It’s articles like these, or more correctly, the inane speculation that follows that makes me realize how much I hate the Scouting Combine. Just yesterday, wasn’t Florida’s Joe Haden considered both a top-ten draft pick, as well as a target of the Browns at Number Seven?
And a day later, suddenly he’s not? What happened? Did he lose a major limb in a tragic squat thrust accident?
Florida cornerback Joe Haden, one of the players the Browns are seriously considering with their No. 7 overall pick in the draft, posted a disappointing 40-time at the NFL Combine today.
Haden was unofficially timed at 4.57 seconds on his first run and 4.60 on his second, well above the 4.37 to 4.42 Haden said he expected to post.
For comparison’s sake, safety Eric Berry — another player on the Browns’ radar screen — turned in an unofficial time of 4.46 on his first run and 4.4 on his second, meaning he probably strengthened his status as a top 10 prospect and maybe even top five. It also proved to some teams that he can play corner as well as safety, according to the NFL Network analysts.
Wow, a 40-yard dash can do all that?? We are still dealing in seconds, right? Last I checked, those go by kind of fast.
I find it quite remarkable how barely two-tenths of a second can separate an elite talent from a first-round afterthought. Although Berry is physically impressive, especially for his position, what would the “experts” have thought of him had he finished with a 4.5 or 4.6 time? Would he have also “dropped” out of the Top Ten?
On the same hand, how is that “NFL Network analysts” are only now convinced that Berry could play corner in the league? Was the nearly three years worth of game tape that features Berry not convincing enough? Did we really need a timed 40-yard dash to cement this…speculation?
Speaking of more – and bigger – and emptier speculation, here’s this….
With no clear-cut Browns starting quarterback and Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford gaining momentum as a franchise QB, Browns General Manager Tom Heckert didn’t rule out trading up from No. 7 in the first round to acquire Bradford or another marquee player.
“I don’t think we’re closing the door on anything,” Heckert said at the NFL Combine. “We’re not shutting the door on moving up or even moving back. We’re listening to a lot of different teams. It’s still early. We have talked to teams about moving up and moving back. We’re not closing the door on any position.”
Let’s hope this is nothing more than some combine chatter, a pre-draft announcement stating that the Browns’ Number Seven pick is officially there for the taking…by whichever team that has been blinded by the overwhelmingly average stylings of either Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen.
Because if it isn’t and the Browns truly are serious about taking one of these two projects in the first round, the Holmgren/Heckert era’s sweet honeymoon will come crashing to a painful end.
However, making everyone think that you’re madly in love with Bradford, in this case, or even Clausen could prove to be a sound strategy come draft day…assuming that someone holding a lower pick than the Browns actually wants to make a deal. Of such a team, perhaps the Bills, 49ers or even the Jaguars could come into play.
As for the legend of Sam Bradford, it’s possible that the Combine hype machine, combined with the pathetic states of both the Rams and Seahawks, could take him off the board a few spots before Number Seven.
Speaking of the legend…let’s again hope that this is more “GM Speak.”
Heckert acknowledged that Bradford, the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, seems to have what it takes to be a successful NFL quarterback.
“He’s a big kid, he’s accurate, he won a lot of football games, he’s a leader,” said Heckert. “That pretty much sums it up. He has all the tools to put it together. Everyone wants to say he’s a franchise, but until he does it you never know.”
Let’s hope we never do. As long we stay in the “words” phase, nothing bad can happen. In Cleveland, “talk is cheap” becomes a most soothing elixir.
2010 NFL Truths Edition
Cleveland Reboot – NFL Preview – Part Two
Cleveland Reboot 2010 NFL Preview – Part One
Monday Roundup: Trashy Best Edition
Sunday Best: Temporarily Final Edition
The Game
The Evening After: Browns-Bears Edition
For What It’s Worth: Browns-Bears Preview
Wednesday Roundup: Reader Feedback Edition
Tuesday Roundup: Nearly Factual Edition
A tenth of a second = a yard. A yard or two = a window big enough for even average NFL quarterbacks to hit.
After those times, NFL teams will be looking back at game film to see if Haden plays faster than he tests.
A 4.4 40 yd dash vs a 4.6 40 yd dash is equivalent to over a foot of separation per second.
Obviously extremely important when trying to man up on a wide out or chase down a running back.
Again, it’s a forty-yard dash – in a controlled environment. The players run in a straight line. Why do we hold up these numbers as some sort of NFL gospel?
The 40 yd dash at the Combine is more than just speed.Haden’s poor showing calls into question his work ethic and preparation.If Florida doesn’t have access to coaches to get you ready then who does?
