The National Invitational Camp is set to take place in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium and college football fans and NFL fans alike are gearing up to watch their favorite players take the field in performances of both physical and mental drills. This process is to help NFL Teams gauge the value of the rookie class that will be entering the NFL in each given year. This event occurs by invitation only. A player must receive and invite to participate. Outside of the Combine certain schools will hold what is called a "Pro day". This is the other event that players will have to showcase their talents. The event will take place February 24th-March 2nd.

Earlier in the week, Fooch wrote two different articles on both the Combine Drills and a list of Pro Days at particular schools and the respective dates attached to them. These are very informative and if you are somewhat unfamiliar with just how everything works, then it's definitely work taking a look. I want to take it just one step further and provide one more link in which Mike Mayock from NFL Network describes each event in depth through video. It is very detailed in how each event can effect a specific position and also very much worth a glance over.

The purpose of the article is to Preview the Combine (which the title obviously states) and to also take a look in to the history of the draft and certain players that it has helped and hurt. After that, I am going to break down the Top 10 players that have alot to gain at the combine and the top 10 players that have a lot to lose at the combine. Unfortunately, some of the players will not be participating in the events. The most notable are potentially the top 4 Quarterbacks (Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, and Jimmy Clausen). All four Quarterbacks will however take part in their respective schools Pro Days.

After the jump, I'll go in to some of the history behind the NFL Scouting Combine and after that provide a short summary of each player that has something to lose and something to gain through the events.

NFL SCOUTING COMBINE HISTORY

Commonly known as the NFL Scouting Combine, also known as or referenced as the (NIC), began in 1982. The purpose of this event has always remained the same. It has been used as a tool to measure the health, ability, and psychological capacity of players entering the NFL. The combine had short lived tours through Arizona and New Orleans in the early 80's before it found it's landing in Indianapolis. The NFL continues to evolve but the process has stayed relatively the same throughout the years. The very first NIC had 163 players participate and established itself firmly enough to stick around.

Through the course of the last 28 years, several players have catapulted their stock and others have watched their stock plummet. Some players have got to the next level after having bad outings at the combine and had excellent careers and others have had great combines and completely busted. Below, I'll provide a list of players on each side of the spectrum in the last 10 years or so.

Players that have had good combines and have not done well for the most part at the next level:

1. Peter Warrick WR (Florida State --Drafted by Cincinnati) [3rd Pick Overall in the 2000 Draft]

2. Jamal Reynolds DE (Florida State -- Drafted by Green Bay) [10th Pick Overall in the 2001 Draft]

3. Ashlie Lelie WR (Hawaii -- Drafted by Denver) [19th Pick Overall in the 2002 Draft]

4. DeWayne Robertson DT (Kentucky -- Drafted by New York Jets) [3rd Pick Overall in the 2003 Draft]

5. Reggie Williams WR (Washington -- Drafted by Jacksonville) [10th Pick Overall in the 2004 Draft]

6. Thomas Davis LB (Georgia -- Drafted by Carolina) [14th Pick Overall in the 2005 Draft]

7. Reggie Bush RB (USC -- Drafted by New Orleans) [2nd Pick Overall in the 2006 Draft]

8. LaRon Landry S (LSU -- Drafted by Washington) [6th Pick Overall in the 2007 Draft]

9. Darren McFadden RB (Arkansas -- Drafted by Oakland) [4th Pick Overall in the 2008 Draft]

10. Tyson Jackson DE (LSU -- Drafted by Kansas City) [3rd Pick Overall in the 2009 Draft]

Note: I realize that some of these players are still young and still have a chance to do well, these examples are more or less just to illustrate a point.

