The NFL is expanding access for fans at its scouting combine, letting them witness the bench press up close, watch media interviews and even allowing them to try their hand at running the 40-yard dash.The league opened the application process for free tickets to the event on its Fan Mobile Pass app and on NFL.com on Tuesday morning. A total of 6,000 non-transferable tickets will be handed out for the combine, which takes place March 2-5 at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.Its part of the leagues larger goal to make more out of its out-of-season events.We wanted to continue to allow for fans to get closer to the game when theres so much hope during the offseason, said NFL senior vice president of events Peter OReilly.Fans can watch the players perform for NFL personnel from the Lucas Oil Stadium stands or interact with them at the Convention Center, where players will be interviewed by the media and participate in autograph sessions.At the Convention Center, fans can head to an area dubbed The Combine Corner, where they will be able to run the 40 and perform other combine drills, including the vertical and broad jump. Other attractions will include an obstacle course where fans can show off their skills against tackling dummies and The Gauntlet, where they can take on a barrage of passes thrown from a machine. Fans who take part in the events will have to sign waivers that indemnify the league should a fan suffer an injury.For those less inclined to get physical, theres the NFL draft set, where fans can pretend they were just drafted and take a picture behind the podium wearing their teams jersey.When brainstorming which event fans could get really close to, league executives decided the bench press, in which a player lifts 225 pounds as many times as he can, to be the best fit.The fans will be right there, cheering and chanting for the players, OReilly said.The NFL combine, as a business, has steadily grown over the years. It was held behind closed doors until the NFL Network started broadcasting the event in 2004. Last year, the league brought in 1,500 fans to witness the event at Lucas Oil Stadium.In April, the league brought the draft on the road to Chicago and built a huge outside space with team hubs in Grant Park, attracting more than 200,000 fans.Fans who compete in the drills are just doing it for fun, but what happens if one runs an impressive 40?Said OReilly: I guess the scouts and GMs will be close by.Custom Milwaukee Brewers Jerseys . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Stitched Brewers Jerseys . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. https://www.cheapbrewers.com/ . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Brewers Jerseys China .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. Wholesale Brewers Jerseys . That left plenty of energy for pitching books and swatting away free agency questions. Anthony had 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Knicks avenged an embarrassing home loss with a rout of their own, beating the Boston Celtics 114-88 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory.LOS ANGELES -- Seeking an offensive spark for a team mired in last place and dogged by injuries, the Los Angeles Dodgers are turning to prized prospect Yasiel Puig. The Cuban defector was called up on Monday from Double-A Chattanooga, where he hit .313 with eight homers, 37 RBIs and 13 steals in 40 games. His batting average and a .599 slugging percentage led the Southern League. "Its exciting," manager Don Mattingly said. "He has a chance to give you some energy." The 22-year-old outfielder batted leadoff, singling to centre field in his major league debut. He wasnt on base long, with Nick Punto grounding into a double play. Puig played right field, with Andre Ethier moving to centre in place of injured Matt Kemp, who is on the disabled list with a strained hamstring. Left fielder Carl Crawford went on the DL on Monday with a strained hamstring. "I was really excited," Puig said through a translator about his reaction to being called up. "I want to help the Dodgers win and fight the battle." Puig takes the roster spot of right-hander Matt Magill, who was returned to the minors following a spot start on Sunday. Los Angeles also promoted Stephen Fife from Triple-A Albuquerque, and he started Monday night against San Diego in place of Chris Capuano. Puig signed a $42 million, seven-year contract with the Dodgers last June. He showed signs of living up to the hype in spring training, hitting .517 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 27 games before he was sent to the minors. With Crawford, Kemp and Ethier starting, there wasnt going to be playing time for Puig. Now with two-thirds of the outfield hurt, tthats no longer a problem.dddddddddddd "We all got a chance to see what he could do in spring training. If it can be anything like that it could be fun to watch," Mattingly said. "Were going to have a guy that possibly makes some mistakes. If he does, hopefully he doesnt make the same mistake twice." Mattingly compared Puig to former major leaguer Bo Jackson because the 6-foot-3, 245-pounders body reminds him of an NFL running back. "He does so many things," the manager said, citing Puigs "raw speed, power, energy." Dodgers fans arent the only ones curious about Puig. "Hes very talented. Hes got a lot of tools," San Diego Padres manager Bud Black said before Monday nights game. "Hes got some power, hes got some speed, he has a good throwing arm. It looks like he can hit." Whether Puig plays well enough to stick around or this becomes nothing more than a brief taste of the majors remains to be seen. The Dodgers will be looking for evidence of maturity on the part of Puig, who was arrested in April for driving 97 mph in a 50-mph zone in Chattanooga, Tenn. "Theyve had plenty of people talk to him about it," Mattingly said. Mattingly wonders how Puig will react if he struggles against big league pitching. "The difference between the minors and majors is adjustments," Mattingly said. "The guys who can make them seem to stick." Mattingly mentioned Puigs confidence as one of his attributes, and the centre fielder had it on display. "Finally made it to the major leagues," he said. "I know I can help the team play." ' ' '