Covering the Combine

There has been a flurry of activity in recent days and it’s about to get wilder starting tomorrow morning in Indianapolis. The annual cattle call referred to as the NFL Scouting Combine will officially start when the kickers, offensive lineman and tight ends take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Thanks to the NFL Network’s extensive coverage we can all sit back and scrutinize Josh Freeman’s arm strength and Hakeem Nicks‘ 40 time. I’ll be there with my stopwatch making sure the professionals get it right. I mean a 50-inch HDTV in my living room is just as good as being in the stands, right?

My favorite drills are the short shuttle and bench press. There’s no better way to judge a cornerback and running back by watching him perform the short shuttle. I still recall Maurice Jones-Drew a few years ago tearing it up with his lateral quickness. I hope Cardinals‘ strength coach John Lott and his Texas drawl are back to motivate the kids into putting up a few extra reps at 225. It wouldn’t be a Combine without him.

So, I’ll be camped out in front of the TV for the next four days keeping my eye on guys the Eagles might be looking to draft. Names like Eben Britton, LeSean McCoy, Brandon Pettigrew and Michael Oher. I’ll post my impressions of each day’s workouts beginning tomorrow evening. Feel free to check in and offer your own assessment of the guys who impressed or disappointed.

The combine this weekend. Then free-agency a week from today. The NFL off-season is heating up fast. Things are about to get very interesting.