New-look drills begin at 2020 NFL Scouting Combine

Enough talk. Time for football. Or, at least, the non-padded version that resembles a track meet. Either way, on-field drills at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine begin today, and they have moved to primetime this year. Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends will work out beginning at 4 p.m. ET from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Following is the remaining NFL Network day-by-day Combine week coverage schedule:

Thursday, February 27

• 7:00 AM – Good Morning Football – LIVE
• 10:00 AM – Good Morning Football – Re-Air
• 1:00 PM – NFL Now – LIVE
• 3:00 PM – NFL Total Access – LIVE
• 4:00 PM – 2020 NFL Scouting Combine – Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers & Tight Ends – LIVE
• 11:00 PM – NFL Total Access – LIVE

Friday, February 28

• 7:00 AM – Good Morning Football – LIVE
• 10:00 AM – Good Morning Football – Re-Air
• 1:00 PM – NFL Now – LIVE
• 3:00 PM – NFL Total Access – LIVE
• 4:00 PM – 2020 NFL Scouting Combine – Running Backs, Offensive Linemen & Special Teams – LIVE​
• 11:00 PM – NFL Total Access – LIVE

Saturday, February 29

• 9:00 AM – 2020 NFL Scouting Combine – Running Backs, Offensive Linemen & Special Teams – Re-Air
• 12 Noon – 2020 NFL Scouting Combine – Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers & Tight Ends – Re-Air
• 3:00 PM – NFL Total Access – LIVE
• 4:00 PM – 2020 NFL Scouting Combine – Defensive Linemen & Linebackers – LIVE
• 11:00 PM – NFL Total Access – LIVE

Sunday, March 1

• 10:00 AM – 2020 NFL Scouting Combine – Defensive Linemen & Linebackers – Re-Air
• 1:00 PM – NFL Total Access – LIVE
• 2:00 PM – 2020 NFL Scouting Combine – Defensive Backs – LIVE
• 7:00 PM – NFL Total Access – LIVE

In anticipation of tonight, Daniel Jeremiah, the lead draft analyst for NFL Network, named the top five candidates to break the 40-yard dash record. John Ross of the Bengals has held for three years at 4.22 seconds.

1. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
2. Javelin K. Guidry, CB, Utah
3. Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas
4. Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
5. Raymond Calais, RB, Louisiana-Lafayette

"When I watch Alabama's offense, I can't take my eyes off Henry Ruggs," Jeremiah wrote. "His speed leaps off the screen, both at the line of scrimmage and after the catch. He obliterates pursuit angles down the field and does so in effortless fashion. While in high school, Ruggs broke the Alabama state record in the 100 meters (10.58). Running the 40 last spring, he was timed in the 4.2s by NFL scouts. He is a legitimate threat to break Ross' record."

Giants begin restructuring defense with release of Ogletree & Martin

The Giants yesterday began what is expected to be a significant restructuring of their defense when they released linebackers Alec Ogletree and Kareem Martin. Ogletree and Martin played two seasons for the Giants.

Ogletree was acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams for fourth and sixth-round draft choices on March 14, 2018. In his two years with the Giants, he started all 26 games in which he played – missing three each year - had a team-high 173 tackles and was twice elected a team captain.

Martin joined the Giants one day after Ogletree, as a free agent from the Arizona Cardinals. In his first season with the Giants in 2018, Martin played in all 16 games with seven starts at strongside linebacker and finished with a career-high 48 tackles (22 solo) and tied his career best with 1.5 sacks.

But Martin played in only five games in 2019. He hurt his knee in the season opener in Dallas, was placed on injured reserve and was sidelined for three months. Martin returned for the season's final four games and finished the season with six tackles (three solo).

Joe Judge hires Amos Jones as assistant coach/special projects & situations

Giants coach Joe Judge continued to fortify his coaching staff yesterday with the hiring of Amos Jones as assistant coach – special projects and situations.

Jones, 60, is entering his 40th consecutive year as a high school, collegiate or NFL coach. He has spent the last 13 seasons in the NFL, most recently as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' assistant special teams coach in 2019.

Judge and Jones have previously worked together at the former's alma mater, Mississippi State, from 2004-06. Judge was a senior backup quarterback and special teamer in 2004 before beginning his coaching career and a three-year stint as graduate assistant with the Bulldogs the following season. During those three years, Jones was a linebackers and special teams coach.

"Amos is someone I've known for quite some time," Judge said. "I have a high trust factor with him. He's definitely somebody who has worked consistently throughout his career with a number of organizations dealing with situations. He's got an eye for all sides of the ball. He'll help with a lot of special projects that will come up throughout the season with evaluation of ourselves and our opponents.

"I think everybody on our staff will bring value from their own experiences and it will tie together and complement each other. Amos brings a wealth of experience to our team."