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A couple weeks ago, I presented some data in regard to some of the 3-4 defensive front prospects that the Green Bay Packers could be looking at in the upcoming 2013 NFL Draft. We calculated their “production ratios” based on big plays during their college years. This time around, we’re going to take some numbers from the NFL Combine to see how explosive some of these players are.

Taking another page from Pat Kirwan’s book, “Take Your Eye Off the Ball,” we’re going to take some of the combine measurable and plug them into a formula that will help to show how explosive these players are.

“On the snap of the ball,” writes Kirwan, “the front seven and the offensive line are going to engage physically. It’s a series of adjacent bar fights, and we need to be able to project who has the athleticism to win these all-important battles in the trenches. . . . A prospect with an Explosion Number of 70 or higher has my attention.”

So how do we calculate this number? Here’s the formula:

BENCH PRESS (reps) + VERTICAL LEAP (in.) + STANDING BROAD JUMP (ft.) = EXPLOSION NUMBER

The bench press, vertical jump, and broad jump are three workouts at the combine that specifically test a player’s raw strength, power, and explosiveness. They comprise the core qualities that a defensive lineman needs to do his job. Other workouts like the 40-yard dash and three-cone drill don’t really factor into this equation, because they relate much less to these trench battles.  Read more... (699 words + 2 images, estimated 2:48 mins reading time)

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Surviving Sundays with no Packers Football

Instead of a long intro this week, I’m going to save my bloviating for the non-Packers links and other nonsense section and get right to the Packers news of the week.

I’ll be back next week with a strong opinion on something related to the Packers or the NFL. For now, we’ll just catch up on Packers news and talk about a baseball text simulation game that everybody should own.

Packers News, Notes and Links  Read more... (1137 words + 1 image, estimated 4:33 mins reading time)

• Center Evan Dietrich-Smith signed his one-year restricted free-agent contract tender this week. I’m surprised no other team offered him more money to lure him away from the Packers. I’m also happy that Dietrich-Smith will be back. Should we be worried that no other team bothered to offer him more than the $1.323 million he got from the Packers? 
• Jermichael Finley was on KFAN in Minneapolis this week with Vikings play-by-play broadcaster Paul Allen. The interview is painfully bad, but if you want to know what Finley had to say, read this summary from Jason Wilde’s ESPN Milwaukee blog. Finley says he wants to play like Tony Gonzalez. In other news, I want to write like Shakespeare.

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Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: Safety Kenny Vaccaro

Player Information:

Kenny Vaccaro, Safety, University of Texas, 6’0″, 214 pounds Hometown: Brownwood, TX

STATS

NFL Combine:

40 time: 4.63

225-pound bench: 15 reps

Vertical: 38″

News and Notes:

Considered by many to be this year’s top safety prospect and a sure first round pick … was draft-eligible last year but stayed at Texas after receiving a second round grade. . .Uncle is A.J. Johnson, who spent seven years with the Washington Redskins and was a member of the Super Bowl XXVI-winning team. . .was a starter as a sophomore at UT … arguably the best safety in the Big 12 as a junior in 2011, posting 82 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, eight passes broken up and two interceptions. . In 2012 he was second-team All Conference with 107 stops, four tackles for a loss and five forced turnovers.

 What they’re saying about him:   Read more... (660 words + 3 images, estimated 2:38 mins reading time)

• CBSSports.com: ”Prototypical size and build for the position. Possesses a high-cut frame with good overall musculature. Shows very good straight-line speed, agility, balance and hip flexibility. Athleticism for coverage duties are enhanced by Vaccaro’s vision and instincts. Quickly locates the ball and shows an understanding of route-progression, rarely getting caught out of position.”

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Stanford RB Stepfan Taylor

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: RB Stepfan Taylor

Player Information:

Stepfan Taylor, RB Stanford
5-9, 214 pounds
Hometown: Arlington, TX

STATS

NFL Combine:

40 time: 4.76
Bench press: 17 reps
Vertical leap: 30.0 inches
20-yard shuttle: 4.50

News and Notes:

Leaves Stanford as the career leader in rushing yards (4,300), touchdowns (45) and 100-yard games (21). … Ran for 1,530 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior. … Big and thick, tough to bring down with an arm tackle. … Rose Bowl offensive player of the game in victory over Wisconsin. … Not great in any one facet of the game, just solid all around. … Alternate personality that is popular on YouTube.

