Maryland tackle Bruce Campbell, USC safety Taylor Mays and South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul were among the most talked-about prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine, an event that is all about physical talent.
The NFL Scouting Combine concluded today with the defensive backs taking over the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium.
I made it home late last night from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Now that I’m on the couch, I can watch some of what’s going on inside Lucas Oil Stadium. The workouts this morning were of considerable interest to the 49ers. By my count, 29 of the 66 defensive linemen invited to the combine were paced through outside linebacker drills so scouts could gauge their prospects of…
Have you ever gone to an airport and demanded a later flight? Yeah, me neither.
Oxford‘s Myron Rolle, a future neurosurgeon who served an apprenticeship as a safety at Florida State, is pursuing a football career this weekend at the NFL Scouting Combine. The highlight of my weekend might have been when I asked a question to Rolle that made him pause for a moment before saying, “Good question.” (That career moment comes two minutes into the below podcast.)
The 49ers have their eyes on defensive backs. The consensus top two players in the secondary are Tennessee safety Eric Berry and Florida cornerback Joe Haden. * * *
This is get-away day at the NFL Scouting Combine. After today’s round of interviews I’ll be heading to the airport, along with wide receivers, running backs and quarterbacks – and those NFL assistants who coach them. Those groups are scheduled to work out today in Lucas Oil Stadium, and then they depart Indianapolis after their four-day whirlwind.
This probably will not be the last time you see C.J. Spiller’s name mentioned here. He figures to be a popular topic among 49ers fans who make their wishes known for the team’s picks at No. 13 . . . and/or No. 17.
The 49ers placed the franchise tag on nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin this week but it’s uncertain whether they can work out a long-term contract. I think if the 49ers really like a defensive lineman – even a nose tackle – they would not think twice about taking him at any point in the draft. One player who is gaining the attention of NFL teams that play the 3-4 defense…
Dexter McCluster of Ole Miss is a running back, wide receiver, punt returner, kick returner . . . and the guy likes to play gunner on punt coverage, too. The only thing he doesn’t do well is size. That alone will likely drop him into the second round because of his 5-foot-8, 172-pound frame. He said the successes of Percy Harvin and Reggie Bush are helping him as he…
Running back/return man Darren Sproles is expected to hit the open market next week, and the 49ers seem like a logical suitor. But there are some obvious issues that create doubts among league insiders that the 49ers will be much of a player in the pursuit of his services.
In less than a week, Darren Sproles will likely to be an unrestricted free agent. And at 9:01 p.m. (PT) on March 4 – the first minute the move is legal – the San Francisco 49ers should make the arrangements to get him on the next flight to the Bay Area. Moreover, I think it’s a realistic possibility.
During an elongated press conference, Florida QB Tim Tebow spoke about the adjustment to his throwing mechanics. He will not feature that new motion until his March 17 pro day. Upon the announcement, “Some guy named Tebow at podium C,” it set off a new Olympics event: Sportswriter Cross. It was every man for himself as the competition to get within viewing distance began.
The consensus top wide receiver in this draft is Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State – just as a year ago the top receiver in the draft was Michael Crabtree.
The last of the offensive linemen spoke with the media on Thursday, so we’re playing catchup. Here are some of the prospects at the position considered the 49ers’ biggest need. * * *
Long before the 49ers make their two first-round selections (assuming they don’t trade up or back), the decision will already be made. The 49ers will stack their board, in order, with the players they would select at those spots. And then the highest-rated remaining player will be the plucked from the top of the list.
Quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers are the next group to weigh in and get measured. Those groups followed yesterday’s gaggle of offensive linemen, tight ends and specialists.
The highly anticipated coin toss took place this morning between the Titans and Panthers at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Both teams wanted the Titans to win, but I have confirmed the toss did not involve a two-headed nickel. But both teams got their wish, meaning the Titans get the No. 16 slot in the first round. Because the 49ers acquired the Panthers’ top pick a year ago,…
If there’s one thing that was reinforced in speaking with 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan Thursday, it’s that he likes big players. He likes big cornerbacks; he likes big safeties; he likes big running backs. And he does not like to make exceptions — especially with high draft picks.
The 49ers are certainly in the market for an offensive tackle in the April draft. It is easy to assume that they will use one of their first-round picks to address that position.
