ESPN Hashmarks

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The poise Matt Ryan showed at the combine made him seem like a natural fit for a rebuilding franchise such as the Falcons. Quarterbacks are natural leaders. Coaches, teammates, fans and reporters look to them to answer the tough questions. Any quarterback heading to Atlanta is going to face questions that could elicit inflammatory responses from a young player who doesn't "get" what is required from the position. Ryan came off as well-suited for the role. No one knows what kind of player he'll become on the field. But after the Michael Vick situation spun out of control, the Falcons are betting on Ryan to provide stability at the most important position.

I've been extolling the virtues of young Joe Flacco for several months now. The former Pittsburgh and Delaware quarterback continued to impress scouts at the combine, but it's something that he did away from the field that caught the eye of NFLDraftScout.com's roving reporter, Rob Rang:

"Amid all of the hype, health and Herculean physiques that characterize the annual Combine workouts, media darling Joe Flacco moved up a few spots in my book with a much less publicized event. Free for a few moments between workouts and interviews, Flacco was asked by a group of youngsters for his autograph. While nearly every recognizable coach and even the least recognizable players are besieged by autograph hounds every time they venture into the public hallways of the Indianapolis Convention Center, few take the time to provide autographs."

"Flacco, surrounded by kids whose ages appeared to be between 5-15, not only signed for a solid 15 minutes, but he did so while addressing each child. On one occasion, I overheard the crouching 6-6, 236-pound quarterback ask a preschool-aged girl if she'd like her football to be autographed "big or small," to which she, as any child her age would, exclaimed "BIG!" With the national media focusing on the NFL head coaches at the other end of the hall and no other adults seemingly around the scene other than security and the children's parents, Flacco wasn't signing autographs to appear classy. I'm not as high on Flacco's accuracy and upside at the next level as some other analysts. However, he impressed me more with his character during those 15 minutes than he could possibly hope to when throwing Sunday."

So basically the kid can't hit the broadside of a barn, but he's kind to small children. I just moved him up the Hash draft board.

I just finished reading my pal John Clayton's essay on the tricky proposition of drafting a quarterback in the first round. John suggests following the Browns' 2007 approach of selecting the sure thing first and then trading up to take a quarterback.

Well, I'm afraid it's too early to completely endorse that move. Because of the improbable rise of former sixth-round choice Derek Anderson (by the Ravens), we still have no clue if Brady Quinn can be an effective starter.

This is a copy-cat league, and every team is secretly hoping it can identify the next Tony Romo instead of investing millions at the top of the draft. I know the folks in Miami pretty well, and I don't think there's any scenario in which they'll take Boston College's Matt Ryan with the first pick.

Clayton also thinks the Falcons should pass on Ryan at No. 3, but I don't see that happening. Owner Arthur Blank has suffered enough embarrassment. He doesn't have a viable candidate at the most important position on his roster, and Ryan has separated himself from the pack. He seems to have the type of intangibles that you could build a team around. And I'm told he loves animals.

Here's the breakdown as of today: 1. The Dolphins are desperately trying to trade down. 2. Rams take Michigan's Jake Long. 3. Falcons select Ryan.

If you disagree, let me refer you to the comments section. It's much more convenient than my email inbox.

MM

• Goose Gosselin presents his annual list of the combine's biggest snubs.

• Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart discusses his combine experience.

• Washington State's Abdullah hoping to follow in his brother's footsteps.

• The Detroit Free Press has a transcript of Jake Long's interview from Thursday.  

• Who is Pierre Garcon? You may soon find out. What's this? We have more on young Pierre?

• The truth about cats and dogs.

• The mysterious Tommy Blake. Can he overcome the problems that derailed his senior year at TCU?

• Honolulu is abuzz about Colt Brennan's performance Sunday.

• You knew our pal Mariotti would be stoked about Rex Grossman's new contract!

I stand corrected. ESPN.com posted my video work from Saturday morning quickly and efficiently. My apologies for suggesting that wasn't the case.

 I took two cracks at the 1-minute hit. After the second one, the following conversation took place on the set.

Producer No. 1: "I liked the second one a lot better."

