Today is my last day here and I'm leaving at Noon, so there won't be quite as much excitement today. I will partake in Cincy Jungle's first ever podcast, listen to a few coaches (Rex Ryan is always entertaining), and climb back on the bus.
There is a lot less media here in comparison to yesterday. The workouts start this afternoon, but we (the media) have no firsthand access to see the prospects workout—except NFL Network, of course. They get all the perks.
So far, I listened to New York Giants GM Jerry Reese tell the world that a team can acquire a good running back in the fourth or even seventh round. He mentioned how he likes his defensive linemen to be interchangeable in their position and how the Giants do have a budget, but that if they have to pay someone they like, "they will do that." It makes sense of course that the New York teams will be big spenders in an uncapped environment.
Speaking of New York, former Giants coordinator and current Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo took the podium with his sharp hair cut and his East Coast accent to say that if St. Louis did take a quarterback with the first overall pick, he would not have a problem playing that player right away. Spagnuolo wouldn't say much or compare the two highest rated defensive tackles—Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy—both of which are expected to be top five overall selections. A defensive tackle hasn't been taken with the first pick since 1994 when our very own Bengals took Dan Wilkinson.
Unfortunately, that's all I have for today. This whole voyage has been surreal and incredible and I really enjoyed taking it all in and relaying what I've seen and been through with all of you. Hopefully this type of coverage will become the norm for Cincy Jungle as we continue to grow and deliver our readers the type of quality firsthand reporting that many of you have enjoyed here for the last few days.
Thanks to everyone for reading and to the powers-that-be who sent me here.
Mojokong—living the dream.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
The Combine: Day 2.9
Because Marvin was there, an increased Cincinnati media presence showed up as well. I got a place right up front ready to fire my questions away. My first one was about the anemic passing game.
"There's no question we have to be more productive in the passing game. We were able to go in and frankly change the face of our football team, which I think was dramatic. With that being said, we also took some hits on some things that we've adjusted and we continue to adjust to get better. On a positive side, one of those things we have to improve on is our ability to make chunks plays down the field," Marvin said.
At this point in his answer, he noticed John Thornton sitting in the crowd and said hello. Then he went back to the answer.
"And that's a point we really look to improve in. And we're excited about that, just like we were excited about some of the revisions we made last year through the offseason—both personnel and scheme, [and it is] the same thing going into this season," he finished.
You see, I get the same answers as anybody else. He says a lot, but shares a little.
My next question had a much shorter answer but perhaps more actual content. I asked about the depth concerns at safety.
"Safety is an area that we would consider looking at in this draft," he told me.
Not bad.
Questions raised by the others had to do with Rey Maualuga's arrest ("He's making big strides to correct that"), Laveranues Coles' impact last year ("Laveranues added professionalism and maturity that that room severely needed"), and the supposed expanded role of Jerome Simpson (We're going to really, really take steps to keep him on that road to development."). He did say that this draft is especially deep at linebacker, but that is a position that it is "not an area that we would focus on very early". He also likes how the line grew and "came up out of the ashes last year" and is encouraged that Andre Smith will continue to improve. Nothing too shocking.
He didn't sound too excited about this year's tight end crop, pointing to the injuries of the top prospects at that position. He wouldn't talk at all about TO because he still technically belongs to the Bills and wouldn't go into the new CBA because he said that he simply isn't allowed to do so. And that was the press conference.
I felt somewhat satisfied that I interacted with the coach at all. It had always been something of a personal goal to talk with him, and technically I had. I even thanked him as he left the stage and he said I was welcome. He really doesn't seem like a bad guy.
Afterward, I was really thirsty and wanted to buy some water. I walked upstairs where no one was supposed to be. I didn't find any vending machines, but I did find Geoff Hobson, James Walker, Joe Reedy, Scott from CNATI, and some Channel 19 folks. I introduced myself to Hobson and he asked if we weren't piling on him too much on Cincy Jungle. I told him of course not, with only a seed of guilt for lying (Editor's Note: Just kidding Geoff, you know you're our favorite!) Then he asked me if I was sticking around for this, pointing to an empty table.
"What is this?" I asked.
"I don't know; a little Marvin press conference," he told me.
"Then yes, I'm sticking around for this."
Sure 'nuff, here comes the king himself flanked once again by Jack Brennan. Marvin sat down and Brennan looked me over dubiously. I beat him to the punch.
"Clifton Burke, Cincy Jungle," I said and extended my hand.
"You're a local guy," he asked shaking it.
"Yes, sir."
I could tell it still made him uneasy. Then, unprompted, Hobson stuck up for me.
"He's from Cincy Jungle; he's okay."
Brennan nodded, Marvin then looked me over, and I was welcomed into the circle. It was a rite of passage of sorts. Then the questions began again.
The first one was about Bobbie Williams and Marvin said without hesitation that he wanted him back.
"Bobbie has beaten the averages as far as age and had a really productive football season for us."
Then I asked him if this year's draft preparation would be any different in regards to the uncapped season next year and the uncertainty the year after that.
"I don't think it will affect the draft at all. The draft is an opportunity to improve your football team for the future, and you really have to look at it from that point. To me, it's not as important in the draft to fill every seat, but fill every seat with the best football players because every football team is put together a little different (sic). When you draft by need, you take a lesser player, and when you take a lesser player, two years later, they're still a lesser player. He doesn't maybe get better. You want to take the best players you can take and do the best job to fit the other guys around him and coach the entire group to really upgrade the talent level of the entire football team, and not just be pleased that I have 11 players."
Wow. Never did I think I could prompt Marvin to say that many words, but that is what happened.
Other guys asked him more about tight ends and he stuck with the answer that a tight end has to block first in the AFC North. "It takes a man to play divisional games," he said. He also said more potential NFL-caliber tight ends are playing basketball in high-school instead of football.
