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Around SBN: Ohio State And Florida Target 2013 Receiver Recruits

An Introduction to the 2010 NFL Combine



Oh yeah, baby! It's time for the first big event of the NFL off-season, the National Invitational Camp better known as the NFL Scouting Combine. 

From February 24th to March 2nd, most of the nations top prospects will descend on Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to show scouts from every single NFL team just what they're made of.

Like last year, I have put together an informative collection of material regarding the 2010 NFL Combine; a Combine FAQ, if you will. By the time you're done reading this, you'll know more than anyone else in the office. 

Included is a link to take a sample Wonderlic test. Don't forget to take that and post your score, if you're so inclined. 

Star-divide

How did the Combine get started?

From NFLCombine.net.

National Invitational Camp (NIC), more commonly known as the NFL Scouting Combine, began in 1982 when National Football Scouting, Inc. first conducted a camp for its member NFL clubs in Tampa, Florida. The key purpose then, same as it is today, was to ascertain medical information on the top draft eligible prospects in college football. The inaugural NIC was attended by a total of 163 players and established a foundation for future expansion.

During the first three years, two additional camps were held at different times to collect similar information for teams that did not belong to National Football Scouting. However, in 1985 all 28 NFL teams decided they would participate in future National Invitational Camps with the goal of sharing costs for the medical examinations of draft eligible players. After brief stints in New Orleans (1984, 1986) and Arizona (1985) the camp was moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where it has been operated since 1987.

As football and the art of evaluating players has evolved, so has the NFL Scouting Combine. While medical examinations remain the number one priority of the event, athletes will also participate in a variety of psychological and physical tests, as well as, formal and informal interviews with top executives, coaches and scouts from all 32 NFL teams. NIC is the ultimate four day job interview for the top college football players eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft.

 

Who is eligible to be invited to the NFL Combine?

From NFLCombine.net.

  • All college seniors are eligible for the NFL Combine immediately following their final year of collegiate eligibility.
  • Any underclassmen who declare for the NFL draft and satisfy all NCAA and NFL requirements are eligible to participate.
  • Additionally, an athlete who is not playing collegiate football may qualify under a special circumstance in the year that correlates to his natural draft year had he been playing college football. He must first contact the Player Personnel Department at the NFL Office in New York to verify eligibility for the upcoming NFL Draft.


How are players selected for the NFL Combine?

From NFLCombine.net.

Participants are determined annually by a Selection Committee. The Directors of both National and BLESTO scouting services, which combined represent twenty-six NFL teams, are joined by members of various NFL player personnel departments to form the committee. The participating NFL executives can rotate on a yearly basis, and remain anonymous. ALL eligible players are reviewed and voted on by the committee members. Each athlete receiving the necessary number of votes, by position, is then extended an invitation. While it is not a perfect science, the goal of the committee is to invite every player that will be drafted in the ensuing NFL Draft.

 

What is the schedule?

From ESPN.

Thursday - February 25, 2010

Offensive linemen, kickers, punters, long-snappers and tight ends available to media 

Friday - February 26, 2010

Quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers available to media 

Saturday  - February 27, 2010

Defensive linemen and linebackers available to media 

Offensive linemen, tight ends and specialists work out 

Sunday - February 28, 2010

Defensive backs available to media 

Quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs work out 

Monday - March 1, 2010

Defensive linemen and linebackers work out 

Tuesday - March 2, 2010

Defensive backs work out    

From NFL.com.

Saturday, Feb. 27
Group 1 (OL, SPECIALISTS)
Group 2 (OL)
Group 3 (TE)
Sunday, Feb. 28
Group 4 (QB, WR)
Group 5 (QB, WR)
Group 6 (RB)
Monday, March 1
Group 7 (DL)
Group 8 (DL)
Group 9 (LB)
Tuesday, March 2
Group 10 (DB)
Group 11 (DB)

 

What physical drills do the players perform?

There are six different drills the players are required to perform during the combine. Below is a bit more about each of those drills, from the NFL's official combine home, as well as a link to the NFL's descriptions from last year. 

40-yard dash

More from NFL.com

The 40-yard dash is the marquee event at the combine. It's kind of like the 100-meters at the Olympics: It's all about speed, explosion and watching skilled athletes run great times. These athletes are timed at 10, 20 and 40-yard intervals. What the scouts are looking for is an explosion from a static start.

