Well everyone, the first day of player availability has come and gone here in Indianapolis. The first group of players (OL and TE) spoke to the swarming media, and revealed some parts of what makes them tick. An interesting day to say the least, so I've summed up all of the players I've spoken to with both notes about football, along with personal background tidbits.
Any questions or comments about these prospects or anything draft can be directed to my e-mail at JoeB@wgr550.com, and I'll answer most if not all in my next mail bag column.
A lot of good stuff ahead, so we'll go by position. I've also included their current draft range with each prospect.
Tight End: Bear Pascoe, Fresno State (3rd-4th)
- Measured in at 6'5", 251 lbs. Extremely pleased with his weight, because he played at 265 during the course of the season. Wasn't expecting to get down that low.
- Hasn't been contacted by the Buffalo Bills, but "I look forward to talking to them tonight."
- Believes his routes are crisp and provides a physical element to the tight end position.
- Real name is McKenna Pascoe. When asked why he was nicknamed 'Bear', he replied "Because I came out growlin'." That was just for a laugh, but said he got the nickname because he was a bigger baby and the name just stuck.
Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State (1st)
- Worked on blocking technique since the season ended, and focused on getting stronger.
- Believes he blocked "pretty well" at the college level. He knows it needs to improve for the NFL, however.
- Hopes to run a 4.4 40-yard dash.
- Has been training at the Michael Johnson Sports Complex, owned by the Olympic gold medalist sprinter Michael Johnson.
- 6'5", 263 lbs.
- First team he brought up was the Atlanta Falcons' TE coach having a good conversation with him.
Chase Coffman, Missouri (2nd-3rd)
- Hasn't played much on the line because of the spread offense used at Missouri.
- The son of Paul Coffman, former tight end of the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs. Paul made the Pro Bowl three times.
- Broke the fifth metatarsal on his left foot on the very last play of the Alamo Bowl. Because of the injury he cannot participate in workouts this week. He does plan on working out fully at his Pro Day. "It's tough to sit back and watch, because if you love the game then it's hard not to be out there with the rest of the guys."
- 6'6", 245 lbs.
- Known for hurdling players during his college career, and was jokingly upset when Knowshon Moreno got all the publicity for it after his Superman hurdle.
Cornelius Ingram, Florida (3rd-4th)
- Coming off a major knee injury, but says he's fully healthy and is thinking about working out in all events this week.
- Switched from quarterback to tight end.
James Casey, Rice (2nd-3rd)
- Lost his mother tragically during high school. It was a bizarre accident caused by a heater malfunctioning and setting the Casey trailer on fire. "I was at a real cross roads in my life. Do I feel sorry for myself and just quit? I finally realized my mom would have wanted me to pick myself up to succeed and make her proud and do something with my life and not sit around and pout all the time. That was a big turning point in my life and really has made me be very driven, and very motivated with a very good work ethic."
- A bit of an older prospect, 24 years old.
- Drafted in the seventh by the Chicago White Sox in 2003 as a pitcher. Had a rocket arm, but no control.
- Had 111 catches during his senior season at Rice.
Shawn Nelson, Southern Mississippi (2nd-3rd)
- 6'5". A very long and athletic tight end.
- The blocking has been his biggest question mark, but thinks it has improved vastly especially in the past season. "I believe I'm a great blocker, and I think I can be an even better blocker."
- Got a little bit of everything in his time as a Golden Eagle. Was able to line up latched to the tackle in a three-point stance, and also worked in a spread offense where he can let his natural receiver talents come out.
- Transitioned from a wide receiver to tight end during college.
- Shawn will participate in the full workout this week.
- His goal is a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. His trainer believes he can run it faster than that.
- Has met with the Saints, Jets, Jaguars, Giants, Chiefs and spoke briefly with the Bills on Wednesday night.
- Almost transferred out of Southern Mississippi after his first year. He was looking at Florida and Virginia Tech.
