Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Scouting Combine

DaCityKats

By DaCityKats,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

DaCityKats Newbie

DaCityKats

Posted
Posted

it is that time, this deserves a thread.lets discuss the combine here, and place news blurbs in here.

Alabama OG Chance Warmack performed 35 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press at the Combine.

He weighed in at 6-foot-2, 317 earlier in the week, and the impressiveness of Warmack's lofty bench-press total is enhanced by his vine-like, 34 3/4-inch arms. Warmack is attempting to stave off North Carolina's Jonathan Cooper as the 2013 draft's top-rated guard. Cooper did 35 reps, too, but has shorter arms.

Rice TE Vance McDonald performed 34 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press at the Scouting Combine.

McDonald was a beastly run blocker in the slot in Rice's spread offense, and his strength obviously translates to the weight room. He has long arms (34 3/8"), making the bench total even more impressive. At 6-foot-4 and 262 pounds, McDonald has an 84-inch wingspan and has drawn Jason Witten comparisons.

UNC G/C Jonathan Cooper hoisted 225 pounds 35 times on the Combine bench press.

Cooper has relatively short, 32-inch arms, although they aresuitable for an interior lineman. This is a very strong bench total for him. Work ethic is certainly not a concern, and Cooper is helping to dispel notions that strength might be after reporting to Indy at 312 pounds and showing well on the bench.

Kentucky OG Larry Warford performed 28 bench-press reps of 225 pounds at the Combine.

Warford, an old-school power blocker at 6-foot-3, 333, has short arms (31 7/8"). We expected slightly more reps, but 28 is by no means a poor number. Something in the teens or low twenties would have been concerning. Warford is a projected second-round pick. He's a mauling brawler in the running game.

Oklahoma LT Lane Johnson performed 28 bench reps of 225 pounds at the Combine.

It's a strong total for a guy with long 35-inch arms, and the 28 reps are one more than other top left tackle prospects Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher managed. Johnson is widely considered the No. 3 left tackle behind the aforementioned two. He's an athletic guy at 6-foot-6 and 303 pounds.

Tennessee Tech WR Da'Rick Rogers admitted at the Combine to three failed drug tests that got him kicked out of the University of Tennessee.

"I did it to myself," said a seemingly-truly contrite Rogers. "You have to accept responsibility for what you did and move forward. All I can do is come in, work hard and get my foot in the door." Rogers claims to have passed "10 drug tests" during his one season at Tennessee Tech. In terms of sheer on-field ability, he's arguably the most talented wideout in the 2013 NFL draft.

Tennessee WR Cordarrelle Patterson measured in at 6'1 and 7/8 inches and 216 pounds at the NFL Combine.

Although shorter than his listed measurements, there is nothing wrong with these numbers. Patterson is expected to light up workouts, but he does need to show comfort hands catching passes through the gauntlet. We like him as a smaller, less physically imposing version of Julio Jones.

West Virginia WR Stedman Bailey measured in at 5'10 and 1/4 inches and 193 pounds at the NFL Combine.

Bailey isn't going to wow in testing, but he consistently served as Geno Smith's safety net and thrived when targeted in the red zone. He reminds us a lot of Greg Jennings with his technical skill and ability to create that sliver of separation at the catch point

Tennessee WR Justin Hunter measured in at 6'4" and 196 pounds at the NFL Combine.

He also checked in with 9 3/8 inch hands and 33 2/8 inch arms. Hunter's medical checks will be important, but he showed more mental than physical limitations last season with a large number of drops

.

.

http://www.rotoworld...ws/nfl/football

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Squirrel Collaborator

Squirrel

Posted
Posted

You forgot the best one.

West Virginia WR Tavon Austin measured 5-foot-8 1/2 and 174 pounds at Friday's Scouting Combine weigh-in.

Austin's weigh-in is similar to Dexter McCluster's in 2010, when the Chiefs' second-rounder measured 5-foot-8 3/4, 172. Austin is more elusive and explosive in a short area than McCluster, and we're confident will be more successful in the pros. A blazing fast forty could solidify Austin as a first-round pick.

Also said he is the best draft pick in this years draft. Swag!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DaCityKats Newbie

DaCityKats

Posted
  • Author
Posted

USC WR Robert Woods measured 6-foot-0 3/8 and 201 pounds at Friday's NFL Combine weigh-in.

Woods was listed at 6-foot-1, 190 on USC's website. Although Woods has a pretty big name nationally, league evaluators view him as more of a slot receiver type with a Steve Smith (Giants) ceiling. He's a second- or third-round guy.

Baylor WR Terrance Williams measured 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds at Friday's NFL Combine weigh-in.

