Nebraska's Amukamara silences critics at NFL Combine

By foxsports
Published

By Jon Machota
FOXSportsSouthwest.com Special Contributor

March 1, 2011

One thing has been made clear about Prince Amukamara at this week's NFL Scouting Combine, the cornerback is good at answering questions.

Coming into the event in Indianapolis, the former Nebraska Cornhusker was being criticized for not having elite speed. NFL personnel were extremely interested to see the 40-yard dash time that Amukamara would turn in on Tuesday.

The 6-1, 206-pounder, who many experts believe the Dallas Cowboys will select with the ninth overall pick, didn't disappoint.

On top of showing good ball skills and foot quickness during various drills, Amukamara turned in an official 4.43 time in the 40-yard dash.

"I think I ran real well the first time, but the second time I changed my cleats and ran the slower time," Amukamara told the NFL Network.

His first time was announced at an unofficial 4.37.

Running in the 4.4-range was what NFL teams were looking for and Amukamara appeared to be happy to silence a few critics.

"The critics are going to critique no matter what, and I wasn't worried about what they said about my speed," he said. "All I knew is that I was going to come out here and run. And this does translate to the football field because it just shows how fast we can get out."

Representatives from all 32 NFL teams got a chance to speak with various prospects this weekend in Indianapolis. Teams were given 15-minute interview opportunities to grill players on aspects like  past performances, off the field issues and weaknesses in their game.

When Amukamara met with teams, his performance this past season against Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon was a popular topic.

Amukamara allowed the 2010 Biletnikoff Award winner to grab five balls for 157 yards and two scores, including one that went for 80 yards right before halftime.

"I was expecting that," Amukamara said. "They were questioning my ball skills and I don't think I dropped a ball out here all day."

He added: "It was only two plays and I think no corner should be defined on just two plays, and it was a bad first half and I got it corrected in the second half."

Another aspect being questioned about Amukamara's game is his failure to record an interception as a senior, something that didn't stop him from being named a first team All-American.

But just like everything else being questioned, Amukamara provided a quality answer.

"My junior year I had five interceptions and that was my career number," he said, "and I played mostly off my junior year so I could give the receiver a little room so I could make plays. My senior year I pretty much played all press so I could eliminate my receiver out of the equation."

Here is how Amukamara compared to the top 40-yard dash times turned in by defensive backs on Tuesday.

1. Demarcus Van Dyke, Miami (4.28)
2. Patrick Peterson, LSU (4.34)
T3. Chimdi Chekwa, Ohio State (4.40)
T3. Chris Culliver, South Carolina (4.40)
T5. Amukamara (4.43)