MT5: Major changes in college football impact the NFL Scouting Combine

On the first Saturday of every month, Mark will write about a topic of interest to Packers fans and the organization, and then answer five fan questions. Fans are encouraged to email Mark with their name and hometown at: MurphyTakes5@packers.com.

I have been attending the NFL Scouting Combine for many years now. It is one of my favorite NFL events – as it signifies the start of the new season after the Super Bowl and it also provides an opportunity catch up with a lot of old friends from across the league (also, by the way, Indianapolis is one of my favorite cities and is a perfect place to host an event like the combine). In recent years, particularly this year, I noticed changes in the makeup of the players attending the combine. I believe these are due to the major changes that have taken place in college football recently – Name, Image and Likeness “NIL” payments, the transfer portal and conference realignment. Of the 329 players who attended the combine, almost all of them went to schools from the Power Four (until recently the Power Five) conferences. Very few were invited from FCS schools. This is because if you are a talented player at the lower level, you will transfer to a bigger school, and likely for a significant amount of money. We interviewed 45 players at the combine, and the vast majority of them were being paid ($2.0M was the highest we heard). Also, they all have had agents and financial advisors while in school. Many more of them have attended multiple schools than in the past. I have always been a proponent of student athletic rights, but I am not sure the current system is sustainable for the colleges. The schools need to have a CBA like the NFL. The current system in college football is the equivalent of having all NFL players be free agents every year with no salary cap. It would not work.

Now on to your questions.

A question from J. Carey

Please out of pure respect, represent the Green Bay Packers at Virginia McCaskey’s funeral. She’s known three teams her entire life: the Chicago Bears, the Green Bay Packers and the Montreal Canadiens. Thank you and Go Pack!

My wife, Laurie, and I were proud to represent the Packers at Virginia McCaskey’s funeral. She was an amazing woman who meant so much to Chicago, the Bears and the NFL. The funeral was a wonderful tribute to her and the entire McCaskey family. The Packers and Bears are archrivals on the field, but we have tremendous respect for the entire Bears organization.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Good day Mr. Murphy. Funny you alluded to the Ice Bowl QB sneak for the win when discussing the Tush Push. Wasn’t the running back behind Starr holding up his hands because he was nervous he could hit Starr and be flagged for aiding the runner? If I recall, the running back didn’t know Starr was going to keep it himself. Anyways, my question to you is what are your plans for retirement? Do you envision being done working or is there a next chapter you plan to pursue professionally? You have done a FANTASTIC job, Sir, and I wish you all the best!

Thanks, Jeffrey. Yes, my comments regarding the Tush Push have received a lot of attention nationally. Chuck Mercein was the Packers running back in the Ice Bowl. He told me that most people thought he was signaling touchdown when he raised his hands, but as you note, he wanted to make sure he was not called for pushing Bart Starr. With regards to my retirement, I know I want to keep busy and not completely retire. I plan to be more involved with running our golf course, Maxwelton Braes in Baileys Harbor (Door County).

Jeff from Ogden, UT

I’ve been on this planet almost as long as you! I have many wonderful football memories, but mine are from the comfort of my armchair. As you approach retirement I was wondering if you could share your favorite memory as a player, your favorite memory from your time with Green Bay, and your favorite overall football memory.

We are both old men, Jeff! Great question. I have been very fortunate to have many great football memories. As a player, my favorite memory was when we won Super Bowl XVII, and I was able to celebrate on the field with my father, Hugh (Big Murph), though I have no idea how he was able to get past security and onto the field. With the Packers, it would have to be the win in Super Bowl XLV. I was able to bring my son, Brian, onto the field, to bring things full circle for the Murphy family. With regard to my favorite football memory, it would have to be before the NFC Championship Game against the Cowboys in January 1983 at RFK Stadium. I will never forget hearing the fans chanting “We want Dallas,” and seeing the bleachers go up and down as we got ready to play the Cowboys. There was no way we were going to lose.

A question from Dan K.

Good afternoon, Mr. Murphy. Hope your morning went well. You have been with us, the Packers, for 17 GREAT years. Have you ever watched a Packer game from the bowl? Have you ever wanted to just be in the bowl like a fan? Also, why don’t you have areas where a person can back into to see if they can fit in the 18-inch bleacher seat? I have a 350-plus-pound guy next to me. His backside, before sitting, is over the 18-inch limit. He gets (upset) when I ask him for money for using some of my 18-inch space. On bad days his family gets sick of giving him space. Why don’t you have an oversized space for these “fat …..”? Just a little rant. I know you won’t lose sleep over it. It is just some “fan info” for you. NOW, a very serious question, Mr. Murphy, will you sign my sturgeon spear? It would be a brand new one. A 2025 I had made. Do you sturgeon spear? If not, why? It is the most boring sport in Wisconsin. It is also the most fun before and after sport. Hey, THANK YOU! You have done a great job for OUR PACKERS. Enjoy your retirement. Dan. On a side note, we are having a cottage fish fry on Friday after cutting in. You are welcome to come. You would meet some of my family and friends. The spear maker will also be there. SPEAR ON, Mark. May I call you Mark? GPG!

Thanks, Dan. I think you may have set the record for most questions in one paragraph. I have watched a game from the bowl – it was in December 2007 right before I started my tenure with the Packers. I loved it! With regard to the bench seats, I highly recommend bringing or renting a chairback. It guarantees you the width of the chair, and it is very comfortable. I am not a sturgeon spearer, but I am fascinated with the sport and the fish. If you can mail a spear to me safely, I would be pleased to sign one for you.

Steven V. from Palos Park, IL

The Green Bay Packers are rumored to be playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers in late September in Dublin, Ireland. Is there a way to tell NFL this is a very bad idea? The Green Bay Packers have played two games overseas, they have lost both games, they have had both of their starting quarterbacks in the closing seconds of the games get injured. I am against this idea. Is the NFL trying to fix the Packers to not be as good as they were in the early seasons under Matt LaFleur? I know you are going to be retiring in July, and you will be wrapping up this column. I would like to see at least one more question answered by you from me before this all comes to an end.

Thanks for raising this issue, Stephen. We should find out soon if we will play in Dublin. The reality regarding international games is that it is a huge priority for the league, and we need to get used to playing them. At minimum, we will be playing an international game every other year. The NFL does not care who wins or loses these games – league officials want close, competitive games to help grow the popularity of the game internationally. Finally, I do not think there is any more risk of injury in international games. The league office does a good job of ensuring that the fields and games played overseas are in good condition.