Would you pay $25 to watch this?
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

So, if you’re a friend of the NFL, have $25 burning a hole in your pocket and a ticket to Indianapolis, Ind., at the end of February, you might want to take up the offer to sound off on the league’s request for answers to their poll on whether anyone would be interested in paying money to attend the Combine.

The league tried something unique this year and opened the Combine up to 300 for free to whet the appetite of the rabid fans – then they asked those who attended whether they might be interested in attending if there were a $25 charge. Though no results of that survey are yet available, it will be very interesting to see the bottom line.

I can tell you one thing – if there’s an NFL event that’s equivalent to watching the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field grow in January, it’s the Combine. Oh sure, it’s fun watching the replays of the event on the NFL Network and even somewhat amusing catching the two camera options on nfl.com/combine, but to sit in the stands and watch the equivalent of an NFL big top circus with hundreds of grown men run around in shirts and shorts … hmmmm … not for me, thank you.

Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Manti Te

I would rather take my wife out for a nice dinner for that $25 – not to mention that she would probably divorce me on the spot if I spent it on a ticket to the Combine … and she’s a huge Green Bay Packers fan and follows the game sometimes more closely than I.

It’s understandable why the league is doing it – revenue. But should they decide to go this route and make the Combine more of a fan event as opposed to a track meet, they are going to have to come up with more than that to make any money doing it.

How about holding a concert with the Combine as the backdrop? You can imagine that Manti Te’o's 40-yard dash would have been much more respectable if he had Macklemore and Ryan Lewis pounding out “Thrift Shop” in the background, don’t you think? How about bringing in monster truck pull and have 20 of the biggest and strongest offensive and defensive linemen pull their own weights around the Lucas Oil Stadium?

Just some thoughts …

As for my 25 bucks … yeah, I’ll be holding on to mine for awhile and I suggest you do the same.

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Christine Michael was a beast at the Combine this past weekend. He’s an intriguing prospect who some have linked to the Green Bay Packers.

He was one of the running back standouts at this weekend’s NFL Combine and at least one mock draft that I’ve seen has Christine Michael being selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of this coming April’s Draft.

And while many may look at his seemingly unusual first name (it’s pronounced Chris-TIN) as a first strike against him, there are other issues that have arisen over the past couple years, concluding this past weekend when he overslept and missed a couple of team interviews. Other checks against the guy is that he’s been injured (a broken leg in 2010 and a torn ACL in 2011). But when he was on the field for Texas A&M, he was productive.

As a freshman he gained 844 yard, had 10 touchdowns and started strong again his sophomore year with three straight 100-yard games before he broke his leg. In his junior year he gained 899 yards and eight touchdowns before blowing out his knee.

However, he seemed healthy when he turned heads this past weekend, despite the fact that his alarm clock didn’t work so well. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54; he bench pressed 27 times (fourth best); he leaped 43 inches in the vertical leap (first among running backs); his broad jump was 125 inches (tied for second); he ran the 20-yard shuttle in 4.02 seconds (first); ran the three-cone drill in 6.69 (first) and ran the 60-yard shuffle in 11.56 seconds.

We all know that the Packers’ running game needs a jump start. It’s unclear whether the Packers will bring back Cedric Benson after he was injured early in the season last year. Also injured was James Starks and it’s unclear what his status will be by the start of training camp in July. Alex Green, who became the Packers’ defacto starter after Benson went down, didn’t seem to get into a groove, though he was coming off an injury himself. DuJuan Harris, who joined the team in late November, turned out to be their best back, but he doesn’t seem to be the every-down answer.

Given the numbers put up at the Combine, Michael’s draft stock is sure to rise. That said, it’s doubtful he will be available to the Packers in the fourth round.

Michael could be an impact running back if he can stay healthy, but if his status rises enough in the coming weeks and is projected in the second or third round, he may not fall to the Packers. The team has other needs that most likely will be addressed in the first couple of rounds.

But Michael is an interesting back – one that will be looked at closely by many teams.

What do you think? Do the Packers need to pick a running back in the early rounds or do they need to fix the issues they have on the offensive and defensive lines first?

Let us know what you think.

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Manti Te’o ran a 4.82 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine.

Like you are really interested in hearing anymore about Manti Te’o, right?

Well, today was his day to shine at the NFL Combine, but he was far from bright in his onfield workouts. He ran the 40-yard dash in more than 4.8, a time that doesn’t set him apart from the pack and diminishes his draft stock as we inch closer to that April extravaganza.

