It is better to be fast than slow while traversing through the meat market that is the NFL combine.

Every word, every step, every bobble — it’s all there to be analyzed by those scouts toting their stop watches and high expectations.

Four of five former Huskers (receiver Maurice Purify, offensive lineman Carl Nicks, quarterback Sam Keller and linebacker Steve Octavien) have already undergone the experience of being tested like lab rats at this week’s NFL combine in Indianapolis. Cornerback Zack Bowman goes under the microscope on Tuesday.

If the whole thing sounds void of fun, just remember it could be worse: They could be those football players not invited to be tested like lab rats.

After all, only so many (about 330 this year) get invited to attend the combine, and only so many of the invited leave the event with smiling faces.

So consider Purify and Nicks two of the lucky ones. Both left this year’s combine to satisfying reviews, the kind that certainly wouldn’t hurt their draft status and might even help it.

Purify ran the 40-yard-dash in 4.56 seconds, according to Scott Wright of NFL Draft Countdown.

That time is hardly eye-popping, but also not embarrassing for a guy who stands 6-feet-4, 220 pounds. As Wright said, some scouts were expecting Purify might run a time in the 4.7s.

“He put himself into position to be a late-round pick,” Wright said. “What’s going to be important now is his interviews. He needs to convince coaches and general managers that off-the-field problems won’t be an issue.”

Purify had some hangups before the 2007 season that caused him to be suspended from Nebraska’s season opener. Purify has said he learned his lesson from those mistakes, but NFL general managers about to make a high-dollar investment in a player don’t let any past misdeeds go without questions.

Commenting on his on-the-field showing at the combine, USA Today reported that “Purify’s smooth athleticism and secure hands were sure to catch the attention of NFL coaches sitting in the RCA Dome stands. … The struggles with consistency throughout his career were nowhere to be seen Sunday, as Purify was one of the more dynamic receivers during either of the two practice sessions held for the position.”

Nicks figures to go the highest of any Husker in this upcoming draft, possibly the only one who gets picked up on the first day (the first three rounds).

Wright believes Nicks won’t be a first-round selection, but has enough positive momentum to be a second-rounder, even noting that the New York Jets and their  new offensive line coach/running game coordinator Bill Callahan could be a good fit for the big man’s services.

Reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “Nicks has a massive 341-pound frame but still turned in a 5.01-second 40 time, showing excellent range for his size in the process. In addition, he benched pressed the standard 225 pounds an impressive 31 times.”

Keller apparently did not do as well. When asked on the air to name one quarterback who didn’t impress at the combine, ESPN’s Todd McShay pointed to Keller. The quarterback’s arm strength and accuracy has been questioned by several scouts.

“There’s some talk that (Keller) came off as a little cocky in the (combine) press conference, but there’s a fine line between cocky and confident and that’s always kind of in the eye of the beholder,” Wright said. “He was alright. He didn’t stand out really. He probably leaves about the same as he was coming in, a possible late-round pick or free agent.”

Octavien worked out on Monday, posting a 40 time of 4.67 seconds, the eighth-fastest amongst linebackers.

Wright said everyone will be interested to see how Bowman runs on Tuesday. Though the cornerback suffered two serious knee injuries at Nebraska, making him a risk for any team, he’ll have the attention of plenty of onlookers who once had him rated high on their draft boards.

“The biggest thing for him is medical checks,” Wright said. "If not for injuries, he could have been a first-round talent. He’s a good player. Injuries just killed him. But who knows? He’s maybe one of those players where a team takes a late-round flyer on him and ends up getting a first- or second-round talent.”

Reach Brian Christopherson at 473-7439 or bchristopherson@journalstar.com.