NFL Considering Changes To Combine

[Hoofbite]

the N.F.L. is contemplating making several significant changes in the next few years to its annual job fair for college players, including having prospects race against one another in the 40-yard dash and compete side by side to bench-press 225 pounds the most often.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/24/sports/football/nfl-considers-changes-at-scouting-combine.html

This actually sounds interesting to me.

You could have guys run their time on their own and then pair up players based on their rank.

The 40 is pretty worthless as a means of how a player will play in the NFL, they might as well try go get the best times out of it and make the event more interesting.

And of course, spoken like an agent looking out for good old #1.

“If you need to know about a guy’s competitiveness, turn on some game tape,” the agent David Canter said. He added that the combine would become more of a made-for-television event with the changes. “What about instances of injury, because guys are overdoing it?”

What about the chance of injury just getting out of bed to do the interviews? Might as well have bedside interviews where NFL teams "speed date" each player and then move on to the next prospect.

I think I'd like to see it. Not so much a side-by-side of the bench but putting a little competition into the 40 yard dash would be something I'd watch.

 

[Shadowy329]

I'd like to see them impliment an "all or nothing" rule as far as participation goes. No cherry picking the drills you're going to participate in.

 

[Hoofbite]

I'd like to see them impliment an "all or nothing" rule as far as participation goes. No cherry picking the drills you're going to participate in.

Couldn't agree more.

I said in another thread they should do that.

There are only a limited number of invites that go out. Let some smaller school guys who haven't had year-long media exposure get some time in fron the league. Maybe they'll be able to draw enough interest at the combine to get someone to come to their pro day and look into them a little more.

 

[rkell87]

the H2H 40 makes sense but they better have the kinks worked out 100%. there is a difference between gearing up to run as fast as you can and gearing up to beat the guy next to you and I think this will help make a few guys some money because we all know that some guys have a little extra something when pride and bragging rights are at stake.

 

[Muhast]

I'd like to see them impliment an "all or nothing" rule as far as participation goes. No cherry picking the drills you're going to participate in.

Especially qbs, you have no pass rush, and the route ie predetermined, so you aren't making a read. I get that you aren't familiar with the wrs, but if your a top shelf qb I have a hard time believing you struggle in that drill. Cam participated last year and was the #1 pick! If Russell Wilson can make throws to wrs he isn't familiar with and look solid, why can't luck or griffin?

 

[arglebargle]

Sounds like a marketing trick to me. They are televising it now, and let fans in for the first time this year. Looks like a way to make it more TV friendly....

The 'all or nothing' rule appears like a good idea to me. Do it all, or get out of the way.