Many felt that Te’o's performance in the National Championship game set him back at least a notch. Playing against a far superior Alabama squad, Te’o and his Notre Dame teammates were embarrassed. But the experts also believed that if he had a solid outing in the NFL Combine that he could recoup some of the status that had been tarnished at the end of the season.

Even Baltimore Ravens’ Head Coach John Harbaugh wasn’t impressed. NFL.com utilized a split screen showing Harbaugh’s reaction when Te’o was running – he simply shook his head, shut off the stop watch and started taking notes.

So, what does this mean for Te’o? Well, most likely he will slip out of the first round of the Draft to the second and possibly into the third round. That depends on whether scouts see more than the rest of us saw today. There are those intangibles that they talk about …

Either way, maybe this is the signal that the Te’o media blitz could come to an end. That would be the best thing that could come from this.

The NFL Combine continues today with workouts by the defensive linemen and linebackers.

Sunday, Feb. 24, was a huge day at the NFL Combine with quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers taking center stage.

Speed was the word of the day during Sunday’s extravaganza as EJ Manuel of Florida State and Geno Smith of West Virginia put on a show among the quarterbacks, while wide receivers Tavon Austin and Marquis Goodman ripped up the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Manuel, who was named the Outstanding Player at the Senior Bowl, saw his draft stock rise by ripping off the second best time in the 40-yard dash (4.65) behind Smith’s 4.59.

In addition, Arizona quarterback Matt Scott, a one-year starter, also saw his draft stock rise. He ran a 4.69 in the 40 and showed he had the arm strength and footwork needed to make all the throws at the next level. It will be interesting to see where he is drafted, given that many of the experts don’t consider this a very quarterback-friendly draft.

Another sleeper who opened some eyes Sunday was wide receiver Ryan Swope of Texas A&M. He showed he can run good routes, ran a smoking 4.34 in the 40 and leaped 37 inches in the vertical jump. His only knock was that he dropped a few passes during Sunday’s workout.

So, what will today’s Combine bring us?

We’re hoping Ted Thompson, Mike McCarthy and their staff members are on their toes today because this might be their time. With the Packers looking to improve a defense that showed great steps last year, today they get their chance to target some players for April’s NFL Draft.

Some of the players who might be of interest to the Packers are linebacker Alec Ogletree, Georgia; defensive end Margus Hunt, SMU; linebacker Manti Te’o, Notre Dame; defensive tackle John Jenkins, Georgia; Inside Linebacker Kevin Minter, LSU; Defensive lineman Jesse Williams, Alabama; and Ohio State’s defensive lineman Johnathan “Big Hank” Hankins.

Today’s workouts get going this morning and will be broadcast live on the NFL Network and NFL.com where two camera angles are available for viewing. In addition, a comment section utilizing the Cover it Live software is also available.

Let’s see who steps forward today.

Here’s the schedule:

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Today, Sunday, Feb. 24, the NFL struck on a brilliant idea – showcase the Combine with the skill position players – you know, the guys who run, catch and throw the ball. Doing this on the third Sunday since the conclusion of the season with Super Bowl XLVII – another football-less Sunday when the fan base is starving for news about the league – was simply brilliant.

And the players-to-be aren’t disappointing the audience. You’ve got two wideouts, Tavon Austin out of West Virginia and Marquis Goodman out of Texas who burned up the Lucas Oil Stadium turf by matching one another’s 4.25-second mark. They both just missed tying or beating Chris Johnson’s 4.24 record in the 40.

In addition, you’ve got a quarterback, Geno Smith, also of West Virginia, who pasted a 4.56 mark onto the board.

Also burning up the carpet were Michigan wide receiver Denard Robinson (4.34), Louisiana Tech’s Quinton Patton (4.46), and Tennessee’s Cordarrelle Patterson (4.37).

If these guys can translate their speed in shorts with the ability to catch the football in traffic on the National Football League gridiron, then there’s no question this could be a very good draft for wide receivers – at least for fast wide receivers.

These guys are clearly some talented athletes, but are they football players?

That remains to be seen.

For the videos of these guys burning things up, see below:

WR Tavon Austin & Marquise Goodwin 4.25 NFL Combine 40-yd dash

WR Denard Robinson NFL Combine 40 yd dash

WR Cordarrelle Patterson NFL Combine 40-yd dash

Geno Smith 40-yd dashes NFL Combine

You can watch the Combine live on NFL.com.

If you enjoyed watching the big guys – offensive linemen and tight ends – running the 40, shuffling in the shuffles and vertical leaping today, then tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 24, will be even better.

