The future of the NFL shines while the past tries to comeback

Andrew Luck (Stanford QB) may be the favorite to be the first pick of this year’s NFL Draft, but Robert Griffin III (Baylor QB), known as RG3, stole the show at the combine over the weekend.  He did not participate in throwing drills, but he ran a very impressive 40-yard dash and showed his professionalism in his interviews.  His official time of 4.41 in the 40 is the fastest time for a quarterback since 2006 when Reggie McNeal ran a 4.35.  We will have to wait until his college pro day on March 21 to check out his arm.

While college players were showing off their talent in Indianapolis to in hopes to begin their NFL career, there was news around retired wide receiver Randy Moss making his comeback.

Moss retired after the 2010 season and did not play at all during the 2011 season.  Not surprisingly, he announced a few weeks ago that he missed playing and was ready to come back to the game.  At 35, he is one of the best receivers that the game has seen.  He is tied for second all-time in touchdowns (153), ranks fifth in yards (14,858) and his 10 seasons of at least 1,000 yards are second only to Jerry Rice's 14.  If it is true that he recently ran a 4.3 40-yard dash, he could definitely help some teams out this.

Rumor is that Jeff Fisher, the new head coach at St. Louis, has good things to say about the short time he spent working with Randy in 2010.  St. Louis is still rebuilding with their young quarterback, Sam Bradford.  A veteran like Moss could help out their offense.

Moss is not under contract, so he does not have to wait until the new league to begin visiting teams.  He has expressed a strong affection for Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, so we’ll see if New England invites him back.

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets®

Road to the NFL Draft starts this week

Football isn’t over.  The 2011 playing season is behind us, but it is now time to focus on building for the next season.  We have the NFL Scouting Combine, college pro days and free agency all before we even get to the NFL’s big spring event – NFL Draft.  Hello… 2012! 

Now the NFL league year does not officially start until March 12 the day that the new salary cap is set, but front offices are already having conversations about their 2012 rosters and who should be on them.  NFL personnel will head to Indianapolis this week for the annual combine at Lucas Oil Stadium from February 22 – 28.

Only 300 players will be at the combine.  I describe the weeklong process as an intense, invitation-only interview for the best college football players to get a job in the NFL.  Over 600 NFL personnel will analyze prospective NFL players as they participate in physical and psychological exams, interviews, tests and drills.  The athletes work hard to show all of the coaches, general managers and scouts from all 32 NFL teams that they are tough enough mentally and physically to handle a job in the NFL. 

Here are the physical drills that players will participate in.

1. 40-yard Dash – Known as “the 40,” this is the most popular event at the Combine.  Players are timed running 40 yards.  Like track sprinting events, this drill is all about speed. 

2. Bench Press – This test is for strength and endurance.  Players bench 225 pounds as many reps as they can.  This will show who really spent time in the weight room in college.

3. Vertical Jump – Players stand straight up and stretch their hand to the sky.  The measurement of this point is the reach.  The player then jumps to hit a flag.  He must jump without running or rocking.  The difference between the reach and the flag is the measurement for “the vertical.”  This will show scouts the strength of the lower body.

4. Broad Jump – This is like a long jump without running.  Players stand and jump frontward as far as they can.  This is not only about the distance. The key is landing and not falling.  Scouts are looking for good balance.

5. 3 Cone Drill – Players run around 3 cones in an L shape and back.  This is to test an athlete's ability to change directions at a high speed.

6. 5-10-5 – The actual name is the Shuttle Run.  Basically the player has to run 5 yards to his right and touch the yard line, run 10 yards to his left and touch the yard line, then run a final 5 yards to the right to finish.

A few players to watch at the combine are Andrew Luck (Stanford, QB), Robert Griffin III (Baylor, QB and 2011 Heisman winner), Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State, receiver) and Matt Kalil (Southern California, left offensive tackle). 

When someone brings up a wide receiver or running back entering the draft, ask them how they think that player will do in “the 40” at the combine.  Otherwise, you can start the conversation by asking, “Who do you think will have the fastest 40 this year?”  Now if the talk about is about linemen, switch it up and ask about the bench press.  

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets®

Combine all about Cam

Last week the NFL’s 2011 Combine began in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Over 300 NFL hopefuls went to Lucas Oil Stadium to showcase their talents and interview for NFL personnel.  Most of the attention centered on Cameron “Cam” Newton.  The Heisman Trophy winner who led Auburn to a National Championship is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks selected in the upcoming draft.

