Panthers told LenDale not to run at USC pro day

**Nick** · -04-12-2006

The running back says he didn't run at the combines because of a bad hamstring. He fully planned on running at the USC pro day, but opted not to when the hammy got tight the morning of the workout. White further explained that he dined with John Fox, Jim Skipper, and other members of the Panthers organization the night before the event. They told him that if he felt any twinge or problem whatsoever, he shouldn't participate, stressing it wasn't worth running the 40 if he would miss mini-camp as a result. And White said he agreed with that assessment 100%, saying he would never want to get off to a bad start with the team that drafted him.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5497044

***serkicker32*** · -04-13-2006

The sad part is that is actually good advice. Who would draft a guy with a serious hamstring injury in the first, which is what I think would have happened if he ran on it at full speed before it was ready.

***Fortuninerhater*** · -04-13-2006

problem now is, everybody knows he has the hamstring problem by simply not running.

***chiguy*** · -04-13-2006

I think the kid got played. If you can run, you run.

**HUbison** · -04-13-2006

Welcome to the 2nd round, LenDale.

***txramsfan*** · -04-13-2006

These camps, 40 times in shorts and throwing in controlled environments are dangerous. I'm sure it's good to know that one player is .01 faster in the 40 than another but I don't know why.

Judge potential players on what they do on the football field. Just like some people don't test well but are smart anyway, some don't run well but are fast anyway. There is one thing these combines can't judge and that's heart. Give me heart and an average 40 anyday over a speedster with no heart.

**AvengerRam** · -04-13-2006

That smacks of tampering, if you ask me. Clearly, White's decision not to run increased the chance that he'd fall to the Panther's pick.

Interesting.

**HUbison** · -04-13-2006

There is one thing these combines can't judge and that's heart

But I think that is the one thing these scouts are now questioning with White....his heart.

***ramstiles*** · -04-13-2006

Originally Posted by txramsfan

These camps, 40 times in shorts and throwing in controlled environments are dangerous. I'm sure it's good to know that one player is .01 faster in the 40 than another but I don't know why.

Judge potential players on what they do on the football field. Just like some people don't test well but are smart anyway, some don't run well but are fast anyway. There is one thing these combines can't judge and that's heart. Give me heart and an average 40 anyday over a speedster with no heart.

they dont time how quickley a RB sees a hole or a defender on the wrong foot or a LB sees the play
thats what should be timed

***txramsfan*** · -04-13-2006

Originally Posted by HUbison

But I think that is the one thing these scouts are now questioning with White....his heart.

My observation wasn't necessarily about White but the process altogether.

**HUbison** · -04-13-2006

Originally Posted by txramsfan

My observation wasn't necessarily about White but the process altogether.

Very well. And I agree. There's just no way to measure the will of a man.

***chiguy*** · -04-13-2006

I don't think any director of scouting is going entirely on the basis of workout numbers. But, if Lendale ends up being slower than everyone thought...then it tells you something about how he'll perform when he isn't heads and shoulders above most players on the field (or on a team that is heads and shoulders above all but one team). It wouldn't mean he would fail, it does increase the level of risk involved in taking him. I think it's kind of silly to pretend that this isn't the case.

An example -- Nick Reid was one of the best linebackers in college football last year and wasn't even on the most talented team in his division, let alone his conference. Anyone here willing to spend a first round pick on the guy because he's got heart and good instincts?

I didn't think so.

**HUbison** · -04-13-2006

An example -- Nick Reid was one of the best linebackers in college football last year and wasn't even on the most talented team in his division, let alone his conference. Anyone here willing to spend a first round pick on the guy because he's got heart and good instincts?

I didn't think so.

On the flip side, another example....Ryan Leaf. One of the most physically talented QBs to come along in a long-time, but a mental wimp.

Numbers are important, but heart and mindset has to be a factor.