Chance to try NFL combine drills fun but humbling experience

Chance to try NFL combine drills fun but humbling experience

Under the bright lights of the Seahawks' practice facility this week, two dozen under-scouted, undervalued hopefuls were subjected to the same NFL combine drills as all the top draft prospects in Indianapolis.

Nursing bad knees, ankles, shoulders and other achy joints, these members of the Seattle media put their egos and pride aside to show off their athleticism — which for most of us was very little — in front of some of the same players that we evaluate for 16 NFL games every fall.

The events were the same as the NFL combine in Indianapolis — minus the bench press, which probably would have led to the need for medical personnel.

When the email arrived announcing the Seahawks event, I happened to be spending the afternoon with a childhood friend and told him I thought I could break 5.3 in the 40.

Based on historical numbers at the NFL combine, the rest of my efforts would have been acceptable if I was a defensive tackle or an interior offensive lineman: 8.09 in the 3-cone drill; 5.13 in the 20-yard shuttle run; 86 inches in the broad jump; and a vertical of 19 inches that lacked the leap part.