Another question from someone else was about the passing game and he said he wanted a player who can contribute earlier in the season.
Something else was asked about the pass rush, and he answered that Odom got his feet wet at being a star and that Fanene impressed him with his rapid development.
Then it was over. As I walked off, Scott from CNATI introduced himself and asked if I was getting around the city alright, not having a car and all.
"You're a reader!" I exclaimed. He laughed and nodded. I explained to him that my hotel shuttle has actually worked out pretty well, which caught James Walker's attention.
"First combine?" Walker asked.
I nodded, did a quick introduction and explained to him that it was a big deal for Cincy Jungle to get credentialed at all and they each wished me luck. It was a great experience.
The rest of the day was easy. I listened to Tony Pike explain how he is getting bigger (225 lbs.) but still isn't heavy enough in his mind. I sat through Mike Holgrem's presser, Super Bowl ring and all, indicate that he wants an offensive linemen this draft. Holmgren also said that he's looking for any trades that are out there, and expressed that he feels the future of the league will require more defensive backs. He hasn't made a quarterback decision and he intends to make it difficult for other teams to obtain Jerome Harrison.
Then a voice came over the loud speaker, and it said "some guy named Tebow is at Podium C," and the rat race was on. For a guy who doesn't play in the NFL, he is easily the most famous person in football right now. A press member actually had him autograph something; a very amateur move that could actually result in that person being barred from the future. Nothing at Tebow's presser was interesting. Nothing.
I then listened to Dez Bryant struggle to speak. That guy is not bright outside of the football field. Each answer consisted of eight words or less.
A player I was entertained listening to was Golden Tate—the smallish Notre Dame receiver. Even though most of the questions were about Jimmy Clausen, the guy had a good sense of humor and said he models his game after Steve Smith because of his size. I liked Tate's attitude and would welcome him in Bengal stripes if Cincinnati were to draft him.
Lastly, Jeff Fisher spoke. All I wanted to know from Fisher was what the Competition Committee had in store this offseason. Predictably, he said player safety was of the highest priority. The defenseless player will be the focus in talks regarding player health this offseason and into the future, Fisher said.
I waited and waited for Mardy Gilyard to show, but I never saw him. He wasn't paramount in my coverage, but he would have been interesting to see how he handled the press. My hunger got the best of me and I left 30 minutes early; sue me.
That was today. Can it get any better tomorrow? Only one way to find out. Stay tuned.
"There's no question we have to be more productive in the passing game. We were able to go in and frankly change the face of our football team, which I think was dramatic. With that being said, we also took some hits on some things that we've adjusted and we continue to adjust to get better. On a positive side, one of those things we have to improve on is our ability to make chunks plays down the field," Marvin said.
At this point in his answer, he noticed John Thornton sitting in the crowd and said hello. Then he went back to the answer.
"And that's a point we really look to improve in. And we're excited about that, just like we were excited about some of the revisions we made last year through the offseason—both personnel and scheme, [and it is] the same thing going into this season," he finished.
You see, I get the same answers as anybody else. He says a lot, but shares a little.
My next question had a much shorter answer but perhaps more actual content. I asked about the depth concerns at safety.
"Safety is an area that we would consider looking at in this draft," he told me.
Not bad.
Questions raised by the others had to do with Rey Maualuga's arrest ("He's making big strides to correct that"), Laveranues Coles' impact last year ("Laveranues added professionalism and maturity that that room severely needed"), and the supposed expanded role of Jerome Simpson (We're going to really, really take steps to keep him on that road to development."). He did say that this draft is especially deep at linebacker, but that is a position that it is "not an area that we would focus on very early". He also likes how the line grew and "came up out of the ashes last year" and is encouraged that Andre Smith will continue to improve. Nothing too shocking.
He didn't sound too excited about this year's tight end crop, pointing to the injuries of the top prospects at that position. He wouldn't talk at all about TO because he still technically belongs to the Bills and wouldn't go into the new CBA because he said that he simply isn't allowed to do so. And that was the press conference.
I felt somewhat satisfied that I interacted with the coach at all. It had always been something of a personal goal to talk with him, and technically I had. I even thanked him as he left the stage and he said I was welcome. He really doesn't seem like a bad guy.
Afterward, I was really thirsty and wanted to buy some water. I walked upstairs where no one was supposed to be. I didn't find any vending machines, but I did find Geoff Hobson, James Walker, Joe Reedy, Scott from CNATI, and some Channel 19 folks. I introduced myself to Hobson and he asked if we weren't piling on him too much on Cincy Jungle. I told him of course not, with only a seed of guilt for lying (Editor's Note: Just kidding Geoff, you know you're our favorite!) Then he asked me if I was sticking around for this, pointing to an empty table.
"What is this?" I asked.
"I don't know; a little Marvin press conference," he told me.
"Then yes, I'm sticking around for this."
Sure 'nuff, here comes the king himself flanked once again by Jack Brennan. Marvin sat down and Brennan looked me over dubiously. I beat him to the punch.
"Clifton Burke, Cincy Jungle," I said and extended my hand.
"You're a local guy," he asked shaking it.
"Yes, sir."
I could tell it still made him uneasy. Then, unprompted, Hobson stuck up for me.
"He's from Cincy Jungle; he's okay."
Brennan nodded, Marvin then looked me over, and I was welcomed into the circle. It was a rite of passage of sorts. Then the questions began again.
The first one was about Bobbie Williams and Marvin said without hesitation that he wanted him back.
"Bobbie has beaten the averages as far as age and had a really productive football season for us."
Then I asked him if this year's draft preparation would be any different in regards to the uncapped season next year and the uncertainty the year after that.
