On Friday, some former Boilermaker football players did their best to "make some money."
At the first of two "pro days," 17 former Boilers worked out in Mollenkopf Athletic Center for scouts from 25 NFL teams in hopes of improving their draft stock.
Or as former defensive end Shaun Phillips said, "as we say ‘made some money today.’ I’d like to feel that I made some money today."
Phillips was one of many Boilermakers who impressed scouts by either improving his 40-yard dash times or showing more agility than anticipated in the individual position drills that were run by coaches from various NFL teams.
The "pro day," which is held by many schools around the nation, is a chance for athletes to either confirm what their playing tapes show or "open some eyes," according to Vikings linebacker coach Brian Baker.
"You look at everything, especially if you have a question about the kid," Baker said. "Because I have already watched film on all of those guys I know what I like and don’t like about this kid. But maybe I am wrong about someone. Maybe he does move better than I thought after getting him up close.
"These are very important days. It really gives you a chance to see how the kids are developing weight-wise, strength-wise and really confirms suspicions because you already have a good idea after seeing them on film and going to the combine."
It also gives the scouts a chance to see things they can’t see at the combine or in tapes.
"It is good to get next to the players, talk to them and see how they conduct themselves," Baker said. "Does the kid stand by himself, does he have any friends, how does he carry himself? You can look him in the eye.
"At the combine you get to see them move, but you don’t really get to see them up close in this environment. You get to talk to them in an interview but interviews can be practiced. This is a situation where they are in their element and you get to see how they conduct themselves."
The Exponent will have more coverage on Purdue’s first "pro day" in coming days.
http://www.purdueexponent.org
At the first of two "pro days," 17 former Boilers worked out in Mollenkopf Athletic Center for scouts from 25 NFL teams in hopes of improving their draft stock.
Or as former defensive end Shaun Phillips said, "as we say ‘made some money today.’ I’d like to feel that I made some money today."
Phillips was one of many Boilermakers who impressed scouts by either improving his 40-yard dash times or showing more agility than anticipated in the individual position drills that were run by coaches from various NFL teams.
The "pro day," which is held by many schools around the nation, is a chance for athletes to either confirm what their playing tapes show or "open some eyes," according to Vikings linebacker coach Brian Baker.
"You look at everything, especially if you have a question about the kid," Baker said. "Because I have already watched film on all of those guys I know what I like and don’t like about this kid. But maybe I am wrong about someone. Maybe he does move better than I thought after getting him up close.
"These are very important days. It really gives you a chance to see how the kids are developing weight-wise, strength-wise and really confirms suspicions because you already have a good idea after seeing them on film and going to the combine."
It also gives the scouts a chance to see things they can’t see at the combine or in tapes.
"It is good to get next to the players, talk to them and see how they conduct themselves," Baker said. "Does the kid stand by himself, does he have any friends, how does he carry himself? You can look him in the eye.
"At the combine you get to see them move, but you don’t really get to see them up close in this environment. You get to talk to them in an interview but interviews can be practiced. This is a situation where they are in their element and you get to see how they conduct themselves."
The Exponent will have more coverage on Purdue’s first "pro day" in coming days.
http://www.purdueexponent.org
