One of our connections at the Scouting Combine says that one of the big topics in Indy is the UFL, which currently is scheduled to begin play in 2009.

Per the source, the powers-that-be are increasingly concerned about losing some employees to the new league.  One of the fears is that the UFL will pilfer some of the good younger coaches and scouts. 

Supposedly, the UFL will be paying $1 million per year to head coaches, and $500,000 per year to General Managers.

The bigger issue is the potential impact of a work stoppage in 2011.  If/when teams lay off folks in departments such as marketing, sales, and/or ticketing, opportunities could be created for the UFL to hire up the best of those who find themselves out of work.

“I get the sense that the league office and the owners are very concerned that a lot of their key front-office people will be poached,” the source said.

Another possibility in the event of a work stoppage is that some NFL players might opt to jump to the UFL until the labor impasse is resolved.  It would create a replacements-type scenario, but instead of the owners signing non-NFL talent to fill the uniforms the NFL players would take the field for another league.  Though the individual contracts prevent potentially hazardous activities, a decision by the owners to lock the players out presumably would allow then them to play football or wrestle or cage fight or charm cobras or date Britney Spears.