Allen Bailey

Position: DE School: Miami Height: 6’3" Weight: 285 lbs Class: Senior 40 time: 4.71 All-Star Game: Senior Bowl Team Captain: 2010 Draft Projection: 3rd Round

Summary

Many hoped that 2010 would be the year Allen Bailey finally took his game to the next level. Unfortunately, the Miami defensive lineman continued to struggle with his quickness of the snap and failed to improve his mediocre hand play. Lining up at defensive end, Bailey couldn’t threaten the edge as a pass rusher and showed marginal change of direction ability, suggesting that his overall athleticism may have been oversold. Nevertheless, Bailey is very explosive for a player his size, as well as exceptionally strong. Consequently, teams may become convinced that they can smooth over the rough edges of his game. Recent Miami products Calais Campbell and Antonio Dixon have become much better players in the NFL Keep Reading…

Today was the University of Washington pro day, where headliners Jake Locker and Mason Foster worked out along with offensive linemen Cody Habben and Ryan Tolar; defensive backs Nate Williams and Vonzell McDowell; linebacker Victor Aiyewa; wide receiver D’Andre Goodwin; and fullbacks/h-backs Austin Sylvester and Dorson Boyce.

Noticeable teams in attendance today were Seattle (Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider), Tennessee, Cleveland (Keith Gilbertson), Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Indianapolis (Bob Ferguson), New York Jets, Minnesota, Jacksonville and Detroit. There were possibly more teams in attendance, but with media on one side of the field, and teams on the other, it was difficult to tell. The biggest contingents were those of the Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans.

Before we get to Locker and Foster, here’s a quick wrap on a couple of the lesser-known guys.

LB-Victor Aiyewa looks every bit the part of an NFL linebacker physique-wise, but ran Keep Reading…

Anthony Castonzo

Position: OT School: Boston College Height: 6’7" Weight: 311 lbs Class: Senior 40 time: 5.23 All-Star Game: Senior Bowl Team Captain: 2010 Draft Projection: Mid 1st Round

Summary

Anthony Castonzo is an extremely solid all-around, experienced offensive tackle who will be ready to start right away in the NFL on the left side. He has played and started 54 games in his career at Boston College, including 40 starts as a left tackle. With that experience you will find that Castonzo is a technically sound player lacking any extremely major flaws. Lower body strength is an issue and will need to improve with time. A high school tight end, Castonzo is a fluid looking athlete on film and has natural knee and waist bend rare for a player of his height. Castonzo has all the talent to start at left tackle in the NFL, Keep Reading…

One can’t open a magazine, skim a website or watch the daily news, and not hear of another celebrity having to “re-invent him/herself”. This usually comes after a movie that bombs, an album that does the same, or even upon release from rehab. Stars have to almost go through a “re-birth”; urging the public to forget what it already knows and accept a new direction.

Being in LA, it’s commonplace for actors, singers, talk show hosts being forced to do this, but rarely does an athlete have to. Such is the case in USC’s WR, Ronald Johnson. He went from being a highly recruited high school All-American to virtually forgotten in just 4 years. Yet, he has battled and fought through frustrations and injuries, to being a player that everyone must watch for come USC’s Pro Day and NFL Draft in April. Rojo is in the midst of re-inventing Keep Reading…

Aldon Smith

Position: DE School: Missouri Height: 6’4 1/4" Weight: 263 lbs Class: RS-Sophomore 40 time: 4.74 All-Star Game: n/a Team Captain: No Draft Projection: Mid 1st Round

Summary

Aldon Smith opted to declare after a difficult and somewhat disappointing redshirt sophomore season. The long and lean pass rusher suffered a fractured fibula, which kept him out of a few games and forced him to play through pain. That said, the toughness he showed should earn him plaudits from NFL decision-makers, who’ll also appreciate his 35 3/8” vines for arms, strong hands, and good 1st step. While he hasn’t proven that he can consistently bend the edge as a pass rusher, Smith has shown the ability to beat offensive tackles both inside and out, and he does plenty of damage when he kicks inside on passing downs. Add in his unrefined but promising coverage skills, Keep Reading…