Do you think 40-yard dash times at combines are overrated since it's done without the uniform and pads on?

Question

The real test is when the whole uniform's on!

Answer 1

It depends how you look at it. I think the 40 is kind of a stupid drill, because speed is not nearly as important as quickness in football, and yes there is a difference. Pads will make a difference, but the drill is not nearly representative of a real game situation. the drill yields no accurate results to game speed. yes they are highly overrated, so i agree.

Answer 2

That's true. Not only that, since when does a WR not have a DB drapped all over him when he is coming off the line of scrimmage. The 40 times are the dumbest drill, at what's turning out to be an overblown event.

Answer 3

The whole combine thing is overrated. Real players show what talent they have on the field during games.

Answer 4

I think they are overrated because how many times in a game are you actually going to get the chance to run a four/forty untouched. It's your ability to break free that will get you the most yards and your ability to out think your opponent that creates the most memorable moments.

Answer 5

ya i agree, ive heard guys in highschool, college, and pros in interviews that say they had better times while runnin in pads anyway for some wierd reason, while some guys can run a lot faster with pads off but would be slower in games, i dont really care how fast the guy can run on the weekends without pads, i wanna know how fast he's gonna run during a game with his pads on anyway

Answer 6

no. they are a test of the players work ethic. take for example lendale white. last year. he went to run the 40. and he was so out of shape he almost tore one of his ligaments.

then you look at the CB from arkansas or someone like chris henry. who showed up to the combine. ready to run. and they both posted great times. and raised their stock big time.

and once you get on the field. everyone has pads on. so the playing field is level.

Answer 7

Yes. As herm edwards once said: A receiver may have a 4.3 40 but may have a 5.4 guy's hands. Emmit Smith ran a 4.7. In today's draft, he would be lucky to be a 1st rounder. Teams would have passed on an elite guy. I agree with you completely.

Answer 8

The combines, as a whole, are overrated. It won't show who is ready for the NFL. It just shows that they can run and catch/throw and bench press. The main problem is that it doesn't show who's game ready.

Answer 9

i agree but that is a test of raw speed...u saw these dudes run with pads on tv but no matter what deion runnin a 4.2 amazing considering that he was lightning fast with the pads on

Answer 10

well they all have pads on but pretty different. a running back will have some pretty big pads, while a corner will have close to none. so the field performance will be different levels.