Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith didn’t perform well at his Pro Day workout today in front of the entire league after creating a stir by leaving the NFL scouting combine early last month. One league source told us: "He bombed."
According to NFL.com, Smith was not "overly impressive." His top 40-yard dash time was 5.28 seconds and he bench pressed 225 pounds just 19 times.
According to our league source, Smith ran with no shirt on and was visibly overweight. With a group of trainers urging him on to run faster, Smith had a generally rough day.
That quote comes directly from the highly-respected Pro Football Talk, expounding upon an earlier report on one of the staff blogs at NFL.com.
In other words, to put it mildly, Andre bombed at the Alabama Pro Day. It's hard to even know what to say at this point, other than Smith's draft stock has dropped so far it's almost like it just jumped out of an airplane cruising at 30,000 feet with no parachute. There are a lot of rumblings that he might even fall out of the first round. I know it's not too surprising, I suppose, given his complete lack of conditioning just a few weeks back at the NFL Combine, but the totality of events is still hard to believe.
No word yet on how other Alabama players performed. We'll have more on them when it becomes available.
Email
PrintComments
More on Smith...
PFT has another report up on Smith, and it honestly sounds worst than the first.
Interestingly enough, many of the local outlets seem to think his workout went okay, but the more pro football centered outlets seem to think it was an unmitigated disaster. I hope the local guys have it right for Andre’s sake, but you cannot help but wonder if it’s just the local spin.
by outsidethesidelines on Mar 11, 2009 3:47 PM CDT reply actions
I have
read mixed reviews. It is kinda sad to know if he would have just performed well at the combine and his proday he would have been a sure fire top 5. The money he pissed away is enough for me to never work again.
Auburn fans are like slinkys... not really good for anything but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
on the other hand...
he just became a bargain pickup for some team that is willing to put the effort into developing him.
Just read your tagline troy145
‘Cause I’m strongly considering changing mine. Not that mine isn’t any good by any stretch of the imagination, because, “Shouldn’t you be off voguing?” is just sublime. But read below and you’ll see. OTS is at his best, and I don’t wanna lose sight of that fact.
But I digress. So, after reading YOUR tagline: here’s what Shaquille O’Neal says this to the Orlando Sentinel when asked what he thinks of Dwight Howard this year, “Everything he’s done, I’ve invented. So, I’m not impressed.”
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Mar 11, 2009 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions
I would love that
Somebody needs to be up there protecting Cassel (assuming he pans out, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it) especially with the loss of Brian Waters, and slowly losing to retirement over the past few years what has been regarded as one of the best lines in the pro game.
by TennesseeTide on Mar 11, 2009 11:48 PM CDT up reply actions
What do you think Andre would give
Right now to go back to Dec. 6, play harder against UF, not that it would have made a difference. Stop the Unc from talking to the scouts, and came back for another year under Coach Saban’s watchful eye
"The game demonstrated the superiority of the Southern teams over any aggregation that the damn yankees could send across the Mason and Dixon Line." Sports writer Charles Israel of the Philadelphia Bulletin after the Tide's 61-6 win over Syracuse in the 1953 Orange Bowl.
I don't know
I’ll admit, I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed- and 75% of you guys here have a far higher football acumen than me. But I’ve seen so many games (thank you Tivo) where Andre just flat out manhandled his 4 and 5 star opposition. So he didn’t do well, and hasn’t been doing too well since . . . .let’s not remember those days leading up to the Sugar Bowl- aight. But anyway, where does he project now? Has he completely fallen out of the 1st and into the 2nd round? No way he’s fallen that far in the draft.
He’s not THAT much of a project. He’s got a very high ceiling still. It’s my contention that he’s still a Top 5 OL.
Then again, he’s my 3rd favorite college football player of last season, so I’m BIASED LIKE THAT.
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
Thanks kleph
That’s more like it. Especially the part where it said something to the effect that any team that has a chance on him would be a mistake to look past him. Alright, alright. And that he’d be a Pro Bowler for years to come.
I really really want to see him do well. He made me so happy last year because ‘Bama did so well. Every weekend- at least on Sundays, he helped to put a BIGASS smile on my face. My mama’s too! (she’s got Andre’s jersey. she’s also got JP’s???? what woman doesn’t?)
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Mar 11, 2009 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions
I see...
I see the raw numbers that McNair quotes are the exact same ones that are being reported everywhere else, and the same ones I compared to the Combine numbers. It just seems like McNair is taking much of the results to be good, when in fact they are nothing near it.
