Jammal Brown & Mark Bradley on the Combine

NORMAN, Okla. -- The 2005 NFL Combine begins Thursday at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. 12 Sooners -- the largest group invited from any school -- are expected to attend the Combine and go through various physical and mental challenges for team officials as clubs evaluate the talent pool available for the NFL Draft on April 23-24 in New York.

Players are separated by position and work out on specific days throughout the week. The individual evaluations begin on Feb. 24 with offensive linemen, kickers, punters and an initial group of running backs.

Quarterbacks, wide receivers and more running backs follow on Feb. 25 with defensive linemen and tight ends working out on Feb. 26. Defensive backs and linebackers make up the final group to appear on Feb. 27.

Oklahoma's Jammal Brown and Mark Bradley are in Indianapolis to work out for the NFL officials. Both will give their thoughts on the process as the combine unfolds.

How you've been preparing for this since the end of the season?
Jammal Brown - I've been in Phoenix, Ariz., working out Monday through Saturday, twice a day. We've been on this schedule for seven, eight weeks now.

Mark Bradley - After the season, I took about a week off to just rest. Then I got right back into training. I've been working with Coach Schmidt here in Norman. We've been focusing on the things that we'll have to do at the combine. Every aspect of the 40: the starts, the middle section and how to finish. They key is to get comfortable so you know where you need to be in a certain race against time.

We've been working on the three-cone shuttles. Also, we've been lifting and working out muscles you don't normally work out during the season. Things to get us in better shape to perform all those drills for the scouts and coaches at the combine.

How have the workouts differed from what you did at OU?
Brown - It's a little different in the approach -- because we're working towards different things. Back at OU, we worked a lot on overall conditioning. Since the end of the season, we've worked preparing for the physical tests specific to the combine.

How important is it to be comfortable with the situation mentally?
Brown - We've done a lot more than just work out. We learned about the combine and all the different scenarios. Like how the interviews are going to be and just things to familiarize us with the process.

Jammal Brown The mental aspect of the combine is very important. Every week, different offensive line coaches came in and taught us specific drills that will be in the combine. They also talked about things to help us once training camp begins.

I feel like I'm prepared and there won't be a lot of surprises. I know what's going on and why we're doing it. We've even looked at slides of the facilities so we'll know where everything is at. The key is to be as comfortable as possible so you can focus on your performance.

Bradley - My Dad has talked to me about it. He's been in that situation -- on both sides -- as a player and in the front office with the (Dallas) Cowboys.

I'm going to go in as myself. I'm not going to try and change anything as far as the interviews go. On the mental test, either you know it or you don't. I'm still the same guy that will sit down and laugh with you but get serious when it gets time to get down to business.

Besides the physical and mental training, how else have you prepared?
Brown - A nutritionist came in and worked with me. I needed to gain weight, so they created a menu tailored for me. There were certain things that I could choose to eat for lunch, for dinner, things like that. Each guy is different so everything was unique for your situation.

Did you know that OU had more players invited to the combine than any other school?
Brown - That just shows the quality of the program at Oklahoma. We've got a lot of players that can go on to the next level.

Bradley - You have to play well to get invited to the combine. You have to have caught the attention of scouts and coaches. Obviously, it helps when you're playing for a winning program with all the exposure you get at OU. All the big games we've played in -- it helps you individually.

People know Oklahoma across the country. I mean, we've won more games than anyone else the past five years. The numbers are crazy.

When are you scheduled to perform at the Combine?
Brown - I left Wednesday morning for Indianapolis. The offensive line group is evaluated on the first day of the combine on the 24th.

Bradley - I headed up here the 24th. But my group doesn't go until the 27th.

Who else was working out with you?
Brown - Brodney Pool, Mark Clayton, Donte Nicholson. Brandon Jones was also in Arizona but he worked with another group.

Bradley - Jonathan Jackson, Lynn McGruder, Jason White, Brandon Shelby, Antonio Perkins, Dan Cody -- we've all been working out in Norman.

It's basically a big job interview. How are the nerves?
Bradley - I feel comfortable with my times and where I am. Now, it's just going out there and doing it. I'm going to enjoy it because, you know, there a lot of athletes that don't get the opportunity to go to the combine.

It's another experience to remember. I'm pumped about it and excited to go up there and show them what I have to offer.

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Jammal Brown and Mark Bradley will share their experiences with fans here at SoonerSports.com leading up to the NFL Draft on April 23-24 at Madison Square Gardens in New York City.

Related - Sooner Hopefuls Headed for Combine

Note - This year, for the first time, people at home can watch live what goes on inside, thanks to NFL Network, which will have a two-hour daily show (Feb. 26 to March 1) where you will be able to watch the players run 40s and do skill drills on the RCA Dome floor. Check the link above for numbers worn by Sooner players.

Related - Brodney Pool Discusses His Decision

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Jammal Brown & Mark Bradley on the Combine

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