Center: Alex Mack, California (1st-2nd)
- A former wrestler in high school. Mack said it taught him to always know where his body is as well as how to control the opponent, which he implements in to his game. Speaking of wrestling, "It taught me how to be mean."
- Measured in just a smidgeon under 6'4", and 311 lbs.
- Has spoken with the Buffalo Bills. Of the interaction he described it as a "get to know you" kind of session."
Antoine Caldwell, Alabama (3rd-4th)
- Prides himself on being the same player from the first play to the very last.
- Thinks that he can offer versatility, playing both guard and center.
- 6'3", 309lbs. His weight is about twenty pounds higher than I had expected.
- Not worried about going up against the big defensive tackles of the NFL, because he faced Terrance Cody (380 lbs.) every day in practice at Alabama.
A.Q. Shipley, Penn State (5th-6th)
- Won the Rimington Award as the best center in college football.
- Originally recruited as a defensive tackle, but was asked to move to center by Joe Paterno.
- Started in 39 consecutive games during his college career.
- Buffalo has contacted him, and A.Q. said it went well. He brought up going against the 3-4 defensive scheme if he were in the AFC East, and said he felt comfortable enough doing so.
- His full name is Allan Quay Shipley.
Maxwell Unger, Oregon (2nd-3rd)
- Offers versatility along the line, with the ability to play at all five positions. Feels he's best suited on the interior part of the line, however.
- Along with teammate and fellow draft prospect Patrick Chung, Unger started in 51 games during his career.
- He's used to personnel turnover, saying during his time at Oregon they went through "at least 20 quarterbacks."
- Max considers it an advantage to have faced Baltimore Ravens DT Haloti Ngata every day in practice during his freshman and sophomore seasons.
- The Buffalo Bills have spoken with Unger.
Offensive Tackle: Andre Smith, Alabama (Top 10)
- Measured in at 6'4", 332 lbs. Highest he's ever weighed in at was 345 lbs, dispelling the rumor that he was at one time 380.
- Just wants to go in to an NFL team, work hard, and not be "a cancer to the team."
- When asked about the possibility of being picked first overall by Detroit and the Lions' as a whole, Andre replied, "Great organization. They had a tough year this past season, but there's always time for redemption.
- Has talked to the Redskins, Panthers, Saints, Jets and a few others
- Undecided whether or not he'll work out this week, but will work out at his Pro Day on March 11.
- He's not a waist bender as far as blocking style goes. He bends his knees and "has a pretty good kick slide."
- Suspended for the Sugar Bowl due to a "bad decision." Andre wouldn't divulge what that decision was, however.
Eugene Monroe, Virginia (Top 15)
- Will participate fully in workouts, saying "I've got nothing to hide. I'm healthy."
- Prides himself on setting high goals to achieve. Once he succeeds, he sets even higher goals for himself.
- Allowed two sacks this season. One to Duke, and one to Georgia Tech.
- Watches tape of Pro Bowl tackle Walter Jones to improve technique and learn.
- Has 15 total siblings, but most are considerably older.
Gus Parrish, Kent State (3rd-4th)
- Gus is short for Augustus.
- His brother plays for Arena Football League 2.
- Wants to use the combine to prove that he's on par with the top echelon of tackles.
- Feels that he could have played at a bigger school, but chose Kent because his brother had went there.
- 6'4", 302 lbs.
- Best defensive end he's faced was Northern Illinois' Larry English, but didn't give up a sack to him. Only allowed a sack to Boston College and Iowa State.
James Meredith, South Carolina (2nd-3rd)
- Thinks him switching to tackle at a later stage prevented him from being on par with the top tackles in the class.
- It's easier for him to pass block on the left side, but easier to run block on the right.
- Talked the most to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals
- 6'4", 304 lbs.
Jason Smith, Baylor (Top 10)
- Measured in at 6'5", 309 lbs.
- "I'm not the best Smith, I'm the best offensive tackle."
- Didn't allow a single sack his senior season. Thinks he needs to improve coming out of a three-point stance.
- Transitioned from a tight end to an offensive tackle.
