The Florida Gators will host Pro Scout Day for football players who have decided to enter the 2010 NFL Draft on Wed., March 17 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

More than 15 players – including quarterback Tim Tebow, linebacker Brandon Spikes, cornerback Joe Haden, defensive end Carlos Dunlap, center Maurkice Pouncey and tight end Aaron Hernandez – are scheduled to work out as representatives from every NFL team will be on hand for evaluation purposes.

The Swamp will be open beginning at 8:30 a.m., though the on-field portion of the event will not begin until 10 a.m. Fans will be allowed to enter via Gate 2.

As speculated by OGGOA, restrooms and concession stands will be open. Video cameras, food/drink containers, bottles, cans and a variety of other items are prohibited.

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, Draft, Joe Haden, Maurkice Pouncey, NFL, The Swamp, Tim Tebow

One name not garnering much publicity as the 2010 NFL Draft approaches is former Florida Gators linebacker and defensive leader Brandon Spikes.

Hampered by a number of injuries (as well as a bruised reputation for an eye gouge) throughout the 2009 season, Spikes only participated in a few events at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine, planning to do most of his testing at Florida’s Pro Day on March 17 and at individual workouts scheduled by various NFL teams.

Pro Football Talk is reporting that the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will all conduct private visits with Spikes in the coming weeks.

Former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah told OGGOA before the combine that Spikes could be picked anywhere from the middle of the first round to the middle of the second. The Browns (especially) have a dire need at linebacker, and Spikes would fit well in a 3-4 defense reconstituted by new team czar Mike Holmgren.

Photo Credit: Tim Larson/Icon SMI

Tags: Brandon Spikes, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, combine, Draft, Mike Holmgren, NFL, Pro Day, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

ONLY GATORS Get Out Alive will be covering the 10 former Florida Gators players who have been officially invited to participate in the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine (National Invitational Camp) in Indianapolis, IN, at Lucas Oil Stadium each day.

Days six and seven of the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine featured five former Florida Gators completing their workouts. Monday, linebacker Brandon Spikes and defensive ends Carlos Dunlap and Jermaine Cunningham completed the combine workout. Cornerback Joe Haden and safety Major Wright closed out the event on Tuesday.

Linebacker Brandon Spikes (Group 09, LB30)
40-yard dash, bench press: N/A
Vertical jump: 29 in.
Broad jump: 9 ft. 2 in.
Measurements: Day 4

Defensive end Carlos Dunlap (Group 07, DL13)
40-yard dash: 4.71 sec.
Vertical jump: 31.5 in.
Broad jump: 9 ft. 3 in.
Bench press: 21 reps of 225 lbs.
Measurements: Day 4

Defensive end Jermaine Cunningham (Group 07, DB09)
Did not workout
Measurements: Day 4

Cornerback Joe Haden (Group 10, DB20)
40-yard dash: 4.57 sec.
Vertical jump: 35 in.
Broad jump: 10 ft. 5 in.
60-yard shuttle: 11.12 sec.
Bench press: 18 reps of 225 lbs.
Measurements: Day 5
- Post-Combine Interview

Safety Major Wright (Group 11, DB58)
40-yard dash: 4.48 sec.
Vertical/broad jump: N/A
Bench press: 14 reps of 225 lbs.
Measurements: Day 5

All 10 Gators have now completed their duties at the combine. They will each return to their respective training facilities across the country before meeting up again in Gainesville, FL, on March 17 for Florida’s Pro Day.

The event, which ran from Feb. 24 to March 2, consisted of more than 300 players being put through a series of drills, tests and interviews while more than 600 NFL personnel in attendance including coaching staffs, executives, player personnel and medical staff looked on and evaluated each of them. It amounts to the final job interview these athletes will participate in before the 2010 NFL Draft commences on April 22.

