Now that the combine is in process. I was wondering if there was any real correlation in bench press and success in the NFL? Like if a guy benches 225 35 times he is going to be a stud for sure.
I think it shows strength, but more importantly, who has been working in the gym....putting in the work to be the best they can be.
I think it's indicative that he could be, but there's so many other metrics and intangibles involved with any player to draw any type of definitive conclusion.
Draft forum(combine thread) isn't good enough for this piece? I know you've found it because you posted in it !
I think they're mucking up the process by not letting the big boys press heavier weight. It's indicative of the anaerobic vs aerobic motion in a sport that leans toward the anaerobic motion. Quite antiquated process, I think seeing how many times you can bench 225 lbs. is something you do in high school. I also think it's wiser to use dumbbells instead. Show me how much you can press with dumbbells for three repititions and it would be a better indicator than bench pressing 225 as many times as possible.
Meh, 225 press shows endurance along with strength. I wouldn't mind seeing a max raw bench and max raw squat too but that's more curiosity than anything.
Most HS students can't do 225 even once, lol, but I do agree with the dumb bell theory, it show more ancillary strength, which is as you pointed out, more crucial to the NFL.
I don't think it's any different than any other event, it doesn't guarantee success, but for certain positions certain events are much more relevant to those positions, like speed for CB, or bench for lineman etc, and if you score high, it certainly doesn't hurt.
If you google for around, you find that the only Combine result that shows any kind of decent correlation with success in the NFL is the 40-yard dash time for running backs. All other metrics couldn't predict which athlete will do better in the NFL (or had at best weak correlations).
the ultimate workout warrior at the combine is still Ronnie Brown... From back up running back to second pick overall because of the conbine..
Didn't Vernon Gholston hit near 30 reps? I think benching is for chest pounding in the NFL. If you can't play, you can't play.
His 40 form was amazing. They showed it straight on and it was impressive watching him get to top speed. Balance, fluidity and power.
The main problem with bench press is that you don't do that motion very often in football. Maybe if they had a rating of pounds per square inch of the initial punch or something like that. That would a rating that could be used better than how many times you can bench 225lbs. Also, having longer arms gives you a disadvantage. I have short stubby arms, benching 225 in highschool was my warm up.