The NFL "saves" us from the lull in the sports schedule

There's something to be said about America. We love our football. It hasn't even been a month since the Super Bowl, and yet some fans are going into withdrawal. What better to appease the insatiable? The NFL Combine! In a bit of a down period in sports (with 2010's Olympics being an exception), the American sports fan looks for something to fill their need. With the NBA in the thick of their schedule after the All Star break, NCAA hoops not quite at March madness and the MLB not quite at Opening Day, the combine falls at the perfect time for those looking for some water cooler fodder. (Did you know you can bet on the combine? Should I take the over or the under on the line for Ndamakong Suh's 40 time at 5.02 seconds?)

ESPN and the NFL Network isn't helping this situation, bringing in "Insiders" and "experts" every day to update us on the draft stocks of quarterbacks we've been seeing for years. Really, all of a sudden Jimmy Clausen is ranked higher than Sam Bradford, based on some workout? Please. The only story I'm moderately interested in is the change in Tim Tebow's throwing motion, only because I'm intrigued by who he is, who will draft him, and how he will fare in the NFL. It's good that he's realized that he wouldn't be able to make the jump to the NFL on his personality, he actually needs to be able to throw a 15-yard out route and hit a streaking wide receiver on a post route, with the likes of Julius Peppers or Dwight Freeney breathing down his neck.

I don't blame Colt McCoy, Bradford and Clausen for finding their own reasons not to compete in the combine. They've been such public figures in the football realms for years now, that I think more exposure will only allow scouts to nitpick and create reasons not to draft them so high. Working out in the comfort of their school's own pro day is the way to go, without the poking and prodding from NFL scouts and doctors at the combine. Sure, the combine is good for players trying to prove why they should be drafted, but for those who already know they are first round picks, I can only see the combine at hurting their stock.

Teams need to decide who they want based on film and game scouting. I understand the precautions that teams need to take with top-5 picks, as they are investing a great deal of money in these young men. But 40-times don't compare equally to game speed and bench press reps don't prove you can run block. The NFL serves a certain purpose, but it really doesn't need all the coverage it is getting.