Scouting Combine Preview

[noa]

From CNNSI:

Feeling the pressure
Players with most to gain, lose at scouting combine

The NFL descends upon Indianapolis this week for the annual Scouting Combine. More than 325 top prospects in April's draft will be poked, X-rayed and mentally tested in front of the league's decision-makers. As is the case every February, the events this week in the RCA Dome are a make-or-break event for many. Here are the players whose fortunes are hanging in the balance starting Thursday.

Players with most to gain

1) Brian Leonard/FB/Rutgers: A multi-dimensional lead blocker, Leonard has already solidified himself as a top-60 choice. There is a belief in the scouting community that Leonard could slide into Round One if he runs faster than 4.5 seconds in the 40.

2) Anthony Spencer/DE-OLB/Purdue: Spencer is a player fighting preconceived notions. A little small for the defensive end position he played in college, he can ease the minds of those who question his ability to play linebacker at the next level if he has a terrific combine workout and fast times in the 40.

3) Paul Posluszny/LB/Penn State: Posluszny has been on a tear since the end of the season and his draft grade is rising. Forty times in the 4.6-second range, coupled with good interviews, could push him into the middle of the first round.

4) Adam Carriker/DL/Nebraska: Carriker has turned in some terrific performances in training recently. If he runs faster than 4.9 seconds and performs well on the bench press, he will move into the first dozen choices.

5) Trent Edwards/QB/Stanford: The oft-injured passer is almost back to full health. He's worked with former NFL coordinator Ted Tollner the past month and has thrown the ball exceedingly well. He will need to do so at the combine to salvage his draft stock.

Players with most to lose


1) Lamarr Woodley/DE-OLB/Michigan: On a downward spiral since the Senior Bowl, things are not going well for Woodley. Scouts are still wondering what position he will play in the NFL. The answer may not come anytime soon since Woodley may not participate in combine workouts.

2) Greg Olson/TE/Miami (Fla.): Considered by many scouts as one of the most overrated prospects in this draft, Olson is a solid player living on the reputation of his predecessors from the "U." He'll need fast times in the 40 and a good pass-catching workout to secure a spot in Round One.

3) Quentin Moses/DE/Georgia: Rated the top senior prospect in the nation last September, Moses is in danger of dropping out of the first round unless he rips off a great combine performance.

4) Leon Hall/CB/Michigan: Badly exploited during his final two college games, Hall's stock is plummeting. His speed is a big question. If Hall cannot break the 4.5-second mark in the 40, the results could be devastating.

5) Troy Smith/QB/Ohio State: Another player who left college on a sour note, Smith needs to throw the ball with accuracy and consistency or he will drop out of the top 60 picks.

Combine sleepers

John Wendling/S/Wyoming: The forceful safety was a main cog in Wyoming's top-rated pass defense. He weighs 220 pounds and is expected to break 4.4 in the 40, which would secure him a spot in the top 75 picks.

Paul Soliai/DT/Utah: Already anointed by scouts as the next top Polynesian performer at the combine, Soliai is ready to produce some eye-popping numbers. He weighs 338 pounds, is expected to run under five seconds and should complete 35 repetitions on the bench.

Andy Alleman/G/Akron: A former defensive lineman, Alleman is a little known player battling for a top-five spot at the guard position. At 306 pounds, he is another lineman who'll likely break the five-second mark in the 40 and push up 225 pounds around 35 repetitions.

Yamon Figurs/WR-RS/Kansas State: Figurs will be one of the fastest players at the combine. The sleek pass-catcher could be one of the few athletes who runs faster than 4.3 in the 40.

Eldra Buckley/RB/Tennessee-Chattanooga: The explosive running back has averaged 5.6 yards on 432 carries the past two seasons and is ready to showcase his game-breaking speed. Expect the 200-pound Buckley to run in the 4.3 range.

[Mr. Laz]

thanks

[Spicy McHaggis]

Wow Leonard sneaking into the first would be crazy. When was the last time a fullback, even one that carries the ball a lot got drafted in round 1? Even Alstott was a second rounder.

[the Talking Can]

interesting

[Sully]

When is this airing? I thought I remembered it airing pretty much as it happened last year.

[Pushead2]

I would love to have Leonard....I loved him with Rutgers and he has really good hands.

[BigChiefFan]

Paul Posluszny has huge upside. He was a wrecking machine at Penn State.