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The NFL held its first ever veteran combine, to give players hoping for another --in many cases, one last-- chance to play in the league a chance to strut their stuff. Or in some cases, confirm that their careers are indeed over.
Though more than 100 players attended the Veteran Combine, two former Giants stood out in their position groups.
The first is running back Da'Rel Scott, who posted the fastest 40 yard dash time of the running back group. Scott was drafted with the 221st pick in the 2011 NFL draft after recording the fastest 40-yard dash in the 2011 combine at 4.34 seconds.
The running back from Maryland bounced on and off the Giants' roster for the next two years before his Giants career ended in Week 6 of 2013 when he suffered a serious hamstring injury against the Chicago Bears.
At the Veteran Combine, Scott recorded 40-yard dashes of 4.74 and 4.75 seconds. A far cry from his former blazing speed, even accounting for a slow track surface, but the 26-year-old was still the fastest back in attendance.
Defensive tackle Nate Collins signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He was cut that season by the Giants and was a mid-season signing by the Jacksonville Jaguars, and played in 12 games for the Jags in the 2011 season. Collins signed with the Chicago Bears in 2012, but had his 2013 season cut short by a torn ACL. Collins seems to be past the injury and was reportedly impressive in his positional drills.
Finally, the Giants were seen talking to linebacker Brandon Copeland.
The 23-yearold, 6-foot-3, 246-pound linebacker posted and impressive 4.52 second 40-yard dash, and reportedly looked very impressive in his positional drills. That represents a marked improvement over his college pro day numbers, where he recorded a 4.72 second 40-yard dash. Though it should be noted he weighed in at 260 pounds at his college pro day.
Copeland was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent out out of Pennsylvania (not Penn State) following the 2013 draft. He was also on the Tennessee Titans' practice squad before playing for the Orlando Predators Arena League Football team in 2014
Coming out of college, Copeland was tagged as a potential DE/OLB, who could have the bulk to rush the passer as a defensive end, and the athleticism to play linebacker as well. At his new weight, and apparently improved athleticism, it is certainly possible that Copeland could play linebacker in the Giants 4-3 defense, though they may also look to him as a potential stand-up rusher, a la O'Brien Schofield last year.
Copeland reportedly has offers from four teams, though it we have yet to hear if the Giants are one of those teams.