University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders' Defensive Duo Ready For 2011 NFL Combine
Feb. 24, 2011
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - As the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine begins this week in Indianapolis, senior DT Martin Parker and CB Justin Rogers will be two of the nearly 300 top college players from across the country to participate in the NFL's annual pre-draft event.
The Indianapolis Colts annually host the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. The event runs from February 23 to March 1. The arrival times are staggered by position, with Parker and the other defensive linemen arriving Friday. Saturday sees Rogers and the defensive backs roll in.
Once in Indy, the players go through four days of interviews, testing, medical evaluations and the on-field workouts. Much of the action is broadcast live on the NFL Network.
Here's a basic breakdown of the players' four-day schedule:
• Day 1: The players arrive in Indianapolis and going through registration. There is medical testing -- pre-workout exams and x-rays -- before they move into orientation. The day concludes as NFL teams interview particular player.
• Day 2: Physical measurements of the players, some exams, media time, psych tests and then more interviews with NFL teams.
• Day 3: The third day includes a meeting with the NFLPA and more interviews with NFL teams.
• Day 4: This is workout day -- timing, stations and skill drills -- and then players depart.
Richmond's other recent NFL Combine participants - Arman Shields (2008) and Lawrence Sidbury (2009) - have each been drafted. Sidbury remains in the NFL as a defensive lineman with the Atlanta Falcons.
Parker, who was the Defensive MVP of the 2011 East-West Shrine Game, was a consensus First Team All-America for the Spiders after finishing his senior season with 96 tackles and 5.5 sacks. A finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award and a First Team All-CAA Football selection, Parker led all CAA Football defensive linemen in tackles (8.7 per game) and was second overall in the league in total sacks (5.5) and total TFL (13.5) this year. He posted five double-digit tackle games, including 13 versus Delaware and 12 versus Towson. The New Haven, Conn. native, who was a Second Team All-CAA Football pick in 2009, also blocked a PAT attempt in the Delaware game.
Rogers was a First Team pick at both cornerback and punt returner, leading the league in punt return average (12.4 yards), while collecting 48 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles as the league's premier shutdown corner. A versatile threat, Rogers became the CAA Football career leader in kickoff return yards during the 2010 season and also saw action on offense as he rushed five times, caught three passes and was two-for-two passing. He ranks third all-time at Richmond in career interceptions (12).
Rogers and Parker are two of the four players at the Combine representing CAA Football -- the others are Delaware QB Pat Devlin and Villanova OL Ben Ijalana.