The Combine's Here, Bitch!

[Direckshun]

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2014/2...-list-workouts

2014 NFL Combine schedule: TV channel, online streaming, invite list, workouts and more
By Matt Conner
on Feb 20 2014, 10:12a

he road to the NFL Draft is longer in 2014 than any other offseason given the league's decision to push it back a few weeks to May 8-10. For the next three months, draftniks will circle around prospects like hawks, analyzing their every move and weighing the pros and cons of each player.

The process starts en masse this week with the start of the 2014 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. If you love the Draft, then this is a big week for you.

For those who are new to the NFL Combine, it's a seven-day event broken up into four-day shifts for each position group (quarterbacks to punters). Each group comes to Indy for four days to meet with representatives from each NFL team for medical assessments, interviews and a number of workouts. It's termed the Underwear Olympics for that reason, as teams fall in and out of love with prospects based on 40-yard dash times and vertical leaps.

The quick guide to the Combine

• NFL Network will televise; NFL.com will stream
• Andy Reid (Thursday, 2:15 p.m.) and John Dorsey (Friday, 12:15 p.m.) will speak to the media (full schedule here)
• Workouts take place Saturday-Tuesday
• Here are the players invited

Now that you have the basics, let's dive into a little more what's going down this week in Indianapolis.

The Combine workout schedule

Here are the days the actual workouts for each position group:

Saturday, Feb. 22: Tight Ends, Offensive Linemen, Special Teams

Sunday, Feb.23: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers

Monday, Feb. 24: Defensive Line, Linebackers

Tuesday, Feb. 25: Defensive Backs

There are four groups of players arriving as shown above. Each group has four days of events.

Day 1: Travel to Indianapolis* ~ Registration ~ Hospital Pre-Exam & X-rays ~ Orientation ~ Interviews

Day 2: Measurements ~ Medical Examinations ~ Media ~ Interviews

Day 3: NFLPA Meeting ~ Psychological Testing ~ PK/ST Workout ~ Bench Press ~ Interviews

Day 4: On-Field Workout (timing, stations, skill drills) ~ Departure from Indianapolis

With the first arrivals coming on Wednesday, that puts the first day of workouts on Saturday.

The players invited

Every top college football player will likely be in attendance in Indianapolis, even if some of the top athletes won't participate in the workouts. The NFL invited over 300 players to attend. Teddy Bridgewater to Jadeveon Clowney, your favorite college players will likely be there.

Who is eligible to be invited to the Combine? Basically, seniors without college eligibility left and those who have declared early.

And how are players selected to the Combine? Read this:

Participants are determined annually by a Selection Committee. The Directors of both National and BLESTO scouting services, which combined represent twenty-five NFL teams, are joined by members of various NFL player personnel departments to form the committee. The participating NFL executives can rotate on a yearly basis, and remain anonymous. ALL eligible players are reviewed and voted on by the committee members. Each athlete receiving the necessary number of votes, by position, is then extended an invitation. While it is not a perfect science, the goal of the committee is to invite every player that will be drafted in the ensuing NFL Draft.

You can find the full list of players expected to attend at the bottom of this post. While the list is comprehensive, there are a few players every year who are drafted but didn't get invited to the Combine.

The workouts

The most important one is not a workout -- it's the interview. Teams will have the opportunity to interview players where they'll get about 15 minutes with them. With so little time, the questions have to be precise and all have a purpose.

The second most important item there is getting the medical check-up -- essentially confirming that the player is healthy or checking out previous injuries. Team doctors will want this information so the GMs and coaches can make an informed decision.

Some of the other workouts, via Big Blue View:

40-yard dash: Measures straight line speed over a distance. Not very important for non-skill position players, but coming from the 40-yard dash is the "10-yard split." That is the time it takes to travel the first 10 yards of the event and gives a measurement as to the player's explosion and first step. Very important for defensive and offensive linemen. Dontari Poe had a 10-yard split of 1.7 at 330 pounds, which is decent for a linebacker.Bruce Irvin at 235 pounds had a 10-yard split of 1.57, which is a good number for a defensive back. Both help push those players into the middle of the first round.

Bench press: Fairly simple, it measures upper body strength. Moreso it shows if you have stayed in good condition over the offseason. Poor numbers here possibly indicate not working hard enough.

Vertical and Broad jump: Another measurement of explosion and lower body strength. Also important for wide receivers and defensive backs to show off their leaping ability.

3-cone drill: Essentially a change of direction drill. Most important for skill position players. Shows off lateral agility and ability to accelerate out of a turn. One of the drills that translates best on the field. A good score in the 3 cone is often a marker for a high draft pick.

