30 replies to this topic

[BigSyke]

there have been players that have did very well in the combine and went on to be bust. just like some players practice/preseason allstars...then dont show up in the game.


so how do you guage whether a player is just a combine allstar or is the real deal?

say hopkins or fisher has a average combine would you put that much stock into or just ignore it??

[carolina-chuck]

Combine and Pro Day says little if someone can really ball. It'll only help someone but you shouldnt go crazy about it. College game films are what really is important.

Cam had a bad Combine but a very good Pro Day. The combine didn't hurt his stock. The combine helped Kuechly's stock. If you need a certain position, you are not going to pass them up just bc of a poor or average combine showing.

[Calculus Entropy]

I think for top tier guys it might help to differentiate how guys grade out but not drastically. If a club has two guys graded the same it might make them lean towards one vs the other but that's about it.

For late round guys it could help a bit more if they have an all world combine but I really don't see it being all that important at the end of the day.

[XClown1986]

Certain drills can be indicative of potential in certain positions. For example, the 10-second split for linemen shows explosion off the snap, 3 cone drill for linebackers and corners shows agility in needing to react to a play, etc.

Other things like the bench, vertical, 40 yard dash, etc. are indicators of athleticism but should be given less weight as they don't translate to the field as markers of football skills really (40 can show break away speed for receivers, but even that doesn't matter if the film is lacking).

[BigSyke]

how about the Wonderlic test?

[carolina-chuck]

how about the Wonderlic test?

Oh lord. Worst test given out ever.
Who was it that made like a 4 on it? Was it Mo or PP7?

[carolina-chuck]

It'll help, just ask Vernon Gholston.

[kman72]

For me the combine is sort of a joke. You need to watch film and see what the players natural instincts are and how they play with pads on because that is something that cant be measured by any test.

The combine should be used to validate the skills you see on the field, if you watched 10 games from a particular team and never really recognized a player, but then go to the combine and he blows you away with numbers is a common mistake for many people. If it doesn't translate to the field then it doesn't matter. Workout Warrior is the term for that and every year there are multiple of these. last year it was Dontari Poe from Memphis.

For instance last year I was high on Kuechly from watching his games and thought he was a solid player. Unfortunately for him i felt he would be too slow to be a star in the NFL. After seeing his combine numbers and agility drills, his 40 time of 4.5 It solidified my opinion and I really wanted him.

I would use the combine to verify the ability of what I see on film and if those numbers translate the skills I see on the field to what is the average skills required to play in the NFL for that respective position. My main goal at the combine would be to personally meet the player and see what kind of person he really is. That's something you cant always see on the field is a players personal and family life. I want a player that is going to take it has a job and work hard every day. Best example off top of my head in this case was Koren Robinson who got drafted by the seahawks a long while back, but he came in dressed unprofessional and wore thousands of dollars of jewelry in chains and rings.

[Jackofalltrades]

Some drills are useful, but they should do it in full pads, IMO. I don't care how fast a guy runs in underwear on a fast turf in a straight line. Out them in full pads and have the DB's chase the O skill players.

[DaCityKats]

its part of the process. the most important is the film, and interviews but the combine is supposed to showcase the athletes athletisim. it is also a place where scouts and other FO guys can meet with players and do medicals as well as interviews.

[Bwood]

All I know is that this place is always a shitt show after the combine lol.

"ERMERGERHD DRAFT DONTARI POE!!!!11"

[Dash Global]

The combine shows how athletic / fast a player is. Which is certainly an important factor.

Ideally you want an athletic player that produced in college and has good film.

[Frash Brastard]

Vontaze Burfict ran a 5+ 40 yard dash

he led the Bengals in tackles and graded very well for several weeks according to PFF

that's how much stock you should put into the combine

[Carolinaguy88]

I just want a player created by science to play NT that's 7'6", 550 lbs, runs a 4.1 and benches 120 reps. I want him to also have tape where he just picks up O-lineman and throws them into the QB every play.

[carolina-chuck]

Vontaze Burfict ran a 5+ 40 yard dash

he led the Bengals in tackles and graded very well for several weeks according to PFF

that's how much stock you should put into the combine

Well Burfict was a highly regarded prospect coming out. He was called the next coming of Ray Lewis. It wasnt until like that last couple weeks where Mike Mayock called out Burfict that he wouldnt draft him. And off the field issues hurted him a lot. Though, the kid showed he could play during his time at ASU.