Last week, since we were right in the middle of the annual NFL combine, I asked the following question:
Do you believe that teams rely too much on the combine results for players when determining their draft boards and, ultimately, the actual picks they make, compared to what they observed from the player on the field?
Below are some of our thoughts and answers on the question-
Dolphster believes teams often lean too much on things like 40 times at the combine.
I think sometimes teams do put too much emphasis on combine results, especially the 40. Of course speed is important, but there are plenty of sprinters who can’t physically separate from DBs when they are bumped at the LOS, etc. The immeasurables are just as important. Football IQ, heart, drive, commitment, etc. One of the reasons I loved Zach Thomas so much. Too short, too slow, but a Hall of Famer.
SlayerNation1 says the NFL’s annual beauty pageant is more important for the time spent between GMs and players’ agents.
More aptly named: The NFL Pagent
I believe each team’s legation gets more accomplished at the bars and restaurants than The Pagent. Agents selling their Free Agent clients is what the event is all about.Put full pads on the invitees and it will be worthwhile.
Yarganaught, I agree; thus, “rely too much on.”
I don’t think that teams rely solely on Combine results, because you see players drafted over others fairly often. I think they may look at groupings of players at certain positions of interest, like “these 3 men all have similar results at Safety” and then use internal metrics like “went to a SEC school” or “played in a similar Defense” when deciding.
StanleyDoyle1 makes a strong point by mentioning the Dolphins‘ 1998 first-round pick, who lasted less than two seasons before being traded for a wide receiver who was an even worse player (Marcus Nash).
John Avery says no, the combine is a perfect measure. A Jimmy Johnson special.
Dolfanjoe makes a solid point. Personal interviews are probably part of the combination that has the most value.
How to gauge levels of immaturity. Can he even read a play, for that matter can he read ? Can he run ? Can he deal with questions and deal with people ? Getting to talk to his teammates and see what they think of him as a person. Yes underwear Olympics are deceiving. As anyone who has had to throw on pads and a helmet knows. But if you are really interested in a player, that is why you have years of film also to see what he looks like in game situation. Great time for coaches and GMs to talk trades and gauge interest in possible draft scenarios ! Now when you have just spent 4 – 5 years busting your but and you were not invited to the Underwear Olympics, you have to be a little pissed !
Thomas23059 pretty much agrees with Dolfanjoe.
I think the meetings at the combine are useful for the teams. As for the rest of it, I am constantly amazed that teams can look at what someone does over a weekend and somehow think they were wrong about what the guy has put on tape for four years.
Francesco ITA is on board with the previous two.
Its good to measure some of the character of a player… is he smart ? do we think he will make the necessary sacrifices to excel ? is he confident or over-confident ?
For example i dont like when QBs dont throw at the combine, to me is a lack of competition spirit, but we have also cases of great QBs who didnt do it …
Well, if there’s a consensus, the actual value of the combine isn’t the workouts or the 40 times but rather the personal interviews that teams can conduct with players. This is likely accurate, as some players have failed in the NFL due to their inability to perform at that level, others because they were complete headcases or simply unable to follow the law, and others just unable to take coaching. Thank you, as always, to each of you who responds to our question of the day.
