For all the players who get a shot to make an NFL roster every year, there are countless others stuck on the outside, consumed by getting one more chance to play in the league. That's why Brian Woods dreamed up The Spring League, an independent organization that held its inaugural season during a three-week period in April at the Greenbrier Sports Performance Center in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. And you'll recognize some of the names on display. The two biggest were Ahmad Bradshaw, who has had 11 surgeries in nine years but was also a key player on two Super Bowl-winning teams, and former All-Pro defensive lineman Greg Hardy, who has dealt with both on- and off-the-field issues, specifically domestic violence charges in 2014. Ben Tate, Anthony "Boobie" Dixon and Sam Montgomery also took part in the showcase. We were there to capture it all as the players tried to catch the eyes of NFL scouts.

Offensive linemen Mitchell Bell (left) and Haniteli Lousi sit in the lobby of the Greenbrier Sports Performance Center. It might seem like an odd setting to host an instructional football league, but Greenbrier hosted the New Orleans Saints' training camp from 2014-16 and will host the Houston Texans this summer. LISTEN : Defensive lineman Dominique "Niko" Davis on his expectations for The Spring League