Full pads at the combine
by footstock on Mar 15, 2010 12:13 PM EDT
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PrintWhy doesn't the NFL have the combine test the players in full pads and helmet at the combine? Can you imagine if a pilot could do a verbal exam ONLY instead of flying a plane to get their pilots license? He could tell us how he is going to fly the plane without actually flying the plane.
I realize that they have historical data from previous combines, and that they like to use that data to benchmark against potential draftees performance. However, with as much money that is at stake you would think they would want to start building some better data.
We all realize that players will be slower in pads, but there should be a correlation between their gym short speed and their pad speed. Frankly some players, especially track guys in the skill positions, have a significant dropoff when put in pads. Guys like Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith ran really well in pads, and they fell in the draft because of the concern about their speed. Jerry Rice ran a 4.6 at the combine, however, I don't think I ever saw anyone catch him from behind. When Bill Walsh saw Jerry Rice play, he allegedly remarked, "He doesn't PLAY like a 4.6 guy".
My recommendation is that they begin having them run drills (especially the 40) separately in both shorts and full equipment starting next year. They would be able to benchmark players in shorts with previous draftees, and then start building new data including pads. In five years or so, they would be able to drop the shorts (so to speak) and rely solely on full equipment results.
I am genuinely hearing your feedback on why they aren't tested this way now, and if you think it's a good idea for the future.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit or its writers. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.
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Agree 100%
How much of a hassle would it be for them to wear a full set of gear at the combine? Additionally I would like to see them run with a ball in their hands. I personally dont care how fast a guy runs a 40 in shorts, b/c he will never do that in a game.
To be honest the combine doesnt matter to me, only thing that caught my attention was McCoy’s bench reps.
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Really??
Wow, he musta been heavy int reh weed that day. Honestly, until I checked I had no idea he did 17 reps.
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McCoy was also waaaay slower than Sapp in the 40
4.69 and weak trumps 4.96 and weak.
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WOW!! Sapp ran a 4.69?
Another great pearl of wisdom. Thanks GR!
Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year....Sparky Anderson
Hypothetically
I like the idea of running in pads, or carrying a ball. What if they took it a step further and had them run in cleats on grass or FieldTurf?
So let’s say you have a guy run a blazing 40 at the combine in shorts and track shoes. What if a you’re a GM for a team that plays on grass/FieldTurf? Wouldn’t you want to measure how that speed translates once they’re in cleats? I think their speed would still be there, but it might weed out some of the guys that specifically trained just to get their 40 time down for the combine.
Not that this would ever happen, but it’d be interesting.
Interesting
You have to manage what they wore or the players would just cut most of the padding out to make it less restricting. Then you’d probably get the guys that argue they wear it like that in a game. Some would want to wear there own stuff that’s broken in like their used to. But if they could come up with a standard and have officials check it like they do boxing gloves or goalie eqiupment, then yeah you could even let them break the stuff in they knew they’d be wearing at the combine. plus I imagine the gear would weigh different acording to the size of the player like DB compared to OL, but then times would adjust accordingly. I like running with the ball idea for the WR, TE,RB, FB and QB
Yep. I agree with that
I thought that they would all where combine issued pads to keep it equal.
Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year....Sparky Anderson
The Combine is for....
…..getting measurements and to see them do a few drills….They see them in pads all year long and on film….remember the combine is just one of a few scouting options that all scouts use….Its fine the way it is.
by BennieBladesFan on Mar 15, 2010 1:13 PM EDT reply actions
But their not timed in pads during the year
And their 40 times are always discussed at the combine, what does a 40 time in shorts matter?
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I agree....
…..its just another time they take at the combine……its a show
by BennieBladesFan on Mar 15, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
damn interesting
never thought of that angle… and if he fumbles in that 40 time that would be interesting too for offensive players obviously
GO LIONS in 2010! the transformation starts now.. they have much to do.
I don't mean any offense
but your example is kind of terrible. If the Pilot had hundreds of hours of video tape of him flying planes, then yeah, a written exam would be fine. Players have a ton of tape on them, all running in pads. At the combine, they simply want raw measurable data. They could use pads, sure, but it ultimately wouldn’t make a difference. They’ve seen them running in pads plenty of times before they draft them.
Very good point
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by Hyperion Ecta on Mar 15, 2010 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I was going to ask the same thing!
I thought Pilots did most if not all their training basically playing a video game.So we should put these guys all in front of a High def TV and put Madden on and who ever does the best at playing while sipping soda’s and eating munchies would get the top pick in the draft……
How many lumps you want Doc?
well madden isnt a football sim like the flight simulator....
I would like to see them in FULL pads on wii fit board doing the forty, vertical, and broad jump then I think we be on to something.
by Gyorick on Mar 15, 2010 2:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
What mashing buttons isn't good enough for you?
I can run a solid 4.37 every once in a blue moon on Madden. Lol
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I voted no BUT..
I think it would be fair to say lifting weights in pads is useless. Some drills mostly running routes ect… I could see were it would make alot of diffrense I’d say some drills yea some no.
How do you keep a running back out of your secondary? You put up a LEVY.
No pads at the combine Footstock
Coaches should have more than enough tape on a player in college and even high school that they should use to assess a player’s skills and abilities IMO.
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As a coach, why would you NOT want that data?
Is Joe Haden REALLY one of the slowest corners available? I think if you ran him in pads, you would find that he runs a 4.7 in pads, where most of the other CB’s run a 4.8.
Does Hardesty from Tennessee play as one of the fastest backs in college? He was top 5 at the combine, but I don’t think he plays that fast. In fact, they brought Bryce Brown in as their speed back most of the time this year.
The problem with tape, as Lions fans can attest, is that they are competing —on tape—against inferior talent. There are approximately 2500 seniors in division 1 (FBS) each year only around 175 are drafted (after Juniors are taken into account).
Basically, NYC, there are 10,200 players in division 1 with 2640 starters. Of those 2640 starters, only a few hundred of them continue on to the NFL. Having NFL players compete on tape against non-nfl talent is like college players playing a non-florida high school team. lol.
As a coach or GM, I am asking anyone who has an idea WHY you wouldn’t want data in full pads. I don’t want to see players HIT at the combine—-I really want to see their speed and agility in full pads instead of in gym shorts.
Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year....Sparky Anderson
I thought
I was gonna read this and scream how stupid it would be to risk your draft stock getting hit. Good idea! the only prollem I see is that peopkle can still opt out of the combine, QBs, RBs, lots of dudes don’t participate. I think even less would if there were 2 sepperate part to the same drill.
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by Waitingfortheroar on Mar 15, 2010 4:27 PM EDT reply actions
I see no problem with your suggestion footstock
It would give us an idea of how they run in pads. As long as they’re is little to no contact I think it would be fine.
"Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind." - Pride Leader, Sean Yuille, wielder of the Ban Hammer.
2010 Wests Tigers : Current record - 1-0 : Current Position - 8th : Last game - Defeated Manly Sea Eagles 26 -22
It could happen down the line, once the salary structure changes.
You may start to see pads come in after the structured rookie salary contracts come into the league. At that point the temas will hold a lot more leverage than the agents and players do. Probably wont see any of this crap where a healthy QB refuses to throw anymore either.
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