Day 1 wrap-up from Indianapolis
Published: February 19th, 2009 | Tags: NFL Combine
The first official day of the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine started and ended at full throttle. Some of the NFL hopefuls spoke for the first time about their experience in Indy, while some NFL head coaches and executives talked about free agency, offseason plans and scouting players.
Here’s a look at some of the news that was made at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday:
- Colts coach Jim Caldwell believes talk of veteran C Jeff Saturday, a potential free agent, moving on from the team is “a bit premature.”
- Lions head coach Jim Schwartz is keeping his options open at quarterback.
- Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith goes by the nickname “J. Smooth” for a reason.
- Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano believes teams might be evaluating players with the Wildcat formation in mind.
- Falcons head coach Mike Smith called P Michael Koenen, who was designated as the team’s franchise player, a “vital part of our success.”
- Alabama OT Andre Smith hasn’t yet decided if he will work out at the combine.
- Redskins head coach Jim Zorn hopes DE Jason Taylor will be back for a second season in Washington but doesn’t expect the team to be able to re-sign CB DeAngelo Hall or G Pete Kendall before the start of free agency.
The steady pace of the combine picks up a notch on Day 2. The third group of players (defensive linemen and linebackers) arrives. Groups 4-6 (QBs, WRs and RBs) will be measured and have medical exams, psychological tests and media interviews. Groups 1-3 (OL, TEs kickers and specialists) continue psych tests while the kickers and specialists take the field for the first workouts of the week.
A long list of NFL coaches and execs will hold news conferences: Mike Singletary, 49ers GM Scot McClouglin, Packers GM Ted Thompson, Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff, Rex Ryan, Brad Childress, Browns GM George Kokinis, Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, Marvin Lewis, Raheem Morris, Bucs GM Mark Dominik, Tom Coughlin, Texans GM Rick Smith, Gary Kubiak, Jeff Fisher, Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt, Todd Haley, Mike McCarthy, Steve Spagnuolo and Josh McDaniels.
