Are ther any NFL guys that could go sub 10 in the 2 mile?

rojo wrote:

So here are my 2 questions

1) Is there anyone in the NFL who at their current level of midseason fitness could break 10 flat for 2 mile (heck even 3200)?

2) Is there anyone in the NFL who could break 10 flat if they trained for it?

1) i'd say no. corners and WR's are probably your best bet, but the type of training they do is for sprinting and maximising short bursts of power. 10 flat is a decent time and requires distance specific training for all but the most supremely talented runners. with their builds, i doubt any NFL players could do so mid-season.

2) i'd say yes, there would be a number of DBs and WRs who could do it. most other players, especially linemen, are just too bulky. most QBs are too big (with some exceptions). while 10 flat is a very good high school time, it's not as impressive for someone in his early 20s, and NFL DBs and WRs are, in general, exceptional athletes.

I think the ability to run a 10:00 2 mile would kill the explosive power needed by WRs, RBs and CBs. A 10:00 two mile requires too much endurance for an explosive speed athlete. They are trained to go 5-10 seconds at a time, rest for 30 seconds, repeat.

Can you train for the two mile by doing repeats of 5-10 second sprints with 30 second rests?

The kickers at this point are way past their soccer/endurance prime. Their game is all about leg power and leg endurance if they have to kick a few times a game.

The last time any of these guys were 10:00 two milers was probably in high school....and that would just be the kickers. If any of the position players were 10:00 high school runners they would be running and not playing football.

Alan

1) No way

2) Yes, defensive backs

Kickers definitely can't. Most kickers these days weigh 220+ pounds. The game has changed.

I'm also going to say no. Although I'm sure many NFL players are capable, sub-10 2 mile requires at least some level of endurance training. Even kickers aren't doing enough aerobically to be able to do that. I would, however, be very interested in seeing how fast some of these guys could run an 800. I wouldn't be surprised at all if a receiver or DB was capable of 1:50.

Yes way. I think most of the wide receivers could break 10 right now, with the vast majority of receivers and backs and db\'s being able to do so with some training. These guys are elite athletes, regardless of the training that they do is for sprinting or short bursts of power. I\'d believe that Randy Moss could break 9 minutes if he trained for two months.

Back when Mariucci coached the 49ers and Lions he had everyone run a "beep test". It was basically a shuttle run at tempo pace. As you assumed the kickers were usually the last ones standing. However, I believe Jeff Garcia was the best at that test. He's a skinnier quarterback who can actually move.

Rojo,

Is it weird that when I think about you and your brother, I picture you guys sleeping in bunk beds wearing Scooby Doo pajamas smack talking Mottram?

I think this is a funny question. We are talking about something that pre-pubescent boys do on a regular basis.

IMO, Distance runners generally have an inflated since of accomplishment(being one myself, but formerly a football player).

These guys are professional athletes, and as much as you would like to hate on them they are the cream of the crop in America. It's all about the money. Today's top NFL CB's are the 44.0-1:43 800m runners that we don't have. And yes, if trained they would be the fastest sprinters too.

Ted Ginn was one of the greatest HS track athletes in the last 25 years. He isn't blowing by anyone in the NFL now is he? Devin Hester with training would smoke anyone we've got.

Truth is, the fastest guys in this country don't want to 'waste their time' with track.

could they? Yes. Would they right now? No. It's that whole speed/endurance thing.

Supposedly, Allen Iverson ran a sub-5 in his team's training run a few years ago.

bob sanders

I agree with everything you said, I just don't think anyone in the NFL could break 10 right now because of the type of training that they do and the excess muscle mass they carry around.

You don't really see many skinny CBs like you would in the 1970's.

Allen Iverson is a basketball player, thats a whole different beast.

Killa Mike wrote:

I think this is a funny question. We are talking about something that pre-pubescent boys do on a regular basis.

IMO, Distance runners generally have an inflated since of accomplishment(being one myself, but formerly a football player).

These guys are professional athletes, and as much as you would like to hate on them they are the cream of the crop in America. It's all about the money. Today's top NFL CB's are the 44.0-1:43 800m runners that we don't have. And yes, if trained they would be the fastest sprinters too.

Ted Ginn was one of the greatest HS track athletes in the last 25 years. He isn't blowing by anyone in the NFL now is he? Devin Hester with training would smoke anyone we've got.

Truth is, the fastest guys in this country don't want to 'waste their time' with track.

Exactly correct on all points.

Any of the skill position players could break 10:00 if they trained for it. I'd say with a year's training.

Right now? No. They aren't doing a serious endurance training at all.

Alan

A good place to start would be the old Superstars competitions from the 70s and 80s. They actually had a half mile run, and a number of football players took part. The fastest that I have run across are James Lofton (old Packers receiver) in 2:03+ and Joe Theismann in 2:10+ (an estimate).

http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Dugout/8973/

Basketball requires some degree of aerobic fitness because the play is much more continuous. You'd expect basketball players to be much better trained to run continuously for 1-2 miles than football players.

Also, Iverson's listed at 6', 165lbs. How many NFL players are within 30lbs of that weight?

Was this actually run on a track? I'd be suspicious of the accuracy of the course in Superstars. Competitions like that are designed to make the athletes look good, and they often make courses a bit short, weights a bit light, etc.

My brother works for the NY Giants, back a few years they had a kicker by the name of Jennings. My brother said he was in better shape than anyone on the team, ran every day up to 10 miles.

As an example of what a modern CB can do, Jason Sehorn ran the half-mile in 2:45 in Superstars. Yikes.