Part track meet, part grammar school fitness test. I speak, of course of the NFL Scouting Combine.
Each February, hundreds of the very best college football players are invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Ind., where executives, coaches, scouts and doctors from all 32 NFL teams conduct an intense, four-day job interview in advance of the NFL Draft.
In an attempt to live what the pros live, TODAY'S TMJ4's Lance Allan joins 620WTMJ's "Wisconsin Sports Weekend" hosts Jeff Falconio and Greg Matzek in a simulated combine workout.
The “WTMJ Combine Extravaganza” will test our skill levels in the areas where the future pros are tested.
The event will be supervised by certified athletic trainer Brad Arnett – a former UW-Whitewater player and a man who has trained current NFL athletes for this very thing. The man knows his stuff.
Allow us to share with you a breakdown of the measurable drills we will be putting our hamstrings through:
40-yard dash
The marquee event at the combine. It's all about speed, explosion, that first step from a static start, and sustainability.
Bench press
The bench press is a test of strength -- 225 pounds is the standard test. What the NFL scouts are also looking for is muscular endurance and to see who has spent some time in the weight room the last several years. We may need to modify this one…
Vertical jump
The vertical jump is all about lower-body explosion and power…of which we have plenty. From a flat-footed beginning, how far can one leap straight up? To make more compelling, picture a short stack of IHOP pancakes at the top of the chart…that will add 3 inches to your jump.
Broad jump
The broad jump is like being in gym class back in junior high school. It’s another lower-body explosion and lower-body strength. The athlete starts out with a stance balanced and then he explodes out as far as he can. One trick…you have to land without moving…no diving face first.
Shuttle run
The short shuttle is the first of the cone drills. It is known as the 5-10-5. What it tests is the athlete's lateral quickness and explosion in short areas. The athlete starts in the three-point stance, explodes out 5 yards to his right, touches the line, goes back 10 yards to his left, left hand touches the line, pivot, then turns 5 more yards and finishes.
3 cone drill
The 3 cone drill tests an athlete's ability to change directions at a high speed. The three cones in set up in an L-shape. We’ll start static from a starting line, go 5 yards to the first cone and back. Then, we’ll turn and run around the second cone, run a weave around the third cone, change directions, and then come back around that second cone to finish. This is much easier done than explained.
Wonderlic Test
I think it’s safe to assume that this is the area we will shine and blow the doors off of current and future NFL’ers. Ahmad Carroll’s test is what we should base our success off of.
