Could it be that the NFL Scouting Combine is losing its luster?
There’s the Senior Bowl and pro days to assess top talent.
Likewise, the drills during the Combine may not be indicative of a player’s success.
Yes, it did help Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson to elevate his stock in the draft.
However, player agents are pointing out the unfavorable conditions set for the upcoming Combine in Indianapolis.
NFL agent Mike McCartney encapsulated the problems in one tweet.
As an agent, I struggle with the combine. Players get optimal nutrition & rest for games. The combine? Almost the opposite. Improper rest & diet, then tested in a cold, sterile environment. It’s part of why guys test better at Pro Days. And somehow, the NFL has now made it worse.
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) February 21, 2022
McCartney’s opinions matter because he’s one of the league’s foremost agents.
He’s been working around the game for over two decades as a coach, scout, front office executive, and accredited NFL Players Association agent.
Some of his clients are Kurt Warner, Arian Foster, Haloti Ngata, and Kirk Cousins.
His tweet reads: “As an agent, I struggle with the combine. Players get optimal nutrition and rest for games. The combine? Almost the opposite. Improper rest & diet, then tested in a cold, sterile environment. It’s part of why guys test better at Pro Days. And somehow the NFL has now made it worse.”
NFL Agent Ready To Move Past The Combine
It’s hard to refute his statement because it’s spot on.
Players are more relaxed at Pro Days as they go through their motions.
Likewise, it doesn’t help the prospects if the team’s doctors or scouts ask them to repeat certain drills.
Getting the same result as the previous trial is impossible.
Those are just some of the reason that prompted several agents and prospects to boycott the Combine.
They will participate if the league improves the governing policies.
Instead, the dragging proceedings limit the aspirants’ ability to recuperate from the grind.
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