Gazette-Times Reporter

There are more than five weeks until the NFL draft and scouts are making the rounds of colleges to double-check 40 times and vertical leaps, while looking for those who might not have been seen yet.

Frontline players were already tested in February at the NFL combine in Indianapolis during the invitation-only event.

Intrigue into an up-and-comer’s physical ability has reached the point that television cameras broadcast the workouts so pundits can dissect the draft. However, that’s only half of what’s going on at the combine.

Oregon State football trainer Barney Graff received an insider’s view at what else happens during one of the most important evaluations by the NFL. He was one of three NCAA trainers there to observe the proceedings.

Missouri’s Rex Sharp and Louisville’s Dwayne Treolo were the others. The NFL’s Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society invites select collegiate trainers each year to say thanks to the group for helping gather information on draft prospects.

They watched and assisted as medical staffs from each NFL team poked and prodded athletes to determine each player’s health and potential problems.

Their findings make the difference in what round a player is chosen, if at all, and what kind of money will be offered.

“It was a lot of observation,” Graff said. “The whole setup from the medical standpoint was really neat. Their organization was amazing. It gave us the opportunity to see what they do behind the scenes. The medical things they do are incredible.”

After arriving Feb. 21 and meeting with everyone he would work with, it was full speed the following day. Graff helped as about 330 players were inspected during the next three days.

Once athletes arrived they were taken to a hospital for blood and urine samples. Electrocardiograms and X-rays — specifically in the cervical spine area — were done. Magnetic resonance imaging scans of body parts were taken if there are old issues, such as a knee surgeries, reported by their college team’s trainer.

NFL representatives separated into groups of 5-to-6 teams in six exam rooms with at least two trainers and two physicians from each club.

“All the teams conducted their rooms different, but they are after the same information,” Graff said. “When they get back home they can put together a report for the coaches and front office people who can look at it and decide from the orthopedic standpoint if this kid is going to be good pick, or should they let him drop down a little bit. Why spend the money on someone who might be damaged goods.”

Players carried around their test results for teams to review. Exams and interviews were done from what was learned. If there was a concern, an MRI was order.

One player didn’t know there was damage to a big toe, but a doctor found something. An MRI was done and results recorded so general managers can have that information when making a draft selection.

“I was amazed about the number of MRIs,” Graff said. “I was told 80 percent are not necessary. But if something is not evaluated and later something comes up in a negative light, they would be questioned.”

Each team grades players on a number scale, with letter grades or pass-fail. Teams work together and share information. If one doctor puts up a red flag, everyone eventually knows about it.

One player missed 27 of 50 games in his college career with minor injuries but no surgeries, and was given a C by one team and an F by another in the same room. When that happened the doctors met and realized they have different philosophies.

“Nothing gets missed,” Graff said. “Some kids will not disclose their history. When you have 32 teams doing an evaluation, they will find it. They check everything from toes to jaw.”

While organizing paperwork for a group of 92 players one day, Graff noticed a trend. About half of them had shoulder problems during their careers.

The Beavers faced a rise in shoulder issues this season, so he was able to discuss with other professionals as to why.

“The only thing we can come up with, as the players get bigger, faster, stronger, too many of them want to minimize the protective equipment they are wearing,” Graff said. “I think that sets a bad example for the younger players. They don’t want to wear something the NFL guys are not wearing.”

Graff spent his evenings networking with medical staffs. There was a science presentation night with the most interesting one being a study by the New York Giants.

They spent 12 years watching how their letter grades corresponded with the longevity of playing careers. They found those with higher grades play longer, while those with lower grades end their career early due to injuries.

That was a strong example of how important the combine is, not only running the 40, but behind the scenes.

“The players knew they were on a job interview,” Graff said. “There was professionalism. They knew that everything they did while they were in Indianapolis they were being evaluated and graded. Somebody is going to make a note.”

Graff left the combine impressed, and feeling his OSU staff was only a few notches below those at the top end of the profession.

NFL trainers asked him about the program and provided tips. He plans to implement some of the organization he saw and philosophies to improve his staff.

“The main thing is something we know, but something we’ll reemphasize,” Graff said. “We’ll spend more time with our new players, regardless of the sport, to make sure we have a complete health history from their high school or junior college.

“We can only help them reach their full potential if we have a complete orthopedic history, and if it’s honest and 100 percent accurate. If we know about an old dislocated shoulder, we can do things so we can prevent it from happening again or at least delay it.”