NFL draft hopefuls grilled at combine

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — LeGarrette Blount spent the last month preparing for the annual NFL scouting combine. There were drills and workouts, lifting sessions and practice tests.

His toughest task this week is talking about the punch felt ’round the college football world.

It’s an answer he’ll repeat dozens of times in Indianapolis, but getting this one right may dictate where Blount goes in April’s NFL draft. Or whether he is drafted at all.

“I’ve basically told them that I overreacted,” Blount said. “It was a heat-of-the moment type of thing. The guy I punched didn’t deserve to be punched. It was just a mistake.”

Showing remorse is an essential ingredient to restoring reputation among the scouts.

With nowhere to hide, no questions to dodge, no answers that won’t be overanalyzed by the hundreds of scouts, coaches and team executives in Indy, blunt honesty is the only way to escape additional questions.

Blount is not alone in his mission this year.

Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap missed the SEC title game after a DUI arrest, a red flag for teams with concerns about repeat offenses and possible NFL suspensions. Dunlap’s college teammate, linebacker Brandon Spikes, drew a one-game suspension for poking an opponent in the eye. Syracuse receiver Mike Williams must explain why he opted to forgo the end of his junior season before deciding to leave school a year early.

Two other prominent cases could also come up this week.

Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant and Southern Cal running back Joe McKnight both finished last season on the sideline after being accused of NCAA infractions. Those circumstances will likely pale in comparison to the more damaging character issues.

These days, the punishment can be far more damaging.

NFL decision-makers, like New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese and Colts president Bill Polian, will spend much of their 15-minute interview sessions prying.

Polian puts a premium on football temperament, concerns raised by the on-the-field actions of Spikes and Blount.

It also means doing some extra work.

“We try to ask all the tough questions, and we want to make sure it’s an isolated incident,” Reese said. “If the guy has a long list, we want to make sure we have all of our T’s crossed, so we’re very cautious about it.”