If there is one part of the NFL Scouting Combine process that college prospects dread the most, it is the medical examinations.

Auburn QB Cam Newton, the NFL Scouting Combine’s biggest draw, opened with a prepared statement in an attempt to clarify his recent comments about being an entertainer and an icon.

While USC safety Taylor Mays’ 40-yard dash time became a source of discussion Tuesday, the subject is coming into clearer focus.

All of the defensive backs have completed their drills, every scout has left the building and many of the workout areas have been taken down: Consider the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine finished.

Taylor Mays‘ eye-popping time in the 40-yard dash has raised his profile in the eyes of many evaluators and could launch the USC safety into the middle of the draft’s first round.

here is no mistaking that the defensive backs are working out Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. With the defensive linemen and linebackers performing Monday, the chatter was at a minimum. Boy does that seem like a long time ago. This class of defensive backs are certainly living up to the mouthy reputation of their position group.

Florida cornerback Joe Haden just spoke with NFL.com and expressed happiness with how his time at the NFL Scouting Combine turned out. He told Scott Hanson and Bucky Brooks on NFL.com/Live that he enjoyed meeting with teams, and was pleased with all his workouts — with one significant exception.

USC safety Taylor Mays was clocked with an unofficial 4.24-second 40-yard dash. If that number holds, it would tie Chris Johnson for the fastest 40 time in combine history.

While many of the group 11 cornerbacks emerged from the vertical jump station frustrated or disappointed that they couldn’t quite get that extra inch or two, Florida junior Major Wright let loose a series of fist pumps at the conclusion of his second jump.

The NFL Scouting Combine did not start out the way Florida’s Joe Haden would have liked.

Alabama cornerback Javier Arenas, who came into the NFL Scouting Combine hoping to enhance his draft stock after an All-American season, tweaked his right hamstring on his first 40-yard dash run and is out for the remainder of the drills.

With the defensive backs showcasing their speed and quickness on the field right now at the NFL Scouting Combine, it’s worth reflecting on what the power players accomplished in their workouts.

There was no mistaking the message. When Tennessee safety Eric Berry asked Vols defensive coordinator, and former long-time Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, if he should enter the draft, the answer was pretty simple.

Mississippi State’s Jamar Chaney and Florida State’s Dekoda Watson posted the fastest official 40-yard dash times Monday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Georgia DT Geno Atkins stared at a camera following his first 40-yard dash and made a celebratory gesture. Later, after his short shuttle run, he again looked into a camera, this time flashing a broad smile. Before 2004, that never would have happened.