Combine yields compelling stats
NFL NOTEBOOK
Unlike 2005, there were no sub-4.30 second 40-yard dashes at this year's Indianapolis scouting combine.
The fastest official 40 was turned in by Clemson corner-back Ty Hill, who ran 4.30.
Like 2005, the defensive backs were the fastest group of prospects. Nine defensive backs ran in the 4.3s. The fastest behind Hill were South Carolina's Johnathan Joseph (4.31), Georgia's Tim Jennings (4.32) and Texas' Michael Huff (4.34).
The fastest players at other positions in the 4.3s were Florida receiver Chad Jackson (4.32), Texas A&M quarterback Reggie McNeal (4.35), Maryland tight end Vernon Davis (4.38) and UCLA running back Maurice Drew (4.39).
Another player who blew away the scouts with his speed was North Carolina State defensive end Manny Lawson (4.43).
At 6-6, 245, Lawson might project to outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment.
No prospect put on a better show at the combine than Davis, who was ranked first at tight end, a position that has more talent and depth than any time in the past decade.
Davis ran a 4.38 but also had a 42-inch vertical leap and a standing broad jump of 10 feet, 8 inches.
How impressive was that broad jump? UCLA's Marcedes Lewis and Georgia's Leonard Pope — the second- and third-ranked tight ends — were tied for second at 9 feet, 10 inches.
North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams also turned an impressive performance. Williams (6-7, 295) can play end in a 4-3 or a 3-4 alignment. He can play tackle in a 4-3. Williams ran a 4.66 40. He had a vertical leap of 40 1/2 and bench-pressed 225 pounds 39 times.
Most important, Williams impressed the scouts with his attitude. He should be the first defensive player selected in the NFL draft, probably among the first five picks.
Texans eye SchobelThe Texans are one of the teams interested in Cincinnati tight end Matt Schobel, the Columbus native who played at TCU.
An unrestricted free agent who should be one of the hottest prospects at his position, Schobel is expcted to meet with the Texans on Monday. Buffalo and Minnesota also are interested in him.
Memo to VinceAfter the Wonderlic controversy at the scouting combine, where quarterback Vince Young was one of many highly rated prospects who didn't work out, Young needs to be ready to put on a show at the University of Texas' pro day March 22.
Every NFL team will be represented at the Austin workout for the Longhorns' prospects. Young should be comfortable throwing to receivers who helped him lead Texas to a title.
Young has intensified his workouts with Jerry Rhome, the longtime NFL offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Here's a suggestion for Young: Be prepared ahead of time for anything and every-thing the scouts will want you to do. There can be no surprises.
Brocato ailingC.O. Brocato, who has scouted for the Oilers/Titans for 30 years, has been in an Indianapolis hospital since midway through the combine.
Brocato, regarded as one of the NFL's top scouts by just about everyone in the league, had to undergo emergency surgery for a staph infection in a hip that had been replaced.
Brocato, who resides in Arlington, is supposed to be moved to a hospital close to his home Monday to continue treatment for the infection.
With Brocato laid up at this time of year, the Titans are at a disadvantage.
End of an eraWith this past week's decision to waive offensive tackle Brad Hopkins, quarterback Steve McNair is the last Tennessee player to have competed for the Oilers.
Hopkins, the Oilers' first-round pick in 1993, played his first four seasons in Houston and his last nine in Nashville.
Hopkins, 35, has been one of the NFL's most underrated left tackles for years. He plans to sign with another team.
The Titans are moving Michael Roos, a 2005 second-round pick who started 15 games at right tackle as a rookie, to Hopkins' side.
McNair, the first-round pick in 1995, was trying to work out a new contract with the Titans.
The team paid a $1 million fee last week to retain McNair next season, and he can become a free agent afterward.
Super MarioGreen Bay would love to have North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams.
The Packers are desperate for help on defense, and Williams is the highest-rated prospect on that side of the ball. Every coach in the league would love to get his hands on the 6-7, 295-pound Williams.
"God didn't make too many guys like that," Titans defensive line coach Jim Washburn said. "I don't know how in the world he can stay on the board too long."
In demandExpect defensive tackle Sam Adams, a Houston native, to land on his feet after Buffalo waived him this past week.
Adams, 32, had exceptional seasons in 2003 and 2004 when the Bills' defense was among the best in the NFL.
He played fewer than half the defensive snaps last season but should consider himself lucky because a lot of teams will want him if the price is right.
Don't be surprised if the Cincinnati Bengals make a serious run at Adams. They were 28th in defense and 22nd in points allowed.
Hot propertyOf all the free agents who are available and will be available, it says here none will be more valuable than kicker Adam Vinatieri.
The Patriots make few bad moves, but they could have franchised Vinatieri for $3.01 million.
That seems like a small price to pay for a player who can win games by himself.
A lot of teams, including Dallas and Green Bay, are interested in Vinatieri, who, despite kicking outdoors at home, scored at least 100 points in 10 consecutive seasons.
He won two Super Bowls with field goals.
Reports say he turned down the Patriots' offer of a multiyear deal averaging about $2 million per year.
Difference of opinionAccording to coach Lovie Smith, the Bears have total confidence in Rex Grossman as their starting quarterback.
But according to general manager Jerry Angelo, the starting job has not been secured by Grossman, who has suffered three major injuries in three seasons in the NFL.
"We've got to get our quarterback position stabilized," Angelo said at the scouting combine. "I'm not naive enough to think we're comfortable 100 percent with our situation. We're not.
"We like what we have, but we've got to see it over a period of time."
According to Smith: "Rex is definitely our No. 1 quarter-back. Rex is an excellent player. This should be the last time I have to answer that.
"It's not going to change, guys, any time on this."
