NFL Combine 2011: Why the Entire Process Is Flawed and How It Can Be Fixed

NFL Combine 2011 Needs Changing, But What Areas Need The Most Work?

The NFL Combine is here. Yes, it is that yearly cattle call of college players trying to show what they can do.

Ultimately some will get drafted because of their combine performances, but does the combine offer enough to display the player's talent?

Honestly, I don't think it does.

Here are ten things wrong with the combine that could be fixed.

Let us know what you think. Is there anything about the combine you would change?

10. Not Visually Appealing

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 2: Defensive back Eric Berry of Tennessee runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine presented by Under Armour at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

What is Flawed: One of the best things about football is how visually striking it is. It is one of the prettiest sports to watch not only in person, but on TV as well. However, the combine doesn't capitalize on that.

Aside from the fact that the different positions wear different colored shirts, it just is too much of the same thing over and over again.

How it Can Be Fixed: I would love to see them use the overhead camera when guys run the 40. I know that is a small tweak that doesn't really address everything, but it certainly helps.

Ultimately, I think the NFL Network could put a little more production into the broadcast to make it more enjoyable.

9. Where Are the Rivalries?

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled by Neiko Thorpe #15 and Eltoro Freeman #21 of the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

What is Flawed: College football is all about rivalries. I understand these guys aren't in college anymore, but are we really supposed to believe that these guys just don't care about their schools anymore?

I am pretty sure Alabama and Auburn guys still don't like each other. The same goes for Ohio State and Michigan, UCLA and USC, and well, every other pair of rivals in college sports.

How it Can Be Fixed: This is a tough one to mandate, but I suppose the easy way to do this would be to put a school logo on each guy's combine shirt.

That would at least remind viewers of the school that helped each player arrive at the Combine.

8. Who Is DB 19 and QB 23?

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Quarterback Tim Tebow of Florida runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine presented by Under Armour at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

What is Flawed: I understand the combine is all about scouting NFL talent and the shirt-numbers are mainly used to help scouts identify players. However, if the NFL Network is going to televise the event we would sure love to see some names on those shirts they wear.

We all know Tim Tebow as big No. 15—not 19 QB.

How it Can Be Fixed: Sure, giving guys their college jerseys would be tough because how would the scouts and coaches be able to tell guys apart? But if you are televising the event, we would like to be able to see our favorite players wearing the numbers and jerseys that made them famous.

7. Where Is the Football?

What is Flawed: Isn't football a sport where a ball is kind of an important thing in relation to the sport being played?

I know that a ball is used in some of the wide receiver drills but I think nearly every drill is more important with the use of a football.

How it Can Be Fixed: How about this: Use a football in every single drill.

Run the 40, catch a football at the end. Run the 40 while carrying a football. Now obviously, for the bench press, a football seems a little silly—but it could work with every other drill.

6. Stop with the Bike Shorts and Man-Boobs

What is Flawed: What is flawed? Look at photo! I don't want to see that.

To be honest watching the offensive linemen run in bike shorts and tight shirts is not something that I really would like to spend my time watching.

How it Can Be Fixed: How about this, don't make the linemen run the 40? When do they have to run 40 yards anyways?

Or if they do run, how about you go easy on the slow motion?

5. Wonderlic

What is Flawed: It isn't that the Wonderlic in itself is a bad thing, but I sure would like to see how the guys are when they are taking the test.

Are they really nervous when they walk in? Do they really struggle under that sort of pressure?

How it Can Be Fixed: Put a camera in the testing room. It's as easy as that.

I would have paid money to see the look on Vince Young's face when he was in the midst of scoring a dreadful score of six.

4. Too Geared Towards Skilled Positions

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: (R) Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks huddles with Russell Okung #76, Tyler Polumbus #78 and other members of the Seahawks offensive line against the Chicago Bears in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at

What is Flawed: I know I just talked about how I don't want to see the big boys in spandex, but that doesn't mean we can't develop some ways to test the offensive linemen without making them run the 40.

How it Can Be Fixed: How about make them do what they are supposed to do: BLOCK SOMEONE!

Isn't that the job of an offensive lineman? I want to see them compete with another man, not just run and jiggle.

3. Isn't Football a Team Sport?

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Heath Miller #83, Hines Ward #86, Matt Spaeth #89 and Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers stand in the huddle against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlingt

What is Flawed: Football is one of the ultimate team sports, but the combine is an individual event. It really just doesn't seem like the two mesh.

Shouldn't a team sport be judging it's possible draft picks on how they work with others?

How it Can Be Fixed: There is no perfect answer to this, but what about making the combine more of a competition and break the guys into teams from each position?

The winning team gets a "Get Out of Rodger Goodell Jail Free" card. It would be perfect and it would show how competitive guys are.

2. Please Figure out the 40

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 2: Defensive back Joe Haden of Florida runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine presented by Under Armour at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

What is Flawed: I understand that the 40 is the marquee event in the combine, but come on. When do you ever see a guy run straight down the field for 40 yards? Once, maybe twice a game?

Somehow the combine needs to figure out a way to make the 40 less important than everyone else seems to think it is.

How it Can Be Fixed: I addressed this a little in the "Use a Ball" slide, but I would like to see them run a more functional 40. Maybe make them catch a ball at the end of their 40 or run the 40 while carrying the ball.

1. How Does This Test Football Skills and Instincts?

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/G

What is Flawed: Despite the fact that the combine is this huge event that supposedly judges the best talent, there are still mistakes made every year.

From JaMarcus Russell to Tom Brady, there are always guys that are mis-evaluated. I think that is because the combine is not about football—it is about athleticism.

How it Can Be Fixed: I think the only way to really fix this is to play football. Even if it is just passing league style with no tackling, it would seriously help see just how guys work together in the right context.