20/60-yard shuttles: Shows the ability to come to a complete stop and accelerate. Obviously important for any position and a good score here is indicative of explosion and body control. As you can see, explosion is a big factor here and one that the NFL is keen to see.

Position-specific drills: Each position has specific drills that test for many different attributes. Change of direction and hip swing for defensive backs, hands skills for wide receivers during the "gauntlet," kick slide drills for the offensive linemen, power for the defensive linemen in hitting bag drills and accuracy for quarterbacks in throwing drills.

How do I watch the Combine?

NFL Network will televise some of it.

NFL.com will stream the action.

KCChiefs.com will have full video of Andy Reid and John Dorsey's press conferences but will not stream them live.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by jonzie04

taking one of the best pass rushing prospects of all time is ****ing reeruned? i could see you saying it might not be the best idea. but i'd hardly call it "****ing reeruned".

Mario Williams got them what?

They have dick at QB. Plus Clowney is best utilized as a 4-3 DE. Could he succeed in a 3-4? Sure but it would be under-utilizing his ability.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Exoter175

I think there's better value to be had in the third, and I believe it's going to largely depend on who we take in the first.

If say, we had Mosley in the first, just spitballing, doubt he drops that far. I'd guarantee that we take a WR in the third. But it also depends on whether we re-sign dex or not. If we do, we take a possesion type big body guy in the 1st or 3rd. If not, I think we target cooks and get him, or try to trade up to get him if we think he's going to be gone early. I'm also curious to see who slips into the deep third, because we know there's serious talent all over this draft, and there's going to end up being a few top 50 guys available @ our 3rd. So do we go BPA at that point or stick to our needs? Hard to say really.

I'd love to go 1:Beckham, 3B/OL, 4: Fiedorowicz, 5: Josh Brown, 6: James Morris, 7: BPA

Or

1. Mosley, 3: Ellington (doubt he falls that far), 4: Fiedorowicz, 5: Josh Brown: 6: DB, 7: OL

What do you know about Josh Brown? Other than he's ****ing fast.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Mario Williams got them what?

They have dick at QB. Plus Clowney is best utilized as a 4-3 DE. Could he succeed in a 3-4? Sure but it would be under-utilizing his ability.

They could trade for Roethlisberger. Reportedly he's on the block.

[ForeverChiefs58]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Sam getting some praise in the 3-4 OLB drill. Mayock still shitting on him though.

What did he say? He was too slow and weak?

[Dunerdr]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Yes, lol. It's too much to ask for.

Should have clarified. Hoping for a rush guy. Thought Sam May be it behind Hali. Now I just want a stud. Maybe clowney will get Faust dealing come to school children and fall to us.

[OldSchool]

Man, 85 tackles for losses in Donald's career. If he was a little taller/longer, he would be a top 10 pick.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Dunerdr

Should have clarified. Hoping for a rush guy. Thought Sam May be it behind Hali. Now I just want a stud. Maybe clowney will get Faust dealing come to school children and fall to us.

There's a decent selection of rushbackers in this draft. Not great, but decent.

Both Smiths just look excellent today.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by OldSchool

Man, 85 tackles for losses in Donald's career. If he was a little taller/longer, he would be a top 10 pick.

The combine is great for killing dreams. Everyone thought we'd have a shot at Ebron. He's pretty much gone. Same goes for Donald now.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

The combine is great for killing dreams. Everyone thought we'd have a shot at Ebron. He's pretty much gone. Same goes for Donald now.

Same probably goes for Beckham, now.

I'd put Beckham at, what, 25% chance he lasts to us?

[Direckshun]

Cooks lasts to us. Dee Ford definitely lasts to us. Amaro lasts to us, most likely.

[Exoter175]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

What do you know about Josh Brown? Other than he's ****ing fast.

Zero tangible intelligence, but a great football player with a hard work ethic. Got to see him play a few times personally, friends still live in Pitt and whatnot. Extremely fast, extremely quick first step. His ability to accelerate through the first 10 yards is probably unmatched in this draft when you put the pads on and toss them all in grass. He really moves. Alright blocker, has a really good awareness for how the flow of a play and game is going. If you watch him basically get shutout in the shrine game, at first glance, you'll think he couldn't separate and that he's not worth a damn. Upon further review, you'll see him 35 yards down the field with 5 yards of separation while the QB checks down or gets pressured into an early throw. He literally clowned all over that secondary but had zero production come from it thanks to a set of QB's worried about stats rather than the game, at least for the section of the game where JB was playing WR. As soon as he was out of the game and they changed QB's, boom deep throws all day. Probably would have benefited immensely from being played in the late third early 4th. Tiny little baby hands, but tracks the ball very well into his hands. Excellent field vision and a solid return man.

