INDIANAPOLIS –- When the quarterbacks and wide receivers took their turns to bench press Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine, it wasn’t exactly the most compelling competition. Even this week. But really, it shouldn’t be.

Part of the entertainment in this room is Cardinals strength and conditioning coach John Lott, the longtime combine bench guru. Peering over the bar from behind, Lott barks, “Up! Up! Up!” when the prospects near their last few repetitions.

The show was bigger, and the intensity higher, when Mitch Petrus and the other offensive linemen benched Friday. The linemen, as they do every year, cheer and root for each other, indifferent to the three bleacher sections of silent scouts.

Even so, there was competition. Arrelious Benn (Illinois), Donald Jones (Youngstown State) and Brandon Long (Louisville) were tops among receivers with 20 reps each.

– Frank Tadych

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