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So I've been sitting on these links for a couple of days, just letting them compile and compile. But now that the trickle has stopped (or at least, it had until Steve Elkington hopped onto Twitter yesterday morning), let's read about how Missouri did at the NFL Combine. These are presented in semi-chronological order, with help from David Morrison's prolific, indispensable Twitter account.
Sam
Basically, Michael Sam's week played out as expected. He aced the interview as we knew he would. He looked stiff in speed drills, as we knew he would. And somebody shot their mouths off, like we knew they would. He didn't improve his stock, but since we he was already an assumed mid-round pick at best, I can't imagine he hurt his stock much either.
(As for the mouth-shooting, I don't really have anything prescient to say. Steve Elkington and Random Lobbyist Guy kind of spoke for themselves.)
Must Reads
Must Reads
KC Star: MU’s Michael Sam talks to reporters at NFL combine
KC Star: Missouri’s Michael Sam is eager for focus to be on football
Shutdown Corner: Missouri’s Michael Sam stands tall in meeting NFL media at scouting combine
Shutdown Corner: Michael Sam faced a barrage of questions … and many of them were awful
Shutdown Corner: NFL draft: Mizzou teammate says Michael Sam is ‘the toughest guy I know’
Shutdown Corner: Missouri’s Michael Sam stands tall in meeting NFL media at scouting combine
Sports on Earth (Mike Tanier): Michael Sam fights the NFL status quo at the combine
PowerMizzou: Combine Video: Michael Sam
Post-Dispatch (Bernie): One day, Michael Sam won't be a story
The Missourian: The rundown of the runaround: Michael Sam's senior season sacks
KC Star: Mizzou’s Sam gets put to the test at NFL Combine
NFL.com: What we learned: Takeaways from Monday at NFL combine
NFL.com: Missouri defensive end Michael Sam: 'Everyone has seen me as Michael Sam the player'
NFL.com (Mayock): Michael Sam is 'explosive' but can't be a linebacker
NFL.com: I am Michael Sam
NFL.com: How will combine struggles affect Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam?
NFL.com: Ozzie Newsome: Michael Sam issue tougher for media than NFL
Shutdown Corner: Golfer Steve Elkington jokes about NFL prospect Michael Sam throwing a handbag
Michael Sam runs an unofficial 4.79 on his first run https://t.co/tH8rn6Rg4z
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) February 24, 2014
Michael Sam's got a whole zen thing going on with his 40 build-up: deep breath, hands stretched out, slides them up to ready, then go.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 24, 2014
Michael Sam's looking pretty good on this drill where the linemen beat the crud out of two bags and turn a corner.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 24, 2014
According to the NFL Network's online broadcast, Michael Sam's official 40 time was 4.91 seconds. That is...less than ideal.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 24, 2014
http://t.co/Se5gmktrpL's Daniel Jeremiah mentions Detroit, Pittsburgh, Arizona and Philadelphia as "fits" for Michael Sam.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 24, 2014
3rd & 6 late in the 4th quarter and you need a stop! Can't measure that at the combine. And that's exactly what Mike Sam is, a GAMER!!
— L'Damian Washington® (@Fe_Verdadera2) February 24, 2014
Jack Burkman is going to need a Delorian, not some bogus bill, if he wants to prevent gay athletes from being in the locker room
— Michael Sam (@MikeSamFootball) February 25, 2014
Wow. RT @elkpga: ESPN reporting Michael Sam is leading the handbag throw at NFL combine.... No one else expected to throw today
— Rock M Nation (@rockmnation) February 25, 2014
Oh. Well that makes total sense. RT @elkpga: @shanebacon I'm for Sam I'm against ESPN telling me he's gay....
— Rock M Nation (@rockmnation) February 25, 2014
Ealy
It's funny to think about how running around some cones can make you a top-10 pick, but it's safe to say Kony Ealy did just that. And he basically aced the interviews exactly like Sam did.
