NFL Combine in Doubt

[usanyj]

per Schefter.

[usanyj]

Would be a real shame, with players opting out, some I’m sure need the combine to show they are ready to go. Likely have more pro days or local combines.

[jmat321]

I don’t see why they can’t make that work with a bubble

[slats]

The combine is important because all the players who test are tested equally, same surfaces, conditions, etc. Somehow every one of these kids manage to perform better at their schools' pro days. Weird, right? Seems like they could put some covid protocols in place to hold the event. If they can play the games, they should be able to run around in shorts. 

[Barry McCockinner]

So they can play a season of contact football but a few days of non-contact drills where masks can be worn and social distancing can easily be maintained is questionable. Got it.

[TheNuuFaaolaExperience]

With adequate safety precautions, having a modified combine is realistic. Not a chance in hell that the combine doesn't happen. 

[Lith]

Here is the full article.  Suggests Regional combines as an option, which eliminates need for kids to travel as much.  Sounds like it willt ake place in some form, but not yet decided.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30685182/sources-nfl-decide-fate-2021-scouting-combine-week?platform=amp

Quote

The NFL's annual scouting combine, used for teams to gather valuable information about the top prospects in the upcoming draft, is questionable for this winter, with its status expected to be decided in the next week, according to league sources.
After weeks of discussion, the NFL plans to decide at last whether there will be a combine this year and what form it will take.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, sources said the league has debated numerous ways to approach it: have it in a reduced form in Indianapolis in February, push it back to April, or simply just use regional combines that would eliminate the need for many of the prospects to travel to Indianapolis as they regularly have done for the past three-plus decades.

But the NFL offseason calendar is largely contingent upon the first event in it: the combine, which has occurred each winter in Indianapolis since 1987. If the combine is pushed back, it could impact the timing of when free agency would begin as well as the dates of the 2021 NFL draft.

The other complication now is that the NCAA announced last week that it is staging the majority of the 2021 men's basketball tournament in Indianapolis from March 14 through April 5, creating challenges for the NFL if it had any plans to push back the combine, which usually begins in late February.

The NFL and combine officials still are investigating alternatives, but there are so many issues that few ever envisioned, as has been the case with every event on the league's calendar. The combine is just the latest. But the combine as people knew it will not take place. The question is whether it will be held, how downsized it will be, when it will be -- all questions likely to be answered in the coming days.

 

[JTJet]

31 minutes ago, jmat321 said:

I don’t see why they can’t make that work with a bubble

I live and work right here in Indianapolis and I'm telling you this could easily be done.

The hotels downtown are ghost towns right now, the NFL already sequesters the JW Marriott and the Crown Plaza during the combine to keep fans away from where the players and coaches stay. Both those hotels are within 2 blocks of Lucas Oil Stadium AND connected by walkways. 

The NFL also already staggers the arrival and departure dates for positional groups to keep it efficient. 

The only thing they would need to do is keep people from going out to party, and they cant do that anyways because half of everything is temporarily closed, out of business, or whatnot. 

[32EBoozer]

There were roughly 360 players invited in 2019. So with trainers, team personnel, security, facilities staff, etc. maybe we’re looking at 3,000 people total? I just supervised roughly 400 Nursing & Medical students testing prior to classes resuming 

Out of those students we had 3 test positive. All three were placed in isolation housing. We had them take a spit test 4 days prior to arriving. Negative result required before being  allowed on campus. Upon arrival they were rapid tested again. Those positive took another spit test that went to lab to determine false positives. They now are quarantined for 10 days prior to resumption of in-person classes.

NFL can make it work.... just a matter of whether the costs out way the benefits. Having coaches fly all over the country for pro days and the such.... A two week bubble might be best if NFL follows same procedures that my university followed.

Edited January 10, 2021 by 32EBoozer

[Jet_Engine1]

36 minutes ago, Barry McCockinner said:

So they can play a season of contact football but a few days of non-contact drills where masks can be worn and social distancing can easily be maintained is questionable. Got it.

[varjet]

Bring participants in a few days early, test before, on arrival and during, and don’t let people go out to eat and drink (which is very popular for the coaches, etc. to do).  

[Sam_S]

50 minutes ago, slats said:

The combine is important because all the players who test are tested equally, same surfaces, conditions, etc. Somehow every one of these kids manage to perform better at their schools' pro days. Weird, right? Seems like they could put some covid protocols in place to hold the event. If they can play the games, they should be able to run around in shorts. 

