Moreno and Stafford Shine At Combine

The two Georgia Bulldogs stand outs did well at the NFL combine solidifying their spots as first round draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft in April.

While Knowshon Moreno was not the fastest running back at the combine, he still did turn a lot of heads. His 40-yard dash time was clocked at 4.62 with unofficial times as low as 4.53. While that is not blazing speed for a running back, it is fast enough as he has proved to be one of the hardest running backs to bring down in college football last season.

Matthew Stafford decided not to pass at the combine but he did run. He was clocked at 4.84 in the 40 which is faster than the other top QB prospect, Mark Sanchez, at 4.97. Instead of passing at the combine, Stafford will show off his arm at the University of Georgia’s prod day next month.

NFL Scouts Ready For Knowshon

With the start of the NFL combine, Knowshon Moreno is finding himself being courted by several NFL teams and is the source of attention to many autograph seeking football fans.  The play that everyone seems to be asking him about is the 29 yard run when he hurdled over a defender against Central Michigan University.

So far, Moreno has been receiving much praise.  NFL Network draft analyst, Mike Mayock said, “His lateral quickness and explosion is amazing… I’ve seen a lot of quick running backs, but I haven’t seen a guy in the last 10 years who finishes every run the way he does.”

NFL scouts love the way that Knowshon Moreno does not shy away from contact.  Moreno said, “You have to deliver the blow.”  One of his favorite running backs that he has watched a lot of tape on is Walter Payton who was known for not being afraid of taking on a tackler.

Two of his favorite running backs of today are Adrain Peterson who is described as the most violent running back in football, and LaDanian Tomlinson.  But Moreno says that Payton is his all time favorite.

Knowshon has been working hard preparing for the combine by working out with the Olympic record holding sprinter, Michael Johnson.  Moreno says that the training has helped to shave three tenths of a second off of his 40 yard dash time.

Over the next few days Knowshon Moreno will be able to help to prove to the NFL scouts and coaches that he is worthy of their first round draft selection.  He does have until late April to prove his worth, but the NFL combine is a great place to get the attention of the NFL teams.

Moreno Prepares For NFL Combine

Knowshon Moreno knows the importance of the upcoming NFL combine starting on February 24, at Lucas Oil Stadium, in Indianapolis. Much effort goes into preparation for the combine as you’re performance can make the difference of millions of dollars in your first NFL contract.

Moreno is not the only runningback to be tried at the combine. Knowshon will be joined by some of the top prospects including Chris Wells, Shonn Greene, LeSean McCoy, and many more.

The Detroit Free Press reports that the following will be what the players will be evaluated on:

40-yard dash: Arguably the most popular activity at the Combine. Tenths of a second can drastically change a player’s draft standing. Each player is timed at the 10-, 20- and 40-yard increments to determine how fast they can get off the line and how quickly they reach their top speed. Last season, running back Chris Johnson ran a 4.24 40, the best of any participant.

Bench press: This is a true test of strength. Each participant raises the 225-bar as many times as they possibly can. Last year, Michigan’s Jake Long and Ohio State’s Vernon Gholston each posted 37 reps.

Vertical jump: Judges how quick and explosive each player is by seeing how high they can jump from a standstill position. Each player stands in front of a pole that has flags at the top of it and tries to hit as many as they can.

Broad jump: Similar to the vertical jump but measures how far the player can jump. This test measures the power each player has.

3-cone drill: This drill is a measurement of how quick a player’s feet are and his ability to change direction quickly. Each player starts in a three-point stance and has to maneuver around the three cones, each 5 yards apart, which are set up in a triangle shape.

20-yard shuttle: Tests lateral speed and coordination. The player starts in a three-point stance, then runs 5 yards, touches the yard line, then runs 10 yards in the other direction, touches the line and then runs back to the starting point.

60-yard shuttle: Similar to the 20-yard, but there are a total of four directional changes and 60 yards covered.

Wonderlic Test: An intelligence test used for hiring practices, it assesses the problem-solving skills of test takers. Each player is given 12 minutes to answer 50 questions.

Cybex Test: Fitness test analyzes the joint movements of players.

Others: Physical measurements, interviews, injury evaluation and drug screen.

Eight Georgia Bulldogs Invited To The NFL Combine

It’s official that there are eight former Georgia Bulldogs who were invited to be among the more than 300 at the NFL combine which will occur February 18-24 in Indianapolis.

Three of the players are underclassman and they are QB Matthew Stafford, RB Knowshon Moreno, and CB Asher Allen. The other five players are LB Dannell Ellerbe, DT Corvey Irvin, WR Mohamed Massaquoi, FB Brannan Southerland and DE Jarius Wynn.

Could Knowshon End Up In Tampa Bay?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be a perfect fit for Knowshon Moreno. If no one has picked up this great Georgia running back, the Bucs would be crazy to pass him up with their 19^th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Tampa Bay is in desperate need of an offensive weapon. Cadillac Williams was injured late in the season, Warrick Dunn at age 33, and the wide receiving core could use all of the help it could get from a strong running game.

Knowshon Moreno could immediately step in and contribute to the struggling Tampa Bay offense.

Now, the question is, will Knowshon still be available, and if so, can The Buc’s get things right and draft this future NFL star.