4th & 1 .... A fan's take.

Baltimore, Maryland - As the first group of place kickers, special teams, offensive linemen, and tight ends arrive at Lucas Oil Stadium so too has the 2010 NFL Combine. It also marks the beginning of the endless prognosticating from everyone from Mel Kiper to the guy with a blog, including myself. One reoccurring debate that's been almost nonstop since the final ticks of the Sugar Bowl is how will Tim Tebow fair as an NFL quarterback, H-Back, running back, or tight end. Unfortunately, that question will only be partially answered this week as Tebow retools his throwing mechanics and drops. He will, however, give teams a glimpse into if he has a skill set that'd allow him to transition to another position.

Without fail every year there are a handful of collegiate players that excel in the combine that suddenly catapults them into earlier rounds of the NFL Draft. There is are definitely mixed results when selecting a workout warrior, for every Chris Johnson, a little known running back from East Carolina whose been one of the league's best in Tennessee, to Mike Mamula, the Boston College standout who failed to live up to being the number seven pick in the draft for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jacoby Ford WR Clemson Ford will absolutely have GMs and coaches salivating when he runs his 40s this weekend. Besides being a starting wide receiver for the Clemson Tigers Ford was also the NCAA's 60 meter sprint champion. Teams looking for a difference maker will be hard pressed to find an athlete at the combine this year who has Ford's elite speed. A caution flag may be raised over slight size, 5'-9", or that he only had modest statistics during his career at Clemson.

Bruce Campbell OT Maryland The Terrapins have become known for sending impressive athletes to the combine with the likes of Shawn Merriman and Vernon Davis turning heads. Campbell will impresses teams with his freakish athleticism for a player of his size, 6'-6" and 310 pounds. He should clearly make up on Okung (Oklahoma State) and Davis (Rutgers) over the weekend but the fact remains that Campbell does not have the game tape to compare to either.

Taylor Mays S USC The combine was made for a player like Mays. Mays is an incredible athlete that possesses size, 6'-3" and 230 pounds, and speed. Mays could very likely grade out at the top of every circuit this week for his position. Unfortunately teams will find very little game tape that shows Mays utilizing his talents. A very similar player that awed people with their physicality but lacked ballhawking skills is Tebucky Jones who was drafted in the first round by the New England Patriots in 1998.

By Scott Shinskie

Baltimore, MD March 5th is quickly approaching with little progress between the owners and the players' union as they negotiate the new collective bargaining agreement. If they fail to execute a new agreement an impressive list of free agents will be able to sign with a new team in an uncapped year. This may be the year that the NFL has its first $20 million a year player and interestingly it may not even be a quarterback that breaks the bank.

4th & 1 has compiled the a list of the best available Free Agents for the 2010 season.

Kyle Orton QB Denver Orton seems like the least sexy selection compared to those with more potential upside like a Jason Campbell or Matt Moore, each who have had some level of success as a starter. But Orton, has now proven that given the opportunity with some level of talent he can win games. He started off '09 blazing hot ripping off seven touchdowns before tossing his first pick. With a 62.1% completion percentage and nearly 4,000 yards passing Orton displayed the type of leadership and control needed to lead a team.

Pierre Thomas RB New Orleans Although Thomas is a restricted free agent and unlikely to move New Orleans has an astonishing 21 free agents that they must address on their squad so a team may be able steal him for the right price. At 5'-11' and 215 pounds Thomas is an every down back who has the wiggle to make defenders miss and the power to run between the tackles. Since he was part of a three back rotation with the Saints he's been spared the wear and tear a featured back typically endures. Thomas averaged an impressive 5.4 yards per carry for the 2009 season on 147 carries. He's the type of back that gets stronger as the game wears on as evidenced by his 5.6 yards per attempt in the second half as opposed to 4.6 in the first half which bodes well for a team that wants to make Thomas one of their main weapons.

Miles Austin WR Dallas Austin has all of the makings of a legitimate game changer after his breakout 2009 season. At 6'-3" Austin has the ability to win jump balls along with stretching the field with his speed. His statistics for 2009 were impressive with 81 catches for 1,320 yards for an average of 16.3 yards per reception. Since Austin was not originally slotted as the #1 WR there is some thought that he could have caught over 100 balls for the season if he was the focal point. He's a competitor who thrives on playing in a hostile environment, during away games he caught more passes and touchdowns.

Tony Scheffler TE Denver Scheffler may be a victim of Coach McDaniels new offense. Prior to the installation of McDaniel's new scheme Scheffler was catching close to 50 passes per season. Fast forward to the end of the 2009 season, he has nearly 20 less catches than the two previous seasons. At only 26 years old Scheffler offers a team a proven playmaking tight end who can stretch the field.

Jared Gaither OT Baltimore At 23 and already three seasons under his belt Gaither provides a high caliber left tackle. Standing at 6' 9" Gaither is a road grading tackle who plays with a mean streak. A neck injury against during the Patriots game that proved minor is the only injury that he's had of significance. He's proven to be a reliable tackle that's been able to handle some of the game's best defenders without the benefit of double teams.

