Published: April 17, 2008 01:50 am            

Kelly apologetic after workout

NORMAN, Okla. — Malcolm Kelly got a second chance at several things Wednesday morning.

The former Oklahoma wide receiver got to work out for scouts from the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers and New York Giants. He was able to run 40-yard dashes and do agility drills on the surface of his choice.

But he was also able to express regret over his blow-up following last week’s performance in front of more than 30 NFL scouts at OU’s Everest Indoor Training Center.

“Last week I made a lot of immature decisions going off like that,” he said. “In the three years I’ve been here y’all have never known me to go off like that. It was out of character for me. I take full responsibility for that, but whatever is done is done.”

Kelly’s outburst became one of the biggest stories surrounding this year’s NFL draft.

He complained after last week’s workout that he had expected to run on the AstroTurf inside OU’s indoor track facility, but was forced instead to run on a softer surface, resulting in the slower time.

“I didn’t mean for it to come out like it did,” Kelly said. “Oklahoma gave me an opportunity to be where I’m at right now … I apologize for what was said last week. It was out of frustration. That will never happen again.”

What effect the surface had on Kelly’s time in the 40-yard dash is up for debate. His best time on the field turf inside the indoor football facility was 4.68 seconds. He ran on an indoor track Wednesday and the times collected by the scouts on hand were 4.69 and 4.63 seconds. Kelly’s agent, Chad Speck, reported times of 4.46 and 4.61 seconds.

Kelly’s speed will continue to be dissected by NFL general managers, scouts and coaches until the draft begins April 26. He’ll live with their analysis.

“I ran and did my drills and did everything. It was good. I felt a lot more comfortable I did better than I did last week,” Kelly said. “All in all, either you can play or you can’t. That’s how you have to look at it.”

Many believe the slow 40 time and Kelly’s outburst would drop his draft stock. Speed was the biggest knock on Kelly since he decided to forgo his senior season and turn pro. That perception isn’t going to go away.

But the perception of him being a malcontent is the one he’s trying to tear down as quickly as possible.

Kelly talked with OU coach Bob Stoops more than an hour last week and said there’s no bad blood between them. He also doesn’t believe what he said last week will hurt his status in the draft.

“A lot of coaches said last week the guy they saw in the interview wasn’t the same person coaches rave about,” Kelly said.

Interest in the wide receiver hasn’t waned.

After Wednesday’s workout, Kelly flew to Washington for a meeting with Redskins officials. He had meetings scheduled with Dallas Thursday and San Francisco Friday.

Kelly’s path to the draft is near its end. It can’t come soon enough.

“It’s been a long stressful process,” Kelly said. “You go through it to play football, but you have to do everything else.”



John Shinn writes for The Norman (Okla.) Transcript.