Murtha's Combine Performance Moves Him Up NFL Draft Boards

by Husker Mike on Feb 25, 2009 7:07 AM CST

Lydon Murtha put some impressive times up on the stopwatch at last weekend's NFL Combine, which is moving him up the draft boards. His 4.89 40 yard dash is believed to be the 2nd fastest time in history by an offensive guard or tackle. To prove that wasn't a fluke, he then posted the fastest times at his position in the three cone drill (7.06 seconds) and 20 yard shuttle (4.34 seconds). His vertical jump of 35 inches was the second best, and his broad jump of 9 feet 2 inches tied for 3rd in his group.

"Based on what he did this weekend, he's definitely in the top 100 now," said Brian Martin, founder and CEO of TEST Sports Football Academy. "This maybe puts him in the third round, with even an outside chance at the second."

Prior to the combine, Murtha was being speculated in the 20 to 30 range of offensive tackles, so speculation about being Top 100 is quite a jump. Nobody at the NFL should be surprised by Murtha's athleticism; it's been evident ever since his high school days. The real question is whether it really should take precedence over his on-field performance

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Wha?

I understand that his speed in the 40 shows athleticism, but exactly how often is an o-lineman running 40 yards, and is there ever a rush for him to get there?

Sounds like the combine is becoming more and more irrelevant

Men write many fine and plausible arguments in support of monarchy, but the fact remains that where every man in a state has a vote, brutal laws are impossible.

by BoVandy on Feb 25, 2009 8:53 AM CST reply actions

hey man

that’s downfield blocking, that’s what that is.

maybe he could go out for a pass.

or maybe you could do something with the single wing…. oh… sorry Wildcat formation in the NFL since they like to pretend they’ve invented everything.

The NFL combine is like college recruiting. There’s nothing else to talk about in the offseason, so the NFL guys, both media and “talent evaluators” go over this stuff like years of game film doesn’t count.

We should stop being so cynical and just go along for the ride, shouldn’t we? :)

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by Jon Johnston on Feb 25, 2009 10:45 AM CST up reply actions

I think they do the DL 40s

so guys like Murtha can totally humiliate losers like Booger. ha ha! But all those other shuttle tests, vert. leap, etc, are basically looking for lower body strength and agility.

"...dOn'T tAZ3 m3, brO'..."

by BO-urne Supremacy on Feb 25, 2009 11:53 AM CST reply actions

Leaverage, that is.

"...dOn'T tAZ3 m3, brO'..."

by BO-urne Supremacy on Feb 25, 2009 11:53 AM CST up reply actions

Murtha Murda

I think it definitely moves Murtha up in draft position.

When you look at his game film you have to remember that he was constantly changing positions on the O-line. He didn’t have the time to fully develop at any one position. Just imagine what his kind of athleticism can do when he has time to fully develop at ONE position.

Only knock on him is his zone blocking ability (which Slauson had trouble with as well) and I think his upper body strength. Murtha has a very explosive lower body, but with his 6’7" frame I think he should be stronger.

by belacoz on Feb 25, 2009 3:12 PM CST reply actions

Other knock:

he’s injury prone.

"...dOn'T tAZ3 m3, brO'..."

by BO-urne Supremacy on Feb 25, 2009 9:11 PM CST up reply actions

do you really

think the “one position” thing is as big a deal as people make of it?

I’ve heard it mentioned in multiple places.

I suppose, like a basketball player, stepping left is harder than stepping right and left.

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Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!

by Jon Johnston on Feb 26, 2009 9:05 AM CST up reply actions

should say

Like a basketball player, for some stepping left is harder than stepping right or vice versa.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!

by Jon Johnston on Feb 26, 2009 9:18 AM CST up reply actions

Harley can only shoot moving to his right, is all I know..

"...dOn'T tAZ3 m3, brO'..."

by BO-urne Supremacy on Feb 27, 2009 7:52 AM CST up reply actions

I would think

The fact that he play guard and tackle would mean he’s got more mobility/experience, etc, thus be a plus. But, some coaches are real stickers, so you never know.

I would think he’s good enough to adapt to whatever they give him in the pros, and he’s played at tackle enough to get him through the gate—it’s not rocket science.

"...dOn'T tAZ3 m3, brO'..."

by BO-urne Supremacy on Feb 27, 2009 7:57 AM CST up reply actions

I mean,

the guy is 6’7", 315, great athleticism, I would think the pros would be drooling over that. But his injuries in college sort of prevented him from realizing his full potential.

He’ll play in the pros, though, it’s pretty much a lock as far as I can see. Just stay healthy..

"...dOn'T tAZ3 m3, brO'..."

by BO-urne Supremacy on Feb 27, 2009 8:02 AM CST up reply actions

He looks like he's in superb shape.

Looks alot tougher than when he was a underclassman.

"...dOn'T tAZ3 m3, brO'..."

by BO-urne Supremacy on Feb 27, 2009 8:03 AM CST reply actions

I think

the combine is a chance for scouts to evaluate speed, strength, and athletiscm. Without somebody padding the times. It is funny how some guys claim to run a 4.2 or 4.3 and go to the combine and run a 4.5 when somebody without bias is running the stop watch. I think it has a lot more validity than ranking a recruiting class.

by Huzkerfan on Feb 27, 2009 5:09 PM CST reply actions