2013 Pro Days: Notes from Alabama, Cincinnati, Oklahoma, and Michigan State’s Pro Day

Written by Eric Galko on .

Walter StewartThe Pro Day circuit is in full swing now in mid-March. On March 13th alone, we have four major Pro Days in Alabama, Cincinnati, Oklahoma, and Michigan State, with more than 80 pro team representatives at the four combined.

While some of the top prospects, such as Eddie Lacey, Dee Milliner, Travis Kelce, or Lane Johnson didn’t participate in the testing, NFL teams flocked to these pro days to evaluate every possible player at these four schools, and may have found a few mid-to-late rounders that made their trips worthwhile.

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2013 NFL Scouting: Day One of Free Agency Changes the Outlook for the NFL Draft

Written by Walker Rhodes on .

 

Mike WallaceAs expected, day one of free agency opened with a bang, as some of the top available players were quickly snagged by teams willing to spend the money necessary to do so. Fan bases across the country are now analyzing their team's moves and trying to determine where their team will look next.

These free agency signings will have a huge impact on each team's draft plans as well. For the first time we're getting an idea of what each franchise's remaining needs will be when April rolls around. How was the 2013 NFL Draft impacted on Tuesday?

 

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2013 NFL Draft: Denard Robinson Still with a Lot to Prove at March 14th Pro Day

Written by Eric Galko on .

Denard RobinsonFuture Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson wanted to play defensive back when he started his high school career. He tried out for the varsity team in 9th grade, focused on becoming his high school’s starting defensive back. The eventual high school and college star quarterback didn’t get the starting job, but showed to the coaches he was open to doing whatever it took to get on the field at an early level in his football career.

Now, after 47 career games at Michigan and 6,250 career passing yards and 49 career touchdown passes, Denard Robinson will have to be open to doing whatever it takes to get to the NFL. In this case, that means not playing quarterback anymore.

In what has been a sudden transition from Big Ten quarterback to hopeful NFL wide receiver, Robinson’s potential NFL suitors will be closely watching his March 14th Pro Day for his progression into a new position.

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2013 BSN Collegiate Showcase: Small School NFL Prospects Impress in Combine Workouts

Written by Eric Galko on .

Kaderius LaceyAs the Pro Day circuit runs throughout the month of March, the BSN Collegiate Showcase is a unique Combine/all-star game that invites the top “small school” prospects around the country for NFL (as well as CFL and AFL) scouts to see these non-Combine invites in one location.

While it seems unlikely that any of these non-FBS prospects will get drafted, NFL workouts are likely for many players in attendance, based both off Combine testing numbers or by individual workouts, including a 241 pound running back running a 4.57, an experienced zone read quarterback running a 4.66, and a host of other impressive numbers.

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2013 BSN Collegiate Showcase: Preview of the Weekend’s Top Prospects

Written by Eric Galko on .

BSN Collegiate ShowcaseIn what is my second year both evaluating for and attending the BSN Collegiate Showcase, it’s awesome to see how well the Combine is run for the players that are here, as well as check out the top small school talent with CFL, AFL, and NFL personnel on hand.

This year has some intriguing depth this year. From high upside talents at linebacker and receiver, to productive running backs and quarterbacks and more, the 2013 BSN Showcase should provide some unique scouting ability for the scouts in attendence.

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2013 Pro Days: Johnthan Banks, Montee Ball Improve From Their Combine 40 Times at Pro Days

Written by Eric Galko on .

Montee BallIt's still early in the Pro Day circuit, but already prospects are making the most of their second chances in testing for NFL teams. Two of the draft's best at their respective positions did some at their March 6th Pro Days in Montee Ball of Wisconsin and Johnthan Banks of Mississippi State.

After posting mediocre forty times in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine, running back Montee Ball and cornerback Johnthan Banks did their best in clearing up any speed concerns teams may have had thanks to their Pro Day performance.

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2013 NFL Scouting: 5 Steps to Fixing the Kansas City Chiefs

Written by Walker Rhodes on .

 

Dwayne BoweThe Kansas City Chiefs are not the sort of team you'd typically expect to see making the first pick of the NFL draft. With six Pro Bowl players, a new starting quarterback and a new coaching staff, this is a team that appears to be aiming to win now instead of rebuilding.

They've probably been the most active team in the league up to this point of the off season. Re-signing Dwayne Bowe and franchising Brandon Albert were two big moves.What are the next steps in fixing the franchise?

 

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2013 NFL Draft: Manti Te’o Still Has NFL Teams Concerned About His Mental Makeup

Written by Eric Galko on .

Manti Te'o“They want to be able to trust their player. You don’t want to invest in somebody that you can’t trust.”

Manti Te’o expressed that at the Combine’s press conference after meeting with just a few teams. Being a successful professional in any field takes focus, maturity, and the ability to interact with fellow co-workers. While the NFL is a more physically demanding job than just about every job in America, employers still depend on each player to be able to handle himself in this pro setting. And most of that dependency is reliant on trust.

Do NFL teams feel they can trust Manti Te’o to be a successful professional, to progress off the field as well as on it, to be able to be a leader of their huddle, locker room, and franchise?

2013 NFL Draft: Da’Rick Rogers to Workout at Tennessee Pro Day, According to Sources

Written by Eric Galko on .

Da'Rick RogersJust seven months after being forced out of the Tennessee program for a violation of team rules and transferring to Tennessee Tech, a source has told me says receiver Da’Rick Rogers will be returning to Tennessee to workout with former teammates Justin Hunter, Cordarelle Patterson, and Tyler Bray.

Rogers, who tested well at the NFL Combine, is looking forward to working out with his former quarterback at the Tennessee facility on March 20th. While it’s not been deemed official yet, a source tells me he’s expected to attend the Tennessee Pro Day, and NFL teams, Tennessee, and Tennessee Tech are all planning on it as well.

2013 NFL Draft: Chiefs Bringing Back Albert and Bowe Leads to Clearer Draft Board

Written by Eric Galko on .

Star LotuleleiThe Chiefs have been active this off-season with new GM John Dorsey and new head coach Andy Reid. After pulling the trigger on an Alex Smith trade for their 2013 2nd round selection, the Chiefs answered their short (and potentially long) term quarterback question mark.

And after today’s news that they have signed receiver Dwayne Bowe and franchised offensive lineman Brandon Albert, the Chiefs perceived options for their first overall selection has dwindled a bit and become clearer.

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