Welcome to the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine!
The league descends upon Indianapolis and Lucas Oil Stadium for the full week, as every decision maker, coach, and scout will meet with agents, draft prospects, and watch workouts as the week goes along.
Throughout the week, I'll be compiling all the need-to-know info that comes from the week in this live blog:
12:00 - Wednesday is normally the slowest day -- at least at the start. It's the day mostly set for coaches and general managers to meet with the national media. To this point there hasn't been much to speak of, as some punters and kickers are filtering in through the room as well. Denver head coach Gary Kubiak, Tampa Bay head coach Dirk Koetter, Tennessee Titans GM Jon Robinson, and Chicago head coach John Fox were among the many that have spoken to the media already.
12:15 - Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson spoke with national reporters just a few moments ago, and shockingly, a major talking point was about former first-round pick Johnny Manziel. Manziel has found trouble on multiple occasions over the last few months, and it even led the Browns to put out a stern statement that hinted at an eventual release of Manziel from the roster. Jackson said he stands by the organizational statement, and added that a decision will be coming soon.
Browns HC Hue Jackson said of Manziel, a decision on him coming shortly. Said that behavior won't be tolerated. pic.twitter.com/zprCVJqzQi
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) February 24, 2016
12:25 - Bills head coach Rex Ryan will be addressing the media in under two hours. He's slated to speak with the national media at 2:15, and then with local reporters shortly after that. Be sure to follow along both here and with me on Twitter.
12:41 - There aren't any on-field workouts scheduled today in Indianapolis, but it's the day that offensive linemen, tight ends, the 'throwing' quarterbacks, and special teams players get their official measurements. So far, a couple of things stand out. For the Bills, offensive tackle could be in play for the draft due to not only Cordy Glenn's contract status, but because of all the questions at right tackle as well. So, the Bills may have to look at tackles, and a couple of measurements stick out.
According to NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah, Ohio State left tackle Taylor Decker checked in at 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds, but with 333/4" arms. As far as arm length goes, that's a bit on the shorter side for tackles, especially for a player as tall as Decker. That may give teams hesitation at drafting him as a left tackle. Texas A&M's Germain Ifedi, who's a likely mid-round pick, had 36" arms. He already plays like Cyrus Kouandjio on the field, and his measurements just confirm the comparison. He's got a ways to go.
12:51 - Mario Williams has spoken again, and this time, he's carrying a different tune. Williams told ESPN's Josina Anderson that he's -- at the very least -- open to taking a pay cut to remain with the Bills. He also told Anderson: "At least I feel like for myself, we didn't have common ground as far as give-and-take on the scheme." You can read the full post here.
2:00 - North Dakota State offensive tackle Joe Haeg is one of those mid-round players that could interest the Bills in the draft this season, and his story is unique. As a ninth grader, Haeg weighed only 150 pounds. As a freshman at college, Haeg weighed 250 pounds. And today? Haeg checked in at 305 pounds. In eight years, he more than doubled his weight, and did it by working out and eating way too much. Haeg said today, "I got so tired of eating."
3:45 - A lot to catch you up on, after Rex Ryan talked twice today -- once to national media, and the once more with local reporters. Here are the highlights:
- He last talked to LeSean McCoy the day of the incident, but hasn't spoken to him since. Ryan said they'll stand by their initial statement on the McCoy incident, which simply stated that they were aware of the situation.
- After Mario Williams' latest comments, Rex said he'd like to have Mario back on the team, but questioned how realistic that would be. He brought up the salary cap quite a few times, so, it doesn't appear to look very good for a Mario return to Buffalo in 2016.
- Rex said that from every indication from doctors, that Aaron Williams would be ready to play in 2016. The question isn't about his physical state, instead it's his mental one that he'll have to overcome. He believes Williams has to be the one to decide if he's mentally ready to play again.
- Rex reiterated that he needs to get back to being him, and more specifically, his defensive scheme. And then, he might have served up the most bizarre quote of the combine:
#HalfPregnant pic.twitter.com/Yt9si48VIF
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) February 24, 2016
