Sunday morning reading

February 15, 2015

Behind closed doors at the combine … With anyone who is anyone in the NFL personnel world heading to Indianapolis this week for the annual scouting combine which signals in many ways the real start of the pre-draft process. And while the on-field drills including the 40-yard dashes get most of the media buzz, much of the real work at the combine takes place behind closed doors when team execs interview the various players. Each team, in fact, is allowed to interview up to 60 players for a maximum of 15 minutes during which time the player can be asked about past off-field indiscretions or have his football acumen put to the test. And because it is one of the very few times that the player may actually meet face-to-face with a G.M. or head coach there is a lot o pressure on the players to perform. Indeed, here’s an overview of the process in the Tampa Tribune, with a focus on the type of scrutiny that enigmatic former Florida State QB Jameis Winston, a leading candidate for the #1 pick by the Buccaneers, might face when he meets teams this week. Another Tribune, this one from Chicago also has a similar story on the rigors of the combine … Elsewhere around the league: It appears that St. Louis may stick with Sam Bradford at QB for another year. There had been expectations that the Rams might release the oft-injured Bradford who missed the 2014 season with a torn ACL and go in another direction, but head coach Jeff Fisher said at a presser introducing new offensive co-ordinator Frank Cignetti that Bradford was still there guy; indeed, the Rams apparently even consulted Bradford on their OC search. In the end, reality may have set in with Jeff Fisher and the Rams’ staff in that they really weren’t likely to find anybody better. With the 10th pick in the draft, the Rams aren’t likely to find a QB ready to take over in the draft and there really isn’t likely going to be much available in free agency this year. Meanwhile, the Jets have declined to pick up an option on the contract of veteran RB Chris Johnson, which will make him a free agent when the new NFL year starts on March 11th. That could also put the Jets in the market for a RB at the 2015 draft, although they aren’t likely to use an early pick on the position, especially if they are also able to address the situation in free agency.