Let's talk speed

[VJCPatriot]

Jacoby Ford 4.28 40, Jahvid Best 4.35 40 6.75 3 cone 4.17 20 yard shuttle, and CJ Spiller 4.37 40 are obviously the fastest guys at the Combine this year. Aside from Spiller, who was a lock even before the combine, have these guys pushed themselves into 1st round locks? Do you see either Ford or Best as worthy of pick #22? (There's no way Spiller gets out of the top 15 now imo).

 

[NePatriots]

Jacoby Ford 4.28 40, Jahvid Best 4.35 40 6.75 3 cone 4.17 20 yard shuttle, and CJ Spiller 4.37 40 are obviously the fastest guys at the Combine this year. Aside from Spiller, who was a lock even before the combine, have these guys pushed themselves into 1st round locks? Do you see either Ford or Best as worthy of pick #22? (There's no way Spiller gets out of the top 15 now imo).

Jacoby Ford isn't worth a pick in the first two rounds, let alone the first. I'll be surprised if he isn't available in the 4th round.

Best (if injuries check out ok) and Spiller would both be worthy of the #22, depending on the team that ends up drafting there.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I don't know. I think Ford was already turning heads with his speed even before the combine. He's also a multidimensional player- return man, can run the ball some too. I think he'll be at least a 2nd round pick after his Combine.

2010 NFL Draft: Speedster Jacoby Ford's Draft Stock On The Rise | Bleacher Report

Doesn't the guy remind you somewhat of Bethel Johnson, but in a good sense? Ford has been overshadowed by Spiller, but he's a pretty explosive player in his own right.

Jahvid Best intrigues me. Not only did he rip off the top 40 time but his agility numbers are top notch as well. Imagine drafting a 200 lb back who has the deep speed of Randy Moss and the agility of Wes Welker?? Wowsers!

 

[Seneschal2]

Imagine drafting a 200 lb back who has the deep speed of Randy Moss and the agility of Wes Welker?? Wowsers!

I'd much rather draft a WR with both their qualities.

 

[bakes781]

VJCPatriot are you related in any way to Al Davis? lol Cuz I swear your obsession with speed is almost unhealthy IMO. There's a lot more to a football player than running a straight in tights and no pads let alone football.

 

[Mogamedogz]

They should make the RBs and WR's run the 40 carrying a ball.

As for Ford... hell no. Im all set with the Smurf backs. i know there are exceptions to the rule... Washington/Sproles... but i'd rather not take the chance. Give me the 5"10 215-220 back every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

[SanAngeloState]

speed does nothing for this team. Maroney has/had speed. It helps him run into the back of Koppen as Koppen is being pushed 4 yards into the backfield. No holes on this offensive line, just like running into a gauntlet after the running play has been all but telegraphed to the defense.

Spiller would probably be a better WR than RB in our offense.

 

[dryheat44]

Doesn't the guy remind you somewhat of Bethel Johnson, but in a good sense? Ford has been overshadowed by Spiller, but he's a pretty explosive player in his own right.

Ford reminds me of Bethel Johnson in every sense. A key one being limited to running fly routes. Despite his straight line speed (I think he was the fastest athlete in NCAA. Track, not football), which is scary, I see no ability to run precise routes at that speed. He seems to have to slow down, and mechanically break down, on other routes. His hands are also suspect. There's nothing wrong with drafting a speed merchant to get deep and open things up, but they should be drafted late. When the on-campus workouts begin, we'll see some smaller school guys run really well who could be drafted to provide what Ford does at a fraction of the cost, while freeing up a high draft pick for someone who has more to contribute.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I'd much rather draft a WR with both their qualities.

I don't see any WR like that in this combine or I'd be all for it. Spiller and Best are the fastest backs in this combine. Spiller is going to go too early. But Best will probably be available for us.

If you check out Chris Johnson's combine numbers, he was the fastest RB ever clocked, but he didn't run the agility drills.

2008 NFL Draft
Ht Wt 40-yard dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP Wonderlic
5?11? 197 lb 4.24 1.40 2.41 x x 35 in. 10?10? x rep 10
All values from NFL Combine; "x" represents no participation[8] [9]
Chris Johnson (running back) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the 2010 combine, Best was tops in the 40 as well as in the 3 cone. That means he had the highest measured speed AND agility times of any RB at the combine. That tells me that he has a rare blend of athletic ability.

That doesn't ensure that he will be a stud in the NFL, but he's definitely a homerun threat, as well as having top notch change of direction abilities, and that's certainly never a bad thing.

