With a top-five Falcons Fan Grade and national recognition as one of the best overall prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft, LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is all smiles.
He stands to immediately contribute to whatever team drafts him, even with questions about a stress fracture swirling every time he meets with the media.
"It is just an honor to be considered one of the top players out there," Dorsey said at the Combine. "When you are one of the top players a lot of people are looking for negatives. Even with saying I have injury problems. I played every game at LSU for four years. I don't have injury problems. Who doesn't get hurt during the year?"
Dorsey said he suffered the stress fracture before the 2006 season when he bumped into some weight equipment. He played through pain the past two years but says now he's completely healed.
He didn't work out at the Combine, but did run drills at his Pro Day March 26.
Dorsey reportedly clocked a time of 5.14 in the 40-yard dash and threw up 27 reps in the bench press last week.
It wasn't what some expected from the defensive tackle, but his draft stock is holding steady. Besides, pretty much everything about his game was targeted and broken down well before he took the field for an organized workout.
"I'm never surprised," Dorsey said. "I always try to set myself up to hear wild things. Some stuff I just wonder where people get it from. Even the reports saying I was not coming (to the Combine). I don't know where that came from. It is what it is. I'm just trying to enjoy myself and make sure I'm taking care of my responsibility. Everybody is going to have their opinion on what they think about me and my game, but as long as I'm taking care of my business, that is all that matters to me."
He's climbing the charts of fan opinion as well.
As of April 2, seven of the most popular Internet mock drafts had Dorsey going to the Falcons with the No. 3 overall pick. That's up from zero predictions on Feb. 13.
"I'd love to go to the Falcons," he said. "I'd love to be a bird. They play the 4-3. We play the 4-3 at LSU also. You have to understand that I'm just approaching this as all I need is an opportunity."
Head Coach Mike Smith has said multiple times he hopes to build a strong team on the offensive and defensive lines. Dorsey is certainly one player that fits that mold.
Dorsey was a first-team All American at LSU last season and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He drew constant attention from opposing offensive lines, but still dominated. He recorded at least one tackle in 30 straight games and leaves LSU with a 37-tackle, seven-sack senior season.
In 51 games for the Tigers, Drosey notched 30 starts, 179 tackles, 13 sacks, 27 tackles for loss, seven quarterback pressures, one forced fumble and four deflected passes.
Dorsey started games at both right and left tackle at LSU and -- depending on his draft position -- could move to a 3-4 defense. At 297 pounds, he's doesn't have prototypical nose tackle size, but he's willing to do whatever it takes to make it in the NFL.
"I'll just have to go into the system and, if they need me to gain weight, I'll gain weight," he said. "If they need me to lose weight, I'll lose weight. That's just the way I'm approaching it. Anything the coach wants me to do, I'll do."
At the time of his Combine press conference Dorsey said no NFL team had talked to him at length about his injuries. He still underwent a battery of testing by just about every team in attendance. But what may help his case the most is his passion for the game.
That smile on the face when talking about football.
"I tell them I bring my heart and soul," Dorsey said. "That is all I can do. I stayed at LSU an extra year because I had a commitment to LSU. I try to work hard. I like to give it all I got."
RELATED LINKS:
- MYFALCONSDRAFT:Rank draft prospects at MyFalconsDraft.com
- D-LINE: Previewing the defensive line
- PHOTOS: Photos of some of the 2008 NFL Draft prospects
- NFL DRAFT: Draft coverage from AtlantaFalcons.com
- SCOUTING COMBINE: AF.com at the Scouting Combine
- SENIOR BOWL: AF.com at the Senior Bowl
