Notre Dame Combine Invitees: Results & Analysis

[Grahambo]

Brian Hardin ‏ @bhardin2

Harrison Smith (6.63) and Robert Blanton (6.71) record 5th and 7th best times among all DBs at #NFLCombine in the 3-cone drill.

Brian Hardin ‏ @bhardin2

Smith's 6.63 timing in 3-cone drill is fastest by ND player in last 5 years and Blanton's 6.71 is 3rd best (Sergio Brown, 2nd, 6.67)

Brian Hardin ‏ @bhardin2

Robert Blanton tied for the 3rd best time among DBs at #NFLCombine in 20-yard shuttle (3.97) & tied for 7th in 60-yard shuttle (11.28)

 

[koonja]

Where was the playmaking thoughout his career at ND...tape doesn't lie. And of course you'll probably give the "Sun bowl" game (Jacory Harris, need I say more) but that is more of the exception, not the rule.

And I'm getting into another Hayseed argument that I told myself I wouldn't get into because it's pointless on these boards....

I don't know why I do this to myself, but I'll pull myself through the coals with you, lol. I thought Harrison Smith was a big disappointment this year. So was his 40 time at the combine (which some thought would be 4.4 or lower).

Go ahead and add Gray, Shembo, and Flemming to my disappointment list, too.

 

[woolybug25]

edit - doh... reading comprehension FAIL

 

[koonja]

.

 

[Junkhead]

4.56, 4.63 for Harrison? I guess the 4.38 in HS was exaggerated, as always....

 

[military_irish]

I don't know why I do this to myself, but I'll pull myself through the coals with you, lol. I thought Harrison Smith was a big disappointment this year. So was his 40 time at the combine (which some thought would be 4.4 or lower).

Go ahead and add Gray, Shembo, and Flemming to my disappointment list, too.

How do you add Shembo to that list when he was only a Sophomore? At least wait until he graduates to add the disappointment tag to him. Unless you are referring to this past year, then maybe.

 

[DillonHall]

How do you add Shembo to that list when he was only a Sophomore? At least wait until he graduates to add the disappointment tag to him. Unless you are referring to this past year, then maybe.

He was talking about the past year.

 

[military_irish]

I don't know why I do this to myself, but I'll pull myself through the coals with you, lol. I thought Harrison Smith was a big disappointment this year. So was his 40 time at the combine (which some thought would be 4.4 or lower).

Go ahead and add Gray, Shembo, and Flemming to my disappointment list, too.

He was talking about the past year.

I don't know how I missed the bold portion of his post. Thanks.

 

[Grahambo]

I don't know why I do this to myself, but I'll pull myself through the coals with you, lol. I thought Harrison Smith was a big disappointment this year. So was his 40 time at the combine (which some thought would be 4.4 or lower).

Go ahead and add Gray, Shembo, and Flemming to my disappointment list, too.

IMO, they weren't disappointments because I believe their development was stunted greatly under Weis which is no fault of their own.

Did I feel they would be better then they were? Yeah, but I also believe they didn't really begin to develop until after two years with BK. I strongly believe they would have performed much better if they had 4 years of BK.

Weis' performance was much worse then on the field because he not only was a terrible recruiter, he did not recruit depth nor did he adequately develop the talent that he did have.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

It's like the scientist that removes one of the frogs front legs and tells it to jump, and it breaks its four legged mark by three inches.

Then he removes his other front leg and it adds another three inches to its best. After the scientist removes its left rear leg, and tells it to jump, it adds another three inches to its best.

Finally the scientist removes the last leg and tells the frog to jump. Nothing. So the scientist writes in his journal, "Remove all four of a frog's legs, and it goes deaf."

 

[woolybug25]

I'm calling it now... Bellichek will grab Blanton late.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

I'm calling it now... Bellichek will grab Blanton late.

Mocks out there w Smith going to Pats w their 2nd pick in round 1.

 

[NDinFL]

Where was the playmaking thoughout his career at ND...tape doesn't lie. And of course you'll probably give the "Sun bowl" game (Jacory Harris, need I say more) but that is more of the exception, not the rule.

And I'm getting into another Hayseed argument that I told myself I wouldn't get into because it's pointless on these boards....

About as pointless as bashing ND players...

 

[military_irish]

About as pointless as bashing ND players...

It's not bashing, it's being a realist.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Mocks out there w Smith going to Pats w their 2nd pick in round 1.

Makes sense. The pats need a new FS cause James Idenigho struggles with his coverage play.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I'm calling it now... Bellichek will grab Blanton late.

Word

 

[military_irish]

Top Performers From Tuesday

Harrison Smith, Notre Dame, S

Smith has quietly emerged as the second-best safety (behind Alabama's Mark Barron) in the minds of many evaluators, and his solid showing at the combine will only enhance that opinion. Smith was smooth, fluid and polished in position drills. He was extremely efficient with his turns and transitions and displayed excellent range floating from the deep middle to the sideline. He showed adequate ball skills, hands and awareness in drills, and looks the part as a potential center fielder in the back end of the defense. With several teams looking for safeties capable of matching up with the freakish tight ends that are starting to dominate the league, Smith's exhibition of athleticism and quickness should cement his chances of coming off the board in Round 2.

 

[NDinFL]

Top Performers From Tuesday

But where does it show on his ND film??

 

[clashmore_mike]

"@bhardin2: #NotreDame 1 of 4 schools to have 2 players listed on Mel Kiper Jr.'s top 25 Big Board (Floyd No. 15, H. Smith No. 22) http://t.co/uvbFwVER"

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

@hansensouthbend: Interesting, #NotreDame's @BlantonRobert said on SportsBeat tonight that more teams are interested in him as a safety than a corner.

