INDIANAPOLIS — The phrase “NFL offseason” isn’t quite a truthful one. Just a couple weeks after the Kansas City Chiefs captured another Super Bowl title in Arizona, the NFL world has converged on Indianapolis as the draft buzz is starting to pick up. Of course, I felt obligated to make the trip and once again use the NFL as an excuse to skip class (the trip is technically for video reporting class, just for the record).
The NFL Combine gets a bad rap for overemphasizing player measurables (especially compared to game tape), but it is media heaven. The league serves multiple meals a day at the media workroom, prospects, NFL coaches and general managers speak and the amount of NFL media members in one space is incredible. Though not quite Phoenix levels of great weather, Indianapolis even set a record for warmest March 1.
At the halftime break of my NFL Combine trip, I’m sharing some of the highlights from my first two days of coverage.
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Indianapolis hosted its first NFL Scouting Combine in 1987 and hasn’t looked back.
Northwestern defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore answers questions from Inside NU writers. Adebawore’s strong senior season and freakish weight room numbers turned him into an early round prospect by the fall.
Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy leans in to hear a question. Murphy and Damascus, Md. product Bryan Bresee are candidates for the top 10 of the NFL Draft.
Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith pauses during an emotional answer. Reporters pressed Smith and other Georgia products about a deadly crash during the offseason involving multiple members of the UGA program.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy discusses the offensive coordinator transition, his offseason plans and more. I asked McCarthy about retaining defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and McCarthy couldn’t have been more effusive in praising the standout assistant.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh fielded plenty of questions about quarterback Lamar Jackson’s future, along with my questions about new offensive coordinator Todd Monken and linebacker Roquan Smith. Getting to ask questions to the Ravens’ and Cowboys’ head coaches as a member of the credentialed media while standing just a couple feet away was a surreal experience!
It’s time for some football. Well, maybe not actual football, but some action at least.
Gotta make time for stretches!
Northwestern defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore prepares to run the 40-yard dash. Adebawore clocked in at an astounding 4.49 seconds, one of the fastest interior defensive lineman times of all time, while checking in at 282 pounds.
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