By Scott Shinskie

The 2010 draft will undoubtedly be a strong one on the defensive side of the ball with the first three picks most likely being DT Suh, McCoy DT, and Berry S. It doesn't stop at the top of the draft either as twenty of the first thirty-two picks will be defensively oriented. Besides the names Mel Kiper, Mike Mayock, and Todd McShay have thrown about leading to April's Combine plenty of diamonds in the rough will be available in this year's draft.

IUP Akwasi Owusu-Ansah CB (6'0"5/8 - 199 lbs) This small school product from Indiana University of Pennsylvania offers teams a cornerback with good height and size who fluidly is able to get in and out of breaks. He also the initial burst and top end speed to stay with receivers on the next level. Owusu-Ansah brings mental toughness as he didn't miss a single game in 2009 when he injured his shoulder and was required to play with a harness for the reminder of the season. His standout asset may be his ballhawking ability to locate and attack passes. The lone concern with his transition to the NFL is that he played more of a safety position than a true corner.

Arkansas State Alex Carrington DE (6' 5" - 284 lbs) Offers an intriguing prospect who provides sheer size and brute strength that teams covet in either a 3 - 4 or 4 - 3 defensive scheme. Since Carrington offers such a unique size-strength combination teams may look to experiment with him along the defensive line including tackle and nose guard. His constant motor, size, strength, and ability to separate are why NFL coaches are suddenly taking notice especially since his 2009 stats includes 19 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.

Florida State Myron Rolle LB (6' 1" 3/4 - 225) Rolle is a fierce competitor who played safety for the Seminoles who started 35 games. After four seasons Rolle was selected to be a Rhodes Scholar along with 31 other of America's brightest. As he knocks off the rust he'd be best served to add weight to his frame to transition to linebacker. He possesses the speed, strength, and agility that would allow him excel at the backer position. The concern some NFL coaches have surround Rolle's commitment level to football.

Baltimore, MD As the NFL season is now officially closed with the Saints impressive victory over the Colts in a 31-17 win all eyes are now focused on free agency and the draft. Draft favorites like Ndamukong Suh, Eric Berry, and Dez Bryant are proven players that will undoubtedly be first round selections. General Managers don't build championship programs on first round selections alone their success ultimately is gauged by their late round decisions.

The 4th and 1 team have compiled a list of potential offensive sleepers for the 2010 draft.

Ole Miss Dexter McCluster RB (5'8" - 165 lbs) During the Senior Bowl McCluster showcased his diverse skill set as a change of pace running back as well as a threat at slot receiver. During practice he consistently showed impressive separation from defenders. Surprisingly the diminutive playmaker showed no fear at crossing routes or running the ball between the tackles. The overriding concern is McCluster's durability given his slight size but injuries were never an issue after his shortened Freshman season. A clear season of his durability is his 4,089 all-purpose yards at Ole Miss which ranks second all time only behind Deuce McAllister's 4,889 yards. Team's biggest issue with this unique playmaker will be what position is he best suited to play at the next level.

West Virginia Jarrett Brown QB ( 6'4" - 233 lbs) The biggest knock against Brown isn't his limited play, as he sat behind Pat White for four years, but the offensive scheme he played in during his time at West Virginia where they ran the spread offense. Brown possesses physical and mental attributes that teams look for in a quarterback prospect. Brown has a major league arm that's fully capable of making every throw while having the pocket presence to feel the pressure and slide with the pocket. During the Senior Bowl practices he consistently showed that he is a superior athlete and was comfortable taking direct snaps from under center which is a concern given the scheme he's been in for the past five years.

Citadel Andre Roberts WR (5'11" - 179 lbs.) Roberts comes from Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Div I-AA, where he was a multi-year All American. This small school product consistently had BCS defenders on their heels throughout Under Armour's Senior Bowl practices and scrimmages. Although Roberts is on the smaller side of a prototypical receiver, he possesses precise route running, quick initial burst off the line, as well as the ability to get into an out of cuts at full speed. His most impressive trait, however, may be his ability to catch the ball. Rarely does Roberts allow a ball to come into his body.

Massachusetts Vladmir Ducasse OL (6' 5" - 326 lbs.) Ducasse's stock is quickly rising after an impressive showing during the Senior Bowl practices. Built like a guard, he played with the quickness to play outside against defensive ends. His impressive agility, strength, and size combo will make him an intriguing pick. A native Haitian, Ducasse didn't pick up football until he moved to the United States. As a small school product he'll need to increase his intensity and consistency if he wants his stock to continue to rise.

Miami Jimmy Graham TE (6' 7" - 260 lbs.) Graham is a former basketball player who shows incredible athleticism as he effortlessly gets into and out out cuts. His ability to get to a top speed quickly will make him problematic for safeties and linebackers trying to cover. Graham made an impressive showing during the Senior Bowl considering he only came back to football during his senior collegiate season after having played for the Hurricanes' basketball team. Shows surprisingly crisp routes for only one season under his belt.

The 4th and 1 team will take a look at defensive sleepers next.

By Scott Shinskie