Heyward-Bey running 4.2 at test runs

[NewBetterBucs05]

Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey has reportedly been cracking the 4.2s during test runs at the Athletes' Performance Institute.
Heyward-Bey ran 4.23 as a freshman in college. He's bigger than he was then, but the high 4.2s should be about right. DHB will draw a lot of attention this week. It will also be interesting to see how tall he actually is Thursday.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

Wow, this guy seems to be fast as hell. It will be interesting to see how teams will use him in the NFL.

[real bucs fan]

If those times show up at the combine, he'll be a mid-first rounder...

[JustMeAdrian]

Paging Jacquez Green... Jacquez Green please report...

Oh I'm sorry, correction:

Paging Dexter Jackson.... Dexter Jackson please report...

[real bucs fan]

Except Heyward-Bey is big and strong.

[JustMeAdrian]

Except Heyward-Bey is big and strong.
Doesn't matter if you can't catch the ball.

Another ACC guy that I've had the pleasure to watch... and I'm not that impressed. Second round? Meh, I guess if he's there... but first round talent? Nope.

[DeadEagle]

We knew he'd run in the 4.2's. This is hardly a shock, and so, I see no reason why he should move up.


If he runs in the 4.1's..... that would prompt a move upwards.

[real bucs fan]

Doesn't matter if you can't catch the ball.

Another ACC guy that I've had the pleasure to watch... and I'm not that impressed. Second round? Meh, I guess if he's there... but first round talent? Nope.

I'm not saying for the Bucs, I want to go defense round 1, and land a receiver that falls to us in round 2. But someone will take a chance on him. There's just too much potential there.

[uscbucsfan]

I say he runs no faster than a 4.32 at the combine....that's my prediction

[real bucs fan]

We knew he'd run in the 4.2's. This is hardly a shock, and so, I see no reason why he should move up.


If he runs in the 4.1's..... that would prompt a move upwards.

I wouldn't say "we knew". We'd heard about it. But if he comes in big and strong, and confirms the 4.2 time, he will cement himself as a mid first round pick. Guys like that just don't last longer than that, especially in a draft class like this.

[BuccaneerBonzai]

I don't care if he runs it in 3. Can he catch? Cause if he can't there is no point in running is there?

[DeadEagle]

I wouldn't say "we knew". We'd heard about it. But if he comes in big and strong, and confirms the 4.2 time, he will cement himself as a mid first round pick. Guys like that just don't last longer than that, especially in a draft class like this.


For him to move up, it won't be due to the speed.

He has to catch every pass thrown his way at the Combine and his pro day, and be able to break ankles. We knew he had wheels. Speed was never the question mark. The concern is his route running and hands, and until that is shown to be improved..... he stays put.

[Faithwarrior]

I am seemingly one of the few that is very high on him, on this board. I would LOVE to land him at 19, but i have a feeling he will be gone a few picks before us. If we can't sign Haynesworth, i would like us to draft Heyward-Bey in the first round, and either Evander Hood or Jarron Gilbert in the second round.

[PoppaPewter]

Measurables are far over rated....show me what a guy can do on the field...there have been far more great wideouts that run over a 4.4 than under...I want a guy that can run crisp routes, understand the coverages he sees (for option routes), and catches everything thrown to him.

[razorboy]

He almost never seems to have his head in the game. Avoid at all costs.

[maryjanewatson]

He almost never seems to have his head in the game. Avoid at all costs.

I was on his bandwagon last year...then I came to this same realization.

Pass.

[bossFALCON]

I say he runs no faster than a 4.32 at the combine....that's my prediction

i say 4.35-4.39

[Chebington]

Unless Heyward-Bey can rush the passer, no.

[Clayton80future]

I said 4.21 a month or so ago. I'll stick with that.

[UMiamiBucFan]

If anyone takes him on the first day, they're an idiot.

[TomatoVSC]

See this year's Maryland-VT game. He's soft.

[Alpha Alpha 408]

I wouldn't say "we knew". We'd heard about it.


Actually...




If he's there and we don't move the pick, I'd like to see us take a shot with the big WR out of Maryland (Beyward-Hey...the spelling is wrong but you know who I'm referring to).

That kid is gonna run a blistering time at the combine and he's got the size. You won't see much from him for a year or two and he might crap out all together (attitude problems)...but he has all of the "potential" in the world. IF we can get somebody to coach the kid up (which is a real possibility for once), he could become a real, Calvin Johnson-type weapon.


That was at the end of January...