Williams is up seven pounds since the Senior Bowl, likely in an effort to show improved strength. He's being billed as a vertical threat only, lacking physicality and versatility to his game. Williams is a projected day-two pick.

Clemson WR DeAndre Hopkins measured 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine weigh-in.

He's actually nine pounds heavier than his college listing, which is a bit surprising for a wide receiver. Hopkins is not expected to run particularly fast regardless; his bread and butter is winning contested catches in traffic and running sharp, separation-creating routes. He's a top-50 prospect.

Cal WR Keenan Allen checked in 6-foot-2 and 206 pounds at Friday's NFL Scouting Combine weigh-in.

He's an inch shorter and ten pounds lighter than his college listing. Allen will not work out in Indianapolis because he's rehabbing a PCL tear in his left knee. More of a possession/run-after-catch receiver than vertical threat, Allen is hopeful of running a forty-yard dash sometime in earlyApril.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DaCityKats Newbie

DaCityKats

Posted
  • Author
Posted

more

Utah DT Star Lotulelei measured 6-foot-2 1/2 and 311 pounds at Saturday's NFL Combine weigh-in.

His college listing was 6-foot-4, 320. Lotulelei is billed in some circles as a nose tackle prospect, but his better position is three-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 and the weigh-in supports that. He's a projected top-ten pick

Georgia NT John Jenkins measured 6-foot-3 5/8 and 346 pounds at Saturday's NFL Combine weigh-in.

He's shed 13 pounds since the Senior Bowl after weighing 359 in Mobile. An obviously massive figure, Jenkins has drawn criticism from evaluators for taking plays off and being a "teddy bear." He's an early- to mid-round prospect.

Oregon DE/LB Dion Jordan measured 6-foot-6 1/4 and 248 pounds at Saturday's NFL Combine weigh-in.

He's put on roughly 20 pounds since the college season; Jordan admitted he got as light as 226 in 2012. We suspect Jordan has been putting on weight in an effort to show he's more of an at-the-line player as opposed to a 4-3 type linebacker who drifts back into space. As a fifth-year senior this past season, Jordan tallied 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles.

Ohio State DT Johnathan Hankins measured 6-foot-2 7/8 and 320 pounds at Saturday's NFL Combine weigh-in.

It's just a shade shy of Hankins' 6-foot-3, 322-pound listing by Ohio State. After totaling 14 tackles for loss and three sacks as a sophomore in 2011, Hankins' production plummeted to 5.0 TFLs and 1.0 sacks as a junior. He offers the talent of a first-round pick, but obviously has some questions to answer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • hepcat
      The NFL seems to be intent on killing the Panthers season this weekend, per the ref assignment

