2015 NFL Combine: Pointless and Overrated or Great Meaningful Football Event? [VOTE]
The 2015 NFL combine is currently going on in Indianapolis, Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium, and while the NFL Draft doesn't begin until April 30, general managers and scouts are looking at some of the best players in the world using combine drills.
Drills such as the 40-yard dash, three-cone drill, bench press and the vertical leap will all be displayed. Even the Wonderlic exam and interviews are part of the combine.
Even though all of these skill drills showcase athletic and mental abilities, many NFL fans have doubts as to whether or not they even matter. Players that participate in the combine aren't even wearing pads, and they aren't even facing a defense. Running a 40-yard dash in a straight line doesn't exactly tell you much as to whether or not the players will translate to the NFL.
A perfect example is wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. Heyward-Bey was an average player out of Maryland, but he was drafted ahead of Jeremy Maclin and Michael Crabtree because he ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at the 2009 combine. The Oakland Raiders drafted him simply because he ran a fast 40-time without any pads on. Doesn't sound very logical, and now Heyward-Bey is viewed as a draft bust.
To fully view how a players talents will translate in the NFL, many football fans believe you should simply watch the game tape. Observing players' past performances in college is the best way for general managers to grade players because it shows the players in game situations and pressure moments.
On the other hand, many football fans like the combine.
It's a chance for players to showcase their talents in front of the best football teams in the United States to improve their draft status. We all already know about the most notable players who will get drafted high in the first and second rounds, but the combine offers a chance for the unknown players, especially kickers.
The combine isn't just an event to show off a player's talents; it's a place where flaws can be detected. Injuries, failed drug tests, criminal history and interview questions are all brought up. If a high-profile player fails a drug test or has a huge injury, that could and will most likely hurt his draft stock.
The best players will almost always get selected in the first two rounds, but the combine can be useful for situation picks. Roster spots used for long distance kickers, return men and deep ball throwers who didn't get a lot of playing time in college can stand out at a combine.
In the end, it's up to the owners, coaches, scouts and general managers to make the correct decisions. The combine can be useful if used properly to draft players in the later rounds, but you must be careful not to put too much stock in the drills.
How do you feel about the annual NFL Combine? Feel free to vote below.
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