Railbird Central : Combine

Packers enamored with Murtha

Brian Carriveau — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:13:00 GMT

This is a little bit of old news, but also some news I don't think Green Bay Packer fans are aware of.

While at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, TFY Draft caught the Packers gushing over Nebraska tackle Lydon Murtha (sorry, subscription required).

According to TFY Draft, "Many scouts in attendance feel Lydon Murtha could move into the second round after his sensational workout, others disagree. John Dorsey of the Green Bay Packers is one general manager that's been raving about Murtha the past few days."

We'll forgive the guys at TFY for mistaking Dorsey for being a general manager as he's actually the Packers' director of college scouting, but what they witnessed doesn't change.

Murtha had the best 40-yard dash, three cone drill and short shuttle time among all offensive linemen at the Combine.

Draftguys TV is the best in the business at breaking down video and giving you the pros and the cons of NFL draft prospects. In this video, they give an in-depth look at Murtha.

As you can see, Murtha has the athleticism NFL teams drool over. But there are questions about his strength and durability.

He could end up being a very good prospect for a team like the Packers who run a zone blocking scheme. Don't doubt for a second that Murtha is one of the top offensive line candidates on the Packers' draft board.

Barden thinks Packers are interested

Brian Carriveau — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 19:35:40 GMT

Ramses Barden is one of the more intriguing prospects in this year’s NFL draft class, and he thinks the Packers are interested in him.

Barden told the Sporting News after the Combine, “Obviously it's hard to say who's really got their eye on you, and guys are always speculating, but I thought the Giants, Packers and Dolphins also showed some interest. No matter what, I feel a little more comfortable after the weekend. I'm not scared going into these next couple of months.”

Barden played at FCS school Cal Poly but is being held in the same regard as the big school players after being invited to both the Senior Bowl and the Combine.

He’s not going to kill anyone with his speed, but is being looked at as a big, possession receiver while standing at 6-6 and 228 pounds. Similarities to current Packers receiver Ruvell Martin are appropriate.

Barden is being considered a third round choice by TFY Draft.

Packers show interest in USC linebacker

Brian Carriveau — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:14:45 GMT

The Green Bay Packers have yet to show any activity on the first day of free agency, so here's some draft news.

The Packers met with USC linebacker Kaluka Maiava while at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last week according to College Football Insiders.

Maiava was one of four USC linebackers to be invited to the Combine. His teammates Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews and Rey Maualuga could all be first round draft choices.

Maiava might not be a first round prospect, but his stock does seem to be rising.

"His 30 repetitions in the 225-pound bench press tied him with two others, including All-American teammate Brian Cushing, for the most among linebackers;" reports Robert Collias for the Maui News (Maiava is from Maui), "his time of 6.98 seconds in the three-cone drill tied for fourth among linebackers; and his time of 4.20 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle was third."

Maiva has sugically repaired wrists, according to the article, but he also has a couple things going in his favor. He was named defensive player of the game for this past year's Rose Bowl.

He was also named second team All-Pac 10 last season, his first as a starter. Not bad considering he had to compete with three teammates for all-conference honors.

Phillips piques Packers' interest

Brian Carriveau — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:01:59 GMT

The Green Bay Packers met with TCU inside linebacker Jason Phillips while at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this past week according to College Football Insiders.

Phillips is one of the top ten inside linebacker prospects in this year's draft class says the National Football Post.

At the very least, Phillips says all the right things.

"They’re going to get a tough, smart, dedicated, coachable, hard-working player," Phillips told the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram about the team that drafts him. "Everything about me they’ve heard is true. I’m going to come in; I’m going to work hard; I’m going to be coachable. Everything they tell me is going to stick. I’m going to learn it quick."

The 6-1, 235 pound Horned Frog ran a 40-yard dash time in the realm of 4.6 seconds while at the Combine. He's predicted to go somewhere around the fourth round of the draft.

Packers meet with high rising linebacker prospect

Brian Carriveau — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:20:57 GMT

The Green Bay Packers reportedly met with Southern Mississippi linebacker Gerald McRath while at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis over the past week or so according to College Football Insiders.

McRath was an early entrant into the NFL Draft and was considered as a player that improved his stock at the Combine. In yesterday's edition of Sporting News Today (it's free, but you must sign up), McRath was listed as one of the "Players that helped themselves."

Scout Russ Lande writes, "Scouts were a little disappointed when they evaluated McRath, who entered the draft early, on film -- they did not see the explosiveness or game speed. McRath changed people's opinions a bit today. He showed the burst of acceleration and speed scouts look for, as he was just one of a few linebackers to run under a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash."

While McRath was an inside linebacker in college, some think he may play on the weakside in the pros. At about 6-3, 220 pounds, McRath has the size but not the weight to play on the inside. And that's not to say that he might not add the weight eventually.