JimBob
03-13-2008, 11:21 AM
Ex-Cowboys put on a showcase for pros
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
3/13/2008
Bowman's 40 time was slow, but his routes impressed.
STILLWATER -- Performing before an audience of scouts representing 22 National Football League teams, former Oklahoma State wide receiver Adarius Bowman was pushed through an extensive workout during Wednesday's Pro Day at Boone Pickens Stadium.
During last month's NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Bowman was only days removed from having undergone Lasik eye surgery. He did not feel well, he explains, so his participation was limited to running the 40-yard dash. His 40 time at the combine was 4.74 seconds. On Wednesday, it was 4.76. What Bowman showcased on Wednesday were his route-running and hands.
At the combine, former Cowboy All-Big 12 tailback Dantrell Savage was disappointed in his 40-yard dash time -- 4.53 seconds. On Wednesday, his 40 time was 4.40.
"I do have the speed and I'm tough," said the 5-foot-8, 186-pound Savage. "I proved I can run with the best."
Bowman was measured at slightly taller than 6-foot-3 and his weight was 230 pounds. By the April 26-27 NFL Draft, he plans to be at 218. Following his Wednesday workout, he spoke with media members for only the second time since September.
"I feel at the combine, I didn't get to perform," Bowman said. "Catching the ball is most of my performance. I feel like today, I got to kind of show what I'm better at -- running routes, catching the ball, getting up the field.
"I still feel like my biggest quality are the games. I really can't show it until we get out there on game day. But I feel like I had a great day today."
During a week of practice that preceded the January Senior Bowl, one Web site reported that Bowman "dropped more passes than he caught."
On Wednesday, as Cincinnati Bengals receivers coach Mike Sheppard presided over the workout, Bowman caught the ball well. Quarterbacks who have remaining college eligibility are not allowed to participate in Pro Day sessions, so former Cowboy wide receiver Seth Newton served as the workout QB.
One scout, who asked not to be identified, said of Bowman, "He had a solid day. His hands were good."
On Bowman's draft status, projections vary greatly. He is viewed by some draft observers as being a late second-round pick and by others as a fifth-rounder.
"Only one team has got to like you," Bowman said. "Whichever one takes me, I'm going to be happy."
Other former Cowboys who performed for the scouts were linebacker Donovan Woods, cornerback Martel Van Zant, fullbacks Zach Carter and Julius Crosslin, wide receiver Tommy Devereaux, defensive end Marque Fountain, linebacker Rod Johnson, offensive lineman David Koenig and tailback DeAaron Martin.
Among workout highlights were Carter's 38-inch vertical leap and Koenig's 30 repetitions of a 225-pound bench-press bar. Van Zant did 25 bench-press reps -- excellent for a defensive back.
"I was really happy about that," Van Zant, who is deaf, said through his interpreter. "I'm really excited about it."
While Bowman is training primarily in Houston, Savage is taking a 19-hour class load this semester and is on course to graduate in May with a degree in education. Savage said he would prefer to continue working with OSU strength coach Rob Glass than to hire a trainer in a different city.
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
3/13/2008
Bowman's 40 time was slow, but his routes impressed.
STILLWATER -- Performing before an audience of scouts representing 22 National Football League teams, former Oklahoma State wide receiver Adarius Bowman was pushed through an extensive workout during Wednesday's Pro Day at Boone Pickens Stadium.
During last month's NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Bowman was only days removed from having undergone Lasik eye surgery. He did not feel well, he explains, so his participation was limited to running the 40-yard dash. His 40 time at the combine was 4.74 seconds. On Wednesday, it was 4.76. What Bowman showcased on Wednesday were his route-running and hands.
At the combine, former Cowboy All-Big 12 tailback Dantrell Savage was disappointed in his 40-yard dash time -- 4.53 seconds. On Wednesday, his 40 time was 4.40.
"I do have the speed and I'm tough," said the 5-foot-8, 186-pound Savage. "I proved I can run with the best."
Bowman was measured at slightly taller than 6-foot-3 and his weight was 230 pounds. By the April 26-27 NFL Draft, he plans to be at 218. Following his Wednesday workout, he spoke with media members for only the second time since September.
"I feel at the combine, I didn't get to perform," Bowman said. "Catching the ball is most of my performance. I feel like today, I got to kind of show what I'm better at -- running routes, catching the ball, getting up the field.
"I still feel like my biggest quality are the games. I really can't show it until we get out there on game day. But I feel like I had a great day today."
During a week of practice that preceded the January Senior Bowl, one Web site reported that Bowman "dropped more passes than he caught."
On Wednesday, as Cincinnati Bengals receivers coach Mike Sheppard presided over the workout, Bowman caught the ball well. Quarterbacks who have remaining college eligibility are not allowed to participate in Pro Day sessions, so former Cowboy wide receiver Seth Newton served as the workout QB.
One scout, who asked not to be identified, said of Bowman, "He had a solid day. His hands were good."
On Bowman's draft status, projections vary greatly. He is viewed by some draft observers as being a late second-round pick and by others as a fifth-rounder.
"Only one team has got to like you," Bowman said. "Whichever one takes me, I'm going to be happy."
Other former Cowboys who performed for the scouts were linebacker Donovan Woods, cornerback Martel Van Zant, fullbacks Zach Carter and Julius Crosslin, wide receiver Tommy Devereaux, defensive end Marque Fountain, linebacker Rod Johnson, offensive lineman David Koenig and tailback DeAaron Martin.
Among workout highlights were Carter's 38-inch vertical leap and Koenig's 30 repetitions of a 225-pound bench-press bar. Van Zant did 25 bench-press reps -- excellent for a defensive back.
"I was really happy about that," Van Zant, who is deaf, said through his interpreter. "I'm really excited about it."
While Bowman is training primarily in Houston, Savage is taking a 19-hour class load this semester and is on course to graduate in May with a degree in education. Savage said he would prefer to continue working with OSU strength coach Rob Glass than to hire a trainer in a different city.