The NFL has gone high-tech. New for the 2015 season, every player has a tracker embedded in his shoulder pads that collects data like velocity, distance traveled and proximity to opposing players. Zebra Technologies is the company behind the tech, and the insights they provide are letting fans see the game in a whole new light.
Week 4 produced some incredibly impressive data, and many of the players behind the numbers were STACK athletes. Let’s take a look at who popped off the spreadsheet and the workouts behind their performance.
All data courtesy of NFL.com.
1. AP is Back
Adrian Peterson untouched. UNTOUCHED. 48 yards. All DAY. #MINvsDEN http://t.co/iV9KUmESzS
— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2015
It looks like Adrian Peterson has his groove back. Although the Vikings running back played well through the first three weeks of the season, he looked like he might’ve lost a step. If he lost it, he found it again in Week 4.
On a fourth-and-1 at midfield in the fourth quarter, Peterson took an inside handoff, saw his hole, burst through it and kicked it into high gear once he reached the second level. He reached a top speed of 21.89 mph as he ran untouched into the end zone. It was the fastest foot speed of any running back in week 4, and the fastest speed recorded by Peterson all season. It’s safe to say AP’s back.
Peterson’s a freak in the weight room, and his work ethic is a huge reason for his success. Check out his running back workout, which includes exercises like Double Swiss Ball Rollouts and Prone Starts to build elite strength, speed and power.
RELATED: The Adrian Peterson Workout
2. Le’Veon Bell Used Every Part of the Field
[youtube video=”5Hs1mt7snUc”]Le’Veon Bell is one of the most dynamic running backs in the NFL, and he showed why in week 4.
With the Steelers driving late in the second quarter, Bell received a handoff to the right side. He probed the outside running lanes, looking for an area to cut through, but the Ravens defense filled every gap. Instead of taking a tackle for loss, Bell turned his eyes to the other side of the field and galloped toward open space. With Mike Vick (!) as his lead blocker, Bell punched it into the end zone.
Although the play went down in the box score as an 11-yard touchdown run, Bell actually covered 66.67 total yards on the play. He built the impressive acceleration and agility he showed off here with exercises like Sled Pulls and Cone Drills.
3. The Falcons O-Line Owned the Texans
One of the season’s early surprises has been the play of the Atlanta Falcons. After finishing 6-10 in 2014, the Dirty Birds are off to a strong 4-0 start. Much of their success can be attributed to their offensive line, which has been bullying defenses all season. Entering week 5, Pro Football Focus has the Falcons O-line ranked as the best in the NFL.
Their dominance was on display in the team’s Week 4 win over the Texans. Running back Devonta Freeman had some cavernous holes to run through. On his three touchdown runs, Freeman hit holes that were 3.16, 2.37 and 4.15 yards wide, respectively. Here’s the hole on Freeman’s final touchdown.
It was an impressive showing against a defense that includes Vince Wilfork and J. J. Watt. If you want to push people around like the Falcons O-line, you’ll need to spend a ton of hours in the weight room. Use these 2 workout tips to help you become a beast in the trenches.
4. The Packers Defense Bombarded Colin Kaepernick
The Packers abused Colin Kaepernick in their Week 4 win over the 49ers, racking up six sacks and an interception. The Packers defense made Kap very uncomfortable in the pocket, getting to him in an average time of just 4.8 seconds. Clay Matthews led the charge, registering a monster sack in the third quarter before mimicking Kaepernick’s famous “biceps kiss.”
The Packers defense has been great this season. Their 17.8 average points allowed is tied for third best in the NFL. Matthews has played a huge role in their success, and his unstoppable combination of strength, speed and smarts allows him to make plays all over the field. Football players of any position can benefit from stealing some moves from Matthews’ workouts.
RELATED: The Clay Matthews Workout
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The NFL has gone high-tech. New for the 2015 season, every player has a tracker embedded in his shoulder pads that collects data like velocity, distance traveled and proximity to opposing players. Zebra Technologies is the company behind the tech, and the insights they provide are letting fans see the game in a whole new light.
Week 4 produced some incredibly impressive data, and many of the players behind the numbers were STACK athletes. Let’s take a look at who popped off the spreadsheet and the workouts behind their performance.
All data courtesy of NFL.com.
1. AP is Back
Adrian Peterson untouched. UNTOUCHED. 48 yards. All DAY. #MINvsDEN http://t.co/iV9KUmESzS
— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2015
It looks like Adrian Peterson has his groove back. Although the Vikings running back played well through the first three weeks of the season, he looked like he might’ve lost a step. If he lost it, he found it again in Week 4.
On a fourth-and-1 at midfield in the fourth quarter, Peterson took an inside handoff, saw his hole, burst through it and kicked it into high gear once he reached the second level. He reached a top speed of 21.89 mph as he ran untouched into the end zone. It was the fastest foot speed of any running back in week 4, and the fastest speed recorded by Peterson all season. It’s safe to say AP’s back.
Peterson’s a freak in the weight room, and his work ethic is a huge reason for his success. Check out his running back workout, which includes exercises like Double Swiss Ball Rollouts and Prone Starts to build elite strength, speed and power.
RELATED: The Adrian Peterson Workout
2. Le’Veon Bell Used Every Part of the Field
[youtube video=”5Hs1mt7snUc”]Le’Veon Bell is one of the most dynamic running backs in the NFL, and he showed why in week 4.
With the Steelers driving late in the second quarter, Bell received a handoff to the right side. He probed the outside running lanes, looking for an area to cut through, but the Ravens defense filled every gap. Instead of taking a tackle for loss, Bell turned his eyes to the other side of the field and galloped toward open space. With Mike Vick (!) as his lead blocker, Bell punched it into the end zone.
Although the play went down in the box score as an 11-yard touchdown run, Bell actually covered 66.67 total yards on the play. He built the impressive acceleration and agility he showed off here with exercises like Sled Pulls and Cone Drills.
3. The Falcons O-Line Owned the Texans
One of the season’s early surprises has been the play of the Atlanta Falcons. After finishing 6-10 in 2014, the Dirty Birds are off to a strong 4-0 start. Much of their success can be attributed to their offensive line, which has been bullying defenses all season. Entering week 5, Pro Football Focus has the Falcons O-line ranked as the best in the NFL.
Their dominance was on display in the team’s Week 4 win over the Texans. Running back Devonta Freeman had some cavernous holes to run through. On his three touchdown runs, Freeman hit holes that were 3.16, 2.37 and 4.15 yards wide, respectively. Here’s the hole on Freeman’s final touchdown.
It was an impressive showing against a defense that includes Vince Wilfork and J. J. Watt. If you want to push people around like the Falcons O-line, you’ll need to spend a ton of hours in the weight room. Use these 2 workout tips to help you become a beast in the trenches.
4. The Packers Defense Bombarded Colin Kaepernick
The Packers abused Colin Kaepernick in their Week 4 win over the 49ers, racking up six sacks and an interception. The Packers defense made Kap very uncomfortable in the pocket, getting to him in an average time of just 4.8 seconds. Clay Matthews led the charge, registering a monster sack in the third quarter before mimicking Kaepernick’s famous “biceps kiss.”
The Packers defense has been great this season. Their 17.8 average points allowed is tied for third best in the NFL. Matthews has played a huge role in their success, and his unstoppable combination of strength, speed and smarts allows him to make plays all over the field. Football players of any position can benefit from stealing some moves from Matthews’ workouts.
RELATED: The Clay Matthews Workout