Bench press

More from NFL.com

The bench press is a test of strength -- 225 pounds, as many reps as the athlete can get. What the NFL scouts are also looking for is endurance. Anybody can do a max one time, but what the bench press tells the pro scouts is how often the athlete frequented his college weight room for the last 3-5 years.

Vertical jump

More from NFL.com

The vertical jump is all about lower-body explosion and power. The athlete stands flat-footed and they measure his reach. It is important to accurately measure the reach, because the differential between the reach and the flag the athlete touches is his vertical jump measurement.

Broad jump

More from NFL.com

The broad jump is like being in gym class back in junior high school. Basically, it is testing an athlete's 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. It tests explosion and balance, because he has to land without moving.

3 cone drill

More from NFL.com

The 3 cone drill tests an athlete's ability to change directions at a high speed. Three cones in an L-shape. He starts from the starting line, goes 5 yards to the first cone and back. Then, he turns, runs around the second cone, runs a weave around the third cone, which is the high point of the L, changes directions, comes back around that second cone and finishes.

Shuttle run

More from NFL.com

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, explodse out 5 yards to his right, touches the line, goes back 10 yards to his left, left hand touches the line, pivot, and he turns 5 more yards and finishes.    

Position Specific Drills

These drills vary by position. For a detailed video about each position specific drill, check out the NFL's combine workout page.

 

What are good benchmarks to hit for each of these drills?

Over at SB Nation's Denver Broncos blog, someone put together a pretty sweet post including a most excellent table showing benchmarks that players will want to reach, broken down by position and event. Definitely worth the look. 

 

How else are players evaluated? 

NFL Team Interviews

Each NFL team can interview up to 60 players at the combine. Questions range in topics from football to personal.

The Wonderlic Test

From Wikipedia

The Wonderlic Personnel Test is an intelligence test primarily known for being administered to prospective employees for the purposes of recruitment, placement, development and retention. The Wonderlic is a twelve-minute, fifty-question exam to assess aptitude for learning a job and adapting to solve problems for employees in a wide range of occupations. The score is calculated as the number of correct answers given in the allotted time. A score of 20 is intended to indicate average intelligence.    

This assessment roughly corresponds to examples from Paul Zimmerman'sThe New Thinking Man's Guide to Pro Football. According to Zimmerman, examples of average scores for each position are:

  • Offensive tackle - 26
  • Center - 25
  • Quarterback - 24
  • Guard - 23
  • Tight end - 22
  • Safety - 19
  • Linebacker - 19
  • Cornerback - 18
  • Wide receiver - 17
  • Fullback - 17
  • Halfback - 16

Here are some notable high scores from years past:

Drew Henson - 42

Alex Smith -  40

Eli Manning  - 39

Brian Griese  - 39

Tony Romo -  37

Drew Bledsoe -  36

Matt Leinart  - 35

Kellen Clemens  - 35

Tom Brady  - 33

Steve Young -  33

John Beck  - 30

Philip Rivers  - 30

Troy Aikman -  29

Brady Quinn  - 29

Drew Brees  - 28

Peyton Manning  - 28

Ryan Leaf  - 27

Ben Roethlisberger -  25

Brett Favre -  22

For ever more fun, click right here and take a version of the test yourself. Then post your score below in the comment section. Remember that it's a timed test and the timer starts immediately, so don't click over until you're ready to go. 

 

Measurements

Players' height, weight, arm length, and hand length are measured. Body fat percentage is measured on running backs and lineman.

The Cybex Test

Players are hooked up to a machine that tests their flexibility and joint movement. 

Injury Evaluation

Players are given physicals and x-ray examinations.

 

 

What players should Saints fans keep their eye on?

I think most of us would agree that, once again, the Saints need to go defense not only with their first round pick but with most of their picks in this years draft. I'm also getting the sense that the most preferred positions from readers of Da Chronic would be defensive tackle, defensive end and outside linebacker. So here is a full list of all players at those positions that will be participating. 

