Official Chargers Blog

It’s Saturday morning and for the first time since I arrived in Indianapolis Thursday morning, the snow has stopped falling. Not that many media members have noticed, seeing how we’ve spent the vast majority of our time holed up in the Indiana Convention Center chasing down draft prospects and team executives.

Friday was the busiest and most star-studded day of the Combine. Quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers visited with the media yesterday. Big names such as Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, Texas wide receiver Limas Sweed, Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan, Illinois running back Reshard Mendenhall, Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart and Cal receiver DeSean Jackson were among the prospects who made their way to the interview room on Friday.

McFadden, considered by many to be the top running back prospect in the draft, was a triple threat in college. He regularly ran what was called the “Wild Hog” formation where he would take the snap from out of the shotgun and have the option to run, pass or handoff to another back. On Friday, he mentioned that he appreciates LaDainian Tomlinson’s ability as a passer and said he’d love to see running backs get more opportunities to throw the ball.

While McFadden is an LT fan, he claims that another San Diegan, former Bronco Terrell Davis, has always been his favorite running back.

Ryan was impressive at the microphone as he addressed the media with confidence. At 6-5, 218, he has prototypical size for an NFL quarterback and will most likely be the first signal caller taken in April’s draft. Another player who continues to gain steam is Delaware’s Joe Flacco.

Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, a likely top-five pick, continued to impress Friday as he recorded 37 reps on the bench press. No player threw the 245 pounds up more times than Long.

Kickers, punters and long snappers were the first group to take the field Friday. Offensive linemen and tight ends will take part in the physical drills today. Among tight ends, USC’s Fred Davis and Notre Dame’s John Carlson will likely draw the most eyes.

NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock believes as many as six offensive tackles could be drafted in the first round this year, an unprecedented number. Long is the unquestioned leader of the pack, a group that includes Vanderbilt’s Chris Williams, Boise State’s Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah from Pittsburgh and Gosder Cherilus of Boston College.

Defensive linemen and linebackers will be in the media center today, so we’ll have a chance to chat with Virginia’s Chris Long, LSU’s Glenn Dorsey and USC’s Sedrick Ellis, all three of whom could come off the board in the top 10.

Keep checking throughout the day as we’ll keep you informed of anything noteworthy happening in Indianapolis.