NFL Combine 2012 Results: 4 Most Interesting Events to Watch

To the average NFL fan, the combine workouts are nothing more than an excuse to watch NFL coverage in the offseason. It has been two weeks since the Super Bowl, and now is about that time when desperation sets in and you start settling for watching 300-pound men run a track meet in spandex. 

If you're going to spend your weekend watching grown men lift, run and jump, here are the specific events to keep an eye on a this year's scouting combine. 

40-Yard Dash

Not only is this the most popular event of the combine, it serves as a great scouting tool. You never want to base your entire evaluation on combine results, but the 40-yard dash is a great device to confirming what scouts see on tape. 

Some teams have limits as to how slow a guy can run before he is off their draft boards, specifically for receivers and cornerbacks. Depending on a team's system and which traits it values most in players, the 40 time can either propel players up draft boards or remove them entirely. 

3-Cone Drill

The 40-yard dash may be the most popular drill at the combine, but rarely does a player ever have to run a a straight line for almost half the field. 

The cone drill is a great tool for getting a good look at a prospect's ability to change direction and maintain speed. This drill is especially important for cornerbacks and offensive linemen. Corners need to show fluid hips and great acceleration, while linemen need to be able to showcase their ability to mirror their opponent with their feet. 

Other than the 40-yard dash, this drill is perhaps the most important drill at the combine, particularly for offensive linemen and defensive backs. 

Vertical Jump

While the cone drill is vital for offensive linemen and defensive backs, mastering the vertical jump is essential to defensive linemen and wide receivers. 

The vertical jump measures a player's explosion and lower body strength. For defensive linemen, being able to to explode off the ball to gain leverage is vital. Meanwhile, receivers need to show that they can use their burst to gain separation at the line of scrimmage.

In addition, the vertical jump can be used to measured to evaluate a player's catch radius and ability to pluck the football out of the air. 

Speed Turn Drill

This drill is specific for cornerbacks, but it may be my favorite drill of the combine. 

This drill starts with the cornerback in a backpedal, then they flip their hips back and forth until a ball is thrown toward one corner of the field. The player then must locate the football, catch it and sprint back to the line. 

This drill forces players to display several techniques at one time.

The backpedal, flipping of hips and making a play on the ball are all vital aspects to a cornerback's game. A corner may be able to shine in the 40 or cone drill, but being able to put it all together is a skill in itself. This drill allows prospects to show that they able to use their abilities to perform moves that they actually do on a football field.