I just wanted to make a general thread for news and notes coming out of the combine. Here are some general tidbits to prepare you for the combine:

 

Combine Dates (22-28 FEB 12)

 

1. Players are broken down into 11 groups: Group 1 (PK, ST, OL), Group 2 (OL), Group 3 (TE), Group 4 (QB, WR), Group 5 (QB, WR), Group 6 (RB), Group 7 (DL), Group 8 (DL), Group 9 (LB), Group 10 (DB), Group 11 (DB).

 

2. All groups have basically the same schedule covering 4 days, but the groups arrive on different days. Groups 1-3 arrive on the 22nd, Groups 4-6 on the 23rd, Groups 7-9 on the 24th, and Groups 10-11 on the 25th.

 

3. The days are broken down: Day 1: Travel, Registration, Hospital Pre-Exam & X-rays, Orientation, Interviews; Day 2: Measurements, Medical Examinations, Media, Psychological Testing, Interviews; Day 3: NFLPA Meeting, Psychological Testing, PK/ST Workout, Interviews; Day 4: Workout (timing, stations, skill drills).

 

So the drills don't actually start until the 25th based on this schedule.

 

NFL.com link:

 

http://www.nfl.com/combine

 

Player listing:

 

http://www.nflcombine.net/players/official-invite-list

 

 

WR Weigh-in:

 

Michael Floyd 6-3, 220

Kendall Wright 5-10, 196

Alshon Jeffery 6-3, 216

Mohamed Sanu 6-2, 211

Nick Toon 6-2, 215

AJ Jenkins 6-0, 190

TY Hilton 5-10, 183

Juron Criner 6-3, 224

Floyd ran a 4.42 and Wright just ran a 4.45 probably can take Floyd off the list now.. Thanks Lovie for winning a meaningless game against the Vikings when we could have picked 11th or 12th..

Bears visit with Illini DE Mercilus

INDIANAPOLIS – Coach Lovie Smith provided indications that a pass-rushing defensive end will be an offseason priority this offseason and the Bears looked in that very direction this weekend, meeting with Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus during the NFL Scouting Combine.

 

“Some of the teams that I’ve talked with – Bears, Chargers – showed interest, also the Bills,” Mercilus said. “They showed interest – a lot of interest – and those are just to name a few. It sounds good, definitely, and I can’t wait to see what unfolds and to continue on throughout the process and until draft day, see where I land at.”

 

Pro Football Weekly projects the 6-foot-3, 26-pound junior as a first or second rounder, based primarily on his 16 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss last season, his first as an every game starter. Mercilus said that the NFL committee created for providing some guidance for underclassmen considering the NFL projected him as a third-round pick.

 

http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/bears-talk/...mp;feedID=10330

 

Brad Biggs ‏ @BradBiggs Biggest thing I've taken away from combine to this point is #Bears are being comprehensive in preparation for coming weeks/months.

 

 

Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech. Lot of people like his upside and Cutler is the type of QB that can make his wideouts better. I think it is easier to strike gold on project wideouts when you have an above average QB (and Cutler is that). Prior to the combine, he was a 3rd round pick and we probably could grab him with one of our 3rd's no problem. Now, maybe not, but still, he's incredibly intriguing. He has a tremendous size/speed combination. Below are his measureable's from the combine.

 

6'4" 215; 4.30 40

 

His major flaw is he played in an option offense with crap QB play so he had very little utilization and is clearly very raw. Just 29 receptions last year with an YPC of something like 28.

Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech. Lot of people like his upside and Cutler is the type of QB that can make his wideouts better. I think it is easier to strike gold on project wideouts when you have an above average QB (and Cutler is that). Prior to the combine, he was a 3rd round pick and we probably could grab him with one of our 3rd's no problem. Now, maybe not, but still, he's incredibly intriguing. He has a tremendous size/speed combination. Below are his measureable's from the combine.

