Life at the NFL combine got a little more interesting Friday.
After two days of little more than interviews and weigh-ins, the on-field workouts finally began. The tight ends and offensive linemen hit the field at Lucas Oil Stadium to go through a series of drills, including the highly anticipated 40-yard dash.
As the prospects got to work, more team executives talked with reporters and here are seven things we learned:
- St. Louis Rams Head Coach Jeff Fischer, who is a member of the competition committee, indicated that teams around the league voiced some displeasure with the way the game was officiated this year. "There was some frustration, but there always is," Fischer said. "This is the human element of the game." The competition committee reviews the officiating every year during meetings at the combine, and they discuss potential rules changes that could be proposed at the owners meetings next month.
- There seems to be no clarity on which NFL team – or teams – will eventually move to Los Angeles. The NFL has said it wants a franchise in Los Angeles again, and the Rams have consistently been mentioned as a possibility. But a day after a report leaked that the Chargers and Raiders are moving forward with a proposal to build a new stadium in L.A., Fischer said he has no information about his team's future plans. "Whatever happens, happens," he said.
- Tight end Maxx Williams continues to make a case to be the first tight end to come off the board. He's widely considered the top tight end in this year's draft, and has been linked to the Ravens at pick No. 26 in early mock drafts. Williams officially ran the 40-yard dash in 4.78 seconds and he showed off good hands during the route-running portion of the on-field workouts. William's 40-yard dash time was faster than both Clive Walford and Nick O'Leary, who are his top competition at the position.
- The media room inside Lucas Oil Stadium was buzzing as injury concerns arose with potential No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston. The Florida State quarterback was initially scheduled to speak with reporters Thursday, but his media session was pushed into late Friday after he underwent additional testing to examine weakness in his throwing shoulder. Winston downplayed the shoulder injury during his press conference, and stressed that it's not a concern.
- Towson defensive end/outside linebacker Ryan Delaire said he's a "premier pass rusher" in this year's draft class.
- Georgia running back Todd Gurley opted not to allow medical personnel at the combine to examine his injured knee. Gurley tore his ACL in mid-November, and he said on Thursday that the estimated recovery time is six-to-nine months. Denying medical examinations is rare, but NFL Network's Michael Silver reported that Gurley would go through full examinations later when his knee is healthy.
- Seattle Head Coach Pete Carroll showed no lingering emotions from the heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to the Patriots just three weeks ago. "We're forging on," Carroll said. "There's a lot going on here for us to grow from and learn from."