Producer No. 2: "No, I would definitely go with the first one man."

We ended up going with the first take, but I'll try to secure a bootleg copy of the second one for those of you who are interested. In other news, I just secured Jake Long's phone number.

Good times are here again. After talking to several people at the combine, I'm starting to think Long will go second to the Rams. And this isn't breaking news, but the Dolphins would deal that No. 1 pick in a heartbeat.

If they have to stay there, Chris Long will be the pick. Glenn Dorsey's stock is in full retreat.

Since we've posted approximately 1,243 entries over the past five days, there's a chance you missed defensive coordinators/brothers Rob and Rex Ryan receiving chair massages in a very public space.

Rob is already a wild-looking guy, but you should see his face when a woman is applying maximum pressure to the small of his back. He let out a long moan, which startled many of the teenagers shopping at a nearby Banana Republic.

My only regret other than witnessing this massage is that I didn't snap a picture. Honestly, I couldn't summon the nerve to do it.

I was killing some time in the Indianapolis International Airport's highly regarded food court Saturday when Chargers tight end Antonio Gates paused to look over the menu at Chao Oriental Eatery.

Wondering why Gates would be in Indianapolis this time of year, I walked over to recommend the ginger chicken combo. The All-Pro tight end was kind enough inform Hashmarks that he'd flown into town to meet with famed foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson from North Carolina.

Gates said he will undergo surgery on his toe this Thursday or Friday and that it will keep him out for the next four to six months. He hopes to be ready for training camp, but he also indicated that he could miss several games.

On Saturday night, ESPN.com's Matt "Moseley" was given credit for the story on the TV scroll. Hey I've only been here a little more than a year. As long as they're in the ballpark, I'm fine.

When we first arrived in Indianapolis, rumors swirled that LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey might not appear at the combine because of a death in the family. But even though he decided not to work out for teams, he did show up Saturday to go through medical testing and the interview process.

Hashmarks has obtained the transcript from Dorsey's visit with the media Sunday:

Q: Is there any award or honor you wanted and did not achieve this year?

A: Not really, the national championship is the ultimate award so I feel
like I have achieved everything I wanted to.

Q: You working out here?

A: No sir. I decided not to work out. I had a death in my family so I had
to take some time off. I decided to work out on my Pro Day, which is March 26 down at LSU.

Q: Did that delay you in getting here?

A: No sir. I got here on time. I didn't know about the reports that I was not
coming at all. I don't know where that came from. I arrived on time.

Q: What family member?

A: My grandmother.

Q: Can you talk about what your injury is?

A: I know I had a hairline fracture my junior year on my right tibia. I'm not
sure how the test came out. I have not spoken with anyone about it.

Q: How much of an issue was it for you?

A: Not at all. I did it summertime my junior year and I played the whole year with it.

Q: How did it happen?

A: I bumped it up against something in the weight room.

Q: You talked about your injury; you talked about people saying you were not coming.
Are you amazed with this whole draft process and how some of this stuff comes out?

A: I'm never surprised. I always try to set myself up to hear wild things. Some stuff I just wonder where people get it from. Even the reports saying I was not coming. I don't know where that came from. It is what it is. I'm just trying to enjoy myself and make sure I'm taking care of my responsibility. Everybody is going to have their opinion on what they think about me and my game, but as long as I'm taking care of my business, that is all that matters to me.

Q: Between the tibia and the knee last year, what is your health
and are you concerned it will be a factor?

A: No concerns. I have not missed a game since I got to LSU. Everybody gets bruised up. That's the way I look at it. Who does not go through a season without getting bumps and bruises? I don't think it's an issue at all. I've played every game since I've been at LSU, my whole four years, so I do not think it's a problem at all.

Q: Have you seen many chop blocks?

A: I've seen quite a few. Most of the time you are able to slide your foot with it. But a couple of times, I just got caught in it at the wrong time.

Q: What happened in Auburn?

A: It just happened in a play where a guy accidentally went high on me and a guy hit me low. It kind of twisted my knee up a little bit.

Q: You think that was accidental?

A: I'm not concerned about it. I let it go. I'm out here with you guys at the Combine. I'm National Champion. I'm on cloud nine to tell you the truth.

