NFL Network at the NFL Combine

The NFL Combine has always been noteworthy, but the attention that surrounds it has never been greater, and much of that is in due to the NFL Network's constant live coverage. Who would think that watching college kids run the 40 yd dash in nothing but tights would garner such an audience, but for those football fans who are looking for anything to get them from the Super Bowl to the draft can't get enough of this yearly event.

And the set up for the network is more than just a couple of cameras. Along with the multiple lenses focusing on the network talent, there are many cameras sharing the field with that of the NFL Video Directors trying to get every move, stumble, drill and catch among all of the participants over five days. The set up should be detailed as it becomes the network's studio for close to a week. Located on the lower level of Lucas Oil Stadium, the stage overlooks the playing field and platforms, monitors, white boards as well as lights constantly focus on Rich Eisen and his former football analysts.

NFL Video Directors

Experienced video directors have seen their profession evolve over the years. It began with film, moved to tape and is now in its digital non-linear form. One person who saw this transformation was recently honored by his peers in Indianapolis. Al Treml, formerly of Green Bay,  was brought back to the NFL Video Director's meetings to reminisce and be honored by his peers.

Treml make a point to remember all of the video coordinators who have passed on since he left the Packers.Going name by name, Treml encouraged his peers to provide stories along with those he brought along.

One story Al shared was his trips to Chicago's Wrigley Field where the Bears called home for many years. The friendly confines was a baseball park, but adjusted to the football dimensions. There was no true sideline shot, and after possessions, Al would have to drop his camera a few feet in order to get a shot of the scoreboard. The process in getting to the sideline platform was difficult. In the upper deck, Al would climb a ladder placed on a post behind a fan's seat. Once he made his way to the platform, he would need to raise his camera by a pulley system from the stands below. The platform was narrow and messy. Other than the time the "film" guy occupied the area, pidgeons would call it home, leaving an inch of droppings for Al to deal with.

Making sure the position of Video Coordinator isn't forgotten in the NFL, Philadelphia Eagle veteran video guy, Mike Dougherty has been working on finding a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the well-respected video coordinator. The process has been a difficult one for "Doc," he felt it was important to bring Treml to Indianapolis and honor him in front of the current staff of video guys. "Doc" made sure the current crop understood the importance of their profession and to enjoy it. He went on to say how those who have come before were characters, and he encouraged all in attendance to be their own characters.

Big Ten Video Meeting 2011

Big Ten Video Meeting 2011,
originally uploaded by mengelbert.

Early this week the video coordinators of the Big Ten football teams met in Indianapolis for their annual meetings. For the past three years these meetings have been held in the heart of Indiana to coincide with the meetings of the NFL Video Directors prior to their work in the NFL combine.

This year's meeting had much to do with the conference's move to the acquisition, playback and exchange of HD video and ensuring all parties included are working together to make sure it happens. It is important for Sony and Panasonic to have the equipment to acquire and playback a suitable format for the editing companies of XOS Digital and DVSport to network for the coaching community. Dragon Fly is the preferred method of internet exchange, and their role is critical in having the video travel among member schools quickly and maintaining quality.

Folowing the conference meeting, myself, Rob Porteus of Wisconsin and Erik Knuttu of Syracuse (representing the national Collegiate Sports Video Association) addressed the NFL Video Directors with an update of HD and the status of the national organization. The NFL is beginning their discussion of HD and is currently relying on the progress of the colleges. The pending CBA between owners and players has delayed the HD movement.

Along with the HD discussion, the college video coordinators had the opportunity to tour Lucas Oil Field, the 2011 home of the Big Ten Championship game.

The NFL Video Guy at the Combine

There may be no tougher job during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis than that of each team's video director. This Midwestern city in February doesn't allow for many recreational options, yet the demands the league puts on them doesn't give this crew much time to either explore or enjoy over their ten day span.

After arriving on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are spent in their own meetings. Topics will range from Internet exchange, acquiring video from the colleges through the dub center, as well as staying up to date with the latest technology with demonstrations from many vendors.

Video Directors from the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills are among those in charge of organizing and conducting the meetings. At this moment, myself as well as the video coordinators of the Wisconsin Badgers and Virginia Cavaliers addressed the NFL staffs and answered questions regarding college video and sending it to the Dub Center.

While the video directors meet, the NFL's competition committee meets in the adjacent room. Here Marvin Lewis takes a break before joining fellow head coach Jeff Fisher to discuss, among other items, the current over time rule.

Once meetings conclude their attention turns to Lucas Oil Stadium and setting up for the NFL Combine drills. Each team is responsible for bringing their own equipment and shooting either drills or interviews, or assist with the organization of the video. Each player that attends the combine is video taped and then will have their own reel featuring their talents from the weekend.

The NFL Combine brings out all who are affiliated with the NFL. John Madden comes to town early and is found walking around the lobby of the Westin.

