Amukamara and Helu Impress at the NFL Combine

by Husker Mike on Mar 1, 2011 11:12 PM CST in Huskers in the NFL

Prince Amukamara squashed a lot of bogus assumptions about his ability by testing well at the NFL Combine. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

If you were listening to Fox Sports Radio today, it seemed that every top-of-the-hour sports news headlines had a mention of Prince Amukamara running a 4.37 second 40 yard dash this morning at the NFL Combine. That was an unofficial time, mind you, and later was officially set at 4.42. It didn't matter, as these times wiped out the main concern of NFL scouts: lack of speed. Scouts obsessing over a busted play on a flea-flicker by Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon could finally breath a sigh of relief, as Amukamara erased their doubts. Amukamara looks to go early on draft day, possibly as a Top Ten draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys or Houston Texans. The Detroit Lions would love to reunite him with Ndamukong Suh, but it doesn't look like he'll still be available for the Lions #13 draft pick.

I-back Roy Helu had similar doubts coming into the combine, and likewise impressed scouts by posting back to back times of 4.43 and 4.42 in the 40 yard dash, good for sixth among running backs. More impressively, Helu topped the running backs in the 20-yard shuttle drill and 60-yard shuttle, and performed well enough in the other drills to get a "riser" mention from Sports Illustrated. I get the impression he could move up into the middle rounds of the draft.

Niles Paul didn't wow the scouts with his 4.51 time in the 40 yard dash at the draft. I wonder if he had another bet with Amukamara as to who was going to be faster in Indy. He did impress scouts with the bench press with 24 lifts at 225 pounds.

Dejon Gomes also answered any questions about his speed by posting an unofficial 4.47 second time in the 40 yard dash. He likely helped his draft status today. Eric Hagg, on the other hand, only recorded a 4.64 second time. That won't help him, though Hagg reported looked better in some of the drills.

Keith Williams reportedly tested ok, with decent times in the 40 yard dash. Cramps affected his bench press, limiting him to 23. Ricky Henry did not test well at all, earning a "bad impression" rating from the Sporting News.

As you might expect, results for kickers aren't really publicized, so we don't know what the scouts were evaluating Alex Henery on. Pierre Allen didn't test at the combine due to a calf injury.

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Agree with the analysis on each player...

except Helu. Have to agree with Mike Mayock in that once people see his time and go back to watch the game tape of him, they will see a 220 lb back get taken down by more arm tackles than any other back that size in recent memory.

All the DBs looked impressive. Really wanted to see ya boy Pierre Allen tear it up, so was disappointed in that outcome, but not as disappointing as Ricky Henry’s performance… yeesk!

by brutus1382 on Mar 2, 2011 12:26 AM CST reply actions

How important is the 40 yd dash, really?

I know for the QBs, it’s almost just a formality and has little bearing on their draft spot.

I’d imagine that with DBs, it’s obviously more important. But how much? For example, the point on Prince in the OSU game. How does raw speed make up for getting beat during a play?

I’ve never really followed the combines. Just curious how much each workout plays into their overall picture?

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by Brian Speers on Mar 2, 2011 6:54 AM CST reply actions

thing about the combine

I realize they have tons of tape on each player, but that doesn’t account for the arrogance of the NFL (for one) and second, that these guys are potentially going to be paid millions of dollars and therefore, it’s one more step in the interview/hiring process.

The combines are a chance for the NFL to get these guys together and make them compete in a situation where the rules are all the same. They also get the chance to interview them (talk to them) and find out what they’re made of as human beings. Again, given the fact that they’re going to pay them shitloads of money – it matters a lot.

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by Jon Johnston on Mar 2, 2011 8:05 AM CST up reply actions

The way most teams approach it

is that they look and see if anyone does way better or way worse than they thought they would based on previous game footage. If it is way different then they have to go back and watch more film to try and see why their combine numbers didn’t match up with what the team saw on the field previously. Kinda like how Fabian Washington didn’t exactly play as fast as his 4.29 40. Every team, other than the Raiders, went back and saw that.

by brutus1382 on Mar 2, 2011 11:59 AM CST up reply actions

how often does any player run 40 yards in a straight line with no pads in a game. NEVER.

by jack dein on Mar 2, 2011 10:41 PM CST up reply actions

I read somewhere that Alex Henry had a really bad 40 time

Seriously…I can’t remember where it was but someone was criticizing his 40 time and saying that he hasn’t been impressive in drills. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Fill a stadium with 100,000 people screaming at the top of their lungs and then watch him kick a 50 yard field goal without even blinking. Seriously, how can the most accurate kicker in NCAA history be so underrated so often? Whoever gets him in round 7 is going to get a complete steal and will be glad they made that pick for many years to come. I’m predicting he goes to the cowboys…they’re lack of a solid kicker has really held them back recently.

by Billgrip on Mar 2, 2011 9:17 AM CST reply actions

There are way too many Huskers being predicted to go to the Cowboys.

Yuck.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

by Omaha Sun on Mar 2, 2011 12:30 PM CST up reply actions

Haha

I’m not a big fan of the cowboys either…but rest assured I’ll be rooting for any ex-huskers that may end up there.

by Billgrip on Mar 2, 2011 1:25 PM CST up reply actions

Second That

Cowboys – my least favorite team after their arrogant self-appointment as “Americas Team”. Sorry, that will ALWAYS be the Packers of Titletown, USA.

But, any Husker that can make it into the pros, I am happy for.

by UltimaRatioRegum on Mar 2, 2011 2:24 PM CST up reply actions

I agree

by TexasHusker on Mar 2, 2011 3:50 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Bam.

I did root for Steve Octavien I guess.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

by Omaha Sun on Mar 3, 2011 7:11 PM CST up reply actions

With Hagg running slower

Than expected, wouldn’t it make sense to convert him to a linebacker? He’s not very big, I know, but he can cover some ground and make some great plays with his hands. Also, he was a pretty sure tackler with the Huskers.

by TexasHusker on Mar 2, 2011 12:35 PM CST via mobile reply actions

I can see him

as a SS or OLB, if he could as some pounds.

by Andy Davis on Mar 2, 2011 1:24 PM CST up reply actions

Hopefully he can get to that poundage

and be able to be a full time defensive player but I see him more as a special teams ace. At least for the first few years. Hopefully after that he can show how good his instincts are when he gets a shot to play on defense for an extended period of time.

by brutus1382 on Mar 3, 2011 12:31 AM CST up reply actions