9:10 a.m. EST: A pleasant good morning from Lucas Oil field as we prepare for day two of the NFL Scouting Combine. Today should be a busy one for those of us occupying the media room as the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers spend a little time with us.
Also, Head Coach Josh McDaniels will take the podium at 1:30 p.m. MST and we will do our best to put up the video shortly after he is done.
As always, please fire any questions that you have and we will do our best to get them answered.
9:55 a.m. EST: Last night I had the great pleasure of joining V.P. of Public Relations and blogger extraordinaire Jim Saccomano for dinner at the NFL epicenter known as St. Elmo Steak House. This Indianapolis institution is where you can find anyone and everyone in the NFL world.
We were very fortunate to get a seat at the front of the restaurant so everyone who was coming or going had to pass by us. From Falcons Owner Arthur Blank, to coaches such as Marvin Lewis, Tom Coughlin and Sean Payton, we saw them all.
But the highlight of the evening — outside of the food, which in the words of a friend was “exquisite” — was when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and special assistant to the commissioner Pete Abitante stopped by the table to visit with their old friend Sacco. You could tell by the brief conversation how much respect and admiration each of them have for one another and how lucky the Broncos are to have a guy like Sacco.
I feel very fortunate to be a part of that conversation and it was definitely the highlight of the trip thus far — I can’t imagine anything topping it.
But back to the action of the day, NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock has kicked the podium tour and will be followed by 49ers head man Mike Singletary. The players should trickle in shortly after that.
10:15 a.m. EST: While answering a question about Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford, Mayock compared the former Bulldog signal caller’s arm strength to that of Jay Cutler by saying that both have the ability to fire the ball even if they can’t step into it.
10:30 a.m. EST: The first players have entered the room. Oklahoma wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias and South Florida wide out Taurus Johnson are manning podiums two and three.
10:45 a.m. EST: Jarett Dillard, who is the all-time leading receiver at Rice, was asked about all the tests that the athletes go through during the combine and where he thought he would standout. He said that he thought he would stand out in an area they can’t test, how big of a heart a player has.
11:21 a.m. EST: We just spent a few minutes with Boise St. wide out Jeremy Childs who spoke at length about his former teammate Ryan Clady. Childs, who like Clady, is coming out as a junior said he spoke with Clady about coming out early and what the NFL was like. Childs believes that the success Clady had in his rookie year will provide motivation to him and all the guys from smaller schools.
“I think it gave me a lot of motivation,” Childs said of Clady’s successful rookie campaign. “Not only me, but also guys that are coming from our conference or our school. People look at our school as a mid-major and not able to compete with the bigger conferences. But if you look at what we have done with Clady being a top round pick and what others have done, we are making an impact coming out of Boise.”
12:01 p.m. EST: The three most common heard questions during the media sessions:
How much did you weigh?
How tall are you?
Do you plan on working out at the combine?
I personally enjoy hearing the answer to the third question the most. For the top guys, the answer is usually no. There are some exceptions, but most of them want to give their defining performance during their school’s pro days not at a field with coaches they are not used to.
I understand that theory because the draft is an event where milliseconds can cost you millions, so you have to do what you feel gives you the best shot.
Although my favorite answer thus far to the that question came from an offensive lineman during yesterday’s session. When asked if he planned to do the full workout at the combine, he gave a befuddled look to those in attendance and said, “I have been working out for months in preparation for this, why would I not work out?”
12:25 p.m. EST: Some of the bigger names have entered the media room. The aforementioned Stafford and Missouri’s dynamic duo of Jeremy Maclin and Chase Daniel. And for the record, Daniel wants everyone to know that he measured in at 6’0″, not 5’10″ or 5’11″.
Stafford easily has the biggest audience thus far. He has been very poised under the lights as he is being peppered with questions from across the room. Stafford plans to do most of the drills, but will skip throwing and lifting.
