Pro Football Weekly and Riddell present ...
2002 NFL draft

Scout talk

Boston College RB Green disappoints at pro timing day

By Nolan Nawrocki, Associate editor of special projects
March 15, 2002

• Despite published reports that Boston College RB William Green had a great individual workout, PFW hears that Dallas owner Jerry Jones and head coach Dave Campo, who flew in to watch Green perform, left the bubble early after watching him perform. Green reportedly entered the bubble when his teammates were nearly finished being tested in the 40-yard dash. After rolling out of his start to gain extra momentum, which scouts frown upon, Green was timed between 4.52 and 4.56 seconds by different scouts on his first run. After scouts monitored his start to make sure he did not generate any extra momentum before he took off, he was timed between 4.62 and 4.67. Green refused to run the 20-yard pro shuttle or three-cone drill and took nearly 10 minutes to speak with Jones and Campo while scouts were waiting to work him out. When many of the RB coaches on hand directed him through drills, he ran out of sync and dropped more than half of the balls thrown his way. He did not catch any of the five balls Jacksonville’s coach tossed. Because Green entered the workout later than his teammates, most of them were ignored when he showed up. While most seniors in attendance normally are given a chance to work out in position drills, only OL Marc Columbo was worked out before scouts had to leave. After an average showing at the Combine, don’t be surprised if Green falls to the second round come April 20. Butch Davis and a contingent of Browns personnel were on hand for the workout as well.

• Michigan State RB T.J. Duckett boosted his stock above Green’s when he displayed remarkable athleticism in his individual workout, where he was timed in the low 4.4s in the 40-yard dash. He ran exceptionally well in the three-cone shuttle (6.86) and 20-yard pro shuttle (4.07) and displayed amazing flexibility. He vertical-jumped 37 inches, broad-jumped 9 feet 11 inches and caught nearly every ball thrown to him.

• Michigan WR Marquise Walker, who claimed at the Combine he had never been tested in the 40-yard dash in his four years at Michigan, ran an average of 4.65-4.66 in the 40 at Michigan’s workout Friday. His time would likely have been a tenth of a second faster had he not had to run on Michigan’s artificial-grass type of surface. He measured in at 6-2, 221 pounds, which is heavier than he has ever been. His vertical jump (33 inches), 20-yard pro shuttle (4.28) and broad jump (9 feet 7 inches) were not overly impressive, but he did not surprise many scouts, who already knew he didn’t have breakaway speed. He excelled in position drills catching the ball, which he did all season, and overall he did not do much to affect his draft status. Fellow LB Larry Foote, however, was not popular with scouts after he claimed he couldn’t run or work out because of a hamstring injury that was bothering him. After running a dismal 4.81 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine, Foote did not help his cause. His broad jump (8’3") was below average as was his vertical (30 inches) and 20-yard pro shuttle (4.41). While he proved he is not a workout warrior, Foote’s ability to hit and his performance on the field should keep his value near the top of a weak LB class.

• Iowa RB LaDell Betts, who had strong showings at the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine, continues to shine in his individual workout, posting sub-4.5 times in the 40.

• After posting impressive numbers at the Combine, LB Napoleon Harris did not perform many drills at Northwestern’s individual workout. WR Sam Simmons, who was not invited to the Combine, made the most of the opportunity, shocking scouts with a 40-yard-dash time in the 4.3s and a 6.4 in the three-cone drill.

• Minnesota WR Ron Johnson ran better than expected at his individual workout.

• Penn State WR Eddie Drummond and RB Omar Easy ran well at Penn State, which was expected on the Nittany Lions’ downhill, fast track. Easy did not look very natural in position drills, showing hesitations before he moved.

To March 7 "Scout talk"

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