That’s because we get to watch the quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers show their blazing speed, cutting abilities, throwing motions and catching abilities tomorrow starting at 9 a.m.

This is always a fun day, not only for the coaches, scouts and GMs attending the Combine, but it is also fun for the fans. And for those of use who really miss Sunday football, this might make a fine way to spend the first day of the week. Sure, there’s no Aaron Rodgers, no Jordy Nelson, no DuJuan Harris, but there may be some players who could make it off the draft board and into the Packers’ fold – though we all know that the Packers really need to go after some quality offensive linemen and defensive players who can take the Packers to the next level.

So, jog on over to the TV remote before your teenager wakes up and decides to hog the TV … this promises to be a good day of football … Heck, you might even enjoy listening to Mike Mayock drone on … well, maybe not.

Anyway, here’s Sunday’s full schedule which can be watched on the NFL Network or on NFL.com – which also includes gobs of special features, two separate cameras, and a way to follow live on Cover it Live.

Enjoy

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Feb 23, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Manti Te

Offensive linemen and tight ends worked out on the field at the NFL Combine today, but much of the media frenzy taking place in Indianapolis, Ind., centered on the media room where Manti Te’o, the beleaguered Notre Dame linebacker stood and to podium to answer questions about his national news-breaking past, though his focus was centered on what he can do on the football field.

Te’o told reporters Saturday that while he was embarrassed by the fact that his family had to sneak into their own home during the national feeding frenzy a couple months ago, he was putting it behind himself and was ready to focus on football.

“It got overwhelming at times. I’m just looking forward to getting straight to football. I understand people have questions, but I think I’ve answered everything I could. I’d really like to talk about football,” Te’o said.

If you’re not familiar with Te’o's story (have you been under a rock?) the Heisman Trophy runner-up was duped into believing he was dating a woman that didn’t exist and also believed that the fictitious woman had died during last season.

When asked about the incident at Saturday’s press conference, Te’o said, “I’ve learned to be honest in everything you do. And to keep your circle small and know who’s in your corner and who’s not.” He added, ”It’s only going to make me stronger.”

The NFL Combine is on … Now!

There’s still time to watch the Combine! Though things have already gotten under way, I’ve been meaning to get this posted … I just saw it on the Sidelionreport.com and it jogged my memory … thanks to Zac Snyder.

So, it’s time to jog on over to the remote, turn on the NFL Network or tune in on your computer at NFL.com …

And by the way, Manti te’o will be giving a press conference soon, which can be watched live at nfl.com.

The NFL.com coverage brings you two cameras of action. Here is what you can see throughout the day on each:

Camera One:

Camera Two:

Mike McCarthy is surrounded by the Wisconsin media following his comments in front of the national media the NFL Combine today.
Jason Wilde photograph

Green Bay Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy took to the podium at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Ind., today, Friday, Feb. 22, to say that he will continue to call the offensive plays next season and to reiterate the obvious – that the San Francisco 49ers will be their target next year.

Not that the Packers won’t consider the other 15 games as important pieces of their sixth most-difficult schedule, but McCarthy said that for the Packers to show improvement, win the North Division and play deeper into the NFL Playoffs, they’ve got to find the answer in beating the Niners, the team the ousted them in last year’s Divisional Round.

“San Francisco had a great year, beat us twice and will definitely be a focus for us this off-season,” he told reporters while spending about 15 minutes answering questions about the offseason, the Combine, the Draft and the future direction of the Packers.

That’s not a lot of time to provide engaging answers, but McCarthy, as is just about anybody, was freer with his comments than was Packers’ GM Ted Thompson who addressed the media earlier this morning.

McCarthy talked about losing Donald Driver to retirement and the cutting loose of Charles Woodson, he called out the running game and the defense, he said all of his players would have to step up as leaders next year, he talked specifically about the injury recovery road of Derek Sherrod and Jerel Worthy, and clarified that the Packers would not be running the read-option with Aaron Rodgers as quarterback.

“You don’t replace a Charles Woodson. You don’t replace a Donald Driver … [there will be] leadership opportunities for every man in that locker room,” he said about Woodson and Driver and moving ahead without them; on the running game, he said, ”We definitely need to do a better job”; on the leadership issue he said, Rodgers has to continue to grow as a leader, Matthews does so with his play, and that Sitton, Bulaga, Nelson, and Cobb all took big steps as leaders last year; on the defense, he made mention of the team’s final game of the year: “579 is a number that will stick in our focus as a defense this off-season” and that the defensive staff is going to visit Texas A&M in the offseason to learn how to better defend it.