Just sayin'.

[Alpha Alpha 408]

I was on his bandwagon last year...then I came to this same realization.

Pass.

You know who this guy reminds me of MJ...

Sidney Rice and Troy Williamson.

Blech!

[real bucs fan]

There were reports he had run a 4.2 3 years ago. If he arrives at the combine a bulky 6'3" 210lbs, and runs a 4.2, that legitimizes his mid first round status. he runs a 4.35-4.4 and he's where he's regarded right now. Late first/early second.

[Alpha Alpha 408]

...that legitimizes his mid first round status.

No it doesn't.

I take it you haven't seen many ACC games this year. Read the previous posts. The others are on the money here. I've seen 6 or 7 UM games...the guy has ALL of the measureables. The size, the speed...and he does not dominate games on a (relatively) consistent basis....and don't give me the "His QB/Offense sucked" argument; Calvin Johnson DID dominate games AND had all of the same tools that this guy has AND he had Reggie Friggin' Ball as a QB.

Somebody is gonna reach on this guy's "potential"...and it may be us...that doesn't mean he's a "legitimate" mid-first round pick.

[real bucs fan]

No it doesn't.

I take it you haven't seen many ACC games this year. Read the previous posts. The others are on the money here. I've seen 6 or 7 UM games...the guy has ALL of the measureables. The size, the speed...and he does not dominate games on a (relatively) consistent basis....and don't give me the "His QB/Offense sucked" argument; Calvin Johnson DID dominate games AND had all of the same tools that this guy has AND he had Reggie Friggin' Ball as a QB.

Somebody is gonna reach on this guy's "potential"...and it may be us...that doesn't mean he's a "legitimate" mid-first round pick.

I've never seen him outside of his highlights, but that doesn't change the fact I think he will go mid first if he runs in the 4.2 range. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's necessarily right, but if a guy his size runs in that 4.2 range, who has shown the potential he's shown (and it's not like he's come out of nowhere), they will be taken in the mid first, especially in a questionable draft year like this.

I don't want to touch him 19. I'd much rather Hakeem Nicks in round 2. What i'm saying is, if he does run that 4.2 time, someone will likely trade up for him in the mid first...

[Alpha Alpha 408]

I've never seen him outside of his highlights, but that doesn't change the fact I think he will go mid first if he runs in the 4.2 range. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's necessarily right, but if a guy his size runs in that 4.2 range, who has shown the potential he's shown (and it's not like he's come out of nowhere), they will be taken in the mid first, especially in a questionable draft year like this.

I don't want to touch him 19. I'd much rather Hakeem Nicks in round 2. What i'm saying is, if he does run that 4.2 time, someone will likely trade up for him in the mid first...


No ****.

That's what was said------------------------------------HERE:

Somebody is gonna reach on this guy's "potential"...and it may be us...that doesn't mean he's a "legitimate" mid-first round pick.

[real bucs fan]

No ****.

That's what was said------------------------------------HERE:

So why are you arguing with me, if we are in agreement! :p

[warrensappisgod]

For him to move up, it won't be due to the speed.

He has to catch every pass thrown his way at the Combine and his pro day, and be able to break ankles. We knew he had wheels. Speed was never the question mark. The concern is his route running and hands, and until that is shown to be improved..... he stays put.

Agreed. He's currently a top 5 WR in projections. And why is that? Because of his play? Ha, good one. Because of his route running? Again, laughable. Because of his physicality? No. Because he is 6'3 and has world class speed. That is whats anchoring his draft stock and has been for a long time.

Him running a high 40 time just shows you the speed that everyone raves about is there. But his problem was never "is he really that fast?" it's always "what the hell is he going to do with all that speed?"

I said 4.21 a month or so ago. I'll stick with that.

I guarantee you he's not within .05 of that. I think he's more of a mid-low 4.3s guy.

[real bucs fan]

The forgotten aspect to all of this is that guys that are supposed to be fast, and then go and actually blaze at the combine still see their stock rise...

[uscbucsfan]

The forgotten aspect to all of this is that guys that are supposed to be fast, and then go and actually blaze at the combine still see their stock rise...

this is true...many teams become enthralled by combine warriors, but more often than not they don't pan out see Troy Williamson, Vernon Davis, Dexter Jackson....there are more but these three jump significantly due to their combine...Davis was highly touted but went from going late first round early 2nd to top 10..Williamson was not even predicted by most to go in the first round...and well we know D Jax story...