12:39 p.m. EST: During Stafford’s session, a voice in the back asked, “How much did you weigh?”. Without missing a beat, Stafford answered. Then he realized who asked the question, USC quarterback Mark Sanchez.
Sanchez is now up answering the questions.
12:45 p.m. EST: Sanchez is also handling himself well amongst the questions and unlike Stafford, says he plans on doing the full workout this weekend.
He said that he has met with a lot of teams in the hotel lobby and compared it to speed dating. When asked if he ever took part in actual speed dating he said, “No, but my friend told me about it.”
Also Kansas St. quarterback Josh Freeman just took the opposite podium. He is a monster, he said he measured in at 6’6″ and 248 lbs.
1:10 p.m. EST: Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell just took his turn under the lights and given the recent news out of his alma mater, many had questions about the Mike Leach (the coach, not our long snapper) situation. Harrell said he has been focused on the combine and was just glad the situation is resolved. He also told the group about the freedom he had as a quarterback. He said when Leach called a play from the sideline it was more of a suggestion than a play call and Harrell was able to change the play at anytime. Now that is freedom and something he probably won’t get to expereince in the early part of his NFL career.
1:50 p.m. EST: Earlier this morning BroncosFan973 asked about Shonn Greene, well he just wrapped up his media session. He said he measured 5’10″ and weighed in at 227 lbs. and said that his strengths are how he runs between the tackles using power and elusiveness. He will take part in every drill at the combine and believe the zone-blocking scheme that he ran at Iowa will be beneficial to him.
Knowshon Moreno just took the stage, so I am going to hear what he has to say.
2:20 p.m. EST: Before noon, we didn’t see a single running back step foot into the media room. In the last 45 minutes, that is all we have seen. From Green, to Moreno, to Boise State’s Ian Johnson to Beanie Wells, the walls of the media room have been thick with running backs.
At the table right in front of me is Gartrell Johnson. He is a very soft spoken guy and is handling himself well amongst the media that have engulfed him. He has spent time explaining how a kid from Miami ended up in Ft. Collins and how much his New Mexico Bowl performance has helped him.
3:00 p.m. EST: Running back Ian Johnson played with Ryan Clady for a number of years in Boise and has paid close attention to him since his arrival in Denver. He said off the field, Clady hasn’t changed much. He is still the quite guy that he knew during college. But on the field, he has seen his old teammate really blossom.
“When Ryan was at Boise, he was a specimen to begin with,” Johnson said. “When he got to the NFL, he honed all the little things that you can’t just do on your own. His footwork is phenomenal now and you look at his hand placement. He is just so technical now as much as he is just a God-given athlete. You can’t get passed him, he gave up like half-a-sack and I don’t even think he deserved that.”
3:10 p.m. EST: One of the more intriguing wide receiver prospects is Cal Poly’s Ramses Barden. Standing in at 6’6″ and weighing 227 lbs., he has drawn comparisons to Brandon Marshall. He said those comparisons helped convince him that he could play in the NFL.
“I like Brandon Marshall’s toughness,” Barden said of the Pro Bowler. “It kind of reminded me of — not at the same level — but some of the things I’ve seen on my highlight tape. So I’m like ok, there’s a chance for me to make it.”
We are off to prepare for Coach McDaniels press conference. Talk to you after he wraps up.
deserved that.”
4:10 p.m. EST: Well Coach McDaniels just wrapped up an 18-minute session at the podium and then answered questions off to the side for another 10 minutes. He touched on a variety of subjects from personnel moves to what color he painted his walls in his office — white in case you were wondering. We will post the video and transcript as soon as we can get it up.
With that said, we don’t expect many more players to show in the media room today, so we will talk to you tomorrow.
Tags: 2009 Scouting Combine, Josh McDaniels, Kyle Sonneman, NFL Draft
who are your sleeper picks @ the combine? anybody surprise you? who underachieved and came to the combine out of shape? punches n bunches
How does Shonn Greene look? How does he act?
