Got your 40 time where you want it? Working on that bench press/squat weight/reps?

It’s time to put that all to good use, as the National Football League’s unofficial off-season convention, the NFL (Draft) Combine is set to begin this coming week in its usual home of Indianapolis.

To the naked eye, it’s simply a gathering of NFL draft hopefuls, there by invitation, a huge cattle call. The NFL always loves to market things, and the workouts are even televised by the NFL Network.

Behind the scenes, though, it’s a huge gossipfest. Most NFL execs and coaches are there, along with player agents, and yes, most of the national media and team beat reporters are there as well. The Indy bars and restaurants are the places where the groundwork for lots of deals – trades, signings, etc. – are done.

With a new collective bargaining agreement on the horizon at some official point, with changes to the schedule and playoff system, there will be a lot of juicy nuggets, you better believe it.

So much of the Tom Brady hysteria we’ve been hearing will reach new heights. Remember how it was during Super Bowl Week? Good grief, it was ridiculous. Every NFL pundit and celebrity seemed to think they had the inside track on what is going to happen with Brady’s free agency. Around here, news about the game was secondary.

It will be like that again this coming week, but there seems to be some legitimacy to the idea that Brady (via agent Don Yee) and the Patriots may begin talking to see what’s what. Remember, we’re less than a month away from the start of real March Madness, which is NFL free agency.

Right around that time (March 16-18 or so) we should have more of an idea. But you will hear plenty of ideas with people saying they know for sure this team is offering this, Brady will go to test the market, that team is offering that, the Patriots are thinking this. Oh, and let’s ot forget all the kryptic Brady social media posts. It will be driving you crazy.

Of course, in a way we only have Brady to blame for all this. He didn’t like what the Patriots were offering him last summer so he decided to take his ball and hide it for these few months. It doesn’t seem to be in his makeup to leave, but who knows.

But the gossip is out of control and will continue to be. Let’s not lose sight of the event that will be going on, however – the Combine, and the draft prospects who are working out at it. While it may be a waste of time for some, it opens eyes on some prospects for others.

But what should not be forgotten is the fact the Patriots have several holes to fill and need a good draft. And they really, really, really need to get younger and add speed. They need to bolster their offensive line. They obviously need help at tight end. They could use another receiver in what is supposed to be a deep draft. And Brady isnt’t the only free agent they need to try to re-sign.

The Patriots can make everyone in New England happy by re-signing Brady, That helps for a couple of years. But they need to worry about more than that, and the draft is their best way to helping their future, because their picks in the past have basically stunk. They need to do so much better.

So fasten your seat belts. The NFL will be front and center in the next few days, and the social media rumors will make you dizzy.

Keep calm, stay focused, and keep working on that 40 time…

Tom King may be reached at 594-1251,tking@nashuatelegraph.com, or@Telegraph _TomK.

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