There were 83 guys scheduled to report yesterday and all 83 came. Their first official function was a Welcome Dinner at 6 p.m. Jeff Foster, the president of National Combine Inc, Charley Casserly (Houston Texans), Eddie White (Reebok) and Steve Alic (NFL) were all there. Casserly gave a speech that was as good as any I've ever heard as to why a draft hopeful should work out at the Scouting Combine, including how much it means money-wise. Anyone who listened to the speech had to take a lot away from it.
Today, rise and shine was at 6 a.m. when the players lined up for the drug test. When that was completed, they came over to the RCA Dome to get their measurements for height, weight, hands and arm length, Then they were off for their physicals.
Here are some of the superlatives from that group:
Tackles
Tallest: Dennis Roland, Georgia, 6-foot-9 5/8
Heaviest: Charles Spencer, Pittsburgh, 352 pounds
Longest arms: Rashad Butler, Miami, 36 inches; Terrence Pennington, New Mexico, 36 inches
Biggest hands: Kevin Boothe, Cornell, 11 1/8 inches
Guards
Tallest: Dan Stevenson, Notre Dame, 6-foot-5 1/8
Heaviest: Max Jean-Gilles, Georgia, 355 pounds
Longest arms: Davin Joseph, Oklahoma, 35 1/8 inches
Biggest hands: Davin Joseph, Oklahoma, 11 1/4 inches
Centers
Tallest: Ryan Cook, New Mexico, 6-foot-6 5/8
Heaviest: Ryan Cook, New Mexico, 328 pounds
Longest arms: Mike Degory, Florida, 34 inches
Biggest hands: Nick Mangold, Ohio State, 10 3/8 inches
Running backs (first group)
Tallest: Gilbert Harris, Arizona, 6-foot-1 5/8
Shortest: Maurice Drew, UCLA, 5-foot-6 3/4
Heaviest: Gilbert Harris, Arizona, 235 pounds
Lightest: Reggie Bush, USC, 201 pounds; Brian Calhoun, Wisconsin, 201 pounds; Jerome Harrison, Washington St., 201 pounds
At the media room, there are over 300 people registered, including 20 television stations and 300 print media. Sirius Radio Network has their setup as well.
The first two guys to enter the interview room were Danny Baugher of Arizona, who led the nation in punting until he got hurt last season, and punter John Torp of Colorado. Marv Levy (Bills) was the first general manager to speak to the media and Dick Jauron (Bills) was the first coach.
