I now see why people are in love with Mathews. After seeing him at the combine, I think he will be better than Cushing. Not that this has anything to do with anything but Cushing looks like he is 16 years old.

A few others who impressed that we will have a shot at....

Connor Barwin 6'4 256 4.66 40, worked out with DE's but can easily play OLB in a 3-4. He ran the second best 40 of all DE's and had the best vertical at 40.5 inches.

Lawrence Sidbury Jr 6'2 266...fastest 40 among DE's with a 4.64 and 35 vertical. Looks like a Dwight Freeney.

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“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

I thought Cushing looked impressive. While 4.74 is nothing amazing, his first ten yards looked pretty explosive and he did well in the drills, often accelerating quickly, flipping his hips and finishing.

Good post. It was pretty cool watching the LBs run today and the different drills. There was definately someone who stood out BIG TIME, that was CLAY MATTHEWS. He looks bigger and faster than the other guys.

Brian Cushing, 6'3 243
Clay Mathews, 6'3 240

40 yard dash
Cushing, 4.74
Mathews, 4.67

20 yard shuttle
Cushing, 4.22
Mathews, 4.18

Vertical
Cushing, 35
Mathews, 35.5

Broad Jump
Cushing, 10'0
Mathews, 10'1

3 cone drill
Bench Press
Cushing, 30
Mathews, DNP

Hype
Cushing, highly recruited, full scholarship to USC, Experienced, many injuries, steroids? Probably still a good player but maybe not as good as hyped.

Mathews, Walk on (potential chip on shoulder), inexperienced, raw. Father 4 time Pro Bowler...He played 19 seasons and 278 games in the NFL (third most in NFL history) Uncle Bruce played Center and Guard in the Pro Bowl, 14 total Pro Bowls, 1st ballot HOF'er...played in more games (296) than any NFL player, excluding kickers and punters, and played in more seasons (19) than any offensive lineman.

Both need a haircut.

Can I also say that several highly touted players looked slow...James Laurinaitis 4.81 40, Larry English 4.85, Aaron Maybin 4.88, Ray Maualuga 4.83, Clint Sintim 4.78

That is not the all-tell indicator but all these guys were supposed to run 4.5's and 4.6's. Instincts and play making ability are definitely more important.

Aaron Curry is a beast.

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“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

I was hoping the Saints would either take Curry (wishfull thinking), Cushing, Maualuga, or Laurinaitis in the first round. After watching Mathews at the combine I'm starting to change my mind. Healthy seems to be part of his bloodline, which is great =). Cushing though is a health nut from what I hear.

So yeah, I'd be happy to take Mathews at 14 *nods*

I can totally see Parcells taking one of the DE/LB guys like Barwin, Maybin, or English.

I watched matthews at the bowl game with penn state and the thing that really impressed me about him is that he has the speed the rush that passer and also has great instincts when it comes to finding and tackling the ball carrier (unlike you know who) also matthews does not give up on plays and will chase you 50 yards to make a play- this guy is a football player. I wont compare him to rey cause I think everyone knows how I feel but on that day and the senior bowl it was clear who the better usc lb was...

What we would have to think about is at USC he played and OLB, so we would still need an ILB unless we tried him inside. If he has the size i think he is a white version of curry where he can potentially play both positions.

If Maualuga slips to #25 he is automatically the pick.

I dont care what numbers is shorts and a shirt say.

I care about what happens when the pads are on and the guy is a beast. Look at his numbers at USC and the fact his numbers are so big with so many other great players on that D says alot.

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"When you suck long enough, you get a Hickey"

'a white version of curry '--- lol I have had of red curry, never white curry though.

FAs will determine where we go with the choices.

After re-signing Crowder, we have some flexibility. I still think we need a LB on day 1, but I think the prospect of a Center or NT is now even more likely.

We STILL NEED another ILB. Is it possible MATHEWS falls into the 2B #44 selection? I'd like to see that happen, but its not gonna. Maybe LARENITIS will still be on the board.

Wow the dust still hasn't settled from CROWDER'S news.

