27 replies to this topic

[Ravenseconbeast]

http://www.nfl.com/n...ocess-is-a-sham

Intersting bit about teams reading too much into combine. Richard Sherman might be a loud mouth, but he does make quite a point.

[runamuk]

I watched the segment on Nfl am and i think he is dead on about the combine.It explains players going undrafted with an immense amount of talent. and I also think the colleges players attend dictates combine status as well . I wouldn't say sham but i agree its more about who you know, or who knows you then overall talent.

[Ed_Reed20]

The draft process is definitely flawed but I don't think it's a sham.

On another note, Sherman going, "Well, pause...", at 1:53 of the video is hilarious.

[hawkprey]

There's always going to be guys in the later rounds who should've been taken earlier. But I think the draft process is more accurate now than it ever was.

It's easy to talk about 5th round guys who play like 1st rounders, but what about the guys who the combine helps "find"? Deserving 1st and 2nd rounders who would've been 5th rounders if not for a process like the combine?

[gabefergy]

I've always thought the combine is more entertainment than anything else. There are a few bits and pieces tgat can be gleaned from it, but it shouldnt significantly affect anyone's stock. The mist important aspect is player interviews and from that we get nothing.

[Mt. Crushmore]

How dare he bash the Underwear Olympics!

[The Raven]

It's not quite a sham, but it's certainly overrated.

[GrimCoconut]

I see the combine like I do the Senior & Shrine game: it's a way of confirming what scouts already know or going to look deeper into a prospect. That's about it. The combine helps some guys, especially small-school kids. I think it's best for the small school kids, personally.

[ghost1986]

I see the combine like I do the Senior & Shrine game: it's a way of confirming what scouts already know or going to look deeper into a prospect. That's about it. The combine helps some guys, especially small-school kids. I think it's best for the small school kids, personally.

True, but I like it because it gives us fans something to occupy ourselves with after the big game and before draft day. I mean nobody gets to see every single college football game of the year. Most of us are busy. But I don't think it's a sham. Like others have stated: It gives guys like Asa Jackson and others a chance to shine.

[GrimCoconut]

True, but I like it because it gives us fans something to occupy ourselves with after the big game and before draft day. I mean nobody gets to see every single college football game of the year. Most of us are busy. But I don't think it's a sham. Like others have stated: It gives guys like Asa Jackson and others a chance to shine.

I enjoy it as well.

[CosmicRedPanda]

The combine is a great tool for measuring an athletes skill set; it doesn't show you the measure of their will, their heart or the tenacity. We've got a lot of guys on our team that, in my opinion, probably would've went undrafted (some of which did) if the Ravens had not drafted them.

Ray Lewis: too small.

Joe Flacco: Dela-where?

Justin Tucker: <undrafted>

I'm just glad Oz has that all-seeing eye that can really pick out the guys he knows will fit our style.

[SecretAgentMan]

The combine is a great tool for measuring an athletes skill set; it doesn't show you the measure of their will, their heart or the tenacity. We've got a lot of guys on our team that, in my opinion, probably would've went undrafted (some of which did) if the Ravens had not drafted them.

Ray Lewis: too small.

Joe Flacco: Dela-where?

Justin Tucker: <undrafted>

I'm just glad Oz has that all-seeing eye that can really pick out the guys he knows will fit our style.

Cept Boller. I will never forgive Oz for that.

[Mt. Crushmore]

Cept Boller. I will never forgive Oz for that.

I've heard and always thought that was more of Billick than Ozzie.

Edited by Mt. Crushmore, 15 February 2013 - 10:20 PM.

[GrimCoconut]

I've heard and always thought that was more of Billick than Ozzie.

Same here. All I ever heard was he begged to draft Boller.

It was what ended his career here, I think. A big part of it, anyway. Not the trade up to get him, but the fact that he was tied to Boller and when he failed, Billick failed.

[The Raven]

Cept Boller. I will never forgive Oz for that.

Blame Billick.

[PuRock]

Cept Boller. I will never forgive Oz for that.

I will be the fourth to say it, don't blame Oz for that one. Ugh that draft pick makes me sick. Not so much that we picked Boller, but because when I think back about it, I wanted Leftwich instead! *Shakes head*

[JO_75]

The combine isn't a sham, in some ways I would say the NFL just needs to improve upon it. I see things where certain positions run 40 times for no reason, and need to make the drills more position specific in order to really help teams evaluate players at the combine. Speed is good for most positions in the NFL because a lot of the skill positions involve speed but asking an Offensive Lineman to do a verticle jump, what does that accomplish? Why not put him in drills that will tell the coaches what type of lineman he can be and where he is better suited, Guard, Tackle, Center?

I don't know what they for Kickers/Punters but have them do different Kicking/Punting drills so teams can study how far they can kick/punt.

Edited by JO_75, 15 February 2013 - 11:13 PM.

[GrimCoconut]

The combine isn't a sham, in some ways I would say the NFL just needs to improve upon it. I see things where certain positions run 40 times for no reason, and need to make the drills more position specific in order to really help teams evaluate players at the combine. Speed is good for most positions in the NFL because a lot of the skill positions involve speed but asking an Offensive Lineman to do a verticle jump, what does that accomplish? Why not put him in drills that will tell the coaches what type of lineman he can be and where he is better suited, Guard, Tackle, Center?

I don't know what they for Kickers/Punters but have them do different Kicking/Punting drills so teams can study how far they can kick/punt.

I agree with this. Position-specific drills & athletic skills would be nice. As in, to see how offensive linemen do boxing, to mimic the hand movement. I think that would be a VERY effective way to measure players capabilities. The system is very flawed right now.

[BloodRaven]

I don't put too much stock into combines.

[redravenfan]

I love watching the combine and the draft every year . I wouldn't say its a sham . i get that sherman is upset he didn't go til late but i definitely don't agree with that . I watch 4 or 5 college teams so it gives me a good look at smaller college players and also ones you have never heard of .