Gators at the 2010 NFL Combine – Day 5
Gators at the 2010 NFL Combine – Day 4
Gators at the 2010 NFL Combine – Day 3
Gators at the 2010 NFL Combine – Day 2

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Brandon James, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, combine, Draft, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Major Wright, Maurkice Pouncey, NFL, Riley Cooper, Tim Tebow

1 » With former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow changing his throwing motion, heading off to autograph signings, speaking at engagements and being filmed at all times for a documentary about his trip to the NFL, the question was bound to come up some time: Is he spreading himself too thin? “The circus that followed Tebow around at the Senior Bowl traveled with him to Tennessee as he prepares for pre-draft workouts,” DraftInsider.net is reporting. “It seems Tebow’s workouts have been interrupted daily for marketing meetings and appearances. One source told us Tebow has had to schedule his workouts around the plans of his marketing people.”

Five more BITS on Brandon Spikes, Major Wright, John Brantley, Kenny Boynton and Billy Donovan…after the break!
Continue Reading » SIX BITS: Tebow, Spikes, Wright, Boynton, Billy D

Tags: Billy Donovan, Brandon Spikes, Carl Moore, combine, Deonte Thompson, Draft, eye gouging, Frankie Hammond, John Brantley, Kenny Boynton, Major Wright, NFL, Omarius Hines, Tim Tebow

ONLY GATORS Get Out Alive will be covering the 10 former Florida Gators players who have been officially invited to participate in the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine (National Invitational Camp) in Indianapolis, IN, at Lucas Oil Stadium each day.

Day five of the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine featured the arrivals of Florida Gators cornerback Joe Haden and safety Major Wright. Each was measured, completed exams, met with the media, underwent psychological tests and continued their team interviews. Both players arrived Saturday for registration, pre-exams, x-rays, orientation and the first round of interviews.

Haden and Wright, who will remain on the same schedule throughout the week, have a meeting with the NFLPA on Monday along with more psychological tests and interviews. Tuesday, they will complete the combine workout (timing, stations, skill drills).

Monday, linebacker Brandon Spikes (Group 09, LB30) and defensive ends Carlos Dunlap (Group 07, DL13) and Jermaine Cunningham (Group 07, DL09) will complete the combine workout. Spikes does not plan to participate in the 40-yard dash.

Cornerback Joe Haden (Group 10, DB20)
Height: 5′11″
Weight: 193 lbs.
Arm Length: 32 3/4 in.
Hand Size: 9 1/2 in.

Pre-Combine Overview: One of the best cornerbacks that has ever played for Florida, Haden possesses a great combination of athleticism, size and strength, though most scouts would prefer he be a few inches taller. Agile and quick, he maintains proper body positioning and is balanced no matter where the ball is thrown. Haden is also solid against the run and covers a variety of routes well with top-end ball skills. However, his reaction time has room for improvement.
Strengths: Size, strength, athleticism, speed, competative, productive, durable, instinctive
Weaknesses: Height, reaction time

Safety Major Wright (Group 11, DB58)
Height: 5′11″
Weight: 206 lbs.
Arm Length: 31 in.
Hand Size: 9 3/4 in.

Pre-Combine Overview: Though many scouts believe he came out too early, Wright has solid size and strength and is a ferocious hitter. He is very instinctive and excels at open-field tackling with his physicality and catch-up speed. Wright has shown inconsistencies in zone coverage and struggles with shedding blockers at times.
Strengths: Size, strength, tough, instinctive, productive, durable
Weaknesses: Coverage, agility, blocking

Quarterback Tim Tebow and wide receivers Riley Cooper and Brandon James competed in the workout Sunday; however, Tebow was one of 15 quarterbacks who did not to throw. Instead, he will toss footballs at Florida’s Pro Day on March 17.

