***Official Combine Thread***

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INDIANAPOLIS — Here are the leading 40-yard dash results for defensive linemen who worked out Monday at the NFL Scouting Combine:

Top 10
Bruce Irvin, West Virginia, 4.50 seconds
Shea McClellin, Boise State, 4.63
Nick Perry, USC, 4.64
Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma, 4.68
Whitney Mercilus, Illinois, 4.68
Andrew Branch, Clemson, 4.70
Quinton Coples, North Carolina, 4.78
Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, 4.79
Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, 4.79
Oliver Vernon, Miami, 4.80

INDIANAPOLIS — Here are the leading vertical jump and broad jump results for defensive linemen who worked out Monday at the NFL Scouting Combine:

Top 10 in vertical jump
Nick Perry, USC, 38.5 inches
Justin Sweezy, North Carolina, 36
Derrick Shelby, Utah, 35.5
Cameron Johnson, Virgina, 35
Chandler Jones, Syracuse, 35
Scott Solomon, Rice, 35
Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, 34.5
Markus Kuhn, North Carolina, 34.5
Kendall Reyes, Connecticut, 34.5
Olivier Vernon, Miami, 34.5

Top 10 in broad jump
Perry, 10 feet, 4 inches
Solomon, 10-4
Bruce Irvin, West Virginia, 10-3
Vernon, 10-2
Andre Branch, Clemson, 10-0
Jones, 10-0
Jonathan Massaquoi, Troy, 10-0
Shea McClellin, Boise State, 9-10
Whitney Mercilus, Illinois, 9-10
Brandon Lindsey, Pittsburgh, 9-9

INDIANAPOLIS — Here are the leading three-cone drill and short shuttle results for defensive linemen who worked out Monday at the NFL Scouting Combine:

Top five in three-cone drill
Bruce Irvin, West Virginia, 6.70 seconds
Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, 6.83
George Bequette, Arkansas, 6.90
Vincent Curry, Marshall, 6.90
Justin Francis, Rutgers, 7.05

Top five in short shuttle
Irvin, 4.03 seconds
Bequette, 4.07
Ingram, 4.18
Anton Blatnick, Oklahoma State, 4.20
Vaughn Meatoga, Hawaii, 4.21

INDIANAPOLIS — Here are the 40-yard dash results for linebackers who worked out Monday at the NFL Scouting Combine:

Top 10
Marvin Kendricks, California, 4.47 seconds
Zach Brown, North Carolina, 4.50
Luke Kuechly, Boston College, 4.58
Demario Davis, Arkansas State, 4.61
Nigel Bradham, Florida State, 4.64
Najee Goode, West Virginia, 4.64
Lavonte David, Nebraska, 4.65
Dont’a Hightower, Alabama, 4.68
James-Michael Johnson, Nevada, 4.68
Ricky Carder, TCU, 4.69

INDIANAPOLIS — Here are the leading vertical jump and broad jump results for linebackers who worked out Monday at the NFL Scouting Combine:

Top 10 in vertical jump
Marvin Kendricks, California 39.5 inches
DeMario Davis, Arkansas State, 38.5
Luke Kuechly, Boston College, 38
Miles Burris, San Diego State, 37.5
Nigel Bradham, Florida State, 37
James-Michael Johnson, Nevada, 37
Tahir Whitehead, Temple, 37
Lavonte David, Nebraska, 36.5
Steven Johnson, Kansas, 36
Travis Lewis, Oklahoma, 36

Top 10 in broad jump
Kendricks, 10 feet, 7 inches
Davis, 10-4
Johnson, 10-4
Whitehead, 10-4
Kuechly, 10-3
Lewis, 10-2
Bradham, 10-1
Burris, 10-1
Ricky Carder, TCU, 10-1
Keenan Robinson, Texas, 10-0

INDIANAPOLIS — Here are the leading three-cone drill and short shuttle results for linebackers who worked out Monday at the NFL Scouting Combine:

Top five in three-cone drill
Nathan Stupar, Penn State, 6.84 seconds
Tank Carder, TCU, 6.89
Chris Galippo, USC, 6.90
Luck Kuechly, Boston College, 6.92
Audie Cole, N.C. State, 6.96

Top five in short shuttle
Brandon Marshall, Nevada, 4.09 seconds
Galippo, 4.10
Kuechly, 4.12
Carder, 4.18
Mychal Kendricks, California, 4.19

Chiefs looking for backfield depth: Despite Scott Pioli expressing his belief that running back Jamaal Charles will come back healthy in 2012, the Chiefs GM has indicated that the team will look to add depth in the backfield. As we’ve written repeatedly, running backs returning from ACL surgery generally take at least a full season to return to form. It helps that Charles suffered his injury early in the 2011 season, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the team try to lighten his workload. Who will play alongside Charles is another issue. Coach Romeo Crennel emphatically expressed Kansas City’s interest in Peyton Manning, which can’t make Matt Cassel too excited. One thing is for certain: Dwayne Bowe doesn’t appear to be going anywhere — one way or another. Beyond that, figuring out the fantasy value of the Chiefs in the next few weeks will be as easy as drinking coffee with a fork.

The third day of workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine provided scouts with an opportunity to see several of the top prospects display their immense talent and potential. Here are a few of the notable standouts in my mind ...

Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram made a strong case in his bid to be the first defender to come off the board with his performance. He not only posted an impressive 40-yard dash time (4.79) for his size, but he displayed exceptional athleticism, agility and explosiveness in drills. His lateral-movement quickness and body control are uncommon for a defensive end, and he could easily transition to an outside linebacker position in a 3-4. Ingram's height (6-foot-1) and arm length (31 1/2 inches) still remain a concern for some scouts, but his display of raw athleticism and explosiveness will make it hard to bypass him early in the first round.

Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, West Virginia

Irvin was one of the stars of the combine after blazing an official time of 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. This eye-popping 40, complemented by impressive measurements in the broad jump (10 feet, 3 inches) and vertical jump (33 1/2 inches), confirm his explosiveness and suggest he might possess the athleticism to move to outside linebacker as a pro. Even though he looked a little rough around the edges in zone drops during position drills, his combination of speed and production (22 1/2 sacks in two seasons at West Virginia) will make him a hot topic for evaluators in war rooms across the league.

Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Mercilus was not expected to post impressive numbers during the workout, but he shocked scouts with a 4.68 time in the 40-yard dash. He displayed excellent initial quickness, recording a 1.56-second split at the 10-yard mark, and looked far more explosive than he appears on tape. Mercilus also displayed better-than-anticipated movement skills in the positional work, looking smooth and fluid while bursting through bag drills. He also showed more lateral quickness and agility than many scouts anticipated. If he can follow his strong performance in Indianapolis with a solid showing at his pro day and private workouts, there is little doubt he will be one of the first defensive ends to come off the board on draft day.

Nick Perry, DE, USC

Perry was one of the more difficult evaluations prior to the combine, due to his limited playing history and inconsistent track record. However, his strong workout in front of an attentive NFL crowd is sure to erase some of the doubts about his pro potential. Perry finished the workout as the leader in the vertical jump (38 1/2 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, 4 inches), and ranked among the top players in the 40-yard dash. He complemented his impressive athletic showing with a solid positional workout. Perry showed balance, body control and agility running through various bag drills, but he lacks the movement skills to play primarily from an upright position. He doesn't look comfortable playing in space, and that could limit his effectiveness as a potential 3-4 outside linebacker. Regardless, teams in need of a legitimate pass rusher in the bottom stages of the first round should spend a lot of time studying Perry's game tape.

Quinton Coples, DE/DT, North Carolina

Coples confirmed his unique athleticism and movement skills at the workout. At 6-5, 284 pounds, he clocked 4.72 on watches in the stands, while also recording impressive measurements in the vertical jump (31 1/2 inches) and broad jump (9 feet, 1 inch). In position drills, Coples displayed balance and burst over the bags, though he didn't finish all of his drills with the urgency coaches demand. To his credit, he corrected the effort on the next series of drills and finished the day with a solid performance overall. If he can continue to display the effort and energy evaluators expect from a top 10-caliber talent, Coples could cement his status as one of the top defenders in the draft.

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The stands in Lucas Oil Stadium were abuzz after Poe put on a spectacular showing in the workout. At 6-3 1/2, 346 pounds, he posted sub-5.0 times in the 40-yard dash, and displayed remarkable agility and explosiveness for a man of his size. Poe also looked nimble and quick running through a series of bag drills. He glides over the bag and flashes an explosive burst while changing directions. Poe is also one of the strongest prospects in this year's class -- as evidenced by his combine-high 44 reps on the bench press -- and his rare combination of size, strength and athleticism will vault him into the top 20 by draft day.

Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly cemented his standing as a top-15 pick by blazing 4.5's in the 40-yard dash on watches in the stands. He is far more explosive and athletic than some scouts expected, and his movement skills suggest he is capable of playing as a three-down linebacker as a pro. Kuechly also impressed scouts with his football IQ and acumen in interviews. Scouts and coaches have routinely touted him as one of the best interviews this week, and his exceptional combination of skills makes him one of the safest prospects in the entire draft.

Mychal Kendricks, LB, Cal

Kendricks was underrated on the national scene, but scouts on the West Coast have been buzzing about his workmanlike game since the fall. The momentum is certain to continue after he dominated the combine with impressive measurements in the 40-yard dash (4.47), vertical jump (39 1/2 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, 7 inches). Kendricks was also smooth and fluid while executing drops in various linebacker drills. With few inside linebackers capable of staying on the field in every situation, Kendricks has certainly created positive momentum heading into his pro day at Cal.

UCONN DT Kendall Reyes puts himself in the conversation for a first-round draft pick after his impressive combine performance.

INDIANAPOLIS — The first “wow” moment of Monday’s defensive line workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine came when the unofficial 40-yard dash time for West Virginia’s Bruce Irvin flashed across the screen.

4.43 seconds? For a guy who’s 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds? Chris Tucker and Ice Cube have something to say about that.

If Irvin’s time somehow stands, that’s right behind Baylor QB Robert Griffin III’s 4.41 and faster than two speedy running backs in Oregon’s LaMichael James and San Diego State’s Ronnie Hillman (4.45).

It can’t be.

– Simon Samano

Luke Kuechly sounds like someone Pioli could like too.

After getting kicked out of Florida last April, cornerback Janoris Jenkins spent his senior season at North Alabama.

INDIANAPOLIS -- He answered each question with a degree of candid honesty that's often praised at the NFL Scouting Combine, even if that praise almost always comes with a massive asterisk tagged to it.

So yes, at this critical juncture of cornerback Janoris Jenkins' football career, we can all agree on this much: On Sunday, during conversations with NFL teams and reporters, Jenkins was indeed honest.

"I admitted to everything," said Jenkins, referencing three arrests (two for marijuana possession) and a failed drug test. "I take full responsibility, and I learned from it."

While Jenkins' truths might keep him from deepening the hole he dug for himself over the last three years, dating back to his first arrest for fighting outside a Gainesville nightclub in June 2009, his best chances at improving his draft stock might be more a matter of proving he's the player -- not the person -- that he once was.

Janoris Jenkins started as a true freshman at Florida, immediately establishing himself as an NFL talent. (Phil Sandlin/Associated Press)

A serious talent during his days at Florida, Jenkins built his résumé by shutting down top talents like wide receivers Julio Jones and A.J. Green, illustrating his potential to compete with players who have since succeeded in the NFL. There have been moments that have made scouts drool, viewing him as the league's next Pro Bowl cornerback. But Jenkins isn't just facing questions about his character. There's also a wonder whether his ability has lacked the necessary improvement since those days to still qualify him as elite.

"He used have the grade of an elite [prospect], but he's not in that class anymore," said one AFC scout, wishing to remain anonymous. "He's second-tier now -- in addition to off-field issues."

