Before we get into the news, let's take a moment to bow before the awesomeness of GoHorse88. GH88 has been a machine when it comes to posting quick updated information about college players the Colts have shown interest in on the blog. I've almost gotten to the point where I stop looking at my National Football Post feeds or email people send me and I just check the site to see if GH88 has posted on it.
It's very much appreciated, GH88. Thank you.
Now, onto the news:
USC blue-chip offensive tackle Tyron Smith is scheduled to visit at least a dozen teams, including the Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns, according to league sources with knowledge of the situation.
GH88 thinks this is a sign that Bill Polian is willing to move up in the draft and get Smith. Not sure I agree, but if it were to happen, I'll be smiling like a fool and proclaiming GH88 a genius.
More player info after the jump...
I hadn't really planned on doing a draft profile on Smith because, in all likelihood, he'll be a Top Five pick. Still, that the Colts are showing interest in him suggests that they may have some desire to move up and get him.
The Colts are also bringing in Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers. Bowers was considered by many to be a Top Ten pick until he tore his right meniscus during Clemson's 14-13 victory over N.C. State back on November 6th. Since then, it's been a battle for Bowers to re-establish himself as a premiere DE in this year's draft.
Clemson held their Pro Day yesterday, and by some accounts Bowers' did not convince anyone he was back to his old form:
But a source close to Bowers told NFL.com's Steve Wyche that the lineman was "disappointed" with his 40-yard dash times, which ranged from 4.8 seconds to the high 4.9s. Bowers ran 40s in the 4.7-second range while training for the pro day.
According to NFL Network, Bowers also posted a 34½-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-2 broad jump at the pro day. He didn't perform the bench press, deciding to stick with the 22 repetitions he did at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.
Bowers is 6'4, 280 pounds. Look for a draft profile on him from us in the coming weeks.
I'll also say this right now, because it is just THAT obvious to me, and I hope it is to you to: If the Colts take Bowers with the No. 22 pick, this means either Jerry Hughes or Robert Mathis are goners in 2011. With the money invested in Dwight Freeney, and with Mathis continuing to complain that the Colts should pay him more, the move of taking Bowers would likely signal the end of Mathis in Indy. Or, because it just doesn't make financial sense to have so much money locked up in one position, Indy might have to give up on the disappointing Jerry Hughes.
I don't think either of those scenarios will happen because I don't think Indy will take Bowers at No. 22. Still, the news that they plan to work him out suggests they are, at least, exploring the possibility.