Hey guys this is from ESPN Insider just posting for all to see..Im not sure who has INSIDER and who does not..If you want a certain article let me know and I will post it.. The individual workouts finally begin this weekend. The offensive linemen and the first group of running backs taking center stage on Saturday, followed by the quarterbacks, wide receivers and the second group of running backs on Sunday. Check back on Monday morning for my review of the highlights and lowlights of those workouts. In the meantime, here's a brief update of some of the pertinent combine storylines coming out of Indianapolis the past three days: There seems to be more uneasiness than usual among NFL brass at this year's combine. The most obvious reason is the unsettled state of the collective bargaining agreement, which is garnering a great deal of attention from front office members and coaches who would prefer to focus solely on free agency and the draft at this point of the year. The other issue creating anxiety for some, and excitement for others, is the unusual unrest around the league at the quarterback position. With the futures of so many experienced starting quarterbacks up in the air, including Daunte Culpepper (Vikings), Drew Brees (Chargers), Chad Pennington (Jets), Aaron Brooks (Saints), Joey Harrington (Lions) and Kerry Collins (Raiders), it seems the majority of the NFL is in the market for a quarterback via free agency and/or the draft. Finally, while I'm on record as saying that USC's Matt Leinart and Texas' Vince Young should not throw during Sunday's individual workout, their respective decisions not to workout have added to the apparent restlessness at this year's combine. Missing in Action Far more perplexing is the report that Clemson QB Charlie Whitehurst plans on skipping at least part, if not all, of Sunday's workout for quarterbacks. For top prospects such as Leinart and Young, there is more to lose than gain from participating in the throwing portion of the quarterback workout. However, a second-tier prospect like Whitehurst should take advantage of every possible opportunity to showcase his skills in front of NFL decision makers. He will never have another opportunity to throw in front of as many general managers, personnel directors, scouts and coaches. Furthermore, much like Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler, who plans on participating in the full workout, Whitehurst's biggest strength is his arm. He's one of the most polished passers in this year's draft, which should make this setting even more inviting for Whitehurst. If Whitehurst is healthy enough to participate but chooses to sit out anyway, he will be making a huge mistake. There are rumors circulating that Oregon WR Demetrius Williams will opt out of the 40-yard dash portion of his workout, which would also be a mistake on his part. One of Williams' best assets is his speed, making it that much more important for him to showcase himself on the new and reportedly faster surface inside the RCA Dome. Even if Williams fails to run his best time this week, it sets a bar for him to exceed when he runs during Oregon's first Pro Day (March 9). Instead, he is giving NFL scouts reason to question his competitiveness, which is something Williams cannot afford as a fringe first-day prospect. Niners Strike Gold Perhaps the most important news coming from the combine on Friday was San Francisco's coin-flip victory over Oakland, giving the 49ers the sixth overall selection in the upcoming draft. Making the coin flip that much more important is the possibility that both teams are targeting the same prospects. The first five picks likely will be used on offensive players -- RB Reggie Bush (USC), Leinart, Young, OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson (Virginia) and Cutler -- meaning the 49ers should have their choice of the top defensive prospects in this year's class, including OLB A.J. Hawk (Ohio State) and DE Mario Williams (N.C. State). Team Effort Another intriguing development coming out of this year's combine is the apparent establishment of an informal "Pro-Day Combine". Depending on who you talk to, there are anywhere from 24-to-27 teams that have agreed to split up the responsibility of covering 150-plus Pro Days. These various Pro Days take place across the country during what typically is a five-week period that begins a couple days after the Indianapolis combine and ends in early April. With this arrangement, the participating teams can cut down on the absurd costs and time commitment it takes to cover this portion of the draft process. While the idea is intriguing, it should be noted that dishonesty is a major concern, as a scout very easily could misrepresent test scores and workout results for the betterment of his respective team. Does Size Matter? Bush checked in at 5-foot-11, 201 pounds during Wednesday's weigh-in session. He is actually taller than many scouts expected, but it is a bit surprising that he was unable to improve his bulk, especially considering he will not work out. Conversely, UCLA RB Maurice Drew looks thicker and stronger than anticipated at 207 pounds, but at 5-foot-6, he is even shorter than expected. Smaller backs are in vogue in today's NFL, but few shorter than 5-foot-7 have made it as fulltime ball-carriers at the next level. Regardless, Drew still projects as a Day 1 pick, thanks to his exceptional versatility as a shifty change-of-pace runner, receiver and return specialist. As a side note, Drew is not the shortest running back at the combine this year. That honor goes to Nebraska RB Cory Ross, who checked in at 5-foot-6 and weighed just 201 pounds. Ross, Bush, Wisconsin's Brian Calhoun, Washington State's Jerome Harrison and Florida State's Leon Washington were all tied for the lightest running back in this year's group at 201 pounds. Colorado's Jeremy Bloom (173 pounds), who is fresh off the slopes of Torino, Italy, as a member of the U.S. Olympic Ski Team, is the lightest wide receiver at this year's combine. Grambling State QB Bruce Eugene (260 pounds), a late-round developmental prospect, is the heaviest quarterback in this year's crop. There are actually rumors that Eugene has taken off approximately 15 pounds from his playing weight as a senior. News and Notes From the too-little-too-late department, agent Drew Rosenhaus is seemingly attempting to get back into the good graces of general managers and coaches by announcing that all of his clients, including Miami-Fla. OT Eric Winston, will fully participate in this year's combine. Among the 25 quarterbacks in attendance at this year's combine, six (Penn State's Michael Robinson, Texas A&M's Reggie McNeal, Georgia's D.J. Shockley, Virginia Tech's Marcus Vick, Missouri's Brad Smith and Texas State's Barrick Nealy) are scheduled to work out at one or more other positions. One of the biggest knocks on Ferguson has been his inability to add bulk to his frame. However, Ferguson might have eased all fears by showing up to the combine at 312 pounds, which is 15 pounds heavier than he weighed a month ago at the Senior Bowl. If Ferguson shows similar agility with the added weight during Saturday's workouts, he'll solidify a spot in the top five. Arm length is always an important measurement for offensive linemen, as it is crucial to reach defenders quickly and maintain separation. With that in mind, it will only help Miami-Fla. OT Rashad Butler (36 inches), New Mexico OT Terrence Pennington (36 inches), Oklahoma OG Davin Joseph (35 inches), and Florida OC Mike Degory (34 inches), who were measured with the longest arms at their respective positions. The 2005 NFL scouting combine was marred by a few prospects who were tardy or absent, most notably Virginia DE Chris Canty (fourth-round pick of the Cowboys in '05), who showed up two days late because an eye injury he suffered in a bar-brawl prevented him from flying from Arizona to Indiana. There have been no such problems through the first three days of this year's event, as all 233 expected participants have arrived on time. Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN Insider.