"I don't think it will affect the draft at all. The draft is an opportunity to improve your football team for the future, and you really have to look at it from that point. To me, it's not as important in the draft to fill every seat, but fill every seat with the best football players because every football team is put together a little different (sic). When you draft by need, you take a lesser player, and when you take a lesser player, two years later, they're still a lesser player. He doesn't maybe get better. You want to take the best players you can take and do the best job to fit the other guys around him and coach the entire group to really upgrade the talent level of the entire football team, and not just be pleased that I have 11 players."
Wow. Never did I think I could prompt Marvin to say that many words, but that is what happened.
Other guys asked him more about tight ends and he stuck with the answer that a tight end has to block first in the AFC North. "It takes a man to play divisional games," he said. He also said more potential NFL-caliber tight ends are playing basketball in high-school instead of football.
Another question from someone else was about the passing game and he said he wanted a player who can contribute earlier in the season.
Something else was asked about the pass rush, and he answered that Odom got his feet wet at being a star and that Fanene impressed him with his rapid development.
Then it was over. As I walked off, Scott from CNATI introduced himself and asked if I was getting around the city alright, not having a car and all.
"You're a reader!" I exclaimed. He laughed and nodded. I explained to him that my hotel shuttle has actually worked out pretty well, which caught James Walker's attention.
"First combine?" Walker asked.
I nodded, did a quick introduction and explained to him that it was a big deal for Cincy Jungle to get credentialed at all and they each wished me luck. It was a great experience.
The rest of the day was easy. I listened to Tony Pike explain how he is getting bigger (225 lbs.) but still isn't heavy enough in his mind. I sat through Mike Holgrem's presser, Super Bowl ring and all, indicate that he wants an offensive linemen this draft. Holmgren also said that he's looking for any trades that are out there, and expressed that he feels the future of the league will require more defensive backs. He hasn't made a quarterback decision and he intends to make it difficult for other teams to obtain Jerome Harrison.
Then a voice came over the loud speaker, and it said "some guy named Tebow is at Podium C," and the rat race was on. For a guy who doesn't play in the NFL, he is easily the most famous person in football right now. A press member actually had him autograph something; a very amateur move that could actually result in that person being barred from the future. Nothing at Tebow's presser was interesting. Nothing.
I then listened to Dez Bryant struggle to speak. That guy is not bright outside of the football field. Each answer consisted of eight words or less.
A player I was entertained listening to was Golden Tate—the smallish Notre Dame receiver. Even though most of the questions were about Jimmy Clausen, the guy had a good sense of humor and said he models his game after Steve Smith because of his size. I liked Tate's attitude and would welcome him in Bengal stripes if Cincinnati were to draft him.
Lastly, Jeff Fisher spoke. All I wanted to know from Fisher was what the Competition Committee had in store this offseason. Predictably, he said player safety was of the highest priority. The defenseless player will be the focus in talks regarding player health this offseason and into the future, Fisher said.
I waited and waited for Mardy Gilyard to show, but I never saw him. He wasn't paramount in my coverage, but he would have been interesting to see how he handled the press. My hunger got the best of me and I left 30 minutes early; sue me.
That was today. Can it get any better tomorrow? Only one way to find out. Stay tuned.
The Combine: Day 2.5
Today is even more of a zoo than yesterday. With a litany of NFL head coaches and general managers scheduled for podium time, the media has beefed up and spaces with a plug nearby have become a premium.
The day started with Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith dodging questions left and right. Lovie said he likes this year's coaching staff, in particular the new presence of Mike Tice who was hired to coach the offensive line. Tice and Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli are both former head coaches, and Lovie says he's gotta a thing for former leaders of men.
The only thing halfway interesting Smith told the media is that his team must address the safety position and that "you can't have too many pass-rushers, especially speed guys on the ends". Sorry, Bears fans, wish I could give you more.
Next up was St. Louis Rams general manager Billy Devaney. There has been lots made in the Rams universe that for the past two drafts they have passed on quarterbacks who went on to have good seasons and help their team right away—Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez are typically referenced in regard to this topic.
Devaney genuinely empathized with the reporter who asked this.
"You never want to force a quarterback into a pick if he isn't the best player out there, but I hear you," Devaney said. "We should have a helluva defense line at this point." Everyone laughed.
There is speculation that the Rams could draft Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford with their top choice, but with the sudden league-wide obsession over defensive tackles, I wouldn't be shocked if St. Louis ended up with a top-ranked DT like fellow kong, Ndamukong Suh.
Then came Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson. This guy looks like Vince McMahon and speaks very softly. I couldn't get close enough to hear real well, but I caught a few things.
His first question was about Tim Tebow. Why not? The Packers only have a quarterback with the top passer-rating in history, but Double T might know a thing or two about Tebow, right? Maybe—I couldn't hear., but who really cares? Tebow isn't likely to end up in Green Bay. That's part of the Combine; hollow questions aplenty.
I also didn't hear the question that changed Thompson's tone and body language completely. Someone asked something and Thomspon rolled his eyes, smiled and looked elsewhere for another question. The reporter persisted. Ted said something short and apparently terse to the guy and this time did move on. Every question afterward got no more than two sentences and Thompson had clearly answered enough questions for his liking.
The top dog of Washington took over next. No, not Barack: Mike Shanahan. This guy does look like George W. Bush though, so there's some weird presidential connection.
Shanahan said he intends on tendering Jason Campbell and keeping him on the team. He said he enjoys studying for the draft and had extra time to do that this season. He visited practices and camps of the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers to see how much hitting they do in practice.
That's about it from Shanahan. Then...Marvin Lewis strolled to the podium flanked by Bengals PR point man, Jack Brennan. I had an interesting day with Marvin, but to find out what happened, you will have to check back tonight for part two of today's excitement.
The day started with Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith dodging questions left and right. Lovie said he likes this year's coaching staff, in particular the new presence of Mike Tice who was hired to coach the offensive line. Tice and Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli are both former head coaches, and Lovie says he's gotta a thing for former leaders of men.
