Pro Day Malarkey?

Watching Wednesday's NFL Pro Day at USC reminded me that not everybody agrees with how these elite athletes are measured (including Pete Carroll, but we'll get to that in a moment).

In the day's glamor event -- the 40-yard dash -- a pricey looking system measured Chauncey Washington's time at 4.35 seconds. If that's true, Washington shouldn't be entering the draft -- he should be entering the Beijing Olympics.

According to research done three years ago by the San Diego Union Tribune, the fastest 40 time ever clocked on a track is 4.38 seconds -- by somebody who was cheating:

[Ben Johnson] is believed to have run 40 yards faster than any human in history. Johnson is best known for injecting copious amounts of steroids and winning the 100 meters at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul in 9.79 seconds, only to have his gold medal and world record stripped after failing a post-race drug test.

Timing officials have since broken down that famed race into 10-meter increments, and Johnson was so preposterously fast that he went through 50 meters in 5.52 seconds and 60 meters in 6.37 -- both under the current world records at those distances. He went through 40 yards that day in 4.38 seconds.

There are so many variables that affect stopwatch times it's not surprising if scouts measure incorrectly by hand. But advanced electronic timing systems? Maybe there's reason to doubt.

More after the jump ...

These times are a good way to measure the relative speed of athletes who compete on the same day and under the same circumstances, but that might be all they're good for. Chauncey Washington was blazing fast and rightfully improved his draft status, but I don't think he broke any world records.

Forty times don't tell the whole story, anyway. The NFL's greatest receiver, Jerry Rice, ran it in 4.7 seconds. That's slower than seven Trojans did this week -- including two tight ends.

When asked about what players can do to impress scouts, Pete Carroll said, "We hope they display that they can really compete." But he added, "You can compete all you want. If your numbers aren't right, it doesn't matter!"

Carroll also pointed out that "there isn't one thing, it's a combination of things." That was echoed by former Trojan assistant and current New Orleans Saints assistant Ed Orgeron.

And what if a player doesn't do a combination of things? In 2006, LenDale White was widely criticized for a pathetic performance at Pro Day. At least one scout figured, "He might have cost himself millions of dollars." Two seasons later White rushed for more than 1,000 yards with the Tennessee Titans. He may recover some of that money in his next contract.

The other Pro Day eye-opener was a hand-to-hand combat drill in which players engaged a former-NFL-player-turned-coach (pictured above). Carroll apparently wasn't happy with it and reportedly told the media, "That won't happen again here."

The drill definitely looked like the hardest of the day. Sedrick Ellis (chuckling at times) told L.A. Times reporter Gary Klein, "That was a sleeper. I didn't know that one was coming. You see it on film, but you're never quite ready for that until it happens. That drill's a doozy, man."

There's obvious value to Pro Day, but remember that it's not as straightforward as the numbers show. It's important to keep everything in perspective.

Carroll's perspective on the event, as usual, was optimistic. "I think a number of guys helped themselves." Agreed.

For more on USC's 2008 Pro Day:

• USA Today declared it the top workout in America.
• USCRipsIt has a good photo gallery. Big ups to Ben Malcolmson, who has been taking photos down low. More examples of the dramatic angles can be seen here.
• Also with a h/t to Ben, some videos from NFL.com:
  • Pro Day recap
  • It's good to be a Trojan
  • Interview with Pete Carroll
  • Interview with Sedrick Ellis
• USCFootball.com has a whopping 119 photos from the event.
• SCPlaybook.com also took some great shots.
• WeAreSC's Gary Paskwietz interviewed  ESPN Director of College Scouting Todd McShay. Incidentally, the top Trojans in McShay's current mock draft are:
  • 9. Cincinnati Bengals -- Sedrick Ellis, DT
  • 10. New Orleans Saints -- Keith Rivers, OLB
  • 36. Kansas City Chiefs -- Sam Baker, OT
  • 47. Cincinnati Bengals -- Fred Davis, TE
  • 48. Minnesota Vikings -- Lawrence Jackson, DE
  • 49. Atlanta Falcons (From Houston) -- Chilo Rachal, G

Comments

[dcsween]

The guy in the white shirt is the defensive line coach for the KC Chiefs, Tim Krumrie. That Pete Carroll was surprised by this should itself be surprising. At past Combines and Pro Days, it is Krumrie's "drill" that all the other scouts watch to determine the "toughness" of defensive linemen prospects. He's been doing this type of evaluation for several years now. Just last year, it was this one-on-one drill that caused Alan Branch (Michigan) to fall out of the first round, and Adam Carriker (Nebraska) to rise several spots. Krumrie gets down in cowboy boots and is a couple of decades older than these prospects so the guy in cleats should have enough leverage to knock Krumrie down. [The thing is that Krumrie is probably in better condition that most college seniors.] Carriker leveled him. Branch nearly cried. Pete Carroll should lighten up.

[Frankie]

Good idea to shield your guys Pete. Its not like a lot of those "star" players that you've had are really taking off in the league.

What you have at USC are great athletes who don't have the...... pair to really excel and take the NFL serously.

Just ask:
(1) Matt Leinhart, (2) Reggie Bush, (3) Lendale White, (4) Mike Williams, (5) Darnell Bing, (6) Dominique Byrd, (7) Keary Colbert, (8) Winston "Joke" Justice, and (9) Frostee Rucker. The list is endless. I could go on and on but I think the point was made.

It even makes Polamalu's hair stand on end. Someone tell me when was the last time a big time skill player lived up to the hype.... Carson Palmer?

Uh, Frankie how about this list.....

Ryan Kalil, Carson Palmer, Troy Polomalu, Lofa Tatupu, Willie McGinest, Marcus Allen, OJ Simpson, Jack Del Rio, Derrick Deese, Ronnie Lott, Bruce Mathews, Junior Seau

dumbass.....

[Chris]

Pete, unfortunately, there's NOTHING you can do about it. It is PRO day, not CoLLEGE day. If they want to get into the PROS, they do what the PRO SCOUTS want them to do. Unfortunately, because you SUCKED as a PRO coach, you get no respect from any of the PRO coaches. Now stay in the college ranks and STFU. Thanks.

[anonymous can't read]

"Uh, Frankie how about this list.....

Ryan Kalil, Carson Palmer, Troy Polomalu, Lofa Tatupu, Willie McGinest, Marcus Allen, OJ Simpson, Jack Del Rio, Derrick Deese, Ronnie Lott, Bruce Mathews, Junior Seau

dumbass....."

Uh, anonymous, how about RIF? He stated "Good idea to shield your guys Pete. Its not like a lot of those "star" players that you've had are really taking off in the league." Now go back and figure out what was incorrect with your response......

Let me know if you need help.

Ben Johnson's time would be slowed due to his reaction time to the starter pistol, something Chauncey Washington didn't have to deal with. His 40 time began on his own movement.

Washington's time is still very, very good, but he didn't run the 40 faster than Ben Johnson and probably not better than any of the other runners in the race with Johnson. The better time probably isn't tied into the actual timing measurement (the electronic timing was probably correct/accurate) but due to the "delay" in Johnson's time from when the pistol went off and he actually moved to start.

The "delay" that a typical top-tier track star has is around 0.15 seconds, meaning that Johnson's football 40 time would be closer to 4.23 seconds. Similarly, Washington's delay if he had a starter pistol to deal with would be around .20 (he doesn't have the training of track athlete). That would convert his time to 4.55.

[akamoroti]

Yeah, Steve Smith looked horrible last year winning a Super Bowl, and Lofa Tatupu, well, that contract he just signed doesn't say anything about his performance does it. LenDale went for over 1,000 yards last year, complete bust right? When you have a lot of players drafted, some are going to bust (though giving them only one or two years isn't a good judge of a bust or not).

[Hot Hand Luke]

Sorry, Frankie, but Carson "Big Game Choker" Palmer has to go with the rest of the USC Bust Brigade. Ah well, at least we have Polamalu to brag about.

[Saintswhataint]

Steve Smith is not a star you moron, you know who else got a ring with the giants last year? Jared Lorenzen Eli's backup he looked real bad winning a super bowl also.

Tatupu wasn't thought of as a star when he came out his game had questions same as LenDale. He is referring to the Reggie Bush's, Matt Leinart's, Mike Williams of USC.

USC churns out pro prospects no doubt but the "star" guys seem to shine a little less bright than the 3-5 guys from USC.

Ben Johnson covered 40meters, (about 44yards) in 4.38seconds. Another study broke the tape down to yards, took off .15 for the reaction to the gun and it is actually under 4.1seconds.

[Go Canes]

USC?

How 'bout Miami? Here's a list for ya:

Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee, Frank Gore, Najeh Davenport. Four of them among the top 15 in NFL rushing yards. The other one, Davenport, is a backup to Willie Parker and he only had 82 yards less that "Superstar" Reggie Bush.

That's just dominance at RB. In the pros. Today. Not have to be dipping into late 60's/70's/80's and such...

The list is endless. I, too, could go on and on but I think the point was made.

GO CANES!!

[James]

"Ryan Kalil, Carson Palmer, Troy Polomalu, Lofa Tatupu, Willie McGinest, Marcus Allen, OJ Simpson, Jack Del Rio, Derrick Deese, Ronnie Lott, Bruce Mathews, Junior Seau"

All of what, 4 players on that list were Carroll's? And only two of them could you call elite. What has Kalil or Palmer done yet...noting.

[BJ and The Bear]

Maybe if Pete weren't so shy about tough drills he would have beaten Stanford last year. I hear Harbaugh loves the Krumrie.

[Gerrrg]

LenDale White is proving that he's a true competitor, after gaining weight and initially looking like a guy that was going to rest on his laurels after signing his contract.

Reggie Bush appears to be suffering from trying to do too much for a team that can't really use him effectively. Move him to Seattle and he'd be far better off.

Tatupu rocks the house. His innate skills make him invaluable. Just watch how he's always around the play...the man knows where to be at the right time.

Leinart was supposed to have an upside of having already learned and understood pro sets, not to mention the WCO. I think his problem has mostly been the offensive line. Still, it's disconcerting that he's struggling.

Steve Smith is the yeoman. Can't complain about a guy that goes out there and does everything right. Not flashy at all, but just gets the job done. I'd rather have Mr. Dependable than Mr. Flashy on the wing.

Polamalu, honestly, isn't as good as Tatupu, but he's still a freak on the field with all that strength and speed. And who can forget that hairdo?

[Trojan4life]

Wow, a bunch of USC haters are reading the USC stories and taking time to comment. I guess if UCLA could take care of business, your school's blog wouldn't be going bye-bye.

[Poster]

Yall sound crazy as hell saying Steve Smith looked horrile winning the superbowl. He was out there busting a__ on the field, what the hell games were you all watching? He contributed to a lot of the games that lead to the superbowl win - including the superbowl.