2008 NFL Combine — Tight Ends Are Athletes Too

Today marked the beginning of the 2008 NFL Combine brow raising as the Offensive Linemen, Kickers, and Tight Ends went through their respective agility drills. Most NFL Draft geeks believe 2008 features a hefty crop of offensive linemen. But I really didn’t pay much attention to their performances as they’re…well, they’re boring. And I don’t necessarily pay attention to their performances throughout the season. So, naturally it would be unfair for me to add any opinions as far as their draft status. But for $#!ts and giggles, here are the top offensive line performances in the bench press:

1. Jake Long. LT/RT, Michigan Wolverines — 37 reps
2. Jeremy Zuttah. RT, Rutgers — 35 reps
3. Kirk Barton. RT, Ohio State — 34 reps
4. Carl Nicks. LT/RT/DE, Nebraska — 31 reps
5. Brandon Keith. LT, Northern Iowa — 31 reps
6. Mike Gibson. LT, Cal — 31 reps

Tight Ends
The tight end performances were actually enjoyable to watch. There were definitely a bunch of unorthodox tight ends in the mix, which just made the traditional slow, blocking tight ends look uncoordinated. With the emergence of the spread offense in the college game, it’s no surprise that the 2008 NFL Combine featured a bunch of Belgian Blues at the tight end position.

Sometimes (ok, alot) I look at Mike Mayock’s Top 5 Lists and can’t help but chuckle. This is definitely one of those times. However, I think Mayock will change his list around a bit after today’s performances.

• John Carlson, ND. Disappointed on-lookers with a 4.96 40-yd dash, and followed it up with a 4.89. Mike Mayock is in love with this guy for his all-around ability (blocking/catching). While he wasn’t the best TE at the Combine per se, he definitely displayed his ability to catch the football in the Gauntlet the way he did throughout the season. His so-so 40-yd dash performance will undoubtedly give scouts another reason to go back and look at some tape. He’s definitely one of the top 5 tight ends, but not #1.
• Kellen Davis, Mich State. K3 (I’m sure he’d punch me for calling him that) was one of my favorites before his Combine performance. He played both ways for the Spartans this season…occasionally at Defensive End. Great showing in the 40-yd dash (4.58) not to mention he could have run with a full glass of water on his head and not spilled a drop because his stride was so smooth. Despite his Spartan stature, he does come with some flaws. He’s been criticized for his blah work ethic, and he was arrested back in 2006 for fighting. Regardless, he’ll be a great addition to most rosters.
• Derek Fine, Kansas. Like John Carlson, Derek didn’t have a fine (I had to) showing in the 40 (4.89). But he exhibited his catching abilities in the Gauntlet, and he always looked like he was trying his hardest. This is the one tight end whose blocking abilities I can remember. He made a couple of key blocks for teammate Jake Sharp (RB) during their game against Kansas State this season. I’m not sure if he’ll be drafted, but worth the mention. And I like his name.
• Jermichael Finley, Texas. The perfect example of why you can’t quantify a player’s ability with other drills. Despite a slower 40-yd dash (4.82), he caught every ball thrown to him in the Gauntlet including a David Tyree-like head catch to finish it off. He’s also the youngest tight end in the NFL Combine this year; he left Texas as a Sophomore. If you haven’t watched much Texas football lately, watch any of his YouTube highlight videos and you might be as impressed as I am.
• Dustin Keller, Purdue. Dustin Keller is the poster child for using the Combine to improve your draft stock. He earned a golf clap for his 26 reps @ 225 lbs in the bench press (#2), then more for his consistent 40-yd sprints of 4.54 & 4.53 (#1, officially 4.55), his Dwight Howard-esque 38″ vertical leap (#1), 10′11″ in the broad jump (#1), 6.88 seconds in the 3-cone (#2), 4.14 seconds in the 20-yd shuttle (#1), and a nearly perfect Gauntlet (1 drop). No doubt he’ll be the first tight end drafted. Not simply for his almost flawless Combine performance, but for his prodigious 2007 season.
• Brad Cottam, Tennessee. At 6′7 1/2″, 270 lbs, this guy blew through the 40 in 4.68 seconds! Are you kidding me? I can’t remember many highlights from this season even though I did catch a number of Vols games, but who wouldn’t want to throw to a guy that tall that runs a 4.68? Mayock likes him as #5. Who knows?
• Fred Davis, USC. He didn’t wow alot of folks in the Combine (or me at least). He appeared to be a little gimpy, but he still managed to participate. He did finish with 24 reps @ 225 lbs (#3) and a very decent Gauntlet. And anyone that watched USC football this season knows about his many accolades including the distinction as the nation’s best tight end (2007 John Mackey Award recipient).

My Honorable Mention tight ends include Martellus Bennett from Texas A&M and Darrell Strong from Pitt. Strong looked pretty good in the Gauntlet, but finished fair in everything else. He’s had some off-field issues in the past. Apparently he showed up out of shape for preseason workouts and was forced to wear a pink t-shirt during workouts that said “I work out at Curves”. Martellus Bennett will get the short end of the stick in this year’s draft. He’s a great athlete with great hands, but was under-utilized in the “Run First, Run Second” Texas A&M offense. He clocked a 4.69 in the 40-yd dash (#7) and a 34-inch vertical jump (#3). And he can dunk over his coach.

My Top 5 Tight Ends

1. Dustin Keller, Purdue
2. Jermichael Finley, Texas
3. Fred Davis, USC
4. John Carlson, Notre Dame
5. Kellen Davis, Michigan State

Tomorrow is QBs, RBs, and WRs. I can’t wait. You can keep track of the 2008 NFL Combine Top Performers on NFLNetwork.com.

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