Quarterback Tim Tebow (Group 05, QB19)
40-yard dash: 4.72
Vertical jump: 38.5 in.
Broad jump: 9 ft. 7 in.
Three-cone drill: 6.66 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.17 sec.
60-yard shuttle: 11.27 sec.
Bench press: N/A
Measurements Day 3

Wide receiver Riley Cooper (Group 04, WO12)
40-yard dash: 4.52
Bench press, Vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill: N/A
Measurements Day 3

Wide receiver Brandon James (Group 04, WO19)
40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill: N/A
Bench press: 14 reps of 225 lbs.
Measurements Day 3

All 10 Gators have now touched down in Indianapolis, IN, and checked into Lucas Oil Stadium. The combine ends on Tuesday, though center Maurkice Pouncey and tight end Aaron Hernandez completed their duties on Saturday.

Read about each player’s day-to-day schedule in Indianapolis after the jump!
Continue Reading » Gators at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine – Day 5

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Brandon James, Brandon Spikes, combine, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Major Wright, Maurkice Pouncey, NFL, Riley Cooper, Tim Tebow

ONLY GATORS Get Out Alive will be covering the 10 former Florida Gators players who have been officially invited to participate in the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine (National Invitational Camp) in Indianapolis, IN, at Lucas Oil Stadium each day.

Day four of the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine featured the arrival of Florida Gators linebacker Brandon Spikes and defensive ends Carlos Dunlap and Jermaine Cunningham. Each was measured, completed exams, met with the media, underwent psychological tests and continued their team interviews. All three players arrived Friday for registration, pre-exams, x-rays, orientation and the first round of interviews.

Spikes, Dunlap and Cunningham, who will remain on the same schedule throughout the week, have a meeting with the NFLPA on Sunday along with more psychological tests and interviews. Monday, they will complete the workout (timing, stations, skill drills).

Sunday, quarterback Tim Tebow (Group 05, QB19) and wide receivers Riley Cooper (Group 04, WO12) and Brandon James (Group 04, WO19) will complete the combine workout. However, Tebow (and many other quarterbacks) will not throw.

Linebacker Brandon Spikes (Group 09, LB30)
Height: 6′3″
Weight: 249 lbs.
Arm Length: 33 3/8 in.
Hand Size: 10 in.

Pre-Combine Overview: The leader of the Gators’ defense the last two seasons, Spikes is bring, strong and physical. He was hampered by a variety of injuries including an Achilles in 2009 and was suspended for one game because of an eye gouge. Spikes is great against the run inside and is quick enough to make open field tackles with his arms, though he is not fast. He is strong enough to get by blockers, uses his instincts to track down the ball but has some difficulties in coverage.
Strengths: Size, strength, tough, competitive, productive, athletic, instinctive
Weaknesses: Character, emotions, speed, coverage, blitzing

Defensive end Carlos Dunlap (Group 07, DL13)
Height: 6′6″
Weight: 277 lbs.
Arm Length: 34 5/8 in.
Hand Size: 10 in.

Pre-Combine Overview: Large and quick enough to play defensive end in a 4-3 or 3-4, Dunlap excels against the run but is also capable of rushing the quarterback. Many point inconsistencies in regards to his motor, footwork and technique, but he is naturally athletic and powerful with long arms and solid awareness of his position on the field.
Strengths: Size, strength, speed, power, hands, penetration
Weaknesses: Character, work ethic, other inconsistencies

Defensive end Jermaine Cunningham (Group 07, DL09)
Height: 6′3″
Weight: 266 lbs.
Arm Length: 33 3/4 in.
Hand Size: 10 3/8 in.

Pre-Combine Overview: Though he did not receive the accolades, Cunningham was one of Florida’s best defenders in 2009. He is quick, agile and athletic but not overtly fast. Cunningham has been projected as both a defensive end and outside linebacker but must develop as a pass-rusher. His motor and work ethic make up for a lack of bulk.
Strengths: Athletic, agile, productive, quick, durable, tough
Weaknesses: Instincts, size, strength, power

Center Maurkice Pouncey and tight end Aaron Hernandez (Group 03, TE13) were scheduled to compete in the workout Saturday; however, each encountered difficulties with injuries. Pouncey skipped the bench press while Hernandez decided to skip the entire combine workout, which he will make up at Florida’s Pro Day on March 17.