Big Ten Video Meeting

Indianapolis is the center of the professional football world this week as all of the elite college football players congregate to demonstrate their talents in front of the NFL coaches and player personnel for the annual NFL Combine. Prior to the start of the combine the NFL Video Directors have their meetings to discuss their rules, technology and handling everything from college video transfer, game week video transfer as well as seeing the newest technology.

Indianapolis is also the geographic center of the Big Ten and it is where the conference video coordinators met for their annual meetings. On the college level the discussions are much the same as the professional, but the colleges tend to push the envelope with innovations and technology. Among the topics the Big Ten addressed is the shooting, editing and networking of HD video and the roadmap for it to happen. With almost half of the conference operating off a software that will not allow this to happen, the Big Ten looks to be 1 - 2 years away.

Jay Reid, Video Coordinator for the Big Ten Office is in charge of coordinating the needs of game officials. Jay spoke of upcoming changes and modifications to the current system. Big Ten teams send Jay their game once it posted to the internet, from there he pulls controversial plays for Bill Carrolla to view and match them up with the television copy. Jay also sends out copies for all of the game officials to view off their home computer.

Matt Harper and Tom Shepherd of Michigan State earned the Big Ten Video Coordinator of the Year award. They are now eligible for the naitonal honor awarded in May. The two day event was filled with meetings and vendor presentations. Below Jay updates the video coordinators on improvements the conference is making with HD Replay.

NFL Combine 2.21

Out with the old, in with the new. Lucas Oil Stadium sits behind the rubble of the RCA Dome. This is the first year the NFL Combine takes place within the new stadium. OLine, TEs and Kickers start the workout session. Rob Bruggeman and Seth Olsen from Iowa participate on Saturday.

Outland Award winner from Alabama, Andre Smith is creating the most headlines on the opening day. Smith admitted to scouts that he hasn't worked out and declined to take part in the important bench press. Then he followed that up by being a no-show for workouts the next day. It is tought to figure out how an individual with so much potential as well as his future riding on this one-time interview could take it so lightly. NFL Network analyst Jamie Dukes predicted this error in his ways could cost up to $10 Million dollars.

Watching the combine is like watching the draft. It can be addictive. Especially for someone like me who knows athletes competing as well as coaches, scouts and video personnel who conduct the event. In one OLine drill at the combine shown on the NFL Network, there were many involved I know or met. Juan Castillo, OL coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and father of Hawkeye Football freshman Greg, Mike Devlin, former Hawkeye OLineman and current asst. OL coach of the NY Jets, as well as Bob Eckberg, Video Director of the Green Bay Packers. (I hope to find video and post later).

NFL Combine

The door to the NFL for many college athletes is underway in Indianapolis. Five Hawkeyes will participate over the next five days. Those are Rob Bruggeman, Seth Olsen, Bradley Fletcher, Shonn Greene, and Mitch King. The schedule of on-field events is:

• Saturday (2.21)--Group I (Specialists and OLine), Group II (OLine), Group III (TEs).
• Sunday (2.22)--Group IV (QBs & WRs), Group V (QBs & WRs), Group VI (RBs)
• Monday (2.23)--Group VII (DLine), Group VIII (DLine), Group IX (LBs)
• Tuesday (2.24)--Group X (DB), Group XI (DB)

Off the field events that begin today include the Q&A interview sessions and tests with General Managers and other team personnel.

Big Ten Video Meeting Day 2

Day two, the final day of the Big Ten Video Meeting occurred Tuesday as many more vendors as well as much discussion was held in Indianapolis. Wavecam, Anton/Bauer, Olympic Case, DragonFly, and NL Technology were among the vendors.

Discussion involved that of the new head of Big Ten Officiating and differences made to protocol of post-game video review. Dave Parry stepped down after the 2008 season and Phil Carrola will take over in 09.

The day concluded with myself, and the video coordinators of Virginia and Wisconsin answering questions from the NFL Video Directors who were also having their meetings prior to the NFL Combine. Questions pertained to internet exchange. Not only were the NFL Video Directors meeting in Indianapolis at the Westin, but also the head coaches. Jack Del Rio of Jacksonville and Marvin Lewis of Cincinnati were spotted outside the meeting rooms. Pictures of this would not have been appropriate.

Big Ten Video Meeting Day 1

Today marked the first day of Big Ten Video Meetings. This is the first year the conference decided to hold their gathering in a location other than Chicago. Indianapolis is a venue in which they shared with the NFL Video Directors as they come together yearly here to meet as well as shoot the upcoming NFL Combine. While I'm gone from my family for two days, all of the NFL Video Directors are in Indianapolis from February 16th - 25th.

The first day of meetings were highlighted by presentations from LRS Sports, Sony Electronics, Webb Electronics (pictured), DV Sport, Panasonic and XOS Technologies. XOS hosted the meeting for the fourth consecutive year and treated the conference video guys to dinner at St. Elmo Steakhouse (pictured below).