2008 Woodie Awards
NFL should look mo on-field less at state in combine
Ben Wilkins
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Sports
Precedence for failure
I do admit that often the players who perform well at the combine do become some of best pro players. One such example is last season's NFL offensive rookie of the year, Adrian Peterson, who had an exceptional workout and went on to be one of the league's most exciting players in his first season.
However, for every Adrian Peterson there is a Tony Mandarich, who has amazing workouts but cannot play up to his potential against the level of competition that is found in the NFL.
While the combine might be a fine way to further validate players who have already proved themselves by playing at a high level against collegiate competition, too often it seems to be used as the main method of evaluating a player.
This fails to recognize the instincts, reflexes, toughness and level of preparation that can make one prospect a better football player than a bigger, faster or stronger prospect.
Personally, I would rather know how a player performs in pads on the field than how he performs in spandex on a track.
I do admit that often the players who perform well at the combine do become some of best pro players. One such example is last season's NFL offensive rookie of the year, Adrian Peterson, who had an exceptional workout and went on to be one of the league's most exciting players in his first season.
However, for every Adrian Peterson there is a Tony Mandarich, who has amazing workouts but cannot play up to his potential against the level of competition that is found in the NFL.
While the combine might be a fine way to further validate players who have already proved themselves by playing at a high level against collegiate competition, too often it seems to be used as the main method of evaluating a player.
This fails to recognize the instincts, reflexes, toughness and level of preparation that can make one prospect a better football player than a bigger, faster or stronger prospect.
Personally, I would rather know how a player performs in pads on the field than how he performs in spandex on a track.
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