Q: Have you talked to the Falcons and have they expressed any concerns about you?

A: I've talked to a few coaches but I have not talked to the head guys. None of the teams have come to me about injuries at all.

Q: Do you think some of these questions are because the consensus seems to be that you are the top player in the draft? Do you think that because you
are number one they look for stuff to pick at?

A: A little bit. There are a lot of great players out there. It is just an honor to
be considered one of the top players out there. When you are one of the top players, a lot of people are looking for negatives. Even with saying I have injury problems. I played every game at LSU for four years. I don't have injury problems. Who doesn't get hurt during the year?

Q: What do you tell the teams that you bring to the table?

A: I tell them I bring my heart and soul. That is all I can do. I stayed at LSU an
extra year because I had a commitment to LSU. I try to work hard. I like to give it all I got.

Q: Because of the tibia, how much extra time did that require you to stay?

A: I have no idea. I got to the hospital around 9 a.m. I left about 6:30 p.m. MRI's, cat scans, everything. Things from high school that they want to check out. It was quite interesting. Just had to stay patient and know it will pay off one day.

Q: Is it your preference to play nose tackle?

A: It doesn't matter to me. Whatever the team wants me to do, I'll do.

Q: Rams have the second pick. What would it be like for you to play in that system?

A: It'll be great. I just need an opportunity. Any team that gives me an opportunity, I'm going to give them 100%. I'm just going to be thankful and grateful to the team that drafts me and I'm going to give them my all.

Q: Looks like you are set to make millions of dollars before ever setting foot on
an NFL field, is that remarkable to you?

A: I try not to think about it. Even though it is hard because you turn on TV, your cousins call and your friends call. I try not to think about it but it's hard. I just want to make sure I am taking care of my responsibilities right now. I'll worry about that after the fact if it ever happens.

Q: What did JaMarcus Russell tell you about this process?

A: Basically, just stay within myself and don't listen to all the hoopla. People always have opinions. Some people like you, others don't. He just told me to make sure that at the end of the day I'm taking care of my responsibilities and working hard.

Q: What did you learn from Kyle Williams and Claude Wroten?

A: What didn't I learn? Kyle is a mentor to me. He taught me how to come out and play hard no matter what. It didn't matter if it was 1 degree or 1,000 degrees. Claude taught me how to use athleticism in the game. He wasn't a big technician but he was a gifted athlete. I took from both of them.

Q: Where are you in the mix of those two guys?

A: I'm kind of in between. I come out and play hard like Kyle and
I think I have athleticism like Claude.

Q: Do you look forward to possibly being the first pick of the draft? Is that a goal?

A: Without a doubt. That's why everybody is out here today. You want to be that guy that gets his name called first. You want to set yourself up to go as high as possible. That would be a dream. That is the ultimate goal.

Q: Do you think you can play nose tackle at 297?

A: I think I can. I'll just have to go into the system and if they need me to gain
weight, I'll gain weight. If they need me to lose weight, I'll lose weight. That's
just the way I'm approaching it. Anything the coach wants me to do, I'll do.

Q: What are the challenges of playing that nose tackle position in a 3-4?

A: You have to deal with the center a lot more. Sometimes you'll be taking on two guys at the same time a lot. ''m equipped for both. When guys came on and try to one-on-one me, I won the majority of those. I'm used to both styles.

Q: But now you are facing bigger, stronger, faster athletes.

A: Right, but I'm going to be bigger, stronger, and faster also. The more experience I get in the game, the better off I will be. I have to go into it as a sponge, trying to absorb everything, learn as much as possible.

Q: If something happens and you slip to three. How do you feel about the Falcons?

A: I'd love to go to the Falcons. I'd love to be a bird. They play the 4-3. We play the 4-3 at LSU also. You have to understand that I'm just approaching
this as all I need is an opportunity.

Q: What is it like in the process knowing that teams are trying to pick apart every single bit of you?

A: It's to be expected. I'm not surprised by it at all, there's a lot of money
they put in. Even if you were not hurt, you are going to be sore after all these examinations.

Q: What day was it that you were at the hospital?

A: Yesterday.