How many times have Teams been fooled by the guy who put up Eye Popping workouts only to be flops on the field. This is the opposite end of the spectrum. At this point I guess all we can do is trust the people who are in place to make the decisions. Donte Stallworth can run a 4.2 40 but that doesnt mean he can catch the ball
I think Haden was third fastest in the 60 yard shuttle, so who knows? I’d hate to have a blazingly fast guy who couldn’t cut worth a darn. On the deep routes you usually have safety help. It’s those underneath routes where the CB can’t react to the cut that kill you.
I agree, some of the measurements and questions that are asked at the combine are absolutely absurd. And combine performance tends to be overvalued (though I believe most of this is caused by the ESPN hype machine). That being said, I can’t help myself but to pay attention. As an NFL junkie, the combine as well as everything leading up to the draft has become an extension of the season.
Is a slow 40 time at the combine more important than the player’s performance on the field? No. However, these tests still should have some weight in the overall scouting process. If I’m projecting 2 prospects at the same position, and they grade nearly evenly on tape, then some of these speed and strength tests are useful.
As for Haden—Like many of these first round type guys, Most teams (except with the Bungels, which has no scouting dept) have been following him for years. And they have already made a decision based on his performance, personality and character. If the team is comfortable with those attributes the 40 time won’t matter.
As to the Browns (dis)interest in Bradford (and Clausen). I agree, let’s hope that this is a smoke screen. One of the few things Mangini was successful doing last year during the draft was feigning interest in Sanchez. This allowed us to trade down (although the execution of the trade, and subsequent picks are another topic).
Everyone knows that the combine is a tool used both by players and teams to get more, and spend less money. Teams use the combine numbers as a bargaining tool to knock down the money they have to give these supposed first rounders. Nonetheless, I still enjoy watching it and the players compete Olympic style
If Bradford turns out to be a star are you willing to own up to all of this?
percy harvin ran a ‘disappointing’ time last year too.
Thom Darden’s comment is exactly right. Playing faster than you test also means you’re smarter and have good instincts. You don’t get faked out and break the wrong way and let the receiver get by you. That’s where most of the separation occurs. The interviews at the combine (and watching game film) will be more important than the 40 speed in evaluating Hayden’s potential.
BTW, if this Thom Darden is the same DB I remember playing for Michigan, his comment is based on experience and knows what he is talking about! One of the best ever.
Alex,
If Bradford turns out to be a “star”, the only thing I will “own up” to is a complete sense of shock. And if it happens in Cleveland, I will happily eat my words.
Of course, if the Browns “trade up” for Bradford, all will be for naught as I will probably have suffered a heart attack first.
DK
I believe Berry’s combine show means he’s gone at 7 which is unfortunate. I think the top 6 will consist of Okung, Bradford, Clausen, Suh, Berry and Mccoy. This leaves us with a choice of Haden or Thomas in defensive backfield or a bookend tackle like Bulaga or Davis or DE Dunlap. I wish we were down further in draft where we could justify all everything back C.J.Spiller. He reminds me of a young, healthy Brian Westbrook. He’s an everydown back who will undoubtably go to an already strong team in the bottom half of the first round and the strong will become mightier!!!!Pass on Dez Bryant please Mr. Heckert!!
[...] On Joe Haden’s 40-time: “I find it quite remarkable how barely two-tenths of a second can separate an elite talent from a first-round afterthought. Although [Eric] Berry is physically impressive, especially for his position, what would the “experts” have thought of him had he finished with a 4.5 or 4.6 time? Would he have also “dropped” out of the Top Ten?” [DK/Cleveland Reboot] [...]
“A 4.4 40 yd dash vs a 4.6 40 yd dash is equivalent to over a foot of separation per second.”
A few things.
If you’re counting on your corner sticking with the wideout for 4.5 seconds your defense has more problems than your slightly slow corner.
In practical football terms, .2 of a second over 40 yards means very little. Most pass plays aren’t for 30+ yards in any game so the .2 second of separation will usually be even less. Further, good corners don’t let their man just run in a straight line from scrimmage.
If all we’re looking at is speed tests we might as well change our colors to black and silver.
Berry or Haden, it all comes down to what you want, a safety or a corner…period !
[...] From the Department of the Long Since Forgotten comes more reminders regarding the sensational nature of today’s sports media. Or, in other words, remember this? [...]
[...] not. After all, we already went over this during the run-up to April’s draft, as Haden’s NFL Combine 40-yard dash time was [...]