Are you ready to start scouting for the NFL Draft yet? Or, are any of you like me, just ready to watch some football again? It's early June, and die-hard football fans are going through withdrawals. So what is really going on behind the scenes? The coaches, general managers and players never really get any time off, this is the time that the serious players are improving their strength, conditioning can come later, but the successful football players get stronger during the off season.
The Fans:
This is the time for us to do our research. When the whistle blows we want to know who and what we are looking at. If you like free stuff like me, get on the internet and visit the best free football and NFL Draft sources out there. Don't be shy about checking NCAA football statistics, they don't tell the whole story, but quite often you can identify that Super Sophomore, for example look at Kent State's Kevin Hogan, as a freshman he was ranked 22nd in the NCAA with 7.5 sacks and ranked 58th in tackles for a loss with 11. Is Hogan an NFL Draft Prospect? Maybe, but at 6' 3" 233 pounds he will have to make a living at linebacker, also Kent State doesn't exactly play against top notch opponents. Going back to that same statistics page and looking at tackles for a loss (TFL), the name that really jumps out at you is Calais Campbell. His sophomore numbers last year are far more impressive than Hogan's, not only did he (Campbell) finish ranked 9th in the nation with 20.5 TFLs but he is 6' 7" 255 pounds and played for the Miami Hurricanes. So go ahead and use statistic, but use them with caution.
It is also nice to know who the Best College Football Teams are going to be heading into the season, and get familiar with the upcoming NCAA schedule and NFL schedule, your wife might not like it, but it's time to plan alternate dates to go to your mother in laws.
The other aspect of preparation is often under-rated, but hugely important. Guys, if you haven't already got a wide screen high definition TV is time to quit procrastinating and take the plunge. The prices have reached the point where they are really affordable. For 10 plus years of very enjoyable football watching I think the price is well worth it. The wide screen format is ideal for watching football; you can see so much more of the action. Do some shopping around and get a good value. If you are on a budget, but still want the best, I recommend a Vizio 50 inch plasma. My parents have one hanging on their wall and it is breath taking.
The other option is going to some live games, HDTVs are great, but there is nothing better than watching the action live. The cheapest place to buy football tickets is online and I use Ticket City.com. They have College Football Tickets, NFL Tickets and you will have a hard time beating their prices. If you are even thinking of going to the Super Bowl in Phoenix in 2008, you had better hurry and get your Super Bowl tickets before they are sold out.
The Players:
If they are not getting arrested, renegotiating their contract or doing a United Way commercial, they are probably in the gym. Most work out at their teams training facility, but some go back to their home town and workout, but almost all the successful NFL players try to get stronger in the off season. Strength work comes in all flavors these days, from computerized machines to carrying heavy objects up a hill. The best and fastest way to improve strength is with time honored compound exercises using free weights. Squats, deadlifts, clean and jerks, power cleans, bench press and the shoulder press are the core staples. Strength is important, but agility and flexibility can't be forgotten during the off season. You should also include unilateral lifts in your program like lunges, step ups, hamstring swiss ball work, sleds, and wind sprints. Swimming is also an excellent exercise that can be used to improve performance in all sports. The great thing about swimming is it tends to elongate your muscles and increase your flexibility.
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