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NFL Combine: C.J. Spiller leads the running of the bulls

Clemson’s C.J. Spiller did not break Chris Johnson’s modern-day NFL Combine record of 4.24 seconds in the 40-yard dash but he came close with a 4.37.

With the time, Spiller cemented his first-round grade and status as the best and most dangerous RB in his draft class. It also helped explain how 21 of the 50 TDs he scored at Clemson were 50 yards or longer.

The 5-11, 196-pound senior projects to continue to be a triple threat in the NFL, capable of taking it to the house by running, receiving and returning kicks.

Another slender runner, Cal’s Jahvid Best also showed his explosiveness with the best time of the RBs, with a 4.35.

Even more astonishing, however, may have been the performance of the runners scheduled to follow Spiller to the podium at the 2010 NFL draft.

Their size, speed and college productivity makes this draft rich in value. While as many as a half dozen OTs could be chosen in the first round, many of these runners will last until later rounds, which will result in a lot of happy campers in August.

Remember Shonn Greene? The Iowa back drafted at the top of the 3rd round last year? Led the Jets to the AFC championship game?

There may be at least 7 of his prototypes in this pipeline who may be faster and more elusive:

THE MEASURABLES

Player	College	Height	Weight	40-yard	Bench	Vertical
Shonn Greene	(2009)	5′11″	227 lbs.	4.65 secs.	19	37″
Ryan Matthews	Fresno St.	6′0″	218 lbs.	4.45 secs.	19	36″
Jonathan Dwyer	Georgia Tech	5′11″	229 lbs.	4.59 secs.	15	n/a
Anthony Dixon	Mississippi	6′1″	233 lbs.	4.65 secs.	15	n/a
Toby Gerhart	Stanford	6′0″	231 lbs.	4.53 secs.	22	38″
Ben Tate	Auburn	5′11″	220 lbs.	4.43 secs.	26	40.5″
Montario Hardesty	Tennessee	6′0″	225 lbs.	4.49 secs.	21	41″
LeGarrette Blount	Oregon	6′0″	241 lbs.	4.62 secs.	19	n/a

FROM THE 2010 NFL SCOUTING COMBINE:

See Tim Tebow jump, see Tim Tebow run

Pitt TE Dorin Dickerson will be on the move

Maryland’s Bruce Campbell is 2010’s workout warrior

Rams open to drafting QB No. 1

NFL scouting combine fails as a character study

2010 NFL DRAFT PREVIEWS:

Florida CB Joe Haden far from ordinary

South Florida DE Jason Pierre-Paul’s meteoric rise

Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung leads OT parade

Texas S Earl Thomas busts a move

Oklahoma St. WR Dez Bryant says he still has it

Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen and the golden hype

Should the Cowboys take Oklahoma T Trent Williams?

USC S Taylor Mays and Pete Carroll destined to reunite in Seattle

Cal RB Jahvid Best and his sick speed

Husker Hurts Suh good

Tennessee S Eric Berry and Ed Reed

Oklahoma DT Gerald McCoy No. 1?

Head north, Tim Tebow, far north