Dolphins | Team to meet with Groves Sun, 6 Apr 2008 15:59:56 -0700 Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the Miami Dolphins will meet with University of Auburn DL Quentin Groves, according to Sean Kiernan of Impact Sports. http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl
Name: Quentin Groves (+) Coming off foot injury College: Auburn Number: 54 Height: 6-3 Weight: 259 Position: OLB Pos2: DE Class/Draft Year: rSr/2008 40 Time: 4.53 40 Low: 4.46 40 High: 4.62 Projected Round: 1 Stock: Rated number 2 out of 233 OLB's 26 / 2540 TOTAL Combine Results Pro Day Results Combine Invite: Yes Height: 6030 Weight: 259 40 Yrd Dash: 4.53 20 Yrd Dash: 2.62 10 Yrd Dash: 1.57 225 Lb. Bench Reps: 30 Vertical Jump: 29 1/2 Broad Jump: 10'00" 20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.42 3-Cone Drill: 7.31 Dates: 03/10/08 Height: 6030 Weight: 259 40 Yrd Dash: 20 Yrd Dash: 10 Yrd Dash: 225 Lb. Bench Reps: Vertical Jump: 35 Broad Jump: 20 Yrd Shuttle: 3-Cone Drill: Before Combine: Hgt: 6031, Wgt: 250, 40YD: 4.40-4.46-4.56 Draft Scout Snapshot: DS Rating on 08/12/07: #1 OLB, #5/750 Overall, Projected: Rnd 1 2007: Recorded 38 tackles (23 solos) with three sacks for minus 25 yards, seven stops for losses of 34 yards and led the league with 23 quarterback pressures… Also caused two fumbles…Part of a team that ranked sixth in the nation in total defense (297.92 ypg), scoring defense (16.92 ppg) and pass defense (173.23 ypg)…Answered his ability to play vs. the run, as the opposition gained only 59 yards on 35 plays he made vs. the oppositions' ground attack (1.69 yards per carry)…Registered 28 third-down stops, including 20 on the 28 pass plays he was involved in…Delivered thirteen of his tackles inside the red zone, including six on goal-line plays… In addition to his seven stops behind the line of scrimmage, he stopped ball carriers for no gain on eight other rushing attempts. 13 GP; 13 GS; 35 TT, 11 TFL, 9.5 SK, 7 QBH, 3 FF; Coaches All-SEC First Team … AP All-SEC First Team in '06. 12 GP; 3 GS; 21 TT, 8 TFL, 6 SK, 1 PBU, 4 QBH, 1 FF; Coaches' Preseason All-SEC Third-Team in '05. 13 GP; 0 GS; 23 TT, 10 TFL, 7.5 SK, 4 QBH, 2 FF in '04. Redshirted in '03. http://www.nfldraftscout.com/index.php
Theres a small chance Groves is there at #32... and I would love to grab him. I think he is very underrated... especially when talking about the value he brings to a 3-4 as an OLB. Him and Connor are the 2 on my wishlist...
Auburn DE/OLB Quentin Groves says he wants to be a Steeler. Groves told people at the Combine that he hopes to be drafted by Pittsburgh. The Steelers are one of several teams Groves will meet with before the draft. In terms of pure speed, Groves is the fastest DE/OLB hybrid in the draft, ahead of Vernon Gholston. At 6'3/254, he would likely fit best in a 3-4. Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.rotoworld.com/content/home_NFL.aspx
UPDATE 04/07/08 - Auburn defensive end/outside linebacker Quentin Groves sacks quarterbacks, which is why the Steelers attended his Pro Day last month and arranged for his official interview today at the team's South Side facility. As much as the Steelers seem to like Groves, a two-time all-Southeastern Conference selection, Groves has even deeper feelings for the Steelers. "Ever since I was little, I was always a Steeler fan,'' said Groves, who grew up in Mississippi and told people at the NFL Scouting Combine in February that he wants the Steelers to draft him. "When I saw that black and gold for the first time, it was like, 'man, I love the way those guys play defense.' "I'm kind of an old-school guy. Mean Joe Greene, he was probably one of the best I've ever seen doing what he does. I didn't grow up watching them but back over time, you watched guys like Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann -- how did he make that catch, how did he make that throw? I've got a chance to be a part of that if Pittsburgh drafts me. It's just those guys, and the things they did for that organization.'' The Steelers' feeling about Groves is apparently mutual. And the Steelers have plenty of company. Groves is also scheduled to visit Cleveland, Cincinnati, Miami, San Francisco, New Orleans, New England, the Giants and Jets. - John Harris, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.nfldraftscout.com/index.php
Q Groves is one of the players that "hopefully" will be lost in the Left Tackle rush that will happen this year, making him available to us at #32.
I find it rather interesting that the Dolphins are showing that much interest in a player that might very well be gone by the 32nd selection (I don't see Groves slide past the 49ers). It suggests that Parcells and Ireland are still keen on adding a pass rushing OLB after they weren't able to land Pace in FA, and it also suggests that they aren't nearly as sure about having Taylor around as they claim. Amidst all the talk about whom the Dolphins should pick, they are giving pretty good indicators as to whom they actually want to pick. Remember that they also worked Lawrence Jackson (2nd round project) through linebacker drills and that Gholston is still in the mix for the #1 overall selection and you get a pretty good picture that they really want to get faster and more explosive at OLB. If I had to wager a guess, I'd say that the Dolphins would love to get a Jake Long/Quentin Groves combo with their first two picks. If they were indeed zooming in on Chris Long, as some analysts claim, they would almost be forced to add a tackle with their next three picks, considering that Julius Wilson is currently the starter at RT. Alas, they are showing much more interest in adding a pass rushing OLB in the 2nd round. I'm speculating here, of course, but to me it seems that a Chris Long/Quentin Groves kind of combo would be somewhat of a luxury considering the dire OL situation with no starting calibre RT and LG on the roster. Judging from their offseason moves and draft preparations, one might just reach the conclusion that Jake's the man and Taylor's gone.
If I'm no mistaken, Mike Mayock said he liked Groves as a player, but not as a person. Does anyone know anything about Groves personality?