How does Nate Davis look? How does he act?
broncomaniac4life – Not sure how much of a sleeper he can be after the New Mexico Bowl, but I am anxious to see Colorado State’s Gartrell Johnson.
great call!!! Johnson is a BEAST!!! do you think he’s a free agent RB (I heard his 40 time is slow…true that?) or 4-7th rd pick? Since we should be concentrating on D for the ’09 draft which players are you keying on? I’ve been on the blog sites say’n are 1st pick HAS to be either Orakpo, Maualuga, or BJ Rajii….am I off-base here?? I like Laurinitis too, but most of broncoscountry like Cushing+Maualugu (Lofa clone?) better. I’m in the minority. I’m also a huge fan of Colt Anderson from MT. I think he could be a Pat Tillman type of player. what do you think? I’m sitting here @ the gig very jealous of you. You have a cool job. take care. enjoy…punches n bunches….
broncomaniac4life – I don’t think Johnson is an FA. A guy with his production and power makes him a hot commodity. As far the defense, I like most of you I am sure, can’t wait to see what the top guys look like. From Raji, to the USC linebackers, to Jenkins. I am looking forward to seeing them all.
I also think we need help @ DB’s. Especially now that we got rid of Bly, Manuel+I’m sure more are going to get the Axe. I like Delmas+Chung (2nd rd for both?). I think both of those safetys can make an immediate impact on our team. I’m a HUGE fan of colt anderson, but he’s a later rd pick (maybe FA). @ the combine is the interview process has equal wt then the skills competition (225lbs bench press+40 time, etc)??? I ‘member when V-young did very poorly on the wunderlich test (is that’s it’s name?). Obviously he’s not done very well adjusting to the NFL. keep me posted about the D players. sleepers. D players that did well. D players that surprised you….have fun. punches n bunches….
Hey Kyle what do you all think about DT Peria Jerry or LB James Laurinaitis? Are these guys on your radar? I believe Jerry is the next best option to Raji…..
bronc fan in WA – My radar? Yes… the team’s, I would have to think so. I think all of the top guys have to be on your radar.
Two words… Malcolm Jenkins
I like Malcolm Jenkins also are safetys played terrible in the secondary last year I aslo think Mauluga is a good choice…George Selvie from USF could help us out on D-line we could not pressure the opposing QBs last year…B.J. Raji could really help the interior defensive line which i think was are biggest downfall on defense last year!
Kyle. @ the combine can you tell if a team is interested in a specific player? I’m sure they don’t want to show their hand (so to speak) before draft time, but….I’m curious if the Broncos are keying on specific D talent…what do you think? jarius byrd (3rd rd) over malcom jenkins. connar barwin over selvie. must get a safety high in the draft, am I right or am I right???? punches n bunches
broncomaniac4life – Teams will never let on who they are looking at with the exception of the team with the number one pick. The only way people get an idea is through the players. Most are asked what teams they are talking to and who is showing the most interest. Most common answer, “I have talked to every team.”.
I am sorry but I have seen Matt Stafford play in person numerous times and he isn’t even close to Jake Plummer! Must have been a joke to compare to Jay Cutler.
i pray we get gartrell johnson in draft and james laurintas i just think he will be a better fit in are team than rey i watched johnson all year that dude is exactly what we need in are back field 275 pounds of muscle and hes fast to back it up if he is still in second round we would have to be dumb not to take him.
I wish I could find some streaming video of these interviews on the web somewhere…..
I say we need Rey Maualugu b/c he is everywhere looking for contact and when he does big hits occur. We need someone that likes to play at a high level and will bring that feeling to the guys that get left on the defense from last year to motivate them to play better. He also reminds me of Troy Palmalu (not sure if that’s how you spell his name) and that guy has a lot of guys playing better.
