A Wonderlic Time in the Neighborhood
Time for our usual check-in on assorted Cal prospects heading into the NFL draft, courtesy of Todd McShay at ESPN.com:
“Restricted free-agent RB Michael Turner (Chargers) has become a hot commodity recently for teams in need of running back help. Turner has visited Tennessee, and he reportedly remains a viable option for the Bills, as well. From a draft standpoint, the increased interest in Turner makes sense considering the recent whispers that several teams have cooled on Cal RB Marshawn Lynch.
“There’s no question Lynch possesses the natural physical tools of a first-rounder. However, as the draft nears there seem to be growing reservations about his durability and maturity. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound early entry never carried the full workload while at Cal, splitting carries with J.J. Arrington early in his career and Justin Forsett the past two seasons. Lynch also battled a nagging back injury in 2006 (he missed the second half versus Oregon), and there seem to be mixed reports regarding its potential to flare up in the future.
“Sources from two different teams also have indicated they aren’t completely comfortable with his makeup. Aside from general worries about his immaturity, there are some questions lingering about a reported off-field incident with an ex-girlfriend. Lynch was accused of sexually assaulting his former girlfriend, who claimed she was choked, slapped and assaulted Dec. 13 in Oakland. The woman was granted a restraining order against Lynch in January, but Lynch was never arrested or charged. Prosecutors cited a lack of evidence and inconsistencies in the woman’s story as factors in the decision not to press charges.
“When it’s all said and done, Lynch should still come off the board in the first round. However, there are very few teams still in the market for a running back following a frenzy of free-agent and trade action this offseason. The Bills are very much in the market, but I’m convinced pick No. 12 overall is too high to reach for Lynch. The Titans want to bring in a veteran to complement last year’s second-round pick, LenDale White, and it would be surprising if the team spent another high draft pick on a running back in 2007. So, if Lynch gets past the Packers at No. 16, he could slip to the bottom third of the first round, where a team like the Eagles (No. 26 overall) could take advantage of his misfortune.”
Pardon me if I blame the victim here, but it’s amazing that Marshawn’s ex suddenly accuses him of sexual assault right as he’s about to declare for the NFL draft. Amazing! And that there were no charges! What are the odds!
Anyway, who knows why Lynch’s stock is falling, but if he happens to be there at 26 when the Eagles are on the board, I’m going to fall out of my seat at the draft and thank the Almighty. That’s right, I’m going to the draft. Two days of pure, unadulterated torture. A once in a lifetime experience - of boredom. But there’s no way I could live with myself, and call myself a true fan, if I didn’t go to the NFL draft when it’s only 20 minutes away for me to do so. So I’m going to have to do it.
As far as the Wonderlic, also from that same article…
“The official results of the Wonderlic test, which was administered at the combine, have been made available. Although there’s no Vince Young-gate to report, there are some interesting scores, nonetheless. A year ago, five players (Syracuse DE Kader Drame, Alabama ILB Freddie Roach, Louisville DT Montavious Stanley, NC State TE T.J. Williams and Oklahoma CB Chijioke Onyenegecha) tied for the worst score (8). The dubious distinction in 2007 goes to Auburn CB David Irons and Weber State S Bo Smith, who each scored 4 out of 50 on the test. The highest score in this year’s class was a 41 (Texas G Justin Blalock), and only eight of the 326 players who took the test (at least once) scored a 10 or lower.
Here’s a look at the best and worst from this year’s Wonderlic results:
Best 10 scores
1. Justin Blalock, G, Texas (41)
2. Anthony Pudewell, TE, Nevada (39)
3. Kody Bliss, PK, Auburn (38)
T-4. Jon Cornish, RB, Kansas (37)
T-4. Brandon Harrison, S, Stanford (37)
T-6. Scott Chandler, TE, Iowa (36)
T-6. Daniel Sepulveda, PT, Baylor (36)
T-6. Jared Zabransky, QB, Boise State (36)
9. Jordan Kent, WR, Oregon (35)
10. John Beck, QB, BYU (34)
Worst 10 scores
T-1. David Irons, CB, Auburn (4)
T-1. Bo Smith, S, Weber State (4)
3. Earl Everett, OLB, Florida (5)
T-4. James Jones, WR, San Jose State (9)
T-4. Turk McBride, DT, Tennessee (9)
T-4. Julius Wilson, OT, UAB (9)
T-7. Brandon Mebane, DT, Cal (10)
T-7. Matt Trannon, WR, Michigan State (10)
T-9. Baraka Atkins, DE, Miami (11)
T-9. Alonzo Coleman, RB, Hampton (11)”
Are you ****ing serious?!?!?! FOUR? They should make those guys go to remedial elementary school. And as for Brandon Mebane…maybe he should have spent some more time taking advantage of his free Cal education. But he’s still our hero.