That's not to say other teams agree -- nor is it to say Jenkins has come close to peaking as a player. Instead, it only continues to quantify the boom-or-bust nature of a controversial player who once would have been considered a no-brainer first-round pick.

Jenkins, at least, is not naïve to any of this. As it pertains to his ability, some say his unproductive senior season at North Alabama (he was kicked off Florida's team last April) might have simply been a matter of quarterbacks shying away from his side of the field. As it pertains to his mishaps, well, there's simply little excuse for that. Although all three arrests were for misdemeanors, and his toughest punishment was a $316 fine and court costs for a second marijuana possession arrest, the scrutiny of NFL teams often comes with a more subjective eye.

"I'm pretty sure it will hurt me," Jenkins said. "But I'm looking past that, looking forward to moving on and being successful from here on out."

Among the questions teams had for Jenkins, they wanted to know how he allowed himself to get arrested not once, but twice, for marijuana possession. Jenkins said he also failed one drug test while at Florida. While teams can often overlook a single transgression, the repeated nature of the issues creates the more pertinent questions.

Jenkins, who has four children to three mothers ranging in ages between three months and three years, said he's now more motivated than ever to find a way to provide for his children while overcoming the perceptions he has developed for himself.

"They see the talent," Jenkins said. "They just want to know what kind of kid I am. I came in here to show them I'm not a bad kid. I made a few mistakes and I learned from them. Everything I did, I did. I'm admitting it. I did it."

Jenkins said he has sworn off marijuana, noting he hasn't smoked since before his final incident at the University of Florida. But is that enough? It's one of the great questions teams must face nearly every year at this time. They see the potential talent. They are intrigued by the possibilities. Can they morph the player into an asset without constantly wondering whether he'll be a detriment?

Even as scouts wonder whether Jenkins is the player he once was during his prime at Florida (he started as a true freshman on the Gators' 2008 BCS National Championship team), he still might be one of the top three cornerback prospects in this draft. It is possible, if his ability warrants such, that Jenkins can endear himself to NFL teams, too.

"Is this an ingrained part of his character, or did he just do some stupid things?" said Brian Billick, an NFL Network analyst and former NFL head coach. "And if it's the latter, then yeah, you can be optimistic about the NFL and what's at stake for him."

Indeed, Jenkins is among the most intriguing storylines of the 2012 NFL Draft, the type who will linger in the minds of many general managers as a potential bargain if they feel like their organization can keep him on track.

"It made me a stronger person, taught me how to fight through reality," Jenkins said. "I've got to separate myself from certain guys, certain people. To be successful at the next level, I can't do the things I used to do."

Unless he's shutting down wide receivers.

RustShack wrote:

Luke Kuechly sounds like someone Pioli could like too.

I was thinking he was to small to be a 3-4 guy but he is basicly the same size as DJ and that has worked out pretty good! I think Kuechly is a legit candidate.

Mike Mayock seems pretty conviced Poe is the next Haloti Ngata..The guy was impressive obviously. He's definitely going to be the biggest risk in the top 20 since it seems like he's locked himself in that area.

A guy I liked was Mike Martin from Michigan State. Guy was a former wrestler and was very aggressive during drills but I don't see him finding a place in our defense. Were pretty well set at DE right now.

Winner - Michael Floyd
Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd was already considered a first-round prospect after an outstanding 2011 campaign that saw the 6'3", 220-pound senior catch 100 passes for over 1,100 receiving yards. Floyd did nothing to hurt his stock at the combine, running a solid 4.47 in the 40-yard dash and displaying a 36.5-inch vertical jump that goes very nicely with his lanky frame.

Loser - Alshon Jeffrey
Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was one of the most polarizing players at his position heading into the combine. After dispelling rumors about his conditioning by showing up in Indianapolis at a trim 216 pounds, a strong 40 yard-dash likely would have cemented the 6'3", 216-pound junior as a first-round pick in April. However, for unknown reasons Jeffery chose not to participate in any receiver drills at the combine Sunday.

Winner - Robert Turbin
Utah State running back Robert Turbin was wildly productive while racking up nearly 1,800 total yards and scoring over 20 touchdowns as a junior for the Aggies last year. However, after missing almost two full seasons to injury in college, questions remained about Turbin's durability and straight-line speed. Turbin received a clean bill of health in medical examinations in Indy, and after reeling off a very quick 4.44-second 40-yard dash, given his 5'10", 222-pound frame and excellent.

Loser - Kendall Wright
Baylor's Kendall Wright was one of the most productive wideouts in all of college football a season ago, catching 106 passes for 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns. Given Wright's prowess as a deep threat, it was widely expected that the 5'10", 196-pound senior would run one of the fastest 40-yard dashes at the combine. Wright must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed Sunday, however. While his lethargic 4.61-second time in the 40 may not be a death knell for his draft stock, it likely killed any chance Wright had of being the first WR off the board.

Winner - Stephen Hill
Stephen Hill didn't get the chance to showcase his abilities as a receiver much in college, as Georgia Tech's run-heavy option offense limited the 6'4", 215-pound junior to only 28 receptions in 2011. However, Hill also averaged a gaudy 29.29 yards per reception last season, and the speed he displayed on Sunday while running a 4.36-second 40-yard dash (tied for fastest among wide receivers), combined with his height, undoubtedly thrust him onto some NFL teams' radars.

Loser - Vick Ballard
Mississippi State running back Vick Ballard is a powerful ball-carrier that averaged over six yards a carry while rushing for nearly 1,200 yards a season ago. The 5'10", 219-pound Ballard is one of a logjam of running backs that should come off the board in the middle rounds in April.
Unfortunately for Ballard, if the combine is any indication, he may be selected towards the back end of that run on running backs, as the 4.63-second 40 time the senior posted isn't going to do anything to quiet Ballard's doubters.

Winner - Brian Quick
Wide receiver Brian Quick may have played at a small school at Appalachian State, but that didn't stop the 6'4", 220-pound wideout from posting big numbers last season, when he hauled in 71 passes for 1,096 yards and 10 touchdowns. Quick came up big when he needed to at the combine as well, posting a respectable time in the 40-yard dash, displaying excellent leaping ability, and moving himself into possible third-round contention.

