Stock Watch: NFL Combine

For football junkies, the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine had all the drama of a daytime soap opera. Fates were sealed, opportunities were gained, and plot twists were plentiful.

Over 300 of the elite college football prospects gathered in Indianapolis to be put under a microscope and dissected by NFL scouts and coaches. This is a time where a strong showing can dramatically improve your draft position, whereas poor results can cost these young men the chance to live out their dreams. It seems those that recognize the pressure and rise above it tend to maximize their opportunity here.

There were both winners and losers at the NFL Scouting Combine, held on Feb 18th - Feb 24th at Lucas Oil Field, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. Some cemented themselves as first round picks, others put themselves on the radar of many NFL teams that may not have even considered them with eye-opening 40-yard dash times or impressive interviews.

Perhaps the prospect that may have done the most damage to his draft stock was Alabama OT Andre Smith. After choosing not to work out after his interviews and weight-in, Smith changed his flight and headed to Atlanta to begin preparing for his pro-day, all the while failing to alert anyone at the combine as to his whereabouts.

"If I had the chance to do it all over, I wouldn't have handled it the way I did," Smith said Saturday afternoon. "I should have told my group leader that I was leaving, and I didn't.” This incident, coupled with the fact that Smith did not participate in the athletic testing portion of the combine, raised some red flags for the potential top-10 draft pick, who already came under scrutiny when he was suspended for the Sugar Bowl for a violation of team rules. Smith’s situation can serve as an example to any potential athlete. Having a solid support group who offer sound advice and guidance is essential to maximizing potential and taking advantage of opportunities.