So long, chain gang? Plus, combine underway in Indy

The NFL scouting combine is underway, and league officials are considering some major changes to the rulebook.

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March 1, 2024 8:21am EST

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4th and Monday

Fri Mar 1 2024

Jim Reineking | NOW Editor

@jimreineking

UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu goes through positional drills.

Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

After defensive linemen and linebackers hit the field on the first day of NFL scouting combine workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday, the defensive backs and tight ends will go through workouts on Friday.

This is a magical weekend for those of us who are really into the NFL draft . This the biggest opportunity to learn about the prospects in the 2024 NFL draft class. This is also an event filled with some real random football things to enjoy that are mostly unique to the combine, such as ...

•	So much scout-speak: Get-off, dancing bear, downhill runner, downhill thumper and fluid hips (or, oily hips).
•	That moment of satisfaction when unofficial 40 times finally become official.
•	That guy with a football at the end of a stick (who definitely has a better job than those who have to hold up the tackling dummies).
•	The gauntlet (let's find out who's a hands catcher or who's a body catcher!).
•	Whenever an analyst explains why the 3-cone drill is important (it kinda is when evaluating edge rushers ... let's see that bend and explosion!).
•	Whenever anybody on NFL Network mentions St. Elmo Steak House (this is usually accompanied by a shrimp cocktail reference).
•	Previously unheralded prospects who totally dominate their workouts (and, in turn, become a draft Hype Bunny™).

➤ We're tracking the top 40 times for each position group

➤ Who helped themselves the most on Thursday at the combine?

➤ Brock Bowers' NFL draft stock could hinge on value question

Penn State defensive lineman Chop Robinson impressed at the combine on Thursday.

Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Prospect profiles:

•	Laiatu Latu: Once medically retired from football, he might be draft's best defender
•	T'Vondre Sweat: Massive man tipping scales in his favor in Indy

Could chain gangs soon be a thing of the past?

From Jarrett Bell: We may have finally seen the end of rulings during NFL games that are determined by bringing out the chains. The NFL tested camera technology last season — including during Super Bowl 58 — that captured player and football positioning in real time and confirmed some sticky, close calls.

Full implementation of such “optimal tracking” could be next.

➤ NFL working on banning another controversial tackling technique

Could this sight soon be a thing of the past?

Paul Sancya, AP

NFL prospect says he doesn't believe in space

Forget the findings of ancient Greek astronomers, which were further established by Renaissance scientist Nicolaus Copernicus. Ignore the scientific facts confirmed by Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei. 🌌

This is the world that NFL draft prospect Tyler Owens, a defensive back from Texas Tech, lives in: The earth might be flat and there is no space. 🤦‍♂️