Musings from the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine

The Combine is officially in the
books, but there were plenty of storylines to go around during the
2011 event.

Cam Newton was less than impressive,
likely eliminating what was already a small chance that he would be
the number one pick by the Carolina Panthers. Newton did not seem to
win any friends over with his pre-draft interviews, and it would not
be surprising if he slipped into the double-digits.

Jake Locker held up considerably well,
and he did nothing to hurt his chances of landing somewhere in the
first half of the first round.

Julio Jones had a major setback by
fracturing his foot, a real shame as he ran an impressive 40 time and
was jockeying to be the first wide receiver taken in 2011.

What remains perhaps the most
intriguing position is cornerback. Jimmy Smith, who came in with some
questions about off-the-field antics, again proved he may be the most
physically gifted player at the position. But he doesn’t figure to
leapfrog Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara.

Could Carolina possibly go for
Peterson at number one? About a week ago new Panthers head coach Ron
Rivera said the team was considering “seven to 10 players” at the
top spot. Da’Quan Bowers was impressive in his lifting-only Combine
showing and still remains the frontrunner at this point.

But don’t sleep on Peterson. His 4.34
40-yard dash time again proved he has elite speed to go along with
great instincts and ball skills, and the Buffalo Bills at number
three may be hard-pressed to pass up on his talent despite their deep
need for front-seven help.

On the subject of cornerbacks, Miami’s
DeMarcus Van Dyke recorded the third-fastest time since 2000 (behind
only Chris Johnson and Stanford Routt) at 4.28 seconds. That bested
Peterson and Maryland running back Da’Rell Scott’s 4.34 times for the
best at this year’s Combine.

The NFL isn’t only about speed, but
speed is improving among players every year. Players are naturally
bigger, faster, and stronger, so even a raw talent like Van Dyke
could raise enough eyebrows to catapult him into the first round.
(For the record, Van Dyke was rated the 23^rd best
cornerback by Pro Football Weekly).

Strength doesn’t hurt either, and
Stephen Paea showed no shortage of that with his record-setting 49
reps of 225 pounds. The formerly suspended Marvin Austin, another
D-lineman, helped his cause in a big way with 38 reps.

Thursday’s labor deadline is
fast-approaching, and what happens when the smoke clears could alter
things for the Draft (namely, free agency can go off without a
hitch). Blaine Gabbert’s pending Pro Day also will help clear up what
is now a murky quarterback picture with Newton’s sub par showing.