The National Invitational Camp, or as most know it, The NFL Scouting Combine, began today. Every February, 
this week-long showcase features more than 300 NFL prospects partaking in numerous performance drills, interviews, and physical and mental tests in what is largely considered the first and vital step towards achieving their NFL dreams.
Though its main purpose is to wow NFL coaches, General Managers, and scouts for the sake of getting selected in the NFL Draft, it, too, can be entertaining if you know what this event consists of. In what promises to be an eventful and awe-inspiring event in Indianapolis, Indiana (Feb. 24 - March 1, 2011), I’d like to walk you through the NFL Scouting Combine.
A Little History
Since its inception in 1977, the NFL Scouting Combine has steadily grown in scope and significance. 
A large part of that can be attributed to today’s heavy television coverage since this event was not always on the tube. But with the NFL gaining international recognition and with it endearing fans, this event (alongside the NFL Draft) is rapidly becoming as popular as The National Football League’s Season Opening Kick-Off.
In years past it was often enough to watch a college player’s highlight reel (game tape) to assess their level of ability in the pros. This is no longer the case. With a form of standardized testing equivalent to that of the SAT’s, college athletes of today are put through the ringer. With implications that one’s combine performance vastly affects their draft status and in turn their salaries/careers, athletes are wise to perform at their peak performance levels for the thousands of fans in attendance and millions of us watching at home.
This Is A Test
Physical – This is a meat market: everything is weighed, measured, and prodded. From the size of your hands to the width of your neck, it’s all written down. They check for drugs, illnesses, and previous injuries. They are trying to make a sound multi-million dollar investment, so it’s hard to blame them.
Interviews – Each team is allowed 60 interviews, each 15 minutes in length. Weird and personal rapid-fire questions are asked in a private setting, all trying to emit an emotional and passionate response. The cool and collected prevail.
Sample interview question: When is the last time you quit something? Why?
The Wonderlic – A 12-minute, 50-question, multiple-choice test designed to assess the aptitude of future employees through learning and problem solving. Basic English and Math skills are required to perform well.
Sample Question: If Vikings RB Adrian Peterson rushes for 150-yards per game on a consistent basis, how many yards will he have at the end of the season?
Notable scores: Alex Smith (QB SF 49ers) received a 40 and Dolphins Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino received a 16. (25 is the average score for this test)
40-Yard Dash – In this marquee event, participants are timed using an electronic timer to determine how fast they can run at a distance of 40-yards. Why 40-yards? That’s the average distance of a punt, thus enabling a player to leave the line of scrimmage and reach the ball before impact. A time at or below a 4.5 (seconds) is ideal.
Notable performers: Chris Johnson (4.24) and Champ Bailey (4.28). Also, be on the look out for the 5th annual 40-yard dash run by NFL Network analyst and host Rich Eisen. In full suit and tie, can he shave time off his 40?
Bench Press – In an effort to test strength and stamina, athletes are required to lift 225 pounds as many times as possible. Though it’s used mainly to assess the skills of Offensive and Defensive lineman, more and more emphasis is being put on how well the Defensive Backs perform.
Notable performers: Bryan Price (34 reps) and Vernon Gholston (37 reps).
Vertical Jump – First the athlete stands at a flat-footed position to measure his reach. He must then jump to and touch the highest flag possible. The difference between his reach and highest flag touched is his vertical jump measurement. This is a test to measure for lower-body explosion, mainly used to assess WR’s and DB’s.
Notable performers: Eric Berry (43 inches) and Donald Washington (45 inches).
Broad Jump – This is used to test lower-body strength, explosion and balance. The athlete must stand at a stopped and balanced position, jump out as far as he can, and land in a stopped and balanced position.
Notable performers: Chris Cook (11 feet) and Darius Butler (11 feet, 2 inches).
3 Cone Drill – Tests the ability to change directions at a high rate of speed. The same pattern is given to each athlete, one in which they must avoid touching the cones or fear being disqualified.
Notable performers: Tim Tebow (6.66 seconds) and Ray Rice (6.65 seconds).
Shuttle Run – Tested at a distance of 20-yards and 60-yards, the Shuttle Run is used for measuring the lateral quickness and explosion. For the 20-yard shuttle for example, the athlete starts in the three-point stance, explodes 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.
Notable performers: Dexter McCluster (20 yards, 4.06 seconds) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (60-yards, 11.06 seconds).
Position Drills- Athletes also break into groups based on their position, performing individual drills essential to their tasks. Quarterbacks throw, Offensive Lineman pass/run protect, and Wide Receivers catch and so on and so forth. Some athletes choose not to participate in these drills since they have elected to host a “Pro Day” at their Alma Mater, meaning that all those drills are performed at their school, where they feel more comfortable and hope to perform better.
2011 Featured Participants
Every year a group of featured participants wow the crowd with their excellent charisma, speed, strength, and endurance. Since doing so can greatly affect an athlete’s “draft stock” in a positive manner, here are a couple of athletes I have deemed interesting follows. 
If you want to know why I have added them to my stock watch, just click on the individual links below.
Quarterback- Cam Newton (Auburn)
Wide Receiver- A.J Green (UGA)
Defensive Lineman- Robert Quinn (UNC)
Line Backer- Akeem Ayers (UCLA)
Corner Back- Patrick Peterson (LSU)
Safety- Ahmad Black (Florida)
There’s always a cautionary tale when it comes to athletes who perform admirably at the combine, get drafted higher than their college career dictates, and then fail to meet expectations in the pros (ahem: JaMarcus Russell & Vernon Gholston). On the flip side, there are those who don’t exactly set the combine on fire, yet turn out to be NFL stars (Tom Brady & Aaron Rodgers). Either way, it’s always ideal to perform at your best.
Where to Watch
The NFL has its very own channel (NFL Network) that delivers news and analysis as well as all the combine workouts. 
If you are like me and subscribe to Time-Warner Cable, you know that acquiring the NFL Network is impossible. I’ve been waiting three years for Time-Warner Cable to carry this channel to no avail. But don’t fret: NFL.com will be streaming all the workouts live online and in HD! So, starting this Saturday at 9am ET/6am PT, you can head on over to Clicker’s NFL Scouting Combine page where the appropriate live streaming links and time schedules will be posted for your enjoyment.
We’ve all been through job interviews, but none that involved our potential employer taking our physical measurements and/or required a physical ability test the way these future professional athletes do. Though the time for the NFL Scouting Combine has arrived, speculation about where and to what team a player might go won’t end until April 28, 2011, when the NFL Draft will make millionaires out of these young and impressionable athletes. Unless the NFL and the Players Union can knock out a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, this might be the only football we’ll get to look forward to all year.