Loser - Brock Osweiler
With Andrew Luck of Stanford and Robert Griffin III of Baylor electing not to throw at the combine, and Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill sidelined by a foot injury, the stage was set for some lesser known signal-callers such as Brock Osweiler of Arizona State to steal the show in Indianapolis. The 6'7", 242-pound junior was unable to capitalize on the opportunity however, as a foot injury of his own prevented Osweiler from working out, costing him any chance of working his way up draft boards until the Sun Devils' pro day.

Winner - Kirk Cousins
Most of the talk around the 2012 combine where quarterbacks are concerned centered around the fact that Andrew Luck of Stanford and Robert Griffin of Baylor weren't throwing or the blistering 40-yard dash time turned in by Griffin. However, no signal-caller that actually took the field for passing drills helped his draft stock more Sunday than Michigan State's Kirk Cousins, as the 6'3" 214-pound senior was reportedly very sharp throwing the ball from both three and five step drops.

Vontaze Burfict's NFL Combine Results Aren't Very Pretty

Some players are having a better NFL Combine than others. A guy like Luke Kuechly, linebacker out of Boston College, is showing his athleticism and speed so the Combine is helping him more than anything.

Other guys, like Vontaze Burfict, aren't doing so well.

Burfict came into the Combine at 248 pounds, which is a little lighter than he normally plays. You'd think losing that weight would help his speed but that wasn't the case. He ran the 40-yard dash in unofficial times of 4.93 and 5.10 seconds.That's not a good time, not at all. Dontari Poe, a 346-pound defensive tackle, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.98 seconds. That's about a 100-pound difference between the two and they have similar speed.

He was also last in the broad jump among linebackers and second to last in the vertical leap. He has a lot to be desired in these workout numbers.

Burfict was once thought of as a first-round pick but character concerns along with poor test numbers are killing his draft stock. NFL Network's Mike Mayock noted during the Combine that, with all the character stuff to the side, he's still not a fan of Burfict based solely on the tape.

It hasn't been a great week for the Arizona State linebacker. The question is how many teams pass on him in April.

I will still take Burflict! I really hopes this knocks his ass down a round or two. He can flat out play and would be steal anywhere else in the draft other than the 1st round.

INDIANAPOLIS—When Memphis' Dontari Poe checked in a 6-4 and 346 pounds, it was clear he had the ideal size to be a nose tackle in the NFL. He then helped his draft stock with 44 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, which showed he worked hard in preparation for the Combine.

On Monday, Poe knocked everyone’s socks off by running the 40-yard dash in the high 4.8s with a quick and explosive initial burst.

Obviously, nose tackles aren't needed to chase plays down all over the field, so the actual 40 time isn't that important. However, his initial acceleration out of the blocks showed he can get out of his stance and on top of offensive linemen before they can get set.

With nose tackles in such demand, Poe moved ahead of Washington's Alameda Ta’amu and could well have locked up a spot in the top 15 picks in the draft.

Don't be shocked if Poe ends up being picked by the Chiefs at No. 11 in the first round as they are desperate to find a big, young and powerful nose tackle to anchor their 3-4 scheme.

Poe to the Chiefs has officially started

INDIANAPOLIS — The St. Louis Rams must be giddy.

They are the biggest winners of the NFL Scouting Combine, a peculiar scouting event that has increased the nonstop offseason NFL chatter.

The Rams leave the combine with smiles on their faces and hope in their hearts.

They have the second pick in the draft — dibs on Robert Griffin III — and don't need it because they already have a solid quarterback in Sam Bradford. Which means that the Rams own the best piece of property this side of Malibu.

Every move Griffin made the past few days seemed to increase his stature — at least in the eyes of NFL scouts. St. Louis will benefit because every impressive move by Griffin makes their asking price for that second pick that much higher. In the past, the asking price for trading up to get a quarterback started with two first-round draft picks. The Browns have two to offer, if they so choose.

But the buzz about Griffin has overwhelmed the pre-draft chatter to the point that it almost seems possible that St. Louis could demand — and get — three first-round picks for the second pick. It's a ton, and it's unprecedented. But so is the hype about Griffin — and the evaluations of his abilities.

Coach Jeff Fisher said how the Rams handle the second pick could determine the long- and short-term future of the franchise.

At this point, the Rams have to be smiling. A lot.

When a trade is completed, the price to acquire the right to draft Griffin could cause an earthquake in the NFL world. It will be that high.

Other combine winners and losers include …

Winner: Griffin

Impressions and 40 times do not win games. The ability to read the defense and throw does. So Griffin gains nothing by impressing the media in a 12-minute session. Also, it meant a lot that the Chiefs and coach Romeo Crennel raved about Griffin's interview because they are the people judging him.

Griffin did nothing to dispel talk that he will be the second player selected. He was engaging, funny, direct, honest and, when he ran, fast. Very fast. His 40 time of 4.38 seconds should have coaches dreaming up creative ways to use him in NFL offenses.

It's hard to think that Griffin could have improved his stock at the combine, but he did just that.

Loser: The Washington Redskins

If Washington wants to move up from the sixth spot to take Griffin, it will have to pay premium price. For two reasons: St. Louis would have a much better chance of getting the player it wants at four than six, and with every fast time Griffin runs the asking price goes up.

Washington might be able to acquire Griffin, but it might have to mortgage picks in three drafts to do so. Thing is, if there is one owner in the league who gives off the aura he'd do just that, it's Daniel Snyder.

Winner: Cleveland Browns

The only team that needs a quarterback with two first-round picks to offer is Cleveland. That gives them the immediate early edge in the second-pick auction with the Rams. The Browns won't reveal their thinking — nor should they because they may need to rely on Colt McCoy if every other option falls through — but it sure would be fascinating to be the proverbial fly on the wall during their discussions about the quarterback spot.