[warrensappisgod]

The forgotten aspect to all of this is that guys that are supposed to be fast, and then go and actually blaze at the combine still see their stock rise...

For someone like Calvin or LaRon Landry, it was huge. For someone like DHB, I don't see it being a big deal. He NEEDS to run a fast time.

But for someone who is a raw, under-productive, underclassman WR in a loaded WR draft who is ALL speed and size at this point, he'd have to run a ridiculous time to rise. And then you've got guys like Maclin and Harvin to even compete with in timed speed. If he runs a 4.3, and so do they, and they were All Americans as frosh and sophs, and he was a barely passable collegiate #1 for 2 years, does that really help him all that much?

[maryjanewatson]

For someone like Calvin or LaRon Landry, it was huge. For someone like DHB, I don't see it being a big deal. He NEEDS to run a fast time.

But for someone who is a raw, under-productive, underclassman WR in a loaded WR draft who is ALL speed and size at this point, he'd have to run a ridiculous time to rise. And then you've got guys like Maclin and Harvin to even compete with in timed speed. If he runs a 4.3, and so do they, and they were All Americans as frosh and sophs, and he was a barely passable collegiate #1 for 2 years, does that really help him all that much?

It's a basic rule in life (and the draft) - you don't help your stock much by doing the things well that you're supposed to do well, but you can sure hurt yourself by screwing them up.

In DHB's case, he HAS to run well. If he drops a 4.4, he's a 3rd rounder. If he runs a 4.25, he's a top 40 pick. If he runs a 4.25, catches the ball well, and displays maturity in his interviews, he sneaks back into the top 25 discussion.

[real bucs fan]

It's a basic rule in life (and the draft) - you don't help your stock much by doing the things well that you're supposed to do well, but you can sure hurt yourself by screwing them up.

In DHB's case, he HAS to run well. If he drops a 4.4, he's a 3rd rounder. If he runs a 4.25, he's a top 40 pick. If he runs a 4.25, catches the ball well, and displays maturity in his interviews, he sneaks back into the top 25 discussion.

I see it more like-

4.2-4.25 makes him a top 20 lock.

Anything around 4.3 keeps him as a late first early second rounder (top 40 pick), which is what he is now.

Anything slower than that and he's a mid to late second rounder. No way he slips to the 3rd unless he runs a 4.5+, and that's not going happen...

it happens every year. guys are supposed to be blazing fast, and are not rated that highly until they actually do it at the combine. DHB is no different. He runs a legit 4.2 and he's a top 20 pick.

I could be wrong, but this is what history suggests.

[TerryTate]

DHB started as a track guy, I have no doubts that he can get it done at the combine. The real questions are the ones MJW asked. Will he interview well and show some hands. Can he run good routes and learn the playbook.

I saw more of him than any other receiver not named Harvin, and I believe his lack of elite numbers in college were due to sub par QB play. The guy is raw, there is no way around that and track guys have a bad rep as WR prospects. But this guy will prove to be the exception if put in the right situation to develop.

[uscbucsfan]

I don't think 4.2 locks him into the top 20...I think that locks him into the first round, which many think he is undeserving of currently

[maryjanewatson]

I see it more like-

4.2-4.25 makes him a top 20 lock.

Anything around 4.3 keeps him as a late first early second rounder (top 40 pick), which is what he is now.

Anything slower than that and he's a mid to late second rounder. No way he slips to the 3rd unless he runs a 4.5+, and that's not going happen...

it happens every year. guys are supposed to be blazing fast, and are not rated that highly until they actually do it at the combine. DHB is no different. He runs a legit 4.2 and he's a top 20 pick.

I could be wrong, but this is what history suggests.

My instinct is, his relative lack of production, his disappearing on tape, and his lack of nuance for the position will drop him to the 3rd round unless he absolutely nails his pro day. He's a project. Teams are usually a bit wary of project receivers in the first two rounds. Maybe the Titans - who favor athletes over all else - will look at him at the end of round 2.

[UMiamiBucFan]

Just by running a 4.2 does not make you a top 20 pick. He's simply not a football player. He's soft, doesn't have great hands, and is a poor route runner. When you're a 3 year starter at a Division I school and regarded as a "project," you simply don't have what it takes. 4.2 doesn't even get him in the first round.

[real bucs fan]

We'll see...

Obviously team needs comes into play, but if he runs a 4.2 I think he has made himself the 3rd WR to be taken in this draft.

[razorboy]

We'll see...

