One Last Look At Former Crimson Tiders Before Draft Day
By Larry Burton
Want to see AJ McCarron throw a ball one last time before he’s officially something else than a Crimson Tide quarterback? Well, you have one more chance.
February 19th through the 24th, the NFL Network will be televising the NFL Combine. (Check your local cable service for exact times)
Here’s your chance to have one more look at 12 University of Alabama players who were invited to go through drills to strut their stuff for the eyes of the NFL executives and coaches who will use such data to determine how each could fit into their teams.
Led by seniors AJ McCarron and C.J. Mosely, the other Alabama invitees are offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio, wide receiver Kevin Norwood, offensive guard Anthony Steen, Linebacker Adrian Hubbard, defensive ends Ed Stinson and Jeoffrey Pagan, defensive backs Deion Belue, Vinnie Sunseri and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and punter Cody Mandell.
The combine will be held in Indianapolis according to various reports. Each day certain position players will be evaluated on various talents such as speed, agility, strength, accuracy and intelligence. Depending on position, drills vary, but the grading process is something that has been refined for years.
According the NFL’s website:
Combine workout schedule:
» Saturday, Feb. 22: Tight ends, offensive linemen, special teams
» Sunday, Feb. 23: Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers
» Monday, Feb. 24: Defensive linemen, linebackers
» Tuesday, Feb. 25: Defensive backs (end of NFL website information)
Both McCarron and Mosely chose to forgo the Senior Bowl and will use this combine as their sole post season presentation to date, but there will be at least one chance for Alabama players seeking a shot into the NFL, when Alabama hosts their own “Pro Days” on campus at Alabama, but that one will likely not be televised.
Pro Day at Alabama has not been officially announced yet, but it usually in March These 12 plus several other former Alabama players are expected to be put their paces for representatives of each of the NFL teams. There have also been invitations by specific NFL teams for players to come and go through evaluations.
With Alabama proving year in and year out to be fertile ground for the NFL, both the combine and Pro Day attendees will get lots of attention. How they impressed the NFL will become apparent starting May 8th when the NFL draft begins, ending on May 10th.
Larry is an award winning writer whose work has appeared in almost every college football venue. Now he primarily writes for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/LBSportswriter
