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NFL Scouting Combine: Day One

by David Kindervater on February 22nd, 2007

The RCA Dome and connecting Indiana Convention Center.
(photo David Kindervater)

It’s Day One of the 2007 NFL Scouting Combine. And it’s good to be back in Indianapolis. Today was sunny and in the mid-30s. There is still snow on the ground from the storm of a week ago.

This is one of my favorite cities and I always look forward to returning here each year in late February. As a member of the national media (I’m a credentialed member of NFL Media and the Pro Football Writers of America), this is one of several events I get to travel to and cover during the year. I consider it a privilege and an honor to blog and podcast the NFL and get paid to do it. What a world.

Anyway, for those who don’t know, the NFL Scouting Combine is where representatives from all 32 NFL teams come to “observe” over 300 of the best college football players in the country. These “observations” include x-rays, strength testing, bench press, interviews (with coaches, GMs, scouts and then media people like me), drug tests, measurements, more interviews, physical exams, a Wonderlic test, psychological tests, on-field drills, more interviews, etc. It’s a grueling few days for these players, especially with so much riding on the outcome.

My day consists of interviewing the players as they are shuttled in and out of the Media Work Room by NFL personnel. What’s interesting is that all the rest of the media in attendance are doing the very same thing. So it amounts to one “press conference” after another. Plus, many of the head coaches and some GMs schedule times to meet with the media. So when there is more than one player in the Media Work Room at a time, you have to choose who you would rather talk to or try to bide your time between them as you see fit. When you add coaches and GMs to the mix, it really gets crazy. Personally, I’m used to one-on-one interviews, so this really doesn’t appeal to me, but I do what I can.

Ohio State WR Ted Ginn Jr. made a surprise appearance (today focused mostly on kickers, offensive linemen and tight ends who didn’t work out but weighed-in and got their physicals) and as there were no other players in the Media Work Room at the time, he was mobbed. Ginn was well-spoken and talked about possibly switching positions. When asked if he thought NFL teams would speak to him about playing the cornerback position, he simply said, “Yes, I do.” And when asked if he missed playing corner he said, with a smile, “Yes, I do.” He also wore some cool specs. I’m going to have to look into getting myself a pair. I think they’ll make me look smarter.

Four head coaches — Mike Tomlin (Steelers), Dick Jauron (Bills), Sean Payton (Saints) and Gary Kubiak (Texans) — answered questions today, but tomorrow there are 15 coaches scheduled to step to the podium. Plus a ton of players. Yes, today was mild compared to what will happen tomorrow. So I was warned by my main NFL contact Steve Alic who also noted that some 350 media were credentialed this year, up from about 295 a year ago. Ahh, the popularity growth continues.

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POSTED IN: NFL Scouting Combine