Dr. Saturday does the NFL combine: The 3-cone drill
If you think you can move faster than a lineman, you're likely wrong.
The 3-cone drill is an important test of the ability to change directions and make quick cuts in a small area of space.
Three cones are spaced five yards apart from each other in an "L" formation. Starting at one of the outside cones, you run towards the middle cone, touch the ground and come back to the original cone. Then you run around the second cone and run a weave around the third cone, starting on the inside of it.
That move sets you up for the finish, which involves accelerating around the outside of the second cone and back to where you started. Making a tight weave around the final cone and a tight turn around the middle cone are both imperative. More distance to cover means a slower time. And besides, being able to change directions fluidly and quickly while covering as little space as possible is imperative in football.
The fastest time at the 2013 NFL combine was by former Utah State DB Will Davis, who ambled around the cones in 6.52 seconds. The slowest was Oakland Raiders OT Menelik Watson, who ran it in 8.32 seconds.
I was not faster than Watson on my first two attempts, running the drill in 8.72 and 8.69 seconds. My third attempt was much better and came it at 8.22 seconds, a time faster than three people at the 2013 combine.With some technique work and practice, it's a time I feel would decrease significantly, but just like the shuttle run, it's another example of my lack of elite quickness.
But is my top speed? Friday is the 40-yard dash.
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is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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