With Cameron Jordan's departure in the first round all but guaranteed, the New England Patriots may use their 17th pick to draft the Cal defensive end. If New England does not draft Cam, San Diego (18th pick) and Kansas City (21) would be happy to pick him.
ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay each project Jordan going to the Patriots at No. 17, the pick they acquired from the Oakland Raiders for Richard Seymour.
"The Patriots are a phenomenal team," Jordan said.
Jordan checked into the combine at 6-foot-4 and 287 pounds. He played left end in Cal's 3-4 defense, but he isn't concerned with switching to a 4-3 position, outside linebacker or -- by the sounds of it -- punter.
"My motto is: Draft me, and I'll play anywhere," Jordan said. "I don't care where I play. I just want to be on the team. I want to play football. That's what I love doing.
"I have shown I can stand up. I can play a 3-technique. I can play a 5-technique. Put me anywhere, and I'll play."
Three minutes into an engaging interview, a reporter asked Jordan whether he can transform from a happy-go-lucky guy into a vicious tackler on game days.
"If you see my film, I'm hitting people. I'm laying people out," Jordan said with a laugh. "Actually, there's sort of a switch because I still have the smile on my face, but it's all for a different motive.
"It'll put the biggest smile on me to hit a quarterback and hear the wind come out of his chest. That just pleases me the most."
After the jump Vereen, Conte, and Mohamed also try to impress scouts, Monty brings in another recruit, and current NIT bracket projections have the Bears as a 5-seed.
Basketball
- NIT bracket projections have the Bears as a 5-seed. They were a projected 7-seed before sweeping the Oregons last weekend.
- The Bears will play in the CBE Classic November 21-22 along with Georgia, Notre Dame, and Missouri. Maybe the Bears can avenge their 5-point half against Notre Dame.
- 6'8" forward Christian Berhens committed to Cal last night. BearInsider has more, including several quotes from Berhens.
- Faraudo talks to new commit Christian Berhens about his decision to join Cal, which position he'll play, and returning from an ACL injury.
- Fellow commit De'End Parker and CCSF advanced past Butte in the first round of the JC NorCal Playoffs.
- An unnamed NBA scout talked to Faraudo about the fiery play of Jorge Gutierrez. The scout said Jorge's competitiveness mirrors that of Joe Kapp.
- Mike Mohamed's draft diary gives insight in the day-to-day routines players go through while at the Combine.
- Ted Miller's notes on Pac-12 Combine players includes coverage of Shane Vereen, who posted an impressive combination of speed and strength.
- Avi's coverage over at SBN Bay Area has all of Shane's times from the various drills.
- Vereen earns a spot on JagNation's all-Combine offensive team.
- Ted's notes from Monday talk about Cameron Jordan, who continues to impress scouts after the Senior Bowl.
- SFGate and Mercury News also have coverage of Jordan's rising NFL stock.
- A St Louis Rams writer was quite impressed with Mike Mohamed.
- Scott Porter interviews Mike Mohamed about what type of team should draft him and the biggest challenges of being a linebacker.