The combine experience.(NFL Scouting Combine)

A draft hopeful's account of the weighing, measuring, probing, drilling, testing and interviewing that goes on at the annual scouting combine

INSIDE THE COMBINE

The NFL Scouting Combine made its annual appearance last weekend in Indianapolis, where more than 300 players endured a spate of physical and psychological tests designed to measure their mettle as pro football candidates. One of those players was Ben Hamilton, a center for the University of Minnesota. This is the inside story of his combine experience, as told to senior writer Dennis Dillon.

THURSDAY

Maybe the genes passed on made me destined to be an offensive lineman. As far back as fourth-grade youth football, all my friends were jumping in line to be a wide receiver or a quarterback. I wanted to be a guard, like my father, Wes Hamilton, who played for the Vikings from 1976 to 1984.

I've been preparing for the combine for almost two months. I went out to Denver on January 2, right after our bowl game, and I've been out there ever since, except for the week at the Senior Bowl. I've been working out with a bunch of other guys at the All Pro Sports training facility, which my agent, Peter Schaffer, is affiliated with. I was very eager to get here and show what I can do competing with the best players in the nation.

The 2 1/2-hour flight from Denver to Indianapolis was pretty routine except that the lady in front of me thought she deserved a recliner seat. She was smashing my knees. I tapped her on the shoulder and asked her if she could not recline her seat back so far. She told me that her seat was broken, but I saw it in an upright position when we got on the plane. I'm 6-5. I had to keep adjusting my legs. She had a nice flight, I'm sure.