[washingtonismoney]

Assuming you are speaking of TE's, I guess you have not seen Vernon Davis play.  Speed does matter...a lot.

Speed matters, but that's distinct from 40 time. The two are entirely different -- 40 time involves, well, running straight for 40 yards. How frequently does that come into play on the football field? Reaction time, change of direction, explosion and stop-start are certainly more important than pure straight-line speed. (So: a runner running the 40 yard dash sets up in a track stance and starts running whenever he feels like it. He is not wearing pads. Does this sound like a good representation of life on the football field?)

Put it this way: LaMichael James and Ronnie Hillman both ran 4.45 40s in the NFL combine. Darrius Heyward-Bey famously ran a 4.3 whatever. Who's the fastest on the football field? Duh -- LaMike.

[washingtonismoney]

Assuming you are speaking of TE's, I guess you have not seen Vernon Davis play.  Speed does matter...a lot.

Speed matters, but that's distinct from 40 time. The two are entirely different -- 40 time involves, well, running straight for 40 yards. How frequently does that come into play on the football field? Reaction time, change of direction, explosion and stop-start are certainly more important than pure straight-line speed. (So: a runner running the 40 yard dash sets up in a track stance and starts running whenever he feels like it. He is not wearing pads. Does this sound like a good representation of life on the football field?)

Put it this way: LaMichael James and Ronnie Hillman both ran 4.45 40s in the NFL combine. Darrius Heyward-Bey famously ran a 4.3 whatever. Who's the fastest on the football field? Duh -- LaMike.