nobody was able to catch him.
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Estime had no speed problems on film - against top tier competition. He couldn’t be caught on long runs, but it was his initial burst and decision making with extreme power that makes him special.
His 10yd split was elite indicating acceleration, his broad and vertical jumps were astounding,
and his pass catching drills was flawless. He is a very good pass blocker as well. He came into the combine at 221 lbs of solid muscle, but he played in college at 230 lbs, and will likely do so in the NFL as well.
Not many teams remember this lesson, but film > combine stats.
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Furthermore he ran 4.45 handtimed at Miss Valley St, and even ran a 6.34 55 meter in the '87 NFL Fastest Man Contest (lost to Willie Gault 6.31). He looked fast on the field because he was indeed fast he just never ran track and didn't know how to properly run a 40, he ststed he ran his first 40 before his Senior year of college and ran 4.45
Link: https://nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com/2021/06/did-jerry-rice-run-47-forty.html?m=1
For starters, hand timed 40s have always been suspect.
But my point is that I think the 40 is an imperfect at best predictor of success. We all saw what Estime could do on the field. To weigh the measurables over the body of work, often seems silly, at least to me. And some NFL GMs get that. I think of the Raiders who tend to draft the fastest 40 time every year. A lot of busts in that group.
I agree handtimes aren't accurate but his handtimed 4.45 in the Spring before his Senior year was the first time he ever ran a 40.
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4.71 wasn't a good time back then, but by the speed standards of the game today, it's much worse.
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I have no doubt Rice in his prime could have succes in today's league, but I don't think he'd be dominant because the floor level speed of players has changed so much.
Like it or not the NFL does base a lot of their draft value on that dreaded little 40 time...and a 4.71 does hurt a RB who came in lighter than his normal playing weight and should have been faster.
I love Estime and I know he's a great college RB (selfishly wish we had him coming back)...maybe I'm biased but I still think he will be a good NFL RB and I think he's much faster than a 4.71 reflects (which is why I was so surprised).
Here's to him running a 4.5 at his Pro Day.
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He had excellent stats elsewhere, such as his broad jump, vertical, etc.
I suspect he'll have a better showing at ND Pro Day.
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