INDIANAPOLIS -- The 2012 NFL combine got underway in Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday as the offensive linemen and tight ends took to the field for all 32 teams in attendance. There were several strong performances by the offensive linemen and some disappointing showings by a few of the blockers and the tight ends. Here's a run down from the first day of combine workouts.
The Top Ten
Cordy Glenn/G-T/Georgia: Glenn was impressive from the get-go and many think he's moved well into the late part of round one. Glenn displayed surprising athleticism and looked outstanding in drills. He was relatively fast in the forty and later showed power and solid fundamentals during position drills.
Matt Kalil/T/USC: Kalil was another that stood out in all aspects of his Combine workout. He completed 30 reps on the bench press, timed 4.98 seconds in the forty and looked as good as any offensive lineman during the drill session. The big left tackle solidified himself as a top-five pick at the combine.
Donald Stephenson/T/Oklahoma: Stephenson was not rated as a draftable player entering the season but the tackle has since moved into the middle rounds. He was one of the most athletic offensive linemen on the field today turning in forty times under 5-seconds. During drills, Stephenson displayed top footwork in pass protection and good movement skills in run blocking drills. He has to iron out some of his mechanics but Stephenson left a positive impression on scouts.
Riley Reiff/T/Iowa: Reiff ran reasonably well posting an impressive 10-yard split of 1.75 seconds, an important measure for offensive linemen. He was equally impressive in drills and after today most scouts feel Reiff possess the tools to hold down the left tackle position in the NFL.
Evan Rodriguez/TE/Temple: Rodriguez projects to an H-back position at the next level and showed he has the speed and athleticism to play in the NFL. After a pair of 40's which timed in the low 4.6's, Rodriguez did a terrific job catching the ball all afternoon.
Michael Egnew/TE/Missouri: Egnew has tight end size but some questioned his downfield speed. Not after today. Egnew also timed in the low 4.6's and for the most part, caught the ball well during the practice session.
David DeCastro/G/Stanford: DeCastro's combine marks were nothing out of the ordinary though the big blocker did stand out during drills and impressed scouts. DeCastro was fluid, looked natural in all the drills and did the little things well. He solidified himself as a selection in the top half of round one.
Adam Gettis/G/Iowa: Few linemen equaled the athleticism of Gettis during the testing portion of the Combine. He timed under 5-seconds in the forty on most stop watches and his 10-yard split was under 1.7 seconds, which is a tremendous mark. His marks of 31.5-inches in the vertical jump and broad jump of 9-feet, 4-inches were also superb.
Jeff Allen/T/Illinois: Allen is truly one of the sleepers of the offensive line position. His marks of 5.15-seconds in the forty and 26 reps on the bench were solid and Allen really stood out during drills. Most scouts believe Allen will be selected earlier in the draft than people presently predict.
Drake Dunsmore/TE/Northwestern: Dunsmore is another college tight end that projects to H-back at the next level. He was not flashy today rather very solid. Dunsmore ran solid times in the forty, stopping watches in the mid 4.6-second range and did a fine job running routes and catching the ball during the drills session.
Four That Disappointed
Orson Charles/TE/Georgia: Charles is considered one of the most athletic tight ends in the draft but chose not to run the forty on Saturday, which disappointed scouts. During the pass catching segment he lacked timing, judgment and looked generally pedestrian.
Zebrie Sanders/T/Florida State: Sanders, at one time considered a first-round pick, turned in a poor Combine workout. He struggled to get under 5.5-seconds in the forty, his 10-yard splits were pedestrian and Sanders looked sluggish during all the drills.
James Hanna/TE/Oklahoma: Hanna started off by sizzling in the forty, stopping watches under 4.5 seconds. That's where it ended as Hanna had a case of the drops throughout the practice session and looked very uncomfortable in drills.
Rishaw Johnson/G/Cal (PA): Johnson looked athletic during the testing portion of the day but struck out during the drills. Johnson was haphazard in his movement and despite constant instruction, struggled to properly complete drills.
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