- Provided the quote of the day, "When I'm on the field, I take pride in physically assaulting somebody."
- Nicknamed 'J Smooth,' saying "That's how I want to live. Be smooth every day."
- Wanted to declare for the draft last year, but his head coach at Baylor said "There's a big difference between going to the ranch and owning a ranch. Make sure you own the ranch this time next year." Speaking of the draft process, Smith said, "You make your fantasies your dreams, your dreams become visions, and make your visions become reality. And right now, this is a reality."
- Jason will participate in all workouts.
- So far in the process, he's spoken with Seattle and Cincinnati, but none of the top three teams.
- Had to give up team roping and riding a horse his senior season for football.
- Emphatically said he will be on time for camp for whichever team selects him.
Michael Oher, Mississippi (Top 15)
- Gave up zero sacks this past season, and only one during his junior year.
- Subject of the book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. It chronicled Oher's personal struggles leading up to his college years. After academic troubles in his youth, he was on the Dean's List during his junior year.
- Believes his technique is sound, and is also the best offensive tackle in the draft.
- Represented by Bus Cook.
- His last name is pronounced "Oar."
Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma (2nd-3rd)
- 6'7", 332 lbs., which is down from his playing weight of 340 lbs.
- Originally was going to play at Colorado, but was a non-qualifier out of high school.
- Was "comfortable" at right tackle during Senior Bowl practice.
- Admits he needs to be more consistent with his technique.
- Best defensive lineman he's faced was former Miami (FL) end Calais Campbell.
- When I asked Phil about his struggles against speed rushers, he replied that he needs to drop weight and improve foot quickness. He's hitting the speed ladder every day among other drills to improve in that area.
Ramon Foster, Tennessee (6th-7th)
- Will participate in full workout.
- Has three professional brothers. Renardo Foster (tackle for Atlanta), Rodney Carney (NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves), and basketball player Ron Slay.
- 6'5", 328 lbs.
William Beatty, Connecticut (1st-2nd)
- His brothers are praying that he gets drafted by Pittsburgh.
- Main goal is to work on his strength.
- In 2006 had a broken right leg. The injury was to the lower leg, right above the ankle. William doesn't anticipate it being a problem.
Guard: Andy Levitre, Oregon State (2nd-3rd)
- A versatile, and athletic player that has experience at tackle and guard. Hasn't taken any reps at center during games, but has worked on it in practice.
- Measured in at 6'2", 305 lbs.
- Getting a double degree in Finance and Sociology.
- Played in a pro-style offense at Oregon State, and has experience in both zone and man-to-man blocking schemes.
- Best defensive lineman that gave him the most trouble was fellow prospect Paul Kruger out of Utah. He attributes his troubles to the strong use of Kruger's hands.
Herman Johnson, LSU (3rd-4th)
- Perhaps the biggest player in the draft, measuring in at 6'7", 364 lbs. During the year, he topped out at 385 lbs.
- Used to play basketball before honing in on football. Shockingly, he was the low post presence.
- Hopes to run a 5.3 40-yard dash
- Best defensive lineman he's faced was Auburn's Sen'Derrick Marks. Marks is also in the draft this year.
Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin (3rd-4th)
- Hasn't faced too many 3-4 defenses in his career, but looks forward to the opportunity.
- Admittedly further along as a run blocker than a pass blocker.
- Iowa's Mitch King and former Michigan tackle Alan Branch were among the players he considers the best he's went up against.
- Coming off a knee injury, but was still named to the All Big Ten's 2nd team.
- Feels most comfortable at the guard polished because that's where he's experienced.
Rob Bruggeman, Iowa (7th-Undrafted)
- 6'4", 293 lbs.
- Before I even finished asking the question, Rob told me the best defensive lineman he's taken on was teammate Mitch King. Kraig Urbik also mentioned King among the best he's faced. King is a 'tweener type between the end and tackle position.
That's it for Group One. Tomorrow is going to be a literal media circus, as the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers will be made available to the media. Signing off from Indy, you'll hear from me again tomorrow.
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