Every NFL draft prospect performs the equivalent of a striptease that lasts for months and months. And often, the more they show the less attractive they become.
Late in the draft process some teams developed concerns about Chris Williams, the Bears’ first-round pick, because his arms aren’t quite as long as the ideal. Arm length is important for offensive tackles because an inch in reach can be the difference between a sack and a block.
How long are Williams’ arms? Well, it depends who did the measuring. At the Senior Bowl, he was measured at 32 7/8 inches. At the combine, he was measured at 33 1/2 inches. The Bears measured him at 33 inches.
The way Bears general manager Jerry Angelo sees it, 32-inch arms are short, 33-inch arms are acceptable, and 34-inch arms are ideal.
“A lot of times on tape a guy’s arms look short, but they aren’t short,” Angelo said. “Sometimes their arms measure short, but you don’t see it in their play. In the case of Williams, he does not play like a short-armed tackle.”
Data on arm length was available for 63 NFL offensive tackles who started a majority of games last season. On average, the arm length of tackles was 33 15/16 inches.
Only three players who started had arms shorter than 32 inches. Nick Kaczur of the Patriots has 31 7/8-inch arms. Sean Locklear of the Seahawks had 31 3/8-inch arms. And Shane Olivea, formerly of the Chargers, has 30 1/2-inch arms.
It’s one thing for a seventh-round pick like Olivea to have short arms. It’s another for a first-round pick like Williams to have short arms. There were 24 tackles at the combine whose arms measured longer than those of Williams.
Of the eight tackles chosen in the first round, the only other player who might have trouble getting the lint out of his pants pockets is Sam Baker, who the Falcons chose 21st. Baker’s arms measured 32 3/4 inches.
The Falcons, like the Bears, say they are unconcerned about their first-rounder’s arm length.
“If you can slide easily and redirect, then you usually can make up for 1 or 2 inches in arm length,” Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff says.
One of the reasons Ryan Clady was chosen with the 12th pick — ahead of Williams — is his knuckles almost could scrape the ground because of his 36 3/4-inch arms.
Williams may or may not become a nightmare for NFL defensive ends, but he probably already is one for his tailor. One team measured Williams’ right arm at 33 1/2 inches and his left at 31 1/4 inches.
Is this a cause for concern with a left tackle?
“Not a big deal,” Angelo said. “The predominant arm usually is a little longer. We overanalyze too many things.”
Roster crisis
Many front offices are not happy with the new rule that limits training camp roster sizes to 80 players. In the past, NFL Europe players were given roster exemptions in camp, leading to rosters close to 90 players.
Now, with players who are on the physically unable to perform list, most teams will be trying to practice with about 75 players.
“It’s going to be hard to get through camp and the exhibitions like this,” one general manager said. “If you have injuries, you are in trouble.”
Many teams will have no competition at kicker, punter and long snapper. The fourth quarterback now has become a luxury that many teams will not enjoy.
Ultimately, player development could be hurt by the new roster limit. But that might be part of the plan because the league appears to be sending this message to the NFL Players Association — if you want to play hardball on the labor front, we can play hardball too.
Scout talk
It takes some NFL players longer than others to have a “breakout” season. They can’t all be like Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson.
Based on conversations with scouts, these are some veteran offensive players who could have breakout seasons in 2008.
Quarterback
No young passer is in a better situation than Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. He has been sitting, watching and learning from Brett Favre for three years and has been working in coach Mike McCarthy’s system for two years. Rodgers takes over a team that was in the NFC championship game last year. He has excellent receivers. And he has played very well in limited time. The only things that could work against Rodgers are his inability to stay healthy and the shadow of Favre.
Running back
Michael Turner was the best backup running back in football, averaging 5.5 yards per carry over four years as the closer for the Chargers. The former Northern Illinois runner should give his new team, the Falcons, a physical, tough identity.
Wide receivers
Both breakout players have ties to Mike Martz. Some think Detroit’s Calvin Johnson will benefit from playing in a simpler offense now that Martz has moved to San Francisco. The second-year player also had nagging injuries holding him back. Jason Hill, however, should benefit from Martz’s offense. The 49ers will throw the ball all over the field and Hill has the skills to flourish in the system. Martz has a history of getting big production out of players like Hill, who was the 49ers’ third-round pick last year.
Tight end
Leaving the Colts usually does not enhance an offensive player’s productivity, but it could in the case of Ben Utecht. The Bengals plan to run a lot of two-tight end formations and Utecht could be the beneficiary of the team’s problems with wide receiver Chad Johnson. Someone has to catch Carson Palmer’s passes.
Offensive tackles
Tony Ugoh was thrown into the Colts’ starting lineup at left tackle as a rookie and performed pretty well until a neck injury forced him to miss five games. He came back and finished the season strong, and should take his game to the next level this year. Levi Brown got off to a rockier start at right tackle for the Cardinals, what with a training camp holdout and an ankle injury. Reports out of Arizona say Brown has been very impressive in the off-season program.
Guards
The Ravens are moving Ben Grubbs from right guard to left — where he played at Auburn. They subsequently expect him to hit his stride. Grubbs, a 2007 first-round pick, has had a tremendous off-season and one scout rates him as the Ravens’ best blocker. The Packers have a lot of competition on their offensive line, but Jason Spitz could emerge as the best of the bunch. He played at a high level last season when healthy, and coaches love his blue-collar approach. The only thing that has held him back has been injuries, and Spitz has made big gains in the weight room.
Center
If Nick Mangold ever is going to fulfill his potential, this should be the year. The Jets believe Mangold should be able to elevate his play in part because he is playing next to newly acquired guard Alan Faneca. Some believe Mangold will respond to the style of new offensive line coach Bill Callahan.
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dpompei@tribune.com
