Mecca is lubing up

[B_Ambuehl]

As much as his 40 impresses he just doesn't have the build or instincts to play safety. He's too long to change direction effectively and move quickly in short areas. Someone somewhere should have their ass kicked for not putting him at receiver when he was younger.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by Donger

These statistics are interesting. How much difference does .05 seconds really make when judging these guys and how does that translate to play on the field?

It makes *some* difference, but it's position dependent.

40 times are most important for defensive backs and WRs, because they have to run the farthest in a "straight" line.

It's far less important for lineman, of which the 10 yard split is far more important.

Deion ran the fastest 40 every recorded at the combine, and he was obviously a great a cover corner.

However, Brandon Flowers ran a very pedestrian 40 (4.58) and yet is a very good NFL corner.

There are exceptions to every rule, but it's generally a good barometer for their absolute upside.

[jidar]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Deion ran the fastest 40 every recorded at the combine, and he was obviously a great a cover corner.

At the time.
The current record for fastest 40 time is held by CB Fabian Washington (who was subsequently taken by the Raiders). Hence the joke about the Raiders taking guys for their 40 times

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Donger

These statistics are interesting. How much difference does .05 seconds really make when judging these guys and how does that translate to play on the field?

My guess would be that faster is better, but .05 seconds or .10 seconds is probably smaller than the difference in players' abilities to recognize plays or pick angles.

When you think about a defender, it seems like there are three elements to making a tackle:

1. Recognizing the play and the flow and the ballcarrier.
2. Taking the best angle to the ball.
3. Getting there.

#3 gets all the publicity because it's easy to measure, and obviously speed is important. But I wonder how they measure #1 and #2 with as much accuracy. I think they can't.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

My guess would be that faster is better, but .05 seconds or .10 seconds is probably smaller than the difference in players' abilities to recognize plays or pick angles.

When you think about a defender, it seems like there are three elements to making a tackle:

1. Recognizing the play and the flow and the ballcarrier.
2. Taking the best angle to the ball.
3. Getting there.

#3 gets all the publicity because it's easy to measure, and obviously speed is important. But I wonder how they measure #1 and #2 with as much accuracy. I think they can't.

You measure #1 and #2 through the drills they are doing right now.

Originally Posted by Donger

These statistics are interesting. How much difference does .05 seconds really make when judging these guys and how does that translate to play on the field?

5 one hundreds is about a foot in the 40. Sometimes it's the difference between an offensive TD and a pick 6. Not every time but every once in a while a lot of DB's wish they had that .05.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by Phobia

5 one hundreds is about a foot in the 40. Sometimes it's the difference between an offensive TD and a pick 6. Not every time but every once in a while a lot of DB's wish they had that .05.

Many plays are about 6" from being an interception, a fumble, or a TD. Getting to the ball 6" sooner can do a lot for your team.

Originally Posted by kcrockaholic4life

Many plays are about 6" from being an interception, a fumble, or a TD. Getting to the ball 6" sooner can do a lot for your team.

Of course, but I think the point is that straight-line speed over the 40 doesn't make THAT big of a difference. Technique, anticipation, and discipline are more desirable than pure speed else Carl Lewis would have been a VERY rich NFL player in the 80's & 90's.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Of course, but I think the point is that straight-line speed over the 40 doesn't make THAT big of a difference. Technique, anticipation, and discipline are more desirable than pure speed else Carl Lewis would have been a VERY rich NFL player in the 80's & 90's.

lol, did you mention that because of Deion's comparison of Taylor Mays? Deion said Mays reminds him of Carl Lewis a lot.

[HC_Chief]

For a DB "make up" speed is most important.

That includes several factors:

1. Play recognition
2. Angle taken
3. Quickness in change of direction
4. Straight-line speed

The scheme is important as well: if man, the DB needs great instincts; he needs to be able to read the man he is covering, adjust coverage, stick with his man, and turn his head at the correct moment. If zone, he needs to be able to read and react quickly, and move FAST, using the correct angle, to shut down a play in his zone.

[Donger]

Thanks football geeks.

[RustShack]

Pete Carrol timed him at 4.19

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by RustShack

Pete Carrol timed him at 4.19

bias anyone?

[whoman69]

I'm just much of a combine guy. It will probably be a tie breaker or something to throw someone off the draft board for. Me I want to know how the guy plays.

[CoMoChief]

Shit, make him gain 15-20 lbs and put his ass at MLB I bet he'd still run a sub 4.4