We’d love to hear Mike Mayock‘s take on this.

Grace Trautner doesn’t have the measurables one would expect from a prospect at the NFL Scouting Combine. Of course, she’s 3 years old, so she has time to catch up with the field.

Watch Grace take in NFL Network’s coverage of the combine, then mimic a drill with a level of enthusiasm that makes you wonder if she got into a fresh batch of Pixy Stix. Grace’s father, Duane Trautner, served as cameraman and commentator.

“This started with Grace calling (the players at the combine) with long hair or earrings girls,” Duane, a Wisconsin native and huge Cheesehead, told Shutdown Corner. “Then, she just joined in on the fun.”

Call us softies, but we much prefer this to all the viral videos of children crying over the shortcomings of their favorite NFL team. We thank Grace and her father for trafficking in the world of innocent joy.

– Dan Hanzus

Before he was a record-setting NFL tight end, before he taught us a bad day at the office should never stop you from dancing your heart out, Rob Gronkowski was dropping hints of greatness to come.

Case in point: Shutdown Corner (via Barstool Sports) dug up this YouTube clip of Rob and brother Chris taking part in a “Dizzy Bat Race” during an independent league baseball game.

The clip — uploaded by the Worcester Tornadoes — was taken in 2009. Rob’s brother, Gordie Gronkowski (awesome) was with the team at the time.

You’ll have to watch the video to find out who wins. To spare you the disappointment, we’ll just tell you now that no shirts are removed at any point. Alas.

– Dan Hanzus

Katy Perry got the cold shoulder and Kim Kardashian the Heisman, but maybe young Jamie Walden will have better luck with Tim Tebow.

Walden, a 20-year-old active-duty member of the Air Force, has asked the Broncos QB to accompany her to April’s 2012 Military Ball in Shreveport, La.

“I would be the luckiest and happiest girl if you were to say ‘Yes’ and be my date,” Jamie pleads in a YouTube proposal that’s pulled in more than 150,000 views in just over a week.

The video missive comes complete with gentle pressure from Jamie’s fellow airmen and — look out — her mother, who makes it clear there’s only one right answer to this question.

“I snagged a few people on their free time just to come out and help me,” Walden told KSLA-TV in Shreveport. “They’re all supportive of it. They know my crush on him.”

Walden told the station that Tebow would be a good match for a military woman because they share the same values: “Integrity, excellence in all we do and service before self — and he portrays that in his character.”

(Side note: If Tebow, for some reason, doesn’t accept, good luck to the guy filling those shoes. Nightmarish friend-zone scenario.)

Tebow wouldn’t be the first celebrity to attend a military hoedown. Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis and even Kristin Cavallari have traveled down this road.

Ball’s in your court, Tim.

– Marc Sessler

Whitney Houston racked up dozens of awards and sold more than 170 million combined album, singles and videos worldwide during her celebrated career, but the singer — who died Saturday in Los Angeles at the age of 48 — also left her mark on the NFL.

We’re referring, of course, to her unforgettable rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to Super Bowl XXV between the Giants and Bills. Set against the backdrop of the Persian Gulf War, Houston’s soaring take on the national anthem is now the standard for which all other renditions are judged.

The recording was released as a single in 1991 and reached the Top 20 on the U.S. Hot 100 Billboard. After the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the song was re-released with all proceeds going to charity.

Houston’s career and personal life spiraled in recent years, but the lasting impact of her Super Bowl performance was on display last Sunday after Kelly Clarkson offered her own goosebump-worthy take of the national anthem prior to Super Bowl XLVI. Clarkson’s performance was roundly praised, though it was universally agreed Houston’s rendition remains unchallenged.

Not a bad legacy to leave.

– Dan Hanzus

No special effects. No 3-D. No hyper-tedious pairing of Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson clanging through a script that brings into question the validity of human life.

The video above — minus the typical glut — was done on the fly, with Seattle’s CenturyLink Field as its star.

Set to a dubstep version of M83′s “Midnight City,” what you see is the creation of Jimmy Diebold, a San Francisco-based director.

Given one night to operate, Diebold and his crew of Seattle-area photographers — many sourced off Craigslist — snapped a bazillion photos of the stadium back on Sept. 6. Diebold then logged thousands of hours in solitude, piecing it all together.

“It was a big trial and error to get the lights to work,” Diebold told seattlepi.com this week. “No one’s done this before and I was figuring it out while I was doing it. When I saw (my first shot) for the first time, it gave me goosebumps. I thought, wow, it really worked!”

