University of Alabama Pro Day Results- 3/16/06

[Clash of the Titans 1]

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By Christopher Walsh

Sports Writer

March 16, 2006

 

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TUSCALOOSA | Former University of Alabama cornerback Anthony Madison knew that he pretty much had only one chance to prove he could play in the National Football League. Despite a sore hamstring, he made good on his chance Wednesday afternoon.

 

With Alabama hosting 42 scouts from all 32 NFL teams for its annual Pro Day workouts, showcasing former standouts who are eligible for next month’s draft, Madison showed the kind of speed that’s impossible to ignore by running the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds.

 

“Thank the Lord," Madison said. “Put that in all caps."

 

Had Madison run that at last month’s combine, he would have posted the fifth-fastest time among cornerbacks. However, primarily because of his size (5-foot-9, 180 pounds), Madison wasn’t invited despite being Alabama’s best cover man.

 

He also scored 38½ inches in the vertical jump, 10-foot-4 in the broad jump, bench-pressed 225 pounds 14 times and appeared to do well in his position drills. Madison was so determined that scouts had to make him stop when it became apparent his hamstring was bothering him.

 

“A lot of people were talking about my height and weight, but I know I can play football," Madison said. “I came here, had a lot of doubters, kept my faith and continued to work hard."

 

Wednesday gave players both another opportunity to shed various concerns (durability, speed, injuries, etc.) and improve on their previous numbers.

 

For example, linebacker DeMeco Ryans, who will likely be a first-round selection, wanted to break the 4.60 mark in the 40. According to some scouts, he did, at 4.59.

 

“Home field advantage," Ryans said. “That’s what I was shooting for."

 

“My 40 time went down," middle linebacker Freddie Roach said. “I’m not exactly sure what it was, but they just told me it was a lot better, so that was a good thing. I moved pretty well. It felt good moving around. I’m just excited"

 

Safety Charlie Peprah saw his times improve too after working with Joe Gentry, who has also been Shaun Alexander’s speed, agility and quickness coach since he was preparing for the 2000 draft. Scouts timed Peprah between 4.37 and 4.49 seconds.

 

“I know it’s somewhere around 4.4," Peprah said. “So I accomplished what I set out to do."

 

But not everyone was looking to beat their personal bests. Defensive end Mark Anderson decided to let his scores stand from the combine, which were so impressive that he’s now a strong candidate to be selected in the first three rounds.

 

“I just dropped a couple of balls today, that was it," Anderson said. “I have to work on my hands."

 

Quarterback Brodie Croyle threw for scouts, but did not participate in any other drills. After coming through all previous workouts, and physicals, with flying colors, he’s projected by many to be a second-round pick.

 

“If you don’t throw, it seems you’re trying to hide something," Croyle said. “Now it’s just getting to know you. Hopefully I pass the personality exam."

 

Also participating were safety Roman Harper, defensive tackle Rudy Griffin, fullback Vic Horn, linebacker Juke King, long-snapper Drew Lane and kicker Ryan Saxby. Horn pulled a hamstring on his second attempt at the 40, and King had similar trouble later on.

 

Lane is considered one of the top prospects at his position along with Jeff Mullins of Marshall, Landon Schrage of Iowa State and Gavin Tarquinio of Georgia Teach. Lane (6-2, 200) is the smallest of the four, but might be the most dependable.

 

“I’m trying to get my face out and show what I can do," said Lane, who’s giving himself a four-year window to land an NFL job. “Five or six teams are in the market, so I’m trying keep my options open."

 

For many, the session ended what Harper referred to as “the longest job interview you’ll ever have," considering he’s been going through workouts since the Senior Bowl in January. Some may be invited to participate in individual workout by specific teams, but otherwise the players are done until the April 29-30 draft.

 

Similar workouts were held Wednesday at Alabama A&M, Arkansas, Bethune-Cookman, Boston College, BYU, Central Michigan, Florida A&M, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Nevada, Northwood (Mich.), Oregon State, Saginaw Valley State (Mich.), South Carolina, Southern, Stanford, Temple, Tennessee, UCLA, Western Carolina, and at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

 

“It’s been an experience," Anderson said. “Every day has been east, sleep, football. That’s all I’ve been doing. It’s been a lot of work.

 

“I’m going to the beach and then take a deep breath," Peprah said. “After that, it’s a grind."

 

Reach Christopher Walsh at christopher.walsh@tuscaloosanews.com or at (205) 722-0196.

 

 

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[SigEp316 0]

[Clash of the Titans 1]

 

6-3...things are back to normal

 

92-79 in hoops- 7 in a row now

 

vanderbilt...bwahahahahahahaha

 

5-6 in football