2007 Combine Notes
by Rob Tribbett and Chris Otwell, War Room Report

Defensive Back Notse

Chris Houston - As predicted by the WRR, Houston tore up the combine with an unofficial 4.32 40. Houston also did 27 reps and may have earned a spot as a top 20 pick.

Leon Hall - So much for the "slow" label, has Leon Hall ran a 4.39 (unofficial) 40 at the combine. Hall may have remerged as the #1 CB on the board.  He will be #1 on the WRR CB board.

LaRon Landry - The battle between Landry and Florida S Reggie Nelson is over, as Landry ran an incredible 4.35 time, and could now be a top ten pick, possibly to Atlanta.

Marcus McCauley - The criticized Fresno State CB showed he has all the physical tools needed to be an elite cover corner, with a blazing 4.33 40 at the combine, in his second try. McCauley is probably a Round 2 pick.

Linebacker Notes

Patrick Willis - Willis ran better than expected, with a 4.51 40. Willis demonstrated that he clearly is the best MLB on the board, and perhaps the best LB overall. Where he is drafted is going to be more a function of team needs than his ability, has he is a top fifteen player.

Antwan Barnes - The Florida International linebacker demonstrated great athleticism, with a 4.43 40 and 31 reps. Barnes is an early day two prospect.

Justin Durant - The Hampton product also put up a solid combine, with a 4.51, and good agility drills. Durant is a top small school prospect and in a weak LB group, could really be making himself some money

Defensive Linemen Notes

Tim Crowder - Crowder showed athleticism for a 272 lb end, running his 40 in 4.69. Crowder also did 32 reps in the bench press and was solid in the 20 yard shuttle and 3 cone drill. Crowder can expect to come off the board by the middle of round two.

Adam Carriker - Carriker has done nothing but improve his stock since the end of the season, with a great Senior Bowl week and now a solid combine performance. Carriker weighed in at 296 lbs, but ran a 40 in 4.90, put up 33 reps in the bench and demonstrated his explosiveness with a 33.5 vertical. Perhaps the most surprising part of Carriker's performance was the agility he demonstrated, running the 2nd fastest 20 yard shuttle and 3 cone drills, despite his size. Carriker could be selected in the first half of round one.

Gaines Adams - The #1 DE entering the season, Adams may have pulled way from Jamaal Anderson with a great combine. Adams was the fastest DE at the combine, with a 4.64. Adams also showed his agility with a 4.36 20 yard shuttle. Adams may have earned himself a top ten pick with this performance.

Alan Branch - Branch demonstrated good speed, at 5.04, for a 324 lb DT. Branch looked good doing it and can expect to go off the board in the first dozen picks.

Jarvis Moss - Moss exhibited the speed that have some believing he can be an effective 3-4 OLB, with a 4.70 40. Moss did not do any of the agility drills, so his performance at his pro day will determine if he can transition to that position at the next level. At just 250 lbs, Moss is probably too small to be an every down DE in the NFL.

Quentin Moses - For a player who entered the season as a potential top ten pick, Moses has fallen further than anyone. His free fall only continued when he put up a disappointing 4.82 40, with only 17 reps in the bench press. Moses is going to now probably not find himself off the board until round three.

Brian Robison - The "other" Texas defensive end, Robinson was the star of the combine, running a 4.67, and easily posting the best  3 cone, vertical jump, and broad jump. Robison also showed strength with 27 reps. He may get a chance to play some 3-4 OLB, at only 259 pounds, with his athleticism.

Running Back Notes

Adrian Peterson - Ran a 4.38 40 yard dash, solidifying his status as the #1 RB on the board, and a top five overall prospect.

Gary Russell - The former Minnesota running back posted two disappointing efforts in the 40 yard dash, clocking in north of 4.80 both times. With that dismal effort, Russell, who had been ranked 10th on the WRR draft board for running backs, is going to slide down the board.

