INDIANAPOLIS — Sunday was a high-profile day at the NFL Scouting Combine with running backs and wide receivers running the 40-yard dash and quarterbacks throwing. An analytical look at the biggest moments of the day:
Tim Tebow makes an impression at the Combine, but he still needs to show he can throw the ball.
• Florida QB Tim Tebow, who is working on improving his passing mechanics, chose not to throw Sunday but still was able to improve his draft stock. Coaches and personnel men gave him high marks in one-on-one interviews, and he shined during his workout Sunday. He ran the 40-yard dashes in the 4.7-second range, not "running back fast" but faster than most all current NFL quarterbacks, and performed well in other drills. He showed good athleticism for a quarterback, which should help him to make plays outside the pocket in the NFL. That said, the major factor in where Tebow is drafted is how he throws in his on-campus workout March 17.
• Notre Dame WR Golden Tate had an interesting day, helping and hurting his draft stock. After running the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds Sunday, scouts will go back to his film to take a second look to see if they can find proof to back up that time. On the downside, he struggled to catch the ball in the "Gauntlet Drill" and must do much better at his pro day workout to prove that Sunday’s struggles were an aberration. It is a concern that he allows so many passes to get into his body and thus ends up fighting or dropping the ball too often. Bottom line: If Tate catches the ball well March 23, his boost of speed at the Combine should cement a spot at the bottom of the first round.
• Clemson WR Jacoby Ford continued his strong offseason by posting the fastest 40-yard dash of the Combine — 4.28 seconds. After shining at the Senior Bowl and showing great athleticism, quickness and burst to make plays as a slot receiver, he blew our doors off with his 40 time. Despite his size (5-8 5/8, 181), he pretty much now is assured of being a second- or third-round pick.
For information and analysis on these and many other players, see the latest Combine Dish in SN’s Pro Football War Room.
For more than 640 player scouting reports from Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated Mock Draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
INDIANAPOLIS — Sunday was a high-profile day at the NFL Scouting Combine with running backs and wide receivers running the 40-yard dash and quarterbacks throwing. An analytical look at the biggest moments of the day:
Tim Tebow makes an impression at the Combine, but he still needs to show he can throw the ball.
• Florida QB Tim Tebow, who is working on improving his passing mechanics, chose not to throw Sunday but still was able to improve his draft stock. Coaches and personnel men gave him high marks in one-on-one interviews, and he shined during his workout Sunday. He ran the 40-yard dashes in the 4.7-second range, not "running back fast" but faster than most all current NFL quarterbacks, and performed well in other drills. He showed good athleticism for a quarterback, which should help him to make plays outside the pocket in the NFL. That said, the major factor in where Tebow is drafted is how he throws in his on-campus workout March 17.
• Notre Dame WR Golden Tate had an interesting day, helping and hurting his draft stock. After running the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds Sunday, scouts will go back to his film to take a second look to see if they can find proof to back up that time. On the downside, he struggled to catch the ball in the "Gauntlet Drill" and must do much better at his pro day workout to prove that Sunday’s struggles were an aberration. It is a concern that he allows so many passes to get into his body and thus ends up fighting or dropping the ball too often. Bottom line: If Tate catches the ball well March 23, his boost of speed at the Combine should cement a spot at the bottom of the first round.
• Clemson WR Jacoby Ford continued his strong offseason by posting the fastest 40-yard dash of the Combine — 4.28 seconds. After shining at the Senior Bowl and showing great athleticism, quickness and burst to make plays as a slot receiver, he blew our doors off with his 40 time. Despite his size (5-8 5/8, 181), he pretty much now is assured of being a second- or third-round pick.
For information and analysis on these and many other players, see the latest Combine Dish in SN’s Pro Football War Room.
For more than 640 player scouting reports from Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated Mock Draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
