Quote
Classicalwit
No way in the world Robinson outruns that guy if Stafford hits him. Robinson is as slow as frozen syrup!
Nonsense. AR ran a 4.6 40 at the combine. Every bit as fast as Kupp (and Jerry Rice, for that matter).
Here’s an article about the fallacy of over reliance on 40 times for WR’s.
[
www.collegian.psu.edu]
40-yard dash overanalyzed, Robinson shouldn’t worry
Allen Robinson breaks the huddle, runs out to the edges of the sideline and points to the nearby referee to check if he's offside.
He's good, and while Christian Hackenberg surveys the defense in front of him, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound wideout squats down, puts his hand into the dirt and staggers his legs.
On the snap, he takes off. In a straight line. For 40 yards.
Could you imagine?
That doesn't actually happen on the field, but from the annoying screech of those who obsess over the 40-yard dash and the NFL Combine in general, that might be the impression that comes across.
The combine is entertaining, and for the players who make it, it's an opportunity to prove their raw physical attributes to herds of coaches and scouts.
It's a valuable weekend for many players' draft stocks, and the 40-yard dash is, by far and away, the most publicized event.
But does the 40-yard dash really hold much weight in terms of where players should be drafted? Sure, there's a place for the drill. However, there's too much emphasis on it, especially for wide receivers, relative to other, more telling, drills.
Robinson, the 2012 and 2013 Big Ten Receiver of the Year, was officially clocked at 4.60 seconds as his 40-yard dash time on Saturday . Of the 45 wide receivers that ran the 40-yard dash, 35 recorded better times.
While wideouts like Oregon State's Brandin Cooks and Ole Miss' Donte Moncrief gained some buzz for their 40 times, Robinson was said to have stumbled in Friday's showcase.
Is that the result Robinson would have liked? No way. Is it a result that should keep him from being a late first round to early second round draft choice like he's projected? Absolutely not.
Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, James Jones, Steve Johnson — all of these are wideouts with sub-par and unimpressive 40-yard dash times between 4.52 and 4.58 seconds, and yet, they're still high-level pass catchers in the NFL.
Yamon Figurs , Dexter Jackson , Darrius Heyward-Bey , Jacoby Ford and Edmond Gates posted the best wide receiver 40-yard dash times in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. Before writing this, I only recognized two of these names, Heyward-Bey and Ford, who have had moderate success at the next level.
Point is, a phenomenal 40-yard dash time and 4.30 seconds of recognition on ESPN doesn't guarantee NFL success, just as a disappointing or underwhelming clocking doesn't reserve a player a spot on the practice squad.
As for the event itself, the reason it's so glorified is because people love speed. It's as simple as that. Outside of the NFL Network, how much love does the vertical jump, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle, among other events, get? Not enough.
I'd venture to say the vertical jump — a test of how high a player can leap — is more important than the 40-yard dash in judging receivers. It tells you concretely how high someone can elevate for a potential jump ball — something a receiver will actually have to do time to time.
Also, the three-cone drill measures nimble feet and precision, and the 20-yard shuttle tests lateral speed and coordination. Both seem more practical than running in a straight line.
And for those wondering, Robinson tied for the fourth-best vertical jump at 39 inches, finished with an above average three-cone time at 7.00 seconds and posted the sixth-best 20-yard shuttle time at 4.00 seconds.
Couple those showings with Robinson's outstanding career at Penn State — amassing 177 receptions, 1,432 yards and 17 touchdown in essentially two seasons — and the prolific pass catcher still deserves first-round talk.
And it's not just the numbers. Anyone who watched Robinson perform throughout the past two years are aware of his ability to change direction, make defenders miss in open space, haul in jump ball after jump ball and, most importantly, make the big catch when it matters most.
For those who have serious concern over Robinson's 40 time, check back with him on Penn State's pro day on April 9.
But until then, go back and look at Robinson on film. Not only gaze at what he can do, but also realize the job of a wide receiver — making cuts, running clean routes and catching the ball, among other jobs, go into being a successful receiver.
Not simply running in a straight line for 40 yards. If you want to watch that, go watch a track meet.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2022 05:28AM by Rams43.
