NFL scouts were back in Syracuse yesterday for the 2nd SU pro-workout day. Five Orange took to the field to prove they could run, jump, punt, pass and kick with the best of'm in the hopes of being drafted.
The workout, which included defensive lineman Arthur Jones, quarterback Greg Paulus, receivers Lavar Lobdell and Mike Owen, and safety Paul Chiara, was held inside Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome and attracted representatives from 20 teams.
The main attraction was of course Arthur Jones, the highly-touted defensive lineman who is recovering from a knee injury. How he can move on that reconstructed knee will be the difference between being drafted in the 2nd round, 3rd round, 4th round or even later. Art thinks things went about as well as they could in his big showcase.
"It went good," said Jones, who had 19 tackles, seven for a loss, and 1.5 sacks in 2009 before hurting his knee against Pittsburgh. "I think I did a pretty good job. Its a little tougher doing drills by yourself."
"I have no idea where I’ll be drafted," he said. "I think it’s an honor just to get to work out in front of pro scouts. We’ll see."
According to at least one anonymous NFL rep, Jones proved himself and answered a lot of questions.
"Nobody wants to show their cards this close to the draft," he started, "but I think he showed today that, physically, he’s back to where he was."
According to one mock draft board, Jones is projected as a 3rd or 4th rounder. As for the rest of the players on hand, it was almost assuredly more of an audition for teams that might want to invite them as undrafted free agents. That's just fine with Greg Paulus, who taking the easy-breazy approach to all of this.
"If anybody wants to see me, I’ll go wherever they want."
NFL, UFL, local rec league...Paulus ain't picky.