9:23 a.m. EST: Good morning and happy Saturday to you all. It seems as though a bit of a warm front has blown through the greater Indianapolis area, as frost bite didn’t kick in until just before we approached the stadium.
Anticipation is filling the air as the defensive linemen and linebackers will make their way to the Lucas Oil media room. Hopefully they will start filing in within the hour.
As we have the last couple of days, we will try to bring you the sites and sounds from the media room. But if you have any specific questions, please feel free to fire them and we will do our best to get them answered.
Also, the workouts will start revving up today. For the latest results and the NFL Network broadcast schedule, click on the links at the bottom of this blog.
9:56 a.m. EST: Well the first player of the day has taken the stage, but not from the position group we expected. Northwestern running back Tyrell Sutton is kicking the day off.
10:49 a.m. EST: The first of the defensive players have entered the room. Cincinnati’s Connor Barwin and Penn State’s Maurice Evans have taken their respective podiums. Barwin started his collegiate career at tight end for the Bearcats and was moved to defense last season. That versatility should help him at the next level and it is possible that he may work out as a defensive end, outside linebacker and tight end before the draft. I guess the old adage, the more you can do, the better off you will be applies to Barwin.
11:22 a.m. EST: Georgia’s Corvey Irwin has taken his turn in the media room and mentioned that the Broncos are amongst the teams that he has talked this week. The former Bulldog said he measured in at 6’3″ 301 lbs. and will take part in all of the combine drills.
11:30 a.m. EST: NFL Network is now showing the offensive linemen running the 40. The pride of the University of Louisville, Eric Wood, just clocked a 5.17 … at 6’4″ 310 lbs. that is motoring.
12:03 p.m. EST: Those teams at the top of the draft who are in need of a wide receiver just got some bad news. NFL Network is reporting that Michael Crabtree, who many consider that top player at his position one on of the top players in the draft, has a slight stress fracture in his left foot that will require a surgery to insert a screw.
12:26 p.m. EST: Utah defensive end Paul Kruger has ended the defensive drought we experienced the last hour. He started his podium session by recounting the story of how he lost a kidney. When Kruger was 13-years old, he was in a jeep accident and suffered multiple injuries. He said that he wears a pad to protect his abdomen, but the injury has never hampered his playing. The biggest thing he was to watch is his hydration and diet.
12:40 p.m. EST: Mitch King from Iowa just told us that he has “violent hands.”
1:36 p.m. EST: Well it has been quiet player wise for about an hour. Hopefully the rush will start here soon as long as they don’t all come at once. For now we are all watching … and just as I say that, Brandon Williams from Texas Tech takes the podium.
2:03 p.m. EST: Now this is more like it. The pace has picked up and we have had two of the top linebacker/defensive ends make their way into the media room. Penn State’s Aaron Maybin and Brian Orakpo from Texas both had their time under the lights. Both said they are willing to play at linebacker in the 3-4 or defensive end in the 4-3. Orakpo seemed very comfortable with the cameras on him, joking with reporters and having fun with the event. Despite being in sweats, you can tell he is put together.
2:08 p.m. EST: Earlier this morning, I was forwarded a YouTube clip of someone jumping out of a pool. I didn’t believe it. Well, the man who did the stunt, San Jose State’s Jarron Gilbert, just took the podium and confirmed it to be true. Here it is below in case you haven’t seen it.
I also found this one, equally impressive.
2:35 p.m. EST: The word that has echoed through the media room today has been “versatility.” You have heard it from Orakpo, Maybin and others. But the guy who probably exemplifies the word more than anyone else is West Virginia quarterback Pat White. White set the NCAA record for rushing as a quarterback and projects to play several positions in the NFL and with the implementation of the “Wildcat” offense, his value could skyrocket.
Also in the media room is Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis. A huge media contention has gathered around him and he is handling it well. He said he feels comfortable in both the 4-3 and 3-4 and has no regrets about coming back for his senior season.
3:37 p.m. EST: Well it happened just like we feared. Podium 1 – LB Brian Cushing; Podium 2 – DL B.J. Raji and Podium 3 – LB Rey Maualuga … all at the same time. Now that was hectic.
Because they all were going at the same time, I didn’t spend a lot of time with either, so I will give you my thumbnail impression for what it is worth.
Cushing – Taller than I thought, said he measured almost 6’3″ and weighed just over 240 lbs. Although he played in Southern California, you could tell he still has that blue-collar New Jersey work ethic.
