Breaking news: Joe Haden is still good

by Dan Kadar on Mar 4, 2010 12:30 AM EST in 2010 NFL Draft

Here is a random smattering of Joe Haden-related stories online:

- ESPN: Haden's stock dropping?
- Atlanta Journal Constitution: Florida CB Joe Haden could slide to Falcons at 19
- San Francisco Chronicle: Haden's 4.57 and 4.60 in the 40 raise questions
- Cleveland Plain Dealer: Haden's slow 40 time could drop his draft stock

There are several others, but you get the point. And to this point, I say "ARGH!"

Wipe out 40 games played in three years. Knock out 34 pass breakups and eight interceptions. Knock out his experience shutting down Southeastern Conference wide receivers.

Joe Haden ran bad 40-yard dash times. He must be terrible. Drop him out of the top 10. Heck, just drop him behind whatever indistinguishable cornback is behind him.

This is the culture of instant-expert reaction following the combine.

Here's some news: Haden is still as good as he was before the combine. Haden's issues in the 40 have more to do with bad track form than a lack of speed.

There is a perception out there that true shutdown cornerbacks have to have at least size or speed. The best have both. That's a valid statement.

However, Haden's play can't be dismissed. He reacts faster than any cornerback in the draft. He hits just as good as any. His hands are just as good as any. Oh, forget it. Just read the scouting report on Haden.

What you'll read there is Haden the player. What was in Indianapolis was Haden the track athlete. Which would you rather have?

After the jump there's a solid video of Haden's highlights. Yes, highlight reels can be deceiving. But it's a good watch. Just mute it. The song sucks in a big way.

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Haden didn't prepare properly for the 40

Most top prospects go to camps where they are trained specifically to prepare for the drills at the combine and to increase their speed in the 40. While the work certainly helps them get into shape, the skills themselves do not translate well into on-the-field production.

Instead of attending one of these camps, Haden worked out with his dad at his dad’s gym. Apparently, Dad wasn’t all that great at teaching proper form for running the 40 in your underwear. While Haden’s 40 time won’t help him, it probably won’t hurt him too badly if he can correct his form and run faster at his pro day.

This isn’t to say that the 40 time is important because its reflected of play speed, but its one of the few measures of speed that the scouts have. A small guy with ball skills who ran a slow 40 is a lot different than a small guy with ball skills thats slow.

by ninjasocks on Mar 4, 2010 1:08 AM EST reply actions

I think he will make up for this bad time at the Gator pro day on the 17th. And everything will be back to normal again.

Haden is still as good as he was before the combine. Haden’s issues in the 40 have more to do with bad track form than a lack of speed.

I have heard he worked out with his dad it hurt his 40 time. Some thing is up, I have watched Haden his entire career and I have never seen him get beat deep the last 2 seasons.

Also, it is crazy how much stock is put into the 40 time. When I notice some players who have a full tenth of a second slower or faster on different runs. So it seems obvious that technique plays a large part into the 40 if one run can make that much of a difference.

"When you argue correctly, you're never wrong."-Nick Naylor

by Hook85 on Mar 4, 2010 2:41 AM EST reply actions

If he had a decent start position

he would have run a good 40 and these debates would not be happening. The kid has shown he is the best corner coming out of college and whoever picks him up gets a gem of a player.

by SteveUK on Mar 4, 2010 4:44 AM EST reply actions

I agree

He’ll be a top ten pick by the time the draft rolls around.

The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

by Flowing Willow on Mar 4, 2010 6:41 AM EST reply actions

Of all the sources saying he is dropping, none say he is dropping out of the top CB spot, or out of the 1st round.

Its just that last years CB class was weak, and many thought Haden was the best prospect in years, despite the fact he only played the position once he got to college, didnt redshirt, and left after his Jr year.

Everyone still has him as the number one CB THIS year, but some are no longer comfortable calling him the best CB prospect (pegged #7 pick) to come out in years.

He ws expected to be faster than #14 Malcolm Jenkins (2009)
He played against better competition than #11 Leodis McKelvin = Troy (2008)
Even Revis didnt get picked until the Jets traded up to #14 in 2007

by durst on Mar 4, 2010 6:50 AM EST reply actions

Im not saying

Haden was going to run a sub 4.4, but Taylor Mays did, and his time came out as 4.4. Timers were screwed up on the DB day.

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by Bestjagfan on Mar 4, 2010 6:54 AM EST reply actions

I was watching the combine

and although his 40 was slow (in regards to a top flight CB) when he was doing the drills his speed was evident. He broke on the (imaginary) routes much faster than the other DBs and in the W-drill his ability to switch direction was impressive. He is one of those players who has football speed not track speed. A good GM and scouting team will note that down a bad one won’t. It is what it is.

by Sheffieldbengal on Mar 4, 2010 6:59 AM EST reply actions

For Goodness sake, Please let Haden or Thomas fall to 18. They both obviously suck, so nobody draft them.

by Phantaskippy on Mar 4, 2010 8:17 AM EST reply actions

please especially haden lol

by celtsfan1 on Mar 4, 2010 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

I think Haden is hurt more by UF players generally sucking in the NFL.

I was listening to NFL radio and Pat Kirwan raised some interesting questions about Haden. PK did not feel like Haden’s coverage was as good as it seemed due to the fact he was a boundary corner. The wider hashmarks in college made his jobs much easier. Personally I am not sure about Haden, I really think he is a good cover corner, but really do hold the UF thing against him.

by Flounder69 on Mar 4, 2010 9:52 AM EST reply actions

Ok I agree the combine is not a good indication of a player's ability

but to completely dismiss its results is faulty also. Especially if a CB runs a 4.6. There is no way that that time doesn’t translate on to the field in some shape or form.

The NFL is a different speed than college. The combine is just one way to gauge if they can make that transition. Dante Hughes is the best example I can think of someone that had a great college career but his speed didn’t translate to the NFL.

Haden would probably be a better fit in a cover 2 scheme.

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by quincyyyyy on Mar 4, 2010 10:02 AM EST reply actions

Meh, never really thought Haden was that great in the first place. His coverage production seemed to come more from luck and bad QB play rather than from actually making plays. He lacks top corner instincts, which is more important than speed. But it just so happens that he lacks speed and instincts. So I will be hoping the Browns draft someone with more value in their position and grab Brandon Ghee or Kyle Wilson in the second round.

If I wanted Deunta Robinson I’d just grab him in free agency

by The Licensed Pessimist on Mar 4, 2010 10:03 AM EST reply actions