R.J. Oliver's NFL Draft Diary -- February 18, 2006
- R.J. Oliver's NFL Draft Diary
- February 18, 2006
You might have seen those video clips on ESPN in recent years of Donavan McNabb working out in the offseason in Phoenix. If you’re wondering what a Philadelphia Eagles quarterback who went to Syrcause and grew up in the Chicago area is doing in Phoenix, he’s works out at a place called Rehab Plus.
That’s where I’m working out through my rehab process in preparation for the NFL Draft.
Joe Kinn, my strength coach at Arizona State, suggested I work with Warren Anderson at Rehab Plus. Warren is an athletic trainer and the executive director. He also runs MakePlays.com, a training program that specializes in preparing draft-eligible players for NFL Combine or workouts for pro football scouts.
Because a of my foot injury, I won’t be at the Combine. But my agent, Kris King, will be in Indianapolis for the Combine doing his PR thing for me and his other clients. He’ll be trying to talk to teams about me. He’s sent highlight tapes of me to all the NFL teams and he’ll be following up.
That’s his job. My job is to work hard at rehab and be ready for Pro Days at Arizona State on March 10 and March 28 when I test for pro scouts. I’m looking forward to showing NFL people I can still run and I still have my quickness. I know that will be the main concern of scouts, and I plan to test well.
I have the protective boot off my foot and I’ve been running on a treadmill. Rehab Plus has been going through a progression that started with me running on the treadmill as a precautionary measure before we go outside to run on grass.
In addition to the rehab process, I’m going through MakePlays.com workouts. I’m running well and I’ve added five pounds of strength -- up to 183 pounds -- from my college playing weight.
MakePlays.com has a good track record of helping players improve their draft stock. A couple of San Diego names you might recognize who have benefited from MakePlays.com are Chargers center Nick Hardwick and Buffalo offensive lineman Duke Preston from Illinois and Mt. Carmel High.
I have a lot of confidence in Warren Anderson in the rehab process here. His staff works well together. But maybe more importantly, he has confidence in me. He knows I’ll work hard to prepare for my chance at the NFL.
It’s all about dedication, and it’s easier for him to work with guys if he knows they’re serious about rehab and working out. I’ve noticed he spends extra time with guys who work hard. I want to work so hard I can’t get rid of him until I’m playing in the NFL.
