Quotes and notes from the NFL Combine

Here are a few notes and quotes from the NFL Scouting Combine Friday at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium:

Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon said former Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara (now with the New York Giants) and Iowa State's Leonard Johnson were among the best cornerbacks he played against in the Big 12.

"He's just one of the more physical guys that I've faced," Blackmon said about Johnson. "I just think he's better than the rest of the corners I've faced. He's one of the best in the Big 12."

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Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins was impressive during his 10-minute interview session with media. He touted his abilities and leadership skills to help him succeed in the NFL.

"I believe I have what it takes to become a great player in the NFL," Cousins said. "It's going to take time to prove that. You have to start somewhere. I'm excited for the opportunity to be here this weekend and take the next step toward the NFL draft. Once the draft passes, take the next step toward being a great player in this league.

“When I look at the quarterbacks who have success year in and year out, I see quarterbacks who are great leaders, very

accurate and are great decision-makers. I think those things are my three greatest strengths. I think across the board, those are the things that make a quarterback successful in the NFL over a long period of time.”

Cousins led Michigan State to a co-Big Ten title in 2010 and last season paced the Spartans to a Legends Division title and a spot in the inaugural Big Ten championship game. The Spartans lost to Wisconsin and cost the team a chance at the Rose Bowl, something that continues to bug Cousins.

"Being back here in Indianapolis and walking back onto the field for the first time since that game was a bitter-sweet moment," Cousins said. "It's neat to be back here and think of all the accomplishments we had at Michigan State to get us to that game and how well we played in that game. But then you think of how close you were to a Rose Bowl and how close you were to a second Big Ten championship. But we fell short.

“I was so proud of the effort we gave that day. I was so proud of the effort our team gave all season. At the end of the day, it was two great football teams. One of them was going to lose. Unfortunately, it was us.”

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Wisconsin fullback Bradie Ewing said he tries to model his game after Packers fullback John Kuhn. Ewing said he's athletic fullback and he enjoyed blocking for superback Montee Ball.

"It's cool to be a part of a rushing attack like we've had at Wisconsin the last couple of years," Ewing said. "To be a part of that is pretty special. It's not necessarily me. It starts with the O-line and Montee's a gifted, special athlete."

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Quarterbacks Robert Griffin III (Baylor) and Andrew Luck (Stanford) commanded the most attention here for their media sessions. Neither will throw at the combine and instead will wait until their pro days.

Griffin, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, displayed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles socks. He loudly proclaimed that he stands 6 feet, 2 3/8 inches. He also was asked about his impressions of Luck.

"Andrew's a great guy, great college player," Griffin said. "Coach (Jim) Harbaugh did recruit both of us out of high school to go to Stanford. My whole thinking behind that was (Luck) was already committed, and the two-quarterback thing doesn't work. I didn't want to have to either me be the one that transferred or Luck be the one that transferred. So I decided to go to a different college.

"But I liked Stanford, I liked Coach Harbaugh, and I like Andrew."

Luck was like a rock star here. He complimented Griffin's skill set, including his athletic ability.

"Robert's a great quarterback, a great competitor, a great guy, really easy to get along with," Luck said. "I don't get motivation by competing against him for something. I don't think it's one player versus another by any means."

Luck said it was important to be the first selection.

"Absolutely," he said. "Everybody wants to be No. 1, but not at the expense of another person."

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It was surreal to see the attention surrounding Luck knowing he might replace Peyton Manning, who has a stadium-sized poster portrait outside Lucas Oil Stadium.

"I'm not too caught up in that right now," Luck said. "I understand that is a possibility. Peyton was my hero growing up. He was my football hero. That's who I modeled myself after in high school, middle school, whatever it was. You never truly replace a guy like that. And who knows what happens? So many different things can happen. I'm not thinking about it too much right now."

New Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson said he has not seen Manning throw and Manning has not thrown at the Colts facility. Grigson was very high on Luck.

"He's a great player," Grigson said. "The last guy in the last row of any stadium can tell you that he's a heck of a quarterback, a heck of a person, intelligent kid. He's got a lot to offer as do a lot of other players, including other quarterbacks in this draft. This is going to be a good draft. There's a lot of talent across the board positionally."

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Ohio State running back Dan "Boom" Herron lost five games last year as part of the Buckeyes' tattoo scandal. He said teams weren't holding it against him in his individual meetings.

"It's something I did at a younger age, actually a couple years ago so I think they know I learned from my mistakes and am moving forward now," Herron said. "They haven't grilled me at all too much, actually. Obviously, the question comes up and they want to hear my side of the story.

"I don't have any problem telling that story. I've told it a million times so it's kind of easy to do."