Intriguing 40-yard dash info……….

[cmhawks99]

I pulled this off of walterfootball.com, which is a decent site that you can access at this link …………….

WalterFootball.com: 2009 NFL Draft - Pro Day Results

……….he complies and archives a lot of stuff that is “mostly” accurate near as I can tell. As some know I have taken issue with the whole “slow” Big 10 thing. But my main point of emphasis for linking this and listing times is to show how incredibly ambiguous these 40 times are. Projected to run “this”…then actually runs “this”..only to be followed by a Pro Day time of “this”!

This fast team has guys that are quite slow per 40-yard dashes & these “slow” teams have quite fast guys. I mean it is all over the board. All I know is forty times are grossly over evaluated. Either you can play football or you can’t. Either you can recognize a play and get there or you can’t!

I’m going to proceed to list DB’s and Lbers from the Big 10 and Big12. You’ll note guys that are said to be “fast” from both conferences that “seemed” slow per times, yet draft capsules have still called them fast and the scouts loved them. Mitch King comes immediately to mind. I think some thought he’d run a 4.7ish something and he really ran a 4.89 plus. Also some of these guys ran slower times at their Pro days than they did at the combine, which is unusual. Some ran the same and still others ran waaaaayyyy better Pro Day times. Which is to be expected (nerves, un-comfortability, not to mention different timing methods), yet contrary to an argument I had recently with another the scouts take these Pro Day times very seriously and you can verify that with the following links……………….

The Daily Texan - Pro Day helps improve draft stock

Pro Days reveal interesting tidbits about Oregon and Oregon State players, according to one NFL scout - NFL and Seattle Seahawks

NFL.com Blogs Pro Days «



Baylor

Dwain Crawford, CB, Pretty slow for a CB
Height: 6-0. Weight: 196.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.66.

Wisconsin

Allen Langford, CB, Really slow, they had an Lber run 4.5
Height: 5-11. Weight: 190. something I believe
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.72.

Missouri

William Moore, SS,
Height: 6-0. Weight: 221.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Combine 40 Time: 4.56.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.49.

Texas

Ryan Palmer, CB, Texas Short & not real fast
Height: 5-8. Weight: 190. Ridiculouly inaccurate projection
Projected 40 Time: 4.41.
Combine 40 Time: 4.60.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.58.

Penn State

Lydell Sargeant, CB, Penn State
Height: 5-9. Weight: 190.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Combine 40 Time: 4.56.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.41.

Illinois

Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois Stud, big, fast shaky attitude
Height: 6-0. Weight: 201.
Projected 40 Time: 4.39.
Combine 40 Time: 4.49.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.40.

Ohio State

Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State Big and fast enuff
Height: 6-0. Weight: 204.
Projected 40 Time: 4.40.
Combine 40 Time: 4.55.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.53.

Donald Washington, CB, Ohio State
Height: 6-0. Weight: 197.
Projected 40 Time: 4.46.
Combine 40 Time: 4.55.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.52.

Texas Tech

Darcel McBath, FS, Texas Tech
Height: 6-0. Weight: 198.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Combine 40 Time: 4.57.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.53.

Oklahoma State

Jacob Lacey, CB, Oklahoma State
Height: 5-10. Weight: 177.
Projected 40 Time: 4.46.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.45.

Oklahoma

Nic Harris, SS/OLB, Oklahoma Yowzaaaaa he ran a slower Pro Day
Height: 6-2. Weight: 234.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Combine 40 Time: 4.78.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.83.

Lendy Holmes, FS, Oklahoma Talk about projections being off
Height: 6-0. Weight: 206. they always over value OU
Projected 40 Time: 4.51.
Combine 40 Time: 4.71.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.65.

Iowa

Bradley Fletcher, CB, Iowa Lot of Big fast CB's in the Big 10
Height: 6-0. Weight: 196.
Projected 40 Time: 4.46.
Combine 40 Time: 4.54.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.44.

other interesting notables for DB's..................

Kevin Ellison, SS, USC Apparently their DE's and Lbers
Height: 6-1. Weight: 227. are as fast as their DB's
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Combine 40 Time: 4.82.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.70.

Cary Harris, CB, USC
Height: 5-11. Weight: 187.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.
Combine 40 Time: 4.60.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.89.

