INDIANAPOLIS – The NFL Combine is so much more than guys in spandex running 40-yard dashes and competing in specific position drills.
So many decisions teams will make throughout the offseason come from what transpires during the next week in Indianapolis.
Here are five things Colts fans should keep an eye over the next week:
**Hear from Ballard, Pagano
**Chris Ballard's first Combine press conference as an NFL GM will come Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. Chuck Pagano's will follow Thursday at 10:00 a.m.
Some storylines that could arise from those pressers: a timetable for Andrew Luck's workload this offseason, how the roster evaluation has gone over the past few weeks, possible position changes on the horizon, thoughts on the team's nine unrestricted free agents.
Ballard and his staff have been entrenched in scouting meetings for 17 straight days of February.
We will see if Ballard offers any insight into what came out of those daily 10-hour meetings.**
14 or 15?
**Remember that Friday Night Lights scene where Permian wins a coin toss to get a berth into the Texas High School Playoffs?
Well, the Colts and Vikings (who will send the first-round pick to the Eagles) are going to be part of something similar.
Now, the drama and atmosphere of this coin toss will be polar opposite from the intensity of a rural Texas truck stop, but it's still significant.
A coin flip on Friday afternoon will decide whether the Colts or Vikings will pick 14th/15th in Round One of the NFL Draft. Both the Colts and Vikings had 8-8 records last season and tied on the strength of schedule tiebreaker.**
Free Agency News
**With the Combine pushed back a few days this year (runs until March 6) there will be little down time until free agency starts on March 9.
During Combine week, NFL personnel people will be busy scouting college prospects, while also spending ample time in meeting with agents of upcoming free agents.
Final negotiations will take place and as is always the case, deadlines spur action.
Free Agency officially begins a week form Thursday, so expect some re-signings of teams' own free agents in the coming days.**
Colts Like Draft Depth?
**With NFL GM's meeting the media this week, we will get a better idea of where the depth lies in the 2017 Draft.
Early returns indicate good news for the Colts.
Some scouts call the running back group a historic class, which should be beneficial to the Colts in search for a future bell cow behind Frank Gore.
Unlike last year, there are several first-round pass rushers, an obvious positon of need for the Colts.
In 2016, the Colts took advantage of a strong offensive line group by spending four of their eight picks in the trenches. The 2017 OL class isn't supposedly as deep, so good thing the Colts added so many new faces up front last season.
Cornerback, an area the Colts could definitely address, also appears to have some depth.**
Another Win for Indianapolis**
The people over at Visit Indy should be beaming in looking at the weather forecasted for this week.
Temperatures are nearing spring-like for the Combine back in the Circle City.
Since 1987, the NFL Scouting Combine has called Indianapolis home, and it should remain that way through at least 2020.
Downtown proximity is a major draw for the non-stop pace of the Combine.
One change from this year's Combine is the media portion of the Combine has been moved over to the Indiana Convention Center. It was originally held inside of Lucas Oil Stadium.*
A look back at some current Colts players participating in the NFL Combine.
The analysis from those producing content on Colts.com does not necessarily represent the thoughts of the Indianapolis Colts organization. Any conjecture, analysis or opinions formed by Colts.com content creators is not based on inside knowledge gained from team officials, players or staff.*
For the first time ever, you can get in on the action like never before at the new NFL Combine Experience, March 2-5 at the Indiana Convention Center. Watch the bench press up-close; listen to interviews with NFL prospects, coaches and GMs; and be a part of a free fan festival complete with player autographs, virtual reality, the 40yard dash, and more. Get your free tickets at NFL.com/CombineFMP.*