 

Defensive Lineman

Name Position College
Alem, Rahim DE LSU
Alexander, Charles DT LSU
Alualu, Tyson DE California
Atkins, Geno DT Georgia
Basped, Kevin DE Nevada
Carrington, Alex DE Arkansas State
Cody, Terrence DT Alabama
Coleman, Antonio DE Auburn
Cunningham, Jermaine DE Florida
Davis, Dexter DE Arizona State
Davis, Hall DE Louisiana-Lafayette
Deaderick, Brandon DE Alabama
Dunlap, Carlos DE Florida
Galette, Junior DE Stillman
Geathers, Clifton DE South Carolina
Gibson, Thaddeus DE Ohio State
Graham, Brandon DE Michigan
Granger, DeMarcus DT Oklahoma
Griffen, Everson DE Southern Cal
Hardy, Greg DE Mississippi
Houston, Lamarr DT Texas
Hughes, Jerry DE TCU
Ihenacho, Carl DE San Jose State
Jones, Art DT Syracuse
Joseph, Linval DT East Carolina
Kindle, Sergio DE Texas
Kirlew, Jammie DE Indiana
Lane, Austen DE Murray State
Lang, Brandon DE Troy
Lorig, Erik DE Stanford
McClellan, Albert DE Marshall
McCoy, Gerald DT Oklahoma
Middleton, Greg DE Indiana
Misi, Koa DE Utah
Mitchell, Earl DT Arizona
Moats, Arthur DE James Madison
Morgan, Derrick DE Georgia Tech
Mullins, Aleric DT North Carolina
Neal, Mike DT Purdue
Odrick, Jared DT Penn State
Oghobaase, Vince DT Duke
Owens, Jeff DT Georgia
Peters, Corey DT Kentucky
Pierre-Paul, Jason DE South Florida
Price, Brian DT UCLA
Ross, Jay DT East Carolina
Sapp, Ricky DE Clemson
Schofield, O'Brien DE Wisconsin
Selvie, George DE South Florida
Sheffield, Cameron DE Troy
Sheppard, Malcolm DT Arkansas
Smith, D'Anthony DT Louisiana Tech
Suh, Ndamukong DT Nebraska
Te'o-Nesheim, Daniel DE Washington
Thomas, Cam DT North Carolina
Tracy, Adrian DE William & Mary
Troup, Torell DT Central Florida
Washington, Lorenzo DE Alabama
Williams, Dan DT Tennessee
Wilson, C.J. DE East Carolina
Wilson, E.J. DE North Carolina
Witten, Lindsey DE Connecticut
Woods, Al DT LSU
Wootton, Corey DE Northwestern
Worilds, Jason DE Virginia Tech
Worthington, Doug DT Ohio State
Young, Willie DE North Carolina State

 

Linebackers

Name Position College
Angerer, Pat LB Iowa
Beauchamp, Jason LB UNLV
Bosworth, Kyle LB UCLA
Bowman, Navorro LB Penn State
Butler, Donald LB Washington
Campbell, Lee LB Minnesota
Chaney, Jamar LB Mississippi State
Clayton, Keenan LB Oklahoma
Cole, Justin LB San Jose State
Coleman, Harry LB LSU
Conner, Kavell LB Clemson
Curran, Rennie LB Georgia
Dillard, Phillip LB Nebraska
Edds, A.J. LB Iowa
Goethel, Travis LB Arizona State
Grimm, Cody LB Virginia Tech
Hull, Josh LB Penn State
Johnson, Micah LB Kentucky
Kristick, Keaton LB Oregon State
Lawrence, Simoni LB Minnesota
Lee, Boris LB Troy
Lee, Sean LB Penn State
Maxwell, Samuel LB Kentucky
McClain, Rolando LB Alabama
McLaughlin, Mike LB Boston College
Muckelroy, Roddrick LB Texas
Norwood, Eric LB South Carolina
Riley, Perry LB LSU
Sharpton, Darryl LB Miami
Spikes, Brandon LB Florida
Sylvester, Stevenson LB Utah
Triplett, Nathan LB Minnesota
Washington, Daryl LB TCU
Watson, Dekoda LB Florida State
Weatherspoon, Sean LB Missouri
Wilson, Kion LB South Florida

 

 

How can I keep up with the Combine?

I am assuming you mean other than right here on CSC. The NFL Network will have tons of coverage.

Live Workouts: Hosted by Rich Eisen with NFL Network analysts Charles Davis and Mike Mayock providing daily reports on the prospects participating in the workouts. Airs live Saturday, Feb. 27 and runs through Tuesday, March 2 beginning at 11 a.m. ET each day.

NFL Total Access: NFL Total Access is on location from the Scouting Combine with news, analysis and interviews. Airs live Thursday, Feb. 25 through Tuesday, March 2 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Press Conferences: Player, coach and general manager press conferences will air live Thursday, Feb. 25, and Friday, Feb. 26 beginning at 2:30 ET.

Check out this website out to view the daily schedule.

NFL.com will also be streaming live coverage. The schedule is listed right there on the page.

Top performers will be listed here when workouts begin. 

