Local athletes take part in NFL Combine

INDIANAPOLIS - Among the 330 players taking part in the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine are two athletes who grew up in Northeast Wisconsin. As luck would have it, they were seated at tables right next to each other, at the same exact time, to talk to the media.

"It's pretty cool to have two guys so close to each other at this Combine," said linebacker Mike Taylor. "That doesn't happen very often."

Taylor went to Ashwaubenon High School and the University of Wisconsin. Sitting just a few feet away was AJ Klein, a Kimberly High School and Iowa State alum. Both play linebacker, with similar tough-nosed styles.

"[I] play with quickness, read and react. Overall I think I can bring a lot of versatility to the team," said Klein. "I think I can play different positions, be moved around, be utilized in many different ways."

Taylor was part of a defense at Wisconsin that prided itself on stopping the run.

"Ability to tackle, smart football player," said Taylor of his skills. "That's probably my biggest strength, which is tackling. Find a way to get to the ball."

Both players say they rooted for the Packers when they were younger, kindling their football dreams. Working out and meeting with pro coaches and team personnel allowed a few minutes to reflect.

"Growing up, I was always the small one," said Klein. "Always kind of working against that, underdog kind of situations. If me back then saw me now, that's one thing, just how much I've grown, how much bigger I've gotten."

Taylor also thought back to what his younger self would think of a trip to the Combine.

"Very proud," said Taylor. "Writing down your goals and your dreams, to be so far away from them back then, it's starting to come together, starting to come true. Obviously nothing's happened yet, but just to be in this position is pretty cool."