Workouts vs Game Tape

[Mr. Scot]

Alabama Guard Chance Warmack looked like a beast on the field for Alabama this season. But when he got to The Combine, he showed up smaller than expected, ran a slow 40, declined to do the bench press and - per Joe Person - made a comment about pulling guards not having to go 40 yards. He was described as looking "soft".

NC State Corner David Amerson gave up a lot of catches this season, enough that it was said he showed up on "the wrong end of a lot of highlight reels". Working at The Combine though, Amerson tested well. His 40 time was 4.44, he had a 35.5 vertical, did 15 reps on the bench, measured out at 6'1, 205 and looked good in drills.

Worth noting that Warmack will have a chance (heh) to redeem himself at Alabama's Pro Day.

Regardless, both of these situations serve to bring up a long running offseason discussion.

How much weight do you give to The Combine when evaluating a player?

[chknwing]

I dont. Its basically a parade. Judge players by what they do on the field in games.

[TheRumGone]

With Chance, I don't give a poo about his Combine.

[Mr. Scot]

I wonder how many folks remember Mike Mamula.

(I know a lot of Eagle fans do)

[Jackofalltrades]

I don't care much, if anything, about a workout in underwear on turf in a very controlled environment.

It can confirm some things, but holds little weight.

[DaCityKats]

the combine is apart of the draft process.it should confirm what you see on tape,or make you go back to see if you missed something.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

The combine is extremely useful. It allows stupid teams to fall in love with bad players so that a much better player falls to you.

[Mr. Scot]

Dave Gettleman gives his view of The Combine a little after 1:20 in this video...

Heavy Vetting at The Combine

[Mr. Scot]

The combine is extremely useful. It allows stupid teams to fall in love with bad players so that a much better player falls to you.

It'd be nice :lol:

[Growl]

We shouldn't have any desire to draft either of those player so I can't say really care how either of them did at their combine.

[Mr. Scot]

We shouldn't have any desire to draft either of those player so I can't say really care how either of them did at their combine.

No desire to draft Chance Warmack? Why? :blink:

[beastson]

The combine is important, both are

Cause you had success and looked good against other COLLEGE players doesn't mean that will always transition in the NFL. It's really important for sure 1st round picks though

[KillerKat]

I think the NFL could do without the combine

[LinvilleGorge]

IMO, workouts are to confirm what you saw on game tape. If the tape says the guy's a beast and he works out like a beast, you've got an elite prospect. If the tape shows nothing special, but the guy works out like a freak, then you go back to the tape and re-evaluate. Was he in a scheme that didn't fit his skill set? Did you miss something the first time you watched the tape? Or, is the guy just a workout warrior and not a football player?

The opposite is true for guys who look like a beast on tape, but then don't show it in workouts. You go back to the tape to see if he was maybe just in the perfect scheme to utilize his skills while hiding his weaknesses. Was it weak competition? Is he not taking the process seriously? If he isn't taking it seriously and isn't showing up prepared, that's a huge red flag IMO. The Combine is the biggest job interview of a football player's career. He should absolutely take it seriously and come 110% prepared and ready to show his best in the drills and in the interviews. What is that guy going to do when he starts banking fat NFL paychecks? Does he have the drive to stay hungry or is he going to get fat and happy? .