Comment 43 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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Comments

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I scored

50!

Must make me hyper-smart, shame I run a 8.7 40. That’s 8.7 minutes.

by MarcusR on Feb 23, 2010 8:45 AM CST reply actions  

I scored a 45

Whore i missed one.

I could do pretty well on the bench, would be interesting to know my speed these days. Flexibility i am a goner.

For your information Viking's and Colt's fans, no matter how much you say it, you were not the better team in 2009.

by Grumps on Feb 23, 2010 9:09 AM CST reply actions  

30

Same as Philip Rivers. GAAAA!!!

Try to realize it's all within yourself
No one else can make you change

by stujo4 on Feb 23, 2010 9:16 AM CST reply actions  

Stu with your 30

No wonder you can’t see the merits of bringing Lito onto the team.

For your information Viking's and Colt's fans, no matter how much you say it, you were not the better team in 2009.

by Grumps on Feb 23, 2010 9:22 AM CST up reply actions  

Just kidding by the way there big fella.

For your information Viking's and Colt's fans, no matter how much you say it, you were not the better team in 2009.

by Grumps on Feb 23, 2010 9:33 AM CST up reply actions  

HA!

At least I told the truth. LOL

Try to realize it's all within yourself
No one else can make you change

by stujo4 on Feb 23, 2010 9:41 AM CST up reply actions  

Don't worry Stujo4

I scored a 30 also, and I am about to finish Computer programming and start Pre Med with a nice GPA.

Missing home and my Saints.

by Brazil meets LA on Feb 23, 2010 10:28 AM CST up reply actions  

No cheating involved with my 45

And i am the fry guy at your local McDonalds. Some times i get to clean the crappers.

Ha!

Actually, my job title is “Director – Financial Reporting and Analysis” for a publicly traded company. Although i look like a goon.

Give me your lunch money. Or i will go Terrible Terry Tate on your ass!

For your information Viking's and Colt's fans, no matter how much you say it, you were not the better team in 2009.

by Grumps on Feb 23, 2010 10:33 AM CST up reply actions  

100? 50?

Two boxes popped up on mine. The first said I got 10 out of 10, the second said I got 20 of 10 for a score of 100.

Snap, place, kick! And it's good! It's good! It's goo-hoo-hood! Pigs have flown! Hell Has frozen over! The Saints are going to the Superbowl!

by Joseph William Stern on Feb 23, 2010 9:23 AM CST reply actions  

I scored 9 out of 10 and got 45

That test was simple although i’m not sure which one i got wrong these QB’s can’t be the smartest cookie in the cookie jar if they score bad on these.

World Champions at last

by mississippisaintsfan on Feb 23, 2010 9:43 AM CST reply actions  

Agreed!

I got a 45, too.

I’d love to know which one I got wrong.

Pigs have flown! Hell has frozen over! The Saints HAVE WON the Superbowl!!

by Dan Kelly on Feb 23, 2010 11:06 AM CST up reply actions  

darn… #8 b/c time was running out, I skimmed my choices… and picked “N” instead of “L”.

Pigs have flown! Hell has frozen over! The Saints HAVE WON the Superbowl!!

by Dan Kelly on Feb 23, 2010 11:08 AM CST up reply actions  

I scored a 40.

"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Feb 23, 2010 10:22 AM CST reply actions  

45

ran out of time, probably would have finished faster if i had my prescribed brain steroids

"When he's backed into a corner, that's when Drew stands up and does his best work. I mean, any time anyone says, 'You're too small, you're not fast enough, you're not gonna win' ... he loves being the underdog,"

- Brittany Brees

by DrewBreesManCrush on Feb 23, 2010 10:53 AM CST reply actions  

45 also for me

taken on my lunch break. Makes you kinda wonder about Brett Favre, doesn’t it? Nah, not really. I think it just proves what I already suspected…

"The Saints made the right decision signing Drew Brees-not just in terms of his arm, but because of his heart and mind." - Marshall Faulk

by SaintsFanMD on Feb 23, 2010 11:09 AM CST reply actions  

We got some smart MF'ers on this blog

I think ya’ll are cheating.

Wanna say something? Sign up! It's free!

by Dave Cariello on Feb 23, 2010 11:25 AM CST reply actions  

Not to be a spelling nazi

But i think the correct spelling is “youze’all”

For your information Viking's and Colt's fans, no matter how much you say it, you were not the better team in 2009.

by Grumps on Feb 23, 2010 11:28 AM CST up reply actions  

Or perhaps just those who didn’t score so well aren’t willing to admit it?

