Today was the day that fans look forward to most -- the offensive skill position workouts. And those who love speed were certainly not disappointed. The fastest time of the day went to East Carolina RB Chris Johnson, at 4.24 seconds. But the unquestioned focus of attention was Darren McFadden. His 4.33 time was about .2 lower than even his biggest proponents proposed he'd run. For prominent pundits like Mike Mayock and Russ Lande, who have pounded McFadden's perceived lack of propulsion, it provided a perfect pie in face. It also won at least two reporters that I'm aware of, some serious cash. Another Sunday winner: Desean Jackson, the emaciated WR/KR from California. He needed to flash the jets to overcome his extreme lack of mass (he's just 169 pounds, about 35 less than typical NFL WRs of his height) and he came through with a 4.35, fastest amongst wideouts. I was disappointed he didn't attempt any of the shuttle drills, though. Florida WR Andre Caldwell continues to get lots of under-the-radar love (the White Lion cover, not the Golden Earring original). He posted the 2nd fastest WR time at 4.37 (along with Mizzou's Will Franklin and a couple of others), but what makes his time look better is that he's six feet tall and muscularly built, whereas all the other top timers are Jackson's size. He's definitely solidified himself as a top 40 pick, and a couple of scouts I talked with have him as one of their top 3 WRs. The NFL Network is perhaps the most annoyingly self-important organization this side of Ralph Nader. A lot of the guys from there are real good people, but you know how in all the glimpses of North Korea you never see anything but glorification of Kim Jong Il and people trying not to show their enmity towards him but at the same time not stifle it either? That's the general feel of the NFL Network presence here in Indy. Following the gymnastics front from yesterday: I was in the hotel lobby for breakfast when I heard one of the girls whimpering to her mother on the phone that 5 of her 6 teammates had suffered "awful" injuries, including a broken leg "so nasty our coach passed out". Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be gymnasts! I spent a great deal of the workouts chatting up scouts and front office types. Some notes and quotes: "I don't see any place for Colt Brennan in the NFL." "James Hardy is either going to dominate or be out of the league in two years. And right now I honestly can't say which is more likely." I lean towards the former, having watched Hardy beat up some pretty good Big 10 CBs, though his lack of consistent separation and effort troubles me. "I like Chad Henne just as much as I like Matt Ryan, and I like them both better than Brian Brohm or Joe Flacco quite a bit." "Look at how at ease Mendenhall is all the time, even when he's sprinting. He's got that Emmitt Smith vibe to him. That kid is a winner." "Desean Jackson made himself a lot of money today." "That Jackson ke-yid from App-e-lay-chun State (my phonics -- picture that coming out of an overweight 50-something man with grey chest hair pluming from his golf shirt who can't go 15 minutes without running for an exit to have a cigarette) he caught my eye." Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be him, either! "These tight ends all suck" -- that's a basic paraphrasing of the general sentiment. A lot of times there was a choice expletive between the words "all" and "suck". That led to an interesting, often animated, discussion about the evolution of the TE. There is a serious cultural rift between those of us who picture Ozzie Newsome or Todd Christiansen as the ideal TE and those who think Antonio Gates or Dallas Clark are the prototype. Suffice to say that anyone looking for the old school guys, you're going to be bitterly disappointed with this draft class. John Carlson was the most like those older guys, but he barely broke the 5 second mark in the 40 and seemed both nervous and unfit. Personally I think both Fred Davis and Martellus Bennett are horribly overvalued, which draws either knowing nods or looks that make me wonder if I should get someone else to start my car for me. I'll trumpet my own horn here on tight ends: Over the past 4-5 drafts I have batted almost 1.000 on evaluations of the position, from nailing Vernon Davis as a freakishly athletic bust to Jeff King as an under-the-radar quality starter. Trust me when I tell you that you really don't want your team picking any TEs in the first two rounds. I'm in the process of updating the Top 103 prospects and have begun putting together another mock draft. Both should be done by the time the smoke clears from Indy, keep checking back! Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com

Many people present at this month's NFL combine are becoming concern with the health of defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, according to ESPN.com. Dorsey had a hairline fracture of the tibia during the summer of 2006 but claims it's not a concern heading into this April's draft. "I have no health concerns," Dorsey told the press. "I haven't missed a game since I've been at LSU. Everybody gets nicked up. Who doesn't go through a season without bumps and bruises? I don't think there is a problem at all. None of the teams have come to me about injuries at all."