Center Maurkice Pouncey (Group 07, DL09)
40-yard dash: 5.23
Broad jump: 7 ft. 11 in.
Vertical jump, 3-cone drill, shuttle run, kick-slide, bench press: N/A
Measurements Day 3

Touching down in Indianapolis, IN, and checking into Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday were cornerback Joe Haden (Group 10, DB20) and safety Major Wright. They will take their measurements Sunday.

Read about each player’s day-to-day schedule in Indianapolis after the jump!
Continue Reading » Gators at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine – Day 4

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Brandon James, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, combine, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Lucas Oil Stadium, Major Wright, Maurkice Pouncey, NFL, Riley Cooper, Tim Tebow

ONLY GATORS Get Out Alive will be covering the 10 former Florida Gators players who have been officially invited to participate in the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine (National Invitational Camp) in Indianapolis, IN, at Lucas Oil Stadium each day.

Day three of the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine featured the arrival of Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow and wide receivers Riley Cooper and Brandon James. Each was measured, completed exams, met with the media, underwent psychological tests and continued their team interviews. All three players arrived Thursday for registration, pre-exams, x-rays, orientation and the first round of interviews.

Tebow, Cooper and James, who will remain on the same schedule throughout the week, have a meeting with the NFLPA on Saturday along with more psychological tests and interviews. Sunday, they will complete the combine workout (timing, stations, skill drills).

Quarterback Tim Tebow (Group 05, QB19)
Height: 6′3″
Weight: 236 lbs.
Arm Length: 31 3/4 in.
Hand Size: 10 1/8 in.

Pre-Combine Overview: Probably the best college quarterback of all-time, Tebow comes into the combine with questions about his mechanics and ability to succeed in the NFL. He has undergone extensive work to change his throwing motion and footwork and has chosen not to throw over the weekend (though he will compete in other drills and exercises). Tebow has a strong arm, is quick in and out of the pocket and has a great football mind.
Strengths: Size, speed, athleticism, intelligence, competitive, productive, high-character
Weaknesses: Accuracy, release, mechanics

Wide receiver Riley Cooper (Group 04, WO12)
Height: 6′3″
Weight: 222 lbs.
Arm Length: 32 5/8 in.
Hand Size: 10 3/8 in.

Pre-Combine Overview: The top receiver on the Gators in 2009, Cooper was Tebow’s favorite target and wowed scouts with his size and skills at the 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl. Has work to do in order to be an NFL WR, but scouts believe he has the capability of being molded to fit a system.
Strengths: Size, strength, athleticism, leaping ability, hands, intelligence, high-character
Weaknesses: Speed, explosion, separation, blocking

Wide receiver Brandon James (Group 04, WO19)
Height: 5′6″
Weight: 176 lbs.
Arm Length: 29 3/4 in.
Hand Size: 8 3/4 in.

Pre-Combine Overview: Excelling as a return specialist at Florida, James also played a little running back and wide receiver but is at a disadvantage because of his size. He has numerous qualities that may allow him to continue returning on the professional level.
Strengths: Speed, acceleration, vision, judgment, body control, elusiveness
Weaknesses: Height, strength, unpolished

Touching down in Indianapolis, IN, Friday were linebacker Brandon Spikes (Group 09, LB30) and defensive ends Carlos Dunlap (Group 07, DL13) and Jermaine Cunningham (Group 07, DL09). Cornerback Joe Haden (Group 10, DB20) and safety Major Wright (Group 11, DB58) will check in at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday.

Read about each player’s day-to-day schedule in Indianapolis after the jump!
Continue Reading » Gators at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine – Day 3

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Brandon James, Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap, combine, Jermaine Cunningham, Joe Haden, Major Wright, Maurkice Pouncey, NFL, Riley Cooper, Tim Tebow