John McClain covers the NFL for the Chronicle. john.mcclain@chron.com
Unlike 2005, there were no sub-4.30 second 40-yard dashes at this year's Indianapolis scouting combine.
The fastest official 40 was turned in by Clemson corner-back Ty Hill, who ran 4.30.
Like 2005, the defensive backs were the fastest group of prospects. Nine defensive backs ran in the 4.3s. The fastest behind Hill were South Carolina's Johnathan Joseph (4.31), Georgia's Tim Jennings (4.32) and Texas' Michael Huff (4.34).
The fastest players at other positions in the 4.3s were Florida receiver Chad Jackson (4.32), Texas A&M quarterback Reggie McNeal (4.35), Maryland tight end Vernon Davis (4.38) and UCLA running back Maurice Drew (4.39).
Another player who blew away the scouts with his speed was North Carolina State defensive end Manny Lawson (4.43).
At 6-6, 245, Lawson might project to outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment.
No prospect put on a better show at the combine than Davis, who was ranked first at tight end, a position that has more talent and depth than any time in the past decade.
Davis ran a 4.38 but also had a 42-inch vertical leap and a standing broad jump of 10 feet, 8 inches.
How impressive was that broad jump? UCLA's Marcedes Lewis and Georgia's Leonard Pope — the second- and third-ranked tight ends — were tied for second at 9 feet, 10 inches.
North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams also turned an impressive performance. Williams (6-7, 295) can play end in a 4-3 or a 3-4 alignment. He can play tackle in a 4-3. Williams ran a 4.66 40. He had a vertical leap of 40 1/2 and bench-pressed 225 pounds 39 times.
Most important, Williams impressed the scouts with his attitude. He should be the first defensive player selected in the NFL draft, probably among the first five picks.
Texans eye SchobelThe Texans are one of the teams interested in Cincinnati tight end Matt Schobel, the Columbus native who played at TCU.
An unrestricted free agent who should be one of the hottest prospects at his position, Schobel is expcted to meet with the Texans on Monday. Buffalo and Minnesota also are interested in him.
Memo to VinceAfter the Wonderlic controversy at the scouting combine, where quarterback Vince Young was one of many highly rated prospects who didn't work out, Young needs to be ready to put on a show at the University of Texas' pro day March 22.
Every NFL team will be represented at the Austin workout for the Longhorns' prospects. Young should be comfortable throwing to receivers who helped him lead Texas to a title.
Young has intensified his workouts with Jerry Rhome, the longtime NFL offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Here's a suggestion for Young: Be prepared ahead of time for anything and every-thing the scouts will want you to do. There can be no surprises.
Brocato ailingC.O. Brocato, who has scouted for the Oilers/Titans for 30 years, has been in an Indianapolis hospital since midway through the combine.
Brocato, regarded as one of the NFL's top scouts by just about everyone in the league, had to undergo emergency surgery for a staph infection in a hip that had been replaced.
Brocato, who resides in Arlington, is supposed to be moved to a hospital close to his home Monday to continue treatment for the infection.
With Brocato laid up at this time of year, the Titans are at a disadvantage.
End of an eraWith this past week's decision to waive offensive tackle Brad Hopkins, quarterback Steve McNair is the last Tennessee player to have competed for the Oilers.
Hopkins, the Oilers' first-round pick in 1993, played his first four seasons in Houston and his last nine in Nashville.
Hopkins, 35, has been one of the NFL's most underrated left tackles for years. He plans to sign with another team.
The Titans are moving Michael Roos, a 2005 second-round pick who started 15 games at right tackle as a rookie, to Hopkins' side.
McNair, the first-round pick in 1995, was trying to work out a new contract with the Titans.
The team paid a $1 million fee last week to retain McNair next season, and he can become a free agent afterward.
Super MarioGreen Bay would love to have North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams.
The Packers are desperate for help on defense, and Williams is the highest-rated prospect on that side of the ball. Every coach in the league would love to get his hands on the 6-7, 295-pound Williams.
"God didn't make too many guys like that," Titans defensive line coach Jim Washburn said. "I don't know how in the world he can stay on the board too long."
In demandExpect defensive tackle Sam Adams, a Houston native, to land on his feet after Buffalo waived him this past week.
Adams, 32, had exceptional seasons in 2003 and 2004 when the Bills' defense was among the best in the NFL.
He played fewer than half the defensive snaps last season but should consider himself lucky because a lot of teams will want him if the price is right.
Don't be surprised if the Cincinnati Bengals make a serious run at Adams. They were 28th in defense and 22nd in points allowed.
Hot propertyOf all the free agents who are available and will be available, it says here none will be more valuable than kicker Adam Vinatieri.
The Patriots make few bad moves, but they could have franchised Vinatieri for $3.01 million.
That seems like a small price to pay for a player who can win games by himself.
A lot of teams, including Dallas and Green Bay, are interested in Vinatieri, who, despite kicking outdoors at home, scored at least 100 points in 10 consecutive seasons.
He won two Super Bowls with field goals.
Reports say he turned down the Patriots' offer of a multiyear deal averaging about $2 million per year.
Difference of opinionAccording to coach Lovie Smith, the Bears have total confidence in Rex Grossman as their starting quarterback.
But according to general manager Jerry Angelo, the starting job has not been secured by Grossman, who has suffered three major injuries in three seasons in the NFL.
"We've got to get our quarterback position stabilized," Angelo said at the scouting combine. "I'm not naive enough to think we're comfortable 100 percent with our situation. We're not.
"We like what we have, but we've got to see it over a period of time."
According to Smith: "Rex is definitely our No. 1 quarter-back. Rex is an excellent player. This should be the last time I have to answer that.
"It's not going to change, guys, any time on this."
John McClain covers the NFL for the Chronicle. john.mcclain@chron.com
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