DolphinSam Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Laurinaitis' stock is plummeting. He'll be there
> when we pick, and we'll have to make a decision.
> Do we want the overachieving white boy from Ohio?
> Or an exciting outside linebacker like English?
> Matthews stock is rising, rising...we may not even
> have a shot at him. NFLDraftScout has him as the
> 20th overall prospect. Forget about Maualuga. I
> don't care how much he drops, or doesn't help
> himself with the scouts..he's a monster and he'll
> be scooped up pretty fast, all we'll see is his
> dust.
>
>
>

I'm confident the Trifecta will make the right decision. Regardless, I think we're in a good position. My main concern right now is CB, assuming we don't re-sign Goodman.
> 02/25/09 - If the combine has proven anything,
> it's that Ohio State players are just as slow as
> the perception has been for the last three years.
> James Laurinaitis' stock is plummeting after
> running a 4.8 in the 40 on what is considered a
> fast track in Indianapolis. Malcolm Jenkins may
> have lost his footing as the top cornerback
> selected when he ran in the 4.5 range. That's the
> type of time generally reserved for safeties,
> which a number of NFL teams may now consider him.
> The Buckeye whose stock is rising the most right
> now might be Marcus Freeman, who ran a 4.67 in the
> 40. But then you turn the film on and realize
> Laurinaitis has had a much better career than his
> buddy. Ultimately, Laurinaitis stands to drop the
> most. He needs a good pro day at Ohio State next
> month to regain some favor with the scouts.
> Another factor working against him is the lack of
> success Ohio State linebackers have had in the
> NFL. You have to go all the way back to Chris
> Spielman to find an OSU linebacker who has come
> close to reaching his potential in the NFL. Since
> then, Craig Powell, Andy Katzenmoyer, A.J. Hawk
> and Bobby Carpenter have been first-round flops
> after starring with the Buckeyes. All of this will
> impact how NFL teams now view Laurinaitis. Bottom
> line: It's no longer out of the question to think
> Laurinaitis will still be on the board when the
> Browns draft.... in the second round. - Jason
> Lloyd, The Morning Journal

You know, we think about these skill positions more, like corner and wr. We think about other receivers making spectatcular catches and scoring fast on us. We think about no one to catch the ball for our own team. But what we forget is that we let teams run the ball pretty good on us. They got big chunks of yardage and then they were free to either run or pass on later downs. We couldn't wrap anybody up and contain. We couldn't tackle. And on our own offense, we simply could not run. The wildcat was the only thing saving us from embarrassment, and we can't count on that scheme this year.

So I think it's important to think about that, and get some help with the inside linebacker spot, as well as the O line. For a supposed defense-minded person, Parcell may actually make his last two first round picks O linemen. First it was Jake, and this year it may be a center. We HAVE to run better. All that stuff about getting "firepower" is a smokescreen. We need some more big bodies in there.

So if we can get some guys to help us run, or stop the run, I'll consider this a successful draft, and I'll be happy.

English ran a 4.85 not a 4.90. He had a great senior bowl, he was in the backfield all day. He's got lots of good moves and he's explosive.

I agree Maualuga's stock fell, but he's a beast and we won't have a shot at him. Laurinaitis has a lot more to prove, and he'd better start doing that or he won't be picked early.

I am not on either side of the fence here...but my question is...


Wont coaching help out? Seems like natural ability mixed with coaching is the right ingredient.

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"When you suck long enough, you get a Hickey"

J. Laurenicetits stock is falling hard even into the 2nd round. He really cost himself by not coming out last year. Probably $5 mil easy.

'The Miami Dolphins will draft BPE, BILL PARCELLS ERA.'

-DaytonaDolfan13

DaytonaDolfan13 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> J. Laurenicetits stock is falling hard even into
> the 2nd round. He really cost himself by not
> coming out last year. Probably $5 mil easy.
>
> 'The Miami Dolphins will draft BPE, BILL PARCELLS
> ERA.'
>
>
> -DaytonaDolfan13

Good for us if we DO draft him.

Cushing is now hurt and out indefinitely.

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“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

eesti Wrote:
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> Cushing is now hurt and out indefinitely.


OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!