Combine Notes: Importance of interviews

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People often ask why do teams bother to interview players at the NFL Scouting Combine? They are limited to 15 minutes with each prospect, so how much can they learn? Anybody can fake their way through a 15-minute job interview, right?

Well, not necessarily.

Take the case of Perrish Cox. He was a cornerback from Oklahoma State, who was eligible for the 2010 draft. He had the right size (5-11, 195) and good natural ability. In his final collegiate season, he broke up more passes (19) than any other defender in Division I.

Cox also was an explosive kick returner. He had six kick returns for touchdownsfour kickoffs and two punts. So he had a lot to recommend him going into the draft. Except for thishe couldnt stay out of trouble.

He had a record of traffic stops and driving without a license, plus he had three children out of wedlock. He did not play the final game of his college career, the Cotton Bowl, because he missed curfew. Not once, but twice. The coach kicked him off the team.

At the combine, Cox was asked about the Cotton Bowl incident. He acted as if it was no big deal. He said he stayed out after curfew the first night because the team just got into town and he wanted to check things out.

OK, so he was caught and told it better not happen again. But he went out and broke curfew again the very next night. Why?

Hey, Cox told reporters, it was New Years Eve. What was I supposed to do, stay in my room on New Years Eve?

After talking to Cox, several NFL teams took him off their draft board completely. They knew the guy was trouble. Other teams kept him on the board, but dropped him near the bottom.

In the fifth round, the Denver Broncos decided to take a flier on him. They figured with his talent, he was worth the shot. He made the team and started nine games as a rookie, so it looked like it might work out OK.

But last September, Cox was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at his apartment in Denver. The Broncos released Cox, although they claimed it was due to his performance on the field, not the incident off the field.

This week as another NFL scouting combine comes to a close, Perrish Cox is about to stand trial in Douglas County (Co.) Court. If convicted, he faces two years to life in prison.

Bunkin Bronco
Eagles fans may have noticed a familiar name on the Denver Broncos' defense last seasondefensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley.

Bunkley played five seasons with the Eagles before being traded to the Broncos last August. He stepped into the starting lineup in Denver and solidified the Broncos' defense.

Bunk played really well, said Brian Dawkins during his weekend appearance at the Schuykill Valley Sports 40th anniversary dinner in Pottstown. We needed that anchor in the defensive line and he was it.

Dawkins, of course, played with Bunkley in Philadelphia before signing with Denver three seasons ago. He saw Bunkley join the Eagles as a first-round draft pick in 2006, but he feels Bunkley is playing his best football now.

He was never a big pass rusher, but thats not what he is being asked to do in Denver, Dawkins said. We need someone who can play the run and take on double-teams, and he is doing that really well.

In Philadelphia, I think he knew people were watching him because he was a first-round pick and he felt the pressure. In Denver, he doesnt have those expectations. He can just relax and play.

E-mail Ray Didinger at viewfromthehall@comcast.net

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