The players finally started workouts today, to the great relief of most. Today was offensive linemen, tight ends and the special team specialists kicking things off. Star of the day: Purdue TE Dustin Keller, who put up more bench reps and ran the fastest 40 time of all TEs, as well as blowing away the competition in the broad jump, which he had the best distance by nearly a full foot. He also looked the most natural catching the ball with his hands and turning to run with it. Catching the ball sure did not come easy to many of the TEs on Friday. By my recollection only 3 of the 18 participants caught every ball thrown to them, and at least half the passes that got caught were trapped onto the body or juggled a little. That's really not good, because the general perception of this year's TE class is that it's weak on blocking but has a lot of quality receivers. I think a lot of us beg to differ after watching the performance. If they gave out a Mr. Congeniality award for the entire combine, my vote would go to North Carolina DT Kentwan Balmer. He's a bright center of attention wherever he goes, quick with a smile and an honest comment. Everyone I've talked with who interviewed him genuinely likes and respects Balmer, who needed a good showing here to allay the fears that he only had one good collegiate season. I asked him about how sincere and engaging he came across, and he told me it's because he did almost no interview preparation -- he wanted to be himself and not give any wrong ideas about himself. That's a stark contrast to a lot of guys here (Darren McFadden and Chris Long -- this means you!), who appear to be reading from crib notes just inside their eyelids every time they answer a question. Fun reality check of the day: Bowling Green C Kory Lichtensteiger is universally panned by every scouting pundit as having short arms, a real negative label. I asked him to stand next to me and see whose arms are longer. I'm 6'5?, he's a hair over 6'3? and our reach was within an inch. He's got very long hand bones and fingers compared to me. I guess expectations are for these linemen to be able to drag their knuckles or something... I got to meet Steve Mariucci today. The former Lions coach is now doing quality work for the NFL Network, which is freaking ubiquitous here. Yes mom, Mooch's eyes really are that blue! Quite the juxtaposition of athletics is going on, as there is some sort of gymnastics convention also going on here in downtown Indy. Most of the participants in that gathering don't measure over 4'6? or weigh 100 pounds -- or about the size of Miami DE Calais Campbell below the waist. I humbly bet that the duo of Chilo Rachal and Jeff Otah eat more tonight than all the participants in the gymnastics meet will all weekend. Glenn Dorsey made a bit of a surprise showing. I'd heard through a couple of different grapevines that he was suspected of hiding an injury and using a dead relative as a cover for it (that reads more sinister than intended). He showed up, weighed in about 20 pounds lighter than expected (296), and looked like he hadn't slept in about 3 weeks. Do not be surprised to see USC DT Sedrick Ellis move ahead of Dorsey on a lot of draft boards, as the durability and desire of Dorsey are being openly questioned, apparently with good reason. The Bears raised more eyebrows today by re-signing embattled QB Rex Grossman to a one year deal. I keep envisioning Lovie Smith endlessly repeating the mantra "Rex is our starting quarterback", then wondering why his team finishes 5-11. Sorry Bears fans, but there's not a person here I've talked to with much positive to say about that team, other than Lovie Smith's goatee looks great. Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com

UCLA quarterback Patrick Cowan had a small piece of torn cartilage removed from his left knee on Friday, according to an Associated Press report. He will begin rehab next week. Spring football practice opens April 3, and Cowan?s status will be evaluated during his rehab, the school said.

Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis, who built his reputation as a play-caller while helping the Patriots win three Super Bowls, won't be calling plays for the Fighting Irish next season, according to an Associated Press report. Offensive Coordinator Mike Haywood will call plays so Weis, coming off a dismal season, can concentrate on his duties as head coach.

A prep football player who had claimed he was duped into believing he was recruited to play at a Pac-10 school admitted Wednesday he made up the story, according to an Associated Press report. Kevin Hart, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound offensive lineman for Fernley High School (Nevada), offered a broad apology in a statement he issued through the Lyon County School District. Hart said he had wanted to play football at a DI school "more than anything."

Terrelle Pryor's news conference Wednesday is going on as planned, but the prep QB won't be making a coach very happy on signing day. The Associated Press sent Pryor a text message a few hours before he was to address the media at Jeannette (Pa.) High School, asking if he would announce where he will attend college. "No, I'm not," Pryor replied in a text message to the AP.