As first reported by Hash senior correspondent Mike Sando, Florida State wide receiver De'Cody Fagg suffered what appeared to be a serious left knee injury during workouts Sunday.

Fagg suffered the injury during a "tap-tap" drill that requires receivers to get both feet down before stepping out of bounds. He'll be examined by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham on Wednesday, but he most likey suffered a torn ACL.

Fagg was projected as a mid-round selection, but the injury probably takes him out of the running for being drafted. In case you're wondering, the company that runs the combine offers primary but not catastrophic insurance. Fagg's surgery and subsequent rehab will be covered.

Spending four days in Indianapolis made me realize that Dallas has to build more Skywalks. At one point on Friday I walked four miles without ever having to step outside.

Most of Indy was buzzing about Baylor's victory over 24th-ranked Kansas State when I left town Saturday evening. Holding Michael Beasley and Bill Walker to a combined 75 points was a coup for our "defense."

But I'll spend the rest of the day emptying my combine notebook. I bumped into Vanderbilt offensive tackle Chris Williams at the airport Saturday. He had the reputation for being mild-mannered until he got in a fight with Texas A&M defensive lineman Red Bryant during the Senior Bowl. Turns out that Williams, a highly intelligent young man, is a closet fan of Hashmarks.

He wasn't pleased with his performance on the bench press Friday. Williams only managed 21 reps of 225 pounds. He said something about having to lift with his hands too close together, but I'm not a weightlifting expert.

He'll have another go at it during Vandy's Pro Day.  OK, we have lots more where that came from. Talk soon.

MM

The combine is not all about 40 times and cone drills. Teams also get psychological profiles of players.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The media-accessible portion of the combine finished tonight, bringing an end to our on-site combine coverage on the blog. A few stories stood out today:

• Four running backs posted 40-yard times better than 4.4 seconds. Darren McFadden was the big draw, and he impressed with the second-fastest time (4.33). The performance validated what scouts knew about his ability. He still must show he's not a character risk.
• Teams are still waiting for the cornerback and receiver positions to sort out in terms of identifying a clear No. 1 prospect. The defensive backs do not work out until Tuesday, so we're short on evidence at that position. At receiver, Cal's DeSean Jackson posted the best 40-yard time (4.35 seconds) and 20-yard split (2.53). Others have superior size.
• LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey still must convince teams that injury concerns are overblown. Dorsey stressed that he hasn't missed games, but medical examinations haven't removed the uncertainty over a stress-fracture injury suffered during his junior season.
• Michigan State receiver Devin Thomas helped himself by posting the best times over 10 yards (1.48) and 20 yards (2.52). His 40-yard time was a respectable 4.4 seconds.
• Florida State receiver De'Cody Fagg was the combine's biggest loser today, suffering an apparently serious knee injury while running routes.

Behind the scenes, teams logged results of psychological testing. Teams run players through tests given by employers across the country. The Colts, for example, administer what is known as a "16 PF" test (PDF example).

One version of the test features 185 questions designed to sort players on 16 personality scales. A version of the test I found online identifies five global factors: independence, anxiety, self-control, extraversion and tough-mindedness. This version of the test also seeks to measure self-esteem, adjustment, social skills, creativity and leadership.

That's it for us from Indianapolis. I'll be heading home Monday morning. Matt Mosley will be back in the saddle.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The NFL has provided official results on 40-yard dash times for running backs. I refrained from posting the unofficial numbers seen on NFL Network.

East Carolina's Chris Johnson led the way with a blazing 4.24-second time. Arkansas-Fayetteville's Darren McFadden was second at 4.33 seconds, another outstanding time. 

Houston's Anthony Alridge (4.36) and Texas-Austin's Jamaal Charles (4.38) also broke the 4.4 barrier, followed by Morgan State's Chad Simpson (4.42), Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall (4.45), Tulane's Matthew Forte (4.46), Arkansas-Fayetteville's Felix Jones (4.47), Toledo's Jalen Parmele (4.47) and Oregon's Jonathan Stewart (4.48).