Loser: Matt Flynn

This could change in two weeks when free agency begins, but the chatter on Flynn has reduced considerably. It could be that most folks expect Flynn to go with his former coach (Joe Philbin) to Miami, but it also could be that the new rookie salary scale has had serious effects on people's thinking.

Flynn brings more experience than Griffin or Ryan Tannehill, but his contract could be double — which means the salary cap space he'll eat up will be considerable. It seems like teams would rather have Griffin at $21 million for four years rather than Flynn for $50 million for six.

Winner: Andrew Luck

The lock-certain first overall pick cruised through with nary a question or second glance. So much attention has been paid to Griffin that Luck was almost an afterthought — and he will be the first player selected.

Loser: Janoris Jenkins

Great talent but questionable off-field concerns will affect his standing. Jenkins deserves credit for answering questions about his arrests, marijuana use (which he said is in the past) and his four kids (ages 3, 2, 1 and three months). He did not hide in the least, and said he had learned from it. But those decisions could cost him on draft day.

Winner: Michael Floyd

The 40 time is greatly overrated, but the Notre Dame receiver ran 4.46. That time could put him into the bottom third of the first round.

Loser: Mike Adams

Hands down, not even close … the Ohio State tackle lost the most at this combine. Adams arrived with the rep for not being the hardest of workers. He was suspended for being involved in the tattoo stuff that led to Jim Tressel's exit. And Adams wound up doing 19 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press. That tied for the fifth-lowest of any offensive lineman.

That raised a lot of eyebrows — not because he had a bad day lifting but because a lift like that indicates a serious lack of strength and work. It's not something that can be fixed in the three weeks before Ohio State's Pro Day March 22.

Adams had been projected as a possible late-first round choice, but that lift will prompt him to tumble out of the first round — and perhaps out of the second round.

Let the on-field activities commence.

On Saturday the kickers, offensive linemen, and the tight ends showed up to hopefully show out. I’ll briefly talk about what was buzzing around Indy today and my take on each situation.

1.Romeo Crennel – After the Kansas City Chiefs general manager, Scott Pioli wisely dodged questions surrounding the Chiefs’ interest in Peyton Manning, his head coach, Crennel decided to open his mouth. Pioli smiled when asked if they would make a play for Peyton and asked if they were trying to get him fined, because the league doesn’t allow teams to talk about other players that are under contracts with other teams. When Crennel was asked, he started off with the same stance as Pioli but gave in to the situation. With a name like Romeo, who can blame him for giving in to the true desires of his heart. Romeo had this to say about his future Juliet, “With a talent like that, I would be crazy not to consider it if he were available.” Some may say that he just made a simple statement and even added in “if he were available”. That shouldn’t be his saving grace, especially after his boss demonstrated on national TV, how to answer the question appropriately.

2.Jerry Jones – Jones was asked up to the stage for an interview with Mike Mayock and Rich Eisen. During the interview, Jones said that he loves the coverage and excitement surrounding these rookies coming into the league. He said that the fans always wants more and that he would welcome the thought of allowing cameras into the front office / players interviews that are held during the combine. Mayock was surprised and couldn’t believe that NFL front offices would be willing to pull back the curtains that far and allow everyone, including opposing front offices to see the wizard. Jones mentioned that the Cowboys were the first to allow cameras into their room during draft day and stated that there was an understanding that anything being said that was inappropriate wouldn’t air. It’s a great concept and I’m sure most fans would love a peak at these prospects and how they handle situations and uncomfortable questions. The rumors of absurd questions like, “have you every tried on women’s clothes” or the famous question a few years ago, where Dez Bryant was asked if his mother was a prostitute, only drive more intrigue into what’s going on in those rooms. It can also explain why some of these players that the media has rated high, all of a sudden slide on draft day. The media and the fans will never turn down more access but will the agent feel inclined to put their young clients on camera on their most nervous and important day?

3.Cordy Glenn – 6’5 3/4 height, 345 pounds, 35 3/4 arms, 31 reps of 225 pounds, and a 40 time of 5.15 (official). Glenn had an outstanding combine and stole the show on Saturday. Here’s his scouting report I did a few weeks ago and also our Top 10 Offensive Tackles that we completed before the combine. For the weeks leading up to the combine, we received a lot of messages about how insane we were to have a 345 pounder listed as our #2 offensive tackle. Every kept telling us that he was a Guard and that we were crazy for not only listing him as a tackle but the #2 tackle at that. Even NFL Network’s Mike Mayock didn’t list him as a tackle until the end of last week as I’m told. Mayock had this to say about Glenn after his performance on Saturday, “He’s going to make me go back and watch some more film on him.” Other highly touted offensive tackles had some questions arise. Riley Reiff measured out with 33 1/4 arms. Teams don’t like for their tackles to be this short on their reach. Mike Adams could only push up 225 pounds, 19 times. This will call into question his strength and if he could handle the more physical NFL pass rusher. Here’s my reports on Adams and Reiff from a few weeks back. I mentioned in Adams’ report that he lunges during games to try and grab defenders. He gets off balance and doesn’t have the strength to combat their physicality. In Reiff’s I mentioned how long armed defenders got the best of him. While the combine isn’t the end all be all, it’s used to confirm what you saw on film. For us, it did just that.

4.Matt Kalil – 6’6 5/8 height, 306 pounds, 34 1/2 arms, 30 reps, and a 4.99 official forty. We had Kalil as the #1 offensive tackle due to him being the most technically sound in the draft. He confirmed what most thought about him. He can add weight to his frame and be a franchise guy for years to come. He ran effortlessly and was fluid in all drills. He is who we thought he was, now will the Vikings let him off the hook? Here’s what I had to say about Kalil a few weeks ago.

5.Oklahoma Drill – This isn’t the football term of the “Oklahoma Drill” that you’re used to. Instead, it’s what they had to rename the 40 yard dash today as two former Sooners owned it. Donald Stephenson took the prize as the fastest offensive linemen today with an official time of 4.94. His teammate James Hanna did the same in the Tight End group, with a time of 4.49. Hanna didn’t impress with his hands though and that’s more important than running fast for a Tight End.