Players that have had bad combines and have done well for the most part at the next level:

1. Keith Bulluck LB (Syracuse -- Drafted by Tennessee) [30th Pick Overall in the 2000 Draft]

2. Adrian Wilson SS (North Carolina State -- Drafted by Arizona) [64th Pick Overall in the 2001 Draft]

3. Brian Westbrook RB (Villanova -- Drafted by Philadelphia) [91st Pick Overall in the 2002 Draft]

4. Anquan Boldin WR (Florida State -- Drafted by Arizona) [54th Pick Overall in the 2003 Draft]

5. Darnell Dockett DT (Florida State -- Drafted by Arizona) [64th Pick Overall in the 2004 Draft]

6. Justin Tuck DE (Notre Dame -- Drafted by New York Giants) [74th Pick Overall in the 2005 Draft]

7. Marcus McNeil OT (Auburn -- Drafted by San Diego) [50th Pick Overall in the 2006 Draft]

8. LaMarr Woodley DE/ LB (Michigan -- Drafted by Pittsburgh) [46th Pick Overall in the 2007 Draft]

9. Ray Rice RB (Rutgers -- Drafted by Baltimore) [55th Pick Overall in the 2008 Draft]

10. Shonn Greene RB (Iowa -- Drafted by New York Jets) [65th Pick Overall in the 2009 Draft]

I am listing all of these players from both scenarios of having a good combine vs a bad combine to illustrate that it is not an exact science to determine how a player will do at the next level. Simply to show that it is only a tool to measure a players ability. Also to show that sometimes the value placed on a player's head is not always their true value. Players like Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith (recently inducted in to the Hall of Fame) did not have good combines but still ended up being two of the best to ever set foot on a football field.

Here are lists of 5 players that have a lot to gain from the combine and 5 players that have just as much to lose from their performances at the combine.  After that I've listed out everybody invited to the Combine:

5 PLAYERS THAT HAVE A LOT TO GAIN FROM THE 2010 COMBINE:

1. Jason Pierre-Paul DE (S. Florida)

JPP only had one year of football at the NCAA level and the rest was played at the JUCO level. He will need to have an excellent combine to solidify a possible top 10 selection.

2. Chris Cook CB (Virginia)

Cook is a big, physical, speedy Corner that could also play Safety. This test of skill for Cook could place him higher than what he is currently projected at. He had a very good outing at the Senior Bowl and has everything to gain by a good outing at the combine.

3. Brandon Graham DE (Michigan)

Graham was a menace on the football field for most of the year and had himself a very good Senior Bowl earning the MVP honor for that game. For some reason he still is not getting as muc hype as he deserves. This will be a great opportunity for him to climb the ladder on the draft boards.

4. Mardy Gilyard WR (Cincinnati)

Gilyard, much like Graham had one heck of a year and just as good of a game at the Senior Bowl. The Combine will heavily impact the way he is viewed of those who may have their eyes on him.

5. Golden Tate WR (Notre Dame)

Tate's stock status has somewhat been in limbo. There is not a real clear picture just as to where Tate could be drafted. He has alot to gain here as well but not much of a fall if he doesn't do the best.

5 PLAYERS THAT HAVE A LOT TO LOSE FROM THE 2010 NFL COMBINE

1. Taylor Mays S (USC)

Mays has been widely criticized for this and that. Right now he is still projected as a 1st Rounder but should he have a bad combine could fall in to the top portion of the 2nd Round.

2. Trent Williams OT (Oklahoma)

Williams is another one of those guys whose stock is pretty high up there. If he fails at some of the agility drills, he could fall further than he currently has. He's taken shots by some of the critics for giving up that very first sack this year that led to Sam Bradford's injury. His performance here could impact the fall even more.

3. Joe Haden CB (Florida)

There are a couple Corners eagerly waiting to nab that 1st spot for Corners taken in this years draft. Haden and people surrounding him have pumped his stock through the roof. If he slips just a little, there are guys like Kyle Wilson, Patrick Robinson, and Devin McCourty breathing down his neck that could step in front of him.

4. Mike Iupati OL (Idaho)

Iupati received alot of hype Pre-Senior Bowl and was regarded very solidly as a potential first-round selection. While that still looks like the case, Iupati had a horrible week of practice before the Senior Bowl and if he messes up here could find himself being selected in the 2nd.

5. Dez Bryant WR (Oklahoma State)

Out of all players, Bryant probably has the most to lose. He has been out of football and will be questioned about his suspension and off field issues. Scouts will be interested to see just how rusty he is since he missed a majority of the year. Bryant could have the most to lose out of anyone in this years draft.

Here is the schedule of events set to take place throughout the week:

http://www.nflcombine.net/players/schedule