Penix Visited Combine to Prepare for 'Biggest Interview of Your Life'

If NFL teams were smart, they would have coaxed Michael Penix Jr. out of the stands and made the University of Washington quarterback show what he's got right then and there. Had that happened, chances are he never would have been permitted to return to Seattle.

Before spring practice began, Penix and Husky offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb last weekend traveled together to the NFL combine in Indianapolis, pulled on event credentials and came just to get a look at the process that awaits the left-hander.

At Wednesday's UW practice, Penix was teased about whether anyone had tried to work him out while the former Indiana University offensive leader was back in his old college football haunts.

"It wasn't no throwing," Penix said, smiling. "Lot of educational stuff, just learning, getting the experience, so you know what to expect."

The purpose behind the trip was to show the sixth-year senior quarterback exactly what happens and for him to keep it all in perspective. It's unclear whether they flew commercial or on Grubb's Gulfstream ... of course, just kidding.

"Mainly, the experience was understanding the whole concept of the combine," Penix said. "It's definitely the interview of your life."

At the same time, he noted how the quarterbacks involved this time typically were asked to take five-step drops and throw deep out routes, something he routinely does every day in Montlake. Nothing new there.

"You have to just go out there, be confident and trust in. your abilities," Penix said. "You don't have to worry about the whole hype of the combine. Just go out there and do your thing."

The presence of Grubb showed once more how this coach with the rapidly expanding reputation remains an active presence in the development of his Husky quarterbacks.

Earlier this week, the offensive guru spoke about his ongoing relationship with back-up Dylan Morris and how he's helped get the former starter's game back on track.

They've even talked about how Morris deals with the lingering fan backlash that continues to shadow the quarterback two years following a 4-8 season.

With Penix, Grubb is just as involved in preparing his ace quarterback and the Huskies for potentially a bigger season than 11-2 last fall.

"Coach Grubb is amazing," Penix said. "We feed off each other's energy. We know the OC and the quarterback have to be hand and hand. I definitely feel our relationship is continuing to grow."

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