Melvin Ingram celebrates with fans following a win over the Clemson Tigers. (Jeff Blake-US PRESSWIRE)

Think of the NFL combine interview process as an upgraded form of speed dating, minus the candles and roses of course. Although I’m sure there are plenty of NFL teams who would be willing to romance guys like Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Justin Blackmon with those staples. Instead of three minutes or eight minutes, NFL teams have 15 minutes with 60 NFL prospects of their choice.

Teams want to get to know players beyond helmets, pads, and 40-yard dash times. They want to know what kind of people they are. Are there any red flags associated with them? Previous arrests? Learning deficiencies? Additionally, they try to get at how they prepare for a season, their work habits, their passion for football, and their family background.

“I feel like I can play any position on the football field,” former South Carolina DE/LB Melvin Ingram said. That’s the kind of “team player” NFL teams want. Ingram is working out with Von Miller in California right now because the two have the same agent.
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