The Combine

After having a few days to digest the combine, I have some thoughts to share with the masses.

A)  RGIII's (yes, I went Roman Numerals on your ass- he did graduate in three years so I am confident if he reads this he will know what I'm talking about) stock is skyrocketing.  This is fairly obvious.  Not so obvious.  His numbers in the Big 12 were inflated due to the conferences aversion to playing defense.  Everyone expects him to burst on the scene, much like Cam Newton.  I hope he does because he seems like a fantastic person.  However, years spent on the sofa in front of the TV on Sundays tell me he might struggle.  Especially if he goes to Cleveland.  Just for the sake of argument, take a look at Colt McCoy's college stats:

			Passing									Rushing
Season	Team		GP	Rating	Att	Comp	Pct	Yds	TD	INT		Att	Yds	TD
2006	Texas		13	161.8	318	217	68.2	2,570	29	7		68	170	2
2007	Texas		13	139.2	424	276	65.1	3,303	22	18		114	510	4
2008	Texas		13	173.75	433	332	76.7	3,859	34	8		136	561	11
2009	Texas		14	147.41	470	332	70.6	3,521	27	12		129	348	3
	Totals		53	158.25	1,645	1,157	70.3	13,253	112	45		447	1,589	20

and compare them to RGIII's

Season	Passing								Rushing
	Comp	Att	Yds	Pct	TD	Int	Rating		Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
2011	267	369	3,998	72.4%	36	6	192.3		161	644	4.0	49	9
2010	304	454	3,501	67%	22	8	144.2		149	635	4.3	71	8
2009 (3 games**)	45	69	481	65.2%	4	0	142.9		27	77	2.9	17	2
2008 (12 games)	160	267	2091	59.9%	15	3	142.0		173	843	4.9	63	13
Total	776	1,159	10,071	66.125%	77	17	155.35		510	2,199	4.3		32

Keep this in consideration when RGIII tries to complete passes to Greg Little and Josh Cribbs.  Remember, Cam Newton went to a team that had a bad year, but wasn't a bad team.  RGIII will not have that advantage if he goes to Cleveland.  I'm hoping Miami doesn't trade up, because they would be tough with him as a QB, and it seems like the Marino pressure wouldn't bother him.

B)  Indianapolis is on fire.  The combine had 400 fans the other day.  400!  To watch men run around in skimpy clothing.  Would it kill Under Armour to spend the extra $4 on fabric and make something more appropriate?  Anyway, I don't understand why they don't have the guys do the drill in pads-  wouldn't the 40 mean a hell of a lot more if the guy was wearing full pads?  Or the recievers gauntlet?  Just saying.

C)  I really think the kid from Georgia Tech, the wide out Stephan Hill (28 catches, 5TDs, 820 yards) really helped himself.  Low 40 time, 6'4", and wonderful technique in catching the football.  Remember this- when Demaryius Thomas came out from the GT wishbone option he did not have great numbers ( 120 catches for 2,339 and 14 TDs in his career, 46 catches 8TD,s 1154 yards in his draft year) before leaving, and looks like he is ready to break out, if he didn't already in the play-offs.  I'm willing to discount Hill's numbers a bit because of the offense (much like Thomas- GT pass attempts since 2008 by year [165,168,168,167]), meaning that  Hill was targeted on 16.7% of the teams pass attempts {aside note:  Welker caught about 19.7% of New England's attempts, Reggie Wayne caught 14% of Colts attempts}.  So he may wind up being a steal, especially if he slips into the second round.  This would be an ideal spot for a team to be aggressive and grab a guy who could be a game changer.

D)  Running out of time.  I will share more thoughts later, but let me leave you with this- Let's hope that the Patriots don't finally become aggressive and trade up for once.  If they packaged some picks together they could get an impact player, like a game breaking receiver or a dynamic tackling machine.  I don't think they will, because it isn't the "Patriot Way", but at some point you'd have to look at the long list of guys who haven't worked out in the mid-second round, and finally get aggressive to go after a top-flight talent.  Imagine them trading up and somehow getting their hooks on one of the two defenders from LSU, and being able to either cover or rush the passer with some consistency.  Scary.  Good thing they only believe in the "Patriot Way", which is apparently losing in the Super Bowl to the Giants.