NFL Combine Results 2012: Reviewing San Francisco 49ers' 4 Biggest Takeaways

Scanning the modern media tea leaves from the NFL Combine, which consists of blog accounts, news reports, team website postings and various print and web articles, it is safe to say that General Manager Trent Baalke and Coach Jim Harbaugh are in typical form.

 That means they are very good at giving very little indication of what catches their eyes in Indianapolis. And in that vein it is my opinion that the Combine ends up presenting more questions than answers when it comes to who the 49ers might consider drafting come April 26-28.

 In last year’s draft, they hid their hand pretty well when it came to making their first selection, Aldon Smith of Missouri at No. 7. He worked out well. Then they moved up in the second round to take Colin Kaepernick, who seems slated to be a starting quarterback these days. Then came four more key players and/or contributors over the next five selections. It ranks as the best draft class of the NFL in 2011.

 And in listening to podcasts of press conferences last week held by Baalke and Harbaugh, two things came clear. First, Baalke is a big believer in film review followed by face-to-face interviews and then some on-field workouts. It’s all about finding players who fit in. Second, Harbaugh remains committed to Alex Smith.

 And on that note, here’s the 49ers' 4 Biggest Scouting Combine Takeaways.

Receiverville

In looking over some of the 40 types of the receivers in Indy, some immediate thoughts pop in my mind:

First, who is Devon Wylie and why haven’t I heard of this Fresno St. receiver who ran a 4.39?

Second, Chris Owusu of Stanford at 4.36 is too much to believe. Harbaugh loves Stanford guys. Owusu proved he’s way fast. The 49ers need more speed out wide. But anyone who watched Owusu get rocked three times last season has to wonder, can he hold up?

 Then there are the following times: Michael Floyd of Notre Dame (pictured), 4.47; Dwight Jones of North Carolina, 4.55; Marvin Jones of California, 4.46; Mohamed Sanu of Rutgers, 4.67; Tommy Streeter of Miami, 4.4; Nick Toon of Wisconsin, 4.54.

 To which I say: Sanu, goodbye. Too slow. D. Jones, same. M. Jones—damn, you did too good. Baalke was hoping you’d be there in Round 3, now you’re definitely a second-rounder. Tommy Streeter is 6’6” and had a great year for Miami last year, and yet you have to wonder if he can catch. A great specimen to be sure. Nick Toon, yeah, OK.

 This is what most likely will happen: The above players will be invited to workout in Santa Clara. Baalke will ask someone like Chris Culliver, the 49ers nickel corner, to come to the workout. Baalke will line up the receivers and see how they do in press coverage against an NFL cornerback. Can they escape? Then, can they catch?

 And if I had to go on a gut move right now, I’d say come April 26 the Niners would bundle some picks and take Michael Floyd around No. 20. That is if they haven’t already signed a free agent.

Receiverville, Take 2

Of course, there was this story in the SF Chronicle earlier this week, about Coby Fleener.

In short, Fleener is another one of Harbaugh’s Stanford guys and is working his way up the ladder in Indy. Imagine that. The New York Giants, drafting at No. 32, need a tight end (theirs got hurt in the Super Bowl), so you can imagine.

Again, at 6’6” and with good speed, Fleener is a matchup nightmare for defensive coordinators—too fast for linebackers, too big for corners and safeties. He has good hands. He’s smart.

Thus, here’s a very viable option for the Niners: sign Steve Johnson of the Bills to a free agent deal, and then do everything you can to draft Fleener late in the first round.

Shutdown Time

Here's an interesting post on the 49ers team website that mentioned the press conference of Trumaine Johnson, the 6’2” 200-plus corner out of Montana.

I have always noted that Johnson is an attractive candidate, in that he has the size and seems to have the intelligence that would appeal to the 49ers, who want a strong corner who can battle the likes of Larry Fitzgerald one-on-one.

And since they’re drafting so late, there’s no chance they’ll get to Morris Claiborne of LSU or any of the other top-three CBs in the draft. So, there’s Johnson, and to me he didn’t disappoint in talking to the combine media.

From the blog post:

"

“Also on Johnson’s side is the unique collegiate environment he played in the Big Sky.

‘Playing in Montana,’ Johnson said, ‘I’ll play in any weather.’

Johnson believes he’s a shut-down, boundary corner, who can come up and play the run with his physical brand of play.

‘I like tackling,’ he said. ‘I’m tough… can fill gaps.’

Johnson, however, hasn’t met with the 49ers. ‘Yet,’ he said.

"

Forget Wow

When you hear about some amazing athletic feat at Lucas Oil Stadium, such as nose tackle Marcus Poe of Memphis running a 4-blur fast 40 and lifting two Chevrolets while talking with the press, remember this: It ain’t football.

Contrarian Comment No. 1: Since football is practiced and played in helmet and pads, why not have the players work out in helmet and pads? Anyone? Anyone?

Blur fast 40 times and weight-lifting miracles worthy of Olympic gold medals do not make All-Pro players. So, as Baalke and Harbaugh proved last year, the Combine makes for interesting theater, but more work will be done in the film room and over the interview table.

That's the future 49ers get their start.