Looks like it might be time for the Colts to update their collection of massive player photos that adorn the outside of Lucas Oil Stadium.

What does Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi have in common with Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax? Leave it to NFL.com’s Gil Brandt to uncover the combine tidbit of the day. You guessed it. Not only is Carimi Jewish, he is true enough to his faith that he will follow in Koufax’s footsteps and doesn’t plan to give up strict observance of the high holidays. And that means no working during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, which traditionally fall during the first month of the NFL season. Carimi is prepared to let teams at the combine know they have no reason to worry. He told Brandt that he will explain to teams during the interview process in Indianapolis that he has [...]

The Buccaneers’ concerted effort to have a younger roster centered around QB Josh Freeman worked out well, allowing them to improve from 3-13 to 10-6. But the swift turnaround didn’t shock general manager Mark Dominik.

INDIANAPOLIS — Niners coach Jim Harbaugh was a popular man Thursday, and as we wandered into the hallway outside the media center at Lucas Oil Stadium, we happened to catch what might be one of his first “welcome to coaching in the NFL” moments. After spending about 15 minutes at the podium speaking to reporters, Harbaugh was mobbed for a second impromptu session.

One of the more interesting interview sessions Thursday was with Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland, who didn’t exactly offer up an endorsement of QB Chad Henne.

An NFL spokesman told me that the league issued a combine-record 715 credentials, beating the previous mark of 628, set last year. Extra tables and chairs had to be added to accommodate the heavier influx of writers and broadcasters seeking to interview some of the nation’s top college prospects invited to participate in drills from now through Tuesday, as well as NFL coaches and executives.

Every year NFL prospects flock to Tom’s Shaw’s Orlando based camp before the Combine in hopes of being like one of his eight number one draft picks (or any pick really) that he’s trained in the past.

As the combine’s opening day unfolds within the media center, quarterback talk has become an early theme.

With so many people packed in the Lucas Oil Stadium club-level lounge, it’s hard to know who’s exactly here at any given moment. But that situation led to the first light moment of this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.

If the first morning of Combine has proven anything, it’s that media coverage of the event is at an all-time high.

New Broncos coach John Fox met with reporters Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine and quelled any mystery surrounding his team’s starting quarterback position.

The coach whose team holds the No. 1 overall draft pick always draws a lot of attention at the NFL Scouting Combine. Predictably, reporters open by asking the coach who he’s taking. And, even more predictably, the coach doesn’t bite.

Thursday’s laundry list of news conferences at the NFL Scouting Combine kicked off with Bills coach Chan Gailey, who was peppered with questions about mostly one guy: Auburn QB Cam Newton.

Who better to start with Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine than Bills coach Chan Gailey? He drew a large crowd of reporters as first up at the podium and delivered at least one “shoot yeah” during his 15 minutes.

The big board has been updated, so here are the NFL coaches and general managers who will speak Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine.