All that talk about Darren McFadden's stock dropping?Yeah, it might be time to reconsider that.
McFadden ran a stunning 4.27-second 40-yard dash today at the NFL Scouting Combine, tying Appalachian State wide receiver Dexter Jackson as the fastest player at the Combine, and showing even greater speed than anyone expected -- and everyone thought he had great straight-line speed.
This 40 time doesn't necessarily negate all the negative things people have been saying about McFadden lately -- that he's not shifty enough, that he's not muscular enough in the lower body, that he fumbles too much, that he has off-field issues, etc. But it does mean that in terms of pure speed, he's going to be one of the fastest running backs in NFL history.
There was an audible gasp among the coaches and scouts at the RCA Dome when McFadden's 40 was completed, and that doesn't happen often. Suffice to say, McFadden isn't one of the losers at the Combine anymore.
See full Combine coverage.
UPDATE: The 4.27 was McFadden's unofficial time; when the NFL released the official times, East Carolina's Chris Johnson actually was the fastest running back with an amazing 4.24.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-24-2008 @ 3:13PM
steve said...
saw him play quite a bit..great athlete, no question, but i'd rather have his team mate Felix Jones in the late 1st early 2nd round
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2-24-2008 @ 4:06PM
LB said...
Teams always talk about who is dropping to the press but they never go on record because a lot of time that is the player they really want. But sometimes reporters fall for it.
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2-24-2008 @ 4:18PM
JKlicious99 said...
Tell me no team wouldn't want this guy at least on their special teams unit returning punts and kickoffs. Please, this guy is going high in the draft no doubt.
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2-24-2008 @ 5:07PM
Goran said...
Mendenhall's 4.44 and 4.37 were really impressive as well. He's really fast for a guy his size.
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2-24-2008 @ 5:13PM
Gamecock Man said...
This guy is going high, no doubt about it. He may lack desirable size, but he's super fact and he has time to bulk up. He's essentially a bigger version of Reggie Bush. He's fast, versatile, and will be an excellent all-purpose back. The Saints didn't drop on Reggie Bush because of his size.
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2-24-2008 @ 5:35PM
dot-head said...
casper
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2-24-2008 @ 5:36PM
Bioretention Technologies said...
He will be the best running back in Oakland Raiders history.
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2-24-2008 @ 6:23PM
Patrick Trioli said...
It's not about the speed. It's about the moves, and making plays. It's about being consistant, and staying healthy. The NFL guys will never learn. Look at Brian Westbrook from the Eagles. He isn't the fastest back in the NFL, but he's the overall best back in the NFL. A 4.27 is good when nobody is coming after you. Let's see how he does on the field of play when players are chasing him down. Big difference than running in a straight line. It's like hitting a heavybag when nobody hits you back, and then stepping in the ring. Big, big difference!!!
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2-24-2008 @ 10:18PM
Master B said...
Come on Jerry Jones Trade our Drafts Picks for him!!!
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2-24-2008 @ 11:30PM
Sony said...
To me I think this guy is very similar to Adrian Peterson... I even thought so when Peterson was still at Oklahoma...last year when McFadden had a much better year. McFadden's production this year was still solid against stiff competition in the SEC.
This guy has the same type of break away speed AP has, similar body build, and similar running style. It's not often that you see two guys in the same era so closely nitted in the same mold...
I think all of the scouts will notice the similarities, and won't pass-up the chance to have the next best thing to "AP" on thier team...
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2-25-2008 @ 10:02AM
proudamerican said...
Patrick Trioli--Obviously you never watched a Razorback game. That is one of the dumbest post I have ever read. Did you watch the LSU game or the South Carolina game, no more comments needed.
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2-25-2008 @ 10:10AM
Jeff Edge said...
Darren has a competitive streak in him. When you tell him he can't do something, that's when Darren is at his best. I think he will be one of the top backs in the NFL, if he gets the right coaching that can motivate him. And even if he doesn't, Darren will still be a successful NFL RB. I'd take Darren in a minute, at the very least you get a guy that will give you a running game.
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2-25-2008 @ 1:56PM
Jay Lawson said...
Uhhh...Patrick Trioli (comment #8)...so...you might want to consider trying to get a job as comedy writer in Hollywood. That was pretty funny stuff that you wrote. May I suggest though that you first gain some knowledge of the subject that you are disparaging any time you are going to write some jokes. It will make your jokes even funnier.
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3-20-2008 @ 2:27PM
Liam Jackson said...
Mr. Trioli, I refer you to LSU for additional insights regarding McFadden's ability to run in...and through...traffic. You may also want to check on McFadden's three year yardage total, most of which was accumulated against pretty decent SEC competition.
Respectfully,
Liam
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