TFY Report
Clarett improves while McPherson continues to rise
Posted: Monday April 4, 2005 4:17PM; Updated: Monday April 4, 2005 4:17PM



The final big week of collegiate pro days and individual workouts wrapped up on Friday. A pair of "prodigal sons" performed well for NFL scouts while several other prospects draft improved on their Combine workouts.

The big story, which quietly went unnoticed last week, was Adrian McPherson. The former Florida State passer who spent the past two seasons in the Arena Football League, once again impressed NFL teams with his physical skills.

A unanimous choice as the best quarterback on the field during February's Combine, McPherson knocked off a pair of 40-times in the low 4.50 area at 211-pounds before wowing scouts with a great passing workout.

McPherson threw 65 passes and was right on the money with just about all of them. His initial 30 tosses were dead on target. Late in the session he accurately placed a 70-yard deep out, throwing the ball across the field.

New Orleans Saints quarterback coach Turk Schonert wanted a true measure of McPherson's arm strength. So Schonert had him throw flat-footed with his toes on the yard marker. The end result was a pass which effortlessly sailed through the air 72-yards.

The belief is McPherson has moved himself into the middle of the second round and should be the fourth quarterback selected in the draft.
As had been reported on Thursday, former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett significantly improved his Combine performance, shaving almost .15 seconds off his 40 times. Most watches read 4.67-to-4.68 when Clarett crossed the line and the former Buckeyes star may have salvaged a spot for himself in the late rounds of the draft.

A trio of SEC stars turned in solid performances during LSU's second pro-day workout, albeit on a very fast surface. Cornerbacks Corey Webster and Travis Daniels ran their 40 times in 4.50 and 4.45 respectively. Defensive lineman Marcus Spears, rated by many as a top-15 selection later this month, turned in a time of 5.10. Spears has been limited since February with a knee injury.

After an embarrassing performance in the RCA Dome, safety Jamaal Brimmer was significantly faster last Monday. The UNLV defensive back clocked in the high 4.6-area, almost three-tenths of a second faster then his Combine time.

Teammate Ryan Claridge, a linebacker, turned in a pedestrian 4.80 during his 40. Claridge has been slowed with a shoulder injury.

With time dwindling before draft weekend there are precious few days remaining for individual workouts. One of those will be this Wednesday when Arizona State quarterback Andrew Walter, who has been out of action since late November with a separated shoulder, will throw for scouts.

Also working out that day will be former Nebraska blocker Richie Incognito, who looked outstanding at the Combine before injuring his knee.

Don\'t forget Matt Jones.

Don\'t forget Matt Jones.

I think this guy would be a great addition to the team, no matter what position he ends up playing. The problem is deciding which round to select him in.

A lot of people are predicting Jones to be an early second rounder, which is too early for the Saints to be picking offense.

I don\'t have the confidence that our coaching staff would know what to do with him anyway. Probably put him in as long snapper.

A lot of people are predicting Jones to be an early second rounder, which is too early for the Saints to be picking offense.

Valid point. And it\'s a shame, because this guy could (probably will) really be something special.

I don\'t have the confidence that our coaching staff would know what to do with him anyway. Probably put him in as long snapper.

True. I don\'t think our staff would leverage best value out of him either. But the guy is so damn flexible, he could probably function in just about every capacity out there. Almost be impossible to put him where he wouldn\'t have a chance to succeed.

I\'d like him at quarterback and receiver. Imagine a player that could switch positions like this, MID-GAME, MID-DRIVE. How does a defense game-plan for that? Oh man. The D-Coordinator would get schizophrenia.