Westbrook flashes speed with 4.34 40-yard dash

Questions about Dede

Westbrook arose this past Saturday after he decided to skip the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

Four days later, those questions about his speed were quickly answered.

The 2016 Heisman finalist ran a 4.34 40, by far the fastest time at Wednesday’s pro day in Norman. He ran a 4.38 in his other attempt.

Westbrook’s time would have been the third-fastest among receivers who ran at the NFL Combine this past weekend behind Washington’s John Ross (4.22, a combine record) and Ohio State’s Curtis Samuel (4.31).

But Westbrook wasn’t in a celebratory mood. He was lamenting over his false start on his first attempt that he feels like sapped him of energy and added time to his two runs.

“I believe I could have gone faster, but I had to run two back-to-back,” Westbrook said. “Everything else, I think it was a pretty decent day.”

Westbrook, who said he spoke with Ross after his 40-yard dash record at the combine on Saturday, had his trainers advise him not to run at the combine. Westbrook took two weeks off in January to let his body heal from the Sugar Bowl, which put him behind in training for the combine.

“I got a few more touches in the Sugar Bowl than I thought I would, and my body was a bit banged up,” Westbrook said. “Everything came up so quick, and my trainers were like, ‘Dede, I don’t think you are ready.’ That’s why we thought today would be the best day for me (to run).”

Vikings Zimmer receives gift from Roy Williams

With free agency negotiations underway and Alabama hosting its pro day at the same time, Oklahoma’s Pro Day on Wednesday lacked its usual showing of NFL head coaches and general managers. Minnesota Vikings coach

Mike Zimmer was the only head coach in attendance at Wednesday’s pro day.

Rick Spielman, also with the Vikings, was also the only general manager present.

However, Zimmer received a gift for making the trip to Oklahoma. Former OU safety Roy Williams gave Zimmer a golfing putter Wednesday, which Zimmer carried around with him throughout the pro day. The club head was massive, resembling a thick driver more than a putter.

Zimmer was Williams’ defensive coordinator when they were together with Dallas from 2002-06.

“Roy gave me this putter before the start of the workouts,” Zimmer said. “He’s one of my all-time favorite players. He has the putter signed, too.”

Notes

Linebacker Jordan Evans had an impressive Pro Day, which included a 38.5 inch vertical jump. Evans said he had never jumped above 37 during his training... Running back Samaje

Perine ran a 4.59 second 40-yard yard dash, which was an improvement from his 4.66 40 time he ran at the NFL Combine five days ago. Perine said he wasn’t running 100 percent at the combine after tweaking his pectoral muscle the previous day during his 30 bench press reps, which was still the most by any running back at the combine... Receiver Jarvis Baxter injured his leg while running deep route drills at the end of the pro day. Baxter was seen on crutches afterward but indicated the injury was not as severe as it first appeared... In addition to Williams, notable former OU players in attendance included Gerald McCoy, Blake Bell, Gabe Ikard, Gabe Lynn, and Zack Sanchez... With no quarterbacks participating at the Pro Day, Oklahoma offensive graduate assistant Tyler

Tettleton threw passes to the running backs and receivers during route drills. Tettleton is a Norman native and played quarterback at Ohio from 2009-13.