T.J. Tampa projected as first round pick going into NFL Combine

Scruff

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Mar 11, 2008
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I think that many in the league view it as a gimmick defense. Or at most something you use only situationally. But as far as CBs, ISU doesn’t really emphasize speed. Corners don’t have to turn and cover as much because of all the safeties behind them. We seem to care more about short area quickness and tackling ability. Our CB film doesn’t really translate well to NFL schemes. So, it probably shouldn’t be a surprise that Tampa dropped just due to uncertainty.
Glad to hear this may have been a scheme thing. My initial thought was that Matt Campbell needs to help our guys find better agents so they quit falling so far in the draft. Seeing TJ Tampa go 2.5 rounds after being listed as Mel Kiper's best available was almost as rough as watching Alan Lazard go undrafted.
 
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madguy30

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His odds of making it in the NFL are going down with every pick that goes by. Once you get into rounds 5-7 its full of guys who never end up sniffing an NFL roster.

Neither early or late rounds guarantee anything outside of an early contract/ signing bonus.
 

BigLame

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Are people really this emotionally distraught over if/when an ISU player gets drafted?

Like are you really crushed or sad?
In the end, I just want the best possible scenario for any Cyclone drafted. Round/selection make a difference with the initial contract, so the higher the pick the more $ in the players pocket. Plus it helps solidify the perception of the Campbell/ISU program getting more position groups in the NFL.

Now in the larger scheme, the importance is getting selected. Simple as that. However I think it is best to be in the first 5 rounds, as the UDFA money now seems equal, if not better, than what 6th & 7th round draft picks receive. Think they just said this on the NFL network, but I could have heard wrong or whomever said it could be full of bs, but it seems logical --

However, in my eyes it was almost a knock on the Purdy pick 2 years ago. Throw away your 7th round pick or take extreme high flyers as each team's efforts in throwing $ at UDFA's will be a players best move. Believe the thinking is the UDFAs will make the best fit for them personally.
 
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CloniesForLife

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Charlie Kolar & TJ Tampa both in Baltimore. Nice landing spot for TJ. I wished it was earlier for Tampa's wallet sake, but great organization & defense to land on.
After the first couple rounds better to go a little later to a good fit I feel like. Hopefully pays off in the long run
 

Cyinthenorth

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His issue was his 40 time. When there is a rookie class of receivers coming in that averaged a 4.3 40 yard dash, TJ’s 4.52 doesn’t help. Now, there are other things these execs look at, but unfortunately speed is usually the biggest factor for DB’s
I suspected that this is what hurt him as well. It's funny because while we never heard speed was an issue for him at ISU, we also never heard that he was a burner by any means. He was an elite athlete, but just not known for blazing speed. My guess is his "football speed" is fine. He landed in a good spot regardless, imo
 

RagingCloner

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I suspected that this is what hurt him as well. It's funny because while we never heard speed was an issue for him at ISU, we also never heard that he was a burner by any means. He was an elite athlete, but just not known for blazing speed. My guess is his "football speed" is fine. He landed in a good spot regardless, imo
There is a video of him from the cyhawk game where he was clocked at 21.3 mph. For reference, Jaylen Waddle was clocked at 21.6 last year. If you put that 21.3 into the nfl last year, he would be 1 of only 36 players to run over 21 mph. Who knows why his 40 time was as bad as it was on pro day, but these teams all missed on TJ for sure
 
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Frak

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There is a video of him from the cyhawk game where he was clocked at 21.3 mph. For reference, Jaylen Waddle was clocked at 21.6 last year. If you put that 21.3 into the nfl last year, he would be 1 of only 36 players to run over 21 mph. Who knows why his 40 time was as bad as it was on pro day, but these teams all missed on TJ for sure
That 40 cost him millions of dollars. ISU would be smart to hire someone specifically to train players for combine tests.
 

Stormin

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That 40 cost him millions of dollars. ISU would be smart to hire someone specifically to train players for combine tests.

Injured and did not play in Senior Bowl. Less exposure. And then the disappointing 40 time as he might not have been fully recovered.
 
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houjix

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That 40 cost him millions of dollars. ISU would be smart to hire someone specifically to train players for combine tests.
Around $2 million if he had gone in the 2nd versus the 4th. Just has to ball out like Brock and nail some of the performance escalators with an eye towards that second contract.
 
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