| INDIANAPOLIS — It looks like the NFL’s effort to get more
prospective draftees to participate in the running drills at the Combine is paying off.
Following in the footsteps of the Combine’s OL invitees, practically all of whom (48
of 52) ran on Friday, the first grouping of running backs scurried to the starting blocks
at the notorious RCA Dome track in full force on Saturday. Of the 25 running backs in the
group, three were held out of the drills completely for medical reasons. Only one of the
remaining 22, T.J. Duckett of Michigan State, chose not to strut his stuff. Said Gil
Brandt, the longtime NFL executive who has become one of the key coordinators of the
Combine: "It’s the best participation I’ve ever seen."
Now here’s the bad news. The 40-times that were registered were far from
scintillating — after being surprisingly strong last year. Nobody has burst out of
the woodwork with a stand-up-and-take-notice 40-time.
And nobody probably will — now that Hawaii WR Ashley Lelie has come up lame.
Lelie, who said yesterday he ran a 4.2. 40 as recently as last week, pulled a hamstring
while working out in Atlanta this past Tuesday in preparation for the Combine.
"It’s at about 80 percent right now," said the 6-2 1/2, 197-pound Lelie,
who caught 84 passes in his final season at Hawaii in former NFL head coach June
Jones’ pass-happy offense. "I’m trying to get it iced and massaged so I can
do the receiver drills (Sunday). I was working on my starts. It’s the first time I
really pulled anything. I’m real disappointed. A lot of teams expected me to run (the
40), and I wanted to run. I can run a consistent 4.3."
Hearst attracts suitors
It seems as though RB Garrison Hearst is one of the early hot free agents this year,
with several teams knocking on his door to inquire about his services.
Most notable are two teams in dire need of a starting running back, Miami and
Cleveland. After a very disappointing season by Dolphins RB Lamar Smith, it’s not
likely Miami will re-sign the unrestricted free agent, which means they have a massive
hole to fill in the backfield. Hearst would be a good fit in new offensive coordinator
Norv Turner’s scheme, as he is a very versatile runner and pass catcher.
The questions with the Dolphins are: How high will Hearst’s asking price be, and
can they afford it with their tenuous cap situation? Another major suitor, Cleveland, has
been looking for a bona fide running back since it re-entered the league. Hearst could
come in, pace the offense, take some pressure off QB Tim Couch and add some veteran
leadership to the offense.
Cardinals have interest in Starks
Coach Dave McGinnis, riding the message from owner Bill Bidwill that Arizona will roll
the dice on the open market, is concentrating on adding to his defense in the early days
of free agency 2002.
The Cardinals were very interested in Rams DE Leonard Little, who is coming off a
14.5-sack season as a reserve, but St. Louis reportedly reached an agreement to re-sign
Little Sunday.
Next in line could be Baltimore CB Duane Starks, who, according to his agent, Drew
Rosenhaus, will make a trip to Arizona early this week.
"Duane is one of the top cover corners out there," McGinnis said.
"He’s a guy we have interest in."
Pocketbook
Still recovering from hip surgery, Cowboys head coach Dave Campo may be hobbling on a
cane, but he was bouncing about the prospect of adding a few new faces to the silver and
blue.
"We’re in great shape," Campo said. "We’re right behind
Houston in terms of what teams have to spend."
Campo said the team had tendered DT Michael Myers and is interested in keeping the
four-year veteran. However, Dallas is extremely interested in DT La’Roi Glover (New
Orleans) and DT Grady Jackson (Oakland), as well as upgrading its defensive backfield.
"There are some guys out there we’ve spoken to," Campo said, noting many
teams have yet to get the ball rolling in free agency. "We’ll do something soon,
I’d suspect."
Quick hits
The Saturday-night hot spot seemed to be Hooters, where several coaches and some
players made an appearance. Most notable were Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden and
defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, Panthers
head coach John Fox, Giants offensive coordinator Sean Payton and Chiefs defensive
coordinator Greg Robinson. Also, floating above the wings and beautiful waitresses was the
rumor that TE Ken Dilger had made an appearance and hung out with Gruden for a while. It
may be too early to suppose that something’s happening there, but the Buccaneers did
recently cut TE Dave Moore in a cap-saving move, so keep an eye on this relationship.
… DE Kenard Lang is reportedly scheduled to meet with Cleveland and Houston. …
The Vikings are reportedly bringing in DE Kenny Mixon for a visit. Mixon would shore up a
defensive line that, aside from Chris Hovan, had serious problems last season. …
Buccaneers DE Steve White is reportedly scheduled to meet with the Jets, another team
desperately in need of help on their defensive line, though they seemed set at defensive
end with John Abraham and Shaun Ellis. … FB Donnell Bennett is scheduled to visit
with Denver. … North Carolina DT Ryan Sims could manage only 24 reps in the 225-pound
bench press. … One day after wowing NFL personnel by bench-pressing 225 pounds 27
times, Boston College RB William Green posted a lackluster 4.6 40-yard dash Saturday.
… Duckett definitely passes the eyeball test. Not only does the 6-0 1/2, 250-pound
running back have the neck, shoulders and biceps of a bodybuilder, his arms are
unbelievably long.
They said it
One of the better quotes of the day came from Ravens head coach Brian Billick, who said
when asked what Baltimore would do to fill the holes they’ve created by cutting
players to fit under the salary cap: "We’re going to Chinese-food it. Take one
from Column A, one from Column B, and whatever’s left, we’ll take two from that
column. So, we’re in a position where we take a little of everything."
The funniest line of the day came from Mike O’Hara of the Detroit News,
after highly regarded DT Wendell Bryant (Wisconsin) disclosed that he’s been working
as a novice financial analyst: "Would you recommend Enron?" O’Hara asked
with a straight face.
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