Three hundred of college football best performers descend on Indianapolis this week for the Scouting Combine, where they'll be poked, prodded and tested by NFL executives, scouts and team docs. 
We visited a training session last week and wrote about what these kids go through BEFORE the combine, so take a look. It's become huge business not only for the NFL, but for the players who can win or lose hundreds of thousands of dollars - even millions - based on how they do at the combine.
The draft-eligible players go through extensive training programs leading up to the combine, to the point where they've been through the drills hundreds of times. On this particular visit, they were being coached by some terrific ex-players, including former Cowboys offensive tackle Erik Williams, former Redskins and Browns running back Earnest Byner and former Rams, Cardinals and Colts receiver Ricky Proehl.
Scouts hope to find gems like Devin Hester (pictured right), who wowed folks at his combine and turned out to be the real deal in Chicago.
(WRITER'S NOTE: We'd like to offer a shoutout to our favorite Sunday editor Norm, who indulged us a few extra words to fit this article in the newspaper. Truth be told, Norm puts up with these extra words on a weekly basis, although this week was over the top. We asked for 850 words and submitted close to 1,400. Hey, it's an interesting subject! Anyway, we will make it up to Norm in the coming weeks by writing to length ... wink-wink.)
Comments (4)
BG, I have to say I really enjoyed the article in the paper this morning... I thought for a minute there it might have been written by Tolstoy, but it was seriously good reading. Great Job.
You are too kind, B N G. It's a regular weekend lovefest!
:)
Any Long Islanders there?
Any Long Islanders have any shot at getting drafted?
Gwaltney's eligable isn't he?
He'd be a longshot... but I wouldn't be surprised if he tried.