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Gene Smith Wants Players That "Want To Compete" At Combine

Feb 25, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; An overall view of the inside of Lucas Oil Stadium taken during the NFL Combine. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE
Feb 25, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; An overall view of the inside of Lucas Oil Stadium taken during the NFL Combine. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

During the NFL Combine there is always debate about the merits of top prospects participating in different drills. While a player like Stanford's Andrew Luck doesn't need the combine to show his skills and can essentially sit on his collegiate tape, most would argue that they'd like to see all the draft prospects compete and not hide from the possibility of combine struggles.

Apparently Jaguars general manager Gene Smith agrees with the latter group, telling Tania Ganguli: "We like to see players who want to compete in an environment that puts the best against the best under the same conditions."

Among the players not competing in all drills at the combine are quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III who will not throw, and wide receivers Justin Blackmon and Alshon Jeffrey who will not run.

However, Blaine Gabbert chose not to throw at the 2011 NFL Combine and Smith traded up six picks to take him 10th overall; so how much he really values competing at the combine may be minute.