The world’s most lucrative job fair begins tomorrow. It’s also the most overblown event on the NFL calendar.
More than 300 college players pass through Indianapolis over the next four days. Every injury explored, every brain cell probed. Nothing escapes the general managers, scouts and owners who talk about the results for the next two months.
Ironically, teams largely pick who they want regardless of the NFL Scouting Combine. Oh, it’s treated like the end-all of a year of scouting. Yet, it matters so little. Drafting players is more of a gut feel based on film study and interviews.
Oh well, the NFL needs something to do over the winter.
You want the draft’s top five picks? Detroit takes Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. St. Louis goes for Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith. Kansas City wants Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry. Seattle chooses Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree. Cleveland selects Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith.
Anyone and everyone knows the top talent. Many mock drafts have the Redskins choosing Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo, though there’s no telling with owner Dan Snyder. He’s liable to drop down for more picks given Washington only has four and needs younger and cheaper players. But, something tells me Washington finally takes a defensive lineman.
Why does the league spend millions on the combine? It’s not easy for officials to put their careers at risk over young men with suspect resumes. Officials want a long look at what they’re buying for millions of dollars.
Yet, officials often ignore problems anyway. A bad IQ test? Oh, football isn’t played on paper, they’ll say. Then the guy can’t handle the playbook and people wonder why. The 40 time was a shade slow? Oh, it’s about more than speed will be the claim when taking the player anyway. Then they’ll wonder why he can’t get free downfield. The defensive end is too light for the NFL? Oh, wait until you see his speed, officials say. Sure enough, the guy won’t even beat single coverage.
It happens all the time. The combine might be great for figuring out late-round picks, whether someone is a fifth or seventh. However, those aren’t the players that should define a franchise. They’re not the big investments.
Forgive me for not worrying about the combine too much. It’s just a whole lot over nothing. Teams will do what they want anyway.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected].
