Vermeil and Peterson in Baton Rouge to watch 2nd LSU Pro Day

keg in kc · 04-02-2005, 06:47 AM

The article infers we were there to see Spears, obviously, but Corey Webster and Ben Wilkerson both worked out, and it wouldn't shock me if we were looking at either/both of them.

Former LSU defensive lineman finaly meets NFL scouts

The Associated Press
April 01. 2005 1:34PM

For 41 days, former LSU star Marcus Spears waited patiently while NFL personnel inspected all the other NFL-bound defensive linemen.

After arthroscopic knee surgery in February, Spears skipped workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine. Then, on March 7, he skipped LSU's first pro day, still waiting for his knee to feel like it had on Saturdays last fall.

Spears finally worked out on LSU's second pro day, leaving the Tigers' indoor football facility looking happy.

"It went pretty good," he said.

Spears is pegged in numerous mock drafts to go in the first round. The Kansas City Chiefs, who pick 15th, sent Coach Dick Vermeil and President/General Manager Carl Peterson to Baton Rouge.

"I wanted to show them my athletic ability," said Spears, 6-foot-4, 307 pounds. "When you have my size, that's what get coaches going - that you can bend your knees, change directions real fast. That's what they like. And I tried to give it to them.

"They were real impressed with how I performed on film. And at the end of the day, that's what it boils down to. How you played in the game. This is all about how guys look with their shorts and shirts on. Things like that. It went well for what I did."

Spears ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.9-second range, which he said was the time he expected. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 25 times, and his vertical leap was 33 inches.

"I can do it a lot better," Spears said. "Once I get my leg back to 100 percent."

LSU center Ben Wilkerson and cornerback Corey Webster also worked out for NFL scouts for the first time. Wilkerson (6-3 3/4, 300) is battling back from a ruptured patellar tendon suffered in October. He didn't run the 40-yard dash Thursday, but he did participate in all the offensive-line drills and showcased his long-snapping.

"They were impressed, said I did real well," Wilkerson said of the NFL personnel. "I wanted to show them I can perform at all aspects of the game.

"I just do a lot of film study and continue to work on my technique, to make sure I'm ready when they call my name."

When his name will be called is in question. Although he shared the Rimington Award as college football's top center, he is stuck in a year where there are numerous talented centers. Co-Rimington winner David Baas from Michigan can play more than one position on the line, and Chris Spencer of Ole Miss generally is considered the best at the position. Still, Wilkerson, a three-year starter, is expected to be a first-day pick.

Webster, All-Southeastern Conference three times, was pleased with his workout, running the 40-yard dash unofficially in 4.43 and 4.47 seconds.

His biggest worry entering the workouts was whether injuries from his senior season - shoulder and leg pains - will skew his draft status.

"A lot of people had questions," said Webster, who is second in LSU history with 16 interceptions. "I wanted to show people I can still play - if you draft me now, you get the same player from my junior year. Scouts told me I was very knowledgeable - that comes from being under (former LSU) Coach (Nick) Saban."

The trio will return to the gym in the next few weeks to fine-tune their bodies before April 23 and 24. Spears, anticipating a possible invitation to the draft in New York, is having a suit custom-tailored.

"It's all up in the air," Spears said.

04-02-2005, 06:47 AM
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	Vermeil and Peterson in Baton Rouge to watch 2nd LSU Pro Day The article infers we were there to see Spears, obviously, but Corey Webster and Ben Wilkerson both worked out, and it wouldn't shock me if we were looking at either/both of them. Former LSU defensive lineman finaly meets NFL scouts The Associated Press April 01. 2005 1:34PM For 41 days, former LSU star Marcus Spears waited patiently while NFL personnel inspected all the other NFL-bound defensive linemen. After arthroscopic knee surgery in February, Spears skipped workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine. Then, on March 7, he skipped LSU's first pro day, still waiting for his knee to feel like it had on Saturdays last fall. Spears finally worked out on LSU's second pro day, leaving the Tigers' indoor football facility looking happy. "It went pretty good," he said. Spears is pegged in numerous mock drafts to go in the first round. The Kansas City Chiefs, who pick 15th, sent Coach Dick Vermeil and President/General Manager Carl Peterson to Baton Rouge. "I wanted to show them my athletic ability," said Spears, 6-foot-4, 307 pounds. "When you have my size, that's what get coaches going - that you can bend your knees, change directions real fast. That's what they like. And I tried to give it to them. "They were real impressed with how I performed on film. And at the end of the day, that's what it boils down to. How you played in the game. This is all about how guys look with their shorts and shirts on. Things like that. It went well for what I did." Spears ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.9-second range, which he said was the time he expected. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 25 times, and his vertical leap was 33 inches. "I can do it a lot better," Spears said. "Once I get my leg back to 100 percent." LSU center Ben Wilkerson and cornerback Corey Webster also worked out for NFL scouts for the first time. Wilkerson (6-3 3/4, 300) is battling back from a ruptured patellar tendon suffered in October. He didn't run the 40-yard dash Thursday, but he did participate in all the offensive-line drills and showcased his long-snapping. "They were impressed, said I did real well," Wilkerson said of the NFL personnel. "I wanted to show them I can perform at all aspects of the game. "I just do a lot of film study and continue to work on my technique, to make sure I'm ready when they call my name." When his name will be called is in question. Although he shared the Rimington Award as college football's top center, he is stuck in a year where there are numerous talented centers. Co-Rimington winner David Baas from Michigan can play more than one position on the line, and Chris Spencer of Ole Miss generally is considered the best at the position. Still, Wilkerson, a three-year starter, is expected to be a first-day pick. Webster, All-Southeastern Conference three times, was pleased with his workout, running the 40-yard dash unofficially in 4.43 and 4.47 seconds. His biggest worry entering the workouts was whether injuries from his senior season - shoulder and leg pains - will skew his draft status. "A lot of people had questions," said Webster, who is second in LSU history with 16 interceptions. "I wanted to show people I can still play - if you draft me now, you get the same player from my junior year. Scouts told me I was very knowledgeable - that comes from being under (former LSU) Coach (Nick) Saban." The trio will return to the gym in the next few weeks to fine-tune their bodies before April 23 and 24. Spears, anticipating a possible invitation to the draft in New York, is having a suit custom-tailored. "It's all up in the air," Spears said.
Posts: 58,682