Griffin III posts one of fastest QB times
2012 Heisman Trophy winner and Quarterback Robert Griffin III of Baylor looks on during the 2012 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Feb. 26, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
INDIANAPOLIS -- Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III likely will be gone by the second overall pick in this year's draft, and he enhanced his stock even further Sunday when he ran a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash, one of the fastest times in scouting combine history for a quarterback.
It's widely assumed that the Colts will choose Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick and that Griffin will go No. 2. The Rams own the second pick, but because they already have a franchise-caliber quarterback in Sam Bradford, they're expected to trade the pick.
By the early look of things, they can expect a king's ransom for the choice, especially after Griffin's impressive 40 time. Among the teams expected to make a play for that spot to select Griffin: Cleveland, Washington, Seattle and Kansas City.
Luck was no slouch in the 40, either, running a 4.67. Last year, Auburn quarterback Cam Newton ran a 4.59 at the combine. He was taken first overall by the Panthers.
Blackmon shines
Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon didn't run the 40 because of a tender hamstring, but he looked strong in a receiver drill called "the gantlet," in which he is thrown several passes intermittently while running from sideline to sideline. Blackmon had 122 catches for 1,582 yards and 18 touchdowns last season . . . Miami receiver Travis Benjamin, Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill and Stanford's Chris Owusu were the fastest wideouts in the 40 at 4.36 . . . About 250 fans were allowed in to see a portion of the drills. It's the first time fans have been allowed inside Lucas Oil Stadium to watch. The league might allow additional fans to attend in future years.
Jenkins a high risk-reward
North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins is one of the most talented players coming into the draft. He also might be one of the riskiest.
Jenkins was kicked off the Florida team in April 2011 after being arrested three times -- twice for marijuana use and once for a fight -- and transferred to North Alabama. He is getting plenty of attention from NFL coaches and executives at the combine, and he said teams are interested in hearing what he has to say about his situation.
"They see the talent," said Jenkins, 23. "They just want to know what kind of kid I am. I'm just coming here to show them I'm not a bad kid. I made a few mistakes and I've learned from it."
Jenkins is the father of four children from ages 3 years to 3 months, and he said having children has become a motivating force. "For them to have a great life . . . I've got to put some of that aside and put it behind me in order for my kids to get what they want," he said. "To be successful at the next level, I can't do the things I used to do."
A would-be Jeremy LinFurman cornerback Ryan Steed loved playing basketball in high school and was recruited by a number of schools, including Harvard. But Steed opted for a career in football and passed up a chance to become another Jeremy Lin, the Knicks point guard who emerged from obscurity at Harvard and has burst on to the NBA scene in the last month.
"I had some Ivy League schools offer scholarships -- Harvard, Brown -- but I pulled out my senior year and told them I was focusing on football," said Steed, who might be drafted as high as the second round.
No regrets about not being the next Jeremy Lin?
"I'm not 6-3, 200 pounds," said Steed, who is 5-10, 195 pounds. "I think I made the right decision. I love basketball, but I'm a football player now. I fell in love with the game my senior year in high school and haven't looked back since. I always had the talent and playmaking ability. Just going out there and realizing that I loved it, I felt like I had a chance to play at this [NFL] level."
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