The Lions' Pride

That is startling and sad and is a direct indication of the prior regimes S&C. That will surely change in 2-3 years time.

Very impressive for a backer of his build.

Perhaps he was saying it was best of any backer on the team. That, I could see. (However, I'd still be a tad surprised that no other backer could max out at over 405.)

Not really that outrageous but not a big deal other LB's can't do it....however it is a big deal that some of our 300-320 pound big guys can't bench 400 pounds. It should be easy for some of our athletes of this caliber to bench 100 over their weight. Like I said, direct indication of prior S&C. It will change in a couple years for sure.

it sure sounds like the whole team.........our previous weight program was horrible, just think we are now realizing how bad it really was

doesn't make me feel any better, the fact that a 220 pound linebacker was the best on the team - given how much they were allowed to push themselves shows you how weak our linemen were

The last regime's weight program was inferior... That's what I think everyone is getting from this... We upgraded big time. People don't want to say it out of respect... But it's pretty obvious. Im just excited for year 2 with Fitz.

I am not too worried about our "what do you bench" stats. I am much more interested in our squats and deadlift stats. Much more important than bench.

And even more important than the deadlift is the clean.

While watching yourself in the mirror.

Remember safety first, use these 7 simple rules:
1.) Use a squat rack and a straight bar;
2.) Do at least 15 sets of 5 reps;
3.) Five minute rests between sets;
4.) Grunt loudly while contracting the muscle;
5.) Swing your entire body focusing specifically on using your lowerback; and,
6.) Drop the weight to the ground after each set.

I consistantly see more and more programs putting more emphasis on the deadlift than cleans. I only coach high school, so maybe it's different in college, but when I spoke to Philip Daniels two years ago, we talked about lifting in the NFL, and he told me a lot of the guys were deadlifting more than any other exercise. He also said he had his son start deadlifting at a pretty young age, and would not let him do many other power exercises until he had mastered the deadlift.

Also, a good friend of mine who was an assistant strength trainer at UConn, had all his players deadlifting much more than he had them doing cleans.