Not close- the medicals completed at the combine are the most important part of the 4 days.  Followed by the interviews (jachai polite anyone?).  Testing is down the line.

BTW- this is old news: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/when-does-2021-nfl-combine-start-news-rumors-this-years-event/

 

[Bugg]

57 minutes ago, slats said:

The combine is important because all the players who test are tested equally, same surfaces, conditions, etc. Somehow every one of these kids manage to perform better at their schools' pro days. Weird, right? Seems like they could put some covid protocols in place to hold the event. If they can play the games, they should be able to run around in shorts. 

Totally overrated as to data collection. The data is already there. These players have been weighed, put through drills, ran, leaped and lifted practically every summer since their sophomore year in high school. 

But what the combine does do is tell teams what kind of people these are. It's a business. It's like a big final exam from college to this industry. If you show up and are unprepared for an interview or a drill, makes the player look stupid and unserious. But teams blow it too. Two words; "CHRISTIAN HACKENBERG". 

[TheNuuFaaolaExperience]

If only there were some sort of vaccine or something. We have millions of vials of vaccines, and for some reason they all haven't been jabbed into people's arms. 

[32EBoozer]

1 minute ago, TheNuuFaaolaExperience said:

If only there were some sort of vaccine or something. We have millions of vials of vaccines, and for some reason they all haven't been jabbed into people's arms. 

Talk like that will get you banned from Facebook and Twitter! You need to get plugged into the party line.

[Jetster]

This is so stupid! I watch coaches running around during the game pulling their masks on & off (how old is Pete Carroll?), these athletes can be pre tested, tested when they arrive, kept in a hotel bubble, and separated by the positions in which they reside in. And their 99.9 % not gonna die from the virus. This sh*ts getting so ridiculously crazy! Meanwhile granny is down at the local Publix filling her basket up with goods just handled by god knows who & grandpas in Lowes picking up some LED bulbs to save on electricity still waiting for vaccine shots while worthless politicians are grinning & bragging about how it was so easy to get a vaccine shot so you shouldn't be scared. The whole world has gone mad & is so upside down! 

[section314]

1 hour ago, slats said:

The combine is important because all the players who test are tested equally, same surfaces, conditions, etc. Somehow every one of these kids manage to perform better at their schools' pro days. Weird, right? Seems like they could put some covid protocols in place to hold the event. If they can play the games, they should be able to run around in shorts. 

Exactly why this years combine is vital for the Jets deciding on a QB. For the reasons you stated, you can see first hand how Fields, Wilson, Lance etc perform side by side.

[chirorob]

1 hour ago, jmat321 said:

I don’t see why they can’t make that work with a bubble

That's tough.   Guys from all over the country have to do a 2 week isolation before hand.

It'll really hurt the nfl network, which is already hurting from this year.

[Cut Jet Penalty Makers]

....

Edited January 10, 2021 by Maxman
dont do this here

[section314]

5 hours ago, Cut Jet Penalty Makers said:

...

Interesting take.?

Edited January 10, 2021 by Maxman
dont do this here

[Warfish]

1 hour ago, slats said:

The combine is important because all the players who test are tested equally, same surfaces, conditions, etc. Somehow every one of these kids manage to perform better at their schools' pro days. Weird, right? Seems like they could put some covid protocols in place to hold the event. If they can play the games, they should be able to run around in shorts. 

It's in danger because it cannot be televised the way it has in recent years, and that is what matters to the NFL.

Of course they COULD still do it, hell just have one guy in the building at a time, then clean, then next guy comes in.  Would take extra time, but would work.

But no TV revenue doing it that way.

[riggy001]

I said this weeks ago, no chance.

[Jetster]

2 minutes ago, Cut Jet Penalty Makers said:

Hope it gets canceled...not a fan of these displays...they don't show football acumen..much prefer to judge in game performance..they weirdly resemble an antebellum slave auction. 

Oh god! Do you know what their profession is? Football! A PHYSICAL SPORT! Players don't have to go to the combine. In fact I don't remember ever seeing players brought in shackled by their feet like in GLADIATOR. 

A lot of these guys WANT TO PROVE their worth, and many RISE up the board that might have been ignored. 

Does everything life have to be conotated by race in 2020? 

[Cut Jet Penalty Makers]

I don't like the combine for the reasons stated, not by what it may or may not resemble to some...it is you who mentioned race..

