Going Hardcore

DeAngelo Hall

TEAM: Atlanta Falcons

POSITION: Cornerback

HEIGHT: 5'10" WEIGHT: 197

THE WINNER OF the NFL's fastest-man competition pays $12,000 a year to build his core at Athletes Performance in Tempe, Ariz. He says the investment has made him the player he is today--and thus made him rich. "I came here out of college, and then I signed for a $13 million bonus," says Hall, 22. "My next contract I'll get maybe a $25 million bonus. I'll take that turnaround." Here's a sample of Hall's "movement" regimen.

Resistance Band Walk DRILL With feet shoulder-width apart, and bands taut across the thighs and ankles, Hall walks 10 yards forward, 10 yards back. Twice. PURPOSE The bands force Hall to use his hips and glutes to move. Employing the glutes instead of relying mostly on the quadriceps--the muscle most people naturally favor--adds power and reduces injury risk.

Shawne Merriman

TEAM San Diego Chargers

POSITION Linebacker

HEIGHT 6'4" WEIGHT 272