Raji – People always talk about his motor and how he never stops. Well just from his interview session, you could tell that was accurate. The guy moved the entire time and worked up quite a sweat (I’m sure the bight lights had something to do with that as well).
Maualuga – I’ll admit it, I am a fan. I have been a fan since I first saw him play. He measured in at just under 6’2″ and bit under 250 lbs. He was poised in his answers and you could tell that he was enjoying it. He came across as very friendly as well — saying hi to every media member that he walked by.
3:45 p.m. EST: Before the defensive star onslaught, I listened in on Cal’s Zack Follett answering a few questions. When most of the linebackers are asked what player the enjoy watching, you hear Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher and others. But Follett’s answer was the most original and unusual. He looked up to Terry Tate … the office linebacker from the Reebok commercials. In case you forgot who Tate was, here is a clip -
4:15 p.m. EST: Wow … Wake Forest’s Aaron Curry just wrapped up an 18-minute session that was easily the best of the combine. I am pretty sure that every media member in this room could have talked to him for another 30-minutes. He was smart, engaging, witty, funny and any other positive adjective that you could come up with.
He talked at length about coming home following his sophomore year at Wake Forest to find out that he and is family were being evicted. It was then that he knew he needed to do something to pull his family out of the financial crisis and football was the answer.
After a strong junior campaign, he submitted his name to the NFL’s advisory council to determine when he would be drafted. The report he received was he had a third-round grade. The contract he would sign as a third-round pick could have easily helped his family. But his mom encouraged him to go back for his senior year. He did and now is projected to be a top-five pick.
Moral of that story; always listen to your mother.
Anyway, we are going to post his entire press conference on the main site later this afternoon. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
4:50 p.m. EST: Well I think we have had our last player of the day come through the media room. USC linebacker/defensive end Clay Matthews Jr. visited with us for a little while. One of the greatest expereinces I have had is working for the Tennessee Titans when Bruce Matthews was there. It was towards the end of his Hall-of-Fame career, but it was a highlight so I was anxious to see his nephew.
Talk about a guy with good blood lines. Matthews’ grandfather, Clay Sr., played four seasons for the 49ers in the early 1950s. His dad, also Clay, played 19 seasons at linebacker with the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons and then there is Bruce, who played every position on the offensive line for the Oilers/Titans for 19 years.
Well that will probably put the wraps on day three of the combine for us. We will be back bright and early tomorrow for the defensive backs.
COMBINE LINKS:
NFL.com: Combine page | Participants | Top-Performers | Workouts
NFL Network: Programming Schedule
DenverBroncos.com on Twitter
Sweet First Post! But it will be my last because B.J. Lazi’s Picture is on the front.
Actually, because the QB’s and RB’s are going today, I can post.
Well then,
Kyle, when does Javon Ringer go? If he were to fall into our lap in the draft I wouldn’t mind taking him.
broncos14441 – I believe Ringer and the rest of the running backs will lift weights today and then run and do on the field work tomorrow.
Is anybody else reading into Josh Mcd interview yesterday? i think he took some shots at shanny lol… he said I think that is very important that we identify exactly who we are looking for, we know what role they are going to play when they come here and when they get here that is what we are using them to do. We are not going to bring players in and then have them do a bunch of things that we never thought they could do before they got to Denver. Example like Larsen LB-FB, Foxworth CB-S, Woodyard LB-S, N. Jackson WR-TE, & so on. Josh is the coach we needed for a couple of years now
Thanks for the blog updates Kyle!
Did you hear about Andre Smith (Alabama OT) not being located early this morning? (http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/02/sources-smith-missing-in-indy/)
Have you heard what he was doing/happened?
BroncosNL- I heard the same story from the same source you did, but there has not been much talk about it.
Thanks Kyle!
Did anyone see Lydon Murtha, the OL out of Nebraska? He just ran a 4.85 40-yard dash time. It was the best of all lineman. To go with that, He is 6’7” and weighs 307 lbs. I think he would be great in our system, but because we are pretty much set, I can see him as a 4-6 round pick to Houston (Broncos South.) If he does drop all the way to seventh, I think Micky D needs to take a look at him.
What do you think of this guy Kyle?
broncos14441 – We just saw that, I think it was officially a 4.89. He didn’t come through the media room, so I didn’t see him in person. But what we saw on TV was impressive.
Hi Kyle,
Are any 3-4 DE’s or NT’s available in the later rounds?
Kyle, Is it true that Rey Maualuga’s draft position has been falling past the top 20?
BroncosFan973 – Seems to be a pretty deep group on the d-line, so I would think so.
