http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft05/news/story?id=2026922
A slightly heavier but more sculpted Maurice Clarett might have improved his draft status Thursday during a vigorous solo workout for NFL scouts in Youngstown, Ohio.
The running back weighed in at 236 pounds, two pounds heavier than at the NFL combine, but his 40-yard dash times were better than in February.
He ran 40s in 4.67 and 4.68 seconds, according to his agents Steve Feldman and Josh Luchs, and one team clocked him at 4.65. In Indianapolis last month, he was timed at 4.87 and 4.72.
"I was just trying to give the coaches what they wanted," Clarett said. "They wanted a faster 40, so I worked on the 40 more than anything."
Inclement weather forced the 75-minute workout to be moved indoors and performed on artificial turf, the same surface on which the combine was conducted.
Bengals running backs coach Jim Anderson led the bulk of the agility drills, and, according to witnesses, worked Clarett tirelessly to see if he would quit. At the combine, Clarett walked off the field after his poor 40 time, which left a poor impression on team personnel. Clarett finished all of Anderson's drills Thursday.
"I was wheezing a little bit at the end, but overall I think I did good," Clarett said.
Browns assistants also put him through several running back drills, which he performed with his shirt off. He wore a form-fitting lycra shirt for the 40.
Before the workout, Clarett was projected to be selected as low as the sixth or seventh rounds, and possibly not at all. However, Luchs said draft position isn't a priority.
"We're not that concerned with where he goes, because wherever he's drafted is going to be far below where his talent level really is," he said. "So, we're really preparing for minicamps and training camps and trying to get Maurice ready for going out and earning a job, regardless of where he's drafted."
Scouts and coaches representing Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Miami, New England, Pittsburgh and St. Louis attended the workout near Clarett's hometown of Warren.
"He looks good," Browns offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon said.
I'd definately pick him up with a later draft pick. I know Im going to get a "OMG HE'S NOT A CORE GUY, A GIBBS GUY, A CORE SKIN, OMGFGTH!!!" I'll kill that right now, that doesn't exist and the only core Skin is Joe Gibbs.
If anythnig we could trade him off for more than wut we paid.
