NFL Combine: Or The Easiest Way To Be a Lazy Scout

Every year I get mad at the NFL Combine. Well, not at the combine itself, but at the media hype that surrounds the event. Calm down ESPN, honestly.

I honestly don't trust any scout that is skewed in their analysis of a prospect based on a workout of any sort. Wow, way to sprint 40 yards straight forward while looking straight ahead. Good thing that was fast because you will probably never do that in an NFL game.

It is the same in the NBA and I assume other leagues. Someone in the NBA makes some sweet spin moves around a chair and dunks as a 5'10" assistant taps them with a pad and everyone ignores the fact that this player was not amazing in college.

Since when did game time production become a side note instead of a major talent evaluation tool? I kind of understand in the NBA (and really do in the MLB or NHL) since players enter the draft as young as 18 or 19 and you need to extrapolate their worth as a player for your team due to their potential. In the NFL you cannot go pro until you have been in college 3 years (or is it played 3 years?). The age issue is not as much of a concern when the difference is only one year.

So can we shut up about the NFL Combine already? The greatest WR to ever live was knocked down the the draft because of the Combine. One of the best running backs of all-time was as well. You can't tell me every Combine stud has turned into a great player. Use it for what it is: an evaluation of their fitness and professionalism. Don't use it for what it isn't: the most important evaluation tool in the game.