ABuccsFan

The full line from the article in the AJC...

McNeill, who measured 6 feet 7 5/8 and weighed 336 pounds at the NFL scouting combine, was once considered a top 10 prospect. But some teams are worried about an old back injury and others are concerned that McNeill did not fully work out at the NFL scouting combine or at Auburn's Pro Day.

But he's a coveted left tackle with 38 starts to his credit and he paved the way for Cadillac Williams (Tampa Bay) and Ronnie Brown (Miami) for most of his career.

"It's one of your impact positions, that left tackle spot," Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage said. "In our eyes it's almost a skill position in terms of the abilities it takes to play out there."

McNeill had a back strain in 2003 that caused him to miss three games.
"He had grown so fast and so tall," Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. "We had to strengthen his stomach muscles. He hasn't had a problem since."

Tuberville believes that McNeill has addressed the back concerns.
"I think he's overcome that," Tuberville said. "Tampa Bay is very interested, and San Diego. That's two of teams that are really looking hard at him."

McNeill denies reports that he has stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column.

"We cleared all of that up at the combine," McNeill said. "I don't really know where they came from. That's one of the big things we wanted to clear up."

After McNeill didn't do the weightlifting drill at the combine or on Auburn's Pro Day, some questioned his strength.

"A couple of clubs wanted me to lift," McNeill said. "They contacted me personally, and I did it right there. I had a broken hand that kept me from doing some of the lifts early on this spring."

McNeill said he lifted 225 pounds 26 times.

Tuberville is certain that the massive McNeill will not have problems with speed rushing defensive ends.

"He'll be fine because a lot of the guys he played against are some of the same guys that he played against in the SEC," Tuberville said, "the [Dave] Pollacks. And we had some pretty good defensive ends here the last few years, and he had to go get them in practice every day."

The idea of being selected by Tampa Bay resonates with McNeill.
"Hopefully I'll be able to go down there and be able to block for Cadillac again," McNeill said.

ABuccsFan

We heard from Buccaneer sources a few weeks ago (after our Bucs Draft Preview came out) that McNeill does have stenosis of the spine and that it is a concern. There has also been way too much reportage from around the league from credible officials (Gil Brandt, Todd McShay, etc.) that would convince us that he does have stenosis of the spine. Needless to say, he is no longer our pick in the mock draft. We're going with USC guard Deuce Lutui in the first round. The final seven-round mock draft will be released tomorrow on PewterReport.com.

From Scott Reynolds, Editor of PewterReprt.com
Post from their public forum.

bigboy

He has to feel awful, you can't hide this and he may now be a second day pick because of it.

Professor

yeah, I would trust Gil Brandt over the guy himself, I don't think he would lie, but ya never know. I can't stand gil brandt, he a blowhard.

ABuccsFan

I feel for the guy, but on the other hand he still has the opportunity most of us never got, or will ever have. That's still something. I was a left tackle in high school. Scored 38 TD's in the 3 and 5 holes my Sophomore through Senior seasons and played in the State Championships 2 times. But I was 5' 10" from a small town in Rhode Island, so I never got a look by any college scouts. While I feel for the guy, he still has a shot. I hope he makes the best of the chance.

Professor

If in fact the story about stenosis is false, then someone is going to get a steal. If he could slip to EAGLES in the second I would be happy with picking him.

ABuccsFan

Even with the stenosis as 3rd round pick he would be a steal for anybody. I don't think anyone is doubting whether or not he'll be a good baller, just how long he will be a good baller I think is everyone's question.

bigboy

The guy himself has a lot of money at stake doesn't he? I would lie too.

The 26 reps concern me too, especially for a man his size. If he does have that a lot of teams will not want him nor spend a first day pick IMO.

ABuccsFan

One rumor says because of his stenosis, he didn't lift weights the entire time he was at Auburn. 26 reps could be good evidence of that.

Professor

also there is the reason that he didn't life was because he had a broken hand.