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As we all put on our scouting hats this week for the NFL Combine, for people whose job this really is, this is just another week in a year-long process.
The life of an NFL scout is never ending and exhausting. ESPN Michael Rothstein caught up with Detroit Lions director of college scouting Dave Sears to give a glimpse into what that kind of life entails.
“There’s really no glamour in it at all,” Sears told Rothstein. “Some people think you get to watch football for a living. Well, I get to type reports for a living and get to travel for a living. There’s a lot of other aspects other than just watching football, but it’s great because it’s football-related.”
It’s a really interesting read, from Sears’ time spent in hotels—in which he estimates equals one-fifth of his entire life, missing out on time with his 10-year old daughter—to how being a scout changes his perception of everyday life. It also serves as a nice look into what exactly a regional scout does.
- Michigan receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones told the media at the NFL Combine that playing for the Lions, his hometown team, “would mean everything to me.”
- Despite taking what appeared to be a shot at the Lions on Twitter and not mentioning the coaching staff in his farewell, Damon Harrison Sr. cleared the air a little more Tuesday evening:
Honestly I thought I had wrote it in there. It was such an emotional message and I got caught up in writing it. Nothing but respect for those guys. Coach P and I will be friends long after football is done for the both of us. Coach Bo is my man 100 grand. Honest mistake.
— Damon Harrison Sr. (@snacks) February 25, 2020
- Justin Rogers believes the Lions are likely to move on from punter Sam Martin and details a list of potential replacements.
- T.J. Hockenson is already starting to help some of his boys back in Iowa:
Iowa OL Tristan Wirfs says TJ Hockenson has been training back in Iowa City, and it’s been nice having him around to work with and ask questions.
— Benjamin Raven (@BenjaminSRaven) February 26, 2020
- Chris Burke of The Athletic made a top-40 NFL Draft Big Board (subscription required) for the Lions specifically.
- Here are a couple of NFL notes regarding the quarterback carousel that is sure to happen this year:
A lot can still happen in the coming months, but as of now, the #Panthers are moving forward with Cam Newton as their starting QB, sources say. While his foot is healing well, it will be several months until it’s game-ready — a timeline that complicates any potential trade.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 25, 2020
Ron Rivera says the Redskins will bring in QBs Joe Burrow and Tua Tagavailoa. Says all options are on the table.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) February 26, 2020