We may not have had ESPN watching, but there was still something at stake. Yes, at the first annual women’s football combine hosted by the WFA, the beginning of legitimized inter-team recruiting hung in the balance. What is that, you ask? The birth of the trade.
No, I doubt the winners will field phone calls and contract offers, but quantifying players’ capabilities by athletic standards as opposed to just tackles and touchdowns means generating visibility and value. Since so many team owners are present for this weekend’s festivities, they are bound to stumble upon the results of the combine’s events, and as teams like San Diego and Boston proved this year, another team’s best player is just one phone call away.
The events were somewhat predictable, but nothing short of challenging. Add to that the presence of an angry sun, and you get 103 degrees of hard work. 40 yard dash, an agility test, bench press, push up contest, sit up contest, vertical leap, and a beastly obstacle course made for quite a test.
Despite the thrill of the competition, the mood remained light and enjoyable. There is something to be said about the kind of people that attend All-star/All-American weekends. They aren’t just great
players, they are typically great people as well. The friendliest, most fun-loving of the football world are drawn to an event which focuses more on the camaraderie of the game than the combat of the gridiron.
That being said, I suspect today’s All-American game will be nothing short of intense. After last night’s two-hour practice (complete with full contact), I expect to take a few shots as I gear up for the National Conference. Stay tuned for coverage of the game as well as more on tonight’s Championship match-up.
