Combine format ‘altered’; essentially cancelled … The NFL circulated a memo earlier today which outlined what they described as changes to the annual combine, but which in effect cancel it and replace it with other related activities. Certainly, we won’t have 330 future prospects showing up in Indianapolis for four days of medical and physical testing. In particular, any on-field workouts prior to this year’s draft, including the physical testing and positional drills, will only be conducted at on-campus campus pro days. With that in mind, the league will try to have as much uniformity in the on-field drills as possible to give teams the ability to compare the workouts from one site to another, but left unsaid is what happens if there also aren’t pro days. At the same time, the medical exams, the original raison d’etre for the combine will primarily be conducted at medical facilities near the prospect’s home campus. As well, a ‘select’ number of prospects, presumably those with major injury red flags, will be asked to travel to one or more designated sites for a more comprehensive exam, most likely in early April, which can be attended by medical reps from each team. Lastly, all interviews between the prospects and team officials will be conducted virtually as will the psychological testing. So there you have it!!
