Quickness vs. Sprint Speed: which is more important ?

[nunusguy]

Here's an interesting story in NFL.COM about the importance of quickness
as measured in the short shuttle and how it may be more meaningful than sprinter speed for determining abilities for some positions:
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"There's a reason David Pollack at just 6-foot-2 and 265 pounds with short arms had 36 sacks, 117 QB pressures and 58 tackles for a loss. He is relentless on film, but he also has extraordinary quickness and COD. I promise you a defensive end with 4.50 speed can't play as fast as David Pollack. Barrett Ruud is up against a number of linebackers with a faster 40 time but his field quickness is a big reason he finished his college career with 432 tackles.
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http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/8313818

 

[Holden135]

I completely agree with you. Especially on the defensive side of the ball. Recovery speed can be the difference between an int. and a td for the offense and down on the d-line if you can get out of the gates a split second faster than the o-line you will have a great chance at putting pressure on the qb.

 

[BuffSoldier]

There i rarely a time whem a player gets to run 40 yards down field. unless its a receiver on a fly route. But basically everyplay, you change direction, probably more than once, that factors in way more than straight line speed.

 

[AcresHomesTexan]

Just look at the team we have now, the one thing that DomDavis is well above average is quickness, no other part of his game is more than average, but he an effective back because of this one quality.

On the more negative side, look at Bradford great straight ahead speed, but is not really quick in and out his cuts. Almost all of his big plays were when he only had to made one cut or no cuts.

 

[SESupergenius]

yeah but you you can't rely on just 1 test as your measuring stick, you have to have some kind of matrix to determine how you like player.....then you got to measure his attutude, morality, business sense, what he eats, how his dad holds up in his old age, ..........what he pooped last night. Oh where will the madness end? I think we will see reality shows of professional athletes up next.