BroncosNL – I haven’t heard that, but you have to be aware of the hype machine this time of year. Agents will boost up their players and in doing so push down other players. Teams will publicly state that a player can’t do this or can’t do that when in actuality they are just hoping interest falls.
i have been very excited for both laurinaitis and maualuga, please update on both of them as much as possible.
im a nebraska fan too so if you like murtha you probably like right guard slauson he is a beast murtha would be an awesome back up and could get him in the late rounds. what about marlon lucky while we are talking about nebraska have you seen anything about him kyle
Kyle, have you heard any rumbling as to who will run the best 40 time in the next few days? Darrius Heyward-Bey sure can fly, and he’s my pick.
Hi Kyle,
This is a tough and very vague question. There are going to be talented plaers who are not drafted early, of these players, who do you think the broncos could realistically get in the draft, and play them to improve the defense?
15themarshall15 – I saw Lucky in here, but didn’t get a chance to talk to him. Haven’t heard much on him either. Sorry
lomaxgr – I have a feeling Jeremy Maclin is going to put up a big time.
BroncosFan973 – Yeah that is a tough one and to be honest I am not sure I have the depth of knowledge to answer that question fairly. But you are right, they are out there. Wesley Woodyard and Brett Kern are great examples of that from last year.
get woodyards replacement at kentucky this year if woodyard didnt get drafted neither will he maybe we get lucky twice cause woodyard is are most exciting linebacker to watch if you ask me. He seems like he could be the next great linebacker. Dj Williams and Wesley Woodyard could develope as one of the best linebacking cores in the nfl. All depends on who the other two linebackers are gonna be. Get both maualuga and cushing and thats pretty sick. i love to dream
Hey Kyle, do you know of any Kickers that the Broncos are looking at? I feel like we need competition to move Prater out and if we could do what Dallas or Green Bay did 2 seasons ago and draft a great kicker in a late round, we could really benefit in the long run…..
bronc fan in WA – Not sure who the team is looking at, but did you all see David Buehler from USC put up 25 reps of 225 lbs.? Kicker or not, that is impressive.
woodyard is the man i also think he will be one of the best with time and great coaching i must be alot like josh mcdaniels cause every thing he has done i would of done its like a dream come true that we got him sorry shannahan but he lost his touch years ago mcdaniels has us on the right track all ready i really think jarvis moss can be are starting left end now that we got nunnley in to teach him and mike nolan to coach him i all so think he will be a great player in the near future and could cause some major match up problems for the teams we play this year he is 6’6 and fast as lightning ready for this season to start we will be in the playoffs this year i have no doubt about that KYLE any information about gartrell johnson yet i really excited to see what he can do and how much his prospect jumps up after the combine is over.JOSH MCDANIELS DRAFT GARTRELL JOHNSON PLEASE
Pretty impressive, jumping out of that pool. Personally I wouldnt want to see my future player do those kinda stunts, it could leave him horribly injured. (if even a McDonalds bag can)
jayd06420 – Talked a lot about Johnson in yesterday’s blog. Consider me a fan as well.
hey Kyle i just have a few question im hoping you can answer…
1) what kind of defense are we scouting for a 4-3 or a 3-4?
2) which first round prospect are the broncos scouting really hard?
3) if maualuga and bj raji were both available at pick #12 who would be selected by the denver broncos?
4) what is the likelyhood of either of them being there?
5) if the broncos look for a cb in the draft when would it be?
BroncoBoy2012 – I’ll do my best.
1 – Coach McDaniels said yesterday that we will run some 3-4 next year as the system develops, so that would be my guess.
2 – No clue… There are a select few in on that information and unfortunately I am not one of them.
3 – Again not sure. As I said above, personally I am a huge Maualuga fan. But I am not in the decision making process so I will let those who have forgotten more football than I will ever know make that choice. But I think it would be a good choice to have.
4 – I would guess that one of the two will be there.
5 – Early, middle or late, depending on the talent available.
thanks Kyle, even if its not the answer i hope for its always good to know
Kyle, what about Smith out of Utah? Sounds like he has impressed with his size (6′ 5″)! Could be around in the late 2nd. I would love to see him opposite Champ!
Was anyone other than me suprised to see the NFL channel has Laurinaitis ranked above Maualuga? I think the Broncos need to take Maualuga. The defense needs a personality like the Ravens, to me Rey would put his stamp all over it!
UtahBronco22 – We don’t see the defensive backs until tomorrow, but I hear he is more in 6’3″ range … still big for a CB. I will keep an eye out for him.
