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The beginnings of the combine took place in 1977, when the
workouts were conducted by three separate scouting services National, Blesto and Quadra. The
system was streamlined even further in 1984, when the workouts were moved to one site. The
combine is an invite-only event, closed to all but invited players and NFL team officials.
The 2008 NFL Combine will be held February 20th-26th 2008
There are several reasons why the combine has become such an
important part of the draft process. Among them:
- All 32 teams get to watch the prospects in an equal setting, under the
same conditions.
- Owners, general managers and coaches have the opportunity to see most
everyone who will be drafted -- all in one place, within a four-day period. There will be
plenty of flying around the country for individual workouts in the weeks to come, but the
combine is "one-stop shopping."
- The combine is another means of helping teams make good decisions, and
the escalating cost of signing first-round draft picks makes the decision-making process
all the more crucial. Teams spent a total of $160 million on signing bonuses for last
year's first-round picks. They want to make sure they know what they're doing.
Players stay at a hotel within walking distance of the RCA Dome. After
dinner on Thursday, they will get a brief orientation on how to conduct themselves in the
coming weeks (after the draft, rookies will have a three-day seminar that expands on life in
the NFL).
Here is a breakdown of the certain physical and mental tests the players
will go through:
 40
Yard Dash
Each and every prospect can be tested in the 40 yard dash, although each
and every prospect can deny to be tested. The 40 yard dash is a test of speed, power,
explosion, and a little bit of conditioning. Each prospect will be measured by the second and
how long it takes you to complete a 40 yard sprint. The 40 yard dash will also be timed for 10
yard and 20 yard splits to test explosion.
The Drill: From a three-point stance, a player runs 40 yards as fast as
he can. He is timed at three increments: 10, 20 and 40 yards. The 10-yard time is especially
important for offensive and defensive linemen because they usually don't run farther than that
during a play. Players get hand-held times (by scouts using stopwatches) and electronic times
(recorded by a machine using a beam).
What it tests: Pure speed from Point A to Point B under ideal conditions
(indoors, AstroTurf, no weather obstacles).
Bench
Press
The bench press is the biggest test of upper body strength out there. It
also will test conditioning. Each player must bench press 225 lbs. as many reps as they can.
Quarterbacks and wide receivers are exempt from the test. The bench press is the most
important for offensive and defensive linemen.
The Drill: The player lies on a weight bench and lifts a 225-pound
barbell as many times as he can. He has to lower it to his chest each time to count as a
legitimate repetition.
What it tests: Strength and conditioning.
Vertical
Jump
The vertical jump isn’t really the most important test for football
players. It is basically a test of explosion and power. Technique is huge here. Each player
will be tested by a machine that will measure how high your fingers touch when going directly
up in the air. The vertical jump is the most important for receivers and defensive backs.
The Drill: Years ago, players jumped up to touch a wall that was marked
in blue chalk. Now, the player stands flat-footed and raises his arm straight up. His reach is
measured from the ground to the tip of his fingers with a telescopic ruler. The pole is
lowered to that height. The player then jumps straight up and hits as many plastic flags as he
can. The flags, spaced half an inch apart, rotate when hit.
What it tests: Vertical leg explosion.
Broad
Jump
The broad jump is similar to the vertical jump. Although the broad jump
measures how far you jump not how high. Technique is also important here. It is also similar
to the long jump in track and field, but here the player will not run, but rather jump from a
standing position. The broad jump is the best test for lower body strength, explosion, and
power. The broad jump is the most important for running backs, linemen, and linebackers.
The Drill: he player puts his toes on a line and leaps forward. Distance
is measured from the line to where his heels land.
What it tests: Leg explosion, quickness and lateral burst
20
Yard Shuttle
The 20 yard shuttle is one of the most underrated tests at the combine.
The 20 yard shuttle is a test of speed, explosion, and changing of directions. Technique is
also important here. Each prospect will be timed by seconds in how fast they can go 5 yards to
their left, then 10 back to the right, and finishing 5 yards to their left in one straight
line.
The Drill: The player straddles a yard line and puts one hand down in a
three-point stance. He can start by going either right or left. Let's say he starts at the 5,
with the goal line to his right. He runs 5 yards to his right and touches the goal line with
his right hand. He then runs 10 yards to his left and touches the 10-yard line with his left
hand. He finishes by running back to the 5.
What it tests: Lateral quickness, coordination and change of direction.
60
Yard Shuttle or Long Shuttle
The 60 Yard Shuttle is the same thing as the 20 yard shuttle but instead
of 5, 10, and 5, it is 10, 20, and 10. The 60 Yard Shuttle is the combine’s best test of
conditioning.
The Drill: From a starting line, a player runs 5 yards and back, then 10
yards and back, then 15 yards and back. He must bend down and touch the line at each 5-, 10-
and 15-yard interval, for a total of six touches.
What it tests: Speed, endurance and conditioning.
3
Cone Drill
The 3 Cone Drill is the newest addition to the NFL scouting combine,
replacing the “4 Cone” or “Box” drill. The 3 cone drill is also a test of speed,
explosion, and changing directions. Each prospect will be timed by seconds in how fast they
can sprint ten yards, back, back again and around a third cone parallel to the 2nd.
The Drill: Three orange cones are placed on the field forming an
"L." Cone 1 is at the end of the L, Cone 2 is at the corner of the L and Cone 3 is
at the top of the L. There are 5 yards between each cone. The player starts by getting down in
a three-point stance next to Cone 1. He runs to Cone 2, bends down and touches a line with his
right hand. Then he turns and runs back to Cone 1, bends down and touches that line with his
right hand. Then he runs back to Cone 2 and around the outside of it, weaves inside Cone 3 (as
if he were running a figure eight), then cuts tightly around the outside of Cones 3 and 2
before finishing at Cone 1 in a full sprint.
What it tests: Speed, quickness, flexibility, change of direction, body
control.
Position
Specific Drills
Each prospect must go through football drills designed for their
specific position. NFL coaches and scouts will follow each of the prospects, guiding them
through the drills and watching their every move. The drills are somewhat overlooked since the
workout numbers is what everyone seems to care about.
NFL
Team Interviews
Each NFL team can chose up to 60 prospects at the combine to interview.
The interviews are held at the hotel where the prospects stay and believe me questions can
really, really vary.
The
Wonderlic Test
The wonderlic test is similar to the I.Q. test everyone in the world
knows of. Although the Wonderlic is definitely is not the same. The Wonderlic taken at the
Combine takes 12 minutes and contains 50 questions. The test is also designed so most
prospects do not finish in time. For more information on the Wonderlic Test go to
http://www.wonderlic.com
The
Measurements
Each prospect is measured with their height, weight, arm length, and
hand length. Also running backs and linemen’s body fat percentage will be measured.
The
Cybex Test
The Cybex Test isn’t the most important test prospects must go
through. Although, injured and previously injured prospect’s results in the Cybex Test will
get serious looks from coaches. The Cybex Test will test the flexibility and joint movement of
each prospect. Each prospect will be hooked to a machine which will determine their results.
Injury
Evaluation
Each prospect will go through X-rays and physicals to determine their
current injuries and their injury histories. Injured prospects coming into the combine will
get serious looks. Few prospects really come out of the combine with injuries they did not
know they already had. Also each prospect will take a urine test to check for substances that
are not allowed in the NFL. |
