From next level reports

Probably because those are the links people are more likely to mention since the number is more impressive. Look on NFL.com to see that I'm correct about the electronic time, or just Google. When I Googled "Troy Williamson 40 combine" it returned a lot of sites with 4.38 along with some that had 4.32 or something similar.

Anything under 4.4 when timed electronically is pretty impressive, but ultimately the 40 time is just this side of useless. A WR and CB will occasionally run 40 yards, but maybe only once or twice a game, and six hundredths of a second isn't a lot of difference. You'll get more separation from a good release at the line, a move in your route, or body positioning.

What I do like, and what sites are finally starting to report, are the 10 and 20 times. The 10 yard time gives a good indication of explosiveness. For instance Terrell Suggs' 40 time two years ago was disappointing, but his 10 yard time was extremely good for a DE/LB, which confirmed the quickness scouts saw in him. That explosion out of the block is what makes more of an impact on the field.

And as for why people are talking about Williamson more than Clayton, I honestly don't know. I think Clayton surprised people by running so fast at the combine. Because Williamson runs a lot of deep stuff and Clayton runs a lot of crossing routes, I think people just assumed that Williamson was much faster. That doesn't look to be true, although one combine doesn't necessarily say anything. After all, Anquan Boldin isn't as slow as the ugly 4.78 time he posted, and plenty of burners don't show quite the same speed with the pads on. On film you can clearly see that Williamson has speed, so he wouldn't be one of those guys, but I do think you might have assumed too much of an advantage over Clayton in that area.

 

With our tendancy to sit on a lead, I think you guys are overlooking a need to replace a run stuffer like Burton. That part of our D is undermanned. Fox is very predictable with a lead and often goes 3 and out, hoping the D will force errors or kill the clock. that's hard to do if we can't stop the run. Plus at any time, a weak middle suggest a weak pass D.

 

so you got a suggestion for a DT at 14?

 

I'd definitely love to upgrade against the run, not only at DT but MLB as well. But while I liked Burton, I don't think he personally had that much of an impact. Unfortunately there are no franchise DTs in this draft. There is some solid filler available on the first day, but we'll probably be looking in other directions.

 

Not at 14 but I do like Patterson. I know he's a 3=4 guy but that's what we need, a two gap type that's strong as hell and a fierce competetor.

 

Personally, I like Fields as that situational run-stopper with potential to do more, but he's probably risen to the level where he's more than I'd want to pay for a part time DT. I originally envisioned him a mid-3rd.

 

I'm not going to bother looking it up. You're right that many times mistakes are repeated ad infinatum. I will say that NFL.com is supposed to be one of the least reliable sites. Its Gil Brandt. He works for the NFL, but he still has his quirks. Remember, this is the guy who drafted the guys that brought down the Landry dynasty. (Just an irrelevant jab.)

Agree totally here. Esp for a DE, LB, etc. The whole 40 is important for a CB, and still indicates deep speed for a WR. And without looking up the numbers, Williamson's shorter times are probably not better than Claytons. Williamson is supposed to be a long strider. His cone and shuttle numbers were not good at all. He's a long pass guy.

Hopefully in OUR O he will run that 40 about 10 times a game, and it will be important. The threat of him running it will always be there, and that S will have to stay back, and off our RB.

Could be as you said.

OTOH, it may be all about the height.

Just gut feeling, if we're OK with a 5'10" WR, lets stick with the 2 we have.

Just a tad bit more from TFY. These are things they got from the combine workouts. I don't know from whom.

<<Mark Clayton/Oklahoma: Practiced to timed speed. Rounded off routes and choppy footwork into breaks. Not as fluid or as good in the pass catching workout as one would think. Dropped a bunch and struggled.

. . .

Troy Williamson/South Carolina: Definitely plays to timed speed and exceptionally fast on the field. So fast he was outrunning passes thrown by the quarterbacks. Shows excellent body control. Sharp running routes and quick footed. Extends to catch pass.>>

I really think it was this combine workout (along with the 40) that started him shooting up. In the eyes of whoever fed them this info, Williamson looked faster on the field under similar circumstances. Same QBs. Same routes. Its not a game, and you can't make too much of it, but its something.

Frankly, from what I saw of Clayton, I thought he was a good but not great WR who benefited from the spread O OKla. runs. I have not seen Willliamson play.

 

Who cares if it's 4.38 or 4.4. Fast is fast. Personally I would prefer a player that is more known over a career rather than a one year wonder who had a fast day. Give me Clayton over Williamson. Remember Renaldo Nieamia (sp) was pretty quick for the Niners but didn't do sheet in the league

 

Those vertical jump numbers could be significant.

 

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/combinebypos.php?genpos=WR&sortorder=LastN&order=ASC

this lists him at 4.32, which is pretty complete. Doesn't mean it's right or not.

At any rate, it's worth noting again that we're also very interested in the guy listed as fastest from the last four years, Mathis, who does have return skill.