A day after coaches and general managers took the podium, the players got their chance to talk to the media as well as meet with the teams Thursday. Heisman Trophy-winning Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota was the hot ticket and he did not disappoint.
Mariota absolutely killing it in combine interview process. Told he is as/more impressive than R.Wilson was, which is significant.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) February 19, 2015
Mariota was the consensus top pick in the draft for months, but in the weeks leading up to the NFL combine, it appeared the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who own the No. 1 pick, were leaning toward Florida State quarterback and 2013 Heisman winner Jameis Winston.
“Drawing connections and drawing conclusions is assuming things,” Mariota said Thursday. “This process is far from done. I’m looking forward to getting to know the Tampa Bay organization and going through this entire draft process.”
Mariota is working with Kevin O’Connell, who will take over coaching quarterbacks for the Cleveland Browns after the combine. Unless the Browns work some kind of massive trade deal, Mariota will likely be out of their reach even if the Bucs go with Winston.
“He (O’Connell) has given me a play sheet, he’s had me read the plays out loud, that’s something little,” Mariota said. “But I think as this process goes, it’s going to help me just speak it in the huddle. It’s new. I haven’t done it since high school.”
Mariota left the national championship game against Ohio State early with a shoulder injury and there were concerns it would keep him from throwing at the combine. But Mariota said rest was all it took to get back into throwing shape.
“It (his shoulder) is feeling great,” Mariota said. “I took some time off after the national championship game and now I feel like I’m ready to go.”
Hundley was the first quarterback to address the media Thursday, letting it be known that he feels like he should not only be the first quarterback, but the first player to get picked in the 2015 NFL Draft.
“My goal is to be No. 1,” Hundley said. “I think the biggest thing is I’m a competitor and that’s really what it comes down to. If I feel 100 percent healthy and ready to go, I’m going to compete.”
Unless another quarterback has an otherworldly combine or pro day, Hundley should be the third QB off the board in the draft. Hundely confirmed Thursday that he has met and interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles, a likely landing spot for the UCLA star.
Winston was scheduled to speak Thursday but postponed his media session to Friday.
Winston did quell one bad rumor Thursday, weighing in at 231 pounds, just a single pound over his listed weight at Florida State, silencing critics who thought he had put on weight in the offseason.
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NFL Breaks out new Real-Time 40s for media coverage
For the first time, the NFL Network along with affiliated league media outlets will display real-time clockings of the 40-yard dash during live telecasts Friday. These will be the official times, clocked by Zybek Sports, that are delivered to the teams and not the unofficial results media outlets formerly displayed, then corrected later.
The combine record was set by Chris Johnson in 2008. Johnson, put down a 4.24 official time. Contenders to perhaps match it or beat it this season are wideout Phillip Dorsett out of the University of Miami, who has a verified 4.37 on his resume. Auburn wide receiver Sammie Coates and Ohio State’s Devin Smith are also expected to push 4.3 times.
Elway says QBs shouldn’t throw at combine
John Elway dodged a regional combine coming out of Stanford, trying to heal up an injured knee and the experience hasn’t left the two-time Super Bowl champion. Even as he comes to Indianapolis to evaluate players, he told reporters Thursday that if he was in their position, he would not throw.
“If I was a quarterback I wouldn’t throw here,” Elway said. “Why?…He’s going to have a pro day.”
Not throwing at a combine worked out all right for Elway. He was the No. 1 pick in 1983 by the Baltimore Colts, even though he refused to play for them and was traded to the Broncos where he had a Hall of Fame career, playing in five Super Bowls.
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On-Field Drills Begin
Friday Groups 1, 2 and 3 will take the field for the first time to work out in front of NFL coaches, executives and scouts. The first three groups consist of kickers, punters, offensive linemen and tight ends.
Thursday the offensive lineman performed their bench press, with each man putting up 225 pounds for as many reps as he can. Here are your Top 10:
1. OT Ereck Flowers (Miami) 37
2. OG Mitch Morse (Missouri) 36
3. OT Sean Hickey (Syracuse) 35
4. OG Mark Glowinski (West Virginia) 31
5. C Cameron Erving (Florida St.) 30
5. OG Ali Marpet (Hobart) 30
7. C Andy Gallik (Boston College) 29
7. OG John Miller (Louisville) 29
7. OT Tyrus Thompson (Oklahoma) 29
10. OG Jamil Douglas (Arizona St.) 28
10. OT Corey Robinson (South Carolina) 28
