Observations from the Combie posted by Amari Harris
Okay, so I’m not reallyat the 28th annual NFL scouting combine but it sure feels like I am. With the great live coverage of the event on NFL.com as well as the NFL network, I feel like a real pro scout. I’ve also been very impressed with my ability to predict the unofficial 40 times of the athletes as they cross the finish line, but that is neither here nor there. You want to know what can really be taken away from this year’s pre-draft extravaganza, don’t you? Well let me give you my take on a few of the happenings over the last few days.
Day 1
The star of this group was OT Bruce Campbell from Maryland. He was considered a first rounder prior to the combine, but his physical attributes and athleticism definitely improved his stock. Unlike most offensive lineman, he doesn’t look like a bag of doughnuts (no offense big boys) and he has the figure of someone who descended from Mt. Olympus. He did 34 reps in the bench press and ran a blazing 4.85 in the 40 yard dash. By comparison, the oft talked about Myron Rolle out of Florida State ran a 4.70 and he plays safety!
The only question about Big Bruce is his lack of dominance on the collegiate level. He didn’t allow a sack last season, but I supposed he just didn’t jump off the page as the dominant tackle in the draft. He does look a little stiff in pass protection, but you could do much worse in today’s NFL. He seems like a stronger, faster version of Flozel Adams, and for all intents and purposes he may end up being Adams’ replacement in Dallas. But with the showing that he put on at the combine I’d be surprised to see him drop out of the top 20.
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With both teams out of the playoffs and nursing plenty of injuries, today's NFC North meeting between the Bears and Lions won't be aesthetically pleasing. Regardless, I'll tell you what to watch for at Ford Field. Get your Gameday Preview on! (6-9) Chicago Bears at(2-13) Detroit Lions The Lions won't have first overall pick Matthew Stafford on the field after his recent knee surgery, so Daunte Culpepper will start under center. He's nowhere near the talent he used to be, but he will be fired up and looking to impress the other 31 teams in the league. Without a consistent running game though, he'll have a hard time fooling the Bears' defense. (I hope anyway.) Marred by injuries (Charles Tillman and Israel Idonije out, Danieal Manning doubtful), Lovie Smith's defense will need to fill their gaps and avoid giving up big plays. If they can, it shouldn't be difficult keeping the lowly Lions under 17 points. Calvin Johnson will get 100 yards in receiving today. Take that to the bank. That should be more than low enough. Jay Cutler and the offense should have no trouble tearing apart the second-worst defense (worst pass defense) in the NFL. Matt Forte should get a ton of carries and a rare 100-yard game to end the regular season. Johnny Knox is doubtful with his ankle injury from last week, but Devin Hester will return to the field in his absence. Devin Aromashodu is going to see plenty of balls his way in the season finale. Odds: Chicago is favored by 3.5 on the road. Prediction: The Bears 



