Packers Daily Links: Scout Checks Out Edmund Gates

Gates ran the fastest 40 time of any wide receiver at the NFL Combine. That and more in today's Daily Links...

A scout of the Green Bay Packers was reportedly in attendance at the Abilene Christian University pro day workout on Thursday where the star of the show was wide receiver Edmund Gates. "It was Gates who headlined the event though, and he failed to disappoint," writes Austin Gwin of the Optimist, a student publication. "Although he chose not to run the always-exciting 40-yard dash, Gates improved his standing broad jump from the NFL Combine by three inches for a new mark of 11 feet, 3 inches. With former Angelo State quarterback Josh Neiswander throwing him passes, Gates effortlessly caught every ball that came his way." Gates ran for what tied for the fastest 40 time at the NFL Combine in February clocking in at 4.37.

The Packers checked out Arkansas State offensive lineman Derek Newton, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net and SI.com. "Keep offensive lineman Derek Newton of Arkansas State on the list of potential risers," writes Pauline. "Chicago Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice ran his pro-day workout last week, which was attended by the Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans and St Louis Rams. There’s some thought teams may move the college tackle into guard. We feel he’s best as a strong side tackle." Newton is listed as 6-5, 311 pounds and was named first-team All-Sun Belt Conference last season.

The Super Bowl champions also had a representative at South Dakota State's pro day where cornerback Cole Brodie was on display. "South Dakota State cornerback and kick returner Cole Brodie ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 and 4.43 seconds at his campus Pro Day workout, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation," writes Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. In addition to playing defense where he was an All-Missouri Valley Conference selection, Brodie also averaged over 24 yards per kick return and over 10 yard per punt return last season.

In a online chat with readers wrapping up his coverage from the NFL owners meeting in New Orleans, Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette shined some light onto the contact the Packers can have with their draft choices after the draft given the current lockout. "The teams can talk to players during the draft process and can even bring first round picks in for media obligations for 24 hours following when they're drafted," writes Dougherty. "But no negotiations can take place." If the lockout is still in place by the time the draft occurs, the Packers will likely have a press conference introducing their first-round draft choice the next week.

Tight end Jermichael Finley criticized Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco for his professional soccer tryout. "Man I think this cat @ochocinco is a clown. Bruh soccer seriously, sit down an wait for this lockout to b over and play what u no best," wrote Finley via his Twitter account, according to an article posted at Yahoo." Ochocinco responded to the negative reaction to his soccer tryout, though didn't mention Finley specifically.

Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin has been named to the list of speakers at the Notre Dame Football Coaching Clinic. "In his four seasons at the offensive helm, Philbin has directed both a productive and sound unit," according to article at Notre Dame's official website touting Philbin's appearance. "The team's 1,703 points from 2007-10 are the most in franchise history over a four-year period." Philbin is speaking at the event tonight.

The Packers were originally criticized in an article by Dan Pompei of the National Football Post for reducing the salaries of their employees during the lockout. The article has been rectified, meaning the Packers haven't reduced any salaries yet, although they may if the lockout lasts long enough. "The Packers have the contractual right to cut the pay of coaches and all football personnel, as well as 20 of their high-ranking administrators, after 60 days of a work stoppage," writes Pompei. "If no games are lost, those employees would get their money back."

The Packers were in attendance at the pro day workouts of Syracuse and Central Florida.

A trio of articles is up on the Packer Insider section of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (subscription required) on Ted Thompson, Mike McCarthy and the NFL Scouting Combine.

The RPI college hockey team took a tour of Lambeau Field while in Green Bay for an NCAA regional appearance at the Resch Center this weekend.

Middle Tennessee State defensive end Jamari Lattimore was compared to Packers linebacker Erik Walden after the former's pro day workout yesterday.

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Comments (5)

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jeremy's picture

March 25, 2011 at 09:17 am

11 feet, 3 inches Broad jump! That's impressive, the World Record is 12.2 ft. Did they say what his 10 yard split was? I'll bet it was good too.

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MarkinMadison's picture

March 25, 2011 at 12:10 pm

All athletes and other minor celebrities should ban themselves from using Twitter.

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MEXPACKFAN's picture

March 25, 2011 at 01:48 pm

Agree with you MarkinMadison celebrities just sound dumb on twitter. Also Finley shouldn't have said that about Ocho. So what if he likes soccer, Finley should mind his own business.

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WoodyG's picture

March 25, 2011 at 04:17 pm

Somehow I have this feeling that J. Finley won't play his entire career in GB ..... He'll last his current contract (1 more year?) & then GB will let him walk ..... Whenever his name surfaces in the media, it has a negative tone to it .....

He seems to have too much time on his hands .......He needs to find a hobby .....

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SpartaChris's picture

March 25, 2011 at 08:36 pm

Seriously, Finley needs to shut the hell up. Guy is an idiot..

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