It's Time For The NFL Scouting Combine To Get More Electronically Advanced

As I am sitting here watching offensive linemen run 40 yard dashes, I'm wondering what the point of it is. When in the NFL will an offensive linemen ever run in a straight line for 40 yards? Especially without any pads on.

After that, they go and measure these offensive linemen's vertical jump. Is an offensive linemen going to be battling a cornerback for a jump ball in a Hail Mary? When would an offensive lineman ever need to use his vertical jump?

That's when I thought of a new drill that the combine needs to add.

There used to be a boxing show that was on ESPN a few years ago called "The Contender". In the show, they had an electronic heavy bag which would measure the force of each punch. I'm thinking, why don't they use that same idea for linemen in the NFL combine?

It's a relatively new invention in sports, measuring something's force. You can read more about it here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6529755.stm

Many of you know of the TV show, "Sports Science". They did a similar type of test with Jets NT, Kris Jenkins. (See video below)

Why doesn't the NFL make a sled that can measure the force of the impact an offensive or defensive lineman can build from their three-point stance?

The initial punch in the trenches is where games are won and lost, especially on short yardage situations when you need a goalline stand or less than a yard to go for a touchdown. I don't understand why there are no drills to measure how strong a player's initial punch is.

When you measure the force, you're not only measuring their upper body strength like the bench press does, but you also get their feet, calves, legs, thighs, hips, waist, and chest. You get their entire body of force that they put into a hit.

It's also measuring a football move coming out of a three point stance. I never understood how when they start in the 40 yard dash, why wide receivers and linebackers start out in a three point stance. It just doesn't make sense. They need to add more natural football moves in the scouting combine.

It seems to make a lot more sense than having linemen run in a straight line without pads on for 40 yards or jump as high as they can. It's time for the NFL combine to start rethinking and becoming more electronically advanced.