He went on to describe how the Packers will be chasing the Niners this year: The difference in the second game was the production of their quarterback, he said, adding that  ”San Francisco had a great year, beat us twice and will definitely be a focus for us this off-season.”

On Sherrod: “He’s there every day. I see him in training room every day. Surgery was a success and it’s what he needed.” And he doubled up the injury report by talking about Worthy: ”Training camp is definitely going to be a stretch because of the timing of his injury.”

So, with their obligatory comments finished and the workouts at the Combine looming, both Thompson and McCarthy can now focus on the evaluating work ahead of them and their staff. The offseason progresses and judging from McCarthy’s comments, the Packers are focused on the future, not the past.

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Thompson has been known for his deadpan approach to media gatherings, giving non-answers to questions and leaving those covering the conference scrambling for an angle to their story – much like I am right now.

Thompson was asked about free agents – he said they don’t talk about those things, but are working to bring at least a couple back – Greg Jennings and Cedric Benson.

He talked about injured players and said they were hoping to get by the injury bug and move on.

He was asked about running back DuJuan Harris and said, “There’s a lot more we need to get to know about him, but he did a good job for us.”

He said he was happy for those front office guys who have moved on to bigger and better opportunities in the league (John Dorsey) and then took a big swallow – you can probably guess what he was really thinking.

He was asked about the read-option and whether it was in the league to stay and said, “I don’t know. History will determine that. Several teams are doing something similar.” And then we all wonder if the Packers will be part of that movement – not.

As Thompson concluded his media address as quickly as he began it, reporters on Twitter joked about Thompson: Here’s John Rehor’s comment: “I think it would be great if Ted Thompson did an entire press conf in pig Latin, just for shits and giggles.”

While others talked about the way he stood, what he was wearing and his penchant for saying words, but having nothing really said.

And life in the NFL continues …

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Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson is up at 10 a.m. CST.

Ted Thompson, Green Bay Packers General Manager, will take to the podium at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Ind., this morning at 10 a.m. CST.

He is one of many coaches and general managers who will address the press and talk about their team needs and what they hope to come away with at the annual combine, which gets started in earnest with on-field workouts tomorrow, Saturday.

In addition to Thompson, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy is expected at the podium today at 2 p.m. CST to talk about the Packers, the Combine, the draft and any possible moves the team might be considering this offseason – well, at least those questions will probably be asked, but just how indepth Thompson and McCarthy go in answering them remains to be seen.

The Packers have many needs that need addressing either through the draft and/or free agency, but which direction management goes in addressing those needs remains to be seen.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy will be at the podium today at 3 p.m.

In addition to losing WR Donald Driver and center Jeff Saturday through retirement, the Packers also released CB Charles Woodson, whose $10 million salary played a huge role in whether the team kept him. Thompson decided not to keep the popular veteran and will move on from there.

The most glaring needs for the Packers are on the offensive line, which allowed more than 50 sacks of Aaron Rodgers last season. In addition, the running game was woeful and more help is needed along the defensive line and possibly at inside linebacker. Don’t be surprised if the Packers also take a look at some defensive backs. Though the team has a stable filled with young talent at defensive back, there can certain never be too few of those types of players to have on the squad. They always make great special teams players, as well.

So, stay tuned and tune in to listen to Thompson and McCarthy today on NFL Network.

We here at Lombardiave.com will also be following their comments and posting on Twitter and Facebook.

Ted Thompson will be at the NFL Combine podium at 10 a.m. CST Friday, Feb. 22.
Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

While the first day of the NFL Combine included a long lineup of coaches and NFL GMs and personnel men, the action on the field doesn’t get going until Saturday morning. But that doesn’t mean the underwear parade won’t be any more exciting.

In the meantime, the press conferences for coaches and GMs continues throughout Friday and early Saturday morning. These conference will, of course, include appearances by Green Bay Packers General Manager Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy.

Mike McCarthy speaks of his experiences with Packers wide receiver Donald Driver at the Donald Driver retirement event held in the Lambeau Field Atrium in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He will be on the podium Friday, Feb. 22, 3 p.m. Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Thompson will get his 15 minutes of fame starting at 11 a.m. EST, 10 a.m. CST. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy will take questions at the podium beginning at 3 p.m. and is provided 45 minutes of time.

Surely, the questions will be flying for both McCarthy and Thompson as they talk about what they are seeing at this weekend’s NFL Combine.

