2014 NFL Combine: Day 1 Press Conferences- General Managers
Byron Lambert, Rosterwatch.com

Kevin Colbert, Pittsburgh Steelers
-Personal interviews are the most critical component of the evaluation process at the Combine
-Deepest draft across the board at all positions, in over 30 years- yet it’s an immature group
-Offensive live improves as season progressed- very happy with Beachum @ LT and Velasco after Pouncey went down
-Hoping Jarvis Jones is much better in year two

Ruston Webster, Tennessee Titans
-Has started engaging Alterraun Verner (CB) and his agent in contract discussions
-Delanie Walker (TE) is an amazing matchup for their offense on 3rd downs, they love him
-Justin Hunter (WR) has a “boatload of talent”
-Mike Martin (DT) is hard-charging, quick, athletic nose who is very good at staying on his feet and moving laterally, they love him against teams who run the zone-blocking scheme. Was very effective last year vs Houston
-Zaviar Gooden (LB) impressed as a rookie with athleticism- expect him to compute for starting WILL LB

Phil Emery, Chicago Bears
-Loves taking calculated risk
-Ecstatic about Kyle Long (OG), but also says he hopes he’s off his butt working out in California
-Definitely wants to bring Henry Melton (DT) back
-Couldn’t be happier with what the team has in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery

Steve Keim, Arizona Cardinals
-Officially our favorite GM in the NFL- bar none
-Loves Arians because he’s aggressive and willing to play young players
-Stepfan Taylor is fantastic (we told you 10 months ago- the future was an Ellington/Taylor backfield)
-Jonathan Cooper (OG) is an extremely hard worker and great leader who is already at the facility every day for offseason workouts. Says they weren’t sure after the 2013 Draft if he was really worth the #8 pick, but once they got to training camp they recognized the pick was a home run- and he looked tremendous in the preseason
-Karlos Dansby (LB) is a big offseason priority
-If you can protect Carson Palmer he’s one of the best passers in the NFL, and played better than they expected. Had a very good second half of the season except the SEA game. Puts them in position not to force the QB situation, but does not preclude drafting a QB if the right one falls to them

Tom Telesco, San Diego Chargers
-Very happy with the top three picks from last year’s draft
-Feels “fortunate” to have Ryan Mathews (RB) on the roster
-Keenan Allen (WR) had no issues with the knee that affected his draft stock
-Says they still like Vincent Brown (WR)

Rick Spielman, Minnesota Vikings
-Would like to move down in the first round of this year’s draft
-Contrary to belief that Mike Zimmer is rough around the edges, says he’s nicest guy in the building
-Norv Turner has already put in 10 special plays for Cordarrelle Patterson (WR)
-Spielman’s experience with Ponder causes some QB trepadation early in the draft, but does not preclude a QB if they determine there is a guys they are head over heels for

David Caldwell, Jacksonville Jaguars
-Excited about Ace Sanders (WR) in year two, has great hands and quickness- expect him to be starting slot receiver and punt returner
-Jonathan Cyprien (S) turned out to be much better in coverage than they expected against tight ends in man-to-man and in zone coverages- originally drafted to be in the box safety for run support- realized he can do much more (just like we always said after last year’s Senior Bowl- a great athlete)
-Says there is no pressure to draft a player that sells tickets. Shad Kahn told him that’s his job
-Thinks Chad Henne (QB) had a good season and can keep the ship afloat for another year- pay attention draftniks

Howie Roseman, Philadelphia Eagles
-Has established “walk-away” numbers on Riley Cooper (WR) and Jeremy Maclin (WR)
-Can only dedicate so much money to one position
-Loves the sound of Nick Foles’ 29:2 TD/INT ratio

John Schneider, Seattle Seahawks
-Feeling good and told the media jokes for 15 min
-Says his poor Mom had to see the shirtless pictures of him