About Andre Smith, and the Rams' #2 pick overall

So the NFL combine got underway in ernest last Thursday. Conspicuous by his absense was the Left Tackle of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Andre Smith. He pulled a no-show. They called his name inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis... several times... over the bullhorn... and the PA... They got no response. Later, Smith made contact with several folks associated with the combine and NFL network. He simply said he was not in shape for the combine and was not going to participate.

He blew it big time. It should be noted that the NFL combine is now 28 years old. The first one was held in 1981. Since that time, only 4 men have been drafted in the first round who did not test at the combine. How many men have been drafted in the 1st round since that time 28 to 32 times 28? For the sake of simplicity lets call the number 812. If we take this figure at face value Andre Smith now has a 0.4% chance of being drafted in the first round. How many of those 4 guys just pulled a hardcore no-show? I can't answer that question. I don't know.

Let's make one thing clear: Smith will still be a 1st round draft pick, but he is going to drop down the bord. I think he is likely to be the 5th man selected in the first round who pulled a no-show. However, he's looking at a slot below #10, perhaps the 16th or 17th pick overall. Believe it or not, there is a big difference #2 and #17; Several million dollars worth of difference. So Andre just lost a couple of million bucks.

Much to my dismay, Smith was on course to be the #2 pick overall in the entire draft. My Rams were planning to take him. I don't know why, but I just never had a good feeling about this kid. Not to worry, according to Jamie Dukes, the Rams are not going to be drafting Andre Smith. It sounded to me like he had hard information. Maybe he talked with Spagnolo, who is at the combine. It should be noted that Dukes is one of the finest commentators on the NFL network, and he is a former Offensive Lineman from the Falcons. Dukes was quite plain about the fact that Andre Smith just blew the biggest job interview of his life. Mike Mayock, the best NFL talent scout period, totally agreed with him.

Incidentally, Mike Mayock finally issued his verdict on Smith. Mayock says Smith is the 16th most tallented player, and the #3 ranked tackle in this years draft. I was nodding my head in approval when I heard Mayock say this. I had a similar notion, although I would rank him a little lower. Mayock was keeping his mouth shut until after the combine. He wanted to give Smith the benefit of the doubt. If Smith had a great workout, Mayock would have upped his ranking. Smith pulled a no-show, so Mayock let it rip. Let this be a lesson to you little kiddies out there: Not everybody believes you are predestined to be the best of the best. Some people have doubts about you. The NFL Scoutting combine is your last chance to convice the doubters. You should take advantage.

Mayock's statement would tend to indicate that this is a draft rich in tackles. Thank God for my Rams.

There were many guys who impressed me during the combine drills. Chief among them were two guys: Terrance Taylor of Michigan and Eric Wood of Louisville. Taylor was the only guy to impress me in the Bench Press, and he is clearly built like Mecha Godzilla. He is highly reminicant of Larry Allen, the former all pro of the Dallas Cowboys and the 49ers. Taylor is short defensive tackle at 6'0", but he would make an excellent nose guard. Best of all, he is going to be cheap. I would take Taylor in heart beat. Eric Wood will probably be around at the top of the second round, when the Rams draft #34. I would take him there. So the question is this: What do we do with the #2 pick in the draft? I still say trade it to the Giants, but if we must use the pick, get Eugene Monroe of Virgina. This is the guy who used to block Chris Long during college practice. Let's get those two back together again.

What about more Offensive Linemen? Two won't get it done. How about Garret Reynolds of North Carolina? He's the Nephew of Tennesse Linebacker Jack Hacksaw Reynolds who was our guy back in the late 70's. Jack was our middle linebacker in Super Bowl XIV against the Steelers. He went on to play for the 49ers in Super Bowl XVI and XVIII.

Another guy I want to draft is Alex Mack of UC Berkeley. Mack made a similar mistake to Andre Smith by skipping the Combine, however, he did give early notice. First round centers are scarce these days. First round centers who skip the combine? Forget it. He will be around at the bottom of the second or top of the 3rd. If I get a crack at him I'll take him.