/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63122675/usa_today_11972788.0.jpg)
It’s here! It’s finally here! The 2019 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off today as head coaches and general managers will meet with media at the Indiana Convention Center. From there it only gets better.
Player interviews, live broadcasts, workouts and more! All will be covered from just about every angle imaginable.
So, for fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - or fans in general really - what should you be looking forward to the most? Here are the five things you should be watching for above all else when things get rolling in Indianapolis.
5. COACHES AND GENERAL MANAGERS
For Tampa Bay fans, any chance to hear Bruce Arians talk about football and winning is one which should be taken.
This week is no different, and if anything it’s an occasion to listen even closer. The team has a lot of questions surrounding the NFL Draft and some of it’s more notable players.
Guys like Gerald McCoy and DeSean Jackson will be discussed surely, and if there is a trade made at any point in the off-season, you can almost be assured it either started or gained steam here.
Oh, and then there are the prospects. Which ones are they keeping an eye on, which positions are they super focused on, and of course which answers are truth and which are lies!?
You never can trust everything you hear this time of year, and it’s part of what makes the darn thing so much fun.
4. KYLER MURRAY INTERVIEWS
I don’t care if you’re a fan of the guy or not, or if your team needs a quarterback or not. Kyler Murray is entertaining.
Sure, he’s answered the question about whether or not he’ll play football or baseball or both. But, has he really made up his mind? One false word or hesitation on an answer and the drama will ramp right back up to 100!
If your team doesn’t need a quarterback, you should be thankful they aren’t in the middle of trying to untangle this twisted web of intention and commitment. Instead, you can just sit back and watch every awkward moment with your Michael Jackson popcorn GIFs in hand.
3. DE-FENSE!!!
Experts have said it, analysts have said it, even Bruce Arians himself said it. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are focused on getting better defensively above all else.
Yes, the running game is hopefully getting better and yes the offensive line will get better. But if everything else fails, the defense is the focus of the conversation.
But does it mean the Bucs will draft defense in the first round? Nobody knows. What we do know is there are a lot - A LOT - of defensive prospects who can reasonably contribute to an NFL roster in 2019.
And they’ll all take the field on Sunday, March 3rd and Monday, March 2nd to show off what they can do.
Make sure you tune in if you can, because there’s going to be a ton of talent on the field for those days. If you can only catch one of them though, make it Sunday.
2. BUCS NATION
That’s right, this year Bucs Nation is on ground in Indianapolis to cover the scouting combine from up close and personal. James Yarcho and I will make the draft nerd pilgrimage to land of Lucas Oil to bring you as many news and notes as we possibly can.
Of course we’ll comment about some of the same things everyone else is, but what we can do is bring you to the building. Have a question or thought you’d like satisfied? Hit up either one of us here or here or even here, and we’ll do the best we can to make sure the Nation gets their answers.
Then, check out the Locked On Bucs Podcast where we’ll be laying down our thoughts on the day that was and what we hope to learn from the following day.
1. RUN RICH RUN
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/14557687/usa_today_10677684.jpg)
I mean, let’s be real, this is the reason we all tune in to the scouting combine coverage every year anyway.
NFL Network’s own Rich Eisen has been running the 40-yard dash in his network best four what will be his 15th year. Why? To support the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
In a press release from the league, Eisen commented on what the event means to him,
“It’s an honor to run on behalf of St. Jude. Other than running faster, I can only hope that we keep raising as much money for these kids and their loving families as possible. So, everyone should please donate. And I’ll do the rest.”
What the NFL is asking fans to do is video themselves running the 40-yard dash and sharing the clips online. This, along with donating directly will ensure the message is loud and clear in support of combating childhood cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
It’s a great event and a wonderful way to cap off the week’s events.
So, there you have it. The five things every fan should be looking forward to at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. Come back regularly during the week to catch up with everything going down in Indianapolis!