NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith told reporters Wednesday that he wants to get rid of the NFL Combine and suggested replacing it with regional pro days. Smith’s comments echo those of NFL executive Troy Vincent, who compared the combine to a “slave auction” at an owners’ meeting in December.

“Think about it … the NCAA and the NFL structure a combine during what should be every football player’s what? Last semester in college,” Smith said at the NFLPA’s annual Super Bowl press conference. “Who decided that it was a good idea to take your son and have him exclusively try out for the NFL’s exclusive way of getting into the league, for the most part, unless you’re a free-agent player? You have to be invited to the combine.”

Smith went on to say that players had to agree to difficult conditions, including what he considered extensive and unnecessary medical evaluations, in order to qualify for the combine. The annual evaluation is the most effective way for players to get drafted to the NFL, a league that controls a virtual monopoly over the most competitive football in the country.

“We’re now in an era where we know exactly how fast these guys can run, how much they can lift, how far they can jump, do all of those things,” Smith said, referring to abundant scouting information available online. “Why do we insist on them showing up in Indianapolis? It’s not for anything physical, right? It’s for the teams to be able to engage in intrusive employment actions that don’t exist anywhere else.”

Back in December, Vincent went even further than Smith, claiming that the combine dehumanized players by reducing them to strictly physical attributes. At the time, several owners came forward to vigorously deny Vincent’s claims, arguing that teams had to have an understanding of such traits before drafting players. They also argued that the combine offers a platform for players to promote themselves.

Smith’s argument seems to cut through many of the owners’ defense, as regional pro days would offer teams a chance to evaluate players on the field without nearly as many restrictions. Such a system could also allow more players to receive attention from teams before the draft, expanding the number of opportunities the league can provide to lesser-known athletes.

NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent compared the NFL Combine to a “slave auction” at a league meeting Wednesday, leading some NFL owners to criticize the administrator for making an outlandish comparison. Vincent argued that some of the characteristics of the combine resembled physical tests administered to determine the value of slaves.

“It’s a great opportunity for the young men, but there has to be some form of dignity and level of dignity and respect as they go through that process,” Vincent told reporters after the meeting. “That was the overall theme around our combine [discussion.]”

At least four NFL owners objected to Vincent’s assessment during the meeting. According to inside sources speaking to CBS Sports, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank was reportedly the first to speak and express that he had been offended. Blank has been credited many times over the years for promoting diversity within his organization and the league.

After Blank, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reportedly addressed the “privilege” of playing in the NFL and the opportunities that the combine provided. Jones recently came under fire after a photo was found depicting him as a 14-year-old in a group of white students barring black students from integrating his Arkansas high school. Jones claimed that he and his friends were there out of curiosity, not in an attempt to prevent the students from entering.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II reportedly spoke next, arguing that teams required knowledge of players’ physical attributes before drafting them. Rooney also serves as the chairman of the NFL Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Buffalo Bills owner Tom Pegula was reportedly the fourth owner to address Vincent’s comments. In a cryptic statement, Pegula reportedly said that he did not support weigh-ins at the combine but also went on to say that such processes are what viewers want to see. He also compared women’s tennis players wearing revealing outfits to players going through physical trials at the combine. Others in attendance at the meeting were confused by his comments, which effectively ended the conversation.

Itching for the opportunity to remain in football after being forced out as New York Giants head coach, Tom Coughlin was granted his wish Wednesday.

Coughling, 70, will remain in the NFL and in New York after taking a position with the NFL’s football operations department, according to NFL insider, Jim Trotter.

NFL Hires New York Giants’ Ring of Honor Inductee Tom Coughlin

The department is headed up by former Philadelphia Eagle Troy Vincent, the league’s Executive Vice President of Football Operations.

Vincent’s department deals with rules, officiating and communications with players and coaches about the game on the field.

Known for his stringently regimented schedule, Coughlin should be a good fit for his new role.

TOM COUGHLIN ON GIANTS CHRONICLES

Coughlin made it clear to Peter KIng he was still interested in coaching when he announced his resignation from the GIants. King and the two-time Super Bowl champ discussed the possibility of a return to the sidelines for Coughlin on TheMMQB.com back in May.

“I’ve coached 47 years of my life. You take that away and that’s not an easy thing to duplicate,” Coughlin told King. “It’ll take two to tango. The 70-year-old-man stuff will be a factor, and I’m sure they’ll know this would be a three- or four-year thing.”

When one door closes, another opens.