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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > February > 23 > Entry
Falling in love with ‘Workout Warriors’
TOO MANY SCOUTS MISTAKE
‘MEASURABLES’ FOR TALENT
We see it happen every year.
NFL teams fall in love with “workout warriors” at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and during players’ Pro Day workouts on college campuses in the months, weeks and days leading up to the NFL Draft.
It’s almost as if a player’s body of work on autumn Saturdays gets reduced to nothing if he doesn’t perform well at the Combine or at his Pro Day.
So I’m asking loyal “Ludwig At Large” readers: If you were a member of an NFL personnel department, how much stock do you put into “Underwear Football?”
A year ago, Coastal Carolina wide receiver Jerome Simpson’s stock skyrocketed at the Combine. His “measurables” — large hands, vertical jump, etc.. — were “off the charts,” the media was told.
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Simpson in the second round of the 2008 draft, No. 46 overall.
Three picks later, the Philadelphia Eagles took Cal wide receiver DeSean Jackson No. 49 overall.
Simpson, a 6-foot-2, 195-pounder, caught exactly one pass for two years last season.
Jackson, a 5-10, 175-pounder, caught 62 passes for 912 yards (14.7) and two touchdowns.
Which team, in your opinion, got the better deal?
Simpson may turn out to be a Pro Football Hall of Famer, and Jackson’s career may fizzle.
But one year into their NFL careers, Jackson is off to the much swifter start.
Back in 2006, during an open locker room session in Cincinnati, Bengals backup quarterback Anthony Wright pulled me aside and said a college player’s performance on film during his career should be the most important part of the draft evaluation process. That’s when a player proves if he can play at the next level or not.
Sadly, too many scouts fall for “Workout Warriors” — guys like Akili Smith, who look great in shorts and 7-on-7 drills, then go out and show they can’t play on Sunday’s at 1 p.m.
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By David V.
February 23, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this
Heck…even Chick could throw a 10-yard out in his underwear. Put a 300 pound defensive tackle out there and his tighty whities will soon be loosey brownies. Let me see what a kid can do on a game film. Although, game films do lie about what is in a kid’s head (See Andre Smith). I actually liked how Forrest Gregg scouted (pre-combine days, I think). He tried to go up against Anthony Munoz out at USC and lost. Lots of film and a personal interview go a long way-an individual workout to ensure stat sheets aren’t total fabrication are necessary as well. But a cattle call for 300?By VoHo
February 23, 2009 3:21 PM | Link to this
He had Chad and TJ ahead of him (plus the Mikie-mandate, Chris Henry); Fitzy at QB instead of Carson; an already poor passing game because of lousy blocking and a bad scheme; and poor coaching. It has not been 12 months since the last draft. I’m not ready to call him a bust just yet. I would liked to have seen him flash something — but that takes coaching and opportunity as well. I’ll give him a second chance.By Mr.DadSir
February 23, 2009 3:22 PM | Link to this
When you fall in love with some of these “workout warriors”you find that many if not most of them are projects.This seems to be what Mikey-boy is love with.My guess a non workout guy just went to the top of Mikeys list mr awol Smith.By Mr.DadSir
February 23, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this
Thinking about it I suppose that would make Mr Smith a non workout warrior.Perhaps he will not be on Mikeys list.By Brian
February 23, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this
The measurables end up being a crutch for the Bengals’ understaffed, over matched scouting department. Time and again, they fixate on the look of what’s below the neck, rather than what’s going on between the ears. Hines Ward is the prototype of a guy that they Bengals would pass over time and again because of his lack of measurable speed. Sadly, you can’t measure playmaking ability and leadership qualities with a stopwatch.By Mike
February 23, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this
