[Hacksaw_64]

The Patriots and the 3-cone drill, the one NFL Combine test that seems to win over Bill Belichick

By Nick O'Malley | nomalley@masslive.com
Follow on Twitter
on February 25, 2016 at 11:59 AM, updated February 25, 2016 at 12:03 PM

When it comes to drafting wide receivers and defensive backs, the New England Patriots have historically pursued not the fastest players -- but the quickest and most agile. As a result, Bill Belichick's roster has been filled with prospects who have dominated the 3-cone drill over the years rather than the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Unlike the 40-yard dash, which measures straight-line speed, the 3-cone drill is a test that looks at a player's agility, footwork and ability to start and stop on a dime. And over the years, the list of receivers and defensive backs that have come through New England reads like a Hall of Fame for 3-cone drill performers.


This practice has had, well, mixed results in the eyes of Patriots fans. Belichick's teams have won 10-plus games every year since 2002 and have made three straight AFC title games -- his plan is working. But on the other hand, the team at times seems like it couldn't find a Pro Bowl receiver even if it had Biff's Sports Almanac from "Back to the Future."

Since the team took the 5-foot-9 Deion Branch in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft, the Patriots haven't managed to find a solid receiver in the top rounds, even though it's been a position of need for pretty much the entirety of that stretch. It was the same case for defensive backs for a while, though the teams combo of Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler seems to be a solid solution.

During that time, the recurring theme for Patriots receivers had been shorter, quicker receivers -- often ones who perform well in the 3-cone drill (like Branch, who clocked a time of 6.71, best among receivers at the combine that year).

What is the 3-cone drill exactly? It's a quickness test that features three cones laid out in an L-shape. The player starts at one end, sprints the the first cone and back and then around the L-shape.

Here's an example:

As you can see, the drill involves a lot of starting and stopping quickly and making cuts. It's the same type of movement that Julian Edelman would make on those quick five-yard outs that drive defenders crazy. (It should surprise few people that Edelman recorded an awesome time in this drill).

The list of top performers in the 3-cone drill that have made their way through New England is extensive. Here's a list of some highlights, ranging from draft picks to notable players that were signed briefly and were noted for being excelling in the drill.

(Note: Any time under 7 seconds is usually considered good. Anything below 6.80 is excellent.)

WIDE RECEIVERS

Chad Jackson -- 6.73, 4th in 2006 (2nd round pick)
Austin Collie -- 6.78, t-6th in 2009 (free agent pickup)
Tiquan Underwood -- 6.62, 1st in 2009 (free agent pickup)
Brandon LaFell -- 6.81, 10th in 2010 (free agent pickup)
Greg Salas -- 6.65, 8th in 2011 (acquired via trade)
Keshawn Martin -- 6.85, 8th in 2012 (acquired via trade)
Josh Boyce -- 6.68, 3rd in 2013 (4th round pick)
Kenbrell Thompkins -- 6.88, t-10th (UDFA)
T.J. Moe -- 6.53, 1st in 2013 (UDFA)

Notable pro day numbers: Julian Edelman (6.62 in 2009), Danny Amendola (6.81 in 2008)

CORNERBACKS
Tarell Brown -- 7.00, 12th in 2007 (free agent pickup)
Brandon Meriweather -- 7.06, 13th in 2007 (1st round pick)
Terrence Wheatley -- 6.74, t-1st in 2008 (2nd round pick)
Aqib Talib -- 6.82, t-4th in 2008 (free agent pickup)
Darius Butler -- 6.92, 13th in 2009 (2nd round pick)
Devin McCourty -- 6.70, t-2nd in 2010 (1st round pick)
Logan Ryan -- 6.69, 2nd in 2013 (4th round pick)
Justin Coleman -- 6.61, 1st in 2015 (UDFA)

Notable pro day numbers: Darryl Roberts (6.66 in 2007)

SAFETIES
Brock Vereen -- 6.90, 2nd in 2014 (free agent pickup)
Jordan Richards -- 6.74, 2nd in 2015 (2nd round pick)

Notable pro day numbers: Nate Ebner (6.59)

The 3-cone drill bias also carries over to the team's current stable of running running backs. Brandon Bolden (6.96) and Tyler Gaffney (6.78) both posted solid times in the sub-6-second region. As did Dion Lewis (6.90) and LeGarrette Blount (6.85). That's right, a 241-pound Blount posted a better 3-cone drill than the 193-pound Lewis.

Through the years, the Patriots' emphasis on quickness has clearly helped them excel in certain areas. Few teams have churned out elite slot undersized receivers like the Patriots have (Branch, Wes Welker, Edelman, Troy Brown). The team has also had success digging up third down backs that excel in the run passing game (Kevin Faulk, Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead, Lewis), but has also lead to issues in finding solutions to complement them. The fact that the Patriots haven't really had a consistent outside/deep receiver since Randy Moss is evidence of that.

The team also went through a spell where the defensive backfield was loaded with smaller, quicker defensive backs on some bad defenses. Back around 2011, there was serious concern about Belichick's ability to scout defensive back talent. Now with a solid young corps of corners in tow, that seems to have changed.

But as the team heads toward another round of workouts for this year's combine, the 3-cone drill will be the one big test to watch for receivers and defensive backs. At the very least, it may lessen the shock when the team drafts a player like Jordan Richards (6.74) out of nowhere. and take some emphasis off the 40-yard dash.

http://www.masslive.com/patriots/index. ... -star.html

[Hacksaw_64]

Rams draft picks and 3-cone results:

Gerald Everett 6.99 (OJ Howard 6.85, Evan Engram 6.92)

Cooper Kupp 6.75,Josh Reynolds 6.83 (Zay Jones 6.79, Chris Godwin 7.01)

John Johnson 6.72 ( Marlon Humphrey 6.75, Budda Baker 6.76, Sidney Jones 7.02, Fabian Moreau 6.92 , Delano Hill 6.96, Jamal Adams 6.96)

[Hacksaw_64]

Yeah... it's almost as if McVay and Snead and company have looked around at what's been successful around the league.

Things like 3 cone.. and Sparq. Everett and Ebukam are Sparq studs.

I'm not sure "Sparq" qualifies. Tons of guys are making up there own proprietary ways to gauge measurables. Guys are just combining each measurableinto a formula and assigning a different value to each trying to come up with a a measure of measurables. There's absolutely nothing scientific about it.



It's interesting but by no means a skeleton key.

Its funny but a simple 3-cone is almost way more significant than all that extraneous crap.

Its still more about about context. And you can't really quantify context. That requires vision and study.

In the NFL game that's become very match up oriented. Short area quickness is not to be overlooked. That's why the 3-cone is probably one of the most significant measurables to focus on.

[Hacksaw_64]

The one number that kind of jumps off the page to me is John Johnson's 3-cone. It speaks to the talk of his ability to flex to CB.

He was already one of the most consistent tacklers amongst the safties in the draft. I can understand why Wade liked his prospects for his defense.