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NFL drills Here's a sample of what the coaches and scouts look for during the NFL combine.
40-yard dash Players also timed at 10 and 20 yards during their runs to test explosiveness. Last year's best: Tye Hill, DB, Clemson/ Rams and Tim Jennings, DB, Georgia/Colts, 4.3 seconds.
Bench press Players bench 225 pounds as many times as they can. Repetitions not completed to the satisfaction of the coaches running the drill aren't counted. Last year's best: Mike Kudla, DL, Ohio State/ undrafted, 45 repetitions (tied record).
Vertical jump Players get two chances to show how high their fingers touch at the peak of their jump. The difference between a player's reach standing and at the top of his leap is the figure used. Last year's best: Gerrick McPhearson, DB, Maryland/Giants, 44 1/2 inches.
Broad jump Players jump from a standing position. Last year's best: Will Blackmon, WR, Boston College/Packers and Pat Watkins, DB, Florida State/Cowboys, 11 feet, 1 inch.
Three-cone drill Titans scout C.O. Brocato usually is given credit for thinking up this staple. A test of speed and change of direction as a player makes his way through three cones set in an L shape with 5 yards between each cone. Last year's best: Tye Hill, DB, Clemson/Rams, 6.63 seconds.
Shuttle drills A measure of conditioning and explosiveness. For the first (20 yards), players are timed how fast they go 5 yards to the left, 10 yards to the right and 5 yards back to the left. For the second (60 yards), players are timed going 10, 20, 20 and 10 yards. Last year's best (20 yards): A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State/Packers and Michael Huff, DB, Texas/Raiders, 3.96 seconds. |