Kyle, thanks! Your right more like 6′ 3″. How do you feel about Hillis? I think he played great and I would love to see him stay at HB. Maybe part of a earth/wind/and fire thing. Do you have any info on RB’s the Broncos maybe looking to take? Thanks again!
UtahBronco22 – I like Peyton more off the field than I do on the field. Don’t get me wrong, he is a tremendous player and I think there is a direct correlation between his injury and us missing the playoffs, but you won’t find a nicer guy. I don’t have any insight on what running backs the team is looking at, but there are a lot of good ones.
Hi Kyle, You gotta love Terry Tate. My personal favourite was the sensitivity training one. The last hit where he flies over the camera still makes me laugh. shame he’s not at the combine this year. Keep up the good work and the fun updates! Mike
BroncosNL – Looks like they tracked Andre Smith down, http://www.nfl.com/combine/story?id=09000d5d80edb7f2&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true
mikebirty – That is classic, thanks for the kind words.
Percy Harvin (if he chooses to run) will run the fastest 40 time. Maclin will do well, and Heyward-Bey will probably do alright, but nobody is going to touch Harvin if he runs.
masturch33f – Harvin said he will run and you are right, he will put up a good time.
Is there a chance nate swift from nebraska gets drafted he is a football player
Do the running backs run the 40 tommorow if so how do you think Kory Sheets will do he is predicted a 4.49 but i can seem him doing it alot quicker
UtahBronco22-Right now when I look at Laurinaitis and Maualuga I see that Laurinaitis could still put musle on that frame and still has room to improve and as tons of potential where as with Maualuga I think its more like what you see is what you get and I think that could be what the NFL network see’s and I have to agree with you on smith got to love that big 6’3″ 210 body, with that size I kind of wonder if he could play free safty as well as cb depending on need ofcourse
Thanks for the link Kyle! Didnt see it yet. Definately not a good sign of responsibility. Ah well. We wont be looking at OT’s anyway (at least not where he’ll be picked).
I like peyton hillis just as much as anyone else but he should and probaly will stay at the fullback postion he is very valuable player at that postion he is an extra target for cutler on screens and will be explosive at fullback run plays like leron mclian does for the ravens and he can block good but he could get better at that if he was blocking for some one like Gartrell Johnson or if cory boyd or ryan torian is ready to take the job but we will see either way whatever coach mcdaniels does i am happy with he is a genuis at evaluating players and i like how he is so motivated to get things going for are franchise and get are team back to what i grew up watching them do WIN!!!KYLE you the man keep up the good work.
Ok Kyle have you seen these scores?
Lydon Murtha Official Combine rankings/stats:
40yard-1st/4.89
VertLeap-2nd/35.0
BroadJump-3rd/9’2″
3ConeDrill-1st/7.06
Shuttle-1st/4.34
Think he could be a back-up to Harris or Clady?
Iamthe56, thanks for the info! I still wonder if Laurinaitis has the passion that Maualuga does. To me Denver needs a D that will scare the other team, Rey hits like a mother and that could influence Williams, Moss, and Woodyard (not that Woodyard needs it)! Does anyone have an opinion on how the second round should go?
broncos14441 THAT WOULD BE AWESOME
I just tuned into NFL Network and it’s sad to hear about Michael Crabtree’s injury. He’s a great talent. I think that Rey Maualuga needs to wear an orange #58 and wreak havoc in the heart of our defense. Come what may, I have confidence that McDaniels will make the right call.
i like gartrell johnson or that dt out of boston college if he is still there ron some thing cant remember his last name right this second i like rey or james for are first pick i steal sold on james laurintas more right now i just think he will fit better into josh mcdaniels defence stragtey but i will be happy with either but laurintas seems to be gettin underestimated about the way he plays he is just as physical as rey hit just as hard and can cover te and wr if needed i am all most positive that if it comes down to 12 pick and rey and james are still there mcdaniels and brian will choose james laurintas you can qoute me on that to.
OK guys it is 2:50 am where I am at and I am drunk! I really thinkk that Coach McD will make the right calll and pick Rey Maualuga in the first round if he is there and if he isn’t I still have a good feeling about next year. I cant wait to see the moves we make. I feel that with mike nolan our defense will make a great turn around. I am glad we have Coach Josh McDaniels on our team and wish him the best.
Can’t wait to mess some people up next year in the Orange Crush Jerseys
UtahBronco22 i think the second round will be Ron Brace if he is there if he is then we take him but if he is not then we take someone like William Moore and in the third we grab Terrance Taylor