Posts Tagged ‘B.J Raji’

This was the group of guys that I most wanted to see: linebackers and defensive linemen. A few guys dominated in every drill they competed in, while others succeeded in a single drill and were quite average in others. Unfortunately, Brian Orakpo and Rey Maualuga injured their hamstrings during drills (I was really bummed about that).

But I want to note that Aaron Curry looked fantastic today. He was calm, composed, and he definitely impressed in every drill.

Here are the NFL Combine results for february 23:

1) Brian Orakpo –Texas/DE

Aaron Curry photo provided by NFL.com

Bench press-31 reps

40 yard dash-4.70 sec

vertical leap- 39.5 in

2) Aaron Maybin–Penn St/DE

40 yard dash-4.89 sec

3) )Larry English–Northern Illinois/DE

Bench press-24 reps

40 yard dash-4.90 sec

4) Everette Brown–Florida St/DE

Bench press-26 reps

40 yard dash- 4.73 sec

5) Michael Johnson–Georgia Tech/DE

40 yard dash- 4.75 sec

6) B.J Raji–Boston College/DT

Bench press-33 reps

40 yard dash-5.13 sec

7) Terrance Taylor–Michigan/DT

Bench press-37 reps

40 yard dash-5.24 sec

8 ) Ron Brace–Boston College/DT

Bench press- 32 reps

40 yard dash- 5.47 sec

9) Evander Hood–Missouri/DT

Bench press- 34 reps

40 yard dash-4.91 sec

10) Jarron Gilbert–San Jose St/DT

40 yard dash- 4.87 sec

vertical leap-35.5 in

11) Rey Maualuga–USC/MLB

Bench press-23 reps

40 yard dash-4.83 (unofficial)

12) Aaron Curry–Wake Forest/OLB

Bench press 25 reps

40 yard dash- 4.56 sec

13) James Laurinaitis–Ohio St/MLB

Bench press- 22 reps

40 yard dash- 4.82 sec

14) Brian Cushing–USC/OLB

Bench press- 30 reps

40 yard dash- 4.74 sec

15) Scott McKillop–Pittsburgh/MLB

Bench press- 27 reps

40 yard dash- 4.77 sec

16) Clay Matthews–USC/OLB

40 yard dash- 4.67 sec

17) Clint Sintim–Virginia/OLB

40 yard dash- 4.78 sec

*Surprise Performer:*

18) Connor Barwin–Cincinnati/DE

Bench press-22 reps

40 yard dash-4.66 sec

vertical leap- 40.5 in

(Part 5)

Defensive Tackles

A dominant defensive tackle is the foundation of any elite defense. To be great, defenses must possess a man who can control the line of scrimmage. They are not glamorous picks, but they free up their teammates to do their jobs successfully. Of the five top defenses (in yards allowed per game), four have an elite defensive tackle. Here’s how the future prospects measure up in comparison:

B.J. Raji (Boston College) offers the most scheme versatility. On film, he is an absolute animal against his competition. I pity  lineman who try to single or double team him. When he tries, there are no questions about his strength and ability to plug the middle. Mark my words, he should be gone in the first five picks.

After Raji, I absolutely  love Peria Jerry’s (Ole Miss) great intensity and lower body strength. On numerous occasions, I have seen him drive blockers backwards as if there was nobody there. It’s only for nagging injuries that he may find his stock drop on draft day.

Another immense talent is Missouri’s Evander Hood. It would be a  rare thing indeed to find a guy who plays with more intensity and drive than him. He gives his all on each and every down, which is why I think he will succeed in the pros as a pass rusher. He is a bit undersized, but  so is Darnell Dockett on the the Arizona Cardinals. Hood’s play reminds me of Dockett’s disruptive playing style.

Mid-round steals could be Terrance Taylor (Michigan) and Ron Brace (Boston College). Taylor is a former state champion wrestler with tree trunks for legs. He only lacks height, measuring in at just under 6 feet.

Brace looks the part at 6′ 3 and 320 lbs, but is rather sluggish and isn’t close to the athlete that his teammate Raji is. But any coach with patience and time to tutor these guys may get solid football players.

Special article coming up: Quarterback Controversy