Breaking the NFL Combine's codes

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2009/02/breaking-the-nfl-combines-codes.html

Breaking the NFL Combine's codes

This story, which I've honestly been reporting for three years so that I can get a better understanding of these combine workouts, will give you some pointers of what to look for during these tests of athleticism teams like the Dolphins use to put their draft boards together.

Here is a look at five story lines to watch this week that centers around the 325 prospects who are participating in the combine.

We also provide you a breakdown of the top prospects competing in the workouts, which includes position ranking and round projections.

Most talent evaluates say what an athlete does here can only move them up a round, maybe two from where teams have them placed on their pre-combine draft board.

"I tell the players all the time that there are tiers at your position. Tier 1, tier 2, tier 3. Their will be a number of running backs in tier one. There are too many factors to stack him up next to the next back based solely on film. There are too many differentials because there are different systems, different levels of play. That's why pure athleticism across the board is an important measuring tool," said Perfect Competition trainer Pete Bommarito, who trained nearly three dozen of the athletes who will be participating in the combine. "[The combine workouts] differentiates whether they are in the top or bottom of their tier.

"You get put in tiers based on your film. Tier one is an elite running back. Tier two is the better than average running back. Tier three is average, but good enough to make the team, but must be a beast on special teams. The same goes for every other position."

Here's an explanation of the drills and tests teams will use to stack these players up.

3 Cone Drill

This test, which uses three cones set up in a triangle or L shape, gauges speed, agility and cutting ability. A player sprints 5 yards to the first cone, reaches down and touches a white line, then heads back to the second cone. He runs around the outside of the second cone, and cuts right to the third cone. He runs a circle around the third cone from the inside to the outside, then runs around the second cone before sprinting through the first cone.

20-Yard Shuttle

The 20-yard shuttle tests lateral speed and coordination by having players run 5 yards to one side, touch the yard line, then sprint 10 yards in the other direction, touch the yard line again, then sprint back to the starting point.

40-Yard Dash

Running 40 yards as fast as possible is a test of speed. The player is timed in 10-, 20- and 40-yard increments to gauge his explosiveness and top speed.

Bench Press

The goal is to bench press 225 pounds as many times as possible to determine core strength. This drill is critical for linemen.

Broad Jump

A jump done from a standing position that measures how far a player can jump. This drill is critical for positions that use lower-body strength to gain an advantage, such as linemen and tailbacks.

Vertical Jump

A leap upwards from a stationary position which tests vertical power, which is important in the passing game.

“If you are talking about a 5-foot-10 cornerback and he vertical jumps 42-inches that’s pretty important to know because it helps you know about his ability to cover taller receivers in the redzone,” said Mike Mayock, the NFL Network’s lead draft analyst. “Now it doesn’t help if a 6-foot-4 receiver also jumps 42 inches too.”

60-Yard Shuttle

The 60-yard shuttle is basically the same drill as the 20-yard shuttle, just longer. It is geared to test endurance. The only difference is the player runs 10 yards to one side, then back 20 yards, and then 10 yards to the starting point.

Position Specific Drills

Considered the best way to test a player’s ability to play a specific position. Each battery of tests is tailor-made for the position.

Also expect.....:

Physical Measurements: Each player will be measured for height, weight, arm and hand length, and many will have their body fat percentage measured. A quarterback with small hands or a short-armed offensive tackle can see their stock drop.

Team Interviews: Each NFL team gets to interview up to 60 of the prospects and ask questions designed to evaluate character, mental toughness and football intelligence. Some players are asked to diagram plays.

The Wonderlic Test: This test is designed to measure a player’s overall intelligence. The Wonderlic is 50 questions and includes math problems. Each player is given 23 minutes to complete it.

The Cybex Test: This is a machine that tests players’ joint movement and flexibility. It usually identifies players who are battling a recent injury or are injury prone.

Injury Evaluation: In conjunction with the Cybex test, each prospect also must go through a plethora of medical tests, including X-rays and physicals with team physicians.

Urine test: As with many prospective employees these days, each player must pass a urine test, designed to identify drug use. Failing a drug test they know they are going to take is clearly a red flag for all team, but you'll be surprised how often it happens.

Come back later today for combine updates, and what coach Tony Sparano had to say (1 p.m.) regarding the improves the Dolphins need to make to take this team to the next level.

Deuces.

> Posted by Omar Kelly at 8:03:08 AM