(Ben Liebenberg/NFL)

INDIANAPOLIS — A strange sight unfurled Saturday in the crowded Lucas Oil Stadium concourse, just outside the media center.

Beyond the clamor of radio row, a crowd surrounded two football prospects decked out in Under Armour workout gear. The prospects wore jet-black bicycle helmets with digital cameras draped over their eyes — looking very RoboCop.

Called point-of-view equipment, it will give NFL Network viewers a chance to experience combine drills from the players’ perspective — running 40s, shuttles and routes down on the field in front of front-office executives, coaches and scouts.

NFL Network producer Gil Knight said the helmet employs the same technology used on-field during “Thursday Night Football,” giving the audience an up-close-and-personal sense of the pro game’s speed and fury.

Purdue LB Jason Werner trotted out before reporters in the helmet. They could see him. He couldn’t see much.

“What do we look like,” a reporter asked.

“I can barely see you, sir,” he answered.

“Would you wear that helmet on the field?” the reporter retorted.

“Thank the Lord I don’t have to,” Werner said.

– Marc Sessler

Posted in: Combine  | comments  |