NFL Nation: Dwyane Allen
Ryan Grigson loves some combine slips
February, 23, 2013
Feb 23
10:51
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- Ryan Grigson doesn’t come to the NFL combine rooting against anyone.
But he sort of does.
In 2012 as a first year GM, he wasn’t upset when a couple players he already really liked -- tight end Dwayne Allen and running back Vick Ballard -- ran slower than many evaluators would have liked or expected.
The less-than-blazing times hurt the stock of the two prospects a bit for some of Grigson’s competition. That gave Grigson a chance to pounce on two players -- Allen in the third round, Ballard in the fifth -- who wound up helping the Colts win 11 games in a rebuilding year and get to the playoffs.
The Colts are looking for both of them to be key pieces for the franchise going forward.
“I personally love when that happens,” Grigson said of a combine slip. “Because I’ve learned lessons from starting at the bottom, from being a scout at the very lowest level, at the entry level, and watching draft boards get way out of whack. I just cataloged that and took mental notes. When Anquan Boldin fell down draft boards because of the timed speed, and at the beginning of the process he was way up there? You’ve got to make note of that.
“But you also have to temper it with you don’t want to take a guy too early when you love him when the market is bearing he be taken later. It’s still a risk. Because if you try to trade back, it just takes one other team to be thinking like you are.”
So take heart, guys who don't run as fast as they hoped while you’re in Indy.
A decision-maker may be watching that thinking, "I really love that guy, I really want that guy, and that may have just helped him slip to me."
But he sort of does.
In 2012 as a first year GM, he wasn’t upset when a couple players he already really liked -- tight end Dwayne Allen and running back Vick Ballard -- ran slower than many evaluators would have liked or expected.
The less-than-blazing times hurt the stock of the two prospects a bit for some of Grigson’s competition. That gave Grigson a chance to pounce on two players -- Allen in the third round, Ballard in the fifth -- who wound up helping the Colts win 11 games in a rebuilding year and get to the playoffs.
The Colts are looking for both of them to be key pieces for the franchise going forward.
“I personally love when that happens,” Grigson said of a combine slip. “Because I’ve learned lessons from starting at the bottom, from being a scout at the very lowest level, at the entry level, and watching draft boards get way out of whack. I just cataloged that and took mental notes. When Anquan Boldin fell down draft boards because of the timed speed, and at the beginning of the process he was way up there? You’ve got to make note of that.
“But you also have to temper it with you don’t want to take a guy too early when you love him when the market is bearing he be taken later. It’s still a risk. Because if you try to trade back, it just takes one other team to be thinking like you are.”
So take heart, guys who don't run as fast as they hoped while you’re in Indy.
A decision-maker may be watching that thinking, "I really love that guy, I really want that guy, and that may have just helped him slip to me."
On the Colts' influx of skill players
April, 28, 2012
4/28/12
12:48
AM ET
By
Paul Kuharsky | ESPN.com
Indianapolis used its third round pick, 64th, on Clemson tight end Dwayne Allen, a guy who’s more of a blocker than Coby Fleener, their second-round pick.
“The offense calls for two tight ends who are dynamic and can do different things,” said Allen, sharing what he learned in a phone conversation with offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.
On back-to-back tight ends, GM Ryan Grigson said: “It’s nice when your board lines up with your needs. It worked out real well. We secured two great football players that were just staring us right in the face.”
The Colts traded to get a another third-round pick, 92nd overall, giving No. 97 in the fourth round and a fifth next year. They used the pick on Florida International receiver and returner T.Y. Hilton.
I’ve seen some impressive highlights that show a smooth, incredibly fast player.
“Teams got to be ready for me because I’m a blazer,” he told us on a conference call. “…Me and (Andrew) Luck are going to do just fine.”
The Colts have added three skill guys for Luck. I may have said it before, but I really mean it now: It’s now time to get to work on the defense.
“The offense calls for two tight ends who are dynamic and can do different things,” said Allen, sharing what he learned in a phone conversation with offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.
On back-to-back tight ends, GM Ryan Grigson said: “It’s nice when your board lines up with your needs. It worked out real well. We secured two great football players that were just staring us right in the face.”
The Colts traded to get a another third-round pick, 92nd overall, giving No. 97 in the fourth round and a fifth next year. They used the pick on Florida International receiver and returner T.Y. Hilton.
I’ve seen some impressive highlights that show a smooth, incredibly fast player.
“Teams got to be ready for me because I’m a blazer,” he told us on a conference call. “…Me and (Andrew) Luck are going to do just fine.”
The Colts have added three skill guys for Luck. I may have said it before, but I really mean it now: It’s now time to get to work on the defense.
BACK TO TOP
Page: 1
