The last word: “Why do they test everybody in the 40[-yard dash]? How many times do you see a lineman take more than two steps? And how many times have you seen any player run 40 yards in a straight line? Then they use the maximum reps in a 225-pound bench press. How many times do you competitively push weight on a play? All I want is a guy that can rip the other guy all the way across the field, with explosion. They’re using a bad selection of tests. If I’m sending a soldier to Iraq, why teach [him to speak] German? The NFL is moronic in the way that they test people and the things they ask their people to do.” – Charles Poliquin, the personal trainer for Miami Dolphins wide receiver David Boston, questioning the training and player evaluation methods of NFL teams.
Interesting. I think it makes some great points. But, if his point is that the tests should better simulate game situations, I think he’s mistaken. It is impossible to replicate what could be an infinite number of “tests” of strength and athleticism on the field. No one test or set of tests will accomplish what Poloquin seems to desire.
Therefore, using some objective standard is good, and interpreting the results according to what you expect of the player seems appropriate.
The problem with the tests is the athlete needs to train specifically for these tests in order to perform the best, hence Defrancos and Rooneys combine school. That being said just because they perform well in those tests does not mean they can play football at the pro level. Defranco and Rooney bust their ass to get their players ready for the tests and if you ask them I am quite sure they would even say the tests are ridiculous (if i am not mistaken they have both commented on this in seperate Q&As) and they would much rather spend the time training the athletes to better suit their football needs (conditioning and sport specific drills).
The tests are stupid and Poliquin is right. this has been said forever.
take out the “l” and drop the “berg”
You know what though? Teams that draft based on combine numbers get what they deserve.
Either you can play or you can’t.
I do think that the 40 yard dash has some validity for skill players and DBs, but the linemen and LBs should ideally be judged on quickness drills as their “speed” test.
I guess LBs may have to run 40 yds 1x a game to chase a RB or TE, but other than that…
DOn’t have a clue what the strength test ought to be. Have any of the top coaches said what a better test is?
My Giants had a brain fart and drafted Jarrod Bunch (of shit) in the 90s, cuz he was a huge FB with blazing speed. Guess what? He couldn’t play!
There was a reason he was a fullback…
But he had potential - yeah, to be a 1st round bust!
This is been said over and over. I figured it was common knowledge. My bad. I didnt know my knowledge was so superior.
if i remember right, there was a guy a few years ago named mike matula out of boston college who wasn’t considered a top prospect at all. the combine rolls around and this cat tests like superman, putting up arena football scores on some of the tests [bench, vert, etc…]. he gets drafted pretty high and no one hears from him again. i don’t really follow football, but i’m told this kind of thing goes down all the time. the NFL [all pro sports, really] should stop focusing on “potential” and draft “players.”
guys i agree the tests are stupid and dont prove you can play for shit. and i was test day freak. defranco will tell you himself the test doesnt prove that you can play but rather that you have the ability to prepare and perform at your best level possible. But i’m not sure if there is any test that will prove you can play except your game film. Some guys test like shit and are all pros and vice versa…just a fucked up situation…I’d like to here some suggestion tho…rack your brains meatheads…
Some of the test are stupid yes, but not all and not completely. All things equal you want a faster guy. Fast linebackers can get to the ball faster, provided they don’t use their speed to overpursue all the time. Fast wideouts and rb’s can run away from guys in the open field and cornerbacks have to be fast. The agility drills aren’t like a game, but if you have a pretty good looking QB who lumbers around and just can’t run, he’s going to get creamed. I agree that the 225 bench for reps is stupid. David Boston needs a motivational coach not a strength coach.
Mike Mamula is the guy you’re thinking of.
From Pro Football Weekly, a great mag if you’re a big football fan (a little dry though, not a lot of indiv player stories)
:
Eagles release Mamula
DE Mike Mamula, a first-round draft choice in 1995, has been released by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Buchsbaum: He just never played anywhere close to his potential, was overpaid and never really showed that?d he pay the price.
ProFootballWeekly.com: Can you describe how he was viewed coming out of college?
Buchsbaum: He had a great junior year at Boston College. He closed very strong. Then he had just unbelievable Combine workouts. And Ray Rhodes fell in love with him and traded up to get him.
ProFootballWeekly.com: What are the reasons you think it didn?t work out for Mamula?
Buchsbaum: Going where he did (in the draft) and getting the money he got really changed him. He wasn?t driven after that. He needed to be driven.
ProFootballWeekly.com: For teams looking at him now that he?s on the open market, what can he offer a club?
Buchsbaum: A pass rusher who can play with enough leverage against the run not to be a weakness.
" but if you have a pretty good looking QB who lumbers around and just can’t run, he’s going to get creamed."
I think Dan Marino had a decent career
Marino had great footwork, but he was not elusive. He was the “prototypical” drop back passer.
I was being ironical there , Undertaker.
Dan Marino couldn’t run but he’s one of the all time great QBs.
here is my thoughts. If these athletes know what they are being tested on, then what does it say if they don’t train hard to do what they are tested on? How are you going to test heart? How do you test coachibility? maybe good combine scores cannot mean a good pro prospect, but what does REALLY poor combine scores tell you? The combine may just be a “hey, what about…” if they perform well. along with research, IQ test, background check, game films, current needs…and what about academic history? I would take a smart player who strived to and did succeed over a one track mind player any day.