Chick you’re being awful tough on Jerome Simpson. By your logic Charles Rodgers and Mike Williams were picked exactly where they should have been. Simpson is making the leap from small school to the NFL which was not the case with DeSean Jackson. The Bengals had TJ and Chad where Philly had no one. The Bengals could afford to wait and develop him a bit. Can you make the argument that the pick should have been someone who could contribute in year 1,absolutely, but if this were the Steelers or the Patriots everyone would say how smart the pick was. If he doesn’t show improvement this year then I think you can make a case for him being a “wasted draft pick” but your awful quick to throw the guy’s career down the tubes.By jon
February 24, 2009 8:21 AM | Link to this
Does any of this really matter? We all know the Bengals will be lucky to finish 8-8 next year.By Antwan Odom in your face
February 24, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this
Carson Palmer didn’t play his rookie year, hangin on the sideline with a clipboard proved to be priceless. Was Jerome Simpson supposed to beat out the likes of TJ, Ocho Cinco, Antonio Chatman AND Chris Henry? Outside of being a Return Specialist, Desean Jackson was up against Kevin Curtis and………… (i could look them up, but why bother?) Cmon Jon, Bill Cowher picked the Bengals as a surprise playoff contender, AND, they signed a punter AND franchised a kicker, what more do you want? it would be grrrrrrrrrreat if the season ticket holders would just go ahead and send in those 1st installment payments …… conveniently due THE DAY BEFORE we get to see if they make a splash in Free Agency. Mike Brown send his best. (thanks again, make that check payable to “Cincinnati Bengals”….would you like a 10% off #58 Rivers jersey with that order? how bout 20% off a “Former” player jersey?)By Doco
February 24, 2009 8:56 AM | Link to this
I’m guessing if the Bengals took Jackson he would have had Andre Caldwell type numbers behind Chad, TJ, and Henry and returned kicks. And Simpson would be the 2nd or 3rd reciever for the Eagles. Lack of reciever depth is the major difference here. We can more accurately judge the pick after this season with TJ and/or Chad gone.By WhoDeyRevolution.com
February 24, 2009 9:29 AM | Link to this
Could this NFL season have been any worse? Unless Mike Brown walked into my house and punted my dog off a bridge, think Jack Black in Anchorman, I think it could not have been worse. Lets briefly recap. Chad fiasco. No draft picks for Chad. Drafting of Jerome Simpson. Awesome Mike Brown brings back Chris Henry over Marvin’s objections. Carson Palmer hurt. No surgery for Carson. Willie Anderson Cut. Start the season 0-8. Our first round draft pick has his jaw broken. Against the Steelers. Carson Palmer still hurt. Steelers beat Bengals. Twice. Bad. Bengals tie Eagles in worst NFL football game ever. Bengals manage to win 4 of the last 8 games, to give Mike Brown hope team will “compete” next year. Bengals make ZERO changes in the offseason. Bengals quote Bill Cowher in letter to season ticket holders Steelers win Super Bowl. Could anything else have gone wrong? Did I miss anything? Kill me now.By WhoDeyRevolution.com
February 24, 2009 9:32 AM | Link to this
Could this NFL season have been any worse? Unless Mike Brown walked into my house and punted my dog off a bridge, think Jack Black in Anchorman, I think it could not have been worse. Lets briefly recap. Chad fiasco. No draft picks for Chad. Drafting of Jerome Simpson. Awesome Mike Brown brings back Chris Henry over Marvin’s objections. Carson Palmer hurt. No surgery for Carson. Willie Anderson Cut. Start the season 0-8. Our first round draft pick has his jaw broken. Against the Steelers. Carson Palmer still hurt. Steelers beat Bengals. Twice. Bad. Bengals tie Eagles in worst NFL football game ever. Bengals manage to win 4 of the last 8 games, to give Mike Brown hope team will “compete” next year. Bengals make ZERO changes in the offseason. Bengals quote Bill Cowher in letter to season ticket holders Steelers win Super Bowl. Could anything else have gone wrong? Did I miss anything? Kill me now.By blindeye
February 24, 2009 8:47 PM | Link to this
whodeyreolution.com I think that you got everything….except for the franchise tagging of the placekicker. Yup, they did and some think it was genius. Oh, that and the fact that Baltimore beat the Bengals twice too. With a rookie coach no less. I appreciate your posting a recap of the season. One would think that sportswriters somewhere would have offered up a recap of this past season but I guess that’s the way the COOKIE CRUMBLES.(sic) I guess next we’ll hear about sixgraders and weggies.