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BREAKING DOWN THE NFL SCOUTING COMBINE
by Gil Brandt
To say that the NFL Combine is a gathering
of the top college players from around the country might
be an understatement. Simply put, it is the elite, the cream
of the crop, the best of the best.
Here is perhaps the perfect example of what
a terrific job combine organizer Gene Babb does in selecting
the right players to attend this annual gathering in Indianapolis:
Of the 246 players who were taken in last year's draft,
only 30 were not invited to the combine. None of the non-invitees
were drafted higher than the fourth round.
And so, less than a month after the conclusion
of the 2001 NFL season, the league turns its attention to
the combine. This year's gathering takes place March 1-4
in Indianapolis. And while teams have already been quite
active in preparing for the 2002 NFL Draft, the combine
traditionally kicks off the beginning of NFL draft-mania.
There are several reasons why the combine
has become such an important part of the draft process.
Among them:
1. All 32 teams get to watch the prospects
in an equal setting, under the same conditions.
2. Owners, general managers and coaches have
the opportunity to see most everyone who will be drafted
-- all in one place, within a four-day period. There will
be plenty of flying around the country for individual workouts
in the weeks to come, but the combine is "one-stop
shopping."
3. The combine is just another means of helping
teams make good decisions, and the escalating cost of signing
first-round draft picks makes the decision-making process
all the more crucial. Teams spent a total of $160 million
on signing bonuses for last year's first-round picks. They
want to make sure they know what they're doing.
The genesis of the combine took place in 1977,
when the workouts were conducted by three separate scouting
services -- National, Blesto and Quadra. The system was
streamlined even further in 1984, when the workouts were
moved to one site. The combine is an invite-only event,
closed to all but invited players and NFL team officials.
Of course, the combine continues to attract
more media every year. There will be well over 100 writers
on hand, plus radio and TV crews. They're not allowed to
watch the workouts that take place in the RCA Dome, but
there is a special interview room set up adjacent to the
stadium for players to meet the press after workouts.
THE COMBINE SCHEDULE
There are 333 NFL prospects invited to this
year's combine -- the most since 1993. They will descend
upon Indianapolis Thursday afternoon, and here's what will
take place:
Players stay at a hotel within walking distance
of the RCA Dome. After dinner on Thursday, they will get
a brief orientation on how to conduct themselves in the
coming weeks (after the draft, rookies will have a three-day
seminar that expands on life in the NFL).
At 7:30 Friday morning, the first group of
players -- offensive line and kickers -- heads to the RCA
Dome for measurements. The physicals begin at 8:15. All
32 teams have trainers and medical staff present. After
that, there are two taped interviews. The first is not exactly
an interview, but an opportunity to videotape the player
for body build. The second is a 10-minute interview in which
players are asked about their background, their goals, etc.
At 1 p.m., players are tested for strength
-- scouts record how many times they can bench-press 225
pounds. After that, they take the Wunderlic test, which
some teams use to evaluate a player's intelligence.
After dinner, players make their way through
the first floor of the hotel, where all 32 teams have their
own rooms set up for player interviews, psychological testing
and simple "meet-and-greets." The team officials
are well-stocked with hats, shorts and other team apparel
to entice players to stop in and visit with them -- last
year's hot items were team backpacks. By the time the players
leave Indy, they probably have about 50 extra pounds worth
of NFL souvenirs.
Saturday morning, the first group returns
to the RCA Dome for speed and agility testing. They'll run
40-yard dashes, do jumping drills and position-specific
football drills.
By noon Saturday, the first group will be
on its way home. The combine will be over, but the workouts,
interviews and training leading up to the draft (April 20-21)
is just beginning.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
With the combine already in full swing in
Indianapolis, Gil Brandt will check in with some daily news
and notes.
Friday: Players started arriving on Thursday
at around noon to a very cold Indianapolis. My first impression
was there weren't any guys out of shape; everyone was in
really, really good shape.
As an example, RB Damien Anderson of Northwestern
said he was going to run, said it was important to run and
he was going to. Every guy looked like they were in optimum
condition. DeShaun Foster of UCLA appeared to be in very
good shape. Boston College RB William Green also looked
good; T.J. Duckett out of Michigan State looked in great
shape. All seemed to be at minimum weight. Maybe Duckett
was 240 but the guy looked svelte.
As for offensive linemen, if there is a congeniality
award, Texas tackle Mike Williams wins it. He's a giant
of a man with a pleasing personality. In looking at films,
people have started seeing the hustle play that he made
on an interception play vs. Colorado in the Big 12 championship
game. It was a great play that saved a touchdown.
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