Do you think 40 times at the combine are overrated?

Question

I know what it means, and I know the significance. But I think that the level the game is played at now, being a good route runner is more important. I'm a diehard OSU fan, but I'm looking at Ginn, who just HANDLED safeties and CB in college, and I think those bursts will be limited when he gets in the NFL. He'll be good, but he may have to tweak what he does. Agreed?

The comparison of Troy Williamson is exactly something I would refer to, giving the 40 time at the combine, less credibility.

I also understand that speed cannot be taught, but in the same regard, being a smart football player can't always be taught. Having plain out football smarts isn't the easiest thing to test either. Won't mention any names cause they're mostly on my Brownies....

Answer 1

Quickness off the ball and the ability to handle a jam at the line are more important to a WR now a days in the NFL. The 40 times are a bit over-rated within reason. I mean some college WR that comes in and runs a 4.8 time in the 40 better have some other 'can't live without' attributes or he'll get little interest from NFL teams.

Answer 2

To an extent it is a bit overrated because there is a difference between football speed and track speed. Some guys can only reach those speeds when they are running in a straight line and some guys are just as fast with pads on (see Reggie Bush or Devin Hester). However, the 40 is still probably one of the most valuable drills in the combine because speed is the one of the most important things that players need to have to be successful in the NFL. Look at Mike Williams (WR, current Detroit Lions, former USC). He dominated in college but he hasn't done anything in the NFL. Also, from interviews I've read with scouts and NFL coaches, apparently there is some statistical relation between 40 time and success in the NFL for many of the positions.

Also, probably the one reason that so much importance is attached to the 40 is the fact that YOU CAN'T TEACH SPEED! You can teach a player how to run better routes or different ways to get off the line if they have the raw ability to do so. However, if you're too slow (e.g. Mike Williams), all the talent in the world at those other skills really doesn't matter.

Answer 3

ABSOLUTELY.

It might be more useful if they would run the 40 in full pads. Many players lose a significant amount of speed and burst when they put on the pads. There are a few players who perform very well in pads but most don't. The complete uniform and its limitations can be very different depending on the position, such as a running back compared to a cornerback. It is even more obvious in their lateral movements and ability to change speeds quickly. Speed does not overcome lack of intelligence. Many years ago pure speed was a great benefit but the defenses are much better devised to limit that speed in today's game. The best players in the game now are the players who have great short burst speed and are very fast laterally. How many times did you see a player break a run for more than 20-30 yards in 2006? There were 12 teams who had a longest rush that was about 40 yards or less. Tiki Barber, Larry Johnson, Shaun Alexander, Thomas Jones, Rudi Johnson, Edgerrin James all had longest runs of about 40 or less.

Answer 4

The 40s are important in a certain aspect of what teams are looking for. For instance, teams such as the Broncos, Patriots, and the Eagles all look for quality players with more than just speed, they look for the total package. Emmit Smith and Terrel Davis, two stud, and for Smith future Hall of Fame, running backs who were told they were both too slow to play at a professional level. The line drawn here is at receiver, where speed is a great tool, but veterans without the speed of the newer receivers have to use quickness, agility, and route running skills to manuver around. Speed isn't everything, look at Troy Williamson of my team, the Vikings. He can fly down the field, but when the ball comes to him, corners should almost let him try to catch the ball because he couldn't catch a cold. Speed has some importance though, just ask the Lions about that "stud" receiver they thought the would get in Mike Williams.

Answer 5

The 40 is used to time players in the 10-, 20-, and 40-yard distances all at once. If you watch the combine, every team has a coach at these 3 points in the stands. Obviously for lineman (both offensive and defensive), the 10-yard dash is important because it measures explosiveness...although it's good to know that D-lineman, Gaines Adams of Clemson (4.64 sec), has a good chance of catching a RB if he gets passed the line of scrimmage.

For WRs and DBs, the 40-yard dash is important because it measures breakaway speed. Smart GMs and coaches will pay close attention to a player's skill (i.e. Marques Colston last year was a steal...a testament to "it doesn't matter what level you play at...if you're good, you're good).

For DBs, I think the 40 is EXTRA important because not everyone is a lockdown cornerback. 40s help coaches determine who is going to be able to catch a Calvin Johnson (who ran a 4.35 in the 40)...or Ted Ginn Jr...if he gets beat. For a decent DB that is a little on the "slow" side (mid to high 4.5s), that might make them more valuable as a cover 2 (zone) guy.

http://www.derrich.com/2007/02/25/2007-nfl-combine-wrs-rbs-qbs-just-some-observations/

http://www.derrich.com/2007/02/27/2007-nfl-combine-dbs-take-center-stage-on-tuesday/

Answer 6

The 40 is just used to determine a baseline for the player's running speed in routes and patterns. However, the 40 times are overrated since they are not in pads nor running in different directions. Add in that every draft prospect runs the 40 (including offensive linemen) and you see that the 40 is more for show than for examination of the player's abilities on the playing field.

Troy Williamson had a solid 40 run and look at him in Minnesota. Meanwhile, Colston didn't have the best combine and he was in contention for ROY in 2006. The Combine itself is overrated and the players should rely on their level of play in the collegiate (or semi-professional leagues) arenas to support their position for going to the NFL.

Answer 7

Yes and No. First of all, everyone is fast in the NFL. The 40 gives the scouts an idea of how fast a player is in a straight line, it does not tell how fast you can get out of a cut, or your quickness, or agility. But I think it would be better if they ran the 40 in Full Pads. There is 40 speed and there is Football speed. Big Differnce. Jerry Rice ran a 4.7 in the 40 which is slow for a receiver but we all know how Jerry turned out.

Answer 8

In my opinion, the 40 time is a valid indicator for certain positions, but useless for others. Here are the positions I think would be important in terms of 40 times:

Running back
Wide receiver
Return specialist
Special teamer (gunner)
Cornerback

And the positions where the 40 is useless:
Quarterback (unless you can run a 4.4)
Placekicker/Punter (obviously)
Offensive/Defensive Line

In a nutshell, I think any position where there is a realistic chance of a player running in a dead sprint for 40 yards, there is some significance to the 40 yard dash. Otherwise, I think it's completely overrated. After all, the most important thing is how fast you are in full pads.

Answer 9

Yes...it is very overrated. They should check the speed of a 10-yard dash. How often do you see a player make a 40-yard dash in a real game. Not nearly as often as a 10-yard in or out route. Short distance bursts and quick foot movement is more valuable that outright speed in today's NFL.

Answer 10

I think they do a good job at relfelcting what their speed will be so it'll show if the receivers can run past fast defenders. As for route running I agree it doesn't show anything like that, and the NFL is starting to lean towards possession receivers rather than deep threats.