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NFL decision makers witnessed something Saturday in Indianapolis they never had before, and what they all saw was a sign that things are changing - quickly.
Six offensive linemen, paced by Arkansas Pine-Bluff's Terron Armstead, ran the 40-yard dash in less than five seconds. Armstead (6'5, 306) ran the most-watched event in a brisk 4.71 seconds, setting a new combine record for an offensive linemen.
Armestead's time left Syracuse offensive lineman Justin Pugh (6'4, 307) in the dust, despite the former Orange star running the drill in an impressive 5.14 seconds. That time would have been good enough for last year's sixth-best time.
Even better, Pugh's 10-yard split time came in at an impressive 1.67 seconds.
Two other players - Oklahoma's Lane Johnson and Oregon's Kyle Long - also bested last year's top performance by a offensive linemen, which was 4.94 seconds by Oklahoma's Donald Stephenson.
Understanding a 40-yard dash does not make a offensive lineman, Pugh finished the 3-cone drill in 7.45 seconds, good enough for sixth-best overall, and placed ninth in the 20-yard shuttle (4.63 seconds).
Pugh, who defiantly showed off his athleticism, did not participate in the bench press. He will more than likely perform that during Syracuse's Pro Day, March 7.
If you haven't been following Pugh's road to the NFL, the biggest knock on him as been his arm length (32 inches). However, if you check the history of potential prospects former No. 3-overall selection Joe Thomas (32 1/2") and No. 1-overall pick Jake Long (32 7/8") both had short arms as well.
It will be interesting to see if this really hurts his draft stock come April 25-27 when the 2013 NFL Draft takes place.
On Sunday, the fun really begins for Syracuse football fans as quarterback Ryan Nassib and wide receiver Alec Lemon participate in drills.
Lemon will be first on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium running the 40-yard dash at 9 a.m. ET, while Nassibe will begin at 11 a.m. ET.
If you'd like to check both of them out, click here.