Steelers News: A deep dive into possibly the most important part of the combine, the interviews

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 season is officially over. After finishing the year 8-8, the Steelers, and their vast fan base, has another long offseason awaiting them. Just because the games are done doesn’t mean we stop providing you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over throughout the offseason!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at what many view as the most important part of the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine — the interview process for prospects and teams.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Pittsburgh Steelers, and all 31 other teams, are in Indianapolis watching prospects do their thing during the Scouting Combine. But what is the most important part of the process? Many say it is the interviews...

Combine focus: Player interviews

By: Matt Williamson, Steelers.com

Everyone understands that athletic testing is spotlighted at the NFL Combine and that is what viewers tune it to watch. Those numbers are greatly scrutinized for better or worse. Those tests, along with the drill work these prospects do in Indianapolis, are obviously valuable and are a piece of the puzzle when scouting players.

But there is also a lot going on behind the scenes that fans have no access to, nor should they. Many will tell you that the medical evaluations and interview process are every bit as important as what these players do on the field. That is half true in my opinion. The medical evaluations are the most important piece of Combine puzzle overall, but I think the importance of the interview process can be little overblown.

When I was scouting for the Browns, I sat in a few of these interviews. One particular interview stands out to me. A player, who was a top prospect and went on to be drafted in the Top 10 that year, was leaving the room, a very experienced scout sprung on him with the quick-hitting question, “Super Bowl or Pro Bowl?”. The prospect immediately smiled big and replied without giving it much thought, “Pro Bowl”. Wrong answer.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Bud Dupree breaks down what the Combine was like for him before the Steelers took him in the first round.

Dupree thought it was ‘dreary’

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

The NFL Scouting Combine is the ultimate job interview for more than 300 of the top college players. It’s an opportunity to prove yourself in front of every NFL head coach, assistant coach, general manager, scout and just about everyone else involved in NFL football operations who descend upon Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

With the Combine underway, current and former Steelers are sharing their thoughts on what their Combine experience was like. Everyone has a different take on it, what they liked, or didn’t like, and it definitely gives insight into what the experience is about.

You hear the NFL Scouting Combine described in many ways, but Bud Dupree might have come up with a new one.

”The Combine was dreary,” said Dupree. “It was long. For me it was a bad process because I had a groin injury I didn’t think was going to linger, but it did. It kept me having to do MRIs. Then they wake you up for drug tests. Then you get up in the morning and have to run 40s, do jumps. It was dreary.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Bill Cowher, the kid from Pittsburgh, visits his new home, Canton, OH.

The ‘kid from Crafton’ arrives in Canton

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

Bill Cowher walked into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with his wife Veronica beside him, and couldn’t help but break into a smile.

As he entered the doors, just feet from where his picture hung on the outside of the building along with the other 19 members of the Hall of Fame Class of 2020, he received a hero’s welcome.

A Hall of Fame welcome, to be exact.

The entire Hall of Fame staff, along with a group of school kids there on a tour, cheered as he and Rams receiver Isaac Bruce entered for their official site visit on Tuesday.

It was the start of what was a perfect day for Cowher, a day where the road to Canton became a reality.

”I really am that kid from Crafton,” said Cowher. “You reflect, Crafton to Canton.

”You get so reflective in such a short period of time. I had put closure to it and now it’s re-opening and boy does it feel good.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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