TicketsFeb. 24, 2011
INDIANAPOLIS - Three former University of Cincinnati football players, wide receiver Armon Binns (Pasadena, Calif./Pasadena), offensive lineman Jason Kelce (Cleveland Hts., Ohio/Cleveland Hts.), and kicker Jacob Rogers (Warsaw, Ind./Warsaw) are scheduled to take part in the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis this week.
Kelce and Rogers will be a part of group one (Wed.-Sat.) while Binns will be in group four (Thurs.-Sun.)
The combine is the annual job fair for prospective new NFL players. For four days, players are put through a series of drills, tests, and interviews with more than 600 NFL personnel, including head coaches, general managers, and scouts.
All players will go through the same four-day rotation during the Combine, simply starting it on different days this week. Here's what the schedule looks like:
- Day 1: Travel, registration, pre-exam and X-ray, orientation, interviews
- Day 2: Measurements, exams, media, psych tests, interviews
- Day 3: NFLPA meeting, psych tests, interviews
- Day 4: Workout (timing, stations, skill drills), departure
Full coverage will be available on the NFL Network and online at NFL.com/combine.
Binns was the winner of UC's 2010 Claude Rost MVP Award. Binns caught 75 balls for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns, all team highs. The First-Team all-BIG EAST Conference selection is the seventh UC receiver all-time to eclipse the 1,000-yard plateau in a single season. He had six 100-yard receiving games this season and had 10 or more receptions on two occasions. Binns was also named the team's most valuable receiver.
Kelce was a Second-Team all-BIG EAST performer who made the switch to center from guard late in camp and did not miss a beat. He made 11 starts and helped pave the way for UC's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2004, Isaiah Pead.
Rogers became the school's career leader in points scored and points scored by kicking with 339. He closed out his UC career as the holder of five school records. He has scored 339 points, passing former Lou Groza Award winner Jonathan Ruffin (1999-2002) for the top spot. Rogers already holds the school marks for extra points made (186), extra points attempted (195), and points scored by kicking (339). He sits second in field goals made (51).
Sixteen former UC letterwinners currently dot NFL rosters, including: Connor Barwin (Houston Texans), Brent Celek (Philadelphia Eagles), Trent Cole (Philadelphia Eagles), Alex Daniels (Dallas Cowboys), Mardy Gilyard (St. Louis Rams), Tyjuan Hagler (Indianapolis Colts), Kevin Huber (Cincinnati Bengals), Jeff Linkenbach (Indianapolis Colts), Ricardo Mathews (Indianapolis Colts), Haruki Nakamura (Baltimore Ravens), Tony Pike (Carolina Panthers), DeAngelo Smith (Cleveland Browns), Brandon Underwood (Green Bay Packers), Mike Wright (New England Patriots), Mike Windt (San Diego Chargers), and Curtis Young (Green Bay Packers).
A BREAKDOWN OF NFL COMBINE DRILLS (COURTESY OF NFL.COM)
40-yard dash
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.