Colts president Bill Polian said he sees as many as four running backs being worthy of spots among the top 10 overall picks, based on "great measurables and terrific production, which is all your are looking for." He also said most of them were "good kids" before amending his remarks to suggest all of them fit into that category. Teams will have to weigh McFadden's association with a couple of nightclub scuffles.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Virginia Tech's Eddie Royal posted top-five finishes at his position in four of five categories for which I have results. I have results in the 40-yard dash, 10- and 20-yard splits, and vertical jump.

According to numbers provided by the NFL, Royal finished first in the 10-yard split (1.48 seconds) and bench press (24 repetitions of 225 pounds). He finished fifth in the 20-yard split (2.55) and 40-yard dash (4.39). Michigan's State's Devin Thomas also finished first in two of the five categories in question (1.48 seconds over 10 yards and 2.52 seconds over 20 yards).

Cal's DeSean Jackson was first in the 40 (4.35) and 20-yard split (2.53). Kentucky's Keenan Burton posted the best vertical at 38 1/2 inches. Richmond's Arman Shields and Coastal Carolina's Jerome Simpson tied for second (37 1/2).

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Hundreds of agents descend upon Indianapolis for the combine, in part because the NFL Players Association requires certified representatives to attend a conference each year. Few agents are more recognizable than Ron Todd from Dayton, Ohio. He looks like a retired NFL nose tackle, only bigger (see photo), and he works the combine hard on behalf of the little-known clients he takes pride in representing and developing.

Todd made his name in the business by representing Hugh Douglas before anyone knew the Central (Ohio) State pass rusher would become an NFL star.

Today, Todd was handing out a stapled four-page packet featuring biographical information for Dayton quarterback Kevin Hoyng. Todd is promoting Hoyng as a free safety and special-teams player in the NFL. Hoyng claims a 4.45-second time in the 40 on his resume. At 6 feet and 192 pounds, he's smaller than most NFL quarterbacks.

But as the packet notes, quoting recently retired Dayton coach Mike Kelly: "I've been fortunate to be at the University of Dayton for nearly 30 years and Kevin is probably in the top four or five football players that I've had."

The combine wouldn't be the same without Todd -- decked out in a suit, overcoat and hat -- working the hallways on behalf of his as-yet-obscure clients. Beyond Douglas, Todd has also represented current Dolphins safety Jereme Perry from Eastern Michigan.

"Cleveland told him to bring his own shoes to camp and he made the team (in 2006)," Todd said.

Perry played in four games for the Dolphins last season. Todd is introducing Hoyng to NFL personnel as they pass through the convention center, distributing fliers, shaking hands and getting the word out.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Record-setting Auburn pass rusher Quentin Groves said he met with nine teams last night, and all nine asked if he would be willing to play outside linebacker.

A defensive end in college, Groves started two games at strong-side linebacker. He measured 6-foot-3 and weighed 259 pounds, ideal size to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. In meeting with the Bengals, Groves said he told them he has the get-off of Dwight Freeney witht the athleticism of Lawrence Taylor. I would say he has the confidence of Muhammad Ali, although his delivery lacked the bravado and showmanship.

"I have to spin my hips in front of all 32 teams" to convince them he can play outside linebacker, Groves said. Groves said he grew up hoping to play basketball, but realized in fifth grade he wouldn't be reaching his target height of 6-foot-9.

Groves said he became a dominant pass rusher at Auburn after getting a taste for sacking the quarterback as a seventh-grader. He recalled the way about 200 fans in attendance reacted when he brought down a quarterback for the first time. He liked the feeling.

"I think it's just a want-to," Groves said of what makes a pass rusher successful. "It's a lot of fun getting to the quarterback."

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The combine feels like the combine now that the annual cheerleading meet has taken its place in the convention center.

The cell-phone snapshot at right shows how packed the hallway leading to the RCA Dome becomes as the combine hits the weekend. I snapped this one a few seconds after Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride walked past, making his way through a preteen cheerleading team, reporters, agents, autograph seekers, other miscellaneous convention goers and past the media workroom toward the adjoining hotels.

