NFL Czar: NFL Combine proving grounds
We are just days away from the
2011 NFL Combine. The Combine
takes place every year in
Indianapolis, and it is a chance for
college players to make their
marks before the NFL draft. Each
potential rookie partakes in a series
of drills and tests, designed to help
NFL teams make the right decisions
come draft day.
Every year there is a player or two that sticks out above the rest, and the Combine is a great way to move players up on team's draft boards. Of course, the impact made at the Combine could be positive or negative, depending on how they perform. Every year, there is a player or two that are expected to go high in the draft, but struggle at the Combine. It is the ultimate proving ground, and it starts Wednesday.
For my article this week, I am going to highlight five players who have something to prove at the Combine.
Cam Newton: The 2010 Heisman Trophy winner has a lot of questions leading up to the draft. While no one questions his athletic abilities, his off-the-field problems will certainly hurt his stock a bit. The biggest question with Newton on the field is whether or not he will succeed in a typical NFL offence. But, with a strong Combine, he could easily overtake Missouri's Blaine Gabbert as the top QB on many team's draft boards.
Jake Locker: Another QB with huge question marks leading up to the draft. The Washington gunslinger likely would have been the number one pick in last year's draft, but decided to stay in school. Locker had a sub-par 2010 season, and will need to show NFL teams that he still has the skills to be a first round pick in 2011.
Mark Ingram: The 2009 Heisman winner struggled quite a bit in 2010, and his stock has dropped over the past few months. The former Alabama running back now must show good speed and strength at the Combine, as he needs to prove to NFL teams that he can handle an NFL-style workload. Some scouts don't feel he can ever be a 20-25 touch-per-game player, and that could send him down the draft board.
Nate Solder: The offensive tackle from Colorado has a lot to prove after some bad workouts at the Senior Bowl last month. He is seen as an extremely athletic player, but will have to show good footwork and the brute strength to succeed at the NFL level. Teams looking for lineman in the first round want a sure thing, and Solder doesn't fit that mold at this point.
Stephen Paea: A defensive tackle from Oregon State, Paea looks to be one of many DTs taken in the first round in April; however, he missed the Senior Bowl due to an injury, so teams may hesitate to grab him. At around 311 pounds, he will have to show good quickness and footwork. With a good Combine showing, he could easily crack the top 15 picks.
Of course, there are many more players to watch at the Combine. It runs from February 28 to March 1. It will be featured all week on NFL Network, so check it out.
For next week, I will look at some of the stories that have caught my attention so far during the NFL offseason.
Every year there is a player or two that sticks out above the rest, and the Combine is a great way to move players up on team's draft boards. Of course, the impact made at the Combine could be positive or negative, depending on how they perform. Every year, there is a player or two that are expected to go high in the draft, but struggle at the Combine. It is the ultimate proving ground, and it starts Wednesday.
For my article this week, I am going to highlight five players who have something to prove at the Combine.
Cam Newton: The 2010 Heisman Trophy winner has a lot of questions leading up to the draft. While no one questions his athletic abilities, his off-the-field problems will certainly hurt his stock a bit. The biggest question with Newton on the field is whether or not he will succeed in a typical NFL offence. But, with a strong Combine, he could easily overtake Missouri's Blaine Gabbert as the top QB on many team's draft boards.
Jake Locker: Another QB with huge question marks leading up to the draft. The Washington gunslinger likely would have been the number one pick in last year's draft, but decided to stay in school. Locker had a sub-par 2010 season, and will need to show NFL teams that he still has the skills to be a first round pick in 2011.
Mark Ingram: The 2009 Heisman winner struggled quite a bit in 2010, and his stock has dropped over the past few months. The former Alabama running back now must show good speed and strength at the Combine, as he needs to prove to NFL teams that he can handle an NFL-style workload. Some scouts don't feel he can ever be a 20-25 touch-per-game player, and that could send him down the draft board.
Nate Solder: The offensive tackle from Colorado has a lot to prove after some bad workouts at the Senior Bowl last month. He is seen as an extremely athletic player, but will have to show good footwork and the brute strength to succeed at the NFL level. Teams looking for lineman in the first round want a sure thing, and Solder doesn't fit that mold at this point.
Stephen Paea: A defensive tackle from Oregon State, Paea looks to be one of many DTs taken in the first round in April; however, he missed the Senior Bowl due to an injury, so teams may hesitate to grab him. At around 311 pounds, he will have to show good quickness and footwork. With a good Combine showing, he could easily crack the top 15 picks.
Of course, there are many more players to watch at the Combine. It runs from February 28 to March 1. It will be featured all week on NFL Network, so check it out.
For next week, I will look at some of the stories that have caught my attention so far during the NFL offseason.
