Pro-Day Recap and Quotes

It is that time of the year again when NFL head coaches and scouts descend upon Gainesville, Florida for the annual Florida Gators Pro-Day. Well, as usual, Pro-Day has come and gone.

Among the players expected to work out were Mike Pouncey, Ahmad Black, Will Hill, Carl Moore, Marcus Gilbert and Chas Henry. But this Pro-Day was conducted behind closed doors, so information regarding it is somewhat hard to come by. But that doesn't mean impossible as word always leaks out and information always finds a way into the public hands. Also of note (or should I say as usual), New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was there among the many scouts and coaches.

On to the results of the Gators' trio of players most expected to make an NFL roster...

Ahmad Black who as we know didn't run very well at the NFL Combine. Well, I've got some bad news. He didn't run very well at the Pro-Day either. According to Russell Lande of The Sporting News, Ahmad Black ran two 40's in the 4.7's range. This doesn't help his chances of moving up in the upcoming NFL Draft.

In fact, NFL Network's Michael Lombardi suggests that Black will now "tumble" down draft boards. 

Black will free-fall due to speed concerns. "That's a fast, fast track," said Lombardi. "4.7 is not a good time. He's going to take a tumble."

One could argue whether or not Michael Lombardi knows what he is talking about. I tend to think he does, because at one point or another he was an executive on a total of six NFL teams. The San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers being the teams.

Things went better however for Mike Pouncey who according to reports met with Bill Belichick who is wearing the orange shirt in this photo. In case you are wondering, the man standing next to Belichick in the photo, wearing the white shirt is Urban Meyer.

Mike Pouncey in the report link above was quoted as saying: 

As for Pouncey, he came away happy with his performance. "I did a great job. They loved me," he told reporters.

Raise your hand if you are shocked. I'm not, as this was fully expected. Mike Pouncey is without a doubt the only sure fire first rounder the Gators have this year.

Will Hill, like Ahmad Black struggled at Pro-Day. Once again Russell Lande of The Sporting News tweets just how disastrous Will Hill's Pro-Day really was:

Florida Safety Will Hill did not help himself at today's Pro Day at Florida. He looked stiff and struggled to flip hips to COD quickly.

Will Hill playing stiff...doesn't that seem to sum up his entire career to this point. Very highly touted, but then nothing. Aside from one or two plays, his entire career was below what one could expect from a two star recruit with no praise coming out of high school.

Rotoworld.com's NFL Draft expert Evan Silva suggests that Will Hill might not even be drafted next month.

It seems though the day was doomed from the start. The NFL lockout was apparently the talk of the day. But hey, there is good news, most of the people in attendance at The Swamp yesterday think there will be an NFL season this year.

And that my friends, is a very good thing.