The blue curtains in the distance shield non-NFL personnel from the RCA Dome entrance. Security officers are stationed at the entrance, where officials check credentials and turn away the unwelcome.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is at the podium addressing reporters. John Clayton has us covered, as usual. He's sitting in the front row. Dorsey is downplaying concerns about his injuries.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Glenn Dorsey's surprise appearance at the combine apparently hasn't put to rest concerns about a stress-fracture injury affecting his right tibia.

NFLDraftScout.com issued the following news item a few minutes ago:

An NFL team doctor told NFLDraftScout.com that there are serious concerns over the lingering effects of a 2006 stress fracture in the right tibia of LSU's highly-rated defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.

The item says Dorsey underwent a physical exam Saturday and was then sent to a local hospital for additional tests. Dorsey, who nearly misse dthe combine following the death of his grandmother, is not working out here.

NFLDraftScout.com's report continues with a passage that includes information from ESPN's Joe Schad:

The team doctor told NFLDraftScout.com the stress fracture is in an area of the tibia that is difficult to heal.

Dorsey played most of the 2006 season at LSU with the injury, and took painkillers before every game. He wore a bone stimulator for up to 18 hours per day until he was cleared to practice in the spring of 2007.

Before that, Dorsey considered entering the 2007 NFL Draft, but told ESPN college football reporter Joe Schad, "I have a few injuries that I believe would have hindered me in the draft. I have a leg injury that I really want to get healed up, so I'm coming back so we have a chance to win the SEC and maybe even a national championship."

LSU did win the national championship, while Dorsey played the season with several injuries. He was limited in preseason drills because of a sore hamstring, then suffered a sprained right knee against Auburn on Oct. 20, and missed most of the second half of that game.

He played the following game against Alabama wearing a large brace on his knee, and briefly left the game when he re-injured the knee. Dorsey missed most of the Tigers' Nov. 17 game against Mississippi because of a sore lower back. The combination of injuries limited his participation in practice for the final six games of the season.

Dorsey had four of his seven sacks prior to the Auburn game, and one of his final three was against Louisiana Tech.

Thanks to NFLDraftScout.com for passing along that information. The additional medical tests should help clear up this situation, although stress fractures can be a bit unpredictable in terms of how they heal.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Florida State receiver De'Cody Fagg was seen in the RCA Dome minutes ago sitting on a motorized cart with his injured left knee wrapped in a brace with velcro closures. Fagg suffered the injury while running routes four hours ago. We have no official information on the severity of the injury.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

In 2009, the combine moves from the RCA Dome to Lucas Oil Stadium (PDF), which is under contruction nearby. The new stadium will allow the league to conduct all phases of the combine except for interviews in one site. Teams will continue to conduct interviews in the players' hotel because the arrangement is convenient. Players currently must travel to local hospitals for physical examinations, but the new stadium will allow for on-site exams.

The combine features about 1,900 league personnel, including between 700 and 1,000 talent evaluators, according to Jeff Foster, director of the National Invitation Camp/National Football Scouting, which puts on the combine. The combine has a contract to keep the event in Indianapolis for 2009 and 2010. Kansas City was a finalist in the most recent round of talks. Dallas, Denver and St. Louis were also candidates.

Foster also provided information on combine-related injuries after Florida State's De'Cody Fagg suffered a leg injury during workouts today. The combine provides primary insurance, while players are responsible for catastrophic insurance. We have no details as to the severity of Fagg's injury, but witnesses said medical personnel carried him off on a stretcher.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Four knee surgeries, including two major ones, will severely damage Glenn Sharpe's draft prospects. The Miami cornerback knows it, but he demonstrated his NFL readiness today by summing up his situation in the league's preferred lexicon: "It is what it is."

Sharpe measured 5-foot-11 and weighed 184 pounds, but teams mostly care about the heath of his knees. Sharpe went through initial medical exams, includiing X-rays. He has two MRI exams scheduled to answer additional questions. He plans to participate in all aspects of testing when cornerbacks work out Tuesday. He said he has run the 40 in the low 4.4s while training in Miami.

