I had the opportunity to train a few college players for the NFL combines. And while many fans sit around on draft day and watch the picks. The real work has been already done prior to the draft. Most teams know who they will take and who is going to be available. The combines is a real life fear factor This workout along with any workouts for NFL teams can make you or break you. The other aspect believe it or not is...

who your coaches in college are connected with. Take Michael Williams WR USC Coached by Pete Carroll. Pete Carroll has the ability to talk to the coaches in the NFL about Mike Williams. Therefore you can bet on one of his old buddies waiting for the supplemental draft with full confidence and Mike Williams is selected.

On the other hand you can be Maurice Clarett who will not have any coaches at Ohio State backing him. But that doesn't mean he won't get an opportunity to prove himself. He could end up like Marshall Faulk a prime time player or be like Lawrence Phillips black balled out of the league and everywhere you go you end up being tossed out. The influence of coaches and scouts who have seen you reach as far as a phone call.

While many fans will be caught up in the hype of the draft picks and who there teams select. I wonder how many players will end up as practice players, some will move on to the Arena League, or Canada. There isn't many opportunities for an out of work football player. NFL Europe has a total of 5 teams and the league is controlled by the NFL so if you make enemies in the NFL you can be sure that your resume will be passed along to the other leagues.

For fans that watch the NFL draft stop for a minute and put yourself in a players shoes. You played well in college but now your closer than ever to being without your sport. Now what are you going to do? Your whole life you played football. Now what choices do you have. I've seen a few players in this situation. It isn't pretty nor is it funny. But it is all to common. Not drafted at least the draftees will get to go to camp and show the coaches what they can do. How many never get the chance because of a conflict with a coach, agent, but such is life.

To all the draftees good luck in preserving a long career in the NFL. To the many who will struggle to remain on an NFL roster good luck. To those who are content with playing in Canada and the Arena League good luck. To those who are unable to catch a glimpse of the NFL experience I hope you have prepared for a life away from football and secured a degree and a future.

I know there will be many players who will work hard and try every possible way to play and after this exhausting process find out for some reason they are not selected or retained. Like I say to players and people, "sometimes life is what you make it, sometimes life is how you take it".