Evaluation Terminology

QUARTERBACK
Arm Strength Set Up Quicks Accuracy Field Vision Running Ability Delivery Ball Handling Leadership	Velocity, tight spiral, zip on deep out Feet, quickness of drop, body pos Long & short, catchable ball, force ball Locate 2nd receiver, see the whole field Threat, avoid rush, quick feet Quick release, high or low, mechanics Good ball fakes, freezes LB, etc. Poise under pressure, move the team

RUNNING BACK
Inside Runner Outside Runner Elusive Runner Power Runner Blocker Hands Routes Durability Running Style	Pick & slide, quick to hole-vision, cuts Speed to corner, make cuts - threat Avoid tackle, COD, moves, vision Balance, break tackles, SY, fall fwd Willing, pass protection and run block Catching out of backfield, fumbler Take a hit, toughness, stays in game Slasher, darter, power, 2nd gear

TIGHT END/WIDE RECEIVER
Hands Patterns Receive Long & Short Run After Catch Blocker Release React to Ball/Crowd Initial Quicks	Concentration, snatches, soft hands, body Sharp & crisp, body control, fakes, cuts Poss, acc, can go deep Threat, catches in stride, elusive Willing, good results, sustain, open field Can avoid jam, not held up, physical Comes over middle, tough Accelerates, gets off ball, has extra gear

OFFENSIVE LINE
Initial Quicks Run Block Pass Block Pull & Trap Use of Hands Strength Explosion Long Snap	Come off ball, feet, beat DL Leverage, control, balance Feet, set up, mirror, adjust & sustain Hit moving target, adjust in space Gets separation, keeps DL off, leverage Leverage, moves the pile, can anchor Finishes block, plays low, has pop Yes or no, describe

DEFENSIVE LINE
vs. Run Pass Rush Pursuit Tackling Initial Quicks Recognition Neutralize Block Key & diagnose	1 or 2 gap, strength at POA, ward off Power or finesse, moves, penetration Gets over trash, gets to outside, effort Wrap up, low or high, drag down, power Take off, feet, anticipates snap Sees block coming, instincts, finds ball 1 on 1, double team trap, anchor Reads blocks, good feel, sees ball

LINEBACKER
vs. Inside Run vs. Outside Run Blitz/Pass Rush Key & Diagnose Lateral Pursuit Tackling Pass Drop Pass Coverage/Hands	Step up and fill hole, physical, takes on Ward off block, gets to sideline, pursuit Power or finesse, hand use, feet Reads and reacts, gets jump on ball, FBI Gets over trash, hips, sideline chase Wrap up, physical, drag down, solid Hips and turns, depth, zone coverage Cover M/M, hips and turns

DEFENSIVE BACK
M/M Coverage Zone Coverage Closing Quickness Key & Diagnosis Lateral Pursuit Tackling Pass Drop Pass Coverage/Hands	Hips and turns, pedal and acceleration Range, covers ground, deep half, aware Plant and drive, gets to ball in the air Reads QB, anticipates, in right spot Gets over trash, hips, sideline chase Wrap up, physical, drag down, solid Hips and turns, depth, zone coverage Cover M/M, hips and turns

How to read the player charts Many of the country's top prospects don't participate in the NFL's combine testing, held each spring in Indianapolis. Some figure they can only damage their chances in the draft. Others hold their own workouts, usually on campus. 40 -- 40-yard run (in seconds). Some NFL teams believe this is the most important test run in Indy. The 40 is more than the finishing time (which usually is an average of the two 40s the player runs at the combine). While players are running the 40 -- no rocking at the start, please -- they're also timed over 10 yards and 20 yards. The times show how explosive a player is off the line and how he maintains it. The 10s and 20s are critical for a lot of players -- linemen need to get off the line as quickly as wide receivers. But the finishing times show if a player is in shape, which relates to dedication and character. A burning speed can make the difference between a high-rounder and an also-ran. BP -- Bench press (repetitions). This tests the upper-body strength of a player. It's really the only strength test a player goes through in preparation for the Draft. It's most important for linemen, whose upper-body strength is critical in the trenches. Some players -- quarterbacks and wide receivers -- don't do the bench press at Indy. The standard weight to be benched is 225 pounds. SS -- Short shuttle (in seconds). It's a 20-yard drill designed to test how players bend and change direction. Players begin straddling a line on the field, then push off to their right, touch the line five yards to their right with their right hands, go back 10 yards and touch the line on their left with their left hands, then run back through the starting line. The test also measures explosiveness and lower-body strength. Like all the tests, scouts also watch how under-control a player is. LS -- Long shuttle (in seconds). A 60-yard test. Instead of facing across the field and changing directions, this is simply an out-and-back test. Players begin on a line, go out five yards, touch the line, return to the starting line and touch it. Without stopping, they then do the same thing 10 yards out and, finally, 15 yards out. Again, lower body strength (the explosiveness off the line), flexibility and body control are tested. It's also a subtle test of endurance. Linemen don't take part in this test. VJ -- Vertical jump (in inches). This is designed to test leg strength and explosiveness. From a standing start, players leap straight up. For some scouts, this is as important as the 40. It measures lower body explosion, and can be as important for the wideouts as it is the linemen. BJ -- Broad jump (in feet and inches). It's kind of an extension of the vertical jump. It's also done from a standing start. Short broad jump numbers can show sluggishness, heavy-leggedness, a lack of explosiveness. Grade -- This is the War Room grade (see above). The higher the number, the better-rated the player.

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