5.12.06
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE
FOLLOWING ATHLETES!
Justin Hamilton, Virginia Tech
Justin’s stay in New Jersey definitely paid off! He was drafted in the 7th Round by the Cleveland Browns after not even getting invited to the NFL Combine! The 6’03” 220 lb. safety vaulted up the draft boards after his incredible performance at Virginia Tech’s Pro Day. Justin ran his 40 in the 4.4’s, vertical jumped 42 ½”, broad jumped 10’06” & ran his 20-yard shuttle in 4.04 seconds! The Browns got themselves a STEAL in the 7th Round!
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Kevin McMahon, University of Maine
Kevin was another one of our athletes who did NOT get a Combine invite, yet he impressed the scouts enough at his Pro Day to get himself drafted. (Kevin ran a blistering 4.31-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day.) The Oakland Raiders ended up picking Kevin with the last pick of the NFL draft. This earned Kevin the title of 2006’s “Mr. Irrelevant”. This marks the 2nd “Mr. Irrelevant” in our program. Hopefully Kevin will be as successful as our 1st Mr. Irrelevant, Jim Finn, who is the starting fullback for the N.Y. Giants. Jim will be entering his 7th SEASON as an NFL starter after being the last pick of the 1999 NFL draft!
Kevin McMahon…Irrelevant no more!
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Miles Austin, Monmouth University
Anyone who reads this website knows that Miles was our “Freak Amongst Freaks” this year. His incredible Combine performance was well-publicized and it brought him national recognition from Mel Kiper Jr. and many other draft experts. Although we were shocked that Miles didn’t get drafted, the phone call that Miles received immediately following the NFL draft made all the training & dieting worth it. The phone call came from Dallas Cowboys head coach, Bill Parcells. Coach Parcells personally invited Miles to come to training camp and offered him a very nice free agent contract. The Cowboys seem to be a great opportunity for Miles to show his skills and we’re all sure he will seize the opportunity.
When this man calls…you don’t turn him down!
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Phil Alexander, Duke University
Speaking of FREAKS, we would like to give BIG congratulations to Phil Alexander. Phil signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans and will have a great opportunity to show his defensive end skills there. You can’t tell from looking at him now, but Phil suffered a potential career ending lower leg/ankle injury his junior year and many thought he would never play football again…You could probably tell by the picture above that he is BIGGER, STRONGER & FASTER than before his injury. Phil was the 1st athlete to enter our Combine Prep Program this year and he was the last one to leave. His hard work paid off BIGTIME!
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Tyler Everett, Ohio State
Although Tyler did not receive a Combine invite, Ohio State’s Pro Day usually attracts about the same amount of NFL scouts as the actual Combine in Indianapolis! This year was no exception. With three 1st Round draft picks on the Ohio State defense this year, Ohio State’s Pro Day was a MAJOR event…and Tyler didn’t disappoint! The 5’11” 200-pound safety ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, vertical jumped 38” and benched 225lbs. 18 times. Immediately following the draft, Tyler signed with the Denver Broncos and he has already impressed Head Coach Mike Shanahan after the first mini camp.
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Ryan Gibbons, Northeastern University
Ryan was another athlete who transformed in our Combine Prep Program this year. The 6’06” 320-pound offensive tackle ran an official 5.0-second 40-yard dash at his NFL Pro Day and impressed scouts with his size & quick feet. This earned him a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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Chaz Cervino,
DePaul High School (Wayne, NJ)
Speaking of Combines, the Elite College Football Combine was held on May 1st in Randolph, NJ. This is the most prestigious high school Combine in the country; it is invite-only & there were over 100 Division 1 college coaches in attendance. This year, the 230 best high school football players in the nation all gathered in Randolph, NJ to display their skills to the college coaches.
We are very proud to announce that DeFranco’s Training client, Chaz Cervino of DePaul Catholic, won the MVP for the best defensive back of the entire Combine! During the 1-on-1 drills, Chaz went head to head with the #1 rated receiver in the country (Greg Little from N.C.) and he shut him down 8 out of 8 times...the kid did not catch one ball on Chaz. Chaz also ran an official 4.47-second 40 at the event. When he first started training with us, his best 40 time was 4.68 so this was a HUGE PR for him! (Chaz gave up basketball this year in order to train with us full time for this event and the upcoming football season. Besides showing off his incredible cover skills & his new-found speed, Chaz also broad jumped 9’03” and weighed in at 175lbs. at the Combine.)
