Originally Posted by CheramieIII (Post 287022)

Cam Newton will be another JRuss, just wait until he gets his hands on the purple drank.

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 287025)

Combine
Casey Matthews aims to break Clay’s mold in NFL
NFL.com Staff
By NFL.com Staff |

Published: February 26th, 2011 | Tags: Casey Matthews, 2011 NFL Scouting Combine, Atlanta Falcons, Clay Matthews, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers

INDIANAPOLIS — Oregon LB Casey Matthews, like brother Clay before him, adores the prestigious football family he was born into, but he’s determined to carve out a name for himself in the NFL.

“I’d definitely like to play with Clay, that’d be fun, easy on my family,” Casey said Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine when asked about the possibility of joining his brother in Green Bay. “But then again, how a lot of people might perceive it, that you’re playing in the shadow of your brother. That’s what it’ll start out as, but I’d like to prove them wrong.

“No matter where I go, I’ll definitely be trying to prove a name for myself, and not be known as Clay — Clay’s son, or Clay’s younger brother. That’s definitely a compliment, though.”

Casey said it was a thrill to be in Texas earlier this month to watch his brother win a Super Bowl with the Packers. He also acknowledged that for his father, Clay Jr. — who spent 19 years with the Browns and Falcons without ever reaching the title game — it ended what they playfully called the “Matthews curse.”

“(My dad) played 19 years, and he didn’t even get to the Super Bowl,” Casey said. “My brother’s in two (seasons) and wins it. My dad was obviously very happy.”

Casey was asked what part of his game was superior to his brother’s.

“I just think my instincts,” he said, before backtracking a bit. “He has a pretty good game, though.”

– Marc Sessler

Originally Posted by RaginCajun83 (Post 287198)

Damn combine, my sleeper/want 1st round pick had to go and bench 49 reps, I doubt he lasts past da raidaaaz now

Originally Posted by RaginCajun83 (Post 287211)

I was talking about Paea, looks like he healed from said injury, no way he falls to saints 2nd

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 287317)

Draft needs: New Orleans Saints

By Pat Yasinskas

The New Orleans Saints are up as we continue our series of team-by-team draft needs.

1. Defensive end. The Saints let Charles Grant go last season and Alex Brown and Jimmy Wilkerson were adequate. But neither of them give the Saints anything special. The Saints need another pass rusher to go with Will Smith. The Gregg Williams defense is at its best when it can force other teams into turnovers.

2. Outside linebacker. The Saints let Scott Fujita go in free agency last year and it didn’t seem like a big deal at the time. But several guys who were in contention to take over for Fujita got hurt and the position never really got filled. The Saints could use a speedy playmaker to put next to middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

3. Running back. A lot of New Orleans fans don’t seem willing to believe it, but Pierre Thomas almost certainly will be allowed to walk as a free agent. He fell into the doghouse when his ankle injury was slow to heal last season. Chris Ivory did a nice job filling in when Thomas and Reggie Bush were out. But the Saints need consistency at this position and that means adding a running back who can handle a good chunk of carries to go with Bush and Ivory.

4. Defensive tackle. Sedrick Ellis has developed into a solid player, but the Saints don’t have much in the middle beside him. It’s time to upgrade the talent level here.

5. Offensive tackle. I know the Saints drafted Charles Brown last year. But, if he's not ready to start, I'm not sure this offense can endure another year of Jermon Bushrod at left tackle.

For a look at New Orleans’ needs through another set of eyes, check out our friends at HoopDat.

Originally Posted by papz (Post 287956)

Arizona DE Brooks Reed's 1.54 ten-yard split at the Scouting Combine was by far the fastest recorded by pass rushers in Indianapolis.

To put this in even greater perspective, Reed cleared ten yards quicker than A.J. Green, Jerrel Jernigan, Von Miller, and Randall Cobb. Reed's ten-yard split is Clay Matthews-like, which is ironic as the two are commonly compared. At 6-foot-3 and 263 pounds, Reed projects as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the league and has emerged as a sleeper for the first round.

Source: CBS Sports Mar 4, 2:17 PM

Brooks Reed*|*Arizona,*OLB*:*2011 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

Brooks Reed, Arizona, NFL Draft - DraftCountdown.com

This guy looks quite interesting.

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 288040)

Papz, I like the guy's ability, but is he a small defensive end for our 4-3 set?

We've got investment in guys like Jonathan Vilma, Sedrick Ellis, Will Smith who or 4-3 guys; so do we start going the other way to a 3-4?

Plus I want my R1, R2 and early R3 starting within a year of being drafted; would he just be a situational pass rusher?

Personally, I like the 3-4 defense; then again, I was a teenager/early adult when we had the greatest linebacking corps of all time...time...time

Originally Posted by papz (Post 288195)

It looks like he's a tweener that can play with his hand on the ground or up outside. While the 4-3 is considered our base defense, we do a variation of everything in our defense. In doing so I don't think this will shy us away from taking any particular player. Another thing is that projections are exactly what they are... projections. Sedrick Ellis was projected to be more effective in a 3-4 and Glen Dorsey in a 4-3. I usually take those things with a grain of salt. I do think he'll only be a situational pass rusher at first... taking a couple of years(if we do draft him) to get on the field full time. But... who knows how he's going to develop. As you are, I also am a big fan of the 3-4.

