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QBs make a good impression at the podium

There are almost always "important" media interview sessions here at the Scouting combine. Most of the time it has to do with players with potential red flags. Any position can be represented -- think Vontaze Burfict, Manti Te'o or even Tyrann Mathieu -- but many times, it has to do with the quarterback. That's the position that leads most often, and the one the gets the most scrutiny. Ryan Mallett was grilled in Indy, as was Cam Newton. Johnny Manziel too.

I remember back in 2006, not knowing much about a Vanderbilt quarterback who was gaining steam as a prospect, and after his session, thinking if I was the Cardinals I'd be wary. Jay Cutler could play, but he definitely gave off a lousy vibe.

Friday, the quarterbacks all talked. All the top guys have some kind of scrutiny. But after getting a chance to hear all of them, all left good impressions, albeit in different ways. Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson definitely showed the most personality, with Mayfield coming strong with his confidence he will be the best QB and emphasizing he will be honest with whatever missteps he might have made. "I want teams to know what they are getting," he said.

Jackson could only chuckle at the idea he might be asked to move to receiver. "Man, I thought I did pretty good at quarterback," he said with a smile. (He did.) He said no teams have talked to him about a position switch but it doesn't matter, because he isn't going anywhere. The other top guys -- Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen -- were solid themselves. Nothing flashy, but they didn't come across poorly.

Of course, it's the interview process with the teams behind closed doors that will ultimately mean more. But teams do pay attention to how these players handle their business in front of the cameras. That box has been checked.

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