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Friday Notes From The Combine

Authored by Jeff Risdon - 22nd February, 2008 - 9:47 pm

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All the big coaching and front office names everyone would recognize are here now. Sadly, one of the top prospects is not here. LSU DT Glenn Dorsey had a death in the family and is not going to attend. Looks like LSU’s Pro Day just got more important…

The Falcons won the coin toss and will pick 3rd overall. Everyone I’ve listened to and talked with who is even loosely affiliated with the Falcons believes they will take Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College. New Head Coach Mike Smith did little to dispel that notion in a couple of radio interviews I eavesdropped upon.

Disappointment for those of you who love the 40-yard dash competition: Houston WR/RB Donnie Avery, one of the odds-on favorites for the fastest time, is probably not going to run thanks to an iffy hamstring. At least that’s what he’s alleging--one observer opined that he believes Avery fears pulling a Johnnie Lee Higgins of last year. For those who don’t remember, Higgins came to Indy telling anyone who would listen (and those not listening too) he was going to run a sub 4.2 40. After clocking a 4.41 and then trying to blame an ill-fitting sock, his draft stock slid a little. Avery’s stock is already marginal so if he didn’t wow in the 40, he risked falling out of the draft.

Laptop envy is rampant amongst the reporter pool. It’s rather sad. Of course, I say this as someone using an underpowered HP still running Windows XP…

Somebody please buy Mario Manningham a burrito! He looks almost freakishly slender at 6’0” and 184 pounds. Most the guys in that size range look athletic; Manningham does not. I made a bet with a Vikings' scout that if Manningham decides to do the bench press, he won’t put up more than 8 reps.

Pretty much everyone here believes uber-agent Drew Rosenhaus is the ultimate evil mad scientist. I can tell you this: when a collegian signs with Rosenhaus, he hurts his draft stock with many teams. It’s probably not enough to make much of a difference, but in NFL front offices Rosenhaus is as popular as Bill Clinton at a Focus on the Family convention.

Western Michigan offensive tackle James Blair has the thickest forearms of any human I’ve ever met. They’re bigger than my thighs. I know I say it a lot, but once again I just cannot get over the freakish size of some of the humanity here. I’m a beach volleyball player used to long, slender builds--not the long, thick-as-banyan-trees physiques of the linemen here. Even one of the punters (the kid from Georgia Tech) looks like he does all his grocery shopping at GNC.

Personal highlight for me:
I asked 4 questions that got answered at press conferences although I think that at least one of those was a result of people thinking I’m Todd McShay. I should have waited on the haircut I guess. Browns' GM Phil Savage actually sought me out, and we chatted for a couple of minutes after his press conference although I should point out about 4 other guys were present and talking too.

Overheard (this involves me shamelessly listening in to beat reporters doing radio spots and front office people on the phone):

Darren McFadden’s stock is dropping, enough so that he might not be in the top 10. The success of so many late-round draftees and undrafted guys is killing the high-end market for drafting RB's.

The Raiders would love if Glenn Dorsey fell to them at the #4 spot.

Brian Brohm is impressing teams in his interviews and with his desire to do all the workouts here. He brought up a great point--he asked to do his bench press reps after his throwing drills and not before as is customary. Anyone who has ever exerted themselves on the bench press and then tried to throw a ball with accuracy knows that’s a very tough task. The scouting opinion of Brohm is still very divided, but even his critics are quick to acknowledge he’s a likable, smart guy.

Newly former Bengal DE Justin Smith is going to be the beneficiary of a bidding war. The consensus seems to be that the Bengals are foolish for letting him walk. Early favorite--the Falcons, but that’s far from a lock.

The rumors of the Falcons shopping Deangelo Hall appear valid and don’t be surprised if the trigger gets pulled for the Giants' 1st rounder.

Detroit is not getting any response other than “hell no!” in their quest to get a 2nd round pick for fat-but-awesome-when-motivated DT Shaun Rogers. They also are openly shopping WR Shaun McDonald, and the 49ers (with former McDonald boss in both STL and DET Mike Martz as OC) showing strong interest.

Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com

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