NFL Veteran Combine Concludes
The NFL had its inaugural Veteran Combine this afternoon, where players were tested and evaluated by NFL scouting personnel at the Arizona Cardinals practice facility in Tempe, Arizona. These free agents ranged from seasoned veterans to young players just one year out of college with no regular season experience.
The high-profile participants were Michael Sam, Adam Carriker, Jamaal Anderson, Felix Jones, Michael Bush, and Mikel LeShoure. However, please click here for a full list of participants.
Among the players of interest to the Colts are defensive end Jamaal Anderson, who once played for the team during the 2011 NFL season, as well as former Detroit Lions running back Mikel LeShoure. The latter actually worked out for the Colts multiple times last season, as the team was looking for additional running back depth.
However, judging by the numbers, this year’s running back participants didn’t post overwelmingly impressive forty times:
For those who asked about the Veteran Combine RB times… behold! pic.twitter.com/mWFumjNPJK
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 22, 2015
Once a highly regarded speedster, ex-Cowboys running back Felix Jones now runs a far cry from his 4.47 forty time in 2008 with a recorded 4.79 forty time today. However, perhaps more disappointing, was former Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush, who ran a pretty slow 4.96 forty time and had this to say about his dismal time:
Michael Bush when he learned he ran a 4.91 40 at the Veteran Combine: 'You gotta be ****ing me. 4.91? There you go, there goes my career.'
— Marc Sessler (@MarcSessler) March 22, 2015
However, it’s worth noting that Bush was never a burner and was always a powerback even in his prime at a listed 6’1″, 245 pounds, so it’s possible a team may look to still kick the tires on the 30 year old veteran as a short-yardage situational runner, even if it’s unlikely.
In LeShoure’s case, he ran a 4.75 forty time, which isn’t overly fast either. All-in-all, no running back participant really dazzled in the speed department, and it will be interesting if any of them receive free agent interest from NFL teams following their showings.
Mar 22, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; NFL team scouts look on as as a player participates in drills during the NFL Veteran Combine at the Arizona Cardinals training facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports