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bijanc
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1250
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 Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 12:54 pm Post subject: Has Track Speed: Who's The Fastest Current NFL Player? |
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Who's the fastest (or who are the fastest few recently timed, 40 yds. and/or 100m) active NFL player?
When it was Darrell Green we had a way of knowing. |
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Pego
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 6042
Location: beyond help
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 12:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Off hand I would say Ted Ginn. |
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Marlow
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 8243
Location: Up on the Farm
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 12:59 pm Post subject: |
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Stand by for a 5000-word dissertation from Brutexante. That's a compliment, by the way; he does know his stuff between sprinters/football players.
Darren Sproles (Chargers) is generally considered the fastest,
but Tyvon Branch (Raiders) has the fastest combine time - 4.24. |
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jhc68
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 2297
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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| DeSean Jackson is certainly outrunning a lot of people. |
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jazzcyclist
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 4351
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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| What about Jamaal Charles? I believe he definitely has the most impressive track resume. |
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deca-pat
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 188
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Chris Johnson - Tennessee |
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pherekydes
Joined: 26 Mar 2007
Posts: 412
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:46 pm Post subject: |
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I think it's Aaron Rodgers.
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Mighty Favog
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 619
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:03 am Post subject: |
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| Pego wrote: | | Off hand I would say Ted Ginn. |
They called Roberto Duran "Hands of Stone" but he had nothing on Ginn! His own father was smart enough to have him play defense instead of offense, but not Ohio State or the NFL. |
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Avante
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 333
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:41 am Post subject: |
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Not sure what his current status (Arizona Cardinals) is but FSU's Michael Ray Garvin...10.21...would probably be the fastest if he's still in the league. Jamaal Charles of the Cheifs would be right there with him. Terrence Newman of the Cowboys was a 10.20 while at Kansas St. I doubt he has that kind of speed now however.
If we're talking sub 10.30 sprinters/footballers and the NFL.....(historical perspective)
Alvis Whitted...NCSt/Raiders
James Jett...WV/Raiders
James Trapp...Clemson/Raiders
Ron Brown...ASU/Rams
Sam Graddy...Tenn/Broncos
Johnny Jones...Tex/Jets
Deion Sanders...FSU/pick one
Herschel Walker...Ga/pick one
Curtis Conway...USC/Bears
Sammie Parker...Oreg/Cheifs
Willie Gault....Tenn/Bears
Michael Bennett...Wis/Vikings
Michael Bates...Ariz/Seahawks
Anthony Miller...Tenn/Chargers
Chris Sanders...Ohio St/Titans
Michael Haynes..NoAriz/Falcons
Herkie Walls....Tex/Oilers
Curtis Dickey....Tex A&M/Colts
Darrel Green...Tex A&I/Redskins
Renaldo Nehemiah...Mary/Niners
Mike Miller...Tenn/Packers
Bob Hayes...FAMU/Cowboys
Tony Jones...Tex/Oilers
Phil Epps...TCU/Packers
Pat Johnson...Oreg/Ravens
Jimmy Hines did play with the Dolphins...barely!
The old 100 yarders sub 9.5
Henry Carr...ASU/Giants
Frank Budd..Vill/Eagles
Andrew Hopkins...SFAustin/Oilers
Charles Frazier...Tex So/Oilers
Homer Jones...Tex So/Giants
Ray Norton...SJS/Niners
O.J.Simpson...USC/Bills
Mel Gray...Mo/Cards
Stone Johnson....Grambling/Cheifs
Isacc Curtis...Cal/Bengals
Joe Delaney...NWLa/Cheifs
Clyde Glosson...Tex West/Bills
Richmond Flowers...Tenn/Giants
Len Willis...Ohio St/Vikings
John Roderick...SMU/Dolphins
Cyril Pinder...Ill/Eagles
Cliff Branch...Col/Raiders
Butch Woolfolk....Mich/Giants
Rocky Thompson..WTS/Giants
Earl McCullouch...USC/Lions
Willie McGee...Alcorn/Chargers
Bob Paremore...FAMU/Cards
Ken Burrough...Tex So/Oilers
Harold Jackson....Jackson St/Eagles
Eugene White...FAMU/Raiders
J.D.Hill...ASU/Bills
Gerald Tinker...Kent St/Falcons
Bo Roberson...Cornell/Raiders
Larry Burton....Purdue/Saints
Clarence Childs...FAMU/Giants
Cecil Turner...CPSLO/Bears
Travis Williams...ASU/Packers
Mark Duper...NWLa/Dolphins
Darin Nelson...Stanford/Vikings
Tommie Smith did play with the Bengals....barely.
John Carlos did have a look by the Eagles. Don't think he ever played.
Can't talk speed and the NFL and not mention Buddy Young (Illinois/Colts), Bobby Boyd (Loyola/Rams) and Ollie Matson (U of SF/Rams). All played prior to 1960. Young and Boyd were NCAA 100 champs. Matson an Olympic 400m man. Can't ignore Louisville's Lenny Lyles a 9.5 man (Colts) early 60's. Yes Jim Thorpe, Red "Galloping Ghost" Grange and Don Hutson could motor 
Then there's guys like Joey Galloway, Chris Johnson, Tony Dorsett, Ted Ginn, Eric Dickerson, Bo Jackson, Randy Moss, Percy Harvin, Don Beebe, Gale Sayers who obviously had/have great speed. Just how fast...hmmmm?
Then there's those who never made it to the NFL (if so short short stay) but had great speed as NCAA players.
John Capel..Fla
Leonard Scott...Tenn..is 9.94 making him the fastest footballler.
Xavier Carter...LSU
Sultan McCullough...USC
Ja' Warren Hooker...Wash
Still in college...
Jacoby Ford..Clemson
Jeff Demps..Fla
Trindon Holliday...LSU
Randall Carroll...UCLA
Javid Best....Cal
C.J.Spiller...Clemson
Jamere Holland...Oregon
These guys shouldn't be ignored.....
Nap Kaufman...Wash/Raiders
Tim Dwight...Iowa/Falcons
Reggie Bush...USC/Saints
Ken Thomas...SJS/Cheifs
Warrick Dunn...FSU/Buc's
Eddie Kennison...LSU/Cheifs
Willie Galimore...FAMU/Bears
James Owens...UCLA/Niners
James Lofton...Stanford/Packers
Alexander Wright....Auburn/Cowboys
Elbert "Golden Wheels" Dubenion....Blufton/Bills
Rocket Ismail...ND/Raiders
Warren McVea....Hous/Cheifs
Bobby Mitchell...Ill/Redskins
Warren Wells....Tex So/Raiders
Steve Odom...Utah/Packers
Michael Timpson...Penn St/Patriots
Justin Fargas...USC/Raiders
Rod Woodson...Purdue/Steelers
Stanford Routt...Hous/Raiders
Jerome Mathis...Hampton/Texans
Wesley Walker....Cal/Jets
Travis Jervey...The Citadel/Packers
Amos Marsh...Oregon/Cowboys
No doubt guys who ran the 400m like Ollie Matson have speed. These guys would be...
Rod Jones...SMU/Bengals....once ran down Bo Jackson
Bennie Brazzell....LSU/Bengals
Terry McDaneils...Tenn/Raiders
Johnny Thomas..Baylor/Redskins
Russell Carter...SMU/Jets
Travis Hannah...USC/Oilers
Rod Barksdale...Ariz/Raiders
So what would the All Time NFL 100m look like.....hmm? (actually played in the league)
lane
1.Alvis Whitted
2.Darrel Green
3.Ron Brown
4.Bob Hayes
5.Sam Graddy
6.Curtis Dickey
7.Willie Gault
8.Michael Bates
I might be off on something up there. If so let me know and I'll fix it.
Last edited by Avante on Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:57 am; edited 2 times in total |
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gh
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 31252
Location: with Suzanne, near her place by the river
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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All depends how you define speed. 100 times mean nothing in a sport where only a tiny-tiny number of plays are done at that distance, and running "sideways" is a huge factor.
Quickness is just as big an asset as speed. |
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bijanc
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1250
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:21 am Post subject: 100 yards |
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| True at some positions, but once the ball is caught, or in punt and kick return situations, give me the player w/ the fast 100 times (provided he has decent hands). |
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Avante
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 333
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:09 am Post subject: |
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| gh wrote: | All depends how you define speed. 100 times mean nothing in a sport where only a tiny-tiny number of plays are done at that distance, and running "sideways" is a huge factor.
Quickness is just as big an asset as speed. |
I agree! Give me somebody with a quick burst and the ability to manuever at a high rate of their max speed anyday over a Carl Lewis who came on late in races.. 100m speed means little in football. The fastest footballer in my opinion was Rocket Ismail while he was at ND. Then there's Devin Hester in the NFL. Neither was known as some great sprinter.
Curtis Dickey is the only NFL running back to ever be world ranked in the 100m. He was a 10.1 guy. I saw him play many times. Saw him at Texas A&M and with the Baltimore Colts. You'd never know he was a 10.1 guy. He had nothing on Barry Sanders or Eric Dickerson two guys I doubt could have ran a sub 10.30. Tony Dorsett was no great sprinter, I take him over Jeff Demps a 10.01 guy. |
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jazzcyclist
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 4351
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:37 am Post subject: |
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| At the NFL combine, in addition to 40-yard times, players are also clocked at 10, 20 and 30 yards. For interior linemen, the 10-yard split is probably all you need, although 40 yard times might give you a better picture of a player's overall athleticism. 40-yard times are probably more relevant for running backs and linebackers. However, for defensive backs, wide receivers and kick returners, 60 yards is probably the best single distance to judge potential on if you're only going to use one distance. The fact of the matter is that it's very, very seldom that a football player will ever run all-out for more than 60 yards. Even when a kick-off is returned for a touchdown, the return man usually won't have a chance to open up the jets until he gets past the 50 yard line, because that's usually about the point where he's clear of all defenders and can began running in a straight line. Up until then, they're making cuts and setting up blocks at less than full speed. The only play I can think of that is like a 100 meter track race is when a cornerback steps in front of a sideline pass near his own goal line or from his own endzone. |
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Marlow
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 8243
Location: Up on the Farm
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:43 am Post subject: |
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| jazzcyclist wrote: | | The only play I can think of that is like a 100 meter track race is when a cornerback steps in front of a sideline pass near his own goal line or from his own endzone. |
If a kick-returner receives the ball on the goal-line and runs straight up the middle at full speed (sees his blockers create a big hole in the middle), what would his time be? I can't believe anyone has EVER run under 11 seconds (even if the stadium clock only ticks down 9). |
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bijanc
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1250
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:00 am Post subject: 100 yards |
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The reason I favor the 100 yd/M guys is the relative endurance. After a catch, one attemps to separate oneself from the defender, especially at wide receiver/flanker/spilt end. The cornerback, and often safeties from their angles, give chase. The longer the player w/ the ball can maintian top or near top velocity, the more likely he will score. The longer the defender can do so, the more likely he will catch the ballcarrier (i.e. Darrell Green v. Dorsett from a poor angle during a well-publicized Mon. night game). And on returns, shiftiness is of course a prime advantage, but once there's some "dayiight", the more afterburner the better.
Walker and Dickey were not the most improvisational or creative runners for sure, but there were plenty of college plays where Walker outran secondaries because he had good speed over a distance exceeding 40 yds. So did Bo, and in college, Simpson. I agree w/ what was said about most of the other positions on the field. |
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Avante
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 333
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:04 am Post subject: Re: 100 yards |
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| bijanc wrote: | The reason I favor the 100 yd/M guys is the relative endurance. After a catch, one attemps to separate oneself from the defender, especially at wide receiver/flanker/spilt end. The cornerback, and often safeties from their angles, give chase. The longer the player w/ the ball can maintian top or near top velocity, the more likely he will score. The longer the defender can do so, the more likely he will catch the ballcarrier (i.e. Darrell Green v. Dorsett from a poor angle during a well-publicized Mon. night game). And on returns, shiftiness is of course a prime advantage, but once there's some "dayiight", the more afterburner the better.
