The NFL Combine

The combine arrives on Saturday. The most overrated event of the NFL will improve and destroy the draft position of players. Because scouts will become enamored with things that don't translate to the game, lives and teams will be affected.

Peter King and Michael Lombardi wrote stories today about how the combine really isn't an indicator of anything football. They bring up the questions that I have asking for years.

So what if a guy can run a 40 yard dash in 4.31 seconds.

First they are running without pads on. Last time I checked guys played football with pads. The equipment in the NFL weighs quite a bit, maybe eight to ten pounds. Next the guys are only running on turf that is exclusive to Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Colts. So then because a guy can run that fast there, then he should naturally be able to run that fast on grass, say in San Diego. Lastly they are only running in a straight line. Most of football is never played in a straight line. In fact almost every play involves some sort of cut or juke to avoid another player. The 40 does not show how quick a guy can turn a corner or make his breaks in a route.

So a guy can bench press 225 pounds 35 times. Wow. Is he trying out for the Worlds Strongest Man competition? You do have to be strong to play football, however the game doesn't require brute strength. You need functional strength to succeed at the pro level. Show me a position in the pros that you can succeed with just upper body strength. You can't. Guys need their legs just as much if not more than their upper body.

There are some valuable qualities to the combine. The reaction drills such as this one with Steve Slaton. (start at 20)



Mike Mayock, who I regard as the best draft "expert," explained that in this drill Slaton was the quickest to decide to cut when the coach tilted the bag. This showed that his decision making on cuts was the fastest among all running backs. Slaton has done quite well so far for the Texans.

The receiving drills can help, since the most important job of a wide receiver is to catch the ball. Also it can help players who do not play in a pro style offense and are only accustomed to running seven, eight, and nine routes. This gives them an opportunity to show that they can be a big time receiver, and not a one trick pony.

The interviews. Not much is really revealed about the process of the interviews. I imagine there is some value in the process. It probably shows what a player is made of and his determination to be good. As for how foolproof it is, we may never know.

I guess my father's question to me the other day sums up the combine. What is the point, if everyone is preparing for the specific drills and the interviews? If everyone knows what to expect and is trained for it, what "natural" abilities are they really displaying?