 

6'4" 215; 4.30 40

 

His major flaw is he played in an option offense with crap QB play so he had very little utilization and is clearly very raw. Just 29 receptions last year with an YPC of something like 28.

If he runs a 4.3, I dont see him lasting into the 3rd round. Many teams valve speed and with his size speed ratio, probably wont last until our pick in the third.

If he runs a 4.3, I dont see him lasting into the 3rd round. Many teams valve speed and with his size speed ratio, probably wont last until our pick in the third.

At this point, he is a borderline 1st rounder. Apparently a tremendous run blocker too and supposed to be a great kid. His major flaw is he just hasn't run a lot of pro-routes so he's unpolished. Showed above average hands during the combine. Mayock was talking about how he is going to have to go back and do more homework on this kid because he outperformed everyone (or almost everyone). Kid put on a show.

 

Of course, he could be the next Haward Bay.

Floyd ran a 4.42 and Wright just ran a 4.45 probably can take Floyd off the list now.. Thanks Lovie for winning a meaningless game against the Vikings when we could have picked 11th or 12th..

 

I said over a month ago if Floyd runs in the 4.4s he'll be a top 10 pick and I'll stand by that for now.

 

Vincent Jackson may very well be worth 12 mil a year to the Bears.

WR 40 Times

Michael Floyd 4.47

Kendall Wright 4.61

Mohamed Sanu 4.67

Nick Toon 4.54

AJ Jenkins 4.39

Juron Criner 4.68

 

Stephen Hill 4.36

Travis Benjamin 4.36

Chris Owusu 4.36

 

I was surprised to see Jenkins finish that fast. Yeah, Floyd's 40 probably just made him a Top 15 pick.

Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech. Lot of people like his upside and Cutler is the type of QB that can make his wideouts better. I think it is easier to strike gold on project wideouts when you have an above average QB (and Cutler is that). Prior to the combine, he was a 3rd round pick and we probably could grab him with one of our 3rd's no problem. Now, maybe not, but still, he's incredibly intriguing. He has a tremendous size/speed combination. Below are his measureable's from the combine.

 

6'4" 215; 4.30 40

 

His major flaw is he played in an option offense with crap QB play so he had very little utilization and is clearly very raw. Just 29 receptions last year with an YPC of something like 28.

Stephen Hill could be a sleeper. He would fit the Big play making WR that Lovie keeps talking about. He won't last till the 3rd. Sounds like he'll be a late first early second with those measurables and 40 time.

WR 40 Times

Michael Floyd 4.47

Kendall Wright 4.61

Mohamed Sanu 4.67

Nick Toon 4.54

AJ Jenkins 4.39

Juron Criner 4.68

 

Stephen Hill 4.36

Travis Benjamin 4.36

Chris Owusu 4.36

 

I was surprised to see Jenkins finish that fast. Yeah, Floyd's 40 probably just made him a Top 15 pick.

McNutt had a 4.47 and was 6'2 (almost 6'3). I know a lot of people are high on him and I'd still really like him. I'd be fine drafting a wideout in the 2nd and 3rd (if we didn't take one in the 1st). That is how big of a need I feel wideout is for the Bears.

 

Especially given the fact that it appears less likely that they will be able to find a wideout via FA. I'd sign a second tier wideout, draft 2 wideouts, and spend big on a DE (and possibly a CB). Or go oline and CB and draft a DE in the 1st round.

Floyd ran a 4.42 and Wright just ran a 4.45 probably can take Floyd off the list now.. Thanks Lovie for winning a meaningless game against the Vikings when we could have picked 11th or 12th..

 

Exactly. When I saw the time I thought the same thing. Freaking Lovie.

