Putting Combine In Perspective
March 2nd, 2016
Be careful putting too much importance on the combine.
Yes, you know by now that Joe is a big fan of the NFL Scouting Combine few fans ever get to see. That’s the media workroom cocoon at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
There, the NFL spoonfeeds writers NFL coaches, general managers and college prospects. Even NFL big shots are hanging out and are often available for interviews.
For Joe, the access is akin to a reporter’s buffet that could not get any better.
However, the TV production fans and viewers are accustomed to, media is only allowed to watch very small glimpses of the TV show live, if they are so inclined. Joe is not among those so inclined.
Therefore, Joe puts no stock into the indoor track practice at all, doesn’t care who runs what in a 40-yard dash, or who throws or catches footballs in shorts against air, or who can jump higher.
It’s not football.
One man who inhales football but is no fan of the TV show known as the combine is Thomas Bassinger of the Tampa Bay Times. He went through the history of the TV show and found out the winners of the combine are usually losers in the game of football.
… [E]ven among the very best combine performers, there’s a tremendous amount of variation. Only a fraction enjoyed long NFL careers. And then only a select few of those players developed into stars. Many were out of the league after three or four seasons.
This weekend, you might catch a glimpse of the next Chris Johnson, Julio Jones or Patrick Peterson. But it’s more likely you’ll be watching the next DeMarcus Van Dyke, Yamon Figurs or T.J. Moe.
Never heard of them?
Joe’s stance is not popular. Just look at the eyeballs NFL Network gets from this central Indiana studio production.
But let’s not anoint players because of how they perform on the turf of Lucas Oil Stadium, based mostly on an otherwise boring non-football February weekend — when folks are so Jonesing for an NFL game they’d happily tolerate a Jacksonville-Tennessee scrum.
March 2nd, 2016 at 10:15 am
Loading UPS trucks is a hard job. But some of them do become Firefighters and Cops.
March 2nd, 2016 at 10:20 am
Vernon Butler (DT)
HT: 6’4″ WT: 323LBS.
POSITION: DT
SCHOOL: Louisiana Tech
Comparison: M. Wilkerson
This big boy can move and I understand Mike Smith likes these type of athletes on his DL.
March 2nd, 2016 at 10:41 am
Look no further than Tim Tebow. He had a better vert, broad, 3 cone drill, and 20 shuttle than 90% of the CBs, DBs, and WRs, in the 2010 combine. Dude is a freak. But a freak that can’t read defenses.
March 2nd, 2016 at 10:41 am
Mr.Licht draft Daniel Lasco. I’ll take my chances with 4.4 speed,41.5 vert and 11.3 broad jump like my big homes SB told Y’all best in combine history. Translation this kid has alot power.
March 2nd, 2016 at 10:44 am
DB55 you on it my man, everyone crooning for a DE Mike Smith and Jay Hayes I assure you are more interested in a dominant DT. Its why I’m screaming Nkemdiche.
March 2nd, 2016 at 10:54 am
VH3
Then DE AND ANOTHER DE Maybe Bullard, Maybe Ogbah
Then a safety of which there are several.
March 2nd, 2016 at 11:05 am
As long as he stops falling out of windows drunk then I am ok with Nkemdiche. He doesn’t grade out to a top ten pick tho IMO. Lasco on the other hand is intriguing. I would rather keep Martin for several reasons but if he walks I hope we pull the trigger on Lasco. I have several west coast buddies that are high on Lasco and they have no interest in the Bucs
March 2nd, 2016 at 11:05 am
The combine is important but it is not the end all be all for draft status. Guys like Hargraves that post a medium 40 speed are ok but his ball skills jump out versus the other players. I was all in for Ramsey, but Hargraves closed the gap a ton in my eyes. Will have to see more tape. Noah Spence is everyone’s punching bag but it is revealed he managed to be in the top 10 in all categories and he strained his hamstring during the Senior Bowl. Mackenzie strained his hammy 6 weeks ago and still can’t find the field to participate in any of the drills. Would love to somehow pull off a Hargraves/Spence draft.
I like Lasco as well BTW, my favorite is Tyler Ervin. He had a monster game against Auburn this year. I think he will be a later round pick but could be a huge addition.
March 2nd, 2016 at 11:29 am
I respect those thoughts SB.
March 2nd, 2016 at 11:51 am
SB
Tebow got a raw deal. He pulled off some brilliant wins, they were ugly af but he did win. He’s the only gator I’ve ever had some love for well him, Fred Taylor and you of course.
March 2nd, 2016 at 12:06 pm
Lol DB. You know I love me some Tebow but he was out of his element at QB in the NFL. I SO wish he would have gotten off his high horse and tried another position. Tebow would be the Ultimate Alstott!!!!!! He is a playmaker. Find a way to give him the ball and let him smell the endzone
March 2nd, 2016 at 4:29 pm
I am a huge Vernon Butler fan and was thinking the same thing about Mike Smith and Jay Hayes. It all starts in the middle and there is no better way too free up GMC from those doubles than to put a beast right next to him. One thing is for sure and that is the uncertainty with our first round pick. Its the best DT class in a long time so why not get the best of the best? I like Vernon Butler, Andrew Billings, Sheldon Rankins or A’Shawn Robinson. There is a chance Andrew Billings could drop into the second round? Another player to keep an eye on is Chris Jones Mississippi State, his burst and strength give him a rare combination that could make him one of the better players to come out of the draft. It numbs ones mind to imagine a front four of Jason Pierre-Paul – Chris Jones – Gerold McCoy – Leonard “freak on a leash” Floyd. Yes, the 6-6 244 LB can play DE. Not to mention a 4.60 40, 1.60 10 yard split, 39.5 vertical and 10-7 broad jump. Yes, you heard it hear first!
March 2nd, 2016 at 5:52 pm
Adolphis Washington DL Ohio St was owning kids at the senior bowl too.