6.Rishaw Johnson – 6’3 3/8 height, 313 pounds, 35 1/4 arms, and a 5.24 forty time. I’ve heard this whole off season that people really liked Rishaw Johnson. When we put on the game film, we never saw anything to get excited about. He didn’t make our Top 10 interior linemen list before the combine or even our bubble guys that we wanted to watch more on in Indy. Unfortunately for Johnson, he showed in Indy the same flaws as we saw on tape. He was visibly frustrated and his footwork was all over the place. On another interior linemen, Michael Brewster, his technique was a mess today. He’s someone we didn’t like as much as other but we still liked him enough to place him in our top 10. We will go back and watch more film on how he handled himself when he didn’t have help and his footwork came more into play. Here’s the Top 10 interior linemen list.

7.Adam Gettis – 6’2 3/8 height, 293 pounds, 33 1/8 arms and an official 5.00 forty. He also had a 31.5″ vertical and a 9’4″ broad jump. Gettis wasn’t on our radar and he still may not be. We have to go back and see if he’s just an athlete or can he be a player at the next level. There’s plenty of guys that show up to Indy and their body style is built better to compete in athletic events but it doesn’t make them a football player. But, Gettis has at least earned us to take another look at his on-field football play.

8.Jeff Allen & Tony Brown – Both of these guys were on our watch list as bubble guys for our Top 10 offensive tackles. Neither one of them let us down. Both players stood out and were highly impressive. Philip Blake was and David DeCastro both performed to the level we expected as well. We’ve been saying all along that DeCastro is the best guard prospect in years and he looked it today. Blake is another Canadian transplant that performed well, like his former Baylor teammate, Danny Watkins did last year.

9.Dwayne Allen & Orson Charles – Due to Coby Fleener not performing, it was Allen & Charles and no one else in my eyes. While other guys looked good, none were on their level. It’s odd because the two were almost teammates as Allen was committed to Georgia before switching at the last minute to become a Tiger. How do they measure up? Allen 6’3 1/8, 255 lbs, 33″ arms, 27 reps, and 4.89 forty. Charles 6’2 1/2, 251, 32 1/2″ arms, 35 reps, and while Orson ran all of the routes, he didn’t participate in any timed exercises. It was odd to me that Charles didn’t mind running full speed in the pass catching drills but wouldn’t do anything that would have timed him. Also, most people will focus on Allen’s 4.89 forty but overlook his 7.12 three cone drill. Allen also made the catch of the day, laying out for a ball along the sideline. I view Charles as a glorified wide receiver and was shocked when he didn’t run. I felt this would have helped his value but now looks as if he was hiding something. I expected Dwayne to be around 4.75-4.85 in his forty, so the 4.89 isn’t alarming to me and his three cone proves why. While Charles not running the timed drills disappointed, he didn’t do anything that would make me drop him down or raise him up from the #3 ranking that we have him at now. Here’s the complete Top 10.

10.Coby Fleener – Due to an injury he didn’t perform, outside of lifting and he impressed there. 6’6, 247 lbs, 33 7/8″ arms, and 27 reps. It was already impressive to see the long armed Fleener push up 27 reps but what pushed it over the top was how bad he wanted that last rep, to tie Allen. Allen had already went and completed 27 reps. When Coby pushed up 26, I looked at how bad his body was shaking and felt that was it, he was done. His body looked as if he was in the midst of an earthquake and his will finished the last rep as his body had already given up on him. Every coach and scout in the room, probably walked away with a smile, saying “alright, we have a competitor here”.

11.Ladarius Green & Deangelo Peterson – Peterson really hurt himself today. He showed over and over again that he doesn’t trust his hands. Green on the other hand, didn’t look great but you could tell that he had been working his butt off and looked a ton better than what I saw on film. It also didn’t hurt that Green came in just a hair under 6’6 and ran an official 4.53, broad jumped 10’4″, and had a vertical of 34.5″. There were plenty of people that saw value in Green, in that building today. I can’t blame them because he looked like a great project player. Other tight ends that caught my eye for one reason or another were, Drake Dunsmore and Michael Egnew. Drake was comfortable running routes and catching the ball. It all came naturally to him. He’s nowhere near an early round pick but he can make a roster and contribute. Egnew looks the part but was frustrating as he didn’t go all out during the route running and receiving drills. The gauntlet was where I had the biggest bone to pick with Michael. While he didn’t forget the last last passer altogether like Orson Charles, he jogged through the whole thing and looked sloppy. Most of his routes were conservative and it calls into question, whether he has the confidence to compete with the best in the world.

I'll take the risk on Vontaze Burfict just like we did last year with Houston.

For offensive linemen and tight ends, the 2012 NFL Combine is now over. With their combine performances in the can, let's look at who had a good week and who will need a solid pro day showing to help their stock.

Offensive Tackles

Matt Kalil, USC - Kalil likely cemented his suggested status by many (myself included) as the top OT in this year's draft. He clocked in faster than 5 seconds in the 40 with a 10-yard split faster than any OT from last year's class (VIDEO with some tape study from NFL Network's Mike Mayock) and the top 3-cone time among tackles.

Riley Reiff, Iowa - Looked solid in the drills, with quick footwork and agility to boot. Barring anything between now and the draft, he's likely a mid-first selection.

Mike Adams, Ohio St. - Adams, along with Wisconsin C Peter Konz, put up the most surprisingly disappointing bench press numbers of the day. With just 19 reps, Adams resuscitated questions about his tenacity on tape. That the bench press is no representation of OT skill is irrelevant. The question is how much stock do you put in an OT who, despite being 5" taller and 124 pounds heavier, put up two less reps than Cal WR Marvin Jones.

Jeff Allen, Illinois - No, this isn't just fodder for Brick Top. Allen is now on the path to be a legitimate mid-round sleeper. Allen posted strong numbers across the board, and looked crisp in drills. He's not as quick as his peers on tape, so he's a bit system-limited.