[Jetster]

7 minutes ago, Cut Jet Penalty Makers said:

I don't like the combine for the reasons stated, not by what it may or may not resemble to some...it is you who mentioned race..

No, it was definitely you who insinuated it. 

"they don't show football acumen..much prefer to judge in game performance..they weirdly resemble an antebellum slave auction"

[TheNuuFaaolaExperience]

45 minutes ago, 32EBoozer said:

Talk like that will get you banned from Facebook and Twitter! You need to get plugged into the party line.

I remember a time when we were told that this was an Alex Jones level conspiracy that thought would be policed. 

[Defense Wins Championships]

Good. Now maybe we'll draft actual football players based off of nothing but on field tape; instead of these combine warriors who become hyped up every draft because of straight line "40 speed". 

[Cut Jet Penalty Makers]

You infer what I did not imply...no matter..however, it's not something that I dreamed up...there have been many articles written about the machinations of the combine if you care to read...

 https://atlantablackstar.com/2014/12/09/5-ways-the-nfl-combine-reminds-us-of-slavery/

https://www.bet.com/news/sports/2019/03/06/another-year--another-set-of-ridiculously-offensive-questions-be.html  

[32EBoozer]

12 minutes ago, TheNuuFaaolaExperience said:

I remember a time when we were told that this was an Alex Jones level conspiracy that thought would be policed. 

Oh we are waaayyy past Alex Jones. We’re at a societal breakdown over what “constitutes “ free speech. It’s up to those who have the power.

[Jetster]

13 minutes ago, Cut Jet Penalty Makers said:

You infer what I did not imply...no matter..however, it's not something that I dreamed up...there have been many articles written about the machinations of the combine if you care to read...

 https://atlantablackstar.com/2014/12/09/5-ways-the-nfl-combine-reminds-us-of-slavery/

https://www.bet.com/news/sports/2019/03/06/another-year--another-set-of-ridiculously-offensive-questions-be.html  

No, I don't care to read them. There are articles written about everything! Doesn't mean I agree with them. Public Schools are inherently racist! Read Thomas Sowell. Do you know why Thomas Sowells books, writings & thoughts on the subject of Public Schools are never discussed in Public Schools and why most young African American high school students don't even know who he is although he's an intellectual scholar admired by many?

Because  it doesn't fit the NEAs agenda. 

And you have an agenda,  can read right through you. 

 

[Jetster]

14 minutes ago, 32EBoozer said:

Oh we are waaayyy past Alex Jones. We’re at a societal breakdown over what “constitutes “ free speech. It’s up to those who have the power.

We've entered Orwellian territory. Everyone should be very concerned. This isn't about Race, this is about CLASS. 

Elites vs everyone else. Except most of EVERYONE else doesn't realize they are in that group when free speech is squelched. 

[32EBoozer]

5 minutes ago, Jetster said:

No, I don't care to read them. There are articles written about everything! Doesn't mean I agree with them. Public Schools are inherently racist! Read Thomas Sowell. Do you know why Thomas Sowells books, writings & thoughts on the subject of Public Schools are never discussed in Public Schools and why most young African American high school students don't even know who he is although he's an intellectual scholar admired by many?

Because  it doesn't fit the NEAs agenda. 

And you have an agenda,  can read right through you. 

 

Sowell is BRILLIANT and insightful on the shadows of American culture.... what’s hidden behind the talking points of the powerful.

[Savage69]

1 hour ago, Jetster said:

This is so stupid! I watch coaches running around during the game pulling their masks on & off (how old is Pete Carroll?), these athletes can be pre tested, tested when they arrive, kept in a hotel bubble, and separated by the positions in which they reside in. And their 99.9 % not gonna die from the virus. This sh*ts getting so ridiculously crazy! Meanwhile granny is down at the local Publix filling her basket up with goods just handled by god knows who & grandpas in Lowes picking up some LED bulbs to save on electricity still waiting for vaccine shots while worthless politicians are grinning & bragging about how it was so easy to get a vaccine shot so you shouldn't be scared. The whole world has gone mad & is so upside down! 

If anyone in that group hasn't died wouldn't that be 100%??

[zonajetfan]

2 hours ago, usanyj said:

per Schefter.

When will the psyop end

[Beerfish]

The combine is important to see players side by side,

Game film is #1 but it also can mislead you because of level of competition that people are facing.

And despite its rep for being bad at getting guys overdrafted just due to combine numbers it has also found gems over the years as well.

It can also tell  you about player character as well.

I'll miss it if it does not go ahead.