I know there are differences in surfaces that must be taken into account, but when you cannot even get within a mile of the average performances at the Combine, that ought to tell you something. It’s not like we decided to ship in a ton of quick sand into the Hank Crisp Facility to arbitrarily slow the times, and if anything, from what I’ve read in the past, the turf there is generally considered a pretty quick surface.
by outsidethesidelines on Mar 11, 2009 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Just looking at the raw numbers...
… and it looks pretty dang bad when you compare it to the “top performers” of the NFL Combine a couple of weeks back. Just to hit the high points…
- Even if you take the best of his 40 times, 5.22, that ties him for 10th of the top performers at the NFL Combine.
- He only did 19 repetitions on on the 225 pound bench press, a number far below what we saw at the combine. Even the 13th placed guy there did 30 reps.
- His vertical jump of 25 inches is quite low. Even the 12th best performer at the NFL Combine did 30.5 inches.
- His distance in the broad jump was 7 feet, 10 inches. Even the 11th best performer at the Combine did 8 feet, 9 inches (incidentally Antoine Caldwell led the linemen in this category at the Combine)
- His time of 7.88 in the three cone drill would not have been very good at the Combine. There, even the 10th placed lineman ran a 7.62, almost three tenths faster.
Again, just looking at the raw numbers, this one looks really bad. There are some semi-positive reports coming out from some circles, but frankly just about every trusted NFL source I’ve read on the subject seem to all agree that his workout was basically a disaster.
He’s still going to get drafted relatively high, somewhere, and he clearly still has the potential to be an elite player. However, there’s just no way you can completely flop on the last three months like he has and not see a massive drop in his draft status. If he could just get in the first round, period, at this point, I think you have to be pretty happy.
by outsidethesidelines on Mar 11, 2009 4:47 PM CDT reply actions
Just thought I'd put this out there
It’s from John Berkowitz- today- at UW Dawg Pound (another quality SB Nation blog)
Here is what you are looking for in 40 times
These are the NFL combine averages since 2005 on 40 times by position.
Quarterbacks: 4.87
Tailbacks: 4.56
Wide Receivers: 4.57
Tight Ends: 4.78
Offensive Line: 5.18
Defensive Ends: 4.88
Defensive Tackles: 5.19
Inside Linebacker: 4.76
Outside Linebacker: 4.74
Cornerbacks: 4.47
Free Safety: 4.57
Strong Safety: 4.54
Taking a look at it, Andre’s time are “average” and maybe, just maybe- there have been some serious “flyers” this particular year. Or, no?
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
This morning,
Todd McShay projected Andre to Oakland (pick number 8?). I’d be interested to see if he changed his mind after the Pro Day. Anyone know?
Well...
First and foremost, I think it should be pointed out that McShay is generally considered a joke in draft and scout circles. This was the same guy that, at this point a year ago, was touting Andre Woodson as a late first round draft pick (he went in the sixth). He’s basically the epitome of a typical ESPN talking head, so I wouldn’t put any weight in what he says.
However, that said, the Raiders are really Smith’s only chance at staying in the top ten. They obviously have no problem with character guys, and they need a left tackle. That’s basically his only hope right now, but again that’s probably an unlikely scenario at this point
We’ll just have to see how far he fails. No one doubts that Andre has the raw talent, or that he could be a superstar if he dedicates himself properly (if anything, people seem convinced of that, even his critics). Obviously, though, he’s going to fall a pretty good ways just because he is such a big character risk at this point. He’s going to fall a ways, but the further he falls the lower the risks are of him being a bust and hurting your organization. Basically as you move down the draft board, the risk goes down and the potential reward goes up, and there will be a point at which he becomes a smart pick, character issues and all.
The question is just how low is that? The general consensus is that it’s not going to be in the top ten, probably not even the Raiders, so where from there? Does that mean he falls to 15th to the Texans? 26th to the Ravens? The early second round? Only time will tell.
I do find the Ravens an interesting possibility, if he falls that far. The Ravens could use a left tackle, and Ozzie is found of former Alabama players. Plus, he could use his contacts to get a better read on Andre from internal program sources than any other GM in the NFL.
by outsidethesidelines on Mar 11, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions
That is a great response OTS
And I sincerely hope he falls to the Ravens. I’m a huge Raider fan, but remember Robert Gallery? That hot-shot OL from a few years back. You don’t hear his name much anymore and there’s a reason for that. He went to the Raiders.
I want Andre to do well, and if it’s such that he does well or better NOT in a Raider uniform. Than that’s exactly what I want for him.
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Mar 11, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Also
What’s been talked about with all my Raider brethren, is considering Rey Maualuga’s stock severely plummeted during the NFL Combine, those that sport the Silver and Black WANT Rey-Rey.
He has Raider written all over him. And if San De Lame-o (San Diego) picks him with the 16th pick- there are gonna be a lot of pissed off Raider fans. Pissed off isn’t even the word for it. There is no word for it, really.
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Mar 11, 2009 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions
One more thought...
I say that Andre’s only real hope is the Raiders, but I think I’m probably being a bit too concrete in that point.
In reality, regardless of the consensus surrounding you, all it takes is one team to pick you, and admittedly this draft does have a ton of teams all looking for tackles. Now I think it’s pretty clear that, rationally speaking, Andre is way too big of a risk to take with the huge money that comes with a top ten pick, and hence you could say it would be a "dumb" decision. However, let’s not be ridiculous here, there are a lot of dumb teams in the NFL, particularly those routinely drafting high, and again all it takes is one. Andre shouldn’t go that high, but there are players who go higher than they should every year, and Andre might be one of those guys.
Admittedly, though, the odds are probably still long that he sticks in the top ten.
Where it gets interesting when you get outside the top ten. The Redskins are a possibility at #13, because they need a right tackle ASAP and Samuels is getting old at left tackle. The Texans need a left tackle at #15. The Eagles are an interesting possibility at #23, especially considering they might turn Andre into a guard like they did with Andrews a few years back. The Vikings are also a good possibility at #25, they need a right tackle and perhaps a left tackle depending on how some character issues they have with Bryant McKinnie works out. Aside from that, the only team really left late in the first round that could probably take would be the Ravens at #26.
If Andre falls into the early 20’s, then you could really see some interesting action with teams trading up to get him. I mentioned all of those teams near the top of the draft that need a tackle, and if you see a couple of those pass on a tackle the first time around, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them trade back up into the late first round to get Andre. Say, for example, the Bengals take Orakpo #6 overall, and then trade their second round pick (plus a couple of more picks) to, say, the Patriots for the #23 pick so they can get Andre.
One more possibility is the Lions. Don’t forget that because of the Roy Williams trade, they have another first round selection, the second one coming at #20 overall. Most think they will take Stafford #1 overall, but they still need a left tackle, and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see them go after Andre at #20 if he is still around.
by outsidethesidelines on Mar 11, 2009 5:39 PM CDT reply actions
How much money do you think. . .
. . .it’ll cost a team if they pick Andre in the 1st round? I really don’t know, that’s why I’m asking.
Keep in mind that Oakland (McAfee) Stadium hasn’t had a complete game sell-out since they arrived back from Lost Angeles (not a typo). Al Davis is thinking numbers, bodies, and not necessarily championships. He wants marquee player names (the Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper debacles) to fill the stadium. Our family bought those retarded PSL’s (personal seat licenses) only to find out they’re about as valuable as Enron stock.
The less Al puts in (or more, depending on his mood. the man is SENILE) and the better it looks on the balance sheets- the better. We’re not going after Lombardi’s anymore (I hate to admit that), we’re going after financial dividends. Al Davis wishes he was Donald Sterling these days (owner of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team. This guy makes profit and lotsa do from other teams in the “revenue-sharing” year after year. Sterling knows how to make a lot of money off crappy teams)
I’m jaded. I have to be. I’ve been a Raider fan since I can speak Kenny “The Snake” Stabler’s name.
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Mar 11, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Depends...
It just all depends on where he gets taken. If you take him #1 overall, you are probably looking at 35 million guaranteed, plus incentives. The #31 overall pick last year, Kenny Phillips to the Giants, got about 6 million dollars guaranteed. You can fill in the blanks between then, but I will say that the first few picks are disproportionately more expensive than the rest, so if you can get past 8th or 9th overall or so, you really start seeing some very steep declines in money.
And you have my sympathies as a Raiders fan. I wouldn’t wish that shit on my worst enemy.
by outsidethesidelines on Mar 11, 2009 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions
I hear that all the time
But I still thank you. At least it’s something. (you should hear Broncos fans. last year they couldn’t talk shit, and besides- we always played them straight up and came out on the win side more than was expected) But I’m gonna have to hear it from two of my best buddies at next year’s game vs. the Broncos. And that’s GONNA HURT!
Thanks again OTS. You’re all heart.
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Mar 11, 2009 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm still. . . .
. . . .laughing my ass off. Good one!
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Mar 11, 2009 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions
This is gonna be my next tagline:
“And you have my sympathies as a Raiders fan. I wouldn’t wish that shit on my worst enemy.” the highly esteemed, outsidethesidlines, at roll bama roll
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Mar 11, 2009 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions
NFL Network...
… if you put it on there, they have extensive coverage of his workout, with plenty of video.
It’s easy to see that he is way out of shape. Just being honest, with his shirt off you can see he has a pretty big gut and plenty of man-boobs to boot. Oddly enough, he actually looks pretty slim, relatively speaking, he’s just really flabby.
