NFL considering changes to combine drills

[CCBoy]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/27/nfl-considering-changes-to-combine-drills/


The NFL scouting combine just wrapped up its frenzy of 40-yard dashes, shuttle runs and other drills, but it may be the last time that the event goes according to that familiar schedule.

While speaking at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston on Friday, NFL director of player development Matt Birk and Saints coach Sean Payton said the league would look at the traditional drills this offseason to see if they can be made more useful to teams. For example, Birk said that the only reason anyone ever gives for running the 40 is that it is the way it’s always been done.

“That’s a project we’ll be working on this offseason,” Birk said, via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. “Once we look at the data that was gathered in-game this year, it may be important to know how fast a wide receiver or defensive back can go 60 yards. Maybe for an offensive lineman it’s only 20 yards. We can actually see that in-game: how far are these guys running? What are the real or improved measures of importance and value as it relates to evaluating players and whether or not they should be drafted in the first round or the sixth round?”

Payton also talked about position-specific changes to the drills in order to get the best gauge on how players will transition to the NFL as well as using data about body types to improve scouting for particular needs. Whatever changes the league undertakes as a whole when it comes to the scouting combine, it’s a good bet that teams will also be using their own proprietary methods — as mentioned in Friday’s one-liners, Jaguars vice president Tony Khan recently bought a sports analytics company — to get an edge on the competition.

 

[jazzcat22]

Teams will still wanted time prospects 40 yard dash times.
Maybe they won't weigh as much as any new systems, until they been proven.
So an OL runs a 20, and this looks great, but he's a bust. Then what. It will take time for a transition from the standard 40.

But still a good idea regardless. Rather see a DB coverage time on a WR and if he can stay with a guy for 6 seconds, or running down the field for a bomb

 

[LandryFan]

Teams will still wanted time prospects 40 yard dash times.
Maybe they won't weigh as much as any new systems, until they been proven.
So an OL runs a 20, and this looks great, but he's a bust. Then what. It will take time for a transition from the standard 40.

But still a good idea regardless. Rather see a DB coverage time on a WR and if he can stay with a guy for 6 seconds, or running down the field for a bomb

If an OL runs a great 20 and is a bust, it's no different from the OL that runs a great 40 and ends up being a bust. To me, the bigger issue would be that teams would no longer have a baseline from which to compare for the new drill. That will take a few years to establish. All they can do initially is compare the players in that one class to one another. Did I make any sense, lol?

 

[speedkilz88]

If an OL runs a great 20 and is a bust, it's no different from the OL that runs a great 40 and ends up being a bust. To me, the bigger issue would be that teams would no longer have a baseline from which to compare for the new drill. That will take a few years to establish. All they can do initially is compare the players in that one class to one another. Did I make any sense, lol?

I have to believe the teams still record the 20 times-if it's important to them. I think 10 yd times are recorded. All they have to do is check the tape.

 

[LandryFan]

I have to believe the teams still record the 20 times-if it's important to them. I think 10 yd times are recorded. All they have to do is check the tape.

OK, thanks. I wasn't aware that they already have 20 times...I thought it was only10 and 40

 

[BAT]

Great sig CC. The black and white really classes that pic up. You should consider a black & white slow phase to color (full color on Murray) to make it really pop.

 

[DenCWBY]

Great sig CC. The black and white really classes that pic up. You should consider a black & white slow phase to color (full color on Murray) to make it really pop.

Yes and look how they are all carrying the ball. Commmmon #29, get it right!!

 

[CCBoy]

Great sig CC. The black and white really classes that pic up. You should consider a black & white slow phase to color (full color on Murray) to make it really pop.

Thank you, Sir. It was made for me here on site...

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Yes and look how they are all carrying the ball. Commmmon #29, get it right!!

Isn't that Perkins with the ball out there in the first pic?

 

[xwalker]

OK, thanks. I wasn't aware that they already have 20 times...I thought it was only10 and 40

Yes, they publish the 20 times also.

I would like to see 5 yard times. I primarily look at 10 yard times for linemen and RBs.

It's also interesting to at top speed in MPH. That can be calculated using the difference between the 20 and 40 or the 10 and 20 times. For instance Escobar ran a slower forty time than Witten, but his top speed was 1 mph faster (18 vs 17).

 

[CCBoy]

Isn't that Perkins with the ball out there in the first pic?

Yes...

 

[jubal]

Yes...

Thanks, I was wondering myself but couldn't recall who it was.

 

[BAT]

Isn't that Perkins with the ball out there in the first pic?

Perkins has the ball in crook of his arm, at least 2 points of contact. All the way from Peewee your were taught to hold the ball the ball that way. TD has it high and tight. Emmitt has both hands on the ball. Murray is practically dribbling the thing.

And I'm one of Murray's biggest homers.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Perkins has the ball in crook of his arm, at least 2 points of contact. All the way from Peewee your were taught to hold the ball the ball that way. TD has it high and tight. Emmitt has both hands on the ball. Murray is practically dribbling the thing.

And I'm one of Murray's biggest homers.

I don't know what has made him carry the ball that way this season. of course I haven't gone back to look if it's always been that way.
But this season was his worst fumbling by far.

 

[AzorAhai]

Having players run drills in pads would be the best measurement in just about every drill. I think they should implement some position specific changes. WR and RBs should run the speed drills with pads and helmets. No more debate about how this guy is faster/slower with pads on. The 60 for WR is fine by me but not a fan of shortening the 40 for OL.

 

[joseephuss]

Isn't that Perkins with the ball out there in the first pic?

Yes, and everyone knows Dorsett had a major fumbling problem during his career.

 

[joseephuss]

Having players run drills in pads would be the best measurement in just about every drill. I think they should implement some position specific changes. WR and RBs should run the speed drills with pads and helmets. No more debate about how this guy is faster/slower with pads on. The 60 for WR is fine by me but not a fan of shortening the 40 for OL.

That is why you have scouts go to games and you watch film. That is the opportunity to watch the players in pads. These skill exercises are just to get a different look at the player. Player A looks fast on the field, but times out slow in drills. Player B looks slow on the field, but times out fast in drills. That provides teams with a comparison for the analysis. They can do with it what they will.

I would think players would or could still run the 40 at their pro days.

 

[jobberone]

Teams will still wanted time prospects 40 yard dash times.
Maybe they won't weigh as much as any new systems, until they been proven.
So an OL runs a 20, and this looks great, but he's a bust. Then what. It will take time for a transition from the standard 40.

But still a good idea regardless. Rather see a DB coverage time on a WR and if he can stay with a guy for 6 seconds, or running down the field for a bomb

You can make an argument there is little need for OL to run the 40. I think they should run the 10 and 20. I'd put sensors in a weighted dummy and measure punch in OL and DL. You could put sensors on RBs, WRs, LBs and DBs to measure change of direction, hip turn speed, accelerometers etc.

 

[LandryFan]

V

Yes, they publish the 20 times also.

I would like to see 5 yard times. I primarily look at 10 yard times for linemen and RBs.

It's also interesting to at top speed in MPH. That can be calculated using the difference between the 20 and 40 or the 10 and 20 times. For instance Escobar ran a slower forty time than Witten, but his top speed was 1 mph faster (18 vs 17).

Very interesting analysis. I would not have even thought about top end speed vs overall time.

 

[jobberone]

Adam went thru distance, times and speed a few years ago. Time x speed = distance.