PowerMizzou: Combine Video: Kony Ealy
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Monday Combine Recap: Ealy masters the cones
KC Star: MU’s Ealy another Tiger drawing attention at NFL Combine
NFL.com: University of Missouri defensive end Kony Ealy runs the 40-yard dash
The poise and personality shown by the back-to-back Tigers was nothing but good PR for Mizzou.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) February 22, 2014
#MizzouMade RT @Drew_Kent Kony Ealy with the fastest 3 cone drill amongst d lineman at the combine. Top 10 pick here he comes.
— Rock M Nation (@rockmnation) February 24, 2014
Kony Ealy did 22 bench-press reps and Michael Sam did 17. Ealy tied for 30th among 50 defensive linemen, Sam tied for 47th.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 23, 2014
Kony Ealy had the fastest time of 36 defensive linemen tested in the three-cone drill (6.83 seconds). Measures quick change of direction.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 24, 2014
That time ties Ealy in 19th out of all combine participants measured so far, keeping company with QBs, RBs and WRs.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 24, 2014
I guess you could say Ealy was very..."Cone-y?"...in that drill? #athankyou #illbehereallweek #tipyourwaiters #enjoyshanana
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 24, 2014
Josey
I get the impression that every NFL scout just assumed Henry Josey was wrecked for good after the knee injury and didn't pay attention to anything he did during the season. People seemed surprised when he blazed through the 40-meter dash .. as if he hadn't just spent a good portion of the 2013 season outrunning people. Regardless, I feel more confident about him getting drafted than I did a week ago.
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Sunday Combine Recap: Josey burns up the 40; Lucas and Washington get mixed results
Post-Dispatch: Mizzou's Josey helps his cause at NFL combine
While you wait on Henry Josey's 40, know that he posted a 34.5-in. vertical jump and a 118-in. broad jump. Both were mid to back of the pack
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 23, 2014
Henry Josey with an unofficial 4.40 on his first 40. Remember, official times have been a few hundredths slower. But still, very good time.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 23, 2014
Henry Josey's official 40 time is 4.43 seconds, 3rd among 33 running backs timed.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 23, 2014
Lucas and Washington
Marcus Lucas did better in the speed department than I expected, but I'm still under the assumption that he goes undrafted. Meanwhile, the odds of L'Damian Washington being taken late in the draft as a "fun little NFL project" probably improved a bit with his 40 time.
PowerMizzou: Combine Video: L'Damian Washington
Marcus Lucas with an unofficial 4.52 on his first 40. Big, if true.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 23, 2014
L'Damian Washington unofficially at 4.43 on his first 40. Kind of average for him actually. Which is kind of crazy to think about.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 23, 2014
L'Damian Washington runs a second 4.43. Again, at 85 percent health with a toe injury. Nice. Fun little NFL project.
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) February 23, 2014
Washington's time was tied for 13th out of 44 receivers timed, Lucas was tied for 36th.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 23, 2014
Britt
Seems like Britt passed every test and aced none.
http://t.co/WMyqMr2qCt had Justin Britt at a 5.1-second 40-yard dash, tied for 5th best in his group of 19 O-linemen- http://t.co/3kopdZ2BGg
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 22, 2014
Gaines
I was really wanting to check out Gaines' 40 time. I have no idea if he's fast-fast or just plays fast. Regardless, we'll have to wait until Mizzou's pro day, I guess.
PowerMizzou: Combine Video: E.J. Gaines
KC Star: MU’s E.J. Gaines believes making big plays more important than being a big player
Also, CB E.J. Gaines has been measured- http://t.co/VLAaX7QazV: 5-10, 190 pounds, 30.375 in. arm, 9.375 in. hands.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 23, 2014
#Mizzou CB E.J. Gaines said he isn't doing the drills here. Has a groin strain.
— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) February 23, 2014
E.J. Gaines put up 15 bench-press reps, tied for 13th among 34 defensive backs who lifted.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) February 24, 2014