And Kelly sounded better.
The former Oklahoma wide receiver's results from a second individual workout for NFL scouts, however: Not much better.
While Kelly repeated seven drills after a disappointing first performance a week earlier, the focus was on his 40-yard dash time. A change in surface and shoes had little influence on Kelly's re-run.
After posting a time of 4.68 seven days earlier, Kelly's runs Wednesday produced a 4.65 and a 4.63 — times that were to be adjusted higher by NFL personnel.
Kelly's representatives released much different times Wednesday — a "range of 4.46 to 4.61” — but the slower times came from a compilation of two NFL scouts in attendance; which were forwarded to NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt and posted later on the league's website.
Still, it was a seemingly relieved Kelly who met the media Wednesday, far different than the week before when he said he felt betrayed by the OU strength and conditioning staff, contributing to his slow time. Kelly complained about a late switch that had him run on FieldTurf, rather than AstroTurf, angrily venting that he didn't have the proper shoes for the thicker surface.
This time, Kelly did most of his work at the Mosier Indoor Facility, including his 40-run that took place on a track and field sprinter's Mondo surface with him wearing running flats.
"Kelly ran this time on what the scouts considered to be a fast track,” Brandt wrote on the NFL.com site, "and he posted similar numbers to those he ran last week.”
Similar before a bump of as much as .15 seconds, which is what Brandt said would be added for runs on anything but FieldTurf.
How Kelly's latest workout affects his status in the April 26-27 NFL Draft remains to be seen. He was once the No. 1 ranked receiver. ESPN analyst Todd McShay's latest mock draft has Kelly slipping to the second round, with four wide receivers going before him. Mel Kiper has Kelly going in the first round, No. 23 overall, to the Steelers.
Scouts from Cleveland, Green Bay and the New York Giants attended Wednesday's event. More than 35 scouts and coaches attended the first workout in Norman.
"I felt like I did better than I did last week,” Kelly said. "All in all, in the end you either can play or you can't.
"That's really what you've got to look at. God's going to put me where he wants. That's the way I look at it.”
Kelly's numbers were similar to his previous workout across the board. His attitude revealed the biggest difference.
"I was a lot more comfortable,” Kelly said. "I got a chance to put my best foot forward. Last week, I made a lot of immature decisions going off like that. The three years I've been here, ya'll ain't never known me to go off like that. It was out of character for me and I take full responsibility for that.
"Today, what's done is done. I'm going to take my visits and get ready for next weekend.”
Kelly said he'd met with Sooners coach Bob Stoops in an effort to make amends for his earlier accusations.
"We had a good long talk,” Kelly said. "We talked for probably an hour and 15 minutes. In the end, he said he still loved me. Told me I was still a great kid. He told me I never gave him any trouble. He said there was no bad blood between us.
"I told him I love him, too, love the university. I didn't mean for it to come out like it did. Oklahoma gave me an opportunity to be where I'm at right now.”
Kelly was scheduled to visit the Washington Redskins later Wednesday, then fly for meetings with the Cowboys and 49ers in the coming days. Friday is the final opportunity for teams to visit with players at the team's facilities.
Come draft day, Kelly said he plans to watch and wait for his name to be selected back home in Longview, Texas, surrounded by family and friends in a low-key gathering.
Kelly's agent, Chad Speck, said that there are plans for an ESPN camera crew to join the family watch party.
"I'm going back home to be with my family, the people who supported me through thick and thin since high school,” Kelly said. "The ups and the downs. Especially my mom and dad.
"It's going to be a good deal to be able to sit down and enjoy that moment with them. It's a moment you've been dreaming about since you were younger. To finally get a chance to make it happen, it's going to be special.”
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No matter where Malcolm Kelly winds up, he will contribute to the team. Yes he is no speed burner but he is tall and has the ability to get open which is a must in the NFL. Given some learning time I am sure he will do okay. There has been alot of soothsaying about Malcolm Kelly which is typical of ungrateful fans. I am sure Malcolm has chalked this up as an experience he will learn from and move on to better things.
If Malcolm was a problem child we would have heard disgruntlement from him all last year. After all, the offensive coaches did fail to get the ball to him. But we didn't. I think he's a good kid, just like he said Coach Stoops told him. He may be a strong willed type A personality, but isn't that what you want to achieve at the next level? I wish him well in the NFL. Regardless of his draft position, he will do just fine if he can stay healthy.
You don't think Kelly will get much playing time? 1st and 2nd round draft picks are expected to get significant playing time in the NFL, even QBs are playing as rookies. MK will play a lot as a rookie.
If bong hits were a category. Adarius might be in the top three. If he were a RB Rickey Williams might have something to say about it. I would love to see them in a foggy OSU pressbox watching the game with the cast of That 70's Show.
Actually, the 40 is more for the RB - WR's have to separate downfield and that is where Kelly excels. Plus he can catch anything that gets close with either hand, from any angle near the ground or above the head. You don't fool the NFL Scouts, Kelly will still go high. Stress from injury recovery, lack of time to prepare caused that reaction. Kelly is fast and will get faster the more he gets to work out. He'll probably lose a little weight in the process. Give the guy a break, he repented for his outburst.
I'm afraid Malcolm will not get much playing time in the NFL. He has amazing hands, but his speed and agility were never his strong points. He can't break tackles or allude opponents. If he had the quickness and agility of Mark Clayton with those hands and body, he could be one of the greats.
I'm afraid Malcolm will not get much playing time in the NFL. He has amazing hands, but his speed and agility were never his strong points. He can't break tackles or allude opponents. If he had the quickness and agility of Mark Clayton with those hands and body, he could be one of the greats.
Somehow his words about his conversation with Stoops ring more true than last week's "apology"; he sounds more sincere. If he falls to the second round, someone will get a steal.
You know if he looked at it that way, if you can play, you can play. Why did he blow up? But you can't take anything else from him. He can catch a stinkin football, no douby about that! BOOMER SOONER!!!
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