NFL Considering Changes to Combine Drills

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Each year college players hoping to make it in the NFL must participate in what is often dubbed the “Underwear Olympics.”

What was once intended as a convenient location to gather medical information has become a media spectacle: watching athletes bench press 225 lbs. and run a 40-yard dash.

Now some in the League Office would like to make adjustments.

“We run the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. Why? The only reason anyone can ever give you is, that’s how it’s always been done,” said Matt Birk, the league’s director of player development.

In order to more accurately gauge players to their projected position, the hope is to tweak the tradition 40-yard dash, three-cone drill and short shuttles.

“That’s a project we’ll be working on this offseason,”Birk said. “Once we look at the data that was gathered in-game this year, it may be important to know how fast a wide receiver or defensive back can go 60 yards. Maybe for an offensive lineman it’s only 20 yards.

“We can actually see that in-game: how far are these guys running? What are the real or improved measures of importance and value as it relates to evaluating players and whether or not they should be drafted in the first round or the sixth round?”

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton also supports the potential changes.

“I think you’ll gradually see position-specific change where it won’t be just one whole new set of drills,” he said. “It will gradually phase itself in as we know more and more what we’re looking for for an offensive lineman, compared to a running back.”

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