Before Cam arrived at the Combine, the media was gushing over him.  This enthusiasm elevated when he entered to address the media on Saturday.  Unlike other players, he began with a prepared statement prior to taking questions from members of the media.  In anticipation of questions about his focus and arrogance, his remarks addressed a comment that he made a few weeks ago about his endorsement with Under Armour in which he asserted that he was an “entertainer-slash-icon.”  Cam explained that football is a priority for him, but since he is representing more than just football gear he wants to be the best ambassador for Under Armour. 

The other point that had the media salivating was his announcement that he would participate in all of the quarterback workouts including throwing.  This was a big deal because a lot of top quarterbacks do not throw at the Combine.  Many agents recommend that they save that for their school’s pro day, so they can throw to receivers that they are very familiar with.  This year all of the top quarterbacks threw except Blaine Gabbert from Missouri.

Yesterday Cam, completed his workout.  It was a lackluster performance.  He didn’t perform poorly, but like any high-profile athlete the expectations are lofty.  So, great from them just comes across as mediocre.  I was not surprised to see him complete just over 50% of passes (11 out of 21).  I was not expecting to see accuracy from a quarterback who barely threw in his college offense, but it was disappointing to see a guy who is known for jetting out of the pocket tie for third in the 40-yard dash.  Now a 4.58 in the 40 is really fast.  To put it in perspective, last year’s #1 pick was quarterback Sam Bradford who ran a 4.79 in the 40.  However, Cam is a runner, so I thought that he would be a little closer to Vince Young’s 4.48 time in the 40.

In my opinion, Cam exited the Combine the same way he entered.  He is full of talent, strength, and potential and has the gushing eye of the media.  I don’t think that this weekend diminished his draft stock or strengthened it.  He’ll have another opportunity to show off his arm next week at Auburn’s pro day.

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets®

Super Bowl is over, but football is just getting started

Yes, we have our Super Bowl champs, but the conversation about professional football is not over; It is just getting started.   This is the time of the year when NFL teams start planning for the upcoming season.  The office chatter turns from what their teams did on Sunday to what their teams need to do to improve for next season.  A big part of this is who they think their teams should select in the NFL Draft. 

Before we get to the draft, we have to talk about the NFL Scouting Combine, referred to simply as “The Combine.”  It is the annual job fair for prospective NFL players.  This year it takes place from February 24 – March 1.  I describe the week-long process as an intense, invitation-only interview for the best college football players to get a job in the NFL.  Over 600 NFL personnel will analyze prospective NFL players as they participate in physical and psychological exams, interviews, tests and drills.  The athletes work hard to show all of the coaches, general managers and scouts from all 32 NFL teams that they are tough enough mentally and physically to handle a job in the NFL. 

I am sure that you have exciting plans this evening, so I will not go into the details of the top players today.  I am just going to explain the drills that are conducted at the combine. 

1. 40-yard Dash – Known as “the 40,” this is the most popular event at the Combine.  Players are timed running 40 yards.  Like track sprinting events, this drill is all about speed. 

2. Bench Press – This test is for strength and endurance.  Players bench 225 pounds as many reps as they can.  This will show who really spent time in the weight room in college.

3. Vertical Jump – Players stand straight up and stretch their hand to the sky.  The measurement of this point is the reach.  The player then jumps to hit a flag.  He must jump without running or rocking.  The difference between the reach and the flag is the measurement for “the vertical.”  This will show scouts the strength of the lower body.

4. Broad Jump – This is like a long jump without running.  Players stand and jump frontward as far as they can.  This is not only about the distance. The key is landing and not falling.  Scouts are looking for good balance.

5. 3 Cone Drill – Players run around 3 cones in an L shape and back.  This is to test an athlete's ability to change directions at a high speed.

6. 5-10-5 – The actual name is the Shuttle Run.  Basically the player has to run 5 yards to his right and touch the yard line, run 10 yards to his left and touch the yard line, then run a final 5 yards to the right to finish.

If anyone brings up a college player entering the draft, you can ask them how they think that player will do in “the 40.”  Otherwise, you can start the conversation by asking, “Who do you think will have the fastest 40 this year?”  For comparisons, review the highlights from the 2010 NFL Combine.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets®

 

The Rams Are On The Clock, Just Not First

The NFL Draft starts on Thursday.  This primetime event will make some college players dreams come true and mark the beginning of a new era for teams.  For months, NFL personnel have studied the players.  They watched the tapes, measured physical skills, conducted background checks and interviewed everyone from the player’s past.  Now it is time for them to make a selection.  Who will go in the first round?  Who will be the Number 1 Overall Pick?

