Rockets work out for scouts from NFL

Offensive lineman John Greco of the Rockets is timed by NFL scouts as he runs the 40-yard dash at the University of Toledo.

John Greco had a good performance at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, but there were a few things he wishes he could have done better.

Greco, a star offensive lineman for the University of Toledo for the last four years, got the opportunity to run the 40-yard dash again yesterday at UT's pro day, and was extremely pleased with his new results.

He improved on his 40 time by more than a tenth of a second, running it in 5.16 seconds yesterday compared to 5.3 at the combine. His new time would have put him seventh at the combine among offensive linemen.

"I was pleased with everything I did, I just knew I could run a faster 40," Greco said of his combine workout on Saturday. "My hamstring was tight in Indy, I was kind of holding back. I felt excellent today, I'm happy with what I ran."

Scouts from the Browns, Texans, Giants, Colts, Jaguars, Dolphins and Eagles were at the pro day to look for potential prospects for April's draft. The workouts took place in the Health Education Building and the Larimer Building on campus.

Several other former UT players went through various drills. Running back Jalen Parmele did not redo his 40 time of 4.47 seconds from the combine but demonstrated his vertical jump, shuttle run and three-cone drill.

Parmele finished in the top 10 among running backs at the combine in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump and the three-cone drill. He said he had consistent 40 times of 4.40 seconds when he trained in Irvine, Calif., with other clients of his agents Bruce and Ryan Tollner.

"I wish I could have made some of my times that I had in California, but I thought the running back drills and the pass drills went pretty well," Parmele said.

Parmele has moved home to Midland, Mich., but will come back to UT periodically when teams want to have private workouts with him. The Bengals plan to work him out next week, he said, and the Jaguars a few weeks after that.

Punter Brett Kern was not able to punt for scouts yesterday because the Glass Bowl surface was not in the desired condition, but said he hopes to have private workouts for a few teams soon when the weather improves. He has been keeping busy in the meantime.

"I've been lifting and kicking three times a week, eating a lot of food," Kern said.

Greco said was glad to be back in Toledo after spending the last few months in Florida training for the combine.

"I felt energized because I saw coaches, friends and teammates," Greco said. "It's more of an exciting atmosphere. I get to come back to root for these guys so they can show what they're made of."

Contact Maureen Fulton at:

mfulton@theblade.com

or 419-724-6160.