For those who can't remember the uncapped FA rules, this link's for you.

by FriarBob on Feb 23, 2010 12:04 PM CST up reply actions  

Oh no, they’re cheating.

Try to realize it's all within yourself
No one else can make you change

by stujo4 on Feb 23, 2010 1:52 PM CST up reply actions  

Its like a Multiple Choice Exam

When in doubt choose C, or in this case, when in doubt choose LITO!

For your information Viking's and Colt's fans, no matter how much you say it, you were not the better team in 2009.

by Grumps on Feb 23, 2010 1:55 PM CST up reply actions  

Hey, I posted verification of my double perfect score.

Snap, place, kick! And it's good! It's good! It's goo-hoo-hood! Pigs have flown! Hell Has frozen over! The Saints are going to the Superbowl!

by Joseph William Stern on Feb 23, 2010 2:27 PM CST up reply actions  

Clearly mom must have cheated somewhere along the way

because there is no way we come from the same genes. Brett Favre must have knocked her up.

by bayoumaverick on Feb 23, 2010 12:33 PM CST up reply actions  

Maybe so, I don't know. I can't decide what to do.

I want to keep trash talkin with u ‘bro’ but I just can’t decice at this time what I want to do. Very indecisive. Maybe I am favres bastard. Well, my dad can kick ur dads ass!

by saints fan in cowboyland! on Feb 23, 2010 12:43 PM CST via mobile up reply actions  

I'm assuming that you guys are brothers?

I never knew we had brothers on our blog

Wanna say something? Sign up! It's free!

by Dave Cariello on Feb 23, 2010 12:53 PM CST up reply actions  

where in cowboyland are you

i was in north dallas this weekend.

"if you know what life is worth, you will look for yours on earth" Bob Marley

by sernycrusher on Feb 23, 2010 1:35 PM CST up reply actions  

I live in north dallas.. Frisco, technically.

Pigs have flown! Hell has frozen over! The Saints HAVE WON the Superbowl!!

by Dan Kelly on Feb 23, 2010 2:04 PM CST up reply actions  

North fort worth.

I wanted to share this. Last night at da mavs game, they played ‘stand up and get crunk’ and a who Dat chant started. It was awesome! We who dats are everywhere.

by saints fan in cowboyland! on Feb 23, 2010 3:23 PM CST via mobile up reply actions  

What what!!?!?!?!? That is awesome!

Pigs have flown! Hell has frozen over! The Saints HAVE WON the Superbowl!!

by Dan Kelly on Feb 23, 2010 3:38 PM CST up reply actions  

Did they end with “What Dat Say They Gonna Beat Them SAINTS!”???

Pigs have flown! Hell has frozen over! The Saints HAVE WON the Superbowl!!

by Dan Kelly on Feb 23, 2010 3:40 PM CST up reply actions  

nice

"if you know what life is worth, you will look for yours on earth" Bob Marley

by sernycrusher on Feb 23, 2010 4:24 PM CST up reply actions  

I scored a zero

But I did it in 6 seconds! Beat that, Poindexters!

"Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives." --J.O.L.

by MtnExile on Feb 23, 2010 12:15 PM CST reply actions  

Now that

Is some fast clickin’

For your information Viking's and Colt's fans, no matter how much you say it, you were not the better team in 2009.

by Grumps on Feb 23, 2010 1:01 PM CST up reply actions  

i got a 30

me and porter would get along great!!

"if you know what life is worth, you will look for yours on earth" Bob Marley

by sernycrusher on Feb 23, 2010 1:35 PM CST reply actions  

50

Tracy Porter's gonna score! TRACY PORTER'S GONNA SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (HT Takimoto)

by AllSaintsDay on Feb 23, 2010 1:50 PM CST reply actions  

I scored 50

I’m gonna put this on my resume.

by Jay Preece on Feb 23, 2010 2:27 PM CST reply actions  

45

Running out of time so I just picked one when I saw the last one was a percentage – screw that.

by janepriceestrada on Feb 23, 2010 4:02 PM CST reply actions  

35

Those combine guys probably lose a little bit of focus over a 60 question test.

by ReggieVilma on Feb 23, 2010 9:02 PM CST reply actions  

Thanks for this post Dave!

Glad to read anything to increase my understanding!

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious." - Vince Lombardi

by SarahT on Feb 27, 2010 9:10 AM CST via mobile reply actions  

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