The curiosity surrounding Michael Sam is the obvious story here at the NFL’s veteran combine in Phoenix, but there are some other “names” on hand.
Specifically, the 2007 NFL Draft has a significant presence here.
Among the odd collection of guys looking for closure here are three members of the first round of that year’s selection meeting.
Former Falcons defensive end Jamaal Anderson (the eighth overall pick that year) is on hand, along with former Rams defensive tackle Adam Carriker (No. 13).
Anderson had 7.5 sacks in six NFL seasons, and hasn’t turned up since the Bears cut him at the end of training camp in 2013.
Carriker had a decent career before a knee injury ended it, but he’s still the cat the Rams took one spot before the Jets chose some guy named Darrelle Revis.
Another late addition to today’s list was quarterback Brady Quinn, who was chosen 22nd that year by the Browns (man, they never miss on quarterbacks, how did that happen?).
Quinn turned up with the Dolphins last year, after stints with the Broncos, Chiefs, Seahawks, Jets and Rams.
While the NFL has effectively seen everything these guys have to offer, today gives them one more (last) chance. While the usefulness of this process is debatable, for guys like Carriker who have ostensibly had a chance to rehab old injuries, it’s at least a chance to prove themselves well.