Dan Pompei

From Wall Street to Lucas Oil Stadium, the markets have been bearish of late.

But a number of other NFL draft prospects did hear the bells of ringing cash registers at the NFL scouting combine, so sports did not imitate life completely.

The two biggest stories of the combine were from players who lost, however. Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith at one point was a candidate to be the first overall selection, but no more.

Smith interviewed poorly, refused to work out, and then went AWOL, leaving the combine without informing officials of his plans. Now NFL teams have seen why Nick Saban suspended Smith for the Sugar Bowl. Despite his talent, Smith might not be a top 10 pick now.

In a league searching for selfless, team-oriented, hard-working offensive linemen, Smith’s value has been severely compromised.

Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree also didn’t impress many teams with his interviews, and medical testing revealed he has a stress fracture in his left foot. Crabtree subsequently was not able to work out for teams.

Failing to work out was particularly significant for Crabtree because he would be considered a top five pick if he could run an impressive 40-yard dash. If he is not able to work out before the draft, it is unlikely any team will take him that high, as some suspect Crabtree’s speed is only pedestrian.

What’s more, he will have to have a screw surgically inserted into his foot, and that could impact his rookie season.

Crabtree and Smith weren’t the only mighty who fell. Ohio State running back Beanie Wells ran a 4.59 40 yard dash — not exactly what NFL teams were expecting from a potential top 10 pick. Scouts said he also looked a little rigid in positional drills and his hands were just OK.

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It is possible Wells lost the top running back spot to Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno.

Wells’ college teammate James Laurinaitis also did not fare particularly well. He wasn’t terrible in position drills, but he did not test like an elite athlete. Laurinaitis ran a too slow 4.80 40-yard dash.

Oklahoma State’s Brandon Pettigrew was supposed to be the draft's top tight end, but was unimpressive in almost everything he did, including his 4.87 40-yard dash. It is not inconceivable that he could be leapfrogged by another tight end in the coming months.

South Carolina tight end Jared Cook certainly showed better at Lucas Oil Stadium and could be the Dustin Keller of 2009. Cook took the triple crown among tight ends — best 40 time at 4.5, best vertical jump at 41 inches and best broad jump at 10 feet, 9 inches.

He definitely gave his draft stock a healthy boost, as Keller did one year ago.

Connecticut running back Donald Brown may have moved into the first round with his performance, which one scout described as “sensational.” It included a 41.5 inch vertical jump, a 10 foot, five inch broad jump and a 11.30 second 60 yard shuttle — all bests for running backs.

Brown could have made himself the third back on the boards.

Aaron Curry didn’t jump ahead of any linebackers, but the Wake Forest product confirmed he clearly is the best linebacker prospect. Curry outclassed the competition in almost everything he did.

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Curry ran 4.56 40 yard dash, broad jumped 10 feet, four inches and high jumped 37 inches — all best among linebackers, and showed excellent athleticism in positional drills.

As a rule, the defensive backs were not very impressive. But two sleepers did emerge.

Ladarius Webb played safety at Nicholls State, but he showed the speed and athleticism to play corner in the NFL. He had the best 40-yard dash, three cone drill and 20-yard shuttle among corners.

Notre Dame’s David Bruton was easily the best testing safety with a 10.96 60-yard shuttle and an 11 foot broad jump, both tops at his position, a 41.5 inch vertical jump and a 6.60 three cone drill, both of which tied for best among safeties and a 4.46 40-yard dash.

No one expected that from Bruton, who tested better than he played at Notre Dame.

He was one of a group that showed you can make money even when the market growls.

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