INDIANAPOLIS — When Gophers defensive back Jordan Howden runs drills at Lucas Oil Stadium in front of evaluators on Friday, he'll carry a piece of advice from a decent football mind.
From a table inside the Indiana Convention Center on Thursday, Howden recalled a speech by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, whose coaching staff led Howden's West team in the East-West Shrine Bowl — a college all-star game — earlier this offseason. Howden heard there's more to being an NFL player than posting the fastest run in shorts.
"He don't really care about the 40[-yard dash] or about how far you jump, it's about how you condition," Howden said.