Commentary
Combine 'stars' rarely pan out
Top NFL Combine Workout Warriors
Originally Published: February 17, 2009
By Doug Farrar | Football Outsiders
Over the past 25 years, the NFL scouting combine has morphed into must-see TV. It is the most prominent scouting event in the minds of many NFL fans, and, as with everything else on the NFL landscape, it is rigorously scheduled and shown in high definition. This year, the combine will be held at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium for the first time. The media room in the stadium might hold more reporters than the field will have players.
We've seen forensic interest in the process and the players. Teams aren't waiting for film anymore -- they can dial up digital files on the Internet whenever and however they'd like. Gone are the days when "workout warriors" like Tony Mandarich and Mike Mamula could parlay combine performances into inflated draft status, only to find failure at the NFL level. Now, the microscope is focused too tightly for "impostors" to slip through based on workout numbers. Right?
Well, not always. It's still possible for teams to bite on what they see in shirts and shorts, as opposed to helmets and pads. Here are 10 workout warriors of the new information age (2003-present):
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2009 NFL SCOUTING COMBINE
The top prospects have been invited to Indianapolis for the annual NFL scouting combine. Follow their progress and see whose stock rises and falls as Scouts Inc. provides coverage on the road to the NFL draft April 25-26. Draft Central»
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