The only thing halfway interesting Smith told the media is that his team must address the safety position and that "you can't have too many pass-rushers, especially speed guys on the ends". Sorry, Bears fans, wish I could give you more.
Next up was St. Louis Rams general manager Billy Devaney. There has been lots made in the Rams universe that for the past two drafts they have passed on quarterbacks who went on to have good seasons and help their team right away—Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez are typically referenced in regard to this topic.
Devaney genuinely empathized with the reporter who asked this.
"You never want to force a quarterback into a pick if he isn't the best player out there, but I hear you," Devaney said. "We should have a helluva defense line at this point." Everyone laughed.
There is speculation that the Rams could draft Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford with their top choice, but with the sudden league-wide obsession over defensive tackles, I wouldn't be shocked if St. Louis ended up with a top-ranked DT like fellow kong, Ndamukong Suh.
Then came Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson. This guy looks like Vince McMahon and speaks very softly. I couldn't get close enough to hear real well, but I caught a few things.
His first question was about Tim Tebow. Why not? The Packers only have a quarterback with the top passer-rating in history, but Double T might know a thing or two about Tebow, right? Maybe—I couldn't hear., but who really cares? Tebow isn't likely to end up in Green Bay. That's part of the Combine; hollow questions aplenty.
I also didn't hear the question that changed Thompson's tone and body language completely. Someone asked something and Thomspon rolled his eyes, smiled and looked elsewhere for another question. The reporter persisted. Ted said something short and apparently terse to the guy and this time did move on. Every question afterward got no more than two sentences and Thompson had clearly answered enough questions for his liking.
The top dog of Washington took over next. No, not Barack: Mike Shanahan. This guy does look like George W. Bush though, so there's some weird presidential connection.
Shanahan said he intends on tendering Jason Campbell and keeping him on the team. He said he enjoys studying for the draft and had extra time to do that this season. He visited practices and camps of the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers to see how much hitting they do in practice.
That's about it from Shanahan. Then...Marvin Lewis strolled to the podium flanked by Bengals PR point man, Jack Brennan. I had an interesting day with Marvin, but to find out what happened, you will have to check back tonight for part two of today's excitement.
The Combine: Day 2
So you got the newsy version of the combine, but here's the real scoop.
The combine is all about money; from top to bottom.
When players are asked about a recent injury they pounce on their rehearsed lines. This is the one way that the media can actually eff with a player's money. You will hear cliches like: one hundred percent, ready to go, not a problem—this is the stuff attached to questions about injuries. Ask them what scouts are looking for from a technical aspect and they'll say speed or footwork. I want to press them.
“Yes, but what kind of footwork? Back peddling, driving forward? Can you be more specific?”
The players have been drilled by handfuls of teams about their football smarts all day, and the last thing they wanna do is go over some chalkboard stuff with me at a press conference. Plus, unusual, pressing questions scare the typical athlete and they retract. To some degree, you have to go with the flow because you're going to be there the next three days. Weird these people out on day one and you will suffer a significant career drawback. The key is playing it straight for a while and wait for everyone else get to weird on their own. Three days at a Combine will do it for sure. Then start asking people some really bizarre shit.
“Will rookies in 2011 have to get regular jobs if there is no draft? What team would you remove from the NFL if you could? How do you feel about public transportation?”
The general managers will drop some nuggets, but they are experts at treading between sounding smart and being secretive. Every word they speak in this forum either makes or costs them money. Slip up and share too much information, and the other teams and player agents will use that info to exploit the now publicly vulnerable team. Put pressure on veterans through the media—like Jeff Ireland did to Joey Porter and Kevin Colbert did to Willie Parker today—and it makes it easier for the fans to digest once that player is gone.
Then there is the media themselves. The NFL Network has it's own elevated stage in the center of the room that takes up an obnoxious amount of unnecessary space. The real kicker is: it's for only Jason LaConfora. The rest of the crew is inside what Rich Eisen has coined “the inner sanctum”. The rest of us scum have to swim around the place brandishing our recorders and cameras and notebooks and complete whole sentences aloud even though it is clear someone else had begun their sentence first. It's an orgy of coverage, that for many of these people, is the only way they get their money.
That would be okay if we were really trying to outsmart one another, but a whole gaggle of professionals laugh when a reporter asks an athlete what is the strangest question they've had so far and the guy replies “what is my favorite color?” That happened.
The media make there money the fastest though. The pattern is this: The media arrive. They quickly consume all the coffee and bagels sat out for them. They spend 20 minutes cramming. They surround famous people and go through the motions with them, then they run back to their laptop and slop up some updates and call it a blog. It's active, but not exceptionally enthralling.
Still, the experience is priceless. If you're trying to make it as a football writer or are expected to be drafted by an NFL team—both of which I qualify for—you have to be there.
Mojokong—always bring a muffin.
The combine is all about money; from top to bottom.
When players are asked about a recent injury they pounce on their rehearsed lines. This is the one way that the media can actually eff with a player's money. You will hear cliches like: one hundred percent, ready to go, not a problem—this is the stuff attached to questions about injuries. Ask them what scouts are looking for from a technical aspect and they'll say speed or footwork. I want to press them.
“Yes, but what kind of footwork? Back peddling, driving forward? Can you be more specific?”
The players have been drilled by handfuls of teams about their football smarts all day, and the last thing they wanna do is go over some chalkboard stuff with me at a press conference. Plus, unusual, pressing questions scare the typical athlete and they retract. To some degree, you have to go with the flow because you're going to be there the next three days. Weird these people out on day one and you will suffer a significant career drawback. The key is playing it straight for a while and wait for everyone else get to weird on their own. Three days at a Combine will do it for sure. Then start asking people some really bizarre shit.
“Will rookies in 2011 have to get regular jobs if there is no draft? What team would you remove from the NFL if you could? How do you feel about public transportation?”
