Size matters at the NFL Combine

by Dan Kadar on Feb 25, 2010 10:22 PM EST in 2010 NFL Draft

The NFL Scouting Combine can be an overblown affair. But there were plenty of notable measurements today when the offensive linemen hit the scales.

There was some buzz generating last week that Seattle might be targeting USC left tackle Charles Brown. He's an agile tackle that would fit Seattle's scheme and was coach Pete Carroll had him with the Trojans.

Brown really helped himself by weighing in at 303 pounds. There were questions about whether or not he could bulk up after playing at around 290 all year. Brown's arms measured in at 35 1/4 inches, a great number.

There was some scuttlebutt when Iowa's Bryan Bulaga had an arm measurement of 33 1/4 inches. Although that's not optimal, he's no Robert Gallery. Leading up to the 2004 draft, Gallery's arm length measured 32 1/4 inches.

How much is in an inch? For Gallery, a lot. He didn't have the arm length to keep pass rushers to the outside. This forced him to become a guard. Whether the same could happen to Bulaga, no one knows yet. But it should be noted that Michael Oher's arms measure at 33 1/2 inches and Jason Smith's are 33 3/4 inches.

One player who had great measurements was Maryland's Bruce Campbell. He came in at a trim 314 pounds with an arm length of 36 1/4 inches.

• In other offensive line news, word came out today that Mike Iupati has been working with all-time great Jackie Slater. The Hall of Famer has been showing Iupati some moves at tackle and guard.

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I knew it

All my exes were lying.

by dbcouver on Feb 25, 2010 10:51 PM EST reply actions

Kudos to Lupati

that’s a great way to keep the positive vibe he has going for him, start name dropping. Learning from a great says all kinds of good things to teams, humble, coach-able, hard worker, it just looks good and he’s looking good. It will be interesting to see if it gives him some extra bump with Bulaga short arming it.

by Phantaskippy on Feb 25, 2010 11:00 PM EST reply actions

His name is

~~Lupita~~ Iupati.

Bulaga’s stumpy arms probably hurt his stock some. LTs need long arms. He’ll probably end up as a (pretty good) RT.

by ninjasocks on Feb 26, 2010 12:46 AM EST up reply actions

Bulaga is a RT.

You need people with good athleticism and footwork at the LT spot, Bulaga is a straight up butt-kicking mauler with a mean streak. That being said, that’s nice to have, but that’s not what you look for in a LT.

by Patton on Feb 26, 2010 2:30 AM EST up reply actions

Bulaga is projected as a LT

Most OTs that can’t cut it at LT are shifted over to RT. Bulaga’s stubby arms won’t help him transition to the NFL, so there’s a good chance he may end up at RT, but nothing is predestined.

by ninjasocks on Feb 26, 2010 2:55 AM EST up reply actions

I understand that Bulaga's arms are so short that Iowa assigned a student to cut up his raw steak and feed it to him. LOL

I read something about Robert Gallery having arms about an inch shorter than Bulaga’s. Maybe the Iowa coaches should bring a measuring tape with them when they visit potential Left Tackle high school athletes. Thats how they do it in the NFL, right?

by NorthLeft12 on Feb 26, 2010 7:42 AM EST up reply actions

I know

But it is sort of becoming a running gag at this point.

by Phantaskippy on Feb 26, 2010 2:34 AM EST up reply actions

I personally like the "Lupita" variation

It makes me think that Iupati is a tiny latina woman.

by ninjasocks on Feb 26, 2010 2:56 AM EST up reply actions

Brown also needs to show athleticism at the higher weight

to justify a higher pick. He seems to have added “good” weight, but he’s got to show that he can still move like he did at 285.

by ninjasocks on Feb 26, 2010 12:42 AM EST reply actions

GOoood.

Bulaga probably slips right into the Giants hands? Campbell probably has been sent a package of virgins by Al Davis by now, 36 1/2 inches at 314? He’s not slipping past the undead now.

Master of the squeegee

by FreeBradshaw on Feb 26, 2010 7:19 AM EST reply actions

Veldheer measured at 6-9 but he had freakin 33 inch arms. That’s freaking ridiculous and I saw some mocks having him go in the second or even first but that definitely hurt him

by The Licensed Pessimist on Feb 26, 2010 4:44 PM EST reply actions