On what is a notoriously busy day for potential NFL draft picks, Michael Griffin was bored.
There wasn't much need for the former Longhorn safety to run the 40-yard dash Wednesday during Texas' Pro Timing Day at the team's weight room and practice bubble.
He'd already recorded a respectable 4.45 seconds at February's NFL combine. But instead of sitting the drill out Wednesday, Griffin got up and ran with his ex-teammates.
"I didn't want to sit around this whole time just watching everybody do it," Griffin said. "This is a team thing, and I wanted to compete. I was just going out there and tried to set the tone and motivate everyone else to go out there and try to improve."
With those runs, Griffin upped his 40 time by about five one-hundreths of a second, running times between 4.39 and 4.41 seconds, depending on the stopwatch.
Griffin also participated in the vertical leap, improving his height to 39 1/2 inches after a 36-inch jump at the combine.
Griffin is expected to be either a low first-round pick or a high second-round choice, though the improved numbers could boost his status.
But all of the predictions mean nothing to Griffin.
"There's too many mock drafts. I don't even pay attention," Griffin said. "I see so many names, and I'm like, 'Who are these people?' A mock draft doesn't really do anything for you."
In fact, Griffin doesn't even see himself making an immediate impact on an NFL team's defense. He thinks, for now at least, his skills could best be put to use on special teams.
"I can contribute as a gunner, covering kickoffs or kickoff returns or blocking punts. Special teams wins big games," Griffin said. "I see myself as anywhere they want to put me."
Defensive Back U
The main attractions at this year's Pro Day were Texas' defensive backs, led by Griffin and Aaron Ross.
Though Vince Young stole the show last year, Texas has put out a slew of high-quality NFL defensive backs in recent years.
One of those former Longhorns is Chicago Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher, who came to Austin to watch the players continue the tradition that is largely credited to defensive backs coach Duane Akina.
"He's been able to coach great players. He's done a great job, coached some Thorpe Award winners," Vasher said. "That says a whole lot about him as a coach. Texas just continues to produce this product."
Ross is the latest award-winning Texas defensive back, and he hopes last season's successes transfer to the NFL draft.
"I feel like I'm one of the best DBs," Ross said. "I hope the coaches see the same thing."
It looks like Ross might get his wish. Bears coach Lovie Smith was at the Pro Day and struck up a conversation with Ross during the drills he sat out.
"I feel like that's a good sign when coach Lovie comes up and introduces himself to you," Ross said. "That's a big step."
Ramonce makes appearance
Former Longhorn running back Ramonce Taylor, who left the team before last season, watched the Pro Day from the sidelines Tuesday.
He didn't participate in any drills with the rest of the ex-Longhorns, but he was there to perform in front of NFL scouts.
"I'm not looking to be a free agent," Taylor said. "I'm looking to be drafted."
Notable:
Other former Longhorns that participated in Pro Day included: offensive linemen Justin Blalock, Lyle Sendlein and Casey Studdard; defensive linemen Tim Crowder and Brian Robison; and defensive backs Tarell Brown and Matt Melton. … "Mean" Joe Green attended and signed an autograph for Crowder's parents. … According to Griffin, at least four of the players at Pro Day - he, Ross, Crowder and Blalock - have chosen Ben Dogra of Creative Artists Agency to represent them heading into the draft.
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