NFL Combine 2012: How the NFL Network Has Made the Combine Must-See TV

For years, the NFL Scouting Combine was a bit mysterious and closed to the general public.

Now that the NFL Network broadcasts the event on television—providing hours of behind-the-scenes coverage—anyone can feel involved.

The combine is a fascinating event to watch unfold.

Maybe it's because viewers are actually seeing guys make or break their NFL futures right in front of their eyes, or maybe it's the sometimes ridiculous drills the players are subjected to, but for some reason the event has become incredibly watchable.

Part of the spectacle is the intense scrutiny of everything the participants do. Experts break down how well they get out of their stance during the 40-yard dash, as if that has any bearing on how well they actually play football. Analysts pick apart how receivers run routes without being covered, and how defensive backs defend again invisible receivers.

The whole thing is almost ridiculous, but incredibly intriguing.

In fact, the combine is so interesting that the NFL has decided to run a test by allowing 250 fans to attend the event this season. It is probably the first step toward opening up the combine to the public.

But, why do we care so much?

Probably for the same reason that HBO's Hard Knocks is so popular with sports fans. We love to see what athletes are like behind the scenes and in those rare moments of triumph and despair. It makes athletes so much easier to connect with and shows them as real people.

If a kid runs slower than he should have in the 40-yard dash and we can actually see the disappointment on his face, it makes us feel for him. After all, a tenth-of-a-second can mean the difference between millions of dollars going into his pocket or not.

What the NFL Network has done by televising the combine is bring the average fan that much closer to the process teams and players go through leading up the draft. And, by putting us in that position, the draft takes on a whole new level of significance.

For the next seven days we will have the chance to peer behind the curtain and see what really goes on when players trying to live out their lifelong dreams perform for scouts.

Personally, I'm going to be glued to my television.