Speed is very important without question. However, the metrics employed by the NFL to measure it oftentimes are meaningless.
Borland's 40 time was 4.83...up toward DE territory. Clay Matthews ran 4.62
The 3 cone times 7.18 for Borland and 6.90 for Clay.
One guy will be inside the other needs to blow off the edge.
These measurements are one moment in time without football pads on. Plus, they're chasing air, not football players. The NFL is littered with stories of guys who just weren't fast enough who had great NFL careers.
I think part of the reason Alex Smith was drafted over Aaron Rodgers was the 3 cone time. Aaron was 7.39 to Smith's 6.82... that is more than a half second difference. Does it appear that Alex Smith is that much more elusive in the pocket? A half second is incredibly substantial. Borland is almost 2 hundredths of second slower than Clay over 40 yards, and almost 2 hundredths of a second slower on 3 cone.
Many of these speed projects don't have anywhere near the instincts. How many hundredths of a second does that cost them? NFL doesn't measure for that. It seems clear that a guy like Borland has all world instincts and pedestrian speed. The combo can work if instincts are truly elite. If his instincts weren't incredible then his 4.83 is really going to show itself.
Smart, instinctive and sold out work for me vs. dumb, confused, and football doesn't really matter but they can run like a deer.
Ultimately, like you wish, it would be best to find a guy who can run... and has more height and longer arms. Zach Thomas would tell you not to be so worried.
Originally Posted by: uffda udfa