Hauss Posted March 4, 2002 Share Posted March 4, 2002 Sunday, March 3, 2002 <br /> <br />Combine notes: Ramsey states his case<br />By Len Pasquarelli<br />ESPN.com<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />INDIANAPOLIS -- It was only one throwing audition, to be followed up by on-campus workouts for scouts at New Orleans on March 15 and 28, but the smile on the face of Tulane quarterback Patrick Ramsey as he exited the RCA Dome on Sunday evening pretty much said it all.<br /><br />In a draft where everyone assumes David Carr of Fresno State and Oregon's Joey Harrington will be the first two quarterbacks chosen -- and scouts arrived here Friday hoping to identify the next best player at the position -- Ramsey certainly staked a solid claim to the No. 3 spot.<br /><br />Ramsey threw the ball with accuracy and velocity, zipped it into the small creases, and might have catapulted himself into a second-round possibility. Those teams seeking a young quarterback, but unwilling to use a first-round choice to fill the need, will now look hard at Ramsey. At least two teams that said they did not plan on sending their quarterback coach to Ramsey's workouts later this month were intrigued enough to tell ESPN.com the assistants will now be dispatched.<br /><br />The Cincinnati Bengals, who were eyeing Kurt Kittner of Illinois in the second round, might now move Ramsey ahead of him on their wish list.<br /><br />"Very impressive," said St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz. "I still think Carr is in a class all by himself and Harrington is very good. But it was obvious watching Ramsey that he'll play in the league. He's got a lot of physical talent and he is definitely a bright kid."<br /><br />Playing in a run-and-shoot offense in college, Ramsey broke virtually every Tulane career record, but the team's poor performance meant he worked in relative obscurity. But he was invited to the Senior Bowl all-star game last month, performed well in the all-important practices leading up to the game, and had nice numbers in the contest.<br /><br />Asked if he agreed that the competition here was for the No. 3 spot behind Carr and Harrington, he acknowledged that was probably the case.<br /><br />"But I think I'm that guy," Ramsey said. "And, to tell the truth, I'm not going to back down from Carr or Harrington, although I agree that they are special players. But I won't hide from anyone, believe me."<br /><br />He couldn't if he tried, not after the workout Sunday, which had scouts reassessing him.<br /><br />Ramsey was tutored for his interviews here by longtime NFL personnel director Ken Herock, who said the Tulane quarterback was the brightest prospect he had ever met at the position. That he is a quarterback with presence, and a level head, was obvious. He already has graduated cum laude, with a degree in accounting and finance, and a grade-point average of 3.5.<br /><br />He has solid stature (6-foot-2½ and 219 pounds) and surprising mobility, and the need to make reads on the move in the run-and-shoot offense should serve him well.<br /><br />"Believe me," said Carolina personnel director Jack Bushofsky, "he didn't hurt himself today."<br /><br />Around the combine<br /><br />As impressive as Ramsey was, the star of the throwing session was Harrington. Rumored to be slipping on some draft boards, the Oregon star answered any doubts some teams harbored about him and re-established himself as a certain first-round selection. What made Harrington all the more impressive is that his energy level was low because of a week-long bout with the flu, and his grandfather is terminally ill. On the flip side, Carr didn't throw the ball well, and too often tried to overthrow. Several scouts said there were some mechanical flaws, including a sidearm delivery, that must be addressed. That said, there is no doubt Carr is the No. 1 overall choice in the draft, and sources told ESPN.com that the expansion Houston Texans could open negotiations with his representative, Mike Sullivan of Octagon, later this week.<br /><br />The only highly regarded quarterback who did not participate in the passing drills was Rohan Davey of Louisiana State. He decided to do everything at his campus workout. Davey, who has experienced weight problems in the past, checked in at 240 pounds, having lost about 12 pounds over the last week. He has all the physical tools but needs to shed some more weight.<br /><br />ESPN.com has learned that, despite having a full quarterback depth chart, Tampa Bay Bucs coach Jon Gruden is interested in adding veteran Jeff Blake, released Saturday by New Orleans. The Bucs already have Brad Johnson, Shaun King and Joe Hamilton under contract. Buffalo and Washington also are interested in Blake.<br /><br />Look for the Houston Texans to bring quarterback Rob Johnson, released by the Bills last week, to town for a visit. The meeting could take place as early as Tuesday, when the Texans start to visit with between eight to 10 unrestricted free agents. Houston offensive coordinator Chris Palmer had the same job in Jacksonville when Johnson played for the Jaguars and is familiar with him. But it doesn't appear Johnson, or any other veteran quarterback for that matter, is going to get rich by signing with Houston. The team has decided that Carr will play as a rookie and has budgeted just $1 million for a veteran backup. By the way, ignore any allusions to the Texans' interest in trying to sign Chicago unrestricted free agent center Olin Kreutz, one of the most coveted players in the pool. The Texans hope to sign Tampa Bay backup Todd Washington to play center. Houston will need some wide receivers for Carr to throw to this season and will meet this week with two free agents, Corey Bradford of Green Bay and Indianapolis' Jerome Pathon.<br /><br />It still looks like three teams in the top six of the first round -- Detroit (No. 3), Buffalo (No. 4) and Dallas (No. 6) -- would like to trade down from their current spots.<br /><br />Len Pasquarelli is an ESPN.com senior writer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hauss Posted March 4, 2002 Author Share Posted March 4, 2002 NFL | More On Ramsey - posted at KFFL (http://nfl.kffl.com)<br />16:52 PT: Zac Jackson reports for Cleveland Browns.com Tulane QB Patrick Ramsey said he talked with Washington, Cincinnati, Chicago, Green Bay and Kansas City this weekend at the NFL Combine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baralufficus Posted March 4, 2002 Share Posted March 4, 2002 i think he could go in the first round ....but i would snatch him up in the 2nd round , no doubt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indyskinsfan Posted March 4, 2002 Share Posted March 4, 2002 Well we don't have to worry about Mendes and Spurrier making a move on battle worn Chris Chandler. According to this snip-it from <a href="http://www.redskins.com" target="_blank">www.redskins.com</a> (Pressbox), 3/01/02<br /><br /> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Q: Do you see anything happening with Chris Chandler?<br /><br />A: No, there have not been any serious discussions in regard to Chandler. But he’s a very good football player, and highly productive.<br /> </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Missed this combine, too much work on the weekend.<br /> <br /> <small>[ March 04, 2002, 05:11 AM: Message edited by: indyskinsfan ]</small> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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