“The success of the video has far exceeded our expectations and the two of us just love football and make films for a living and we just wanted to do something for the love of the game,” said Clint Goldman, an executive producer for Bodega Studios who teamed with Diebold on the project.

The video has caused a slight stir on YouTube (250,000-plus views) and caught the eye of Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, who tweeted: “#SOTD! an awesome music video involving CenturyLink Field with the song ‘midnight lights’… SO COOL.”

– Marc Sessler

What you’re about to witness above could be misconstrued as cruel and unusual punishment. But, in reality, it’s just late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel having a laugh thanks to some loyal viewers answering his call.

For those who don’t watch “Jimmy Kimmel Live” — and that’s probably a good number of you — he’s been doing this YouTube challenge bit for a little while now. And we like it. (See: “I Told My Kids I Ate Their Halloween Candy” and “I Gave My Kids A Terrible Present”)

This one is called “I Unplugged The TV During The Game”. It’s people unplugging their TVs during a crucial moment of Super Bowl XLVI. Try not to overreact, OK?

Best parts: Most people are sneaky about this, but the guy at 1:58 lingers next to the TV and shamelessly unplugs it in front of everybody at the party; there’s also a pretty funny Christmas tree scene at 2:11.

On a side note: What self-respecting Jets fan still wears a Brett Favre jersey? What the heck?!?

– Simon Samano

Who cares if Andre Brown had very little to do with the Giants winning Super Bowl XLVI?

That wasn’t stopping him from leading the celebration chant/dance on the team plane prior to takeoff from Indianapolis on Monday.

This video let’s us know just how fun the plane ride back to Newark must have been for the newly crowned NFL champions.

Thanks to Mark Herzlich for posting this on YouTube, although the quality leads us to believe he badly needs a cell phone upgrade.

– Simon Samano

Want to know how a coach prepares his team for the Super Bowl? Listen in to “The Coaches Podcast” where Brian Billick and Marvin Lewis have the inside scoop on the Giants and Patriots from Indianapolis, and share their own personal Super Bowl experiences. Hear why the coaches think the Giants’ defensive line will be able to rattle Tom Brady and whether Rob Gronkowski‘s high ankle sprain will be a big factor in the Patriots’ game plan for Super Bowl XLVI.

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Bay Area rap artists are now 2-for-2 on the season when it comes to 49ers-inspired tracks.

First was Bailey’s “Who’s Got It Better”, which sampled coach Jim Harbaugh blaring throughout. Now we offer you Ashkon‘s “Niners in Paris”, which, basically, if you like Jay-Z and Kanye West, and you’re a 49ers fan, there’s no way you won’t instantly start bobbing your head.

As a side note, the choice of sampling Jay-Z is a bit curious, being that he’s from New York. Perhaps this is a dig at the Giants ahead of the NFC Championship Game?

In any event, Niners fans should like Ashkon getting involved in the Niners craze. The last time he made a tune about a San Francisco team in the playoffs, the Giants went on to win the 2010 World Series.

– Simon Samano

The world’s response to Tim Tebow grows more unusual by the day.

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon delivered the latest Tebow-inspired opus during his late-night show Thursday, with a dual nod to pop icon David Bowie and Denver’s star quarterback.

Enter “Tebowie” — dolled up in a No. 15 Broncos jersey and a heavy dose of rock-glam accessories — performing a heavily tweaked version of Bowie’s “Space Oddity.”

As it opens, Tebow addresses the skies: “Tim Tebow to Jesus Christ / Can’t win by myself but with your help I might!”

During the act, Jesus responds to Tebowie, and based on his response, it sounds like the Broncos are in hot water against Tom Brady and the Pats in Saturday night’s AFC Divisional Playoff Game.

When he scorched playing fields during his days with the Tennessee Titans, Eddie George found himself plotted against by NFL defenses from east to west.

His football career is long over, but George once again is a prime target as he steps into the sandals of Julius Caesar in The Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s production of the famed play by the same name.

The four-time Pro Bowl running back, who made his stage debut five years ago in a production of “God’s Trombones,” aims to be seen through new eyes in the setting of ancient Rome.

“I hope that the performance will have enough integrity that you won’t just have a football player up there, but instead, a man (Caesar) who has accomplished a lot and is in the midst of transition, dealing with his own issues,” George told the Tennessean this month. “It’s fear versus confidence, the whole array of emotions going through him as a human being.”

