The Combine, Cam Newton and the CBA

Ray Didinger is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his coverage of the NFL for about 30 years. In addition, he produced lots of features for NFL Films.

Here is latest "Notebook column" on three current NFL "issues".


CSNPhilly Eagles Insider Ray Didinger (http://www.csnphilly.com/pages/archive_didinger)

Good article thanks for the post. I have wondered for years why if some does great at the combine it somehow excuses them for not having a great college career. 40 times, bench press, Broad Jump, etc. should really only be used to maybe separate two close prospects imho

Good article thanks for the post. I have wondered for years why if some does great at the combine it somehow excuses them for not having a great college career. 40 times, bench press, Broad Jump, etc. should really only be used to maybe separate two close prospects imho

Agreed. The Combine should fill in small gaps in knowledge of draftees rather than being the substantial basis for judgment of them.

Chris Landry was on the radio the other day talking about the combine. Some drills matter more than others depending on the position. Who really cares what times an OL run in the 50 yard dash? It's really more about the burst off the line. For CB's, he's more concerned w/ change of direction, burst. I mean does it really matter how a QB does in the broad jump?

Ray Didinger is the best in the business.

Chris Landry was on the radio the other day talking about the combine. Some drills matter more than others depending on the position. Who really cares what times an OL run in the 50 yard dash? It's really more about the burst off the line. For CB's, he's more concerned w/ change of direction, burst. I mean does it really matter how a QB does in the broad jump?

Our oline playing under Jason needed to have the speed to chase down corners after he threw a pic.

Agreed. The Combine should fill in small gaps in knowledge of draftees rather than being the substantial basis for judgment of them.

I think Mayock has said it best over the past few years in that stellar combine results should be used as encouragement to go back and watch film on certain players to see if the workout results match up with what they did on the field. Sometimes these workout warriors were simply overlooked other times GM's confirm their grades on players.

Unless of course you're talking about the Raiders were they delete the game film and watch combine footage.

I think you have to look at the players whole situation. Maybe more importantly is how did he play all year with his known teammates. The Senior Bowl kinda gives you an idea of how the player will do with players their not used to playing with ie; when a player gets drafted how he might play his first few games due to not being used to playing together. The combine I think is good for seeing speed, bench press, and technique. How much extra work will have to go into coaching?

Smoot; you mentioned several weeks ago that the Skins were high on a undisclosed veteran RB. Is there any new info on that?

^^
I was bouncing between threads, the very definition of "crossthreading". Meant to ask in the CP thread.