He didn’t show it at the combine, but Ole Miss RB is fast. Wes Bunting
Ask Eric Berry and the Tennessee defense just how fast Ole Miss running back Dexter McCluster plays. Ask Auburn, ask Arkansas, ask LSU. Do you think any of those teams think McCluster is slow?
McCluster was one of the most anticipated runners at this year’s NFL Combine. He was expected to post one of the better times in Indy, only to fizzle out at 4.58 in the 40. Now, is 4.58 a bad time for a running back? No, but when you’re 5-9 and only 172 pounds, you want to post something a little faster. I’m not making excuses for him, but it was clear that McCluster stumbled slightly out of the blocks on both his runs and never looked entirely comfortable during the 40 process.
Sometimes that just happens with a prospect. He gets himself so hyped up for an event that he can actually ends up psyching himself right out of it. I don’t think that was exactly the case with McCluster, but after posting a disappointing first run, I think you saw a guy who began to press to try to make up for it.
Nevertheless, even though 4.58 was his official time, we can say that the majority of people who have seen him this year agree that McCluster plays much faster than his time would indicate. And even with such a disappointing time, he still ranked in the top-10 at the position.
However, maybe an even more telling time that was recorded during the combine, but was vastly overlooked, was McCluster’s 4.06 short-shuttle drill. The short shuttle never gets the attention it deserves, but running back is a position that’s consistently asked to change directions and accelerate out of breaks. One could even make the case that the short shuttle has much more bearing on a prospect’s chances in the NFL than the 40.
And when looking over the top performances in this year’s short-shuttle, McCluster ranked first out of every participant, including California’s Jahvid Best and Auburn’s Ben Tate, who both ran significantly better than McCluster in the 40.
What’s the point of all this? You can’t teach speed, but you can teach prospects how to run the 40. So guys who pick up on the intricacies and techniques of running the 40 may be able to run better than prospects who might be faster but struggle to handle the same techniques. The short shuttle, on the other hand, is more of a football-related test that allows game-fast players to run at their capable speeds without worrying about maximizing their start and making themselves as aerodynamic as possible.
So in the case of McCluster, turn on the tape – or any game you can get your hands on -- and tell me if you think this guy is too slow for the next level. Sure, in an environment like the combine, he might not have tested as well as he wanted, but when he’s put on field and asked to make plays, his short-area quickness, body control and explosion will make him look a whole lot faster than his times in Indy.
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Favors a lighter guy, he has less momentum and less mass bringing to a direction change.
Who cares the time? He had a first round lineman blocking for him, and ran good off those blocks. Complete backs use their blockers to maximum effect.
Wes:
Here's my scouting report.
Slow yet quick Midget.
This guy is NOT Desean Jackson.
Ray Rice lasted into the 3rd round.
McClusterf%^k- Good 4th round pick.
This kid has the look of a newbreed of RBs/WRs: small, quick, with good hands. As we see, the back 7 defenders continue to grow, and the way to beat that is to have guys so small they serve as matchup problems for DBs and LBs. Nobobdy likes having someone smaller and quicker to try to catch.
See: WRs like, DeSean Jackson, Wes Welker, Lance Moore, Percy Harvin, Eddie Royal, Steve Smith (both), Greg Jennings, Santana Moss, and RBs like, MJD, Chris Johnson, Darren Sproles, Brian Westbrook, Barry Sanders, Warrick Dunn, the list goes on and on.
I would rather have that agility than Taylor Mays running in a straight line and not being able to change direction. Speed means nothing if you can't use it. Look at Matt Jones.
The dude at Realgm.com posted the same thing the other day about the shuttle drill and how it is more important than the 40.
Just to recap your position, Wes:
*Throw out McCluster's 40 -- we know all we need to know from the tape.
*Joe Haden's 40 is of potential concern -- the tape may have lied.
How do you reconcile that, Wes? Haden's timed 40 = worthless, IMO.
What Dexter lack is long speed. He is just like Bernard Scott of the Bengals. I wish media types could just stop gashing at those types, raving about their "big-time speed" and just point out the fact that they have elite quickness. Scott lack of long speed was evident on his KO return TD where he used his quickness and good blocking to get to the endzone. You could see he was a 4.59 guy.
But I agree it won't be a factor why McCluster won't be a difference maker in the NFL, his size will. He really don't have any "bubble", or real low muscle mass in his lower and mid body.
Are you people mental? Have you actually watched this man carry the football? Do you honestly believe he can't outrun Tebow? Perhaps I'm mistaking but I can't think of a single OL for Ole Miss that is going to be anywhere near a day 1 draft pick, much less 1st round.
If you want to say he's too small, I'll give you no argument. To say that he isn't fast enough or only benefitted from an outstanding OL is outlandish.
If you doubt his ability to get up and down the field please go YouTube the Cotton Bowl, Auburn, Tennessee and Arkansas games. Those are just the ones that I remember where he had long runs.
I honestly believe that he would be best served as a scat back/ 3rd/4th wide reciever. He has a great ability to slip thru the holes of an O.L. but I don't think he would do well getting hammered by 240 lb guys running with a full head of steam.
I wouldn't pick him till late 3rd or 4th round.
McCluster...just watch film...this guy has all of the tools and an incredibly high football IQ. He will make plays for any team that drafts him. He is an elite change of pace back that plays exceptionally well in space and has better hands than most at his position. The difference with him is in his HEART and his MIND. That's why you draft him in the 2nd round as a steal to all those that rely too much on measurables and grade him lower...football players are football players whether they contribute on special teams or start. Speaking of which, with his versatility, he could contribute in both special teams (return game) and at numerous positions on the field (slot, backfield, split out wide). McCluster is a perfect compliment for a complex offense with lots of O-sets (Packers).
The Packers pick at #56 in the 2nd round and better not let him get away.
Mcluster has the heart of a lion guy will explode in the nfl watch his tape kid is good
dexter is going to turn out as one of the best so i don't know what you idiots are talking about . suck on
Tebow were asked to and able to throw the ball downfield more and/or their receivers were better able to gain yards after catch because they were hit in stride but McCoy and LeFevour's completions were more of the dink and dunk variety. LeFevour's numbers were also against lesser competition in the MAC.
He is such a great talent. HE is going to make a great nfl star. It is just a matter of time.
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Mar 04, 2010
03:11 PM
Sorry, but he has cost himself a lot of money the past couple of months. The only reason to have a guy this small is home run potential. This guy can't outrun Tim Tebow.