heard jimbo interviewed the other day and that was one thing he stressed. Fullbacks and TE's will definitely be utilized more in the passing game. it was like he let it slip out and quickly changed the subject which is why I remember it. surely isnt a secret yet I suppose its the nature of coaches who've been under saban's watch. :hihi: :hihi:
I don't want you to think that I'm disagreeing with everything you're saying (because you might come away feeling that way)--and I don't mean to be confrontational with you (I enjoy your posts, and, for the most part, am in agreement with what you say), but since when does a players top-end speed--indicated by 40-yard dash times--have anything to do with someone's "strength and vision"? I mean, last I checked, the majority of a sprinter's speed comes from a combination of what is called "fast-twitch" muscles (some people have them, some don't) and muscle strength. Just cause someone is "stronger", doesn't mean they run faster....otherwise, I guess Kevin Steltz would be the fastest guy on the team. And vision doesn't have anything to do with a 40-yard dash time because quite frankly, the "dash" is a straight line. Do I think Flynn is as fast as advertised in terms of his 40-yard dash time? Absolutely. Like I said, I saw his profile on rivals.com, under 2003 signing class, and his 40-time was listed at 4.53. Now, do I think he's as quick and fluid in his cuts as RP? No. And THAT's where I'll totally buy into your opinion that RP is "faster". I can see where RP's fluid cuts, and in doing so, reduces the amount of time his body needs to slow down in order to complete the cut/jukes. And THAT'S what makes him faster. THAT's what will enable him to get from point A, to point B faster through traffic than Matt Flynn. Not strength and vision.
First, don't believe any one time/race. But you should believe Flynn's 40-yard time because I checked on rivals.com, and in the 2003 commitments list, Matt Flynn's profile lists him has running a 4.53. For anyone that has ever played football, or run track, you know that on the day you're set to run the 40-yard dash, you get a few attempts, and your best one is recorded. But there are lots of factors. Was RP not stretched out enough? Was Flynn perhaps more "warmed up" to run? Perhaps someone with a time lower than what you would expect had a bad jump? Perhaps someone had a great jump? And finally, know that if 2 players, with roughly a 0.01 difference in times, you could run that race 10 times, and have a different winner. One player might win 9-out-of-10 times.
These are times in the 40, fellers. It measures quickness more than speed. Pure tracksters like XC or Brazell could blow away everybody in the 100 meters or 200 meters. But we have a lot of athletes who can hang pretty close in the 40.
I find forty times are complete irrelevant when it comes to Offensive linemen. They never move more than 5 yards for the most part, which is why I think quick feet movement is alot more important.
I don't understand the dismay about Flynn being fast. Keep in mind, have you ever seen such a highly recruited kid run from the starting job like he has thus far??????????? Hell, I'm surprised he's not clocking in Deion-times!
Man..check out our average height/weight/40y defensive stats. These figures take into account every player, from starter to career bencher: Code: [U]Height Weight 40y[/U][/B] [B]Corner[/B] [U]6'0" 184 4.42[/U] [B]Safety[/B] [U]6'1" 191 4.53[/U] [B]OLB[/B] [U]6'2" 218 4.55[/U] [B]Def End[/B] [U]6'3.5" 253 4.79[/U] [B]Def Tackle[/B] [U]6'3.25" 294 5.04[/U]
I've never heard Saban talk about who was the fastest of the RB's or anyone else for that matter. He never gave out that kind of info. Bennie is fast, but he is a 400 guy, not a 60, 100 or 200 guy. XC is definitely the fastest player on the team IMO.
Don't forget that A LOT of fourty times are hand-held. Hand held times are notoriously too fast. I don't pay a whole lot of attention to them for this reason. Two guys could runt he exact same time and one timer can get a 4.52 and another timer can get a 4.35. (I've seen it happen) And whoever pointed out the stuff about in pads vs. on a track in spikes is right on the money. Some guys are amazing 'track' speed but slow down when leg and shoulder pads are put on. This is what made Bo Jackson and Herchel Walker so great, they both maintained their 'track' speed on the field.
When John Madden was with the Raiders they alwys clocked prospects in full uniform on a football field and threw out everyone else's numbers and paid attention to only there own. They also put much more stock into watching film than in how fast guys clocked. Everyone always called Al Davis the genius, but Madden was really the reason the Raiders were always so damn good.
