MLB Rey Maualuga
Kyle, there are usually around 30-35 players that get drafted that will not attend the combine. Is there a link to look at just those players? Also the guys that don’t get a lot of media attention are we looking into them also? Thanks
Yo guys, I have been saying for the last few days that all the guys we want will be gone. Peppers gone, Nnamdi gone and the list goes on the only guys left to have a look at are Haynesworth, Scott and Lewis. Though these guys will be hard to get. As for the combine I am interested to see Lauranitus he skipped the senior bowl so this will be the first time to see what he can do.
Kyle, On a side note whoever runs the blogs through denverbroncos.com can they maybe check it out because a lot of people me included are having this problem with the spam filter. Can you please explain to us why it is happening and can you guys fix it so it doesn’t. We all love to comment alot!
I said it before that we should get C McAllister. He is another Rob Woodson. Excellent corner who could switch to safety.Peppers is tagged so forget him. I think all the real good FA will be signed or tagged. bronos14441 I like your thinking otherwise. IF, if Hansworth is availible we need to go after him.I still say no one will trade for our garbage on D. We only have a few players that can play/start (Champ, DJ, Doom, Woodward and Larson). Some of the younger guys could be back ups.
Now that Peppers was Franchised and i know what we would have to give up, i think he’s out of reach.
tnalen66-
Who’s Woodward? Ha! Jk! I know what you mean.
Opps.. Woodyard.
We need so much help on D that I think it will take two years to get all the right players the complete the puzzle. I don’t think you can get 7 starters in one draft and FA. Woodyard.
I think our d next year should look something like this
DE-Marcus Tomas(Dose’nt get his due
NT-Albert Hanesworth(if in our range I think hes over his face stomping days)
DE-Kenny Petterson
OLB-Elvis Doomerville(could be a monster upright)
ILB-DJ Williams
ILB-James Laurinitus(should be there when our pick rolls around)
OLB-Jarvis Moss
CB-Champ Baily(looking for a big bounce back year)
CB-Josh Bell (on the small side but plays hard we’ll see)
FS-Wesley Woodyard(big may not be fast enough but who else is there)
SS-Josh Barrett(reminds me of Adrian Wilson)
hey kyle;
just wondering if you came across antoine caldwell? if you did, what is your initial take on him? i think he wouldnt be a bad pick in the 3rd or maybe the 4th.
Man… I was not happy to hear Peppers got tagged : (
Well… guess we didn’t tag anyone… knew we woudn’t… Who would we tag???… so yeah… Stupid Carolina (even though it was smart)… well… lets get good ol’ Haynesworth if we can
Iamthe56-
To answere you question “but who else is there,” IT’S CALLED FREE AGENTCY OR THE DRAFT!
Deffense Next Year:
RE – Elvis Dumervil
NT – Marcus Thomas or Albert Hanesworth (if we can sign him)
LE – Chris Canty (if we can sign him)
SOLB – Wesley Woodyard
SILB – Rey Maualuga
WILB – D.J. Williams
WOLB – Boss Bailey
RCB – Champ Bailey
LCB – Chris McAllister
FS – Josh Barrett
SS – Vernon Fox or Marlos McCree or James Sanders (if we can sign him)