A week earlier, the players’ union had taken aim at the league and the combine, calling the event ‘outdated’ after agents for around half...
A week earlier, the players’ union had taken aim at the league and the combine, calling the event ‘outdated’ after agents for around half of the 324 players due to attend considered a boycott of the training part, which includes drills like the 40-meter dash, to protest against coronavirus restrictions, which were dropped in response.
The digitization of medical records, videoconference interviews, and the proliferation of other venues to scout players (at college pro days and private practices), which have been accepted league-wide during the pandemic, have reduced the need for gather here.
While coaches and general managers have said they will still use video calls to interview players, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said he relies on in-person interactions.
“If you really talk to them about their personality and who they are, how they see themselves, their goals, their dreams – so we have a chance to assess things like growth, mindset, motivation , the ability to overcome adversity, resilience and things like that, for me, that’s the most important thing,” he said.
Trent Baalke, general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who again have the No. 1 draft pick, agreed. “When you touch, feel and talk to someone directly, I think that’s a huge advantage to be here,” he said.
Ryan Clark, a former N.FL. safety and an ESPN analyst who coaches a handful of prospects, including Louisiana State cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., said pro days and private practices lack competition from the combine, where the leaders can compare players in real time.
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