Smith, Kruger and others like pro day showings
Several of Utah's football stars, technically now former players, put themselves on display for more than 25-plus representatives from NFL teams Monday.
The most notable person in the crowd watching the players was Carolina Panthers GM Marty Hurney. Could there be another Ute headed for the Panthers? It could happen, particularly if Carolina makes some moves for a better draft position and Sean Smith is available. Course, the other possibility is that Paul Kruger could be there in the second/third rounds as many mock drafts have him.
Most of the other reps in attendance were area scouts who clocked, measured and judged the players for several hours. Among the onlookers were some former Utes, including Eric Weddle and Martail Burnett.
Both Smith and Kruger were happy with their showings. Smith ran a 4.43 in the 40 and Kruger was at a 4.8. Both said they were more comfortable Monday, as opposed to their experience at the combine.
"It's the same kind of atmosphere so I knew what to expect," Smith said. "I tried to help some of the other guys understand what we are going through."
Smith described his time training in Florida as "all work, a little play." He's down from his Utah playing weight of 214 to 209 and expects he'll go as a corner, not a safety.
"After the combine, that's what they're saying, that they're considering me a corner first," he said.
Kruger was happy with his performance and will stay in Utah until the draft, except when he is on the road for interviews and workouts. He has a visit with the Bills scheduled and is talking to Miami.
"I'm glad this part is over," he said. "There is a lot of pressure."
The other notable performance of the day was by corner Brice McCain, who ran a 4.24. With that kind of speed a team might take a chance on McCain.
Quarterback Brian Johnson, who has been working out in Park City along with Freddie Brown, Robert Conley and Bradon Godfrey, among others, threw for scouts with the goal of showing he could throw the long ball well.
Johnson knows he is an underdog, once again.
"I'm hoping to land on a team, but I know it's a grind and something I have to fight for," he said. "I have to prove myself."
Brown ran a 4.57 and was overall happy with his day.
"I think the training we did at altitude helped a lot," he said.
The player who had the worst day was defender Greg Newman, who injured his left hamstring warming up for the 40. He was obviously upset, but maybe he did enough in the earlier tests to entice a team to give him a good look.
Up next is spring practice, starting tomorrow. Hard to believe it's time for spring practice with the blizzard we're currently having!
The most notable person in the crowd watching the players was Carolina Panthers GM Marty Hurney. Could there be another Ute headed for the Panthers? It could happen, particularly if Carolina makes some moves for a better draft position and Sean Smith is available. Course, the other possibility is that Paul Kruger could be there in the second/third rounds as many mock drafts have him.
Most of the other reps in attendance were area scouts who clocked, measured and judged the players for several hours. Among the onlookers were some former Utes, including Eric Weddle and Martail Burnett.
Both Smith and Kruger were happy with their showings. Smith ran a 4.43 in the 40 and Kruger was at a 4.8. Both said they were more comfortable Monday, as opposed to their experience at the combine.
"It's the same kind of atmosphere so I knew what to expect," Smith said. "I tried to help some of the other guys understand what we are going through."
Smith described his time training in Florida as "all work, a little play." He's down from his Utah playing weight of 214 to 209 and expects he'll go as a corner, not a safety.
"After the combine, that's what they're saying, that they're considering me a corner first," he said.
Kruger was happy with his performance and will stay in Utah until the draft, except when he is on the road for interviews and workouts. He has a visit with the Bills scheduled and is talking to Miami.
"I'm glad this part is over," he said. "There is a lot of pressure."
The other notable performance of the day was by corner Brice McCain, who ran a 4.24. With that kind of speed a team might take a chance on McCain.
Quarterback Brian Johnson, who has been working out in Park City along with Freddie Brown, Robert Conley and Bradon Godfrey, among others, threw for scouts with the goal of showing he could throw the long ball well.
Johnson knows he is an underdog, once again.
"I'm hoping to land on a team, but I know it's a grind and something I have to fight for," he said. "I have to prove myself."
Brown ran a 4.57 and was overall happy with his day.
"I think the training we did at altitude helped a lot," he said.
The player who had the worst day was defender Greg Newman, who injured his left hamstring warming up for the 40. He was obviously upset, but maybe he did enough in the earlier tests to entice a team to give him a good look.
Up next is spring practice, starting tomorrow. Hard to believe it's time for spring practice with the blizzard we're currently having!
3:34 PM
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