The general managers will drop some nuggets, but they are experts at treading between sounding smart and being secretive. Every word they speak in this forum either makes or costs them money. Slip up and share too much information, and the other teams and player agents will use that info to exploit the now publicly vulnerable team. Put pressure on veterans through the media—like Jeff Ireland did to Joey Porter and Kevin Colbert did to Willie Parker today—and it makes it easier for the fans to digest once that player is gone.
Then there is the media themselves. The NFL Network has it's own elevated stage in the center of the room that takes up an obnoxious amount of unnecessary space. The real kicker is: it's for only Jason LaConfora. The rest of the crew is inside what Rich Eisen has coined “the inner sanctum”. The rest of us scum have to swim around the place brandishing our recorders and cameras and notebooks and complete whole sentences aloud even though it is clear someone else had begun their sentence first. It's an orgy of coverage, that for many of these people, is the only way they get their money.
That would be okay if we were really trying to outsmart one another, but a whole gaggle of professionals laugh when a reporter asks an athlete what is the strangest question they've had so far and the guy replies “what is my favorite color?” That happened.
The media make there money the fastest though. The pattern is this: The media arrive. They quickly consume all the coffee and bagels sat out for them. They spend 20 minutes cramming. They surround famous people and go through the motions with them, then they run back to their laptop and slop up some updates and call it a blog. It's active, but not exceptionally enthralling.
Still, the experience is priceless. If you're trying to make it as a football writer or are expected to be drafted by an NFL team—both of which I qualify for—you have to be there.
Mojokong—always bring a muffin.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The Combine: Day 1.5
Once the coaches and general managers fielded questions, the prospects themselves took the floor. Today's group included mostly offensive linemen, tight ends, kickers and punters. With lots of speculation surrounding the Bengals possibly taking a tight end or guard, today was a big day for me.
I talked with a few tight ends; the highest profile of which was Arizona's Rob Gronkowski. Recently Gronkowski had surgery on his lower back, but says he has no lingering effects from the operation.
“The back's holding up great. It's one hundrered percent; no pain. I haven't felt this good in a while.”
Gronkowski is entering the draft after his junior season with the Wildcats because he doesn't like waiting on the things he wants. While not performing a complete workout at the Combine, Gronkowski conducted interviews with teams and will lift weights for scouts while in Indianapolis. He will undergo a complete workout during his personal pro day in Tuscon at the end of March that, according to him, should include running 4.6 in the forty-yard dash during that workout.
He calls himself a tough, physical player who likes to do the dirty work and make big plays down the field. He's a large target; 6'6'' and 265 lbs. Some teams have told him that he needs to improve with his blocking, but no one seems concerned with his pass-catching ability, especially Rob himself.
“I have great hands and I can catch anything.”
He's clearly a confident young man.
Another interesting tight end prospect is former University of Miami football and basketball player, Jimmy Graham. After deciding to forsake hoops and focus on the gridiron, Graham hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow basketball player turned tight end, Antonio Gates. Graham also has blocking concerns, but his 6'6'' frame and his basketball athleticism make him a receiver that could be lethal in the red-zone.
The last tight-end I spoke with was Pitt's Dorin Dickerson. He's a smallish player for his position—225 pounds—but he feels he could find a niche with a team as an H-back (a smaller fullback or tight end used in two tight-end sets). He feels that his experience playing in Dave Wandstadt's pro-style offense will help acclimate him to the NFL. He too acknowledges that the scouts want to see him prove he can block, but he said he's worked on that facet of the game with his coaches.
“I work on my blocking by doing drills with heavy bags and the coaches have helped a lot with my footwork,” Dickerson explained.
As for the guards, the biggest media crowd hovered around Idaho big man Mike Iupati. Most of these athletes don't appear as heavy as they are listed but that isn't the case with Iupati; he is giant. The thing I liked hearing from him was that he likes to pull on running plays. There were a lot of questions thrown at him about moving to tackle. While he said all the right things about being versatile and of how playing at different spots can only help his draft stock, it was clear the man prefers staying at guard.
Illinois guard Jon Asamoah was also asked about playing tackle, but he sounded much more receptive to the idea of shifting over on the line.
“Every team wants you to be versatile; it keeps you on a roster,” said Asamoah.
He then went on to answer a lot of questions about his father being a diabetic and of how, even though he is big, he didn't have many sweets around the house. These are the kinds of questions these guys have to answer.
Take Texas Tech guard, Randy Carter. Before I asked him what he thinks the scouts want to see from him the most, he spent 10 minutes explaining why he no longer has crazy hair or face paint and had to describe the tattoos that are hidden behind his now normal hair. This guy is another load; I wouldn't label him svelte. He said he needed to prove he was fast enough for the pros, something at which he claims to have worked diligently, and he has lost nearly 15 pounds for the Combine.
In general, these players don't give us reporters much with which to work. They are as thoroughly coached on how to answer (or not answer) our questions as they are coached on how to play on the field. The media, of course, asks the dumbest questions, which doesn't help discerning any real information on the players. It's one big square dance where a person walks away knowing little more about the players than they did when the day started.
I did meet former Bengal John Thornton, though. He's a really nice guy who mostly hangs back and observes. He told me to introduce myself to Geoff Hobson but the situation never adequately presented itself—maybe tomorrow. I also want to say hello to both the Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy, and ESPN's James Walker.
I'll have lots more the next two days. Stay tuned.
I talked with a few tight ends; the highest profile of which was Arizona's Rob Gronkowski. Recently Gronkowski had surgery on his lower back, but says he has no lingering effects from the operation.
“The back's holding up great. It's one hundrered percent; no pain. I haven't felt this good in a while.”
