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Dennis Dillon
Sporting News


A field of 330 players will make its way to Indianapolis over the next several days for the annual NFL Scouting Combine. That means NFL coaches, scouts and general managers will ask 330 questions. At least.

When evaluating draft prospects, NFL teams leave no query unanswered. Most of the tough questions come up during physicals and one-on-one interviews with the players.
Indy scrutiny: Ten prospects face key questions at Combine Is Mark Ingram the top back in this year's draft? The Combine could provide that answer. (Bob Leverone/Sporting News)

“Eighty percent of the Combine, in terms of value to teams, comes from the medical exams and the interview process, getting to know these guys,” ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said.

Every player—even one who could be drafted first overall—comes under intense scrutiny. Here are 10 high-profile players with questions to answer at the Combine.


AUBURN QB CAM NEWTON: Has he left his college baggage behind?

In addition to playing only one year at the major college level and working in a rather basic offense, Newton has some character concerns. He was arrested for stealing a laptop (three related felony charges were dropped after he completed a diversion program), he was accused of plagiarism three times when he was at Florida, and his father, Cecil, was rumored to approach Mississippi State about a pay-for-play deal for his son.

“There are a lot of positives, there are a lot of negatives, and then there are a lot of unknowns NFL teams are going to have to sift through,” McShay said.


AUBURN DT NICK FAIRLEY: Was he a one-year wonder?

Fairley was the most dominating defensive player in the country in 2010. That came after an ’09 season in which he rarely started and was more of a rotation player. Teams are puzzled by the sudden swing in production.


IOWA DE ADRIAN CLAYBORN: Can his shoulder hold up in the NFL?

Clayborn, who had a down 2010 season after a strong year in ’09, has a birth defect in his right shoulder that prevents him from rotating it completely. He has been able to play with it until now, but NFL personnel are going to look at the shoulder closely.

“The medical on him is going to be very important,” an AFC scouting director said.


WASHINGTON QB JAKE LOCKER: Can he be a franchise quarterback?

Locker might have been the No. 1 pick overall if he had come out a year ago, but he elected to stay at Washington for one more year. His 2010 season was marred by inconsistency and injuries.

“That’s a really talented kid who has first-round talent but has struggled in the pocket,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said.


NOTRE DAME TE KYLE RUDOLPH: Is he still the best at his position?

Most talent evaluators had Rudolph ranked as the top tight end until he suffered a torn hamstring and missed the second half of last season.

“If the doctors check him out and he passes all the physicals, that’s the best thing that can happen to him,” McShay said.


ALABAMA RB MARK INGRAM: Is the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner the top back in this draft?

Some scouts have compared him to Emmitt Smith, but Ingram has durability issues and doesn’t have ideal measurables.


ARKANSAS QB RYAN MALLETT: Can he play well consistently?

Mallet made enough poor throws and bad decisions last season to warrant skepticism about his NFL readiness. In addition, he was arrested in 2009 for public intoxication and there are rumors—as yet unsubstantiated—about other off-field problems.

BOSTON COLLEGE LB MARK HERZLICH: Is he fully healthy after coming back from cancer?

Herzlich missed the ’09 season after he was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a form of cancer that often attacks the bones. He underwent both radiation and chemotherapy and had a rod inserted in his left femur. Herzlich returned to the field last season and was one of B.C.’s top defensive players.


MISSOURI QB BLAINE GABBERT: Can he make a successful transition to an NFL-style offense?

Gabbert is considered the top quarterback, but he played in a spread offense at Missouri. He needs to show he can play under center and throw on the move.


NEVADA QB COLIN KAEPERNICK: Can he master an NFL passing offense?

Kaepernick faces the same challenges as Gabbert.
 
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