During the 2007 NFL Scouting Combine, aF.com's Chris Pika will give his observations on the event, the behind-the-scenes information that you won't see on the NFL Network and any other breaking news as it develops. Keep checking back for updated entries during the day (latest entries listed first).
Friday, February 23, 2007
- 5:34 pm - Winding down Day 2 in Indy: It has gotten quiet in the media room as the last of the players we will see today have made their appearances with the media. The only player who did not make an appearance due to his combine schedule was Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson. Hopefully, Calvin will make his way in here tomorrow morning.
We have video interviews from Notre Dame RB Darius Walker, Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson and Cal RB Marshawn Lynch along with Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn and Louisville RB Michael Bush.
Had a chance earlier this afternoon to sneak inside the RCa Dome to watch some of the individual workouts of kickers and punters. Sitting in the stands, you realize how quiet it is as the players do their work. No cheering, claps, etc., just whispers among the coaches in the stands, the short verbal snap signal the punter gives to the long snappers (who are also being graded), the digital beep sound of stopwatches as the ball leaves the punter's foot and simultaneous beeps when the ball lands back on the turf as the special teams coaches record the hang time of each punt. But, mostly silence inside.
- 3:52 pm - Petrino to appear on NFL Network: Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino made the first of two scheduled visits to the media center just now as he was interviewed by adam Schefter for a segment of NFL Network's Path to the Draft show which will air tonight.
Matt Moore interviewed Coach Petrino and also got a behind-the-scenes look at his NFL Network interview and I interviewed ESPN's John Clayton about the Combine, the Petrino hiring and the upcoming free agent pool in the NFL. - 2:32 pm - To work or not to work, that is the question: The earlier boast by LSU QB JaMarcus Russell about his throwing ability will not be tested at the Combine since he will not work in any of the drills, but will work at LSU's Pro Day. On the other hand, Oklahoma RB adrian Peterson just said that he will participate in all of the workout.
- 1:49 pm - It isn't boasting if you can do it: according to Matt Moore, a pair of prospected talked about their physical skills when they visited with the media earlier today.
auburn WR Courtney Taylor said when asked about what he would run in the 40-yard dash, "I am not going to give you a time, but I will tell you it will be fast."
LSU QB JaMarcus Russell said about his throwing prowess, "Well, I haven't done it in a while, but I have thrown the football 83 yards in the air." There was a pause from the media as no one asked a follow-up question about the boast.
and one more, courtesy of Penn State T Levi Brown, on why he should be the first tackle taken in the draft: "I'm a great athlete, I love to play the game and I have the ability to dominate anybody,"he said, adding, "I do plan on making it to a lot of Pro Bowls in my career."
Thanks to Matt, we now have press conference video from Florida QB Chris Leak, LSU WR Dwayne Bowe, Ohio State WR anthony Gonzalez and auburn WR Courtney Taylor. - 12:41 pm - Very crowded house: On one end of the room, you have Florida QB Chris Leak and at the other end, Colts head coach Tony Dungy. In between is an even-bigger group of media than we had yesterday -- the hallway outside is much more crowded and with Dungy's appearance, the autograph-seekers are out in full force.
This is probably the most amount of media outside of Super Bowl week in one place for an NFL event. It is a testament to a couple of factors at play - the intense interest by the fans in the players who are heading the draft and the amount of NFL movers and shakers who come by to either go on the podium or do more informal sessions in the hallway.
In addition, is the time of year we find ourselves in. Free agency is just over a week away and we are just over two months shy of the NFL Draft. all of it results in a win-win for the millions of NFL fans worldwide and it's the reason we are here covering the event.
We will have plenty of player press conference video this afternoon, so keep checking back with aF.com.
Coughlin responded that he had an open-door policy for all of his players and that he would address any of their concerns.
Matt Moore, our intrepid videographer, has posted his first two videos of the day - a Combine Crashers video blog on the commotion surrounding Bears head coach Lovie Smith and the press conference of Penn State T Levi Brown, who is a large presence at the podium. - 11:43 am - Quarterbacks table the discussion: Several quarterbacks have entered the room, including UTEP's Jordan Palmer and Houston's Kevin Kolb. Each of them are sitting at a table, instead of going to the podium, so it is a scramble to hear their statements while video and camera folks are jockeying with reporters for the best spot.
- 11:25 am - alarming development: a fire alarm went off with the requisite sirens in the media room here - as press conferences were proceeding on both sides of the room. after a collective loud groan and a few small curse words from the media, the alarm abruptly stopped after 30 seconds and life here returned to normal.
- 11:11 am - More grilling on the menu: The media seem to be in a surly mood today as their next big target is Giants head coach Tom Coughlin. a straight-shooter by nature, Coughlin was asked about some of the comments made by recently-retired RB Tiki Barber about Coughlin's methods.
- 10:20 am - Lovie takes the stage: One of the more eagerly-anticipated press conferences of the Combine is taking place as Bears head coach Lovie Smith is addressing a large throng of media.
With the recent departure of defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, who interviewed for several head coaching jobs in the league and whose contract was not renewed the Bears, and Smith's own contract status (one year remaining after a Super Bowl appearance), the Bears head coach is being grilled by national and Chicago-area media representatives.
Smith thanked Rivera for his service to the Bears and continued to deflect questions about his own contract by saying that there are no deadlines, he is hopeful that he will get an extension and that he still wants to be the coach in Chicago.
- 9:23 am - Tails never fails: Steve alic of the NFL has taken the podium here in the Media Room to announce today's media schedule and that the Cleveland won the coin flip conducted earlier this morning for the third overall selection from Tampa Bay .
The Bucs had the choice and called heads. The coin came up tails and the Browns move to the #3 spot while the Bucs go to #4.
I thought the rule of sports coin flips was "tails never fails". In this case, the Bucs should have heeded the advice.
