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View Full Version : Combine Risers/Sliders - LB


Garrett
02-26-2008, 12:58 PM
Risers
Stanford Keglar, Purdue: Keglar had the best combine performance of any linebacker from top to bottom. He weighed in at 239 pounds then completed 29 reps on the bench, best at the position. He then sped across the floor of the RCA Dome with times of 4.63 and 4.65 seconds in the forty. Keglar also stood out in drills, showing a lot of skill in pass coverage.

Jonathan Goff, Vanderbilt: Goff was one of the bigger surprises of the day, displaying athleticism many thought he was incapable of. His forty times ranged in the high 4.6 area and he really stood out in the practice session. Goff was quick, explosive and covered a lot of area on the field during pass coverage drills, a skill he was not known for in college.

Jerod Mayo, Tennessee: Mayo also the fastest of the top linebackers with times that ranged between 4.59 and 4.60 seconds. He looked terrific in drills and, like Goff, was better than expected in pass coverage. Mayo did not lift on the bench press, which was a disappointment.

Wesley Woodyard Jr., Kentucky: Woodyard was the speediest linebacker in attendance, clocking 4.50 seconds in his forty, with a few watches reading as fast as 4.47 seconds. He was fluid and displayed quick feet during the practice session which is important. Woodyard weighed in at just 227 pounds, which makes him a one-gap linebacker candidate.

Gary Guyton, Georgia Tech: Guyton ran times of 4.56 and 4.58 seconds. He displayed quickness in drills, easily moving about the field and always staying on balance.

Tavares Gooden, Miami-Fla: Gooden completed 22 reps on the bench after weighing 234 pounds. He turned in solid times in the upper 4.6s then looked good during drills before leaving the field with an injury.

Steve Octavien, Nebraska: Octavien was one of the few bright lights for the Cornhuskers last season and continued to shine at the combine. He ran times of 4.7 seconds during both runnings of the forty and stood out in pass coverage. Octavien weighed in at 238 pounds and completed a surprising 26 reps on the bench.

Sliders
Philip Wheeler, Georgia Tech: Wheeler ran poorly in the forty, timing between the upper 4.7 range to the low 4.8 area. He looked stiff and sluggish in drills and did nothing to dispel the belief he's a one dimensional run stuffing linebacker.

Ali Highsmith, LSU: Highsmith dealt a serious blow to his draft grade during his workout. He weighed just 230 pounds then was unable to run faster then five seconds in the forty. Highsmith performed poorly during drills and his lack of speed was apparent.

Geno Hayes, Florida State: Hayes made a questionable decision leaving Florida State after his junior season and that choice looks even worse after the combine. He measured under 6-foot-1 and weighed just 226 pounds. Hayes was known for his speed with the Seminoles yet ran a pedestrian 4.75 seconds in the forty.

Steve Allen, West Texas A&M: Allen did not perform at the combine the way a small school prospect needs to. He weighed 236 pounds and barely broke 4.9 seconds in the forty. Allen was able to complete just 17 reps on the bench.
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Goff could be a solid prospect at ILB -- Goff / Timmons our future ILBs? We've done okay in the past with a certain 6-4 ILB.....

the Bubster
02-26-2008, 04:34 PM
I dont care what this jackass says, Philip wheeler is a damn good football player. The guy is a freaking tackling machine, something this franchise aint seen since kirkland was 270 lbs.

thatrain
02-26-2008, 05:00 PM
I dont care what this jackass says, Philip wheeler is a damn good football player. The guy is a freaking tackling machine, something this franchise aint seen since kirkland was 270 lbs.

That's not actually in contrast to what the guy said.

FlaStGrad
02-26-2008, 06:19 PM
To heck with the OL. Lets get Goff and Mayo and we are set at LB for awhile. :)

Smidrow
02-26-2008, 11:52 PM
A guy not mentioned is Shawn Crable from Michigan. I love this kid!!!!

McBane
02-27-2008, 02:18 AM
A guy not mentioned is Shawn Crable from Michigan. I love this kid!!!!

Shawn Crable, Michigan: The Wolverine linebacker was classified as a defensive linemen at the combine and made scouts feel he can play both positions. Crable ran impressively, timing in the mid-4.6's on both his runs. He looked strong on the bench, completing 29 reps.

This was taken from the "Combine Risers/Sliders - DL" thread.

Big Fella
02-27-2008, 02:40 AM
I've seen Shawn Crable play a lot of football, but I'm not sure where he projects best at the next level. In some regards, he could be a much better OLB in the 34 than Woodley was coming out last year. Part of the reason I pimped Harris so hard for MLB last year was because to me he was a can't miss in the middle. I really questioned (still to some degree do) question if Woodley has the athleticism necessary to ever be a 3 down player in our current system.

To me, Crable is unquestionably athletic enough. In my brief interaction with him, he always seemed like a pleasant, intelligent guy. Early in his career he spent a lot of time in Lloyd Carr's dog house. Crable has at least 2 children and really matured in his final 2 years at Michigan. Yet, Crable is one of the least cerebral players I've ever seen. I'm not sure if he has the awareness to play in space. Despite his 29 reps, he has a long skinny frame and I'm not so sure how he would do going up against NFL tackles regularly.

Smidrow
02-28-2008, 01:49 AM
I've seen Shawn Crable play a lot of football, but I'm not sure where he projects best at the next level. In some regards, he could be a much better OLB in the 34 than Woodley was coming out last year. Part of the reason I pimped Harris so hard for MLB last year was because to me he was a can't miss in the middle. I really questioned (still to some degree do) question if Woodley has the athleticism necessary to ever be a 3 down player in our current system.

To me, Crable is unquestionably athletic enough. In my brief interaction with him, he always seemed like a pleasant, intelligent guy. Early in his career he spent a lot of time in Lloyd Carr's dog house. Crable has at least 2 children and really matured in his final 2 years at Michigan. Yet, Crable is one of the least cerebral players I've ever seen. I'm not sure if he has the awareness to play in space. Despite his 29 reps, he has a long skinny frame and I'm not so sure how he would do going up against NFL tackles regularly.

Crable just looks like a OLB in the 34.

As for Woodley being a 3 down player in the Steelers system, we will have to take the wait and see approach. Although, I believe he will make up for any lack of athleticism by flat out outhustling the competition! He plays Defense the way it was meant to be played!

t-bone
02-28-2008, 01:54 AM
Crable is really good....but what to do with him?

learn and ST's for a year?

I don't think he'd start ahead of Woodley, Harrison is an All-Pro, Farrior is a lock, and Foote is losing out to Timmons, supposedly.

and he's a day one guy, imo...we got other needs day one.

Smidrow
02-28-2008, 02:02 AM
I aggree that they may have other needs but they do have issues with depth at OLB.

t-bone
02-28-2008, 02:10 AM
no doubt....behind Woodley there isn't much, and this might be Farrior's last good year.

I'll concede that 2 of the first 3 pics will be OL....that only leaves room for a gamebreaker, imo.....

Crable is good, but I don't think he'll fall to our slot on the first day....and he won't see day two.

Smidrow
02-28-2008, 02:33 AM
I have to agree that the Steelers will probably not be in a position to draft him unless he was there for them in round 3. That is too bad!

Smidrow
02-28-2008, 02:37 AM
Although, they could get a solid guard with first selection on a day two which would open up the second round for Crable if they draft a Tackle in the first round. I suppose it is purely speculative at this point.