I am ready to see who we get and bring the RESPECT back to the Denver Defense.
i have heard that knowshon can be pretty cocky at times. did you get a sense of that at all during his time up, or did he seem fairly humble?
chuntbuck- I think there is a fine line between cocky and confident. Knowshon to me came out very confident, but I wouldn’t call him cocky. Then again, this is the first time I have been around him.
kyle. have you noticed any of the athletes intimidated? I mean they’re basically in a meat market competing for a monster payday, right? they’re young. I’m sure some of them are scared. Noticed anything like that? Do you think that “nervousness” could hurt their draft status? I hope we draft Gartrell Johnson. he’s a BEAST!!!!! have fun…
I have not noticed anyone acting nervous or intimidated. But then again, they are around a bunch of media when I see them. I am sure there are some butterflies when they meet the teams or before they work out. But most of them have been training for a long time, so hopefully for them it is like second nature.
They just showed Knowshon Moreno hurdling over a guy and the thing about it was the guy was standing up! Wow this guy needs to be on our team but I would rather have Rey or Cushing and/ or get Beanie Wells! Kyle how did Chris Wells handle himself at the podium?
It’s Ramses Barden, not Martin.
kyle, has anybody answered a question where it makes you go, “I can’t believe he said that!!!” who’s the funniest+most comfortable in front of the media??? punches n bunches
Dream- My fault, I was hurrying to get to Coach McDaniels and I had “Martin” on the brain. Thanks for pointing it out, I am sure there will be more, but hopefully not too many.
broncomaniac4life – I really enjoyed Jason Smith from Baylor. I loved his line, “When I am on the field I take a lot of pride in physically assaulting someone.”
Kyle, have you seen Chris Wells yet and what’s your take on his presence.
monodono- He came through today, but while he was here the media room was packed with players, so we were running around. Didn’t get a great take on him, but liked the little that I saw and heard.
I know all these are freak’n huge, but has any of the players blew your mind on his freakish size???? I heard Orakpo is a BEAST! I saw an ESPN special on him. I’m sure beanie wells is huge. Besides the standard OL anybody stand out…makes you think he was chisled out of granite????
kyle, what did you think of coach McD’s talk? anything he said surprised you? anything he said gave an indication on how the Draft is going? Which DB impressed you the most? have fun. punches n bunches
Is Gartrell Johnson really 275 pounds? Kyle, do you think Ian Johnson would be a good pickup as a free agent I know he has’nt been incredible the last couple of seasons but I can’t help but wonder if that sophmore season guy is still there
im begging the broncos please please please select Brian Orakpo if he is available if they don’t it will be on of the biggest mistakes in bronco history mark my words im a true bronco fan and know what im talking about. Mark my words.
yup gartrell is really 270 pounds and from colorado state he had two games this year wear he rushed for over 250 yards one he rushed for 280 yards he is a steal if we can get him in the second or third if he still there.kyle is gartrell there and what do you thind about him.
can anyone tell me how Louis Vasquez is doing i think the offencive lineman did some drills today how did he get on
broncomaniac4life – Two guys today stood out to me as huge. The QB from Kansas State Josh Freeman and I know you didn’t want offensive lineman, but Herman Johnson from LSU is one of the biggest humans I have seen.
I thought Coach was fantastic today. There were a lot of national media types around and the talk I heard was that they were equally as impressed.
Iamthe56 – There is no way Gartrell is 275… more in the 220 – 225 range. I really enjoyed talking with Ian Johnson, he gave us some great stuff about Ryan Clady.
15thebeast – Vasquez set the mark in the bench press today with 39 reps of 225. You can see all the workout results at – http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers
Kyle I just looked up Gartrell, He’s listed at 6’0″ 225, and GOODLORD! Herman Johnson 6’7″ 382! WOW!
jayd06420, I think The Broncos would be reaching if they picked Gartrell in the second or third rounds. I think He will be around for the 6th round and if He is, I like the pick.
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !