Steelers' Mike Tomlin attends Darqueze Dennard's pro day

[LLT]

Steelers' Mike Tomlin attends Darqueze Dennard's pro day

Tuesday was a busy day around the league with the start of free agency, but not everybody was back at team headquarters trying to strike deals. Several front-office staffers made it out to Michigan State's pro day, where the star attraction was undoubtedly highly regarded cornerback Darqueze Dennard.

While nobody was surprised to see several Detroit Lions personnel make the short drive to East Lansing, the presence of a number of Pittsburgh Steelers decision makers raised more than a few eyebrows.

As the Detroit Free Press pointed out, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was on hand last year at the Spartans' pro day, and the team ended up drafting former MSU star Le'Veon Bell. In addition to Tomlin, general manager Kevin Colbert made it out to see Dennard.

Read More http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200...nnards-pro-day

[st33lersguy]

Draft him if he's available

[GBMelBlount]

With Mitchell and Dennard it would be a nice (and much needed) upgrade to our secondary.

I would be breathing much easier if round 1 panned out this way.

[Psycho Ward 86]

i saw in another thread that people thought gilbert had more upside but dennard was more pro ready, but im not so sure. Dennard may be the most physical CB in the draft this year, but he's also got to be the most overly grabby CB as well. Could do a whole lot better at turning around to track the ball too instead of drawing flags for pulling down receivers that arent even going to be able to catch the ball. Really doesnt look as impressive as his reputation would lead me to believe. I think both are equally pro ready/unready.

[LLT]

i saw in another thread that people thought gilbert had more upside but dennard was more pro ready, but im not so sure. Dennard may be the most physical CB in the draft this year, but he's also got to be the most overly grabby CB as well. Could do a whole lot better at turning around to track the ball too instead of drawing flags for pulling down receivers that arent even going to be able to catch the ball. Really doesnt look as impressive as his reputation would lead me to believe. I think both are equally pro ready/unready.

As I said in another thread...Watch the tape and see who gets turned around more often. Look to see who reacts quicker. My opinion....is that Gilbert is faster and more athletic, but Dennard is instinctive and quicker to adjust. I would take either of them and feel pretty good about our future, but with Dennard I see a player who could be our franchise defensive player in 4 years.

[Shoes]

Dang, think about it….we may actually pick some balls this season.

[LLT]

Dang, think about it….we may actually pick some balls this season.

Hey...watch the language!

[Shoes]

Hey...watch the language!

[Psycho Ward 86]

dennard had a 36 inch vertical and 11'2'' broad jump for anyone that cares. his broad jump would have been #1 among all cornerbacks at the combine if he had done it there.

http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index....ay_filled.html

[Steeldude]

dennard had a 36 inch vertical and 11'2'' broad jump for anyone that cares. his broad jump would have been #1 among all cornerbacks at the combine if he had done it there.

http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index....ay_filled.html

Pro days are known for being generous. Makes you wonder why he didn't perform these drills at the combine. Unless he was injured.

IMO, he isn't worth the 15th pick.

[GBMelBlount]

Pro days are known for being generous. Makes you wonder why he didn't perform these drills at the combine. Unless he was injured.

IMO, he isn't worth the 15th pick.

Is there a way to be "generous" on the broad & vertical jumps?

[Dwinsgames]

they where at Gilbert's pro day as well

[Hindes204]

I would take either if available. But I still say if Evans is there at 15, we gotta take him. Now that Sanders is gone we've got no receivers left aside from Brown.....I'm hoping Wheaton blows it up in his sophomore season, but who knows

[LLT]

Is there a way to be "generous" on the broad & vertical jumps?

no.

[Steeldude]

Is there a way to be "generous" on the broad & vertical jumps?

Yes. There are a set of rules the combine uses that pro days forego.

[LLT]

Yes. There are a set of rules the combine uses that pro days forego.

Maybe in something that is measured arbitrarily. But when the player walks away from the pit or the jump...there are a hundred cameras and witnesses looking at where he landed and which peg was moved on the verticle

[Steeldude]

Maybe in something that is measured arbitrarily. But when the player walks away from the pit or the jump...there are a hundred cameras and witnesses looking at where he landed and which peg was moved on the verticle

It depends on how they measured their reach for the vertical. Do they extend the shoulder up high or let it stay in its relaxed position? Does the player rock his feet before jumping? At the NFL combine the player must remain standing after performing his broad jump. On pro day it is not required.

From what I have read, the coaches/scouts don't take the pro day results as seriously as they do at the combine or individual workouts.