40-yard Dash (LBs) Top 10

Marvin Kendricks, California, 4.47 seconds

Zach Brown, North Carolina, 4.50

Luke Kuechly, Boston College, 4.58

Demario Davis, Arkansas State, 4.61

Nigel Bradham, Florida State, 4.64

Najee Goode, West Virginia, 4.64

Lavonte David, Nebraska, 4.65

Dont’a Hightower, Alabama, 4.68

James-Michael Johnson, Nevada, 4.68

Ricky Carder, TCU, 4.69

 

Top five in three-cone drill

Nathan Stupar, Penn State, 6.84 seconds

Tank Carder, TCU, 6.89

Chris Galippo, USC, 6.90

Luck Kuechly, Boston College, 6.92

Audie Cole, N.C. State, 6.96

 

Top five in short shuttle

Brandon Marshall, Nevada, 4.09 seconds

Galippo, 4.10

Kuechly, 4.12

Carder, 4.18

Mychal Kendricks, California, 4.19

 

Top 10 in vertical jump

Marvin Kendricks, California 39.5 inches

DeMario Davis, Arkansas State, 38.5

Luke Kuechly, Boston College, 38

Miles Burris, San Diego State, 37.5

Nigel Bradham, Florida State, 37

James-Michael Johnson, Nevada, 37

Tahir Whitehead, Temple, 37

Lavonte David, Nebraska, 36.5

Steven Johnson, Kansas, 36

Travis Lewis, Oklahoma, 36

 

Top 10 in broad jump

Kendricks, 10 feet, 7 inches

Davis, 10-4

Johnson, 10-4

Whitehead, 10-4

Kuechly, 10-3

Lewis, 10-2

Bradham, 10-1

Burris, 10-1

Ricky Carder, TCU, 10-1

Keenan Robinson, Texas, 10-0

 

Kuechly Top 5 in all 5 events.

Defensive Linemen

 

Top 10 40-yard Dash

Bruce Irvin, West Virginia, 4.50 seconds

Shea McClellin, Boise State, 4.63

Nick Perry, USC, 4.64

Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma, 4.68

Whitney Mercilus, Illinois, 4.68

Andrew Branch, Clemson, 4.70

Quinton Coples, North Carolina, 4.78

Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, 4.79

Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, 4.79

Oliver Vernon, Miami, 4.80

 

Top five in three-cone drill

Bruce Irvin, West Virginia, 6.70 seconds

Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, 6.83

George Bequette, Arkansas, 6.90

Vincent Curry, Marshall, 6.90

Justin Francis, Rutgers, 7.05

 

Top five in short shuttle

Irvin, 4.03 seconds

Bequette, 4.07

Ingram, 4.18

Anton Blatnick, Oklahoma State, 4.20

Vaughn Meatoga, Hawaii, 4.21

 

Top 10 in vertical jump

Nick Perry, USC, 38.5 inches

Justin Sweezy, North Carolina, 36

Derrick Shelby, Utah, 35.5

Cameron Johnson, Virgina, 35

Chandler Jones, Syracuse, 35

Scott Solomon, Rice, 35

Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, 34.5

Markus Kuhn, North Carolina, 34.5

Kendall Reyes, Connecticut, 34.5

Olivier Vernon, Miami, 34.5

 

Top 10 in broad jump

Perry, 10 feet, 4 inches

Solomon, 10-4

Bruce Irvin, West Virginia, 10-3

Vernon, 10-2

Andre Branch, Clemson, 10-0

Jones, 10-0

Jonathan Massaquoi, Troy, 10-0

Shea McClellin, Boise State, 9-10

Whitney Mercilus, Illinois, 9-10

Brandon Lindsey, Pittsburgh, 9-9

Take Burfict off the draft board at least until the late rounds:

 

He ran a Rich Eisen-like forty at 5.09. Then there's this:

 

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/moving_.../140613323.html

Meanwhile, Burfict didn't help himself, clocking the worst time of the 29 linebackers who ran today.

 

"He's a guy that flashes two or three times a game with big hits, but his run-pass instincts, ability to get to the football on an every-snap basis, to me, are below average," Mayock said of Burfict.

 

For the record I agree with Mayock after watching Burfict the last 3 seasons.

 

and this:

 

http://bruce-feldman.blogs.cbssports.com/m...626208/35006810

 

 

He still has a lot of growing up to do.