Obviously team needs comes into play, but if he runs a 4.2 I think he has made himself the 3rd WR to be taken in this draft.

The problem is that there are only two WRs that are worth a look in the first round of the draft.

[bucballer88]

So was Galloway's 4.18 really official?

Because if it was, damn.

[NewBetterBucs05]

Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey was unofficially timed at 4.32 and 4.29 in the forty at the NFL Combine Sunday.
Heyward-Bey's best asset is his size-to-speed ratio, and at 6'2 these are sensational times. He isn't a string bean either. Assuming the rest of the offseason goes well, Heyward-Bey may have solidified a first-round grade.

Not as fast as the test times, but to get under 4.3 is still impressive.

[uscbucsfan]

he needed to run faster with his hands/routre running questions...right now he's the 5th or 6th reciever

[real bucs fan]

Kenny Brit was the most impressive wideout today. Heyward-Bey is still simply a late first early 2nd guy.

[Jack Sparrow]

Kenny Brit was the most impressive wideout today. Heyward-Bey is still simply a late first early 2nd guy.



no he is not...after todays 4o yd dash he might go in the middle first round....lets say chicago.

[uscbucsfan]

no he is not...after todays 4o yd dash he might go in the middle first round....lets say chicago.

I agree...he needed to be in the 4.2s to be in the late first/early second

[UMiamiBucFan]

I'd rather have Percy Harvin than Heyward-Bey. He may be injured every other week, but at least Harvin is a football player. Heyward-Bey is definitely not a first round pick. He's a track star, not a football player. I don't think he'll be drafted until after Crabtree, Maclin, Harvin, Britt, Nicks, Mike Wallace, Brian Robiskie, Louis Muprhy are all off the board. Late 2nd round in my opinion.

[GotQB?]

I liked what I had seen from Robiskie better than any of the other WR.

[warrensappisgod]

no he is not...after todays 4o yd dash he might go in the middle first round....lets say chicago.

So they can have two, one-dimensional deep threats with no polish? Are they following the Lions keys to success?

[bucballer88]

This draft is so strong with first round talent at WR, that I just don't think that we can ignore the opportunity to get a guy like Hakeem Nicks, Darius Heyward-Bey, and Percy Harvin.

[real bucs fan]

This draft is so strong with first round talent at WR, that I just don't think that we can ignore the opportunity to get a guy like Hakeem Nicks, Darius Heyward-Bey, and Percy Harvin.

The beauty is someone will be there for us in round 2.

[Nina27Bucs]

And after watching all of them in action today. My pick for us in the 2nd would be Brian Robiskie. He's the best all-around football player. There is no risk at a bust if we pick him, it's obvious that he's got it.

[Jack Sparrow]

yea...he looked good out there....but i'd rather go with a DE\DT in the second and grab joaquin iglesias in the 3rd.

[jbucs13]

yea...he looked good out there....but i'd rather go with a DE\DT in the second and grab joaquin iglesias in the 3rd.

I was a fan of Joaquin's during the regular season but lately at the Senior Bowl he didnt impress me that much and I have a slight feeling that he could be a bust.

[Jack Sparrow]

I was a fan of Joaquin's during the regular season but lately at the Senior Bowl he didnt impress me that much and I have a slight feeling that he could be a bust.


agreed....but worth the risk.......another guy i love is patrick turner, the guy from USC...not in the second or third...but he is worth a look.

[jbucs13]

agreed....but worth the risk.......another guy i love is patrick turner, the guy from USC...not in the second or third...but he is worth a look.

Now this I can agree on. He under achieved in college but I also have a feeling that he will be one of those players that performs better in the pros than he did at the college level.

[DeadEagle]

Now this I can agree on. He under achieved in college but I also have a feeling that he will be one of those players that performs better in the pros than he did at the college level.


Turner looked fluid and smooth catching passes. Always under control, great hands and looked pretty sharp on the cuts too.


Where the hell was that at USC!?

[Jakopo]

what did he end up running?

[uscbucsfan]

what did he end up running?

4.30...

[Duality51]

Turner looked fluid and smooth catching passes. Always under control, great hands and looked pretty sharp on the cuts too.


Where the hell was that at USC!?

Sanchez was throwing.

[Duality51]

And after watching all of them in action today. My pick for us in the 2nd would be Brian Robiskie. He's the best all-around football player. There is no risk at a bust if we pick him, it's obvious that he's got it.

It would be a great day to have Brian on the bucs team I agree he is a soid wr and it's even better that his dad is a coach.