By John Thornton- I was looking for a new cardio program to add to my workout so I called strength coach extraordinaire Ray Oliver.  He sent me about 20 programs.  They were for the treadmill, bike and elliptical machine. Tonight I tried the modified fat burning treadmill workout a little while ago and it had me beat.  It seems pretty simple but getting through it was tough.  If you are looking for a quick little workout, check this one out.  It ranges from a walk to a fast walk, all with inclines. 35 minutes total.

5 minutes- 3.5 speed- 5 incline

5 minutes- 3.6 speed- 6 incline

5 minutes- 3.7 speed- 7 incline

5 minutes- 3.8 speed- 8 incline

5 minutes- 3.9 speed- 9 incline

5 minutes- 4.0 speed- 10 incline

5 miuntes- 3.0 speed- 0 incline

By John Thornton-  How many of you are watching the Senior Bowl practices on the NFL Network?  I have watched most of the practices and listened to most of the commentary.  Some of it is like watching paint dry, and some of it is pretty good.  The thing you have to remember is that NFL people don’t expect these players to light it up this week.  These young guys have no idea what it is like to be a pro or practice with the tempo of a pro player.  This is the first time that coaches actually get to see these players.  Scouts and “some” GMs have been watching these college guys all year, now the coaches will get to see the guys that may end up on their teams.  The thing I find funny is that people keep saying that after every catch, deep pass, or INT, it’s being reported that guys are moving up or down the draft board.  Team draft boards won’t be set until April.  There is a whole body of work to look at here.  It is true that some guys can help their stock this week, but if you had a bad senior year in college and a good week at the Senior Bowl, that bad year will override everything.   But all in all, I think it’s interesting to watch.  The drills I like to watch are the pass rush drills and the run block drills that the DL and OL do at the start of practice.  That’s probably the best way to judge the players.  You can’t fake that.  Either you can do it or you can’t.  And I love it when the cameras cut to the crowd and shows NFL coaches either yawning, talking on their cell phones, or texting.  Shows you what they are thinking…

Colts WR Pierre Garcon

By John Thornton- True story, a few year ago, sports agent Brad Cicala called Charles Fisher and said that he had a D-3 WR that needed some guidance before he went to through the NFL Draft process.  Charles and I run a company that helps guys get ready for the NFL.  That kid was a young Pierre Garcon.  He was coming from a small school so he was a little raw, but he was big and fast.  I took him to work out with me at my little gym in Kenwood(Cincinnati), and after working out we took Pierre to a football field a few minutes away in Indian Hill.  Charles put him through some combine type drills and things that NFL coaches look for in young WRs.  After this, Charles took Pierre and his agent back to his house in Kentucky to watch some tape of Chad Johnson(now OchoCinco) and other top NFL WRs.  This went on for a few days before they left and went back home.  Long story short, and after a lot of hard work by Brad and Pierre, the Colts ended up drafting him in the 4th round and he found a way to stick on the team.  With WRs Marvin Harrison retired this year and Anthony Gonzales getting injured, Pierre stepped up and has become one of the top young WR’s in the game.

By John Thornton- Just taking a quick look at the NFL’s version of the Final Four, the Colts are the only team of that bunch that builds through the NFL Draft.  Every NFL team preaches that you must build through the draft, but the Colts are the only team that sticks to that belief.  The Colts roster is filled with guys that they either drafted or picked up off waivers from another team.  Kicker Adam Vinatieri looks to be the only “big money” free agent that they have signed over the past few years.  And the Colts pick and choose which guys they give contract extensions to.  Mostly all of those guys are Pro Bowlers, Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Jeff Saturday, Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, and the injured Bob Sanders(former Def MVP). Bill Polian is the best GM in football, and he has built a mini dynasty as far as having an consistent winner.  They only have one ring to show for it, but they contend for the title each year.  The Jets, Saints, and Vikings all have good rosters, but they have big money free agents and guys that they traded for to complete their team.  Not a bad way to do it either, but not as fool proof as how the Colts do it.  I know that the main reason that this style works is #18, but he has the pieces around him to be successful.  How would you like to be a Colts fan?  They have the most boring off season, no free agency talk, and no name draft picks after the first round.