The full list of Friday’s and Saturday’s schedule is as follows:

Friday, February 22

10:00 AM Rob Chudzinski, Cleveland Browns Head Coach

10:15 AM Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons Head Coach

10:30 AM Martin Mayhew, Detroit Lions Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager

10:45 AM John Elway, Denver Broncos Executive Vice President of Football Operations

11:00 AM Ted Thompson, Green Bay Packers Executive Vice President, General Manager & Director of Football Operations

11:15 AM Leslie Frazier, Minnesota Vikings Head Coach

11:30 AM Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach

11:45 AM David Caldwell, Jacksonville Jaguars General Manager

Noon Thomas Dimitroff, Atlanta Falcons General Manager

12:15 PM Tom Coughlin, New York Giants Head Coach

12:30 PM Doug Marrone, Buffalo Bills Head Coach

12:45 PM John Dorsey, Kansas City Chiefs General Manager

1:00 PM Les Snead, St. Louis Rams General Manager

1:15 PM Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts Head Coach

2:00 PM Jeff Fisher, St. Louis Rams Head Coach

2:15 PM Dennis Allen, Oakland Raiders Head Coach

3:00 PM Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers Head Coach

4:45 PM Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys Head Coach

Saturday, February 23

10:00 AM Jerry Reese, New York Giants Senior Vice President & General Manager

11:45 AM Gus Bradley, Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach

* Subject to change

Previews and TV Info:

Workouts don’t start until Saturday but that doesn’t mean there isn’t stuff to cover. The Combine is just as much about medical stuff as it is the workouts.

Thursday
February 21, 2013 Measurements ~ Medical Examinations ~ Media ~ Interviews

Friday
February 22, 2013 NFLPA Meeting ~ Psychological Testing ~ PK/ST Workout ~ Bench Press ~ Interviews

Ever wonder how Clay Matthews did in his workouts? How about B.J. Raji? Check out Casey Hayward.

When the 2013 Combine is complete, the site will be updated to include the newest information.

But for a complete look at who is best in the 40-yard dash, the bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, and 60-yard shuttle, this is the place to be.

Not only can you see who is best in those individual drills, but you can break it down by position. You can see how RGIII and all the quarterbacks did in the 40; you can relive all those hyperventilating moments of the bench press by the defensive linemen; all the harried sprint, stop and reverses involved by the cornerbacks in the 20- and 60-yard shuttles; as well as how all the running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, safeties, offensive linemen, linebackers, and special teamers did in their drills.

It’s a pretty cool tool that can be utilized to compare this year’s group of athletes with those who have competed at the Combine in the past.

You might even want to compare how NFL Network’s Rich Eisen did in his 40 and compare it to the slowest of the offensive linemen.

It’s fun stuff anyway and a way to break up the monotony of having to listen to Mike Mayock drone on about wingspan, core strength and quickness.

Just sayin’ …

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Just how much weight should be given the 40-yard dash in determining success in the NFL.
fanspeak.com graphic

Just how valuable is the 40-yard dash when Ted Thompson, Mike McCarthy and all the rest of the 31 National Football League teams’ coaches and personnel men evaluate each of the athletes participating in this weekend’s NFL Combine in Indianapolis?

Well, if you ask Steve Shoup of fanspeak.com, it’s about as valuable at times as using NFL Network’s Rich Eisen’s 40 time to make a decision on your first round pick.

Well, maybe not that drastic, but Shoup makes a good argument and illustrates it below in the beautiful infographic he has so graciously shared with lombardiave.com. His argument that while there have been stars who have run sub-4.4 40s, there have also been plenty of duds in the draft who have been fast, but that speed hasn’t translated well onto the NFL field.

He said that it is the split times that should be monitored most when determining the value of a 40 for a running back, defensive back, wide receiver or even a linebacker. For instance, if there is one player who runs a fast split in the first 20 being evaluated against another player at the same position who runs a better split in the final 20 yards, then it will be up to the individual team evaluators to decide who would be the better fit for their particular scheme.

In addition, Shoup says, trying to use the 40 to evaluate defensive and offensive linemen is simply a joke. When are you ever going to see these guys running a flat out 40 during an NFL game? Never. So using the 40 to evaluate these guys is nothing short of silly.

The same goes, he says, for quarterbacks. While it’s great that guys like Colin Kaepernick run a great 40, but their job, first and foremost, is to play the position of quarterback. Speed isn’t really a crucial factor for NFL quarterbacks, even in these days of the pistol.

So, take a look at Shoup’s infographic below and judge for yourself and keep this information in mind as you watch player after player line up for the starter’s signal this weekend.