NFL Scouting Combine

The first major event on the NFL calender is the 'Scouting Combine' between the 24th February and the 2nd March. What is this all about?? Well for one week the NFL world desends on Indianapolis and the Lucas Oil Stadium. General Managers, Head Coaches, Positional Coaches and Scouts all turn up to put the top recruits for the NFL draft, through their paces. They do this both on and off the field. For the first few days each team can select some of the recruits theat they will want to speak to. This takes place as a formal interview, and this is were the teams try to access a players attitude, and try to get to grips with his personality. This is very important for the teams as if they bring in a wrong type of player, it can upset the dressing room. Also, if the player turns out to be somebody who is not particualy a hard worker, or does not handle the fact that he now has a lot of time and money on his hands, then this can be a very expensive mistake.

The next stage of the combine is the workouts. Each participent has to complete a set of general workouts, for every player, before moving onto more position specific drills. Every player has to complete these drills;


40 Yard Dash - This tends to be the most watched event. The players start in a three point stance an explode into a 40 yard run. Their times are broken down into 10, 20 and obviously 40 yard sections, which shows the scout the explosion of the player.

Bench Press - This is an endurance test. The weight is 225 lbs, and the players have to complete as many reps as possiable. This will show he scouts how far that the player can push his self, as well as how much preparation he has put in, in the gym.

Vertical Jump - This is a test of the players lower body explosive power. The player starts flatfooted, jumps as high, and reaches as high as he possiably can. The height that the players hand reaces is measured, giving the coach a good idea of just how much power the player possesses.

Broad Jump - This again is another test of lower body strength and explosion. The player stands balanced, leaps forward as far as possiable, but has to land and not move. This test also shows the players balance.

3 Cone Drill - This is a test of the players ability to change diection quickly. 3 cones are set out in a L shape, the player starts at th first cone runs to the second cone, touches it and runs back to his start point. He then touches that, turns around, before taking off round the 2nd cone, weaves through and around the 3rd, back round the 2nd and back to the first, which stops the clock.

Shuttle Run - This is a test of the players lateral movement and quickness in a small area. He starts in a 3 point stance at the middle cones, he then explodes out of the position and laterally moves to the left cone. He touches this cone before turning and running , through the midle cone, to the right cone. He touches this cone before turning and sprinting back to the middle cone, which stops the clock.

They also complete a number of postition specific drills, in which the scouts look for certain abilities and traits. Here is a quick guide to what the scouts are looking for in each position:

QB - The QB / C exchange, the 3, 5, 7 step drop, throwing the whole route tree and the throwing motion.

RB - The intitial explosion off the line, ability to change direction quickly and reactions. Also pass protection understanding.

WR - Vision, hand / eye co-ordination, good hands and a good understanding of the route tree.

OL - Ability to get out of stance effectivley, balance, postitioning over heels and power of punch into DL.

DL - Reaction to snap, explosion out of stance, rip and swim techniques and acceleration.

LB - Back pedal, change of direction, hands and ability to be a 3 down LB.

DB - Back pedal, change of direction, ability to attack the ball and natural hands.

So as you can see, the combine is a very stern examination of their personality and skills. Their performance can certainly effect where in the draft that they will get selected, and ultimatly how much money they will make. For a full list of all players that are due to attend this years combine go to http://tiny.cc/cIabK

Over the next few days nflgbview will take a closer look at the top 5 players from each postion, tell you their strengths and weaknesses and what to look for when they compete at the combine. I hope you can now understand the importance of this process for these young players and the teams. Be sure that nflgbview will have in depth coverage from the combine, you will not miss a thing!!

If you have any questions or points to raise regarding the NFL Combine or any other NFL issue, please get in touch. Email - nflgbview@googlemail.com Twitter - nflgbview or leave a comment