The NFL Combine is probably one of the best weeks for media access because I freaking love team building. It's my favorite thing. And so, during the Combine, team leaders open up their strategy books to invite the general public into their world, even if for just half a second.
The Combine starts this morning (full schedule here), and the top personnel folks for most teams around the league will hold a brief segment for the media. Don't be surprised that none of the current members of the Patriots will be speaking. You will be able to find the transcripts here.
Also, it seems like the Patriots and the Saints are the only two franchises that will not be represented during this segment. Now if there were only something that linked those two teams together in their mutual dislike of the NFL bureaucracy...hmm... (it's probably because neither Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, nor Saints head coach Sean Payton are members of the coaching union, but it's more fun to pretend).
Here's a list of when former members of the New England Patriots, and other notable leaders, will take the podium.
Wednesday, February 24
9:30 AM Kevin Colbert, Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager, terrific football mind
11:15 AM Jason Licht, Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager, former Patriots Assistant Director of Player Personnel
Noon Jon Robinson, Tennessee Titans General Manager, former Patriots Director of College Scouting
1:30 PM Bob Quinn, Detroit Lions Executive Vice President & General Manager, former Patriots Director of Pro Scouting
2:15 PM Rex Ryan, Buffalo Bills Head Coach, former (and current) Patriots ring kisser
3:15 PM John Schneider, Seattle Seahawks Executive Vice President/General Manager, a very solid team builder
3:30 PM Ozzie Newsome, Baltimore Ravens General Manager & Executive Vice President, former Browns Director of Pro Personnel under Bill Belichick
Thursday, February 25
9:30 AM Sashi Brown, Cleveland Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Harvard Law graduate that might be an interesting speaker
11:00 AM Ted Thompson, Green Bay Packers EVP, General Manager & Director of Football Operations, one of the smartest team builders in recent years
11:30 AM Bill O'Brien, Houston Texans Head Coach, former Patriots offensive coordinator
2:45 PM Thomas Dimitroff, Atlanta Falcons General Manager, former Patriots Director of College Scouting
The Patriots have taken over the league, with leaders in multiple different franchises. If only someone from the actual Patriots would be available for questions.