Walker and Dickey were not the most improvisational or creative runners for sure, but there were plenty of college plays where Walker outran secondaries because he had good speed over a distance exceeding 40 yds. So did Bo, and in college, Simpson. I agree w/ what was said about most of the other positions on the field. |
With big bad dudes who would love to tear your head off in hot pursuit, it does bring that adrenaline to the forefront. Every running back/wide receiver can run. |
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lonewolf
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 3668
Location: Indian Territory
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:17 am Post subject: |
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| I am frequently surprised that running backs/receivers with reputation for "speed" are run down or cut off on long run backs by defenders with lesser speed credentials. I suspect, and sometimes it is obvious, the ball carrier simply runs out of gas. |
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Avante
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 333
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:22 am Post subject: |
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| lonewolf wrote: | | I am frequently surprised that running backs/receivers with reputation for "speed" are run down or cut off on long run backs by defenders with lesser speed credentials. I suspect, and sometimes it is obvious, the ball carrier simply runs out of gas. |
Keep in mind in most cases the ball carrier has already done some juking/jivin before taking off on a long sprint. Then there's the accumulation of the days action. I didn't have the same zip in the 4th quarter as I did in the first half. |
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lonewolf
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
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Location: Indian Territory
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:25 am Post subject: |
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| Makes sense. |
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Avante
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 333
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:28 am Post subject: |
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| lonewolf wrote: | | Makes sense. |
You can't run as fast carrying a football either. |
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jazzcyclist
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 4351
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:40 am Post subject: Re: 100 yards |
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| bijanc wrote: | The reason I favor the 100 yd/M guys is the relative endurance. After a catch, one attemps to separate oneself from the defender, especially at wide receiver/flanker/spilt end. The cornerback, and often safeties from their angles, give chase. The longer the player w/ the ball can maintian top or near top velocity, the more likely he will score. The longer the defender can do so, the more likely he will catch the ballcarrier (i.e. Darrell Green v. Dorsett from a poor angle during a well-publicized Mon. night game). And on returns, shiftiness is of course a prime advantage, but once there's some "dayiight", the more afterburner the better.
Walker and Dickey were not the most improvisational or creative runners for sure, but there were plenty of college plays where Walker outran secondaries because he had good speed over a distance exceeding 40 yds. So did Bo, and in college, Simpson. I agree w/ what was said about most of the other positions on the field. |
The situations that you describe are rare in a football game, and I would guess that they don't occur in the average football game. For one thing. the ball must be deep in the offense's territory in order for there to be an opportunity. Remember, world-class sprinters take 55-60 meters (60-65 yeards) to reach top speed, and I'm guessing that even NFL wideouts and cornerbacks can accelerate for 40 meters. This weekend, I'll make a point to count the number of times I see an offensive player run for 50 yards or more with the ball in a straight line without breaking stride or cutting, and report back with my findings on Monday. I'm guessing that the number will be a number that you can count on one hand even if you include the highlight shows. Even when corners get the pick-6's that I described, usually the wide receiver has to change direction in order to even attempt a chase and by that time the corner is already 10 yards up the field. |
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Avante
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 333
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:46 am Post subject: |
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| I'd like to add another guy. While at Baker high school in Florida he averaged 13 yards a carry as a HS running back. Florida was interested in him. I'm guessing he couldn't make the grades. I'm talking about..Houston McTear. Talk about a burst! |
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jazzcyclist
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 4351
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:52 am Post subject: |
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| Avante wrote: | | I'd like to add another guy. While at Baker high school in Florida he averaged 13 yards a carry as a HS running back. Florida was interested in him. I'm guessing he couldn't make the grades. I'm talking about..Houston McTear. Talk about a burst! |
Did he ever make an NFL roster? |
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scottmitchell74
Joined: 03 Jul 2008
Posts: 643
Location: Abilene, TX
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:37 am Post subject: |
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The coiner of this should be flayed. |
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Dutra
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1527
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Avante wrote: | | Not sure what his current status (Arizona Cardinals) is but FSU's Michael Ray Garvin...10.21...would probably be the fastest if he's still in the league. |
Cardinals Injured Reserve. Surgery for a Torn Meniscus during pre season. |
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Dutra
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1527
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Avante wrote: | | lonewolf wrote: | | Makes sense. |
You can't run as fast carrying a football either. |
Some guys also don't carry their pads as well as others. |
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Avante
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 333
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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| jazzcyclist wrote: | | Avante wrote: | | I'd like to add another guy. While at Baker high school in Florida he averaged 13 yards a carry as a HS running back. Florida was interested in him. I'm guessing he couldn't make the grades. I'm talking about..Houston McTear. Talk about a burst! |
Did he ever make an NFL roster? |
Since I got off on just speedy footballers, he deserves a mention. |
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