Jai Lewis Workout Information/Results

[That Guy]

NFL | 11 teams attend J. Lewis workout
Thu, 20 Apr 2006 18:25:55 -0700

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports seven teams were expected at the workout of George Mason basketball player Jai Lewis, but 11 teams showed up. Lewis looked more like an offensive tackle than a tight end at his workout. He measured in at 6-5 ½ and 292 pounds. He ran his 40s in 4.99 and 5.03.


Bengals | Team takes J. Lewis back to Cincinnati
Thu, 20 Apr 2006 18:18:43 -0700

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports the Cincinnati Bengals were at the workout of George Mason basketball player Jai Lewis Thursday, April 20. They liked him so much they flew him back to Cincinnati for further workouts.


NFL | More about J. Lewis workout
Thu, 20 Apr 2006 21:00:13 -0700

The Washington Post reports George Mason basketball player Jai Lewis finished his 20-yard shuttle drill in approximately 4.6 seconds during his workout for NFL scouts Thursday, April 20. Lewis was tested in the vertical jump, reaching about 28 inches, and in the standing broad jump, traveling about 8 feet 8 inches. He has not yet started weight training and did not do the bench press, a standard pre-draft exercise. Speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of player assessments, several scouts said Lewis has ample room for improvement and will need to convince NFL teams that he hungers for the aggression and violence of professional football. Still, they said his athleticism and explosiveness were impressive, particularly after he left the track surface for the football turf. Lewis went through drills for defensive ends, tight ends and offensive linemen, but scouts said his attributes and 6-foot-5, 292-pound frame likely were best suited for the offensive line.



He's been trying for TE, but it looks like he's a better fit (stat wise) for OL.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I honestly don't see how you can just turn someone into an offensive lineman. I mean I can see a pass-catching TE, but turning OL would be a HUGE transition.

[PSUSkinsFan21]

If they try sticking him on the OLine he'll get eaten alive by today's NFL linemen. MC is right, teaching him routes and saying go out there and catch the ball is one thing.........trying to get a guy up to speed on blocking techniques and schemes is a whole different animal. There are guys in this draft that have been playing Oline their whole lives and still need to work on these aspects.

[Schneed10]

There's no prior case that I can recall in which a basketball player has transitioned to offensive or defensive line. That concept is just nuts. TE is doable if you're an exceptional athlete, but not OL or DL.

[RTerps2002]

This guy is a good athlete and would be worth looking at in the late rounds... If he is 292 and not lifting weights yet he could be a monster in time

[TheMalcolmConnection]

The man needs to lose some weight and work on speed, THEN he can be a TE. NO WAY he makes it as OL.

[FRPLG]

OL? Holy crap what a disaster that could be. MY guess is at best he becomes a World League level player on the OL. MC is right. He needs to drop down about 30 Lbs and become a tightend. If he is as athletic as they say he should be able to do it. Remember he basically had no time to train. All his measurables were straight up with no work. He just started changing his diet last week. I hope he goes un drafted and the Skins give him a training camp invite. He'd be a big hit at Redskins Park.

[RiggoRules]

Long term project at TE. Maybe the sundial they were using to clock his 40 time (5.0) was off. The idea of putting him at OL or DL is a bit out there.

[That Guy]

he's played DE before, just as much as at TE, the problem is, he's not fast enough to be anything more than a crappy TE right now, and he can't jump at all. He seems like a long term project right now and not worth the trouble.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

They were saying he was fairly athletic though. Even though so was Brock Lesnar and we all saw how that worked out.

[FRPLG]

at 292 he is too big to be a receiving TE. He'd have to get down to 260 or so. If he gets down to 260 his 40 improves by probably 2 or 3 tenths whihc but him in the 4.6-7 range which is totally fine for a TE. It isn't Winslow terrotry but it is faster than Crumpler and about the same as Gates.

And you still have to remember his 40 was untrained. These other guys work for weeks on technique and explosiveness to gain a tenth or two. He's done none of that on a major scale. Not trying to defend the guy but I'd be willing to give this guy some training camp time to get a better idea on his ceiling. 292 Lb guys who can run sub 5 in the 40 are rare.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

To be honest, I'm cool with the Skins just keeping Robert Johnson. At least he's a football player.

[firstdown]

I think he'd be a good pick at 53. Do you think he'll drop the far? We need depth on the OL.

[freddyg12]

I see him on the d-line. He's got good quickness, might be able to make a team as a pass rusher, whether dt or de. He will have problems playing the run, but w/his quickness (as opposed to st. speed) & athleticism, he coule be a good pass rusher in a rotation.
B-ball players should have good lateral movement, which bodes well for the d-line & pass blocking.

[Daseal]

The reason Larrenega (sp?) sent out letters to all 32 NFL teams about Jai Lewis is because he has the most amazing hands he'd ever seen. I don't see him learning a completely new position (He was an all-state TE in Maryland when he went to highschoool.)

He's also going to have to work to drop some weight, and work on his speed. But if he's able to do that just a bit he'll be able to really win a lot of 1v1's. While playing basketball, they wanted him big to body up and shore up that center. I think some team will take a chance on him, and I'd love to see what he does.