T'eo not helping his stock

**short faced bear** · 02-25-2013, 03:57 PM

Manti Te’o runs slow 4.81 and 4.80 40-yard dash times, another blow to his draft stock

By Frank Schwab

The biggest issue with Manti Te'o's draft stock wasn't the catfishing hoax that made him a laughingstock. That obviously wasn't a positive, and there were questions NFL teams surely had to ask about it, but the NFL has happily drafted players who have done a lot worse things off the field.

It always comes down to this for NFL teams: Can you play? And based on what Te'o did against Alabama in the BCS Championship Game, that became a serious question. Against the best offensive line he had faced, the best comparison any NFL team could have to a line that looks like one it sees on Sundays, he disappeared. That was the biggest red flag. Scouts weren't breaking down Katie Couric's interview with Te'o; they were watching why he couldn't tackle Eddie Lacy.

Te'o's combine press conference got a lot of attention, but on Monday after most of the media had left Indianapolis, a far more damaging blow for Te'o happened when he was surprisingly slow in the 40-yard dash. He clocked unofficial times of 4.81 and 4.80 in the 40. There are 12 defensive linemen listed by NFL.com that ran at least a 4.81 in the 40. LSU defensive end Sam Montgomery, a 262-pound defensive end, ran a 4.81. Two 300-pound offensive linemen ran a shade better than 4.7 at the combine. Te'o was far from being fast, FARRRRRR from it.

The question now isn't if the bad 40 time hurts Te'o's draft stock, it's how much it does.

The 40-yard dash doesn't mean everything, but it's not insignificant either. If a team is going to draft Te'o in the first round it will be expecting a three-down linebacker, and this might prove he doesn't have the speed to defend in a passing league.

And, even though Te'o handled himself well in his combine press conference, the poor 40-yard dash is part of a pretty disappointing combine in the areas that matter for NFL teams.

He already measured just 6-foot-1, 241 pounds, much lighter than the 6-2, 255 pounds Notre Dame listed him at. That's one pound lighter than Georgia's Alec Ogletree, perhaps the top inside linebacker prospect because of his all-around athletic ability. Te'o was supposed to at least be a bit of an old-school thumper inside, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Te'o also won't bench press because of a stinger in his right shoulder, which won't help.

Te'o has to hope now that teams fall in love with his non-Alabama film, which is superb, and he has a better workout on March 26 at Notre Dame's pro day.

Te'o has had a nightmare of an offseason. NFL teams won't go overboard with the girlfriend hoax stuff. But the startlingly slow 40 time will be written in red ink on the report.

Y! SPORTS

**Grizzblue** · 02-25-2013, 04:02 PM

I've been saying it all along, this guy is a mid to late 2nd pick

Bad combine numbers

There are a few OL who put up better 40s and broad jump

Laughable showing against real quality opponent

Didn't even do the bench, nor did he compete in the sr bowl

Olgetree made him look subpar with his showing

If he's there at 50 we concider him but its not a slam dunk no question asked pick either

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 02-25-2013, 04:06 PM

I think most people (including me) are really fine with the fake girl friend thing. Most teams just want a guy who can play well. I don't care if he brings an inflatable doll to games (properly clothed of course) - as long as he can play well.

Te'o just seems over hyped to me.

He's just one of a long line of over-hyped Notre Dame players. I've been a ND fan all my life, and my dad before me. But I have to admit these players often get hyped beyond their real value. Sure, there are some notable exceptions, but there's been a small army of busts and under achievers too.

I think Te'o is a third round talent masquerading as a 1st round LB. It ain't so.

**Jimmors** · 02-25-2013, 04:09 PM

He might turn out to be a draft day steal, or could end up being a bust. This is the main problem with Te'o...he was overhype to begin with, and now he is being completely written off because of the problems hes had in the past 2 months. But i think the truth lies somewhere in the middle, neither of those cases are correct. But at this point, its impossible to predict whether he can become a solid player in the NFL, or if he has bust written all over him, there is too much conflicting information here.

