2009 NFL Scouting Combine Buzz: Day One

NFL Draft 101 is providing live coverage in the blog (11 a.m. - 2 p.m. daily) but we will also recap the day's biggest stories in article format as well.  Here is the day one buzz:

While the workouts today featured the offensive linemen and tight ends, the two biggest stories surrounded two players who were not able to work out (one of whom is a wide receiver):

- During his combine physical, it was discovered WR Michael Crabtree has a stress fracture in his left foot which will require surgery and 10 weeks to recover.  Here is Chief Scout Dan Wernery and my thoughts from the live blog:

Chris: No workouts for Crabtree is a scary proposition for a team drafting in the top 10. I think his saving grace is he is not known as a burner anyway and his route running can be viewed on tape.

Remember Jonathan Stewart had a similar type injury last year and it did not appear to affect his stock as much one would have expected.

Dan: I still feel Crabtree will not fall past Cincinnati or Oakland. Both owners/general managers are obsessed with big-name receivers. I feel Seattle will now look heavily at BJ Raji or Aaron Curry.

Update: Per Adam Shefter of NFL.com, Michael Crabtree will work out at his pro day March 26th prior to having surgery on his performed on the stress fracture in his left foot. This work out will include running the 40 twice.

- The other big story was regarding the status of Andre Smith.  First, he bowed out of the bench press because he said he was not prepared, then he followed it up today by leaving the combine.  Here is Dan and my thoughts from the live blog:

Chris: Big story to start the day, Andre Smith late to the workouts this morning. Mayock's story of the lift yesterday combined with his absence show a lack of maturity. I am baffled as to why he waited so long to sign an agent considering he was suspended from the bowl game for illegal contact with one. Not only is he not prepared physically, but he and his agent seem to have missed the boat on the mental side as well.

Dan: With Andre Smith's erratic behavior, I wouldn't be surprised if he fell into the 20's.

Offensive Line Quick Hits:

Winners:
- Jason Smith, Baylor - Finished in the top 10 in the bench press, ran a solid 40 (best of the top tackles) and showed excellent footwork in the drills.  His stock was on the rise entering the combine and has moved himself to the tackle class with his workout today.   This performance will have him slated No. 2 overall to St. Louis in numerous mocks this week.

- Jamon Meredith, South Carolina - A first day sleeper entering the day, Meredith showed he is arguably the most athletic tackle in the draft with a terrific under the radar workout.  He had the second-fastest 40 of the linemen (5.03), ranked in the top 10 in the bench press and showed good footwork in the drills. 

Look for him to draw interest from Philadelphia, Arizona, and Pittsburgh late in round one plus as a fallback option for team's drafting early in round 2 who don't draft a tackle in round one.

- Eben Britton, Arizona - Not a stellar day but showed enough athleticism including a 5.16 40 to avoid the dreaded "right tackle only" tag.

- Antoine Caldwell, Max Unger, Eric Wood - All had good all-around workouts.  In particular I think Wood may have helped himself the most because he is the strongest of the group and known as more of a mauler yet appeared to be as athletic as his competition.

- A.Q. Shipley, Penn State- Entering the combine it was widely considered to be a strong five-man class at the center position but with a good all-around workout Shipley may have turned it into a six-man class and he could challenge Jonathan Luigs for the 5th spot.

Losers

- Andre Smith, Alabama - Unprepared and lacked the maturity for a guy with millions of $$$ on the line. 

- Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas - Did not have a terrible day with a 40 and bench press in line with his competition but he appears a little stiff and his footwork is not in line with his competitors.

- Jason Watkins, Florida - Did not show the athleticism or strength needed for the tackle position in the NFL.

Tight End Quick Hits:

Winners:
- Jared Cook, South Carolina - Off the charts athleticism including the top 40 time (4.5) and vertical (40" best by 4") among tight ends.  Like Greg Olsen and Dustin Keller before him, Cook may have worked his way into the first round with the day's best workout at any position.  The biggest reason he was not more productive with the Gamecocks was the team's shoddy QB play.

-James Casey, Rice - Good all-around workout including a 4.7 40, 36" vertical (ranked 2nd), and 28 bench reps (led tight ends).   He may not be well-known coming out of Rice but he is one of the best all-around tight ends in this year's draft.

- Shawn Nelson, Southern Mississippi - Built on a great Senior Bowl week with an excellent all-around workout.  One of only two tight ends with a sub 4.6 40.  His willingness to block helps set him apart in a tight end class full of one dimensional receivers.

- Cameron Morrah, California- Entered the combine without a lot of publicity but his good workout will have teams going back to watch the tape of this raw underclassman with excellent measureables.   A sleeper with down the seam speed.

- Kory Sperry, Colorado State- Nice all around workout. A favorite of Draft101's Chief Scout Dan Wernery.

Losers
- Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State- No one expected Pettigrew to be a workout warrior but he needed to break 4.8 in the 40.  Zach Miller and John Carlson (both second-rounders) have taught us not to overrate the combine workout but Pettigrew's pedestrian workout could keep him out of the top 15-20.

- Chase Coffman, Missouri- The combine might not have played to his strengths but not working out will continue his slide down draft boards.  There are too many similar receiving tight ends with better measureables.

Join NFLDraft101.com throughout the weekend for live coverage of the workouts from 11 am - 2 pm Feb 21-24) at the Combine Live Blog.

Chris Maier is Senior Editor for NFLDraft101.com.  He can be reached at [e-mail].