Eleven MAC players headed for NFL Combine
By MIKE SMITH
We're two weeks out from the NFL combine, which will be held March 2-6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. It's an event that is often mocked and/or even derided across a number of levels.
While the combine is . . .
We're two weeks out from the NFL combine, which will be held March 2-6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. It's an event that is often mocked and/or even derided across a number of levels.
While the combine is . . .
. . . on television, it's more filler than anything else. If you find yourself watching hours upon hours of the stuff, well, it's not a good sign. The real question is does the combine serve a good purpose.
No doubt game tape should -- and does -- play a big part in pre-draft analysis. But circumstances and opponents can skew that. What happens, for example, if a MAC player relishes an opportunity to show his skills against Big Ten or SEC opponent, but he happens to be injured at the time.
Maybe he plays, injury and all, but can't demonstrate his true skills. Playing might actually be worse than sitting the game out, depending on the injury. Myself, I have to give credit to a player trying to help his team -- if he can.
A few people have complained of a "meat market" climate in which players are poked, prodded and tested on the way to being selected. I had to take a physical before I entered the air force and I also took one for another job much later. In both cases, it was for a lot less money than most of these athletes stand to make.
If I am an owner or a coach, I really want to have a pretty accurate picture of the person in which I am about to invest a bunch of money. Getting accurate height, weight, speed and other measurements are a start.
I think I would also like to talk to some of the prospective draftees, as well. Granted. some people are gifted liars and good "shovelers," but job interviews are not dead yet -- nor should they be.
Some people are better than others as interviewers. Still, I think many people with at least some background information could have benefited from a chat with Johnny Manziel. Of course, some -- not so much!
I doubt I will total more than one hour of combine watching again this year, but I have to believe I would certainly want my favorite NFL team there for pretty much the entire process.
Combine participants won't be the only players making NFL rosters in this or any other year. However, a combine invitation is a sign of educated interest, and that is good thing. Eleven MAC players have received invites, and I list them below.
Beyond that, I give you a VERY interesting blast from the past on Antonio Brown's combine profile. You should get at least a chuckle or two out of that quick read on the former Central Michigan star, who is now regarded as one of the NFL's top receivers.
I will also throw in a link to his combine workout.
No doubt game tape should -- and does -- play a big part in pre-draft analysis. But circumstances and opponents can skew that. What happens, for example, if a MAC player relishes an opportunity to show his skills against Big Ten or SEC opponent, but he happens to be injured at the time.
Maybe he plays, injury and all, but can't demonstrate his true skills. Playing might actually be worse than sitting the game out, depending on the injury. Myself, I have to give credit to a player trying to help his team -- if he can.
A few people have complained of a "meat market" climate in which players are poked, prodded and tested on the way to being selected. I had to take a physical before I entered the air force and I also took one for another job much later. In both cases, it was for a lot less money than most of these athletes stand to make.
If I am an owner or a coach, I really want to have a pretty accurate picture of the person in which I am about to invest a bunch of money. Getting accurate height, weight, speed and other measurements are a start.
I think I would also like to talk to some of the prospective draftees, as well. Granted. some people are gifted liars and good "shovelers," but job interviews are not dead yet -- nor should they be.
Some people are better than others as interviewers. Still, I think many people with at least some background information could have benefited from a chat with Johnny Manziel. Of course, some -- not so much!
I doubt I will total more than one hour of combine watching again this year, but I have to believe I would certainly want my favorite NFL team there for pretty much the entire process.
Combine participants won't be the only players making NFL rosters in this or any other year. However, a combine invitation is a sign of educated interest, and that is good thing. Eleven MAC players have received invites, and I list them below.
Beyond that, I give you a VERY interesting blast from the past on Antonio Brown's combine profile. You should get at least a chuckle or two out of that quick read on the former Central Michigan star, who is now regarded as one of the NFL's top receivers.
I will also throw in a link to his combine workout.
MAC PLAYERS INVITED TO 2017 NFL COMBINE
-- Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio
-- Blair Brown, LB, Ohio
-- Collin Buchanan, OL, Miami
-- Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
-- Kenny Golladay, WR, Northern Illinois
-- Treyvon Hester, DT, Toledo
-- Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo
-- Jerome Lane, WR, Akron
-- Taylor Moton, OG, Western Michigan
-- Michael Roberts, TD, Toledo
-- Cooper Rush, QB, Central Michigan
-- Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio
-- Blair Brown, LB, Ohio
-- Collin Buchanan, OL, Miami
-- Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
-- Kenny Golladay, WR, Northern Illinois
-- Treyvon Hester, DT, Toledo
-- Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo
-- Jerome Lane, WR, Akron
-- Taylor Moton, OG, Western Michigan
-- Michael Roberts, TD, Toledo
-- Cooper Rush, QB, Central Michigan
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