Shortly after the Super Bowl, the next important event in the NFL is coming up: the Combine in Indianapolis. However, the public workout of the college talents will be structured differently starting this year. This is especially displeasing to the main players: the future draft candidates.

Munich/Indianapolis – From 28 February (local time), the annual NFL Scouting Combine begins in Indianapolis.

The NFL prospects for the draft at the end of April will present themselves in various disciplines and will be watched by the 32 teams.

Changes cause incomprehension among players and officials

Until now, the various, especially physically demanding disciplines such as timed running, bench press and so-called “on-field workouts”, i.e. passing drills for quarterbacks or route running for wide receivers, have taken place on different days.

This year, however, the NFL has made changes to the programme: All these drills are to take place on the same day, namely 3 March. This is causing incomprehension, great displeasure and also concern among the young athletes.

“On the fourth day of the Combine they are supposed to do everything in a row? That’s crazy,” an anonymous player agent told “CBS”. Similarly, an official from an AFC team, also anonymous, said, “You’re going to have some players afraid of getting hurt.”

According to sources around the NFL, the reason for the changes was feedback from the players themselves. Accordingly, there were complaints that the Combine was taking too long, and it has now been shortened by a day overall.

Timetable for the Combine

On February 28, quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends arrive at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Players cannot arrive on their own accord, they are invited by the NFL and teams.

The athletes will have medical exams on March 1, then speak to the media and teams the following day before the official Combine begins on March 3, kicking off what has been described as a rigorous programme for college talent. Meanwhile, other position groups follow suit.

The Combine ends on 7 March, and between that date and the NFL Draft, teams can meet with potential draftees, who in turn can hold so-called Pro Days, where everything is focused on them.