Big uglies; backs get combine underway … The first group of players at this week’s scouting combine, including the offensive linemen and RBs, have begun arriving in Indianapolis for their first day of activities. Today’s arrivals will go through registration and orientation, will undergo preliminary medical tests and will begin the interview process before going through the measurement phase tomorrow. As noted in an earlier report, the medical tests are actually central to the whole combine process, especially for the players with current or past health concerns. NFL.com highlights some of the players, including Ohio State DE Nick Bosa, the presumptive top prospect for this year’s draft, and rising Alabama RB Josh Jacobs who will not workout this week because of a groin issue, with health issues NFL teams will be looking at most closely this week in a report this morning. Others with health concerns NFL medical folks will really be scrutinizing this week include Houston DT Ed Oliver, Michigan DE Rashan Gary, Ole Miss WR D.K. Metcalf, Mississippi State DT Jeffrey Simmons and Alabama FS Deionte Thompson. Meanwhile, players with some things to explain in interviews include Bosa, who left the team to train for the draft rather than return after being injured, as well as Clemson DT Dexter Lawrence who was suspended from the playoffs after failing a drug test for PEDs. Like Bosa, DT Simmons will also be doing double duty as he is one of three players at this year’s combine, including Louisiana Tech DE Jaylon Ferguson and Colorado State WR Preston Williams, who will not be allowed to work out because of past incidents involving violence. Needless to say teams will also be grilling Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray about his decision to play football rather than baseball just to make sure he is indeed committed to the pigskin game. Speaking of Murray there are reports that he has bulked up to over 200 pounds. While that’s still very small for an NFL QB, it is better than the 190 or so that he played at this past fall with the Sooners. It also shows a seriousness about his decision to go with football. Whatever, we will have a better idea after the QBs get weighed in on Thursday.
