Feb. 22--INDIANAPOLIS -- While the quarterback spotlight at the NFL scouting combine has zeroed in on Heisman Trophy winners Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, Baylor's Bryce Petty has been pushing to convince teams he can be a difference maker at the next level too.
There is no questioning Petty's productivity after a senior season in which he threw for 3,855 and 29 touchdowns in 12 games while helping Baylor average 48.2 points per game. But now NFL teams face the challenge of translating what Petty's prolific college numbers out of a shotgun spread system really mean in terms of his pro potential.
First through interviews and then with Saturday's on-field work at Lucas Oil Stadium, Petty hoped his aptitude and enthusiasm were obvious.
"For me, the best way I can say it is you're going to get a guy who is passionate about football, loves football, loves to learn, loves to absorb," Petty said. "I think that's what is hard to find on paper. You really have to just get in there and be with (teams) and talk X's and O's with them."
While Petty acknowledges he will face a steep learning curve as he works to become polished coming out from under center, he does pride himself on being a steady pocket passer, something he believes he showed at Baylor even out of the shotgun.
"I want to extend plays within the pocket," Petty said. "That might be a little bit different than most spread quarterbacks who want to run it out of the pocket."
New Bears general manager Ryan Pace has made it known he plans to take his swings at quarterback until he lands the right guy. So at this point, all options at the position must be explored.
Petty currently is projected as a mid-round pick.
Stating his case: Duke guard Laken Tomlinson, a Lane Tech alumnus, continues to turn heads with his effort in the pre-draft process. After holding his own at the Senior Bowl in January, Tomlinson arrived at the combine intent on selling teams on his physicality, fundamentals and intelligence.
"One of the things I want to market to all the teams is that I'm one hell of a player," Tomlinson said.
Tomlinson said he models his game after Lions offensive lineman Larry Warford, a third-round pick out of Kentucky two years ago.
"I see the resemblance in my own technique," Tomlinson said. "So I've continued to watch more tape on him. He has really nimble feet and I try to emulate that in my game."
Weight a minute: Nebraska's Randy Gregory, one of the top pass rushers in the draft class, has no anxiety over the increased scrutiny on his weight after he checked in at 235 pounds this week. Gregory said he played as light as 230 pounds and as heavy as 258 in college and plans to begin bulking up again after the combine.
"I still set the edge well because of my technique," Gregory said. "And I use my strength well for how much I weigh."
Gregory seems best suited to be an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense in the NFL.
dwiederer@tribpub.com