Originally Posted by papz (Post 288195)

It looks like he's a tweener that can play with his hand on the ground or up outside. While the 4-3 is considered our base defense, we do a variation of everything in our defense. In doing so I don't think this will shy us away from taking any particular player. Another thing is that projections are exactly what they are... projections. Sedrick Ellis was projected to be more effective in a 3-4 and Glen Dorsey in a 4-3. I usually take those things with a grain of salt. I do think he'll only be a situational pass rusher at first... taking a couple of years(if we do draft him) to get on the field full time. But... who knows how he's going to develop. As you are, I also am a big fan of the 3-4.

Originally Posted by saintsfan1976 (Post 288328)

Great point and great find, Papz. When I read "compared most to Clay Matthews", I get chills. Many of us wanted him as a Saint - now we see what an impact that type of guy can make - let's go get one!! Casey Matthews, anyone??
.

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 288587)

Strong Safety is definitely a priority...

Blitz and Glam "My One-On-One Interview with New Orleans Saints SS Roman Harper"

Maybe he can go and play for the Redskins or Cowboys or Eagles...

Originally Posted by Danno (Post 288335)

We may already have that guy on our roster. He was raw, but has a season under his belt now in GW's system and according to Gregg he's put on weight and not lost a step, and improved a lot over the season. He goes by Junya!!!


Casey is slower and smaller than his brother and much less athletic. He's an ILB, probably in a 3-4. Think Alfred Fincher, but a little faster.

Originally Posted by Danno (Post 288614)

I hope not, he's one of our best defensive players. Not a good idea to get rid of good players.

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 288974)

Danno, brother, He Can't Cover...

Remember the Pass Interference Calls Against the Bears and Devin Hester?

Remember Sam Bradford Catching him From Behind?

Remember the Seattle Playoff Game?

He Can't Cover...

We Need A Strong Safety Who Can Cover Tight End's at the very least...

We Need a Strong Safety Who Can Blitz faster than a Linebacker...

Originally Posted by papz (Post 287956)

Arizona DE Brooks Reed's 1.54 ten-yard split at the Scouting Combine was by far the fastest recorded by pass rushers in Indianapolis.

To put this in even greater perspective, Reed cleared ten yards quicker than A.J. Green, Jerrel Jernigan, Von Miller, and Randall Cobb. Reed's ten-yard split is Clay Matthews-like, which is ironic as the two are commonly compared. At 6-foot-3 and 263 pounds, Reed projects as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the league and has emerged as a sleeper for the first round.

Source: CBS Sports Mar 4, 2:17 PM

Brooks Reed*|*Arizona,*OLB*:*2011 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

Brooks Reed, Arizona, NFL Draft - DraftCountdown.com

This guy looks quite interesting.

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 289382)

Grigsby shines at Pro Day

Brad Allis

It was not business as usual for Arizona’s Pro Timing Day. A variety of factors made the event different than year’s past.

Thanks to the NCAA Tournament coming to McKale Center next week, the entirety of the Pro Day was held on the practice field. Normally the combine events are held inside. Events like the 40-yard dash, various cone drills, vertical jump and the bench press are normally conducted in the weight room where there is an indoor track and a lot of space for the other events. However, the weight room has been converted into a media room.

The weight room closure was not the only difference from the ordinary. Thanks to the University hosting the Festival of Books on the campus. This meant the campus, which is normally a ghost town on the first Saturday of Spring Break, was bustling with activity.

The other big change was since the NFL lockout began Friday night, only current seniors were allowed to participate. In most years any undrafted free agents can participate. Among the players who were going to participate this year were Louis Holmes, Nick Booth and Mike Diaz. Oddly enough, former Wildcats defensive lineman Johnathan Turner was eligible to participate and showed up 50 pounds lighter than his playing weight.

A strange consequence of the lockout is that the team scrambled to find a quarterback to throw to backs and receivers. With no senior quarterbacks, the team normally would have found a former college quarterback to throw. Last year Willie Tuitama threw, but not only was Tuitama not eligible but he is playing indoor football in Nebraska. A player like Kris Heavner was also ineligible so after consulting with the NFL and the school’s compliance officer, the Wildcats turned to high school players, most notably Jordan Scelfo, a senior at Salpointe and son of Arizona quarterback coach Frank Scelfo.

With Brooks Reed sitting out everything except the position specific drills, Nic Grigsby was the star of Pro Day. He looked to be in terrific shape, then had a 43.5” vertical jump and then ran a sub 4.4 in the 40 (clocks had it between 4.31 and 4.36).

Travis Cobb was also clocked in the 4.38 range.

Ricky Elmore had a solid outing as well. His measurables were good and he showed good movement in the position drills.

Also working out was Corey Elmore. Elmore gave up college football with a heart ailment. He had been bodybuilding but recently decided to take up football again when he announced he’d play for a professional indoor team that was coming to Tucson. The team folded before a game was played and Elmore decided to try to see if he could impress college scouts.

Right now Brooks Reed is projected as a second or third rounder, although a recent ESPN mock draft had Reed as the final pick in the first round.

Ricky Elmore, Colin Baxter and D’Aundre Reed are also likely draft picks, though with his workout, Grigsby may have moved his way into the late rounds.

Originally Posted by saintsfan1976 (Post 289488)

You can cite combine measurements all day long, but we know that doesn't translate as well as it should to how players "PLAY" football during a game.

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 289745)

Excellent point; but Julio Jones running as well as he did on a broken foot at the combine got a lot of people interested; and you can't ignore that fact.

Originally Posted by papz (Post 289756)

Maybe it was their quarterback play in Alabama and maybe it wasn't... but he did not play up to his potential at Alabama. Sure he's a physical freak, but AJ Green is polished an a absolute monster. I can't remember ever labeling a WR this early(because yea it's premature and stupid), but if Green stays healthy throughout his career, I can see him knocking on Canton's door when it's all said and done.