Hey folks, I'll be here all day at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis bringing updates to you about anything and everything here during the media frenzy.
Today will be a literal zoo as the quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers will be fielding questions from the national media. Keep checking back for all things combine!
I'll also be keeping a close eye on my e-mail, so shoot me a message with any questions or comments you have throughout the day. JoeB@wgr550.com.
3:45 p.m.- A funny moment but unfortunate for a prospect. WR Jordan Norwood was introduced as Jerious Norwood, who is currently a running back with the Atlanta Falcons. At least they announced him from his correct school, Penn State.
3:28 p.m.- You can't help but feel for Pittsburgh RB LeSean McCoy during this week. The flu has victimized McCoy, and he went through a sniffling press conference where you could just hear the swollen glands in his throat through his voice.
Still no word on Drew Willy, we've been waiting for the word on him all day.
3:03 p.m.- In this short time since I've last given you all an update, I've taken part in 18 player interviews. I repeat, that's only in 90 minutes. You'll get the full report on all the prospects in my wrap-up column tonight, but the one player I came away most impressed with was Boise State running back Ian Johnson. A personable, team-oriented guy that describes himself not as a running back, but as a football player, and put an emphasis on how crucial strong special teams play is to the success of a team. I tend to think that strong sense of leadership will help get his name called on the second day of the draft.
1:36 p.m.- The highly touted WR Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech) just spoke to the media and provided perhaps some disappointing news. Teams were said to love the combination of his size and physicality. They were hoping he measured in at 6'3", but he let reporters know that he was officially 6'1". If he runs poorly, this could dramatically hurt his draft stock.
Another shocker: Mike Thomas, a wide receiver out of Arizona, measured in at 5'7", 195 lbs. That will severely hinder his draft prospects.
1:15 p.m.- I think we've got about a five minute lull until the onslaught of interviews starts again. I wanted to answer an e-mail in my spare time.
Greg writes: Any word on Drew Willy so far? Do you think he will get drafted and where?
Well Greg, Drew has yet to speak here at the combine. As of right now I rate him as the 7th best quarterback in the draft, and I absolutely believe he has the ability to get drafted. If the draft were held today, I think you'd see him go in the 5th or 6th round.
More updates to come.
1:05 p.m.- How's this for a laundry list? As I'm typing up the article on the highlights from Russ Brandon, Missouri WR Jeremy Maclin, Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, USC QB Mark Sanchez and Kansas State QB Josh Freeman all spoke one right after the other. It's kind of surreal about the picking and choosing process of who to go and interview. At one end of the room Matthew Stafford, the potential first overall pick is speaking meanwhile New York Giants' head coach Tom Coughlin speaks at the opposite end.
12:38 p.m.- Just talked to Dan Gronkowski of Williamsville. He was recruited to Maryland as a quarterback, but switched to tight end. He's a kid with a great head on his shoulders, and I'll have more on him in my wrap up column tonight.
12:12 p.m.- Did I say whirlwind day? I meant tornado. Just after we took in Bills' offensive coordinator Turk Schonert's words, the Buffalo Bills Chief Operating Officer Russ Brandon made a surprise visit. You can read all of his thoughts here.
11:00 a.m.- Everything is quick hitting today. Just got the news that we'll be speaking with Buffalo Bills Chief Operating Officer Russ Brandon in a little bit. Not just that, but local product and Maryland TE Dan Gronkowski will also be fielding our questions today fairly soon. A whirlwind day so far and we haven't even barely got started.
10:29 a.m.- I just met with Turk Schonert a little bit earlier then expected. It was good conversation about football. Here's some highlights of what was talked about:
- Echoed Dick Jauron's sentiments about getting more points on the board and making more plays when they have the opportunity.
- Trent Edwards came up early on. Turk said he did a lot of good things, but made some young mistakes as well. "The great thing about Trent is, something happens to him one time and he's going to learn from it, and he doesn't make the same mistake most of the time." He still thinks Trent has a lot of work to do, but there were a lot of positives out of this past season.
- About the fullback position, they haven't decided what they're going to do with it this season. They have tight ends that can line up in the back field, so that's a decision they're going to make this off-season.
- If James Hardy is healthy or not, Schonert said they're always looking to add to the mix of the skill positions.
- He mentioned much of the same about the tight end position, but brought up that they only have three on the roster. "We do need another tight end, we need four, maybe five to add to the mix."
- The center position is one that has to be addressed. Schonert said with both of their centers being free agents, and the prevalence of playing against the 3-4 defense makes it a position of need.
- Turk insisted that just because they didn't take a lot of shots down the field, that it doesn't mean the Bills didn't call those plays. A lot of times protection broke down and couldn't take those shots. He stressed they need to get better in pass protection in 2009.
- When asked about Marshawn Lynch's situation, Schonert said that he knows as much as everyone else, and didn't want to comment.
...QB Nate Davis from Ball State is at the podium.
9:48 a.m.- Just arrived here to Lucas Oil Stadium. The first scheduled event for the Buffalo media in attendance will be an interview with Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Turk Schonert around 10:30 a.m. I'll bring you all the notables as soon as the conversation has completed. As I'm speaking now, draft expert Mike Mayock is fielding questions from the media about his thoughts on this year's prospects
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