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2010 NFL Draft and Offseason Thread

Discussion in 'New Orleans Saints Forum' started by pjnchamps, Jan 25, 2010.

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pjnchamps Founding Member

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NFL pro day news on Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, more - NFL - SI.com

Tuesday, March 16, 3:45 p.m.

Scouts lined the field in Athens for the Georgia pro day and most of them came away very impressed with the effort put in by the draft eligible Bulldogs.

Defensive tackle Jeff Owens, who completed 44 reps on the bench press at the combine, improved many of his other numbers from Indianapolis. Owens ran 40 times which were as fast as 4.83 seconds, .15 quicker than his combine time. His short shuttle time of 4.5 seconds was also better.

Scouts said Owens tore it up during drills and has solidified himself as a top 100 choice.

Kade Weston was another defensive lineman who stood out. He measured just under 6-foot-5, weighed 315 pounds and ran a 5.0 40. His vertical jump was solid at 29.5 inches. Weston received applause from the coaches during position drills as he displayed terrific hand punch and foot quickness during the bag drill. Weston did not live up to expectations during his Georgia career, yet his size and athleticism may be too good to pass up in the late rounds.

Rennie Curran was another big winner and looked strong from start to finish. The 5-11 Curran weighed 235 pounds, completed 27 reps on the bench press then ran his 40 in times which ranged between 4.63-to-4.71 seconds. His vertical jump of 35 inches was also impressive.

By all accounts, Curran transferred that speed and athleticism onto the field during drills, as he looked terrific in pass coverage and quickly moved from sideline-to-sideline. An NFL team looking for a one-gap linebacker may look to Curran in round three.

It is rare for NFL scouts to travel in large numbers to Bowling Green State for a pro day, but that's exactly what's happening. They will be on hand to watch the workout of record-setting receiver Freddie Barnes. His 155 receptions in 2009 set an NCAA mark as Barnes also registered 19 touchdowns and 1,770 receiving yards. Despite being graded as a legitimate mid-to-late round prospect, Barnes did not receive an invitation to last month's combine, which surprised many in the scouting community.

Monday, March 15, 3:48 p.m.

Several LSU Tigers drew rave reviews today after their pro-day workout.

Cornerback Chris Hawkins came away a big winner. After improving his 40 time, Hawkins looked the best of all the defensive backs in position drills. Unlike the combine, his footwork and hip movement today was fluid and quick. Hawkins may have just secured a spot for himself in the middle rounds.

Though he did not run well, safety Chad Jones looked very good in position drills after a slow start. He was quick changing direction, fast to the sidelines and caught the ball well simulating an interception. Jones looked like a centerfielder today, which was not the case at the combine.

Charles Scott also looked like a big-time prospect in drills. His footwork was better than expected and Scott displayed a good amount of quickness. The big back may finally be putting concerns about the collarbone he broke four months ago behind him.
Monday, March 15, 2:38 p.m.

For the most part, the 40 times at LSU have been fast this afternoon as a number of players have improved their combine marks. Several sleeper prospects who were not invited to the combine have also impressed scouts.

Running back Charles Scott ran 4.53 seconds during each of his two attempts in the 40. That's much better than his combine times which were electronically timed at 4.75 and 4.72.

Cornerback Chris Hawkins, 4.53 at the combine, was also faster. Hawkins posted 40 times in the very low 4.4 area an improved his vertical jump to 36.5 inches (35 in Indianapolis).

Keiland Williams, who did not run at the combine due to an ankle injury, was surprisingly fast today. The 231-pound running back stopped watches in the low 4.5s during the 40, with some scouts timing him as fast as 4.51.

Of the players not invited to the combine, safety Danny McCary has been the most impressive. McCray weighed 214, completed 24 reps on the bench and ran a 4.46 in the 40.

Others have not fared as well.

Brandon LaFell was only slightly faster today than in Indianapolis last month. Both of his 40 times hovered in the mid-4.5s. Safety Chad Jones also ran similar times and completed just 11 reps on the bench.