Gronkowski is entering the draft after his junior season with the Wildcats because he doesn't like waiting on the things he wants. While not performing a complete workout at the Combine, Gronkowski conducted interviews with teams and will lift weights for scouts while in Indianapolis. He will undergo a complete workout during his personal pro day in Tuscon at the end of March that, according to him, should include running 4.6 in the forty-yard dash during that workout.
He calls himself a tough, physical player who likes to do the dirty work and make big plays down the field. He's a large target; 6'6'' and 265 lbs. Some teams have told him that he needs to improve with his blocking, but no one seems concerned with his pass-catching ability, especially Rob himself.
“I have great hands and I can catch anything.”
He's clearly a confident young man.
Another interesting tight end prospect is former University of Miami football and basketball player, Jimmy Graham. After deciding to forsake hoops and focus on the gridiron, Graham hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow basketball player turned tight end, Antonio Gates. Graham also has blocking concerns, but his 6'6'' frame and his basketball athleticism make him a receiver that could be lethal in the red-zone.
The last tight-end I spoke with was Pitt's Dorin Dickerson. He's a smallish player for his position—225 pounds—but he feels he could find a niche with a team as an H-back (a smaller fullback or tight end used in two tight-end sets). He feels that his experience playing in Dave Wandstadt's pro-style offense will help acclimate him to the NFL. He too acknowledges that the scouts want to see him prove he can block, but he said he's worked on that facet of the game with his coaches.
“I work on my blocking by doing drills with heavy bags and the coaches have helped a lot with my footwork,” Dickerson explained.
As for the guards, the biggest media crowd hovered around Idaho big man Mike Iupati. Most of these athletes don't appear as heavy as they are listed but that isn't the case with Iupati; he is giant. The thing I liked hearing from him was that he likes to pull on running plays. There were a lot of questions thrown at him about moving to tackle. While he said all the right things about being versatile and of how playing at different spots can only help his draft stock, it was clear the man prefers staying at guard.
Illinois guard Jon Asamoah was also asked about playing tackle, but he sounded much more receptive to the idea of shifting over on the line.
“Every team wants you to be versatile; it keeps you on a roster,” said Asamoah.
He then went on to answer a lot of questions about his father being a diabetic and of how, even though he is big, he didn't have many sweets around the house. These are the kinds of questions these guys have to answer.
Take Texas Tech guard, Randy Carter. Before I asked him what he thinks the scouts want to see from him the most, he spent 10 minutes explaining why he no longer has crazy hair or face paint and had to describe the tattoos that are hidden behind his now normal hair. This guy is another load; I wouldn't label him svelte. He said he needed to prove he was fast enough for the pros, something at which he claims to have worked diligently, and he has lost nearly 15 pounds for the Combine.
In general, these players don't give us reporters much with which to work. They are as thoroughly coached on how to answer (or not answer) our questions as they are coached on how to play on the field. The media, of course, asks the dumbest questions, which doesn't help discerning any real information on the players. It's one big square dance where a person walks away knowing little more about the players than they did when the day started.
I did meet former Bengal John Thornton, though. He's a really nice guy who mostly hangs back and observes. He told me to introduce myself to Geoff Hobson but the situation never adequately presented itself—maybe tomorrow. I also want to say hello to both the Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy, and ESPN's James Walker.
I'll have lots more the next two days. Stay tuned.
The Combine: Day 1
Ah, the combine.
I am stuck in a fairly posh room within Lucas Oil Stadium with a legitimate throng of other media. It's a feeding frenzy of digital recorders and talking over one another. The room is set up of many long tables where the media sets up their laptops and coffee. Getting one of these spots is a premium, otherwise you'd have to haul your stuff around with you all day.
Within the room are a few round tables where various players address the media. There are also three press-conference stages where coaches and general managers expertly skirt around questions regarding player personnel.
So far, most of the questions pertain to the suddenly premium nose tackle position in 3-4 schemes. With more teams using the scheme, a fat run-plugger is what everyone is after. Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey said because most college teams don't use a 3-4, there simply aren't many guys that fit the bill. With that said, expect the big defensive tackles to be selected higher than in they might be in other years.
Franchise tags have already been slapped on nose tackles, Aubrayo Franklin of San Fransisco, and Ryan Pickett of Green Bay, and Casey Hampton resigned with Pittsburgh to a $21 million contract over the next three years. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said it was important to get Hampton signed because having a solid defensive front specifically helps the defensive backs.
Colbert also elaborated on how the outside linebacker position in a 3-4 scheme is changing thanks to players like Elvis Dumerville. Before, teams valued taller linebackers that played defensive end in college, but Dumerville and other shorter players are showing how immense offensive tackles have trouble bending down to stop speed rushers. Colbert also said he doesn't want force players into a particular physical prototype and that there is still a lot of guess work when converting college ends into pro outside linebackers, but based on his statements at his press conference, it would not be surprising if more 3-4 defenses aquired shorter linebackers. Colbert also said that this year's draft has is the best crop of defensive linemen he's seen in decades.
Local writer, Geoff Hobson asked Colbert about the challenges of finding positions like tight end since so many college offenses run spread formations that use multiple receivers in place of a tight end. Colbert said that both fullbacks and tight ends have become more rare due to the pervasive spread offenses, but that as a result, the league is seeing larger receivers and running backs.
As for Steelers running back Willie Parker returning next year to the team, Colbert said he would wait to see how free-agency unfolds after Friday before he decides Parker's future. Reading between the lines, I would say that Colbert sounded lukewarm about Fast Willie and it leads me to think that Pittsburgh might be interested in the likes of LaDanian Tomlinson as a change-of-pace back to Rashad Mendenhall.
Both Colbert and Miami Dolphins GM, Jeff Ireland, explained that trading up their spot in the draft isn't always a smart move. Each explained that it's typically more advantageous to trade down and aquire more picks rather than trading up for a specific player.