Brian Leonard - The hybrid back from Rutgers ran a 4.49, which should eliminate the concern that he is not fast enough for the tailback position. Leonard also lead the running backs with 28 reps in the bench press.

Lorenzo Booker - Booker exhibited his athleticism, running 4.45 40 and putting up 26 bench press reps. Booker might be moving into Round 2/Round 3 now.

Quarterback Notes

Drew Stanton - the 3rd ranked QB on the WRR big board, looked impressive at the scouting combine. Stanton is a solid athlete and exhibited good arm strength while throwing passes.

Chris Leak - Leak probably looked the best today of the QB's. He threw beautiful passes all day, hitting his targets on almost every pass. Leak really moved himself up the board with his near flawless workout at the combine today. Still, his lack of  height is going to be a sticking point.

Troy Smith - Smith had a somewhat disappointing day, as he had some pretty good looking throws, and some horrible throws. Smith had good ball speed, throwing 58.5 mph, and ran a decent 40. Smith could have used a stronger performance to maintain his Day One status.

Brady Quinn - Quinn did not do many workouts, but he did 24 bench press reps, which is a solid number for a QB. Jay Cutler put up a 22 reps last year.

Wide Receiver Notes

Robert Meacham - Meacham posted a great 4.36 40 yard dash at the combine, which will move him into the discussion as far as the 2nd WR on the board. Meacham has great size and with that speed, combined with the struggles of some of the other WR, Meacham is one of the biggest winners of today.

Steve Smith - A WRR favorite entering the combine, Smith ran a very solid 4.44, which should move him into Round Two or Three. Smith has all of the skills needed to succeed in the NFL, and this should negate any questions about his speed.

Jason Hill - Another player that is on the WRR board, Hill was one of the fastest WR at the combine, posting an unofficial 4.32 40, and looking great doing it.

Anthony Gonzalez - Gonzalez is a bit undersized, but he demonstrated he has solid speed, clocking in at 4.44 and had a good vertical jump. Gonzalez could work himself into the end of Round One or the beginning of Round Two.

Dwayne Jarrett - Jarrett did not work out, but the NFL Network's Mike Mayock, reported that Jarrett is only running a 4.70 in workouts. If Jarrett can not improve that time dramatically, he will struggle to make it into round 1.

Buzz from Indy

The War Room Report is hearing that several players, who have been high on the WRR board all along, are expected to post big workout numbers this week. CB Chris Houston, DE Anthony Spencer, and CB Josh Wilson are among these players.

Offensive Lineman Notes

Joe Thomas - An absolute beast, almost perfect at every single drill thus far, ran both 40's under 5. Thomas has pretty much solidified his draft grade of a top three pick. The Lions appear to be the likely destination.

Ryan Kalil - For sure the best center coming out, may have gotten himself into the first round, depending on teams needs, but will be the top center taken without a doubt, when that position is selected.

Manny Ramirez - Did not take part in the drills today, but was seen benching 225 lbs. 40 times.....that is a great performance from an offensive lineman.

Levi Brown - Not to many looks at him today, but he is a mountain, and can move for his size. There is no doubt that he will be the second OT taken, and could easily go in the top 10 at this point.

Tony Ugoh - Ugoh had a great 9'2 broad jump. This is a huge number for an offensive tackle. Ugoh's athleticism is off the charts for a player at his position.

Tight End Notes

Greg Olsen - Olsen ran a sub 4.5 40 yard dash twice, which is likely to move him to the end of Round One. A team may end up trading up to the end of Round One to draft him. Olsen could even work his way into the top twenty picks. Olsen's status is up in the air because many of the teams from fifteen on, have a solid tight end.

Zach Miller - Miller was fighting with Olsen to be the top TE drafted, but Miller did not run a great 40 yard dash, around a 4.86. Miller did not have a very good takeoff, and his acceleration may be a question. Miller is probably now a middle of Round Two pick.

Ben Patrick - Patrick, like Miller, did not run a great 40, but he did appear to have a good take off, and as a much better blocker then Miller, it is going to be more acceptable.