greylion

All eyes on Texas' Pro Day


By Gil Brandt
NFL.com Senior Analyst


AUSTIN, Texas (March 23, 2005) -- As you drive into town from the north on I-35, there is a big sign that reads "Home of the Rose Bowl Champions."

That's a strange sight for people to see as they drive to the University of Texas because they're part of the Big 12 Conference and normally don't play in the Rose Bowl. But with the advent of the Bowl Championship Series, that strange occurence happened, and the Longhorns won the game once reserved for the Big Ten and Pac-10 Conferences.

That win ended the collegiate careers of some of Texas' most successful players, including running back Cedric Benson and linebacker Derrick Johnson, both projected first-round picks. The graduating class won 43 games -- the most in the history of the school.

"We've got some really good players this year," Texas head coach Mack Brown said. "Obviously, Cedric and Derrick are the guys that everybody knows about. But Bo Scaife is a guy who has overcome so much and he's helped himself this year. Will Matthews is a big fullback that was successful for us. Philip Geiggar, as hard as it is to find safeties, is a guy that people are going to look at very carefully because he played so well for us. Tony Jeffery is a guy that's been productive and Chance Mock is a guy who can play at an NFL level but just happened to be here when Vince Young was playing."

As usual, Texas' Pro Day shined as bright as the sun. Scouts and coaches are treated like royalty from the minute they arrive. The truth is, General MacArthur would be proud at how well organized the event is. The workout started promptly at 10:30 a.m. with a meeting in the team room, and the players started measuring up 20 minutes later. Just like clockwork.

Once all the measurements were taken, the players lifted the 225-pound strength bar and did vertical jumps and broad jumps. After that, the place looked like a school house as the players, coaches, scouts and other personnel lined up to get on buses to take everybody to the Moncrief-Neuhaus Athletic Complex, Texas' practice bubble. That's where the running and position drills took place.

As per custom, the NFL personnel was treated to Austin's own Bert's Bar-B-Q after the workout. If this were a restaurant, their slogan might be "Come for the draft picks, stay for the ribs." As usual, it was a delicious way to end the day.

This is a good crop of players, but the good news for Texas is that they have plenty of future NFL prospects still on the team. Among them are quarterback Vince Young, safety Michael Huff, linebacker Aaron Harris, defensive linemen Brian Robinson and Roderick Wright and offensive linemen Jonathan Scott and Justin Blaylock. They were all timed after the draft prospects did their workouts.

But of all the alumni (including Cardinals lineman Leonard Davis and Lions defensive end Cory Redding ), players and players' parents in attendance, the one who was the proudest was coach Brown.

"I'm really proud of these guys," he said. "They've handled themselves well. There's a tremendous amount of pressure even though the scouts and coaches are going to take people based on how they played. These guys stayed at Texas, did well in school and stayed out of trouble and been good team guys."

The results ...
Let's fill you in on the details -- here are the results from Texas' Pro Day:


TEXAS: MARCH 23
In total, 75 scouts and coaches were in attendance, including Texans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer and Cardinals offensive boss Keith Rowen. Head coaches Dennis Green and Nick Saban were not there because of the NFL's annual meeting in Hawaii, but I know for a fact they wanted to be front and center.

The players ran indoors on what can only be described as "soft FieldTurf," which makes for a slow track compared to what they ran on in Indy.
Player Position Gil's comments

Cedric Benson RB Benson was 5-10 3/8 and 225 pounds. He had a long jump of 9-foot-8 and a 33-inch vertical jump. He lifted the strength bar 18 times. In the 40, he was timed as low as 4.51 and as high as 4.59. That's impressive; not even Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, ran that fast when he was coming out of school.

Derrick Johnson LB Johnson was 6-3¼ and 243 pounds. He passed on lifting at the combine, but here lifted the strength bar 21 times.
Philip Geiggar DB Geiggar (5-10, 191) had a 10-foot-2 long jump, a 36-inch vertical jump and 18 reps.
Will Matthews FB Matthews (6-1½, 241) had a 10-foot-6 in the long jump, a 35-inch vertical, 18 reps and ran his 40s in 4.81 and 4.79.
Bo Scaife TE Scaife (6-2½, 252) had a 31½-inch vertical jump and ran his 40s in 4.79 and 4.81.

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If you can't break your nose at it, it ain't a sport.

Duds47

the guy that I thought actually outperformed DJ on more than one occasion this year.

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Quote by Moe Syzlak: May 23, 2005

Bobo

I noticed that guy too. If he has a big SR year, he's probably a high prospect next year.

imported_Roscoe

yes that is good

Ronnie brown and cadillac both crushed his time

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hinesward86

I still like his potential, but ronnie brown is the ****

Gobears81

Did Benson do any cone or shuttle drills?

Does anyone know the times?

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greylion

Texas Pro-Day - RB Cedric Benson ran anywhere from 4.61 and 4.68, and only one team had him under 4.6. Scout.com reports are disputing other media reports who are reporting Benson ran under a 4.6, as no team had him faster than a 4.61. Benson's pro shuttle was 4.23 & 4.47, and 3 cone time of 7.55. and a 33" BJ. Benson's 21 reps on the bench are in question, as many scouts did not think he locked three of those repetitions. Benson's workout was not good and whether running the cone drills or pass routes he was consistent slowing into breaks / cuts

OLB Derrick Johnson looked very good in positional drills.

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If you can't break your nose at it, it ain't a sport.

Duds47

Good, hopefully JA will take 20 CC's of reality and draft the guy named Braylon instead.

I never liked any of these RB's as top 5 calibre backs.


This draft sucks.

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Quote by Moe Syzlak: May 23, 2005

Long Pod

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