Men on a mission

Prospects look to impress at NFL Scouting Combine

E.J. Henderson's back will be examined and re-examined. Scott Halleran/Getty Images

By Tony Pauline, TFY Draft Preview

The scouting process enters its final phase as more than 300 college prospects and an equal number of league personnel converge on Indianapolis for the annual combine this week. For seven days, potential NFL players will be physically examined, athletically tested and mentally challenged as teams whittle down their draft boards, targeting the players they hope to select this April.

Just as in the past, the combine results have a major effect on the ultimate draft decision making. Last year, quarterback Joey Harrington made millions of dollars based on his splendid combine workouts, as did receiver Javon Walker, who improved his draft ranking almost 10 slots. Conversely, offensive lineman Eric Heitmann saw his stock slip because of an injury. So what does the landscape look like this weekend?

Much like 2002, the top spot at quarterback is set as Carson Palmer firmly holds the No. 1 position. After that, it’s anyone’s guess. Hampered by a leg injury late in the year, Marshall’s Byron Leftwich will be sidelined for another major scouting event, which will deal a blow to his final draft grade. This leaves the door open for several other passers to move into the spotlight. Florida's Rex Grossman has yet to perform in front of a collective group of league scouts since declaring for the draft and could venture into the top 10 with a good performance this weekend. Cal’s Kyle Boller hopes to keep the momentum going after a terrific senior campaign, and many suspect good results could push him into the early part of the first round. For Dave Ragone of Louisville, this may be the final opportunity to state his case to be a first-round choice after falling far short of expectations last season. Chris Simms of Texas, Miami signal caller Ken Dorsey and fellow Big East passer Brian St. Pierre of Boston College all have a lot riding on this weekend.

Like quarterback, the receiver board is set at the top but offers mixed opinions after the initial pair of prospects. Taylor Jacobs of Florida and North Carolina’s Sam Aiken caught the ball with precision during Senior Bowl practices but did not display the game-breaking speed teams desire. Fast 40 times will elevate both, especially Jacobs, who could land in the middle of Round 1 to a receiver-starved team like the Washington Redskins.

As the quarterbacks and receivers take to the turf in Indianapolis on Sunday, eyes also will be on the defensive linemen, as many forecast a record number of front-four players will be selected in the first round this April. Arizona State’s Terrell Suggs terrorized offenses last year, setting a single-season NCAA record for quarterback sacks. Many wonder if the thinly built pass rusher can hold up as an every-down NFL defensive end. Besides good workouts, Suggs is one of the few players scouts hope will be overweight when he tips the scales prior to taking the field. Defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy of Penn State, teammate Michael Haynes and Kentucky's Dwayne Robertson all stand to benefit from solid workouts and move into the early reaches of Round 1.

This, of course, assumes the top prospects actually work out. As is the case every February, many of the invitees will not participate during the combine’s testing portion but rather wait for the “Pro Days” offered by their respective universities. A problem for both scouts and prospects, no matter how much the prospects are prodded to take part in all of the events at the RCA Dome, agents bend the ears of clients preferring workouts in favorable conditions.

Medical examinations also play a crucial role throughout the week. Teams plan to check the oft-injured knee of Georgia’s Boss Bailey, the surgically repaired back of Maryland’s E.J. Henderson and, most importantly, the reconstructed knee of Miami running back Willis McGahee and fused vertebrae in the neck of Tennessee wideout Kelley Washington. Being red-flagged for injury could spell doom for a potential draft pick and result in a drastic downgrading as teams try to avoid investing millions of dollars in damaged goods.

Then there are the surprise performances from underpublicized players, prospects who watch their draft stock soar after exceeding expectations. Several lesser-named invitees could fall into that category this weekend.

Memphis product Wade Smith is anonymous to the outside world but highly spoken of in scouting circles. A superior athlete, Smith has the ability to play three different positions on the offensive front and even lined up at tight end in college. Impressive workouts starting Friday could move Smith into the top 50.

Mars Hill linebacker Kahlid Abdullah, receiver Ryan Hoag of Gustavus Adolphus and Cliff Washburn, the athletic defensive end representing the Citadel, all can state their cases this weekend.

They say first impressions last a lifetime. But when it comes to the NFL Draft, last impressions are what the decision makers working war rooms remember as they phone in their selections starting April 26. This week in Indianapolis will go a long way in determining those final choices.

 

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