Draft Scuttlebutt 3/9

[MelK]

Update on Pats-Texans deal...Updating the deal earlier this week that saw New England send OT David Randall to Houston for a 5th round pick this April; the Patriots will receive the Texans second 5th round pick this year, the 19th selection overall in the round.

[MelK]

Big Hurricane OT slimmed down...John Murphy of Draft 2003 reports after his sojourn to Miami for this week's Hurricanes' on-campus workout that mammoth Miami OT Vernon Carey, a top prospect for the 2004 draft, isn't quite so mammoth anymore. Carey, who played last year at over 345 pounds, is down to under 325 pounds and is reportedly working harder in both the weight room and class room.

[MelK]

Texans to target Miami WR with #3 pick?? After his solid workout at yesterday's on-campus pro-day, Houston is taking avery hard look at Miami WR andre Johnson should the Texans hang onto the third pick overall at this year's draft. Houston had a full contingent of personnel people in Miami yesterday including GM Charley Casserly, head coach Dom Capers and offensive co-ordinator Chris Palmer. Said Casserly of Johnson whom the Texans reportedly measured in at 6-2, 228 and ran a sizzling 4.34 40: "It was a very good workout. He's certainly worthy of a #3 pick." The Texans had earlier been believed to be trying hard to move down in the draft, in the process picking up some extra picks, and taking an OT such as Jordan Gross of Utah with a lower first round pick, however, with the addition of free agent OTs Zach Wiegert and greg Randall in the past few days, the Texans have significantly upgraded that spot. With LT Tony Boselli still a major question mark because of chronic shoulder problems, the Texans, though, could still consider the offensive line option this spring.

[MelK]

More pro day updates...Oklahoma junior DE Jimmy Wilkerson, who surprised a lot of scouts with his decision to leave school early, reportedly ran much better at the Sooners' on-campus workout on Wednesday than he did at the combines late last month. Wilkerson, in fact, was able to run the 40 in just under 4.75 seconds this week, whereas he reportedly struggled to break 4.90 in Indianapolis. Elsewhere, Wisconsin C Al Johnson, running at 6-3½ and 305 pounds, posted a solid 4.95 at the Badgers' workout, but disappointed managing only 18 reps pressing 225 pounds. Cousin Ben Johnson had somewhat of the opposite problem after reportedly being told by a scout that he to improve his explosion off the ball to get into the first day of this year's draft.

The following reports were found at Great Blue North
http://www.gbnreport.com/index.htm

[MelK]

Dorsey's outing might change some NFL minds
Associated Press
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfldraft/story?id=1519810
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CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Ken Dorsey threw sideline passes and deep balls. He threw with the wind and against it. He threw from the pocket and on the run.


Dorsey did anything asked of him Thursday at Miami's NFL workout, a showcase for 18 former Hurricanes.

"Ken threw the ball a lot better here than he did at the combine," Washington Redskins coach Steve Spurrier said. "He can make it. He can make all the throws. He's a big, tall guy, a wonderful leader, and he's used to winning. That's important. You need guys on your team that like winning and hate losing, and that's what these guys at Miami are all about. They're about winning."

[MelK]

Andre Johnson's size, speed impresses scouts
Thursday, March 6, 2003
Updated: March 7, 12:03 PM ET


By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

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If the name of the position was wide athlete and not wide receiver, University of Miami star Andre Johnson certainly would have solidified his status as a premier draft choice on Thursday, as Hurricanes players staged their on-campus workout for NFL scouts.


The chances are still excellent that Johnson will be among the initial 10 prospects selected on April 26 but, during the workout, his receiving skills were clearly secondary to his overall athletic prowess.

"I wouldn't label him a 'body catcher,' because he does grab the ball out in front of him, but he doesn't look really that natural (as a receiver)," said one personnel director. "He doesn't have those real, soft hands, you know?" One college scouting director termed Johnson's showing in the receiving drills on Thursday "a little average."

There was nothing ordinary, however, about Johnson's performance in the athletic drills. While he dropped the first pass thrown to him in the position-specific work, there were no bobbles in the drills that preceded it.

Johnson was timed at between 4.42-4.48, according to three scouts, in his first 40-yard dash. On the second, he ran between 4.37-4.40, scouts said. He also recorded a 41-inch vertical jump, a long jump of 10-feet, 9-inches, and a time of about 4.10 seconds in the short shuttle drill.....more...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfldraft/columnist?id=1519382

[MelK]

Sunday, February 23, 2003
Updated: March 4, 4:36 PM ET

Lack of size not an issue for Newman
By John Clayton
ESPN.com

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INDIANAPOLIS -- It's not easy to be a cornerback in the NFL nowadays. Quarterbacks are more accurate. Receivers are getting taller and faster. And corners, well, they aren't getting any taller.


Anymore, most young corners are at a four-to-five inch height disadvantage to the increasingly tall receivers entering the NFL. Receiver Charles Rogers of Michigan State is 6-foot-2. Andre Johnson of Miami is 6-2, 230 pounds. Five of the six best wide receivers after those two are taller than 6-feet. There isn't a pure coverage cornerback projected in the first two rounds taller than 5-11.

"All these teams are looking for these tall receivers because they know there is a lack of tall corners," Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman said. "Corners are trying to make up for the height, so we have to make up with jumping ability. You are not going to find a lot of corners going over 6-2."


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfldraft/columnist?id=1513366

[MelK]

Fresno State LB/DE Sam Williams really impressed this week at his campus pro day workout. The 6045, 250-pounder showed tremendous athleticism while running a 4.58-4.62 forty on grass, as well as a 38" vertical and a 10'1" broad jump. Williams played exclusively at OLB at Fresno, but is versatile enough to play as a rush end, as well as MLB. He may fit best in a 3-4 scheme as an OLB, but his athleticism and versatility will add value to his draft status. Williams is currently projected as a solid 4th-5th rounder on my draft board.

http://www.allproscouting.com/

[MelK]

West Texas A&M LB Chaun Thompson's post season momentum has continued. The 6017, 240-pound LB with 4.4/4.5 speed is scheduled to workout in Canyon, Tx on March 13th at 11am in front of at least 15 teams. Chaun has been rated as my #2 OLB prospect for three months now and he's established himself as a solid first day prospect with a tremendous upside. He's moves very well laterally, shows a tremendous burst in pursuit, locates the ball well, shows good change of direction skills, balance, and understands the game very well. He can also kick off. Very good looking prospect

http://www.allproscouting.com/