The Drubbing

So i recently got Direct TV at my condo building and i am floored by the NFL network and the newly started MLB network.  They are great.  It is the end of February and instead of studying for my NCAA bracket, watch NHL or NBA games i find myself watching Offensive lineman running the 40yd dash at the NFL combine on the NFL network.

The Combine is the single most important day for a college football player.  It can make or break you in the draft.  Especially with the current rookie salary structure, a poor workout can cost you millions of guaranteed dollars, and conversely a great workout can shoot you up the draft charts.  Every part of the workouts are televised on TV from the 225lb bench press (where K David Buehler showed off his guns) to multiple flexibility drills, to the favorite and overrated 40yd dash (do we really need to see Micheal Oher run?).

The only part of the combine that is not televised is the personal interview teams have with the prospects.  If i were a scout or coach, this is where i would get the most out of the players, screw the Wonderlic i have foolproof tests.  Let me give you some examples:

• Andre Smith, OT from Alabama.  This kid is a beast of a tackle, but he has some weight and maturity issues.  I would set up an early morning meeting with Andre, have a room where we would discuss certain football questions.  Now, outside of the room would be a buffet set up with all sorts of pastries, doughnuts, juice etc.  I would have whoever is escorting Andre in, mention that Andre can help himself to breakfast.  The test? come to the meeting early, and not maul the junk food set out.
• Mark Sanchez, QB from USC.  There are some questions on Mark only having 1 year worth of film on him at USC.  We have had 2 kinds of USC quarterbacks, the Carson Palmer and Matt Cassel type (aka those that can play in the NFL and are dedicated) and then there is Matt Leinert (a backup).  I would give the “What would you do..?” line of questioning to Mark.  It would go something like this – you just signed a big rookie contract from an NFL team, what of the three would you do1) celebrate with some friends? 2) buy a nice ride or 3) buy a new big house?  Now there is no right answer given so i am looking for something along the lines – “honestly i am not really sure at this time, i am just excited to start practicing and learning the playbook”.  If he doesnt’ realize a coach isn’t small talking with him, but wants to know his dedicated then he fails the interview.
• Bernard Scott, RB from Abilene Christian.  This is a kid who went to 4 different colleges, and has been arrested 5 different times.  To say he has some Red Flags is an understatement.  I would ask Bernard what game would he rather play: the board game Sorry!,  Clue, or a card game like poker.  We all know Sorry! is a game of revenge and  Clue is a game of getting away with murder.  Poker is not any better as it can lead you into desperate situations where you lose large sums of money.  Let’s hope Bernard answers, “I am not here to play games, i am here to win a championship”.

I feel that throwing off the wall questions and situations to a college kid whom you are about to give a guaranteed multimillion dollar deal to is not only important but necessary.  He will represent your franchise, be the face of your organization good or bad.  Just ask the Titans if they could do it again how would they handle drafting Adam Jones.