Blogs

2010 Combine Blog: Thursday

It wasn’t the coziest walk to Lucas Oil Stadium, but Scott Kegley and I braved through the elements on our five-block walk to Combine headquarters. Once we got inside and got set up, things started to pick up.

First, General Manager Scot McCloughan stepped up to the podium and answered a number of questions from the gathered national media. You can read the highlights of the interview here. Up next on the podium was Head Coach Mike Singletary. And just like McCloughan, you can read the best quotes from his interview right here.

We caught up with Singletary stage left with our NinerCam to ask a few follow ups, you can check that video out here.

Both seemed to be in good spirits on Thursday, despite being in the midst of a very important stage of the offseason process. But then again, they aren’t the ones being drafted.

The young NFL hopefuls are entering a tough realm. As one player pointed out, “It’s not going to be easy taking a job away from a grown man.”

That’s the reality of the situation, but the draft hopefuls put their best foot forward on Thursday. Kickers, punters, offensive linemen and tight ends were the first players to speak with the media, to give insight on themselves as well as their experiences at the Combine so far.

Some of the most anticipated interviews, (based on the size of reporters surrounding their podium) included the premier offensive linemen of this year’s crop like tackle Bryan Bulaga of Iowa, tackle Anthony Davis of Rutgers, tackle Trent Williams of Oklahoma (pictured right) and guard Mike Iupati of Idaho.

We caught up with several of the big offensive line prospects and will have more on those players in the weeks leading up to the Draft. We also caught up with one of the top center prospects, Jeff Byers of USC. Byers has blocked for some talented rushers in his college career, including teammate Stafon Johnson, who almost lost his life because of a tragic weight room accident.  Byers wasn’t surprised that Johnson has made it back to where he could be drafted.

We’ll be back at Lucas Oil on Friday to hear what the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers have to say.

Be sure to check out all of our Scouting Combine coverage at our Combine Central page.

Who would you like us to talk to within those three position groups?