He's listed as a "priority free agent" headed into this combine, definitely going to come out of it and through pro days as a round 5-7 type. Easily leapfrogged half the field based solely on the gauntlet drill.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Exoter175

Zero tangible intelligence, but a great football player with a hard work ethic. Got to see him play a few times personally, friends still live in Pitt and whatnot. Extremely fast, extremely quick first step. His ability to accelerate through the first 10 yards is probably unmatched in this draft when you put the pads on and toss them all in grass. He really moves. Alright blocker, has a really good awareness for how the flow of a play and game is going. If you watch him basically get shutout in the shrine game, at first glance, you'll think he couldn't separate and that he's not worth a damn. Upon further review, you'll see him 35 yards down the field with 5 yards of separation while the QB checks down or gets pressured into an early throw. He literally clowned all over that secondary but had zero production come from it thanks to a set of QB's worried about stats rather than the game, at least for the section of the game where JB was playing WR. As soon as he was out of the game and they changed QB's, boom deep throws all day. Probably would have benefited immensely from being played in the late third early 4th. Tiny little baby hands, but tracks the ball very well into his hands. Excellent field vision and a solid return man.

He's listed as a "priority free agent" headed into this combine, definitely going to come out of it and through pro days as a round 5-7 type. Easily leapfrogged half the field based solely on the gauntlet drill.

Thanks. Rep.

[Direckshun]

http://www.chiefsspin.com/closing-th...n-the-combine/

Closing thoughts on the Combine

Feb 23rd, 2014 · Herbie Teope · Print article

INDIANAPOLIS – One of the league’s premier offseason events leading to the annual NFL Draft effectively winds down Sunday as player-reporter media sessions conclude.

Meanwhile, televised coverage of workouts continues through Tuesday, further enhancing the popularity of the NFL Scouting Combine, evidenced by the wall-to-wall coverage and the sheer mass of NFL media present the past week.

Still, the Combine shouldn’t be viewed as the be-all, do-all when it comes to final determination of a player’s draft stock. Keep in mind players spend weeks training specifically for Combine drills, so don’t get caught up in how fast a player runs or performs a drill.

Former Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said it best at the 2008 Combine when categorizing the week-long process.

“You can’t weigh too much on the beauty pageant,” Edwards said. “Everyone likes the beauty pageant when they put on the bathing suits. The same thing out here, they run around, they jump, they touch the ground, they flip, they do all the Cartwheels. But at the end, to me, the beauty pageant is how they play football.”

Edwards’ final comment is the bottom line, as a team’s scouting department already has game film on the players they’re potentially interested in.

The Combine affords teams an opportunity to meet and view those players in person, sometimes the first time for general managers and coaching staffs.

Of course, how a player performs in Indianapolis plays a role, a checks and balance system when comparing drill or medical results to what’s already on film.

Ultimately, teams such as the Chiefs will do their due diligence leading to the draft when it comes to evaluating prospects or any player when determining a fit.

“What we do as an organization is we try to turn over every stone we possibly can to find players that will (give us) the competitive depth we always talk about,” Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said during his Friday media session.

And as often heard from team executives and coaching staffs throughout the week, the Combine is part of that process.

Sorting through the interview process

While it’s easy to get excited about the performance-based drills, don’t ignore the players the Chiefs spoke to.

With more than 300 players at this year’s Combine, teams have to be selective with interviews given the league’s rule of 60 players in 15-minute intervals.

The chosen players the Chiefs decide to interview could offer insight to what the team is thinking on certain positions before the NFL Draft.

Some of the glaring needs based on pending free agents are free safety, offensive line, wide receiver and linebacker.

Prior to Sunday, a list of confirmed players to have spoken with the Chiefs or pending an interview included Boise State offensive lineman Billy Turner, Florida State linebacker Telvin Smith and wide receivers Mike Evans of Texas A&M and Marqise Lee of USC.

The Chiefs will have continued opportunities to scout prospects through Pro Day workouts and individual workouts leading to May’s draft.

Intriguing, Take I

Kansas City’s pass defense took a pounding during the second half of the 2013 regular season and the playoffs.

Playing in the pass-happy AFC West continues to place defending the pass at a high premium.

Perhaps that’s why the Chiefs taking a look at versatile Florida State inside linebacker Telvin Smith proves fascinating.

