The NFL Scouting Combine continued Saturday with perhaps the marquee event of the week.
The wide receivers and quarterbacks took the field to go through passing drills and run the 40-yard dash, which always generates plenty of buzz in the NFL world. The linebackers and defensive linemen also met with the media for their interview sessions.
Here were 11 news items and notes from Saturday:
- Washington receiver John Ross stole the day with a 40-yard dash time of 4.22 seconds, which broke Chris Johnson's record of 4.24 seconds that was set in 2008. The sprint caught the attention of just about everyone, including Ravens speedsters Breshad Perriman and Mike Wallace.
- Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp didn't have a great day with the 40-yard dash. He ran it in 4.62 seconds, which was near the bottom for his position. Kupp seemed to be on the rise after a great week at the Senior Bowl in January – many draft analysts think he would be a valuable day two draft pick – but the slow time may hurt his stock.
- Tennessee pass rusher Derek Barnett, who has been predicted as a target for the Ravens in some mock drafts, has come down with a stomach virus and may not participate in combine drills. He was reportedly up at 5 a.m. Saturday trying to hold down fluids. Barnett missed the bench press and media interviews Saturday, and he will try to go through the on-field drills Sunday if he improves.
- Michigan's Jabrill Peppers met with the media and said he plans to play safety at the next level. He played just about every position in college – safety, cornerback, linebacker, running back, returner, quarterback – but he most likely projects as a safety to the NFL game. "The bottom line is I'm a ball player, and I'm a hell of a ball player," Peppers said. Peppers has been named as a target for the Ravens in some mock drafts.
- Another Michigan product who has been mocked to the Ravens is pass rusher Taco Charlton. The possibility of landing in Baltimore suits Charlton just fine. "I would love to play for John Harbaugh because I know how Coach [Jim] Harbaugh was with us." Charlton said. "I know [John] has that same passion for football."
- Ravens Assistant General Manager Eric DeCosta said the Ravens would be interested in Missouri pass rusher Charles Harris if he is on the board at No. 16. But Harris doesn't think he'll last that long. When asked about his expectations on where he'll get drafted, Harris said "definitely first round, hands down. Top 15, at least."
- UCLA pass rusher Takk McKinley told reporters he's going to have surgery Monday to repair a torn shoulder labrum, which has a four-to-six month recovery time. In the meantime, McKinley will participate in every drill at the combine, including the bench press. McKinley played through the injury the last two seasons, so sitting out combine drills wasn't a consideration. "This isn't stopping me," he said.
- Alabama defender Tim Williams is one of the draft's most talented pass rushers, but he also has some off-the-field concerns that could cause teams to pass on him. Williams confirmed that he failed multiple drug tests in college, and attributed that to being "a young player making decisions that I grew from."
- Penn State wide receiver Chris Godwin helped himself by running the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds. NFL Network's Mike Mayock said that Godwin's time "just stunned me," and that he has to "go back and watch more tape on this kid."
- Alabama linebacker Ryan Anderson delivered probably the quote of the day when asked how he expected to perform in the combine drills. "I ain't a bologna sandwich," he said. "I ain't a slouch either."
- Former Ravens receiver Steve Smith Sr. continued his work as an analyst with NFL Network Saturday, and soon-to-be free agent receiver Terrelle Pryor enjoyed Smith's commentary.