Sharpe said his knees feel great, but he knows the injuries are a "big factor, a big negative" as he heads into the draft. Sharpe has injured both knees.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib prides himself on having good enough hands to play receiver, which he also did for the Jayhawks. His first meeting with an NFL team at the combine was Saturday night. He met with the Patriots, who likely would have finished 19-0 had they benefited from more sure-handed play at cornerback late in Super Bowl XLII. Asante Samuel couldn't handle an Eli Manning pass that hit him in the hands during the Giants' drive to the winning touchdown.

Talib said he measured a quarter-inch under 6-foot-1. He weighed 202 pounds. He was previously listed at 6-2, but the NFL's exacting measurement standards tend to filter out media-guide exaggerations (I recall Seattle listing Sam Adams at 285 pounds years ago, for example). Talib's 60-yard interception return for a touchdown helped him become MVP of the Orange Bowl this year. He said the performance convinced him to enter the NFL draft as a junior. Few players can enter the draft on such a high.

Talib estimated he played zone about 65 percent of the time in college. He said he was surprised to encounter so many tall corners at the combine. He expected to be among the tallest, but he said quite a few measured 6 feet. Talib, a likely high overall pick, also has limited experience returning punts.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Lions coach Rod Marinelli brough this "A" material to his news conference at the combine this morning. When the subject turned to the combine rumor mill, a Detroit reporter asked Marinelli for the wildest rumor the coach had heard. "That you wrote an unbelievable column yesterday," Marinelli said in jest.

The Lions hope to bring that kind of bite to their offense under new coordinator Jim Colletto this season.

Colletto is keeping the offensive system Mike Martz ran last season, but the Lions will make significant changes in how they run it. The Lions expect to:

• favor more three- and five-step drops and fewer seven-step drops;
• make more of an effort to funnel the ball to receivers Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson on the outside;
• adopt a base offense featuring two backs, two receivers and one tight end, matching the base personnel for the West Coast offense (Martz traditionally preferred one-back personnel groupings).

This arrangement appears to carry some risk. Colletto has served exclusively as an offensive-line coach at the NFL level. He was also a coordinator and head coach (Purdue) at the college level.

Keeping the same playbook makes sense from a continuity standpoint, but a tradeoff could be having a coordinator who cannot promote the system with as much authority. Colletto worked with Martz at Arizona State in the 1980s.

Under Colletto, the Lions will attempt to dramatically reduce the number of sacks allowed. Marinelli identified three problems that contributed to high sack numbers last season: offensive tackles, depth of quarterback drop and the quarterback holding the ball too long. Establishing a stronger ground game through a two-back set could take pressure off the tackles in pass protection.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Our earlier item about Joe Jacoby's pursuit of a coaching job at the combine got me thinking about his Hall of Fame candidacy.

When I first saw Jacoby this week, I couldn't quite place him. All I knew was that he looked like a Hall of Fame tackle. Some guys are just different. You look at Bruce Matthews or some of the other great USC athletes over the years and you see immediately that they are in that thoroughbred category with the massive hands, long wing spans and overall physical supremacy.

Jacoby went to Louisville, not USC, and he wasn't even drafted in the NFL, but at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds during his career, he was physically different from the left tackles of his era (and large even by today's standards).

In reading more about Jacoby, I ran across this ESPN.com Page 2 story describing the famous play that ended Joe Theismann's career as Redskins quarterback.

Jacoby's size, strength and quickness had given Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor problems, the story notes. But Jacoby, who played in 170 regular-season games, was on the sideline with a knee injury that night. The Redskins assigned two players to Taylor, but it wasn't enough.

The story notes that Taylor invented a move designed specifically for Jacoby. Like Taylor, who is in the Hall of Fame, Jacoby is a member of the NFL's all-decade team for the 1980s. Unlike Taylor, Jacoby is not in the Hall.

The 1980s team features 22 offensive players. Six of them are not yet in the Hall of Fame (including Jerry Rice, an easy first-ballot choice who is not yet eligible). The remaining five: Jacoby, Russ Grimm, Jim Covert, Bill Fralic and Roger Craig. Which of these five would you put in the Hall?

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Reporters returning from the RCA Dome said Florida State receiver De'Cody Fagg suffered an apparent injury to his left leg while running routes. Medical people carted off Fagg. I was scheduled to watch that session this morning, but couldn't get away for the 2-hour block.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Arizona's Mike Pollak and Rutgers Jeremy Zuttah finished among the top five offensive linemen in five categories, based on results provided by the NFL (and updated to include 40-yard dash times, which I have now processed).

