NFL Combine 2012: Justin Blackmon Wise Not to Run in Indy

The players who need good combines are those whose draft status is in doubt. In absolutely no way does that apply to Justin Blackmon, who is easily the best wide receiver available and an obvious top-five pick.

So, this announcement from Dan Parr of Pro Football Weekly is a good thing, and the only logical move for Blackmon to take. 

"

Justin Blackmon says he suffered a hamstring injury last week. Will not run at combine, but plans to at pro day next week.

— Dan Parr (@DParrPFW) February 24, 2012"

To say that the combine is over-analyzed would be on par with saying that Tim Tebow gets a little bit of attention from the media. Scouts and fans alike pay far too much attention to things like a tenth of a second, out of pads, without a ball. 

You don't need to see him run a 40 to know that Blackmon can get it done on the field. Do you know what you do need? Try this. 

That is the speed that matters. I don't care what you do when you're stripped down and have no defenders on you. In pads, with defenders all around you, is what matters. If that's not enough for you, look at Blackmon's numbers over his last two years at Oklahoma State.

	Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns
2010	111	1,782	20
2011	121	1,522	18

Prior to Blackmon's injury, Albert Breer of the NFL Network reported that Blackmon claimed he'd run a 4.4 or 4.5 in the 40.

The problem is that if this injury slows him down and he runs a 4.6 or 4.7, scouts are going to focus too much on that. If he runs and re-aggravates the injury, we could see his stock plummet. 

Players who need to do well in the combine are guys like Alshon Jeffery. He has little to lose and a lot to gain, as a strong combine from the South Carolina receiver could easily land him firmly in the first round.

Blackmon is already there. A poor showing or worsening an existing injury and Blackmon could easily take a fall down the boards. Every pick he drops is money out of his pocket. By running in a less-than-ideal situation, Blackmon would be risking way too much. 

If he's healthy and indeed does run at the Oklahoma State pro day, Blackmon will show how fast he is, but even that's a gamble he doesn't need to take. Blackmon's status in the draft should not be in doubt, and it doesn't make sense for him to do anything to potentially jeopardize that.

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