Safety Morgan Burnett, who did not participate in combine workouts due to a strained left hamstring, has turned heads today. Burnett started the day by posting a vertical jump of 40 inches and a broad jump of 11-feet. Most clocked his 40 times in the mid-4.4 range, with some timing Burnett as fast as 4.42.
Click to expand...

pjnchamps, Mar 16, 2010

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PURPLE TIGER HOPE is not a strategy!

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I wonder what Mickey Loomis has planned for the draft, free agency, and potential trades.

The NFC South has been quiet thus far and that seems to benefit the Saints as they had the least number of holes to fill. I can't imagine Tampa Bay contending for the division and don't think Carolina will either...even though they finished strong.

Atlanta seems to have the best shot but so far they've only added Dunta Robinson. I'm not sure he will have much success against Drew Brees and the deep receiving corp of the Saints.

I don't believe this year's draft will be enough for the Bucs, Falcons, or Panthers to overtake the Saints for the division so Loomis may be taking his time to see what's available.

Releasing Grant was inevitable and losing Bell would not be a significant blow as I believe they want Hamilton to see more action. I don't really want to lose Hargrove but an extra pick in a deep draft may be good to add depth or combine to trade up for an impact player.

Loomis may think he has enough time to add a LB, DE, or DT after cuts are made or even before the trade deadline. He appears to have many options and only has a few positions that need upgrading in order to make another run this season.

If they win the division (which I believe they should be favored), they'll play a home game in the playoffs. If so, at worst they would have to win back to back games on the road to make the Super Bowl.

So far I like our chances. I know everybody wants a quick fix or a "big-name" signing but it seems to me Loomis may be holding all the cards and is just waiting to make a move after somebody flinches.

PURPLE TIGER, Mar 16, 2010

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pjnchamps Founding Member

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Possible free agent signing...UL-Monroe DE Aaron Morgan who may be more suited to be a OLB in the league.

Q&A: Aaron Morgan, Louisiana-Monroe | Draft Bible Q & A

Source: Saints, Raiders stick around to watch Morgan | National Football Post

pjnchamps, Mar 16, 2010

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PURPLE TIGER HOPE is not a strategy!

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Updated: March 16, 2010, 9:12 PM ET
Source: Bell agrees to Eagles deal

By Adam Schefter
ESPN

For the first time this offseason, a restricted free agent has reached agreement on an offer sheet with another team.

Saints restricted free-agent running back Mike Bell signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, and a league source said it's worth $1.7 million, includes $500,000 guaranteed and could be worth over $2 million if he hits his incentives.

The Saints will have seven days to match the offer sheet. If they decline, Bell becomes Eagles property without Philadelphia having to surrender any draft-choice compensation.

Adam Schefter is ESPN's NFL Insider.

PURPLE TIGER, Mar 16, 2010

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pjnchamps Founding Member

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If they get the Bell that played the beginning of the year they will be getting a good back to go along with LeSean M.

pjnchamps, Mar 17, 2010

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MLUTiger Secular Humanist

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Looks like Lynell Hamilton will be getting more carries next year...

MLUTiger, Mar 17, 2010

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pjnchamps Founding Member

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Justin Vargus in for a visit

pjnchamps, Mar 17, 2010

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Richdog 02 Cecilia alumni champs

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pjnchamps said: ↑

Running back Charles Scott ran 4.53 seconds during each of his two attempts in the 40. That's much better than his combine times which were electronically timed at 4.75 and 4.72.[/url]
Click to expand...

There's no way Scott is that fast.
I'd love to use the stopwatches used at lsu's pro day to get my time. i'd probably run a 4.6 with their clocks! And i'm 45 with a bad groin.
Is that TMI?

Richdog, Mar 21, 2010

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bhelmLSU Founding Member Staff Member

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Did I see on the tube that Pacman came in for a visit?

bhelmLSU, Mar 23, 2010

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bhelmLSU Founding Member Staff Member

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Not surprising news but the Saints will not match the Eagle's offer for Mike Bell.

bhelmLSU, Mar 23, 2010

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