Michigan's Jake Long, Texas A&M's Cody Wallace, Virginia Tech's Duane Brown, Connecticut's Donald Thomas and Newberry's Heath Benedict finished among the top five offensive linemen in four categories.

This is considered a very good year for offensive tackles.

Long was first in the bench press with 37 reps of 225 pounds. He was third in the 3-cone drill (7.44 seconds), fourth in the 10-yard split (1.76 seconds) and fifth in the vertical jump (27.5 inches). Long was also seventh in the 20-yard split (2.97 seconds). Long has outstanding strength and good speed in short areas, important for linemen.

Pollak was first in the 20-yard shuttle drill (4.47 seconds). He was second in the 20-yard split (2.88) and 10-yard split (1.73). Pollak was also third in the 40 (5.02) and fourth in the broad jump (9 feet, 2 inches).

Zuttah was first in the 20-yard split (2.87 seconds) and 40-yard dash (4.99). He was second in the 10-yard split (1.73) and bench press (35 reps). Zuttah was also fourth in the 20-yard shuttle (4.54).

Wallace finished first in the vertical jump (30 1/2 inches) and broad jump (9 feet, 5 inches). He was fourth in the 3-cone drill (7.45) and fifth in the 20-yard shuttle.

Benedict was third in the vertical (28 1/2), fourth in the broad jump (9-2), fifth in the 20-yardsplit (2.95) and fifth in the 40 (5.09).

Brown was second in the 20-yard shuttle (4.52), fourth in the 10-yard split (1.76), fourth in the 40 (5.08) and fifth in the vertical (27 1/2). He was also sixth in the 20-yard split (2.96).

Thomas was first in the 10-yard split (1.72), second in the 40 (5 seconds), third in the 20-yard split (2.89) and fourth in the 3-cone drill (7.45).

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Louisville tight end Gary Barnidge wasn't far behind Purdue's Dustin Keller in terms of overall testing results at the position. Barnidge finished first among tight ends in the 60-yard shuttle (11.29 seconds) and 10-yard split (1.53). He finished second in the 20-yard split (4.23). He finished third in the 20-yard shuttle (4.23) and third in the 3-cone drill (6.92). Barnidge was also fifth in the vertical jump (31 inches) and seventh in the bench press (22 reps of 225 pounds).

Keller was first in the 20-yard shuttle (4.14), vertical jump (38) and broad jump (10 feet, 11 inches). He was second in the 3-cone drill (6.88) and bench press (26 reps). He was fifth in the 20-yard shuttle (2.65) and 60-yard shuttle (11.74). Keller was also eighth in the 10-yard split (1.63).

Results are based on information provided by the NFL.

Update: I have now processed 40-yard dash information. Barnidge was sixth among tight ends in this category with a time of 4.65 seconds. 

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Available testing results for offensive linemen and tight ends show Purdue's Dustin Keller as the only first-place finisher in three events. He finished first among tight ends in the broad jump (10 feet, 11 inches), vertical jump (38 inches) and 20-yard shuttle drill (4.14 seconds).

Keller was also second among tight ends in the 3-cone drill (6.88 seconds) and second in the bench press (26 repetitions of 225 pounds)..

Update: I have now added 40-yard dash times to the equation. Keller was first in the 40-yard dash among tight ends. This makes him the only tight end with four first-place finishes in the categories I have processed so far.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Auburn's Carl Stewart and Furman's Jerome Felton led running backs with 30 repetitions of 225 pounds in the bench press. Oregon's Jonathan Stewart was third with 28 reps, followed by: Justin Forsett of Cal (26), Peyton Hillis of Arkansa-Fayetteville (26), Rashard Mendenhall of Illinois (26), Owen Schmitt of West Virginia (26), Cory Boyd of South Carolina (25), Thomas Brown of Georgia (25) and Benjarvus Green-Ellis of Mississippi (24). The league listed Stewart, Felton and Schmitt as fullbacks, based on their college positions.