Virginia Tech

Victor Harris, CB, Virginia Tech
Height: 5-11. Weight: 197.
Projected 40 Time: 4.52.
Combine 40 Time: 4.61.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.46.

LSU

Curtis Taylor, FS, LSU
Height: 6-2. Weight: 209.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Combine 40 Time: 4.64.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.49.

FSU

Tony Carter, CB, Florida State
Height: 5-9. Weight: 179.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.41.

Brandon Hughes, CB, Oregon State
Height: 5-10. Weight: 182.
Projected 40 Time: 4.43.
Combine 40 Time: 4.50.
Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.

Keenan Lewis, CB, Oregon State
Height: 6-0. Weight: 208.
Projected 40 Time: 4.46.
Combine 40 Time: 4.54.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.49.

Auburn

Merrill Johnson, SS, Auburn
Height: 5-11. Weight: 206.
Projected 4020Time: 4.56.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.60.


Jerraud Powers, CB, Auburn
Height: 5-9. Weight: 188.
Projected 40 Time: 4.46.
Combine 40 Time: 4.54.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.43.

I'll list the Lbers and D-line after this..........too much at once.

Chad

[cmhawks99]

Here is the rest, plus another link to PSU's Pro day blog…………………..

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/03/21/maybin-puts-in-solid-workout-at-penn-state-pro-day/
　
Their times were way better and I thought it wise to list scout reaction. There are some absentees and I know it just from experience. For example Lber Deandre Levv from Wisco ran on the 2nd of April because of an injury and he ran a 4.5 something. I found many places verifying it but nothing official like. Very long but I think some enjoy this stuff like me………………

Texas A&M

Cyril Obiozor, DE, Solid
Height: 6-4. Weight: 264.
Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.72.

Michael Bennett, DE,
Height: 6-4. Weight: 274.
Projected 40 Time: 4.81.
Combine 40 Time: 5.02.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.86.

wisconsin

Matt Shaughnessy, DE,
Height: 6-5. Weight: 266.
Projected 40 Time: 4.66.
Combine 40 Time: 4.91.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.86.

Missouri

Evander Hood, DT, Missouri Very good time
Height: 6-3. Weight: 300.
Projected 40 Time: 4.94.
Combine 40 Time: 4.91.
Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.

Michigan State

Brandon Long, DE/OLB, Michigan State QUITE FAST & Big
Height: 6-3. Weight: 254.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.61.

Otis Wiley, SS, Michigan State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 216.
Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
Combine 40 Time: DNP.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.64.

texas

Aaron Lewis, DE, Texas Way Slower than you'd expect out of Texas
Height: 6-3. Weight: 277.
Projected 40 Time: 4.76.
Pro Day 40 Time: 5.01.

Roy Miller, DT, Texas Big dude and plenty fast
Height: 6-2. Weight: 312.
Projected 40 Time: 5.04.
Combine 40 Time: 4.97.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.93.

Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas This kids a stud
Height: 6-3. Weight: 263.
Projected 40 Time: 4.66.
Combine 40 Time: 4.70.

Penn State

Maurice Evans, DE, Penn State What a huge Pro Day diff
Height: 6-2. Weight: 270.
Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
Combine 40 Time: 4.99.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.75.

Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State Same as above but the scouts still
Height: 6-4. Weight: 253. took him # 11
Projected 40 Time: 4.61.
Combine 40 Time: 4.89.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.59.

Tyrell Sales, OLB, Penn State These Big 10 Lbers are
Height: 6-2. Weight: 231. faster than people think
Projected 40 Time: 4.64.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.57.

Illinois

Will Davis, DE, Illinois Nothing to right home about
Height: 6-2. Weight: 260.
Projected 40 Time: 4.71.
Combine 40 Time: 4.90.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.86.

Ohio State

Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio State This kid is a stud and the scouts "bought" his Pro Day time
Height: 6-0. Weight: 239.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Combine 40 Time: 4.74.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.51.

James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State Fast enuff to go 3rd in 2nd round
Height: 6-2. Weight: 244.
Projected 40 Time: 4.64.
Combine 40 Time: 4.82.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.70.

Michigan

Tim Jamison, DE, Michigan Michigan is never as "fast" as their recruiting
Height: 6-2. Weight: 256. but based on them wailing on the SEC
Projected 40 Time: 4.75. you'd never know it
Combine 40 Time: 5.09.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.92.

