General manager Ryan Pace will lead a contingent of more than 60 Bears staffers down Interstate 65 to Indianapolis this week for the NFL Scouting Combine.
Approximately 330 of the nation's top draft-eligible college players will be poked, prodded, timed, weighed and interviewed at the annual event, which runs through next Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Bears outside linebacker Pernell McPhee runs a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine in 2011.
The Bears will be well-represented at the seven-day gathering, with Pace being joined by head coach John Fox; assistant coaches; staffers from the college scouting, pro personnel and video departments; and doctors, trainers and strength coaches.
The NFL prospects will participate in position drills and be timed in the 40-yard dash, three-cone drill and shuttle run; tested in the vertical jump and broad jump; and asked to bench-press 225 pounds as many times as they can.
Every evening beginning Thursday, each NFL team will conduct 15-minute interviews with 60 prospects they had to choose in advance. Like their counterparts, the Bears conduct their interviews in a hotel suite.
The players also take the Wonderlic test, an exam of problem-solving ability that measures intelligence. Participants have 12 minutes to answer 50 questions. One of the questions might ask: "A train travels 20 feet in 1/5 second. At this same speed, how many feet will it travel in three seconds?"
Medical tests are also a key aspect of the evaluation process. Players who have suffered injuries in college are sent to a nearby hospital for an X-ray, and those who've had surgery are usually asked to take an MRI exam.
Beginning Wednesday when Pace and Fox are scheduled to speak to the media, ChicagoBears.com will provide complete coverage of the Combine via articles, videos and photo galleries.
