Baas: 6-4.4, 319 and the No.1 Guard ... No Biggie?

Seven Wolverines are in attendance at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. And NFL analysts Allen Trieur and Josh Turel are at the Combine as special correspondents for GoBlueWolverine. First up: a report from a press conference featuring former Michigan center David Bass.

David Baas doesn't see what all the fuss is about - even though he is ranked as the No.1 guard prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft. Most of the questioning Baas faced during a press conference on day-one of the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis had to do with where he'll line up in the pros, guard or center. "It wasn't that big of a deal really," he said regarding playing both positions at Michigan. "I'm just happy I paid attention in meetings."

Baas arrived late Wednesday night, and weighed in on Thursday morning. He came in at 6-foot-4, 319-pounds. Thursday night Baas received his interview card which lists all NFL teams that have scheduled interview time with him. The rest of the week will be for him to interview, work out and attempt to improve his draft stock.

One team that is likely on the interview list is Cleveland. The Browns didn't get a chance to interview Baas at the Senior Bowl but told him they would definitely get to him in Indianapolis. Cleveland could be selecting Baas with their high second round pick. With former first-round pick Jeff Faine already on the team, Baas would likely move back to guard if drafted by the Browns. Baas has also informally met with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The question of position isn't a concern to Baas as he sees the two positions as similar. "I'm more comfortable at guard," he said, "But I'm getting more comfortable at center."

When asked by a member of the media if U-M had trouble finding a helmet that could fit his head, Baas responded with, "I'm a caveman."

Baas has been compared to former Michigan guard and current Seattle Seahawk Steve Hutchinson. He also has been in contact with former Wolverine center Dave Pearson, who went undrafted last year but has been through the NFL camps and was on the 2004 roster for the Detroit Lions.

What's clear about Baas is that the Florida native is fully Maize and Blue and will carry that with him into the pros. "There's a lot of honor and tradition in the (Michigan) program," he said. "I'm glad I got to be a part of it."

+++++++++++++++++++++++

For Scout.com's Combine Stories: Weights and Heights and Live wire feed, etc., go to: NFLDraftExperts.com's Combine Stories: Weights and Heights and Live wire feed.

For the NFL Draft order, player rankings, plus full coverage of the Combine, go to: TheNFLDraftExperts.com.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Combine Week Schedule (from MGoBlue.com):

Following is the NFL Network's daily schedule of workouts of the two-hour daily window:

Feb. 26 -- Offensive Linemen, Running Backs
Feb. 27 -- Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs
Feb. 28 -- Tight Ends, Defensive Linemen
March 1 -- Linebackers, Defensive Backs