As I’ve said in previous posts, he talks a lot, but doesn’t say a whole heckuva lot.  By the way, is it weird that his hair is sort of growing on me?

Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Manti Te

Manti Te’o may have run himself right out of the first round of the NFL draft after running a very pedestrian 4.82 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.  I’ve gone on record saying that the Bears should not draft Te’o – and that was before the catfishing scandal broke.

Te’o is one of college football’s most decorated linebackers, but a poor showing against Alabama in the National Championship game already cast a shadow of doubt on his legitimacy as a 3-down middle linebacker on Sundays.  Can he shed blockers?  Does the Heisman runner-up have the speed and strength to take on NFL sized offensive linemen and running backs?  Was he simply distracted?   (more…)

Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears coach Marc Trestman speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman was first man up as NFL coaches and executives had their first media session at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Thursday.  Nothing like throwing the new guy into the deep end of the pool.  Just an hour later, Trestman’s boss, GM Phil Emery, stepped to the podium.  Both Bears execs spoke to the media, but didn’t say all that much.  Sometimes it’s what they don’t say that’s important.  Let’s see if we can get anything useful from dissecting their pressers.

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November 24, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins cornerback Sheldon Price (22) looks on as Stanford Cardinal tight end Zach Ertz (86) catches a pass in the first half of the game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Tight Ends

The tight end position has really evolved over the last few seasons. Guys like Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates used to be the exception but now there are more athletic, pass catching tight ends who can challenge the middle of the field than not.  (more…)

The NFL is set to debut a new aptitude test to coincide with the often maligned Wonderlic test at the NFL Scouting Combine this week.  The test was developed with a professor of industrial/organizational psychology in association with league execs like John Elway and Thomas Dimitroff (Phil Emery’s idol).   (more…)

For those not in fully in the know, let me give you some background on Smith.  He was an absolute beast of a left tackle at Alabama.  He used his massive 6’4″ 330 pound frame to maul his opponents as easily as he mauled through the Old Country Buffet .  The number of his collegiate awards and honors (15 according to Wikipedia) nearly equals his Wonderlic score (17 for those taking my the Wonderlic here).  Most notably he was awarded the 2008 Outland Trophy, honoring the best lineman in college football.  That puts him in the company of Orlando Pace, Jonathan Ogden and Joe Thomas; not too shabby.

Things started to go off the rails for Smith on December 29, 2008 when he was suspended for Alabama’s Sugar Bowl game for allegedly being in contact with an agent other than his own.  The Tide were upset by the Utah Utes 30-17.  Matters worsened for Smith when he essentially blew off the NFL Scouting Combine, showing up out of shape and declaring that he wouldn’t work out.  At one point, he was declared “missing” when he left without properly informing his group leader. (more…)