Sunday at the NFL Combine

By The NoLogoNeeded.com Staff

INDIANAPOLIS -- The final day of media coverage is today. Not many of the coaches or GM's are on the docket today, but the rest of the defensive line and linebackers will be speaking, as well as the defensive backs. Hopefully, we get some good quotes from Berry, Mays and Haden.

11:00 a.m. -- Perrish Cox (CB from Oklahoma State) spoke mostly about his suspension from the Cotton Bowl. He said during the week leading up to the game he missed curfew twice. He didn't speak about his arrest in late August for driving with a suspended license. Seems to me like there are some character issues and with this being a deep cornerback draft he may fall. That is, unless he shines in his workout, then maybe the character issues won't be a huge deal for teams that need help at corner.

11:15 a.m. -- Wake Forest defensive back Brandon Ghee was hoping to get to the all-important 6-foot threshold for defensive back prospects. He measured in at 5-foot-11 1/4.

"I was stretching and flexing trying to get up to 6-foot," Ghee said. "I was happy with it though."

Ghee, a three-year starter at Wake, is a projected second- to third-round selection. He is athletic and physical at the line of scrimmage, but the knock on him is his inconsistency and lack of play-making abilities.

11:38 a.m. -- Apparently, No Logo Needed Staff Writer Aaron Ziraks can predict 40-times. He's been nailing them left and right. Here are the unofficial ones according to the NFL and Z: Tim Tebow ran a 4.7, Colt McCoy ran a 4.77 and Dan LeFevour ran a 4.67.

12:00 p.m. -- Eric Berry, safety from Tennessee, was all business at the podium. He spoke about preferring to intercept the ball to making a big hit, much the opposite of how Taylor Mays works. Berry talk about trying to take different things from NFL players games to mold into his own. He specifically mentioned Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, Bob Sanders and Charles Woodson. The more he spoke, the more I realized the benefit of a guy like Berry playing for the Browns. He would open up so many different blitzes and coverages because of his versatility, much like Ed Reed does for the Ravens.

Berry received advice from Tennessee defensive coordinator Monty Kiffin. According to Berry, Kiffin told him he would be a "fool" if he returned for his senior season.

Berry also seems highly motivated. Before each season, Berry said he finds the worst thing someone said about him and tapes it to his bathroom mirror. Every morning when he's brushing his teeth, he reads what are his perceived weaknesses.

Berry measured in at 5-11 1/2 and 211 pounds and was highly confident on his ability to play free safety, strong safety, corner back and yes, even nickle back. When asked if he was going to partake in all the work outs, Berry answer was short and sweet

"Yeah, I'm working out. This isn't a fashion show."

12:30 p.m. -- Joe Haden, cornerback from Florida, is a freak athlete if nothing else. Haden still holds the Maryland state record for passing yards and touchdowns passes for high school quarterbacks. He was also the point guard on a state championship team where he started as a freshman. Did I mention he could dunk as a freshman?

Haden measured 5-10 1/2 and weighed 193 pounds. He was recruited by Ohio State, LSU and Michigan among others to play quarterback. Haden went to Florida to play quarterback until coach Urban Meyer asked him to wide receiver before settling in on defense. Haden loves playing defense and doesn't think he is even close to reaching his full potential. He is planning on doing all the workouts and claims to run between a 4.22 and 4.37 40-yard dash and he has a 40-inch vertical leap. We will see how his workouts go, but he seems like everything that has been advertised.

1:00 p.m. Taylor Mays, safety from USC, looked big in person. He measured in at 6-3 and weighed in at 230 pounds. He will be participating in all the workouts. Mays was very soft spoken and seems like a guy that wants to do his talking on the field. He did have an early meeting with Cleveland, but I wouldn't read too much into that. Mike Holmgren said on Friday, the guys he is really interested in will be making a trip to Berea.

  February 28, 2010 at 11:17 AM