Draft history analogy - Raiders : 40 times :: Eagles : bench press?
by JimmyK on Apr 3, 2011 9:37 PM EDT
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Every draft, when the Raiders are on the board, someone invariably makes the same tired joke, "Who's the fastest player available?" It's not without merit, obviously. Al Davis has repeatedly proven he loves speed. Here are the top ten 40 yard dash times from the combine from 2000-2010. If you'll notice, 4 of those players were drafted by the Raiders:
| Player | Time | Position | School | Drafted by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trindon Holliday | 4.21 | WR | LSU | Texans |
| Jacoby Ford | 4.22 | WR | Clemson | RAIDERS |
| Chris Johnson | 4.24 | RB | East Carolina | Titans |
| Darrius Heyward-Bey | 4.25 | WR | Maryland | RAIDERS |
| Jerome Mathis | 4.26 | WR | Hampton | Texans |
| C.J. Spiller | 4.27 | RB | Clemson | Bills |
| Stanford Routt | 4.27 | CB | Houston | RAIDERS |
| Mike Wallace | 4.28 | WR | Ole Miss | Steelers |
| Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | 4.29 | CB | Tennessee St. | Cardinals |
| Fabian Washington | 4.29 | CB | Nebraska | RAIDERS |
| Johnny Knox | 4.29 | WR | Abilene Christian | Bears |
Historically, the Eagles have a similar fascination with players that put up big bench press numbers at the combine. From 2000-2010, the Eagles drafted 3 of the top ten (3 of the top 6, actually) bench press performers:
(continued after the jump)...
| Player | Reps | Position | School | Drafted by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leif Larson | 45 | DT | UTEP | Bills |
| Mike Kudla | 45 | DE | Ohio St. | nobody |
| Mitch Petrus | 45 | OG | Arkansas | Giants |
| Jeff Owens | 44 | DT | Georgia | EAGLES |
| Brodrick Bunkley | 44 | DT | Florida St. | EAGLES |
| Scott Young | 43 | OG | BYU | EAGLES |
| Tank Tyler | 42 | DT | NC St. | Chiefs |
| Isaac Sopoaga | 42 | DT | Hawaii | 49ers |
| Igor Olshansky | 42 | DT | Oregon | Chargers |
| Terna Nande | 41 | OLB | Miami Ohio | Titans |
Oregon State DT Stephen Paea broke the combine record for bench press reps this year with an impressive 49. He's scheduled to meet with the Eagles this week. Just an observation.
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Yeah I noticed this back when Paea broke the record. NFL.com had a story about it and listed the top guys in the last decade and there were all those Eagles on it.
I think it’s really telling when you look at guys like Owens and Young. Bunkley was always going to be a top-20 pick that year and DT was a need then. I really might have been telling if they had a choice between him and Ngata and chose Bunkley…
But Owens and Young were late round picks, so something about them had to stand out to the Eagles. The bench press could very well be it.
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Looking at the names
There seems to be a much higher correlation between speed and being a pro than being strong and being a pro. Let’s draft more from list 1.
"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.
I think most would argue that speed is not our problem in any way whatsoever. Vick, Shady, DeSean are all speed guys on offense. Our 2ndary has good speed too overall, and Andy loves his fastball.
I think the point you intended to make was that we need more applicable strength. Strength on the OL, and strength at the linebacker position. I’d say DT, but quickness seems to be more of Washburns M.O.
by corn on the kolb on Apr 3, 2011 10:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’m saying that guys that can bench press a lot seem to end up mostly as players of no consequence in the big show.
Of course we need to draft to our weaknesses and I’m not saying draft the fastest CB left with our first pick. I’m saying when it comes down to round 5 and we’re stuck between a very fast WR and a very strong OT, we should go with the WR on the basis that speed seems to be a more valuable asset in a prospect.
"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.
Not quite apples to apples.
The guys in list 1 also went much higher (6, 4, 1, 1, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 1, 5) vs (?, UD, 5, 7, 1, 5, 3, 4, 2, 5).
Honestly though
I can see going for bench on an OLman and DLman when they got some skill.. The Raiders go for speed regardless.
Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...
Wild_Eagle!
Yes, Wild_Eagle's infamous reputation did help him get this award. But he shows that he walks the talk that he serves...with his keyboard. Wild_Eagle protects the motherland (BGN) from the evils of noobs, douche-bags, and other assholes. Although he may be crude and unnecessary, all great defenders draws the yellow flag from time to time.
-Awarded by Number5
Some of those 40 times are not official. CJ has the fastest official forty at 4.24. List might look a little different with all official 40s because sometimes the unofficial ones are off by a tenth of a second. Looks like the Eagles should stop putting too much stock on bench press times.
Let's not overreact...
The “stock” they put into these guys was a 5th, a 7th, and a first on a guy that was going in the first before the combine.
I see your “bench press” and raise you “high motor”.
by Phillyrampage on Apr 4, 2011 2:38 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
+1
"If it bleeds, we can kill it" -Dutch
"Men are clinging to football on a level we aren't even aware of. For centuries, we ruled everything, and now, in the last ten minutes, there are all these incursions by women. It's our Alamo."
-Tony Kornheiser
Buehler…
Buehler…
Buehler…
“Um, he’s sick. My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it’s pretty serious. "
by corn on the kolb on Apr 4, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
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