The NFL appears to be quite enthusiastic about expanding its regional scouting combines in order to turn the lead-up to the draft into an American Idol-style reality show, which makes perfect sense when you consider that such a strategy would only help with selling the game and exposing more potential future stars.
It also means more storylines like this one, which comes from NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal:
The March 2-3 New Jersey regional will mark a first in the regional combine process: A female player will compete. Lauren Silberman of New York City will participate as a kicker.
"I was not aware that I was the first female registrant," Silberman said on Tuesday. "I was actually hoping that the 2012 historical milestone rule, to allow women to play, would prompt more women to attend tryouts this year. But for me, what's important is to finally have a chance to fulfill my dreams by trying out to play in the world's most competitive football league."
Imagine that.
Yes, it's very far-fetched, but kicking is enough of a specialty that size and strength disadvantages aren't really a major factor. The 28-year-old Silberman would have to pull off a major, major upset, but that's exactly what Greg Zuerlein did one year ago.
Silberman doesn't come from the football world, though (she was a varsity soccer player at Wisconsin) so it's not likely she'll be able to compete with NCAA-level kicks out of the blue. However, this could help blaze a path for more females to give such a thing a shot, and maybe we'll eventually get football's version of Manon Rhéaume.