Denice Hicks, the festival’s artistic director, was instantly impressed by “how dedicated (George) is to the craft of acting,” and his performance has been lauded by those who worked alongside him through rehearsals.

Less generous was NFL.com’s Henry Hodgson, our resident Brit and a former student of Shakespearian theater, who gave the above preview a chilly response, labeling it “hamtastic.” Around the League blogger Dan Hanzus awarded it a thumbs up, asking for one tweak: That George adopt “Edward” as his first name, at least during the show’s run, as it’s near impossible to take seriously a thespian floating around town as “Eddie.”

“Julius Caesar” runs from January 12-29 at the Troutt Theater at Belmont University in Nashville.

– Marc Sessler

(Photo courtesy: Jeff Frazier/The Nashville Shakespeare Festival)

Two developing headaches for every college football program in the land, save for one:

(1) Hall of Fame RB Barry Sanders has a son, Barry Jr.

(2) Barry Jr. plays football. He looks every bit as dangerous as Daddy. And he’s going to Stanford.

Some wondered if Junior would follow in his father’s footsteps and choose Oklahoma State, but that is not to be.

“I’m going to play on The Farm the next fo — the next few years,” Barry Jr. told KNTV-TV on Saturday, carefully sidestepping a four-year commitment in Palo Alto.

“I’m proud of the man BJ is becoming and the choices he is making on his own,” Barry Sr. said in a statement Saturday. “I’m excited for the opportunity he has earned to continue to grow at Stanford in both education and athletics.”

Barry Jr. is a powerful curiosity because of his father’s dazzling career with the Lions, but after leading Heritage Hall School in Oklahoma City (Wes Welker‘s alma mater) to the state title as a freshman, the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder has worked to forge his own path — often right through opposing defenses. Take for example, his outrageous outing against a bewildered Bethany High team in October (check out the video above, with Barry Jr. wearing No. 26).

“It’s almost like he cuts midair,” Heritage Hall coach Andy Bogert said in September. “He has the ability to change directions that most people don’t.”

Most people outside of those in the Sanders family, that is.

– Marc Sessler

One day after he was fired as Rams coach, Steve Spagnuolo released a statement thanking the organization. Spagnuolo was dismissed after posting a 10-38 record in three seasons.

“I want to first thank every player and coach for their work ethic, character and loyalty throughout our three years together,” Spagnuolo said. “I know each one of us firmly believes a solid foundation has been built and although not all of us will be here to experience it, this foundation will propel the team to great success in the near future.

“I also want to thank Chip Rosenbloom, Lucia Rodriguez and Stan Kroenke for their decision to bring me here three years ago. I truly appreciate the opportunity they gave me.

“I want to pass along deep gratitude toward every Rams employee for their ‘behind the scenes efforts and loyalty’ and for embracing Maria and I throughout our time here.

“I want to thank every Rams fan for their passionate support. I apologize for not bringing enough success for them to enjoy this past season. You deserve more!

“It has been a privilege and an honor to represent this franchise as its head coach and I wish nothing but success for the organization going forward. I will always pull for the Rams. Maria and I feel blessed to have been a part of this city and we’ll continue to have caring hearts for the people of St. Louis. God Bless.”

Brian Billick and Dennis Green break down the final week of the regular season, including the tension in New York and the Cowboys’ collapse. Plus, hear who the coaches believe will come out on top on Wild Card Weekend.

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With Week 17 in the books, we know what the 2012 NFL Draft order through pick No. 20 will be. Here is what it looks like:

Team                                       W-L     SoS
1.  Colts                                      2-14    .539
2.  Rams                                     2-14    .590
3.  Vikings                                 3-13    .559
4.  Browns                                 4-12    .531
5.  Buccaneers                        4-12    .551
6.  Redskins                              5-11    .477
7.  Jaguars                                5-11    .500
8t. Panthers                             6-10    .504<
8t. Dolphins                             6-10    .504<
10. Bills                                     6-10    .520
11t. Chiefs                                 7-9     .512<
11t. Seahawks                         7-9     .512<
13. Cardinals                           8-8     .469
14. Cowboys                            8-8     .473
15. Eagles                                  8-8     .488
16. Jets                                       8-8     .500
17. Bengals from Raiders    8-8     .504
18. Chargers                              8-8     .516
19. Bears                                     8-8     .527
20. Titans                                   9-7     .461

>Coin toss at NFL Scouting Combine will determine order

- Picks 21-32 determined by when playoff teams lose
- Browns hold the Falcons’ first-round pick
- Patriots hold Saints’ first-round pick