Friday, March 20, 2009
Here is an article about the Penn State Pro Day, which was held earlier this week. As I expected, the numbers for all the players were substantially better at the Pro Day than at the Combine, which seems to happen every year - and at every school. That is why I am always skeptical of Pro Day times. I prefer looking at the combine times, where all players from all schools compete at the same place in front of the same people. That way, you know you can compare one player's number to another players numbers without worrying if there are any discrepencies.
I just don't know how you can explain Aaron Maybin, Derrick Williams, and Maurice Evans all cutting off a few tenths of a second on their 40-times. When it comes to a 40-yard dash, a few tenths of a second is a huge difference. What on earth did Maurice Evans do in the last three weeks to cut his time down from 5.00+ to 4.7? It just doesn't make any sense.
Like I said, it happens every year, at every school: Players will run at the combine, and then have significantly lower times at the Pro Day, conveniently held at their own university. Maybe Holuba Hall just has a surface that is easier to run on, or as runners would often say, a "fast track."
For the sake of comparison, I remember Bryant Johnson ran a sub 4.4 at the PSU Pro Day. I think it was a 4.38 or something like that. Bryant Johnson was a great collegiate receiver, but he was never a burner, and does not run a sub 4.40. I believe Larry Johnson ran a 4.45 at the PSU Pro Day. When he gets to full speed, he may run a 4.45, but he taks a while to get going. I find it hard to believe his first 40 yards are 4.45.
With that being said, Williams, Maybin, and Evans all improved their draft stock tremendously with their performances. Maybin solidified himself as a top 15 overall pick. Williams and Evans cleared up some questions people may have had about them, and I expect them both get drafted. Williams should go somehwere around the fourth round. Evans will be a little later.
http://www.nittanynetwork.com/index.php/component/resource/article/283-nfr--beards,-smiles-plentiful-at-pro-day
