It wasn't the dominant workout some anticipated, but LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey remains in consideration for the No. 1 overall pick after the Tigers' dro day on Wednesday. He participated in the full workout, and LSU team doctors tried to quell concerns regarding and old injury and a reported recent surgery.
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| OK, so Glenn Dorsey isn't a workout warrior. NFL personnel are putting more faith in what they see in his game films. (Getty Images) |
That was enough for three teams, including one with a top five selection, to tell NFLDraftScout.com they are confident enough in Dorsey's health to select him if he is available when it is their turn.
However, most teams are still waiting for the results of a medical review on the tibia April 4-5 in Indianapolis, when about a dozen players will be re-checked. The re-check will be attended by medical staff representing at least 30 teams.
At the NFL Scouting Combine in February, at least two NFL team doctors told NFLDraftScout.com that Dorsey's old injury had been red-flagged for a re-check.
Dorsey also confirmed he took painkillers before each game last year and wore a bone stimulator in the spring of 2007 for as much as 18 hours a day. Although he also insisted he was completely healed, he acknowledged doctors examined him for nine hours one day at the combine and that he was told a re-check might be scheduled.
"Yes, I took painkillers, and yes, I wore the stim through the summer," Dorsey told NFLDraftScout.com at the combine. "But I played the whole season. I will take whatever tests the doctors ask, but I am telling you I am ready to go."
Dorsey, winner of the Outland, Lombardi, Nagurski, and Lott trophies, needs only to prove his health to cement his status as a top five pick.
However, he wasn't dominant in his workout Wednesday.
Scouts in attendance noted he never touched the lines during the three-cone and short shuttle drills, forcing scouts to run him through the drills numerous times. His times (7.63 in the three cone, 4.95 in the short shuttle) were solid, but unspectacular. So, too, were his efforts in the bench press (27 reps), broad jump (8'4"), vertical jump (25.5 inches) and 40-yard dash (5.14).
The mediocre workout results should have no impact on Dorsey's final draft status. Anyone who watched Dorsey play throughout his illustrious LSU career knows of his ability. In answering questions about his health, however, Dorsey might have provided bigger news Wednesday than any time, jump or drill performance from any workout all year long -- and in the process re-emerged as a legitimate candidate to go first overall.
The Dolphins, owners of the No. 1 overall pick, followed their trend of not sending executive vice president Bill Parcells, general manager Jeff Ireland or head coach Tony Sparano to the workout. Miami did have a contingent of scouts and position coaches at the LSU pro day, however. They might have attended mainly to see Dorsey, but performances from others also had scouts talking.
• Linebacker Ali Highsmith needed a strong performance in Baton Rouge after a horrific showing at the combine. The 6-foot, 230-pound linebacker, known for his speed and instincts on the field, didn't show much athleticism in Indianapolis, with his fastest 40-yard dash being timed in 4.95 seconds. At LSU, however, Highsmith was timed in the low 4.7s, and demonstrated the quick feet that had earned him high praise as a pass defender throughout his career.
• The results weren't quite as positive for LSU's top offensive prospect. Wide receiver Early Doucet showed the quick feet and sure hands to earn raves from scouts during positional drills, but his lack of top-flight athleticism showed up in his 40-yard dash. Doucet, timed at 4.54 seconds at the combine in the 40, struggled in Baton Rouge, turning in times ranging from 4.59-4.69 in three attempts.
• Two underrated LSU prospects took advantage of the all of the attention to post strong performances of their own. Safety Craig Steltz -- often characterized as a 6-2, 213-pound try-hard player with limited athleticism -- impressed scouts with 40 times ranging from the high 4.5s to mid 4.6s. Scouts were surprised to see Steltz (35 inches) outleap Doucet (34.5) in the vertical jump -- a test designed to show explosiveness. Quarterback Matt Flynn was also impressive. Unable to throw at the combine due to the shoulder injury that limited him throughout the end of the season, Flynn proved the strength and accuracy of his arm Wednesday. In doing so, he solidified his place as a quality developmental prospect likely available in the late rounds.
Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange. Publisher Frank Cooney contributed to this report.