Today is the first day of the 2007 NFL Draft and as I write this, JaMarcus Russell of LSU went to Raider Nation as the number one draft pick. At 6′5", 265 this guy is an absolute specimen. Bigger than Vince Young and Daunte Culpepper and more skills than either. Raider fan has got to be pleased. I am still waiting to find out who the Packers choose in the 16th overall pick. They will probably select a running back or a wide receiver. We are also waiting to see if the Raiders and the Packers make a deal to bring Randy Moss to Green Bay.

Prior to the draft the NFL holds the Combine, where all the potential draftees get to showcase their physical skills in various skill and agility drills, vertical jump, 40 yard dashes and one of the most popular, the bench press.

The NFL Bench Press is considered the benchmark upper body strength test, (pun intended), especially for offensive linemen who have to hold off pass rushers, but everyone gets tested. The standard weight for players is 225 lbs for max reps. Larry Allen of the Dallas Cowboys holds the record at 43. That is 9,675 lbs, or 4.84 tons. Larry Allen has also benched over 700 lbs. Allen is 6′3" and 326 lbs and is considered a noteworthy powerlifter as well. Last year, rookie QB Jay Cutler at the same height and 100 + less weight was impressive doing the same lift 27 times, beating out many of the big linemen. He has also lifted 405 lbs for a max lift. If you watch the video, you see these guys get a little bounce off the chest. Still…

One of the best ways to train for this is to get a workout partner and set the bar at 225. You do a rep. He does a rep. You do two, he does two. You keep going up until it becomes difficult and then you start over and do several cycles, up to 3 times a week. Of course, you gotta be able to do the 225! I think it would be a good way to train for Crossfit "Linda".

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