Former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton will arrive at the NFL scouting combine that begins Thursday as a man of mystery and intrigue.
And, that's not necessarily a good thing.
Is he a legitimate NFL quarterback or the next SEC bust like JaMarcus Russell?
Did his father really shop him around to colleges?
Does he really have a sense of self-entitlement and is a crappy teammate?
Can the Heisman Trophy winner from Westlake High read complicated pro defenses?
At Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Newton will address all of his "issues" when he meets with NFL teams for his professional-football job interview.
"It's the biggest issue going into the draft right now," ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said. "Cam Newton has faced all sorts of adversity this year, and he's handled it beautifully. He put himself in those positions, or his family did, but he handled it and it never affected his play on the field. There are a lot of positives, a lot of negatives and a lot of unknowns."
A major portion of the job tryout for the nation's top football players will be televised by NFL Network.
Here's a look at the NFL scouting combine, which will feature the two most recent Heisman Trophy winners in Newton and Alabama running back Mark Ingram and the top-rated wide receiver, Georgia's A.J. Green.
What they do: The players undergo medical examinations and interviews with teams and go through position, agility and conditioning drills.
Players run the 40-yard dash and lift weights set at 225 pounds as many times as possible.
Who's under the bright lights: In addition to Newton, Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett will be heavily scrutinized. His ability to perform under pressure has been questioned.
Who will be there: A total of 330 players from across the country, and Georgia and Georgia Tech will be well-represented.
Georgia invitees include Green, fullback Shaun Chapas, offensive tackles Clint Boling and Josh Davis, defensive end DeMarcus Dobbs, linebackers Akeem Dent and Justin Houston, and cornerback Vance Cuff.
Georgia Tech invitees include running back Anthony Allen, cornerback Mario Butler and safety Jerrard Tarrant.
Other players with local ties include Newton, Ohio State defensive end Cameron Heyward (Whitefield Academy/Peachtree Ridge) and South Carolina defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye (Banneker).
What are the Falcons scouting: The Falcons select 27th and are looking improve their pass defense. Based on sheer numbers, the Falcons likely will focus on the defensive ends.
"It's the best defensive-end class that I've seen," said NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock, who gives first-round grades to nine defensive ends.
There isn't much first-round help at cornerback, and the Falcons are set at safety.
LSU's Patrick Peterson, Nebraska's Prince Amukamara and Colorado's Jimmy Smith are the only cornerbacks whom McShay lists with first-round grades.
What group to watch: There is not clear-cut leader in the quarterbacks group. Missouri's Blaine Gabbert, Washington's Jake Locker, Newton and Mallett are considered the top four quarterbacks.
"How do you figure these quarterbacks out is key," Mayock said. "Who are they? What are they? Who's going to be a boom guy? Who's going to be a bust guy?"
