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Indianapolis – Dan checks in from Indianapolis with a cornucopia of nuggets from the scouting combine . . .
Things look bleak on the CBA front.
One AFC team official told JC he think the lockout is going to last a long time.
“DeMaurice Smith doesn’t have a lot of leverage,” said the official. “The only leverage he has are games. He figures the owners don’t want to miss games.”
So if Smith thinks missing games are his only leverage, this dispute is going to at least August or September . . .
Mike Shanahan is in his second year of trying to build a 3-4 defense in Washington.
He feels there are four key positions to a successful 3-4.
“You need two good pass rushing outside linebackers, a good nose tackle and a good safety,” Shanahan said.
The Jets clearly have some work to do finding those two good pass rushing outside linebackers.
Calvin Pace could probably be good as the team’s second best pass rusher, but not it’s first
The Jets would love for Missouri pass rusher Aldon Smith to slip to 30. This is unlikely, but you never know.
“Aldon is a freak with the things he can do for a man that big,” said his Tiger teammate, Blaine Gabbert. “He’s fun to watch.” . . .
The players at the combine had informal meetings with teams on Thursday night, and on Friday, they have formal meetings.
Last night was like speed dating – players bouncing from team to team for quick meetings.
On Friday, they went to private rooms for 15 minute meetings with clubs.
The interesting part of the Friday meetings, is the prospects are given room numbers, and times for the team sessions, but no team is listed. So when they arrive at the room, it’s a total surprise what team they are meeting with. This likely prevents players from preparing for a meeting with a certain team . . .
Stanford’s Owen Marecic is a throwback. He is a rare modern day two-way player for the Cardinal in 2010, playing fullback and linebacker.
But some wonder how much he loves football. He’s a brilliant student, and might want to become a doctor.
Marecic said today he’s committed to football . . .
A player who will likely be on the board when the Jets pick is Florida guard/center Mike Pouncey. He is the twin brother of Pittsburgh Steelers center Marquice Pouncey.
He can play center or guard, and if the Jets lose Robert Turner in free agency, perhaps Pouncey could be drafted as quality insurance at the interior line positions.
But then again, the Jets did train Robbie Felix on the practice squad as a backup swing player.
For some reason, Mike Pouncey pulled out of the Senior Bowl. He said he and his agents made a “business decision.” He offered no further explanation . . .
I saw Drew Rosenhaus in a restaurant with others from his agency, meeting at a table, with a television camera and boom mike hovering around the table.
It looks like Drew might be doing some kind of reality show . . .