2009 NFL Combine: Open Thread

With all of the offensive players finally finished with their 2009 NFL Combine workouts, it's finally time for the defensive guys to show their stuff. This, of course, means that we can now start paying attention. Today the defensive lineman and linebackers take the field. With two overpaid bookends, Charles Grant and Will Smith, and 2008 first round pick Sedrick Ellis already on the Saints line, I wouldn't expect them to use this years pick on a lineman. Therefore, it's really just the linebackers we should probably focus our attention on today. After the jump we've got a quick recap of what players to watch and what performance goals they'll want to hit. And as the title suggests, this is also an Open Thread for any of you who are watching it and want to discuss.

The NFL Network will have Combine coverage at 11am, 4pm and 8pm ET along with round-the-clock analysis. If you don't have NFL Network, you can get live video and real-time commenting right here on the NFL's website and updated news right here.

James Laurinaitis - ILB

Ohio State

6'2"

244 lbs.

Laurinaitis has been the most popular pick for those people that think the Saints are going to go with a linebacker in the first round. Those people also think Vilma won't be around next year but I just can't believe the Saints let him go. That being the case, if the Saints use their draft pick on a linebacker they would probably perfer one that plays the outside.

Rey Maualuga - ILB

USC

6'2"

249 lbs.

Rey is one of two talented linebackers from USC predicted to be drafted early in the first round and both of them have been popular mock choices for the Saints. Their stock values have been neck and neck up to this point but with Brian Cushing's excellent performance in the bench press, Maualuga will have to step it up if he doesn't want to get left behind.

Brian Cushing - ILB

USC

6'3"

243 lbs.

The other linebacker from USC, Cushing is already off to a good start with 30 reps in the Bench Press; second most among linebackers this year. His durability is questionable but Cushing's popularity as a Saints pick in mock drafts has been on the rise. Will that continue?

Aaron Curry - OLB

Wake Forest

6'2"

254 lbs.

As of now Curry has been more of a longshot to be picked by the Saints at the 14th spot. His current stock has him gone before the Saints ever even get to go on the clock. A poor Combine performance would change all of that.

Darry Beckwith - ILB

LSU

6'0"

242 lbs.

So far Beckwith hasn't been mentioned as a possible draft pick of the Saints but he's a homegrown talent so it would make sense. If Beckwith has a good Combine, he may very well start showing up as a Saints draft choice in the next round of mock drafts.

Target Numbers

Below are target numbers, put together by Gil Brandt, that both Inside and Outside linebackers should be looking to hit or surpass in their Combine performance today.