Zebrie Sanders, Florida St. - I thought the Zebra had a solid day. His 40-time was poor, but for an OT I don't put much stock there. Arm length? Feet? General athleticism? Keep this guy in mind.

Interior Linemen

Peter Konz (C), Wisconsin - As mentioned before, Konz put up a shockingly disappointing bench press number. But if you've watched him on tape, it's not a game time liability. And while his arms didn't measure incredibly well, that number doesn't hurt as much at center.

David Decastro (G), Stanford - Put concisely, DD killed it today. It's hard to not believe he's a first round lock.

Ben Jones (C), Georgia - Ben Jones doesn't look like a football player. He looks like an overweight teen who struggles to wash himself. But today, as on tape, he looks NFL quality. And he gets my Slow Lineman Who Looked Like Their 40-Yard Might Kill Them Award.

Adam Gettis (G), Iowa - Wow. For someone who needed a good day, he sure gave the audience one. And while I can't push him into day 2 territory, his performance was an eye-opener.

David Molk (C), Michigan - A top-heavy center, Molk showed his weight room chops blasting away the competition with 41 reps in the bench press, 7 more than second-best Decastro.

Kelechi Osemele (G), Iowa St. - While Osemele measured wonderfully, he looked incredibly reactive in drill work. Now as a guard prospect, that's not a huge disadvantage. But it suggests his pass protection won't be top caliber in year one anytime soon.

Thats not a good report on Osemele. I dont think he will playing any T in the NFL. If we dont go with Decastro I hope they look at him later in the draft.

Here are some notes on the offensive linemen:

-Highest bench reps were Davis Molk (41), David DeCastro (34), Justin Anderson (32), Tony Bergstrom (32), Ryan Miller (32), Kelechi Osemele (32) and Kevin Zeitler (32).

-Lowest bench reps were Andrew Tiller (16), Matt McCants (17), Peter Konz (18), Taylor Dever (18), Kelvin Beachum (19) and Mike Adams (19)

-Longest arms were Matt McCants (35 ⅜”)

-Shortest arms were Mike Brewster (31 ½”)

-Biggest hands were Josh Oglesby (11 ¼”)

-Smallest hands were Ronald Leary (8 ⅝”)

-Matt Kalil was impressive measuring in at 6’6 ½” and 306 pounds. He said he knows he still has to bulk up, but he was up from his USC listed weight.

-Zebrie Sanders showed off some impressive upper body strength putting up 28 bench press reps with 35” arms.

-David DeCastro came out with good size at 6’4 ⅞” and impressed with the bench with 32 reps.

-Mike Adams was a bit of a disappointment with only 19 reps on the bench, but he does have long arms at 34”.

-Riley Reiff was bigger than I expected him to be at 6’5” 313, it will be very interesting to see how he does in the 40 at 313.

-A lot of people expected Amini Silatolu to put up a lot of reps on the bench, but he came in at a respectable 28. I also expected him to be bigger, he weighed in at 311.

-Given how strong Peter Konz looks in game, I was surprised ot see only 18 reps on the bench. But when judging game tape vs. bench press reps, tape wins every time.

-With 35 ¾” arms, Cordy Glenn killed the bench with 31 reps. That might have been the most impressive of the day.

Stanford OT Jonathan Martin proclaimed himself to be the best tackle in the draft. Measuring 6'5" 312 lbs, he compared himself to Kalil, his workout partner since the end of the college season. He will not be lifting at the Combine because of a case of food poisoning.

"Trent Richardson: Richardson's dealing with an injury so he's not going to participate at the combine. But he said the injury wasn't a "setback," and then he proceeded to be possibly the most quotable guy at the combine. His attitude was one of approachable confidence, and at one point he said that he's more than willing to meet Ray Lewis head on in the hole. It was throughly enjoyable to hear Richardson riff, and if he can back up his talk, he'll be worthy of a top-10 pick."

Minor knee surgery before the draft isn't a good way to get things started!

Winner - Dontarie Poe
Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe was a monster at the combine Monday, as the second team All-Conference USA selection led all players with 44 reps on the bench press and turned in an alarmingly fast sub-five-second 40-yard-dash time. Poe also ran the 10-yard split in 1.7 seconds, a ridiculous time for the 346 lb. beefeater. And given Poe's appeal to 3-4 teams with a need at nose tackle, it's possible that he has lifted and run his way into the back end of the draft's first round.

Loser - Michael Brockers
As good a show as Poe put on in Monday's drills, LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers was equally as bad, as the 6'5", 322 lb. redshirt sophomore looked sluggish in the 40-yard dash and agility drills, and managed a measly 19 repetitions on the bench press. Brockers, who had 54 tackles, a forced fumble, two sacks and an interception last year, has been pegged by some as a potential Top 10 pick in April's draft. But, unless he can erase the bad taste left by his poor combine showing at LSU's pro day, that's looking quite a bit more unlikely now.

Winner - Nick Perry
Nick Perry was a very successful defensive end at the University of Southern California in 2011, where the 6'3", 271 lb. junior racked up 54 tackles, 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles on his way to being named a First Team All Pac-12 performer. However, many scouts project Perry as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL, fearing that he's neither big nor strong enough to hold the point of attack against NFL offensive linemen. Perry showed off the sort of athletic versatility at the combine that indicates that that may not be the case. Not only did Perry do well in agility drills, but he also ran a very respectable 4.64 40-yard dash and put up 35 reps on the bench press.

Loser - Audie Cole
North Carolina State middle linebacker Audie Cole was among the top handful of prospects available at his position entering the combine after a 2011 campaign in which the 6'4", 246 lb. senior tallied 108 tackles, 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Cole's stock got punched in the mouth when he flopped at the combine, however, as the Wolfpack star turned in a very mediocre 4.81 second 40-yard dash and posted some of the worst bench press numbers at his position, with only 15 repetitions of 225 lbs.