 What they’re saying about him:  Read more... (576 words + 1 image, estimated 2:18 mins reading time)

• Dallas Morning News: “Overall, Taylor is a tough grade because he has some good game tape, but the lack of explosiveness is really concerning. He can do a lot of things well, but it will be difficult for teams to select him over other backs with obviously higher upside.“
• NFL.com: ”The Cardinal’s running back proved this season that he was capable of maintaining his level of play even without Andrew Luck at QB. While he isn’t exceptional in any one facet of the game, he is technically sound, and well rounded. Taylor is possibly the safest back in this class due to his ability to not only pass protect, but to catch the football, which will make him invaluable on third downs.”

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Michigan State RB Le’Veon Bell

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: RB Le’Veon Bell

Player Information:

Le’Veon Bell, RB Michigan State
6-1, 230 pounds
Hometown: Reynoldsburg, OH

STATS

NFL Combine:

40-yard dash: 4.56
225-pound bench: 24 reps
Vertical: 31.5″
3-cone drill: 6.75
20-yard shuttle: 4.24

News and Notes:

Bell declared for the 2013 NFL Draft following his junior season at MSU … Big, tough runner ran for 1,793 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012, along with catching 32 passes on the season … Bell shared the load in 2011, racking up 948 yards and 13 touchdowns and catching 35 passes … Never averaged fewer than 4.7 yards in three years with the Spartans … NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks ranks Bell as the No. 1 running back in the class … Could go as high as the early second-round or fall to the end of the third.

 What they’re saying about him:   Read more... (681 words + 1 image, estimated 2:43 mins reading time)

• CBSSports.com: “Strong-build and well proportioned with thick hips. Very good balance and stays low to the ground through contact. More of a downhill athlete who picks up speed as he goes. Stays light on his feet and has some deception to his game, slipping through cracks at the line of scrimmage. Tough runner to bring down cleanly, often carrying defenders. Good forward lean and pop to deliver blows at the point of attack. Not afraid to leave his feet to leap over defenders. Active receiver with good awareness in pass pro to pick up blitzes. Led Big Ten in rushing in 2012 (1,793 yards) with three 200-yard performances.”

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South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: RB Marcus Lattimore

Player Information:

Marcus Lattimore, RB South Carolina
5-11, 221 pounds
Hometown: Duncan, SC

STATS

NFL Combine:

Lattimore did not participate in the NFL Scouting Combine. (Injured)

News and Notes:

Lattimore enters the NFL Draft as a junior … In 2012, his season ended Oct. 27 when he blew out his knee against Tennessee; he tore three of the four ligaments in his right knee … As a sophomore in 2011, Lattimore suffered a torn left ACL against Mississippi State … If healthy, most believe Lattimore would be the No. 1 running back in this draft class … Lattimore exploded onto the scene as a freshman in 2010, racking up 1,197 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns in the SEC … Has value as a receiver, catching a total of 74 passes in 29 games at South Carolina … He’s a first-round talent that will likely be a late third-round or early fourth-round pick based on health concerns.

 What they’re saying about him:   Read more... (663 words + 1 image, estimated 2:39 mins reading time)

• CBSSports.com: ”Very good at keeping defenders off balance, showing excellent acceleration, anticipation and footwork. Natural balance and feel between the tackles with good vision and patience to follow his blocks. Reliable receiving target, adjusting well to the ball with good focus. Never goes down easy and rarely goes out of bounds, running with toughness and confidence. Good effort in pass protection and not shy about giving up his body.”

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Florida International S Jon Cyprien

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: S Jonathan Cyprien

Player Information:

Jonathan Cyprien
6-0, 217 pounds
Hometown: North Miami Beach, Fla.

STATS

NFL Combine:

Vertical: 38.5″
*40 time: 4.56
*225-pound bench: 18 reps

*Results from Mar. 7 Pro Day

News and Notes:

Started three years at Florida International after making seven starts as a freshman in 2009 … Started the most career games at safety (45), which is the third-most of any position at FIU … Participated in the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine in 2013 … Named to the All-Sun Belt Conference First-Team as a senior … All-Sun Belt Conference Second-Team as a sophomore and junior … Seven interceptions, 22 pass breakups during his college career … Served as team captain as a senior.

 What they’re saying about him:   Read more... (656 words + 1 image, estimated 2:37 mins reading time)

• NFL.com: ”Looks and plays like a strong in-the-box safety with solid thickness throughout his build … Possesses enough speed and athleticism to cover ground as a zone defender in the back half and line up against slot receivers inside. Closes on stretch runs and quick throws to outside receivers even when playing well back from the line. Beats receiver blocks with quickness or strength. His secure tackling in those situations is also notable, as he brings some attitude into his attempts unlike other defensive backs in this class. Used as a blitzer on run and pass plays, can overpower running back blocks.”

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