PA Season Ticket Holder
02-19-2003, 01:21 AM
The Super Bowl might be the NFL's annual celebration, but the scouting combine in Indianapolis is its annual convention.
It's the only time during a year that the entire league assembles. Assistants usually don't go to owners meetings. Scouts don't head to the Super Bowl. Not all assistants make it to the Senior Bowl. But virtually everyone in football operations make it to Indianapolis in late February to see the college eligible players.
Approximately, 326 players will fly to Indianapolis for the most intense examination they've ever experienced. Top players usually don't work out.
But every player will be examined. Doctors will check out past injuries. Scouts, general managers and coaches will spend time getting to know the players. Those players without agents will be hounded. And assistant coaches will be there to watch those who work out in the RCA Dome.
What gives this a convention like atmosphere is that everyone is there and plenty of business will be conducted. Thursday is the first day that players can be released, so late minute negotiations on contracts will occur during the evenings. Free agency begins at the end of the month, so general managers will be doing their best to keep their own while others will be setting the stage for quick bidding once free agency starts.
MORE (http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/clayton_john/1510264.html)
It's the only time during a year that the entire league assembles. Assistants usually don't go to owners meetings. Scouts don't head to the Super Bowl. Not all assistants make it to the Senior Bowl. But virtually everyone in football operations make it to Indianapolis in late February to see the college eligible players.
Approximately, 326 players will fly to Indianapolis for the most intense examination they've ever experienced. Top players usually don't work out.
But every player will be examined. Doctors will check out past injuries. Scouts, general managers and coaches will spend time getting to know the players. Those players without agents will be hounded. And assistant coaches will be there to watch those who work out in the RCA Dome.
What gives this a convention like atmosphere is that everyone is there and plenty of business will be conducted. Thursday is the first day that players can be released, so late minute negotiations on contracts will occur during the evenings. Free agency begins at the end of the month, so general managers will be doing their best to keep their own while others will be setting the stage for quick bidding once free agency starts.
MORE (http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/clayton_john/1510264.html)