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Q: Joe, I see you like to use the Bradford Press in your workouts...my question is what suggestions you have for people like me. I've twice had problems with a pinched nerve in my neck and upper back. I played college football at the DIII level and also have dabbled in strongman competition. I've done the Bradford Press in the past, but the last time I did it was the moment I realized I pinched my nerve for the second time. Do you have suggestions for rehabbing a pinched nerve/upper back/neck area; what accommodations to the Bradford would you make; or what other lifts would you recommend? Thanks, and I love your website. It is perfect for athletes and lifters trying to succeed in both.
Travis
A: Travis, Here’s how I suggest you alter the Bradford press for your problem…Don’t do them anymore! I’m serious; the risk to benefit is not in your favor with this exercise. If it makes you feel any better, I don’t do them anymore, either. Besides doing a ton of external rotator work, the only direct “shoulder” training that I’m able to do is shrugs, cable lateral raises & rear delt flyes. As much as I love Bradford presses, I know if I do them I will be in excruciating pain for 4-6 weeks afterwards and probably end up having to get another cortisone shot in both shoulders. It’s just not worth it for me anymore. I’ve had 2 AC joint separations & I already have arthritis & a bunch of bone spurs in both shoulders so I have to alter my training. NO exercise is worth me going under the knife again!
Bottom line…if it hurts, don’t do it! If it doesn’t hurt & you have a healthy shoulder joint, enjoy the incredible pump that the Bradford Press gives you!
Joe D.
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Q: Your DeFranco Bar has 115mg of caffeine, yet most caffeine supplements have 200 mg. of caffeine. Is 115 mg enough caffeine to serve as a stimulant?
Chris
A: Chris - Absolutely, 115mg of caffeine is enough to serve as a stimulant. Obviously, the level of stimulation will vary for everyone depending on their tolerance levels to caffeine. For some, 115mg will act as a potent stimulant; for others, the stimulant effect may not be as noticeable.
And yes, you're correct in that most "caffeine" supplements have 200mg caffeine. I didn’t feel the need to put 200mg of caffeine in my bar because my bar is NOT just a caffeine supplement...it is SO MUCH MORE! Most energy drinks & bars on the market are just glorified versions of caffeine pills. They give you a quick "buzz" and then you crash. The DeFranco Energy Bar is a lot more than a caffeine supplement. The L-Tyrosine in the bar works synergistically with the caffeine to give you steady energy which lasts much longer than a caffeine-only supplement. Then, I added in a good amount of high quality protein which helps turn my bar into an energizing "meal" that will keep you energized and satisfied for many hours with no "crash!"
We’re getting VERY close…I can almost smell the Iced Chocolate Cake!!!
Joe
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Q: Joe, I am Sgt Bowling with the United States Marine Corps. I am in Iraq right now for my second tour. Working out is 90% of my life. I am planning on going to college to play football when I get back to the states. I am 69 1/2 inches tall and 190 pounds. I have 8% body fat and am pretty strong. I can lift 225lbs. 25 times and a one rep max of 420 on the bench press. However, I want to gain weight for football and increase my 40 time. I currently run a 4.68. Below is a pic of me, I am on the right. What can I do Joe?
Sgt Bowling Travis D.
VMFA(AW)-533
ARMORY NCOIC
AL ASAD, IRAQ
A: Sgt Bowling,
First of all, God Bless you for serving our country. Second of all, it looks like you’re doing something right! Your buddy looks like he knows what he’s doing as well! You guys are JACKED!
You have definitely built a solid foundation of speed & strength. Your question is very general, but I will give you 3 general guidelines…
If you want to gain some muscle mass in preparation of college football, give my sample skinny bastard diet a try. Here’s the link.
If you need a basic training template when you get home, try following my Westside for Skinny Bastard’s Part 2 program. It has a nice mix of strength training & running/conditioning.
When you get home, you should get with a football coach and work on your sport-specific football skills. I don’t know how long it’s been since you’ve played football, but you will definitely need to dedicate a good portion of your training to specific football drills. I say this because your strength & speed numbers will be right with (and probably better) than a lot of college football players. But, what they have on you is time spent on the field. Find a good position coach when you get home & get to work. And if you’re ever in the New York/New Jersey area, get your ass over to my place and we will get you ready!
Thanks & God Bless,
Joe D.
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