500 Words Or Less has been on hiatus as we're in the slow season of college football news. Trust me, you know you're in the slow season when THIS is news about coach Jim Tressel..

But I guess you could more accurately describe this period as a transition for seniors and a group of juniors as they prepare to make the leap from amateur to professional. So while this is a time when NFL free agency, the NFL Combine and the NFL Draft dominates headlines, you could say that college football has its hand in the latter two.

Recapping the month in 500 words or less, this is what we learned about the approaching 2010 season:

• The NFL Scouting Combine continues to draw mixed reviews. On the one hand, some despise it. While on the other hand, others don't really care. Nobody seems too thrilled about it. It's been well-documented that success, or lack thereof, at the Combine does not necessarily translate into success on the field. Hell, Taylor Mays may have even been clocked incorrectly in the 40 so how can you trust the spectacle? Anyway, if nothing else, it's a good way to see who stayed in shape after the season and talk to players before the draft.

• In Draft/Combine news, Ndamukong Suh climbed ahead of Gerald McCoy on most draft boards following the Combine (McCoy isn't convinced). Suh was the consensus top prospect before the draft in many minds, but after McCoy managed just 23 reps on the bench press, some are concerned with his strength (even if he does have long arms). McCoy topped Suh in other categories like the 40 and the broad jump. I do tend to agree with XPF's Michael Klopman that the Combine is a bit tired, but it would trouble me just a little that my defensive tackle could manage just 3 more reps than the 170 lbs Dexter McCluster. Maybe it's nothing...McCoy will still go top five and should.

• Lane Kiffin really is making it a family affair at USC. 28 year-old Chris Kiffin will join his brother and father in Los Angeles as a defensive administrative assistant. Kiffin was an offensive intern at Nebraska (Monte Kiffin's alma mater and the school that gave him his coaching start as a graduate assistant and later as defensive coordinator) last season, but he apparently jumped at the chance to work with his father. The Los Angeles Times quotes C. Kiffin as saying, "The No. 1 thing for me was going to work for my father. That's what made it an easy decision for me."

• The Oregon football program is in turmoil, albeit off the field, following a string arrests this calendar year and a couple unflattering accusations. (AS I TYPED THE LAST SENTENCE ANOTHER STORY OF AN ARRESTED DUCK POPPED UP! I WISH I WAS KIDDING/EXAGERATING.) The latest now is Josh Kaddu, a sophomore, who was cited with minor in possession of alcohol early Saturday morning. Apparently things could have been much worse for Kaddu, as he was spotted by police trying to get into a GMC Yukon. The driver of the vehicle arrived a short while later and declined to press charges.

• Kaddu became just the latest Duck arrested in 2010. Linebacker Kiko Alonso was charged with DUI, running back LaMichael James was arrested for domestic violence, kicker Rob Beard was charged with assault, defensive end Matt Simms was charged with simple assault, while quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and wide receiver Garrett Embry were accused of robbery. Neither has been charged. And don't forget wide receiver Jamere Holland's dismissal from the team after a Facebook slight to the coaching staff following Alonso's suspension.

I'd be remiss not to mention running back LeGarrette Blount's meltdown following opening night last season. I'm not one to blame Chip Kelly for his team's off-the-field woes. He's so far handled each incident accordingly: Simms was dismissed from the team, as was Embry (on Jan. 8, two weeks before the alleged incident, for violating team rules according to the team). And, as I've mentioned, Alonso was suspended for the season.

Beard pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of harassment and will serve one year probation and 100 hours of community service. Simms' charge was also reduced to harassment and he was sentenced to 40 hours of community service. Alonso pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants, driving while uninsured, minor in possession of alcohol, improper turn and failure to maintain a lane.

It will be interesting to see how Masoli is dealt with should he be arrested and charged in the robbery case, and how James is eventually dealt with. Both players will be/would have been key to the Ducks' success next season.

As we move closer to the NFL Draft, we'll continue to profile this year's most heralded and controversial prospects. Also stay tuned for the first mock draft of the season. - Danny Hobrock

Danny is a sports journalist primarily covering college football and professional baseball. His work for Xtra Point Football has garnered national attention and is critically acclaimed. Danny is the former editor of a political and current events website and the editor of our college football content.

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