Pro Days: Despite Jordan's absence, scouts flock to see Ducks
Despite the fact that potential top ten pick Dion Jordan was unable to participate at Oregon's Pro Day due to recent surgery to repair a torn labrum, scouts flocked to Eugene to watch a contigent of former Ducks show off their athleticism.
While the media and agents were not allowed into the workout, representatives of 27 NFL teams, including Kansas City Chiefs' general manager John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid were on hand for the workout. The Chiefs, of course, own the No. 1 overall pick of the 2013 draft.
The most highly regarded (and debated) prospect for Oregon, pass rusher Dion Jordan, was unable to work out today after undergoing surgery recently to repair a partially torn labrum. The 6-6, 248-pounder didn't have to work out anyway after a sparkling performance at the combine in which he ranked among the most impressive defensive linemen in the 40-yard dash (4.60-seconds), broad jump (10'02), short shuttle (4.35) and three-cone drills (7.02).
Due to the injury, Jordan didn't do anything Thursday, including work in the positional drills or even get measured, according to Gil Brandt of NFL.com.
While the Ducks' top prospect didn't work out, their most productive player in 2012 -- running back Kenjon Barner -- certainly did, shaving time off of his 40-yard dash and three-cone drill and catching every pass thrown to him during positional drills.
After timing at 4.52-seconds at 5-09, 196 pounds at the Combine, Barner was clocked as fast as 4.38-seconds in the 40-yard dash according to a high-ranking scout present at Thursday's workout. He was similarly impressive in the three-cone, going from 4.20-seconds in the drill in Indianapolis to 4.10 in Eugene, according to the scout.
As impressive as Barner was, Alonso's solid workout might have been even more critical to his draft grade as he had been unable to perform at either the Senior Bowl or combine due to his recovery from a wrist injury.
The 6-3 (1/4), 237-pound inside linebacker was clocked between 4.68-4.72 in the 40-yard dash. He registered a 30.5" vertical jump, 9'9" broad jump and was clocked at 4.18-seconds in the short-shuttle and 6.93-seconds in the three-cone drill. Alonso was particularly impressive in the linebacker drills, which were conducted by Jacksonville Jaguars' linebacker coach Mark Duffner. The linebacker coaches for the Arizona Cardinals (Matt Raich), Kansas City Chiefs (Gary Gibbs), and San Diego Chargers (Joe Barry) were also in attendance.
While Barner and Alonso appeared to be the stars of the show Thursday, offensive lineman Kyle Long and linebacker Michael Clay also appeared to help themselves with solid performances.
Long added three inches to the broad jump he'd had in Indianapolis, coming in at 9'02" Thursday but otherwise the son of Hall of Famer Howie and younger brother of former No. 2 overall pick, Chris, best demonstrated his upside during blocking drills.
Clay was not invited to the combine in large part due to his lack of height. The 5-11 (and 3/8), 230-pounder has excellent instincts and showed at least enough athleticism to warrant late-round consideration by clocking in the mid to high 4.7s in the 40-yard dash and showing great fluidity during positional drills.
Safety John Boyett, who missed virtually all of the 2012 season after undergoing surgery to repair partially torn patellar tendons in both knees, attended the workout but did not perform. He plans to work out for scouts on campus on April 10.
Among the teams present at the workout were the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