In any case, he definitely is not worth a 1st round pick, and probably not even a 2nd (late 2nd maybe). I wouldnt be mad if the Bears do end up drafting him, so long as they do in the late 2nd/early 3rd at best, and we already addressed other issues in the first round (whether that Fluker, Ogletree, what have you). Im not against taking a gamble with Te'o, so long as its not reaching.

**Riczaj01** · 02-25-2013, 04:10 PM

He wasn't overhyped, he made plays all year and in many instances was the only reason ND won games. But that doesn't mean he's going to perform at the NFL level either; a lot of great college players never panned out or had the ability to play in the NFL.

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 02-25-2013, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

He wasn't overhyped, he made plays all year and in many instances was the only reason ND won games. But that doesn't mean he's going to perform at the NFL level either; a lot of great college players never panned out or had the ability to play in the NFL.

You may be right. But I've seen so many of these type ND players over the past 50 years. At my house we were all ND fanatics (me included). Heck, my dad and mom used to drive 2 hours to South Bend to go to the games in an old 1930 Model A Ford. I didn't get to go to the games, but listened to them faithfully on an old radio.

But so many ND players seemed to do poorly at the NFL level (underachieve and not meet expectations). There have even been Heisman Trophy winners go bust.

And I did watch the games this year. Te'o won't be a bust. He'll be a decent LB for someone. And the fake girl thing will quickly be forgotten. I have zero problem with that. I think he's a good kid.

But I don't know if he's going to be a great LB. I picture a Nick Roach kind of guy. Nothing wrong with that, but it's not a 1st round LB. But I could be wrong. I hope so. I like the guy.

**Riczaj01** · 02-25-2013, 04:23 PM

I agree he'll be solid...and I think he'll be better if he's not a Mike backer; let him own 1 side and make plays. He kinda reminds me of Johkim Noah, a lot of people didn't think he'd be a good player in the NBA, yet he's been a very solid C for the Bears, a great mouthpiece/leader which is something they desperately needed.

Te'O might not ever be a pro bowler but he'll be good enough to make a few plays a game; and an occasional big play if he is in the right position(not mlb).

**Jimmors** · 02-25-2013, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

He wasn't overhyped, he made plays all year and in many instances was the only reason ND won games. But that doesn't mean he's going to perform at the NFL level either; a lot of great college players never panned out or had the ability to play in the NFL.

Well i meant overhyped as in hyped for being pro-material. Theres no doubt that he put up great numbers in college, but not all college teams are the same. his performance against Bama is more indicative of what he would look like against a pro NFL team.

But then again, one game does not a career make, so its impossible to say if it was an anomaly or a preview of things to come. Which is why im not opposed to the Bears getting him, i just dont want them to reach to do it. If he falls far enough, then sure..take a shot and lets see what he can do.

**Riczaj01** · 02-25-2013, 04:31 PM

That 'Bama game was indicative of just how little talent ND really has right now; and how much recruitment they have ahead of them.

It's really hard for a MLB to have a great game when the guys in front of them are incapable of doing their job too. See BU for a few years after Tommie went to crap and that DL started falling apart; or even Ray-Ray before Balt rebuilt their DL for him a few years ago.

But I just don't see Te'O being great, solid sure, but not great. I'm just not sure you want solid w/the first 2 picks.

**Jimmors** · 02-25-2013, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

That 'Bama game was indicative of just how little talent ND really has right now; and how much recruitment they have ahead of them.

It's really hard for a MLB to have a great game when the guys in front of them are incapable of doing their job too. See BU for a few years after Tommie went to crap and that DL started falling apart; or even Ray-Ray before Balt rebuilt their DL for him a few years ago.

But I just don't see Te'O being great, solid sure, but not great. I'm just not sure you want solid w/the first 2 picks.

And to think, had Oregon or K-State not lost that week late in the season, Bama would never have even been in the Championship game, and Te'o might have had a completely different game against one of those teams, and would still be high on most draft boards. Funny how FBS works out sometimes.

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