I was watching the NFL Scouting Combine over the weekend, and I just couldn't put my finger on the problem. I just could not figure out what was missing. I am receiving texts about what this player ran and what that player ran, but I just could not get excited.

 

Then, Michael Irvin made a comment that made so much sense to me. After a receiver had a very impressive 40 time, Irvin picked the run apart by commenting on the receiver running with his head down for the first 30-yards. Irvin stated if that were to happen in a game, the receiver would get his head knocked off. Irvin also talked about seeing the receivers run after a work-out to try to get a good idea of what they'd do late in the game.

 

I couldn't agree more with my favorite wide receiver of all-time. I got sick of hearing how someone's "stock" either went up or down because of what they did in shorts and a muscle shirt. I guess what those guys did in shoulder pads says nothing. Why we falling in love with track stars?

 

C.J. Spiller had an amazing career at Clemson. The last time I checked, Clemson is in the ACC. Now, it's not the SEC, but the ACC is a very good conference full of professional talent. Spiller did not put great numbers up against Ball State and Radford. Does Radford even have a football team? He did it against Florida State, Miami, Boston College, Maryland, etc.

 

My point is, the meat of the resume should be what happened on the field. The Combine should not tell us something that we didn't suspect after 30-plus career college games. If the Combine reveals something inconsistent to what we've seen, throw it out. It is not real. It's completely cosmetic.

 

Look, I love the NFL Scouting Combine. I'll watch hours and hours of it because I can't get enough football. I just don't want it to become the meat of a player's resume. Let the games tell the story.

 

Rob Long