Combine notes for the Warriors

HA Note: “Yesterday at the National Football League Scouting Combine, quarterback Colt Brennan and receivers Jason Rivers, Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins took the Wonderlic, a 50-question quiz that measures personality and intelligence. There was a time limit of 12 minutes.”

About the Wonderlic, Bess said:
“It was intense.” (HA)

HA Note: “Each answered at least 30 questions, which is considered to be a good amount considering the time restrictions.”

Colt said that he felt he did well:
“But you never really know because they don’t give you any feedback.” (HA)

About the wonderlic, Rivers said:
“It was OK.” (HA)

HA Note: “Rivers and Brennan did not participate in the weight-lifting sessions. Rivers said he will lift during the April 1 Pro Day in Carson, Calif. Brennan said he wanted to focus on today’s passing drills. He said he was told quarterbacks are not judged on sprints or weight-lifting.”

About how the passing drills are the most important for QBs at the combine, Colt said:
“It’s on-field decisions that matter the most.” (HA)

About benching 225 pounds 17 times, RGM said:
“I’m kind of disappointed with that. I think I could have done more.” (HA)

About how he benched 225 pounds 14 times, but one of his lifts was disallowed, Bess said:
“Put it down at 14.” (HA)

About how he had not had more than 9 reps until he started training in Arizona last month, Bess said:
“I’m stronger and more confident.” (HA)

HA Note: “The receivers face a key workout today in the 40-yard dash, what has become the standard measurement for speed. Rivers, who has run the 40 in 4.45 seconds, hopes to run in the low 4.4s. If he can break 4.4, he might elevate into a first-day prospect. The first two rounds of the NFL draft will be held April 26; the final five April 27. Rivers said he will wear Nike Mercurial Vapor cleats. Each shoe weighs about 6 ounces.”

About Rivers’ 6-ounce cleats, agent Leo Goes said:
“They’re light as a feather.” (HA)

HA Note: “Grice-Mullins and Bess also chose light cleats. The RCA Dome has the same type of FieldTurf as Aloha Stadium.”

About the importance of his 40-yard time today, Bess said:
“The knock right now is my top-end speed. I have to show them I can run.” (HA)

HA Note; “Bess said he had past problems with his start. He believed he was ascending from his stance too quickly.”

About trying to correct his previous start problems, Bess said:
“The key is to start low and drive through.” (HA)

HA Note: “He said better technique might shave a tenth of a second. His goal is to run the 40 in under 4.6 seconds. Bess and Brennan have been asked to participate in individual workouts for NFL teams. Bess said he has spoken with the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos. The Bengals are seeking an inside receiver who can return kicks.”

About how the Bengals want a slot WR who can return kicks, Bess said:
“I’m here. I’m on the market.” (HA)

Colt gets a chance to impress at the combine today

About the biggest question about him by NFL scouts and critics, Colt said:
“They want to know: Can I throw the rock?” (HA)

HA Note: “Brennan will get his opportunity when he competes in passing drills today at the NFL Scouting Combine in the RCA Dome.”

Looking forward to seeing Colt throw, Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards said:
“I’ve watched him a lot in the (telecasts of the) late-night Hawai’i games. I’m interested to watch him throw out here with all of these eyes on him.” (HA)

HA Note: “Since the blowout loss to Georgia in the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl, Brennan has been the target of criticism from so-called NFL draft analysts. There were concerns about his weight, especially after Brennan, who is 6 feet 2 1/3, was 185 pounds when he reported to last month’s Senior Bowl in Alabama. He blamed the 6-pound weight loss on a stomach flu.”

Colt said that things are easier in the shotgun because:
“you have a head start because you don’t have to worry about dropping back. After I get the snap, I can set my feet and wait for routes to develop. I can step into my throws.” (HA)

About taking snaps under center, Colt said:
“I have to read (defenses) while I’m dropping back, and make sure my feet are planted. If the routes are taking more time to develop, I have to throw off my back foot.” (HA)

HA Note: “Brennan took snaps under center at Mater Dei High School, Worcester Prep Academy, and the University of Colorado. He was named an all-star at each of those schools.”

About how it isn’t hard for him to take snaps under center, Colt said:
“It’s not that it’s hard to do. It’s just that I haven’t done it in a while.”

HA Note: “Brennan proved the technique was not a problem during the Senior Bowl practices. The NFL sponsors that all-star game, and dozens of scouts were able to have face-to-face interviews with Brennan. None questioned his passing accuracy. Brennan earned the respect of his teammates (he was voted as the South’s captain) and coaches (he was named a starting quarterback).”

HA Note: “At the Senior Bowl, most of the evaluations were made during the practices. After the final practice, most of the scouts left. Unfortunately for Brennan, he played poorly in the game. Despite receiving positive assessments from NFL officials, Brennan was roasted by draft analysts. In an online column, the Chicago Tribune’s Dan Pompei said an unnamed NFL official indicated Brennan came across as a “jackass” in interviews at the Senior Bowl. Brennan, who gave away leftover Senior Bowl memorabilia to fans after the game, was stunned to hear that.”

About the Chicago Tribune reporter’s criticism of him, Colt said:
“I’m the easiest guy to go after right now because of all of the records and the system I came from. That’s the way it is. It’s not going to stop now. … It’s a quarterback-campaign race right now. People are going to attack your character.” (HA)

Praising Colt, Titans coach Jeff Fisher said:
“I’m very impressed with him.” (HA)

Fisher said that Colt has the tools to be a:
“pretty good NFL quarterback.” (HA)

HA Note: “At UH, Brennan complete better than 45 percent of his long passes (at least 20 yards in the air from the line of scrimmage). A success ratio of better than 33 percent on long passes is considered to be good. Brennan can accurately throw 65 yards. Mike Martz, the South’s coach in the Senior Bowl, suggested ways Brennan could push off his back (right) foot when making passes. That was a problem for most of last season, when Brennan played despite a sprained right ankle.”

About how his ankle injury vs. Idaho resulted in a lot of INTs, Colt said:
“The game (against Idaho), when I threw a lot of picks, I was suffering from the ankle injury. It’s fine now.” (HA)

About his throwing motion, Colt said:
“people think I have a sidearm release. But when you watch films of me, you’ll see (the right arm) does come up high. It’s just that in our offense, there were so many underneath routes. It was easier for me to get the ball out by throwing it in between people. I spoke to an NFL guy, and he said, ‘That’s exactly what you should be doing.’ ” (HA)

About Colt being typecast as a “system” QB, Herman Edwards said:
“Everybody plays in a system. It’s a matter of taking advantage of that system.” (HA)

HA Note: “The acknowledged top quarterback, Matt Ryan of Boston College, is not expected to compete in passing drills today. He has been advised that the participation only would hurt his stock.”

About the passing drills at the combine, Colt said:
“It’s an unpredictable environment. You don’t know if you’re going first or fourth. You’re working with some receivers for the first time. … That can be tough. But for a guy like me, a guy who has a lot to prove, it’s a good opportunity to showcase my skills. And it’s a good way to show how I respond. If I throw a bad ball, (NFL officials) want to see how I respond.” (HA)

HA Note: “Brennan said he has worked with a trainer to improve his lower-body strength. Tom Craft, offensive coordinator of Mount San Antonio College, has served as Brennan’s quarterback tutor.”

Praising Colt, the Titans’ Fisher said:
“I’ve kind of followed Colt from afar. I’m impressed with what he’s done. (During today’s passing drills) he needs to do what he’s been doing — throw with accuracy. That’s it. He has good footwork, good technique.” (HA)