More notes on Alabama's 2nd proday

[dbair1967]

I pulled all these off nfl.com, there's no mention of this 4.73 40 time for Barron.

Breaking down Alabama’s pro day

Posted: March 30th, 2012 | Gil Brandt | Tags: 2012 pro days, Alabama, Brad Smelley, Courtney Upshaw, Dont'a Hightower, Dre Kirkpatrick, Gil Brandt, Mark Barron, Trent Richardson


Representatives from 30 teams were at Alabama’s pro day on Thursday, including Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, Browns coach Pat Shurmur and Patriots coach Bill Belichick. Prospects ran indoors on field turf.

Trent Richardson, RB, (5-foot-10 1/8, 227 pounds) – Richardson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 and 4.47 seconds. He did 25 bench presses. He had a great position workout. Richardson caught the ball well and made a sensational one-handed catch. He reaffirmed what everyone already thought: he’s one heck of a football player

Mark Barron, S, (6-1 1/8, 214) — Barron didn’t work out at the NFL Scouting Combine because of an injury. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 and 4.57 seconds. He had a 34-1/2-inch vertical and a 10-foot-2 broad jump, but didn’t do other drills. He had an excellent workout. He’s got very good hands and quick hips. Barron is a big, strong guy who moves around exceptionally well.

Courtney Upshaw, LB/DE (6-1 3/4, 279) — Upshaw ran the 40 in 4.76 and 4.78 seconds. He had a 27-1/2-inch vertical, a 9-1 broad jump, a 4.6-second short shuttle and a 7.73-second three-cone. He worked out as a linebacker and with his hand on the ground. He’s probably going to be a DE in the NFL. He just looks a little too stiff to be a linebacker; his best position is going to be as a pass-rusher.

Dre Kirkpatrick, DB, (6-1 3/4, 187) — He didn’t do any drills or work out, but was weighed and measured.

Brad Smelley, TE, (6-2, 236) — He was not at the combine. Smelley is undersized for a tight end, but is very athletic and does a good job catching the ball.

Linebacker Dont’a Hightower did not participate in the pro day.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Here are a few thoughts after checking out the action at Alabama’s pro day Thursday:

1. Trent Richardson is a special running back with outstanding feet and movement skills.




He is explosive and powerful when changing directions. Richardson is just an average pass-catcher and needs to work on running routes, but he is a quick learner who would be an excellent every-down back. For a comparable pro player, look to Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew.

2. Mark Barron will be a very good pro safety. He is smart and versatile, and can play deep in the middle or in the box. There is no problem with his ability to play in space. He could also play as a “big” nickel in sub packages. He is fast enough (unofficial 4.55 in the 40-yard dash) and has the tools to be a hybrid-type playmaker. He should go in the middle of the first round.

3. Linebacker Courtney Upshaw was heavier (279 pounds) than he was at the NFL Scouting Combine (272). He is rugged but not explosive and is uncomfortable playing in space, though he does play well on tape. He has demonstrated a good football IQ and has a knack for making plays. He is not a top-10 talent, but should go in the first round. He will make an impact as a rookie in the NFL.

–Bucky Brooks

Pro Days
Richardson runs for slew of team reps at Alabama pro day
Posted: March 29th, 2012 | NFL.com Staff | Tags: 2012 pro days, Alabama, Bill Belichick, Courtney Upshaw, Jason Garrett, Josh McDaniels, Kevin Colbert, Mark Barron, Martin Mayhew, Pat Shurmur, Rob Ryan, Ruston Webster, Trent Baalke, Trent Richardson



Top RB prospect Trent Richardson posted 40-yard dash times in the 4.45-to-4.49-second range at Alabama’s pro day on Thursday according to NFL draft analyst Bucky Brooks.

Defensive back Mark Barron said he was at about “80 percent,” but worked out to show scouts where he was in his recovery from hernia surgery. Brooks said Barron ran 40 times in the 4.53-to-4.57 range and looked good in drills.

Linebacker Courtney Upshaw ran 40 times in the 4.73-to-4.76 range and had an average workout, according to Brooks.

NFL Network’s Lindsay Rhodes reports those in attendance include Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett and Browns coach Pat Shurmur along with general managers Trent Baalke (49ers), Martin Mayhew (Lions), Ruston Webster (Titans) and Kevin Colbert (Steelers). Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels also were there.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

He could also play as a “big” nickel in sub packages

This is interesting for us, seeing as how we've experimented with Barry Church in that role.

Kind of makes me wonder if we'll be taking not one, but 2 safeties in this draft. So that if we slide Barron into that role, we'd still have another safety on the field.

 

[dbair1967]

I think Barron starts from the beginning if we draft him. He's already better than Sensabaugh, Pool or any of the other JAGS we have there.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I think Barron starts from the beginning if we draft him. He's already better than Sensabaugh, Pool or any of the other JAGS we have there.

As do I. I like him coming out better than Nate Allen, Patrick Chung and Louis Delmas. A little less than Earl Thomas.