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Sean Payton

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27 Feb, 2015

Reconsiders combine drills

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During the offseason, the NFL will consider tweaking its timing and testing drills at the scouting combine. The NFL has used a standard set of drills at its scouting combine for several decades. The NFL’s Matt Birk:

That’s a project we’ll be working on this offseason. 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? 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.

New Orleans Saints coach Payton:

I think we’re in the midst of seeing some of these measurables change. I know we are. We’re going to look at position-specific and be willing to start with a certain year and build from that point forward. There’s been a ton of studies being done now on your bone length as it pertains to your chances of playing a receiver position, chances of playing a defensive back position. How is your chassis basically made up of? Now when you’re actually putting it to movements other than a cone drill, I think that’s in the long term going to show up in a player evaluation. I think you’ll gradually see position-specific change where it won’t be just one whole new set of drills. 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.