Smith, who had three interceptions and two defensive touchdowns during the Seminoles’ national championship run, confirmed he spoke to the Chiefs during the Senior Bowl and has a scheduled meeting during the Combine.

He’s currently one of the few linebackers known to have talked to the Chiefs.

While undersized at 6-foot-3, 218 pounds when compared to prototypical NFL linebackers, Smith is an extremely confident player, which immediately became clear when talking to him.

One of Smith’s biggest attributes is pass coverage and his speed, which he uses to complement his range.

“That’s something we probably won’t be able to show in the Combine drills,” Smith said of his range. “But you turn on my film I’m probably the best, bar none, cover linebacker at the Combine or in the country. Period.”

Intriguing, Take II

Louisville safety Calvin Pryor revealed he’s been training with Chiefs safety Eric Berry, Terez Paylor of The Kansas City Star reports.

With free safeties Kendrick Lewis, Quintin Demps and Husain Abdullah scheduled to become unrestricted free agents, get the feeling Berry is offering feedback to the Chiefs brain trust how Pryor is doing?

A majority of draft analysts view Pryor as the top safety prospect of this year’s draft.

Reid, Dorsey recaps

Chiefs general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid took turns addressing the media on Thursday and Friday.

Most watched their main pressers during the televised portion broadcast on The NFL Network.

While some information surfaced in the main media room – Reid’s thoughts on giving running back Knile Davis more touches or Dorsey saying communications lines remain open with all the team’s scheduled unrestricted free agents, including left tackle Branden Albert – often the best nuggets arrive through their respective post-presser sessions with Chiefs media present covering the Combine.

During Reid’s Thursday session with local media, the Chiefs coach made it clear the team is committed to building the team through the draft and not putting everything into free agency.

“My thought on that hasn’t changed,” Reid said. “I’m lucky enough to be with John (Dorsey) where that’s his feeling. I think you kind of plug things here or there, but if you think you’re going to make a team out of free agents, I don’t think that necessarily works.”

Meanwhile, Dorsey told local reporters Friday the Chiefs are unlikely to use the franchise tag prior to the league’s March 3 deadline to identify franchise and transition players.

The Chiefs general manager added the team remains focused on working out a deal with quarterback Alex Smith, who enters the final year of his contract.

“What we’ve done is we’ve reached out to every representative for every unrestricted free agent that we have,” Dorsey said. “We’ve also talked to Alex Smith’s representative as well.”

The local feel

Seven players represented the University of Missouri at the Combine, headlined by defensive end Michael Sam.

Sam’s Saturday media session easily drew the largest crowd. He was extremely composed in the spotlight and did a phenomenal job with reporters, cracking jokes and drawing plenty of laughter and smiles.

Sam, who admitted he was gay prior to the Combine, made a compelling point to reporters to not overlook what he’s doing professionally.

“I wish you guys would just say, ‘Michael Sam, how’s football going? How’s training going?’” Sam said. “I would love for you to ask me that question.

“But it is what it is. And I just wish you guys would just see me as Michael Sam the football player instead of Michael Sam the gay football player.”

Meanwhile, another Tiger also did extremely well during his media session, albeit scaled down from Sam’s.

Running back Henry Josey’s well-chronicled journey to the NFL went through a roadblock following a devastating knee injury near the end of the 2011 season.

He missed the 2012 season, but rebounded to have a strong 2013 campaign, rushing for 1,166 yards and 16 touchdowns to become one of college football’s feel-good storylines of Missouri’s 12-2 season.

Josey’s comeback story also inspired others to do well.

“There’s a purpose of what happened to me,” Josey said. “I’ve inspired a lot of people, but also having the faith in God I was able to do what I did.

“I’m happy I can inspire people, but they inspired me to keep getting better, they inspired me to keep going forward in life because I have so many people that are looking.”

While Missouri and other big-time universities often command center stage at the Combine, players from small schools shouldn’t be overlooked.

Missouri Western State University was represented by tight end Reggie Jordan, who happily soaked in the environment.

The Combine is the NFL’s version of a job interview, an opportunity to pursue a dream.

And regardless the school a player comes from, that meaning isn’t lost.

“It’s quite the experience, honestly,” Jordan said. “I didn’t expect none of this, of course, coming out of a small school, you didn’t expect much. It’s definitely an experience right now.”

[Direckshun]

Calvin Pryor training with Eric Berry. JIMP.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Same probably goes for Beckham, now.

I'd put Beckham at, what, 25% chance he lasts to us?

Right now.....I'd say 50/50. Teams like the Ravens and Jets could possibly take a WR before us. It all depends on how Mike Evans falls or if people view Benjamin as a better prospect than Beckham.