VJCPatriot are you related in any way to Al Davis? lol Cuz I swear your obsession with speed is almost unhealthy IMO. There's a lot more to a football player than running a straight in tights and no pads let alone football.

I've never been an advocate of drafting Darrius Heyward Bey so I don't get where you're coming from. I also don't see what's wrong with discussing speedy players and speculating where they will go in the draft and what pick they should be worth. Speed kills, see in re: Chris Johnson.

Spiller would probably be a better WR than RB in our offense.

Which is part of why I like him, he has versatility to split out and catch the football. I'd think of him as a rich man's Percy Harvin, because he can also run the football effectively. He'll be gone way before #22 though. Probably to Seattle. I don't think they've found an adequate Shaun Alexander replacement yet and he's been gone for years.

They should make the RBs and WR's run the 40 carrying a ball.

Because carrying that 1 extra pound will slow them down that much more? *raises eyebrow* I doubt it. Putting them in full pads would slow them down more if you want to go that route. But nobody does that at the combine for any of the drills. Don't know why, that's just how it is.

 

[bradyforlife]

speed does nothing for this team. Maroney has/had speed. It helps him run into the back of Koppen as Koppen is being pushed 4 yards into the backfield. No holes on this offensive line, just like running into a gauntlet after the running play has been all but telegraphed to the defense.

Spiller would probably be a better WR than RB in our offense.

I'd rather have a lot of toughness than speed in this league.

 

[condon84]

I'd rather have a lot of toughness than speed in this league.

That and instincts.

I didn't see much of Jahvid Best, but from what I saw he looked great.

Then again, so did Maroney in college.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Jahvid Best sprints UPHILL to get in shape. That's real interesting. Shows me some work ethic there.

YouTube - Jahvid Best: Simply the Best (Hometown Hill)

Ok let's see some highlights.

2009
YouTube - Jahvid Best 2009 Season Highlights

2008
YouTube - Jahvid Best 2008 Highlights

I really, really like this kid's feet and footwork. He makes a lot of people miss with that filthy stutter step move, and his feet are always churning. Those constantly churning feet helps him run through arm tackles easily. The kid also changes direction and switches gears on a dime.

If you get a chance to watch the Spiller vs Best super-imposed 40 yard dash, you'll see that Spiller was actually leading most of the way, then Best just cranks it up a notch and accelerates past. Best definitely can turn on the burners when he needs to.

 

[strongside]

Take a look at Ford in the senior bowl. It was clear that in that game with the nations top College players, his speed did not translate on the field. That being said he is IMO a solid early 3rd rd pick that you can develop and maybe get some production out of in the retun game.

I think Ford and Best pretty much ran what everyone though he would. I am more excited/concerned with the players who ran better or worse than expected such as Matthews/Mcluster.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Take a look at Ford in the senior bowl. It was clear that in that game with the nations top College players, his speed did not translate on the field. That being said he is IMO a solid early 3rd rd pick that you can develop and maybe get some production out of in the retun game.

I think Ford and Best pretty much ran what everyone though he would. I am more excited/concerned with the players who ran better or worse than expected such as Matthews/Mcluster.

Ford in the third would be okay. Develop him as a slot receiver, as he gets more experience running the routes he'll hopefully make the leap Bethel Johnson missed and learn to run under control into his cuts - the kid has some quicks to work with and once he learns how to make the catch and turn upfield - then the afterburners can kick in.

 

[SanAngeloState]

Problem I see with best is that he would cost a 1st most likely. He's kind of like LT and kind of faulk like but with more patient and vision than faulk.

I would love it but I'm not sure we can get any holes for him...you see what maroney is up against in the running game...they just throw him into a wall of defenders, most often he's hit 3 yards deep in the backfield.

He's kind of like ray rice also, but rice was a later round pick than 1st.

 

[SyN65]

Spiller will be gone by 16, Best will be gone in the 1st, and Ford will be gone by the start of the 3rd round.

 

[Snake Eyes]

1 - Ability to change directions quickly is FAR more important for a RB or WR than straight out speed. Jahvid Best is outstanding in this regard, he can shift on a dime.

2 - Unfortunately the combine doesn't make the athletes run more than 1 forty, I'd prefer to see them run in full helmets and pads, and make them run many 40s, assuming they play a position that requires it (not an O-lineman). I'll take the WR that runs a 4.5 but can keep it up all day over the guy who runs a 4.2 but plummets as the day goes on.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Speed? Anyone see Jerry Hughes 20 yard shuttle? Amazingly quick and well worth a look into converting him to OLB.His size measures out perfectly. Highly doubt he would be there with our 2nd rounder though. I wouldn't be dissapointed in the least if we drafted him in ther first.