Ireland did not show much enthusiasm when the topic of Joey Porter was raised. He did say that Porter's comments about wanting a new team did not factor into the Dolphins effort to release the veteran linebacker, though he did say that the team needs to get younger at that position.
The Combinbe: Day 0
The day started off on a bad note. As I checked my bank statement before leaving town, I became enraged at my fascist bankers that had inexplicably overdrawn my account twice, leaving me with a balance of negative sixty dollars. I went over the transaction ledger three times and could not figure how my account had dropped in the red. I needed to visit this fine establishment but thanks to all the other shit I had to do that day, my venting had to wait.
I did, however, manage to make it on the bus to Indy. The only thing I forgot at home was one glove—could be worse. I found a seat that appeared to have significant leg room and stared out of the window. I watched a family unload out of a van—two large women, a young man with jeans clinging around his thighs and a toddler—perilously cross the street forcing cars to stop and blow their horns at them and struggle their way onto the bus. Somehow, I knew this family would effect my travels.
When they first got on, the toddler and the larger of the two ladies, sat in the two seats in front of me. Not so bad, I thought. Then they changed seats to the one behind me and the kid immediately began kicking my chair. Twenty minutes later, the kid had fallen asleep, but the two women did not cease speaking. Not once. If they weren't talking with each other they were fielding the numerous phone calls that inundated their cell phones, causing obnoxious ring tones to fill the bus every eight minutes or so. It was lovely.
We came to a rest area and I decided that I must change seats. I found another empty seat with signifcantly less legroom but assumed it would be more peaceful regardless of its comfort drawbacks. It took nearly 10 minutes before I realized that the bus driver was looking for me because I wasn't in my seat and he wanted to make sure not to leave me in an Indiana rest stop—a kind man.
I waved to him and reassured everyone that I was present and that we could move on.
Finally we reached Indianapolis. Being on the top of the double-decker bus I obviously had no idea what was happening a floor below. After some time, I meandered downstairs to find the bus driver letting on passengers on their way to Chicago. Working against the grain, I reached the bus driver and asked him if I should get off now.
“You're getting off?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“Well then, get off.”
I walked outside to the back of the bus, unlatched the luggage container and removed my bag. Anyone could have done the same thing; I could have taken all the other bags too. The Megabus must be a river of drugs.
The Indianapolis chill had more bite than Cincinnati's and it was snowing and the snow was sticking. I had just left a city that had finally thawed to the point where the word “treacherous” was no longer synonymous with the word “sidewalk”. Seeing flakes dust more sidewalks here in Indy was repulsive at the time.
With bags in hand, I moved up the street uncertain of my next move. Looking around I suddenly noticed an enormous structure peaking out around the corner. It was Lucas Oil Field and it looked like a space freighter. It reminded me of stumbling upon just the head of a sleeping dragon; you know the part you can't see is even bigger. I didn't spend too much time on it, knowing I would get my fill soon enough.
I needed a warm spot with a beer. Being a sucker for a good stout, I rambled into Rockbottom Brewery and threw the hostess off guard. She gave me her best smile, but she was concerned with my bulging backpack and duffle bag and my Raiders sock hat (yes, Raiders. A hat is a hat.). I told her I intended to visit the bar and she was relieved.
The first really good news of the day came when the bartender told me my beer cost $2.17. I gluttoned the first one and savored the second. In the process, I was also haggling with my hotel about their shuttle service.
Earlier in the day, I inquired about the shuttle service listed in under 'services'. During that call, a young man with a lifeless tone explained through a dozen of my questions that the shuttle service is available to go anywhere I need within the city limits between the hours of 7am and 11pm as long as I give them at least a half hour notice—for $10 a ride.
So while enjoying my delicious and affordable stouts, I called to see if I could get a lift back to the hotel before I even checked in. At first Captain Monotone said it was cool, but then told me to hang on and returned to say that the shuttle doesn't go downtown. Considering I needed to work downtown for the next three days, this was unacceptable—not to mention a breach of contract. So I explained what was told to me, knowing it was this jackass who told me all of it in the first place. Every time I would bring up the rules, he would tell me to hold on and then tell me it couldn't happen. Finally I asked to speak to whomever he was speaking to.
“Yeah?” said the gruff, aged voice.
“Hello, is this the shuttle driver?”
“Yeah.”
I explained the rules again.
“Listen, this is for business, okay?” he asked me. “This isn't for playing around at the bars, you got it?”
Playing around?
“Fine,” I said. “I can meet you at Lucas Oil Stadium if that is professional enough for you.”
“That'd be alright. I'll meet you at the East end, alright?”
“No, I don't know which end is the East, I'll meet you on Delaware and Washington at nine.”
“Alright.”
He drove past me the first time looking right at me. I nodded and pointed at him but he kept going. I was relieved to see him return two minutes later.
I decided to be extra gracious and really poured it on thick.
“You're a lifesaver,” I told him.
“Well, we just don't like people playing around with our shuttle is all.”
He was a smallish white man with scruffy hair under a worn ball cap and a unkempt mustache. He wore a polyester college jacket and slumped in his seat.
I explained to him that I was here to cover the NFL Combine and how I didn't know the city much at all.
“Well, that sounds like business,” he said.
I asked him if he lived here in Indy and he said that he lived at the hotel. He said that he doesn't like picking people up in the company van if he doesn't have to because there's so much to work to do. This man did whatever needed to be done at the place in exchange for a place to live. Crazy.
We arrived at the Knights Inn, and I tipped the driver. He said he didn't want to take it because he got “huffy” with me on the phone; he took it anyway. The man at the counter was a shaggy adolescent with a peace-sign medallion and a long-sleeved t-shirt under a short-sleeved t-shirt. He was a very cliched young man. I was also very nice to this guy but I didn't have to. He was frazzled with our phone exchange and he forgot to charge me for the ride.
