pre-scouting combine nonsense

• The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine is underway, and teams are back on their bullshit. UNC quarterback Sam Howell revealed that the Philadelphia Eagles had him shoot on a small basketball hoop. This exercise is pretty harmless compared to some of the things I've heard teams discuss with players, but it's still pretty stupid, no?
  

#UNC QB Sam Howell was asked if he’s had any strange questions from teams. No strange questions, but said the Eagles had him shoot a basketball on a mini hoop.

“I only made like 2 of 5, so I’m probably not high on their board right now” □ □ pic.twitter.com/7q3oyexQbg

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) March 2, 2022

• Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim signed extensions on Wednesday, which is quite head-scratching if you remember Kyler Murray's very public want for a new deal earlier this week. Kingsbury and Murray even have the same agent. So how will this affect Murray getting a deal? Who knows, but I'm getting my popcorn ready.
  

We have reached agreements on contract extensions with GM Steve Keim and Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury.

Each is now under contract with the team through the 2027 season.

Details ➡️ https://t.co/alvgq5X3gQ pic.twitter.com/coaa99l19R

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) March 2, 2022

• Liberty quarterback Malik Willis is slated to be one of the top QBs in this year's NFL Draft. Sometimes we worry about how these young guys will translate from college to the NFL, but it seems like Willis has this under control. Willis was asked how he manages to keep his focus and gave this perfect answer. Do we have a new QB to stan?
  

Liberty’s Malik Willis: “Everybody’s going to have an opinion of you but if you care about their opinions, you’re not going to be happy. I want to be happy, so I’m going to worry about what I can control.” pic.twitter.com/Tsna7EWwwS

— Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones) March 2, 2022

• Not every day you see an NFL GM cry at the Combine. Tennessee Titans GM Jon Robinson was asked about his team and how the season ended. Apparently, he had some strong feelings about it. I'm all for men showing emotion. Let it out!
  

Asked what he could could have done better last year, Jon Robinson started to answer and then went here. #Titans pic.twitter.com/4iBQwGH88l

— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) March 2, 2022

• His buddy Tom Brady announced his retirement, but Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski hasn't made his decision yet on if he'll play next season. If he does decide to play for another year, the Buffalo Bills are one of the teams interested. Dawson Knox had a great season last year, but the addition of Gronk would make the Bills' offense even more explosive.
  

Bills interested in adding Rob Gronkowski as another weapon for Josh Allen https://t.co/HvcI9oIKus

— Tim Graham (@ByTimGraham) March 2, 2022

• And I'll leave you with a feel-good story, the best kind of story. San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch spoke during the Combine and was asked about the newly hired Miami Dolphins coach, ex-Niners offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Lynch praised McDaniel up and down and didn't know McDaniel was listening. He had quite a reaction.
  

John Lynch was praising Mike McDaniel at the podium. Listening in, unbeknownst to John, was Mike McDaniel. This is what it looked like. This is beautiful. pic.twitter.com/avaiakwmek

— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) March 2, 2022