Too hot to trot

The NFL Scouting Combine prides itself on stripping pro prospects down to a pair of tight-fitting Spandex shorts and the 40-yard dash. Scouts look at this statistic so attentively that a couple hundredths of a second could mean the difference between millions of green on draft day or playing for the Arena football league.

A lack of clear, coherent thinking must be why quarterbacks Brady Quinn from Notre Dame, his counterpart JaMarcus Russell from Louisiana State, and Heisman winner Troy Smith from Ohio State headline the list of players opting to forego the NFL Combine for personal workouts.

The reasons to participate in the NFL Combine seem rather obvious, especially for the pretty-boy Quinn. However, Quinn can’t seem to get the silver spoon out his mouth long enough to work out and cease his epic slide down the draft board. The former Irish QB had the most to gain from taking part in the NFL Combine, so his decision not to lace up the cleats and give it a go means he also has the most to lose.

Quinn and the rest of these self-proclaimed elite players don’t have to look far to see how skipping out on the Combine can affect draft stock. Last year, former Trojan QB Matt Leinart thought his act was too good to bother displaying on the RCA Dome turf, and on draft day the consensus top-five pick had plenty of time to reconsider, slipping all the way to Arizona at number 10.

At its core, this annual high-stakes talent show known as the NFL Combine is about money and exposure. More exposure usually means more money and, as Leinart can attest, a higher draft selection.

These combine skippers are doing themselves a disservice because they fail to realize that the RCA Dome in Indianapolis is the only place where multiple representatives from each team are slated to attend. This is their best opportunity to shine.

No matter how well known these players are, they will definitely have trouble attracting even half of the owners, coaches and head scouts who occupy the uncomfortable seats in Indianapolis. These guys arrogantly believe each NFL team’s brass will flock to their individual workout, but they are completely wrong. And, for three guys who really haven’t displayed their talents on the biggest stage, it is imperative to work out in front of as many gridiron gurus as possible.

The NFL Combine is also an exclusive event, meaning each player has to be formally invited. While not partaking in drills like the 40-yard dash, broad jump or any of the other agility measurements will plague these outcasts from an exposure standpoint, denying the invitation may hurt them even more in the personality department.

General managers and coaches always try to recruit supreme talent first and character a close second. What kind of message are these three prima donnas sending by saying they are above working out with everyone else and feel NFL executives should travel to watch them? The answer: not a very good one.

Owners are preparing to shell out astronomical amounts of money to these young jocks, and now they have to question their character. That surely doesn’t bode well with the suits and ties around the league.

It’s understandable that each player wants to be at ease during his workout. And throwing balls to your own receivers goes a long way in achieving that goal. But each of these players should think about the expense. Leinart transformed from being the highest-touted prospect to being an embarrassed, regretful individual, as he was the lone player left in the green room at last year’s draft.

Every second Quinn, Russell and Smith miss at the Combine, their wallets get a little lighter. The clock is ticking, boys. Good luck at your personal workouts.