The good news, though, is that Andre said he’s still going to keep working hard and doing the private workouts. He has apparently made some nice strides in the past couple of weeks, and if he’ll keep that up and put on a good private workout for a team like the Raiders or the Bengals, there is still an opportunity to make up some lost ground. It’s not over yet, and Andre does have the potential to be as good as he wants to be, so we’ll just have to see how he reacts over the next month or so.
by outsidethesidelines on Mar 11, 2009 5:56 PM CDT reply actions
Caldwell and Wilson...
Antoine Caldwell drew a bunch of rave reviews from Mike Mayock on NFL Network, and to a lesser extent John Parker Wilson did as well.
It’s nice to see those guys doing well.
by outsidethesidelines on Mar 11, 2009 6:00 PM CDT reply actions
I just can't believe Andre has blown this
so badly. I have to think he was in better shape last year at Bama. It seemed to me he was both strong and quick. Not looking at any numbers but I can not say I saw him do anything but beat his man and the guys he played against weren’t high school players. However, at his size I’m sure he could get out of shape fast. But, how do you let that happen when you must know it will cost you 20+ million dollars?
JPW has taken the opposite route and imporved himself with hard work. He should now at least get drafted and that will equal a nice pay check for him. It really is hard to believe JPW may one be under center in the NFL—good for him.
I hate the NCAA more than UT & AU combined. At least with UT & AU you got a fighting chance.
“But, how do you let that happen when you must know it will cost you 20+ million dollars?”
Ever been 22 before? This kid has had high-caliber baby sitters since he was 17 . . . this was really his first chance to prove that he’s an adult. Like most folks, he didn’t quite live up to expectations.
Also? $20 million is an absurd number. It doesn’t MEAN anything to people because most people have never seen anything like that. I vaguely recall seeing a study that was done where they found out that something like losing $500 was more motivational than $5000 to most people because they could actually relate to what $500 was better.
Anyway… point is… he’s still going to be filthy rich.
I
was 22 not too long ago. And if I knew then what I knew now, I’d do 90% of it differently.
"All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity." - Gordie Howe
I read those comments in the SF Chronicle article
And I wonder, “Do those guys even go to the games? Are they season ticket holders like me?”
I can see Oher, and Crabtree- but not one mention of Maualuga? Everyone I know in the Silver and Black Club want Rey-Rey. Not because Maualuga is the best LB, but because IS A RAIDER. He just doesn’t know it yet.
And I’m not entirely sold on Rey-Rey myself. OL and DL help the Raider’s need. Gallery is still not performing up to snuff. But I know Tom Cable is NOT into “projects” and unfortunately, since Andre got booted from the Sugar Bowl, there’s nothing anyone can see that would determine that Andre is anything but.
I don’t see Andre as a project myself, but the environment and atmosphere that is “The Raiders” is a ton of hype, hope, and attitude. Those are the last things Andre needs. He needs coaching that will hone his skills at protection, he definitely doesn’t need any polishing in finishing his blocks downfield. The pro-game is fast, Andre’s footwork is sound. It’s his strength that has me worried. Guys coming at him with insane technique and quick hands/feet will make him trip over himself. Andre going forward is A MONSTER!
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Mar 12, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Does anyone remember...
the real reason Andre came out early? Rumors of the salary cap. It would cost him millions to stay another year at Bama. Yeah, he will really have to worry about that now.
well...
those rumors of the salary cap were squashed by goodell himself. the collective bargaining agreement hasn’t been reached yet and won’t take place until 2010 at the earliest.
So
how did JPW, Caldwell and Johnson do?
"All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity." - Gordie Howe
If being good at football
was based on one’s physique and performance on a set of exercises, Mr. Olympia and his body-building friends would be the best football players the world has ever seen.
Point blank, Andre Smith is a physical player. That means nothing to a lot of guys, but some players hit harder than others. Some are scared to bring it. Andre Smith is not.
MATRIX: Bennett, I thought you were--
BENNETT: Dead? You thought wrong. Ever since you had me thrown out of the unit, I've been waiting to pay you back. Do you know what today is, Matrix? Payday.
I personally thought . . .
The indispensable lineman on your team last year was Antoine Caldwell. Without him occupying the center I wondered how amazing Andre would have been.
Here’s hoping he puts his head on, starts working out, and goes into some pro camp in shape and eager to contribute. I hope he succeeds, I hope every kid with a dream like that succeeds.
well said MBM
2008 Iron Bowl Bumper Sticker: Shut DOWN, Shut OUT, now SHUT UP!
Alabama 36 - Auburn 0
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
