“During the football season, I complained every time that there was a National Football League game on the NFL Network. I was livid when the Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots game was not played on any of the normal football stations and I was even more bent that I had to go to BW3’s to watch the Dallas Cowboys play the Green Bay Packers.”
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During the football season, I complained every time that there was a National Football League game on the NFL Network.

I was livid when the Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots game was not played on any of the normal football stations and I was even more bent that I had to go to BW3’s to watch the Dallas Cowboys play the Green Bay Packers.

However, now that all my tirades are behind me, I am thanking the NFL Network for airing the NFL Combine, and to Time Warner Cable for not giving me the NFL Network (which I’m normally bitter about).

I have no reason to believe that the NFL Combine can offer me much entertainment value. For one, I don’t think that it is as big a deal as Mel Kiper, Jr. makes it out to be. Athletes are athletes and just because you run a 4.3 40-yard dash, it doesn’t mean you will be a good football player (i.e. Olympic sprinter and alleged cheater Justin Gatlin trying out for the Houston Texans last year).

I’ll read about who’s draft stock is rising or falling, but is there any good reason to watch NFL trainers and scouts poke and prod NFL hopefuls for hours everyday?

I’m just thankful that this whole Combine thing is over with because no matter what experts try to tell you, the draft is still unpredictable in its own right.

The draft isn’t until April 26, but other than the actual football season, this has got to be the second best part about the NFL.

I loathe seeing Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay tell me who is getting drafted where, but I get caught up in the hype every year.

See, this time of year I go through a bit of a football withdrawal because the NFL and college football seasons seem but a distant dream.

I even feel like talking about the NFL Draft right now, when it’s still two months away, is a bit too early, but bare with me.

There is something about seeing college athletes having to go through so much to just make it into draft consideration that I enjoy.

It’s like, after working so hard for a few years in college, they still have to prove themselves all over again; as if nothing they did in college matters anymore.

Even though college football players have given every part of their lives to the game of football, it’s still not enough.

I don’t think that’s right, but I kind of like it.

I say I like it because everyone pretty much gets a clean slate after the NCAA season is over.

If your team was terrible, but the NFL clearly sees you’re an asset that could help their football team, your college record doesn’t matter.

Look at Peyton Manning. He couldn’t win the big game at Tennessee, but that didn’t seem to matter.

And then you see players like Tom Brady, who was drafted in the sixth round, or Tony Romo, who wasn’t drafted at all, and it gives hope to the players that work the hardest that they can still get their break.

That’s what I love about the draft, and that’s why I’ll be counting down each day until it gets here.

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