      By hepcat · Posted

      The referee assigned to this game is Shawn Smith. This is a critical data point for betting purposes because his crew has one of the most distinct, long-term statistical biases in the NFL. "Road Team" Bias: Historically, Shawn Smith is known as the "Road Team Referee." In a league where home teams usually win ~55% of the time, home teams in Smith's games have historically won at a rate far below league average (often hovering around 40-42%). Against The Spread (ATS): The trend is even starker here. Home teams have covered the spread at a rate of roughly 37-40% in his career. The Mechanism: Analysis shows his crew tends to call a higher rate of False Start and Unnecessary Roughness penalties on the Home Team. This negates the traditional home-field advantage (crowd noise causing false starts for the visitors). Impact on This Game: This specific assignment heavily favors the Buccaneers (Road Team). If you believe the referee influences the game, Smith's presence suggests the Panthers will struggle to get "home cooking" calls and may face untimely procedural flags that stall drives. The Panthers have only had Shawn Smith officiate four home games since he became a head referee in 2018, and they are all losses. Date Opponent Result Score Nov 24, 2024 vs. Kansas City Chiefs Loss 27–30 Oct 9, 2022 vs. San Francisco 49ers Loss 15–37 Dec 12, 2021 vs. Atlanta Falcons Loss 21–29 Nov 25, 2018 vs. Seattle Seahawks Loss 27–30 Considering the how rare it is for Shawn Smith to officiate a Panthers game at all, this seems like an odd time to assign him to a Panthers game, unless the NFL wants to kill the Panthers season once and for all.  The Panthers' offensive line situation creates a "perfect storm" for referee Shawn Smith's specific tendency to call False Starts on the home team. The "Carousel" Factor (Communication Vulnerability) The most damning stat for the Panthers' offensive line in 2025 is their lack of continuity. The Stat: By Week 13, the Panthers had already fielded their 10th different offensive line combination. The Impact: False starts are often "communication penalties"—they happen when a guard doesn't hear the center's snap count or a tackle anticipates the wrong cadence. A unit that hasn't played together struggles with non-verbal communication. The Shawn Smith Multiplier: Shawn Smith’s crew calls False Starts at a high rate on home teams. He will likely look for flinches on the exterior of the line. A disjointed line that is constantly rotating players (due to the injuries of starters like Cade Mays and the illness issues with Robert Hunt earlier this season) is "fresh meat" for this specific referee bias. The Specific Culprits (2025 Penalties) Ikem Ekwonu (LT): Leads the team with 4 False Start penalties this season. He is the most frequent violator on the line. Taylor Moton (RT): Has been flagged for 3 False Starts. The Trap: Smith’s crew often focuses on the tackles (the players furthest from the ball) jumping early to get an edge on speed rushers. Since Ekwonu struggles with this discipline naturally, having a referee who hunts for it is a massive disadvantage. The "Managed Outcome" Synthesis The "Bucs Cover" Script: If the desired outcome is a Buccaneers win to solidify their playoff standing, the officials simply have to apply the letter of the law. Calling strict False Starts on a confused, banged-up Panthers O-line will consistently put them in "3rd and Long" situations, killing their drives and allowing the Bucs (-3.5) to cover easily. The "Close Game" Script: If the desired outcome is "Week 18 Drama" (keeping the division tied), look for the officials to ignore the Panthers' twitchy tackles. If Ekwonu jumps a split-second early and no flag is thrown, it effectively neutralizes the Bucs' pass rush, allowing the Panthers to keep the score close. Summary of the Edge Vulnerability: Extreme. The Panthers are playing backup interior linemen (like Jake Curhan or practice squad call-ups) next to jumpy tackles. Betting Implication: This strongly reinforces the Bucs -3 or -3.5 play. The combination of a "Road Team Referee" and a "Home Team O-Line in chaos" suggests the Panthers will beat themselves with procedural penalties. Based on the collision of the hard data (Referee bias + Offensive Line injuries) and the soft narratives ("Managed Outcomes"), here is the definitive recommendation. If you have to place a single Moneyline bet to win this game straight up: The Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-165) While the "Entertainment Script" hints at a Panthers upset to keep the division messy, the structural disadvantage the Panthers face in this specific matchup is too massive to ignore. Here is why the Buccaneers are the stong moneyline play: 1. The "Shawn Smith" Road-Field Advantage This is the decisive factor. In the NFL, Home Field Advantage usually accounts for about 1.5 to 2 points of value. The Reality: Referee Shawn Smith negates that advantage entirely. His crew calls penalties in a way that historically suppresses home crowd momentum (False Starts, holding). The Result: You are essentially getting the Buccaneers on a neutral field (or even a "pseudo-home" field) against a team with a worse roster. 2. The "Drive-Killer" Synergy To win as an underdog, the Panthers need to play a clean, mistake-free game to keep drives alive. The combination of Panthers' 10th O-Line combo + Jump-prone Tackles (Ekwonu) + A Referee who hunts False Starts is a recipe for disaster. The Scenario: Expect the Panthers to face multiple "1st and 15" or "3rd and 12" situations due to procedural flags. These drive-killers will force them to punt or settle for field goals, while the Bucs' offense (led by Mayfield) stays on schedule. 3. The "TV Product" Counter-Argument You asked about the "Managed Outcome." While a Panthers win creates "chaos," the NFL also values Star Power in the playoffs. Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers are a proven national TV draw with recent playoff history. If the league has to choose between "Chaos" (Panthers) and "Ratings/Legitimacy" (Bucs), the "Script" likely leans toward ensuring the Buccaneers—the more marketable team—secure the division lead. They won't "fix" the game against the Panthers, but they won't intervene to save them from their own penalties. Final Verdict Betting on the Panthers requires you to hope for a miracle 4th-quarter collapse. Betting on the Buccaneers requires you to trust that a superior roster—aided by a favorable officiating crew—will control the game for the first 45 minutes. Take the Buccaneers Moneyline. The "Safe" money is on the Ref. The Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Win and Cover Projected Score: Buccaneers 27, Panthers 17 The Bet: Buccaneers -3 (or Moneyline -165) Confidence Level: High on the Winner; Moderate on the Spread (due to potential "garbage time" variance).
    • kungfoodude
      If you can only fire ONE person before 2026....

      By kungfoodude · Posted

      He isn't a good HC. I think he has proved that conclusively.
    • kungfoodude
      Panthers Leaders in Missed Tackles

      By kungfoodude · Posted

      The missed tackle percentage is on that screen cap.
×
×
  • Create New...