It has been an interesting draft season.  Neither one of the top prospects at the quarterback position, Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen, threw at the Combine.  At the Senior Bowl, we saw a disappointing performance by Tim Tebow, one of the best college quarterbacks, that led to him changing his throwing technique.  He did not throw at the Combine, but really impressed scouts at his Pro Day. 

It’s crazy that I am even mentioning Tebow in a discussion about the first round of the draft.  He will most likely not get drafted until the second round (at the earliest), but the guy is a marketing machine, so I have to keep you in the loop.  Ticket sales for the Senior Bowl increased by 5,000 after he announced that he would participate.  He already has a deal with Nike and is on the cover of EA Sports’ college football game.  Even the NFL invited him to Radio City Hall for the first night of the draft.  (This is unheard of for a player with his draft stock.)  Will teams place more value on his image or his skill?

OK, last week I said that the Redskins would trade Jason Campbell to the Rams.  If this trade happens on Wednesday evening, everyone is shocked and here is how the first round of the NFL Draft goes.

1.     Washington Redskins (from Rams) – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. 

Snyder and Shanahan like McNabb, but they know that he only has a few more years.  They prepare for the future with a young quarterback. 

2. Detroit Lions - Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

4.     St. Louis Rams (from Redskins) – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame.

Billy Devaney knew that he needed a quarterback.  He got Jason Campbell to go out there immediately and got a great deal on his future starting QB.

5. Kansas City Chiefs—Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

6. Seattle Seahawks—Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

7. Cleveland Browns- Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

8. Oakland Raiders—Earl Thomas, S, Texas

9. Buffalo Bills – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

10. Jacksonville Jaguars—Joe Haden, CB, Florida

11. Denver Broncos—Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

12. Miami Dolphins—Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

13. San Francisco 49ers—Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida

14. Seattle Seahawks—C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

15. New York Giants—Everson Griffen, DE, USC

16. Tennessee Titans—Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida

17. San Francisco 49ers—Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

18. Pittsburgh Steelers—Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho

19. Atlanta Falcons—Brandon Graham, OLB/DE, Michigan

20. Houston Texans—Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

21. Cincinnati Bengals—Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State

22. New England Patriots—Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

23. Green Bay Packers—Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

24. Philadelphia Eagles—Taylor Mays, S, USC

25. Baltimore Ravens—Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

 26. Arizona Cardinals—Sergio Kindle, OLB/DE, Texas

27. Dallas Cowboys—Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State

28. San Diego Chargers—Sean Witherspoon, OLB, Missouri

29. New York Jets—Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers

30. Minnesota Vikings—Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama

31. Indianapolis Colts—Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU

32. New Orleans Saints—Jahvid Best, RB, Cal

As for Tebow, he will go in Round 2 or Round 3 to a team with an established quarterback like the Patriots or Steelers.  At the end of the day, this is a sports competition, not a congeniality contest.  So skills win.

The NFL will release the full 2010 schedule tonight at 7 p.m.   Check out your team schedule at nfl.com.

Ciao!

Heels &  Helmets

Free Agency Has Started!

NFL personnel finished interviewing and assessing college players at The 2010 NFL Combine.  For the rest of the month, NFL teams will travel to selected universities for College Pro Days to continue evaluating players.  This is all part of the process to determine whom they will draft and add to their roster, but adding players through the draft is not the only way that teams build their teams. 

NFL teams also look to improve their rosters by adding skilled veterans through free agency.  Free agency in the NFL started on March 5.  This is the period in which players whose contracts have expired begin negotiating with other teams.  These players are called free agents.  Some players will sign a new contract with their current team, others will go to new teams and some may not sign a new contract.  All free agents except a “franchise” player can negotiate with any team.  Franchise players can only negotiate with their current team.  When a team designates a player as a franchise player, they are agreeing to the greatest of the following three things:

1. Minimum offer of the average of the top five salaries at the player's position for the current year as of April 15.

2. 120 % of the player’s previous year’s salary

3. The average of the top five salaries at the player's position as of the end of last season

This is going to be a very interesting year because it is an uncapped season.  As a result, NFL teams are not limited on how much they can spend on salaries.  However, between the current economy and the uncertainty of what will be included in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA (the players’ union), I do not think that we will see teams go crazy spending money.