I slid the key card into the slot and opened the door to a dingy oasis. It was warm (too much so, honestly), it had two beds (and I decided to alternate each night) and it a place to relax. The room was strangely similar to many of my former apartments: basic on the edge of bootleg. Nothing about it was nice. But it didn't matter. I could sleep.
I did, however, manage to make it on the bus to Indy. The only thing I forgot at home was one glove—could be worse. I found a seat that appeared to have significant leg room and stared out of the window. I watched a family unload out of a van—two large women, a young man with jeans clinging around his thighs and a toddler—perilously cross the street forcing cars to stop and blow their horns at them and struggle their way onto the bus. Somehow, I knew this family would effect my travels.
When they first got on, the toddler and the larger of the two ladies, sat in the two seats in front of me. Not so bad, I thought. Then they changed seats to the one behind me and the kid immediately began kicking my chair. Twenty minutes later, the kid had fallen asleep, but the two women did not cease speaking. Not once. If they weren't talking with each other they were fielding the numerous phone calls that inundated their cell phones, causing obnoxious ring tones to fill the bus every eight minutes or so. It was lovely.
We came to a rest area and I decided that I must change seats. I found another empty seat with signifcantly less legroom but assumed it would be more peaceful regardless of its comfort drawbacks. It took nearly 10 minutes before I realized that the bus driver was looking for me because I wasn't in my seat and he wanted to make sure not to leave me in an Indiana rest stop—a kind man.
I waved to him and reassured everyone that I was present and that we could move on.
Finally we reached Indianapolis. Being on the top of the double-decker bus I obviously had no idea what was happening a floor below. After some time, I meandered downstairs to find the bus driver letting on passengers on their way to Chicago. Working against the grain, I reached the bus driver and asked him if I should get off now.
“You're getting off?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“Well then, get off.”
I walked outside to the back of the bus, unlatched the luggage container and removed my bag. Anyone could have done the same thing; I could have taken all the other bags too. The Megabus must be a river of drugs.
The Indianapolis chill had more bite than Cincinnati's and it was snowing and the snow was sticking. I had just left a city that had finally thawed to the point where the word “treacherous” was no longer synonymous with the word “sidewalk”. Seeing flakes dust more sidewalks here in Indy was repulsive at the time.
With bags in hand, I moved up the street uncertain of my next move. Looking around I suddenly noticed an enormous structure peaking out around the corner. It was Lucas Oil Field and it looked like a space freighter. It reminded me of stumbling upon just the head of a sleeping dragon; you know the part you can't see is even bigger. I didn't spend too much time on it, knowing I would get my fill soon enough.
I needed a warm spot with a beer. Being a sucker for a good stout, I rambled into Rockbottom Brewery and threw the hostess off guard. She gave me her best smile, but she was concerned with my bulging backpack and duffle bag and my Raiders sock hat (yes, Raiders. A hat is a hat.). I told her I intended to visit the bar and she was relieved.
The first really good news of the day came when the bartender told me my beer cost $2.17. I gluttoned the first one and savored the second. In the process, I was also haggling with my hotel about their shuttle service.
Earlier in the day, I inquired about the shuttle service listed in under 'services'. During that call, a young man with a lifeless tone explained through a dozen of my questions that the shuttle service is available to go anywhere I need within the city limits between the hours of 7am and 11pm as long as I give them at least a half hour notice—for $10 a ride.
So while enjoying my delicious and affordable stouts, I called to see if I could get a lift back to the hotel before I even checked in. At first Captain Monotone said it was cool, but then told me to hang on and returned to say that the shuttle doesn't go downtown. Considering I needed to work downtown for the next three days, this was unacceptable—not to mention a breach of contract. So I explained what was told to me, knowing it was this jackass who told me all of it in the first place. Every time I would bring up the rules, he would tell me to hold on and then tell me it couldn't happen. Finally I asked to speak to whomever he was speaking to.
“Yeah?” said the gruff, aged voice.
“Hello, is this the shuttle driver?”
“Yeah.”
I explained the rules again.
“Listen, this is for business, okay?” he asked me. “This isn't for playing around at the bars, you got it?”
Playing around?
“Fine,” I said. “I can meet you at Lucas Oil Stadium if that is professional enough for you.”
“That'd be alright. I'll meet you at the East end, alright?”
“No, I don't know which end is the East, I'll meet you on Delaware and Washington at nine.”
“Alright.”
He drove past me the first time looking right at me. I nodded and pointed at him but he kept going. I was relieved to see him return two minutes later.
I decided to be extra gracious and really poured it on thick.
“You're a lifesaver,” I told him.
“Well, we just don't like people playing around with our shuttle is all.”
He was a smallish white man with scruffy hair under a worn ball cap and a unkempt mustache. He wore a polyester college jacket and slumped in his seat.
I explained to him that I was here to cover the NFL Combine and how I didn't know the city much at all.
“Well, that sounds like business,” he said.
I asked him if he lived here in Indy and he said that he lived at the hotel. He said that he doesn't like picking people up in the company van if he doesn't have to because there's so much to work to do. This man did whatever needed to be done at the place in exchange for a place to live. Crazy.
We arrived at the Knights Inn, and I tipped the driver. He said he didn't want to take it because he got “huffy” with me on the phone; he took it anyway. The man at the counter was a shaggy adolescent with a peace-sign medallion and a long-sleeved t-shirt under a short-sleeved t-shirt. He was a very cliched young man. I was also very nice to this guy but I didn't have to. He was frazzled with our phone exchange and he forgot to charge me for the ride.
I slid the key card into the slot and opened the door to a dingy oasis. It was warm (too much so, honestly), it had two beds (and I decided to alternate each night) and it a place to relax. The room was strangely similar to many of my former apartments: basic on the edge of bootleg. Nothing about it was nice. But it didn't matter. I could sleep.
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