The NFL
combine is a great way to measure athletic ability, but does it really access everything
necessary to gain the optimum measure of a players potential? Many coaches and draft
experts in the NFL put too much emphasis on the combine according to the experts
at Draftanalysis.com.
The
majority of those in the know feel the combine is an efficient process in
evaluating whether a player will be able to match up athletically with the talent
at the next level, but there are other criteria that are important. Some
of these factors aren't tangible because there isn't a scientific process to
measure the real value. Many players in the NFL do not possess the top-notch
speed, agility and strength that scouts believe are required to be NFL ready,
but still find a way to succeed in the league. Although the physical attributes
of an individual seem important and are, a specific performance at the Combine typically
dictates what round a player is selected in overriding any measure of balance that
truly encompasses a players value.
History has
shown us that there are specific players who see their draft stock soar post-combine
due to physical performance and there are those that simply don't test well resulting
in lost signing dollars. In a nutshell
the combine has its successes and its failures.
Those
organizations that emphasize the importance of the Combine use the 'speed dash",
the forty, as the primary yardstick. Many have been called misdirected in
thinking that if a prospect runs a great forty times they will become a great
NFL player, which history has proved time and again simply isn't the case.
When
scouting an NFL prospect, the combine is not the only factor NFL organizations measure.
There is the Wonderlic, a supposed measure of intelligence, and interviews that
determine a players level of leadership and media savvy.
Here is a
quick hitter on first round selections that made their mark with impressive performances
in past Combines.
Combine
Players (All 1st Round)
Troy
Williamson WR
Matt Jones
WR
Kamerion
Wimbley DE/OLB
Jason Babin
DE/OLB
Vernon Davis
TE
Terrance
Newman CB
Ahmad
Caroll CB
Will Allen
CB
Kyle Boller
QB
Note that
many of these active players have been a disappointment compared to where they
were selected in the draft, the first round.
On the flip
side the list of non-combine players that have had or are in the process of
having stellar careers.
Non-Combine
Players (Round)
DeMeco
Ryans OLB (2nd)
Anquan
Boldin WR (2nd)
Hines Ward
WR (3rd)
Adrian
Wilson S (3rd)
Joe Horn WR
(5th)
Zach Thomas
MLB (5th)
Adalius
Thomas (6th)
Marques
Colston WR (7th)
T.J.
Houshmanzadeh WR (7th)
Donald
Driver WR (7th)
Some
examples of potential players in this years draft that will likely be drafted
too early based on their Combine performance alone:
DE Jamaal Anderson Arkansas
WR Robert
Meachem Tennessee
OLB Lawrence Timmons FSU
OLB Jon
Beason Miami
QB Drew Stanton Michigan St,
DE Quentin
Moses Georgia
Some examples
of players expected to excel at the next level despite the lack of Combine
hype:
OLB Paul Posluszny Penn St.
QB Troy
Smith Ohio St.
RB Kenny
Irons Auburn
RB Tony Hunt Penn St.
MLB David
Harris Michigan
WR Steve
Smith USC