Winner - Luke Kuechly
The combine was much kinder to the top middle linebacker in this season's draft class, as Luke Kuechly of Boston College showed a solid combination of strength, athleticism and speed with 27 reps in the bench press, a 4.58 second 40 time and a third-place finish among linebackers in the vertical leap. The 6'3", 242 lb. All-American, who won the Nagurski and Lombardi awards last year after leading the nation with a gaudy 191 tackles, gave his chances of being chosen in the NFL draft's first round a shot in the arm with his big day at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Loser - Vontaze Burfict
Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict is an immensely talented player capable of taking over football games, but as has seemingly been the case during his entire collegiate career the 6'1" 242-pound oft-penalized Sun Devil just couldn't get out of his own way at the combine. After deflecting blame for many of his troubles while in college Burfict proceeded to run a slower 40 time than Dontari Poe (who's over 100 pounds heavier), and his pedestrian performances in other drills and poor showing in interviews have sent Burfict's already lagging draft stock into full-on free fall.

Winner: Mychal Kendricks
Although linebacker Mychal Kendricks was the the Pac-12 defensive player of the year in 2011 after racking up 105 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions the 5'11" 239-pound Cal standout wasn't a player that had generated much buzz entering the combine. That all changed after Kendricks tore up the field in Indianapolis, as the senior led all linebackers in the 40-yard dash (4.47 seconds), vertical jump (39.5 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, 7 inches), which likely sent Kendricks' draft stock jumping as well.

Winners:

Nick Perry, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, USC

Perry was thought of as a riser who could impress at the combine and boy did he ever. The stud defensive lineman who led the Pac-12 with 9.5 sacks in 2011 blazed to an official time of 4.64 seconds in the 40-yard dash, a 7.25 second three-cone drill and a 4.66 second 20-yard shuttle. The USC product was also impressive in other areas, powering his way to 35 reps on the bench press, showing a 38.5-inch vertical leap and a 124-inch broad jump. By showing superior athleticism to go along with fantastic pass-rushing skills, Perry has easily solidified himself as a first-round pick. He has also shown that he'll likely be able to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, as he measured in at 6'3" and 271 pounds. If he can move that well at that size, he could be a terror in the NFL as an edge rusher.

Zach Brown, Outside Linebacker, North Carolina

Brown isn't as well known as some of the other linebackers in this year's draft, but one thing people know about him is that he's exceptionally fast. And he showed that on Monday, ripping off an official time of 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He measured in at 6'1" and 244 pounds, which means he certainly has the bulk to handle outside linebacker responsibilities in a 4-3 defense. The North Carolina product also showed off his exceptional athleticism with a 33.5-inch vertical leap and a 116-inch broad jump. Brown is exceptional at locating the ball and closing to it to make big plays. Obviously, his speed has a lot to do with how quickly he can make tackles, so blazing to such a fast time in the 40-yard dash will only make him more coveted. Especially when you consider that he stumbled during the start of his first attempt.

Luke Kuechly, Inside Linebacker, Boston College

For a few weeks now, Kuechly has been considered the top linebacker on most draft boards. But the Boston College product has mainly been thought of as a heady playmaker whose impeccable instincts made up for a lack of elite athleticism. Well, that was shown to be completely wrong on Monday. After measuring in at 6'3" and 242 pounds, Kuechly showed himself to be one of the most athletic linebackers in this year's draft class during his workout. He was officially timed at 4.58 seconds in the 40-yard dash, posted 27 reps on the bench press, showed a 38-inch vertical leap and had a 123-inch broad jump. He was among the top performers in the 40-yard dash, vertical and broad jump for linebackers, and when you consider his incredible instincts and reputation as a tackling machine, Kuechly has probably solidified his spot as the top pure linebacker (read: not edge rusher) in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, Memphis

No one was sure what to make of Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe before the combine, but rest assured, we all know what he can do now. Poe measured in at 6'4" and 346 pounds, then went out and ran a 4.98 40-yard dash, threw up 44 reps on the bench press, recorded a 29.5-inch vertical leap, 105-inch broad jump, then broke out a 7.9-second time in the three-cone drill and a 4.56-second time in the 20-yard shuttle. Poe has probably made himself more money than anyone at this year's combine by showing incredible athleticism, power, speed and quickness out of his massive frame. He is likely to be a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense at the next level, and don't be surprised if Monday's performance took him from a guy projected to go in the mid-20s to a Top 15 pick in this year's draft. He did all of that despite being the heaviest lineman to weigh in at this year's combine. That is simply incredible.

Losers:

Vontaze Burfict, Inside Linebacker, Arizona State

According to most observers in attendance, no one did more to turn off scouts during the interview process this week than Vontaze Burfict. Then he proceeded to send his stock plummeting even more with horrible performances in workouts. Burfict cut his weight down to 248 pounds and measured in at 6'1" but then ran what was officially timed as a 5.09-second 40-yard dash. The nightmare continued as he registered just a 30-inch vertical leap and a 104-inch broad jump. Considering the kind of trouble he had off the field at Arizona State, Burfict needed to shine in his workouts and interviews at the combine to maintain a first-round grade. That hasn't happened and now his stock is probably slipping more than anyone's in the entire draft class.

Michael Brockers, Defensive Tackle, LSU

Brockers is another guy whose stock was soaring following LSU's wildly successful season. In fact, some had made noise about him possibly jumping into the Top 10 of this year's draft. After today, he probably has a lot of work to do for that to happen. Brockers originally did not plan on fully participating in drills at the combine, but at the last minute decided to work out. He probably shouldn't have done that. After measuring in at a massive 6'5" and 322 pounds, Brockers did not turn in a great performance in any of the drills. He ran a woeful 5.36-second 40-yard dash, then posted just 19 reps on the bench press. He also showed a 26.5-inch vertical leap, 105-inch broad jump, then wasn't as quick as many expected him to be, finishing with a 7.46-second time in the three-cone drill and posting a 4.81-second 20-yard shuttle. Brockers will have a chance to reverse his fortunes at his pro day, but until then expect his stock to continue to fall after lackluster workouts.