INDIANAPOLIS — Quinton Coplesmight have the most to gain here at the NFL Scouting Combine, but the North Carolina defensive lineman isn’t concerned about people who knock him for a lack of consistency or an overall drop in play in 2011.

Quinton Coples answers questions from the media Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine. (Brian Spurlock/US Presswire)

“I’m my biggest (critic),” Coples said Saturday. “I criticize myself harder than anyone else can, so I’m definitely prepared for whatever is said about me.”

That would be that his production didn’t pick up when he moved from defensive tackle back to his regular position at defensive end. Also, that he lacks consistency and effort.

NFL scouts want to know who the real Quinton Coples is. Is he the underperforming senior who registered just 7.5 sacks after a junior season in which he played out of position? Or is he the dominating force witnessed at last month’s Senior Bowl?

To that, Coples said he’s unfazed.

“A lot of people have a lot of high expectations for me. I appreciate that,” Coples said. “But when you’re playing the game of football, you have things that happen that don’t go as planned. I think it was a situation that happened that I learned from, I matured from, and I think I’ll reap the benefits at the next level.”

– Aron Angel

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