 

[Grahambo]

@hansensouthbend: Interesting, #NotreDame's @BlantonRobert said on SportsBeat tonight that more teams are interested in him as a safety than a corner.

Not the least bit shocked. I've been saying that for years.

I think he can have great success as a safety. Glad to hear it.

 

[OCIrish]

You guys put too much emphasis on BP. It seems most people here focus on BP by far the most when they go to the gym considering how seemingly everyone can BP 225 >10Xs.

I'd much prefer an OL with a solid base and strong core (read great lower body strength) and great balance to someone who can bench 225 20+Xs. An OL's job is keep their man in front of them or to drive them back or to a side. A strong foundation coupled with great balance will enable that far more than a great BP.

Think about it. Those with poor balance will whiff on blocks and get knocked out of a play more often regardless of their upper body strength. Lower body strength is what allow sOL to drive the defender back. You don't drive people back with your arms; you do it with your legs.

Not arguing your point on lower body strength, as it's just as important, however, the reason for the bench press, and one of an OL's first movement, is his punch. When an OL comes out of his stance, depending on run or pass blocking, he's getting his hands on the DL. With that movement, he's punching the DL, an OL ability to block is not just about technique, but how well he uses his power to perform that technique. For an OL, they've got to have a perfect balance of lower body and upper body strength as it is their total movement that depends on how well they preform their block on a given play. An OL lower body technique may be perfect, however, if he misses his "punch", his feet aren't gong to do him damned bit of good.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Not arguing your point on lower body strength, as it's just as important, however, the reason for the bench press, and one of an OL's first movement, is his punch. When an OL comes out of his stance, depending on run or pass blocking, he's getting his hands on the DL. With that movement, he's punching the DL, an OL ability to block is not just about technique, but how well he uses his power to perform that technique. For an OL, they've got to have a perfect balance of lower body and upper body strength as it is their total movement that depends on how well they preform their block on a given play. An OL lower body technique may be perfect, however, if he misses his "punch", his feet aren't gong to do him damned bit of good.

I do not believe that any upper body movement is controlled by the same muscles firing in the same way that they do in the bench press. I know in the past, I did not see the bench press or any exercise as a predictor of speed, power, or performance in any combat related activity. However, someone who did a wide range of weight training exercises, was typically faster and stronger than a person that did not. As for football, translate the position of the bench press into a man standing in a football positon. All strengthening is good, however the bench press is no predictor of the particular movements of any lineman. Just visualize it in your head.

 

[FLDomer]

Not arguing your point on lower body strength, as it's just as important, however, the reason for the bench press, and one of an OL's first movement, is his punch. When an OL comes out of his stance, depending on run or pass blocking, he's getting his hands on the DL. With that movement, he's punching the DL, an OL ability to block is not just about technique, but how well he uses his power to perform that technique. For an OL, they've got to have a perfect balance of lower body and upper body strength as it is their total movement that depends on how well they preform their block on a given play. An OL lower body technique may be perfect, however, if he misses his "punch", his feet aren't gong to do him damned bit of good.

Not really, your first movement is getting into you stance with a proper base so you dont get knocked on your a$$. ESPECIALLY in pass blocking, footwork, stance and over all core strength is more important than having the ability to throw up crazy BP #s. BP is important but core and leg is more important, but that is just my opinion and the opinion of my strength coach and o-line coach in college.

 

[North Buffalo Irish]

I just wanted to say that David Bruton was a very, very good player for the Irish and has been competent (at worst) in his time with Denver.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

You guys put too much emphasis on BP. It seems most people here focus on BP by far the most when they go to the gym considering how seemingly everyone can BP 225 >10Xs.

I'd much prefer an OL with a solid base and strong core (read great lower body strength) and great balance to someone who can bench 225 20+Xs. An OL's job is keep their man in front of them or to drive them back or to a side. A strong foundation coupled with great balance will enable that far more than a great BP.

Think about it. Those with poor balance will whiff on blocks and get knocked out of a play more often regardless of their upper body strength. Lower body strength is what allow sOL to drive the defender back. You don't drive people back with your arms; you do it with your legs

While I do agree that a ton of focus on power lifting makes you more of a well figured statue (which is fine), it is a good idea to develop a sort of hybrid work out of all the different philosophies.

I lift my chest twice a week. 1 day will mimic a power lifters. (chest is my favorite body part, no reason why I just enjoy lifting it) so I go for a lot of weight, and a lot of reps. the second day will be more core type works.

My back workout follows a total different philosophy with no power at all. Ill do:
80-100 pullups,
+25-30 weighted pullups with 45-90 lbs.
155 lbs 4x6 sets of deadlifts where i stand straight and pinch my shoulder blades together for 10 seconds.
35-50 reps of various rows.
3x15 fast clean and jerks with low weight
4x5 1 arm clean and jerks
shrugs on a balance ball.

then core stuff like weighted planks, turkish getups, barbell pivots..etc

 

[CanadalovesND]

how did this thread become everyone's private workout regime?

Half of you are either full of crap, overstating how strong you are, in hopes of being the dominant male. Or, the rest of you dont do anything for your physical fitness.

Cmon Man....

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I just have sex alot . . .
__________________

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I just have sex alot . . .
__________________

...with fit gentlemen?

 

[NDhoosier]

how did this thread become everyone's private workout regime?

Half of you are either full of crap, overstating how strong you are, in hopes of being the dominant male. Or, the rest of you dont do anything for your physical fitness.

Cmon Man....

some are, but some of us are collegiate athletes (or ex-collegiate athletes). Though, I really dont care what you think of us, we simply stated our opinion on the matter based off of our personal experience. If you dont believe we can lift what we say we lift, my world is not going to end. My job requires me to be in shape and I love working out.