A few weeks ago, I attended Salary Cap 101, a webinar presented by J.I. Halsell.  J.I. is an expert!  He has 4 seasons worth of NFL Salary Cap and Player Contract experience. For 2 seasons, he was the Salary Cap Analyst for the Washington Redskins, where he played a role in every player contract negotiation to occur during that period. Prior to his stint with the Redskins, he worked for 2 years for the NFL's labor relations department, the Management Council.  In the two-hour course, J.I. explained areas such as the components of player contracts, tactics used by teams to remain under the cap and how teams and agents determine the market value of players.  He also did an analysis of a sample contract. 

If you are interested in learning more about NFL player contracts, J.I. is conducting another webinar on March 13.  Visit Salary Cap 101 to sign up.  For all of you attorneys (or aspiring attorneys) interested in working with NFL players, this webinar will provide you with a good understanding of NFL contracts.

OK, I have good news for Washington, DC and Redskins fans.  Larry Foote is visiting Redskins Park today!  Larry is a Michigan Man who won a Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Outside of one season with the Detroit Lions, he is a seasoned veteran who is accustomed to working hard and winning.  I think that he will be a great asset to the Redskins.  I hear that Arizona is really interested in Foote, so Redskins fans better pray that he is not sold on the good weather out west.  Considering that his old coach from Pittsburgh, Lou Spanos, is now the linebackers coach in Washington, DC, I think that the chances of him landing in our nation’s capital is pretty good.  Free agency is a crazy time, so we’ll see…

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets

Working It Out at The Combine

The Combine is just about over.  Grades are not in for the players yet, but here are a few quick notes to get you in on the conversation this week.


1. No QB Showdown - The top prospects at the quarterback position are Oklahoma's Sam Bradford and Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen.  Neither one them were able to throw because of injuries, so we did not get to compare the best. 
2. McCoy and McCoy - Colt McCoy is a quarterback from Texas.  He is a great athlete, but there is some concern about his height.  Gerald McCoy is a defensive tackle from Oklahoma.  Although he was shown up in the bench press drill, he is still a top prospect at his position.  Pending what the Rams value, he could be the No. 1 overall draft pick.  
3. Clemson had the fastest 40s - The drill that everyone talks about is the "40."  Two of the top 4 fastest times came from Clemson University players.  The top performers were: Jacoby Ford (Clemson Wide Receiver) at 4.28; Trindon Holliday (LSU Return Specialist) at 4.34; Jahvid Best (California Running Back) at 4.35 and C.J. Spiller (Clemson Running Back) at 4.35.
4. Tebow - Tim Tebow has been a standout college quarterback.  However, he had a disappointing performance at the Senior Bowl in January and decided not to throw during the combine.  Everyone questions whether he has the right throwing technique for the NFL.  So, he has been working on it and will unveil his "new technique" at Florida's Pro Day in a couple of weeks.  I don't think that it was a good idea not to throw, but from a PR standpoint, I think that it is great.  It keeps the attention on him and everyone is going to be talking about Tebow until the debut of his new throw.  

If a player was not invited to the NFL Combine,  their dream of playing professional football is not over.  They still have another chance to impress NFL teams at their school's "Pro Day."  This is similar to the combine, but not as intense.  However, it allows general managers, coaches and scouts to see players workout in person.  It is also a chance for players to demonstrate adjustments or improvements following the Senior Bowl and Combine.  The pro day tour starts after the combine on March 3.  Visit the College Pro Day Schedule to see when NFL teams are visiting your favorite college.


Now... How is work going on your 2010 Season?  As you know, I went to work on my 2010 Season last week.  Just like the NFL season starts with workouts at the Combine, I started my season off with strength and weight training from BetterFitness BetterHealth.  Pete Leibman was great!  We reviewed my fitness and nutrition goals for this season.  He developed a personal training plan that will help me have more energy, strength, endurance and muscle.  He also taught me exercises that are effective and do not require spending thousands of dollars on equipment.  The best part about it is he came to my house!  This is perfect for those of you who are concerned about working out in front of others.  


It was a tough workout!  I'm not happy about the pain that I feel.  But, no pain, no gain.  And I'm making it a great 2010!  Plus, someone has already challenged me to a 5K.  I think he is letting the heels in me fool him, but I'll be ready.  See you at the finish line...


Ciao!

Heels & Helmets