Will Johnson, Michigan Fast enuff for a big cat
Height: 6-5. Weight: 290.
Projected 40 Time: 4.88.
Pro Day 40 Time: 5.07.

Terrance Taylor, Michigan Same as above
Height: 6-0. Weight: 306.
Projected 40 Time: 5.11.
Combine 40 Time: 5.24.
Pro Day 40 Time: 5.08.


Purdue

Anthony Heygood, OLB, Purdue For those that don't know PU has put
Height: 6-0. Weight: 225. some ridiculous athletes in the NFL
Projected 40 Time: 4.64.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.67.

Alex Magee, DT, Purdue
Height: 6-3. Weight: 298.
Projected 40 Time: 4.90.
Combine 40 Time: 5.05.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.82.

Nebraska

Cody Glenn, OLB, Nebraska
Height: 6-0. Weight: 235.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Combine 40 Time: DNP.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.67.

Zach Potter, DE, Nebraska These times are all over the
Height: 6-7. Weight: 279. board for these DE
Projected 40 Time: 4.93. 's
ombine 40 Time: 4.92.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.93.


Northwestern

John Gill, DT, Northwestern Pretty good DT speed for little ole NW
Height: 6-3. Weight: 302.
Projected 40 Time: 4.99.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.90.

Kansas State

Ian Campbell, Kansas State Not particularly fast for a light DE
Height: 6-4. Weight: 265.
Projected 40 Time: 4.83.
Combine 40 Time: DNP.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.99.

Texas Tech

Brandon Williams, DE, Texas Tech
Height: 6-5. Weight: 252.
Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
Combine 40 Time: 4.90.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.78.

Colorado

George Hypolite, DT, Colorado
Height: 6-1. Weight: 299.
Projected 40 Time: 4.93.
Pro Day 40 Time: 5.04

Brad Jones, OLB, Colorado
Height: 6-3. Weight: 232.
Projected 40 Time: 4.62.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.54.

Iowa

Mitch King, DE, Iowa Not near as fast as his quickness indicates
Height: 6-1. Weight: 278.
Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
Combine 40 Time: 4.89.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.89.




other interesting notables for DT/LB's..................



USC

Brian Cushing, OLB/ILB, USC
Height: 6-3. Weight: 243.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Combine 40 Time: 4.79.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.68.

Kaluka Maiava, OLB, USC
Height: 5-11. Weight: 229.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
Combine 40 Time: 4.78.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.68.

Clay Matthews, OLB, USC
Height: 6-3. Weight: 240.
Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
Combine 40 Time: 4.67.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.57.

Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC
Height: 6-2. Weight: 249.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
Combine 40 Time: 4.83*.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.70.


Kyle Moore, DE, USC
Height: 6-5. Weight: 272.
Projected 40 Time: 4.83.
Combine 40 Time: 4.89.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.76.
Benchx225: 22. Vertical:

Georgia

Corvey Irvin, DT, Georgia
Height: 6-3. Weight: 302.
Projected 40 Time: 5.02.
Combine 40 Time: 4.99.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.99.

Jarius Wynn, DE, Georgia
Height: 6-3. Weight: 272.
Projected 40 Time: 4.81.
Combine 40 Time: 5.00.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.94

Virginia Tech

Orion Martin, DE, Virginia Tech
Height: 6-2. Weight: 260.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Combine 40 Time: 4.88.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.70.

Cal

Anthony Felder, ILB, California
Height: 6-2. Weight: 235.
Projected 40 Time: 4.71.
Combine 40 Time: 4.80.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.76.

Zack Follett, OLB, California
Height: 6-2. Weight: 238.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Combine 40 Time: 4.75.
Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.

Worrell Williams, ILB, California
Height: 5-11. Weight: 240.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
Combine 40 Time: 4.84.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.75.

LSU

Darry Beckwith, ILB, LSU
Height: 6-0. Weight: 242.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Combine 40 Time: 4.77.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.63.

Marlon Favorite, DT, LSU
Height: 6-1. Weight: 314.
Projected 40 Time: 5.21.
Combine 40 Time: DNP.
Pro Day 40 Time: 5.09.

Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Height: 6-4. Weight: 295.
Projected 40 Time: 4.85.
Combine 40 Time: 4.91.
Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.

Ricky Jean-Francois, DT, LSU
Height: 6-3. Weight: 295.
Projected 40 Time: 4.83.
Combine 40 Time: DNP.
Pro Day 40 Time: 5.19.

Kirston Pittman, DE, LSU
Height: 6-3. Weight: 250.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.69.

Florida State

Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 256.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Combine 40 Time: 4.73.

Oregon State

Victor Butler, DE/OLB, Oregon State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 248.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Combine 40 Time: 4.84.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.72

Slade Norris, OLB, Oregon State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 232.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.65.

South Florida

Tyrone McKenzie, OLB, South Florida
Height: 6-2. Weight: 243.
Projected 40 Time: 4.59.
Combine 40 Time: 4.80.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.78.

Oregon

Ra'Shon Harris, DT, Oregon
Height: 6-4. Weight: 298.
Projected 40 Time: 5.05.
Combine 40 Time: 4.99.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.88.

Nick Reed, ILB, Oregon
Height: 6-2. Weight: 245.
Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.71.

Auburn

Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn
Height: 6-2. Weight: 306.
Projected 40 Time: 4.89.
Combine 40 Time: 5.01.
Pro Day 40 Time: DNP

[cmhawks99]

I decided to take a quick gander at the 40’s for WR’s and Rbers as well. I became disinterested ¾’s of the way in and stopped short plus some of the guys I know ran weren’t listed. As one would probably suspect it is more of the same. A small interesting tidbit that some may know, some may not. In the NFL many, many, many of the best WR’s and even Rbers aren’t the guys that were the fastest. So it is always interesting to see who goes on to stardom and what they ran and vice versa. It is all the more perplexing that the Riders took a guy who was “fast” with suspect hands, instead of say Crabtree.

Just of the top of my head, Larry F ran something like a 4.63, Boldin a 4.71, Welker in the 4.6’s C Johnson and TJ Whose your daddy 4.55’s?? and the list goes on and on. Either you’re a football player or your not.

　　
USC

Patrick Turner, WR, USC
Height: 6-5. Weight: 223.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Combine 40 Time: DNP.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.63.

MSU

Javon Ringer, RB, Michigan State
Height: 5-10. Weight: 203.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Combine 40 Time: 4.60.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.50.

Texas

Quan Cosby, WR, Texas
Height: 5-9. Weight: 198.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Combine 40 Time: 4.48.
Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.

Iowa

Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa
Height: 5-11. Weight: 227.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Combine 40 Time: 4.63.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.55.

Tenn

Arian Foster, RB, Tennessee
Height: 6-1. Weight: 215.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Combine 40 Time: DNP.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.69.

Lucas Taylor, WR, Tennessee
Height: 5-11. Weight: 189.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.36.

VANDY

George Smith, WR, Vanderbilt
Height: 6-3. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.67.

Indiana

Andrew Means, WR, Indiana
Height: 6-1. Weight: 213.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Combine 40 Time: 4.48.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.36.

Marcus Thigpen, RB/KR, Indiana
Height: 5-9. Weight: 185.
Projected 40 Time: 4.37.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.47.

Georgia

Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, Georgia
Height: 6-2. Weight: 207.
Projected 40 Time: 4.49.
Combine 40 Time: 4.57.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.51.

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Height: 5-11. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Combine 40 Time: 4.60.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.60.

Mizzou

Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Height: 6-0. Weight: 198.
Projected 40 Time: 4.33.
Combine 40 Time: 4.45.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.43.

PSU

Jordan Norwood, WR, Penn State
Height: 5-11. Weight: 179.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Combine 40 Time: 4.57.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.55.

Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State
Height: 6-0. Weight: 194.
Projected 40 Time: 4.39.
Combine 40 Time: 4.58.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.37.

Florida

Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Height: 6-0. Weight: 193.
Projected 40 Time: 4.32.
Combine 40 Time: 4.41.

LSU

Demetrius Byrd, WR, LSU
Height: 6-0. Weight: 199.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Combine 40 Time: 4.42.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.43.

FSU

Greg Carr, WR, Florida State
Height: 6-5. Weight: 217.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.58.

Antone Smith, RB, Florida State
Height: 5-8. Weight: 191.
Projected 40 Time: 4.40.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.33.

tOSU

Brian Hartline, WR, Ohio State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 195.
Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
Combine 40 Time: DNP.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.49.

Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 209.
Projected 40 Time: 4.48.
Combine 40 Time: 4.49.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.52.

Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 235.
Projected 40 Time: 4.48.
Combine 40 Time: 4.59.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.46.

PU

Greg Orton, Purdue
Height: 6-3. Weight: 207.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Combine 40 Time: 4.62.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.61.

South Florida

Taurus Johnson, WR, South Florida
Height: 6-0. Weight: 206.
Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
Combine 40 Time: 4.47.

　
　
Here are some other quick combine times that shed a little negative light on a few f the previous listed times.........Quan Crosby for one.............. and Maclin ran a 4.48 instead of 4.45 (not a big diff) Just more proof positive of the ambiguity of it all.
Can you play football that is the question? Can you get separation, can you go get the ball, etc, etc.........
　
Iglesias, Juaquin 4.54 Britt, Kenny 4.56 Cosby, Quan 4.57 Dillard, Jarett 4.57 Collie, Austin 4.63 Maclin, Jeremy 4.48Robiskie, Brian 4.59
Robiskie, Brian4.59Robiskie, Brian4.59
　

Chad

[egami]

40 times are so overrated.

[Aclone]

40 times are so overrated.

Yeah. Tell Randy Moss and Devin Hester that.

[Clones85']

Yeah. Tell Randy Moss and Devin Hester that.

You take them and I will take Jerry Rice, Chris Carter, Emmitt Smith, Keyshawn Johnson......do you want me to keep going

[Aclone]

You take them and I will take Jerry Rice, Chris Carter, Emmitt Smith, Keyshawn Johnson......do you want me to keep going

Well, yeah, if you need that many to beat 'em.

[CycoCyclone]

40 times are so overrated.

Agreed.

The new ISU Strength and Conditioning coach said it best, "arrive with violence"

[egami]

Yeah. Tell Randy Moss and Devin Hester that.

The difference between Randy Moss and Devin Hester at WR couldn't emphasize better why 40 time is overrated.

[Aclone]

The difference between Randy Moss and Devin Hester at WR couldn't emphasize better why 40 time is overrated.

Who said anything about WR? Hester is an excellent KR with that speed.

[Clones85']

Who said anything about WR? Hester is an excellent KR with that speed.

Pretty much all kick returners have speed. But not all WR's have speed. Some are effective with it, some are effective w/o it. Speed sure doesn't hurt but it also doesn't show how good a player is going to be.

[egami]

Who said anything about WR? Hester is an excellent KR with that speed.

I said. Because I knew you'd come back with something along this line for a response. Which again furthers the point. It's not just about 40 time. Yeah, speed is nice, but in both cases vision, quickness, reads, mentality, hands and other things go into being a great athlete.

If 40 time were THAT important Hester would be an equitable WR threat to Moss. But, he's not.

[Aclone]

I said. Because I knew you'd come back with something along this line for a response. Which again furthers the point. It's not just about 40 time. Yeah, speed is nice, but in both cases vision, quickness, reads, mentality, hands and other things go into being a great athlete.

If 40 time were THAT important Hester would be an equitable WR threat to Moss. But, he's not.

But the point was, since you're having a hard time grasping it, that speed can make you a football player. And Hester not only has good speed, he has superb speed. He also has sufficient vision and instincts to make use of it effectively.

Speed is important. However, the words that you are attempting to put into my mouth is that speed is solely important. Which would be remarkably stupid, proven the moment that Renaldo Nehemiah tried football on for size.

But do you think that it's sheer coincidence that guys from Jim Brown through the likes of Gale Sayers and O.J. Simpson, to Eric Dickerson and Adrian Peterson all ran in the 10.4 100m (converted, in the earlier cases) range when they were younger? I'm sure that had absolutely nothing to do with their onfield success at all, right?

[egami]

But the point was, since you're having a hard time grasping it, that speed can make you a football player.

I never said anything that diminished that fact. You simply read that into my comment.

I ran a 4.4 in high school. I know what speed does. I also know that the other kid on the team that could also occasionally run in my range couldn't catch worth a crap and that's why he played defense.

But I never said speed wasn't important. I said 40 times were overrated.

[Clones85']

I ran a 4.4 in high school.

Which equates to about a 4.65 for a real time 40...at best!