The need for Speed

[Radagast]

Strength is a valued asset on NFL Teams. Without strength, teams would be moved around by their opposition at will. Speed however (and agility) can be a determining factor for a team's success/failure.That 1/10's or 2/10's of a second of greater speed can be the difference between a WR getting separation and making a big play or a CB running stride for stride with a WR foiling a big play.

GB has been investing in speed now, as I see it, far more than the former GM did. IMO, the CBs and the WRs, Safeties, and Kick Returners will be faster in 2019 than ever before. I'm not so sure about GB's RBs though.

This thread invites you to comment on the Packers Team Speed. How do you rate the LBs? Will the Packer WRs / TEs be faster in the NFC North as compared to the NFC North defenses that they will face? Can the Packers 2019 Defensive Secondary shut down the Bears, Lions, and Vikings? Will GB's new offensive system open up the field for more TE receptions this season? Will the GB offense have the team speed to run effective screen plays?

I look forward to reading your views and insightful arguments. I invite the truly knowledgeable to educate us with your statistics, skill reviews, and matchups as you place your thoughts into your post.

[RashanGary]

They gave a lot of young, fast new players. Gute does pick more speed guys with MVS, Alexander, King and Savage all being elite speed guys. Let’s hope they pan out!

And yes. Speed will help if they’re good players!

[Rutnstrut]

Like JH stated, speed alone is pretty worthless. Al Davis proved that with a lot of his draft picks. He wouldn't care if all they could do is run fast in a straight line.

[Radagast]

Like JH stated, speed alone is pretty worthless. Al Davis proved that with a lot of his draft picks. He wouldn't care if all they could do is run fast in a straight line.

Can you point out those worthless players that don't meet the skills test? As for being in shape, I can't recall the last time I saw an out of shape NFL player. Many areas of a players overall performance ratings begin with speed. They may be super strong, but if they have slow foot speed, then the rest is irrelevant.

Most positions do require speed as a 1st tier qualifier. Few positions can overlook a slow player. Even defensive linemen sometimes need to chase down a QB or RB. Yes tackling, catching, throwing, and other skills are very important, but without speed the execution of a player can fall short. If opposing RBs are turning the corner on you to extend for an additional 6 to 8 yards, then it's likely those monster strong LBs are too damn slow.

[texaspackerbacker]

I tend to agree with Radagast on this.

The Packers at times in the recent past have been criticized - justifiably, maybe - for lack of speed, especially on D. Speed with pass rushers gets you sacks as opposed to near misses.

Receivers can get by on moves and hands and size, but if a DB gets beat by speed, it's usually all over. I also like the idea now of having a true breakaway RB - A. Jones. I'll take that over a plodder any day.

[RashanGary]

Taking a look at the fastest players as listed at mockdraftable in the last 20 years, clearly more goes into it than speed because there are a whole bunch of duds mixed in with a few great players.

But also, it’s clear that some of the greatest of great players do have great speed.. So it’s just part of the equation. It’s interesting how people try to take one simplistic quality like speed or height and assume that all future results will be based on that trait. That’s just not how it works. If it was, Oren Burks and Josh Jones would be better than Blake Martinez and Adrian Amos. That theyre not shows that false steps slow a player down as do bad hands slow a player from being a good receiver, as does poor vision slow a running back or returner.

So much more goes into it than speed. But I do like that Gute aggressively pursued players who are good football players and also extremely fast. Where TT seemed to value big guys who could move in the first round of the draft almost exclusively, Gute seems to be valuing skill players who are very fast as much as big guys who can move. With that, Gute has used high picks on Alexander, King and Savage. That seems to be paying off as he seems to be hitting on more high picks than TT did.

Leads me to believe that just looking for size at the top of the draft as the only rare quality to truly value was a less effective approach to Gutes strategy of valuing both size as a rare quality, and also speed. And with that, Gute may end up a better GM than TT. We shall see. I actually do think Gute might end up being a Packer HOF legend in his own right.

[Radagast]

Every player that makes an NFL roster gets chosen because they have shown that they can play football. That said, how then does a team elevate itself above their competition? Answer: Team Speed !

NFL players are big and strong and in some cases very skilled in a speciality area. IMO, speed is the separating factor. GB may just have the best team speed in the NFC North. Speed and a HOF QB can be a lethal combination.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I think too much emphasis is put on the straight-line speed. While yes it is important, I would much rather have a guy who is extraordinarily quick and agile. To me players who have those abilities are more able to take advantage of those very small windows where big play can be made.

One of the players that was highly touted this draft, DK Metcalf, put everything into his 40-yard dash score. He has low agility and questionable route running skills. So it's going to be interesting to see how he does this season.

[RashanGary]

Every player that makes an NFL roster gets chosen because they have shown that they can play football. That said, how then does a team elevate itself above their competition? Answer: Team Speed !

If this is true then why are fast players like josh Jones, Oren Burks and Jeff Janis being out played by average speed guys like Amos, Martinez and Allison?

Clearly not all football players are created equally with speed being the only variable quality. But if you think that and refuse to budge, who am I to argue with someone who knows so much. The discussion will just have to die at we agree to disagree.

[Radagast]

Straight Speed ?

No one ever suggested that speed and agility can't coexist. Good hands, quick thinking, and precise execution of technique also come into play for a player. However the player with better speed has the advantage. If speed were not a factor then a LB could return kicks and no player would be under 300 lbs.

[RashanGary]

Would you rather have a two fast players in their prime like Jeff Janis and Trevor Davis or two slower players in their prime like Chris Carter and Larry Fitzgerald?

Speed is one factor. But it’s really nice to have a rangy free safety, decently fast corners and at least one fast deep threat WR.

But at the end of the day, you can’t pass on some of the greatest players who’ve ever played because they don’t run a fast 40 yard dash.

[RashanGary]

Ed Reed, Nick Collins and Earl Thomas were some of the best free safeties of the last 20 years. Their teams tended to play a lot of one high safety because they had so much speed at free safety, they could get away with it. I’m a big fan of smart, fast free safeties.

Other than that position, I’m a little more flexible because there have been so many HOF WRs, Corners, Strong Safeties and running backs with just decent long speed.

[pbmax]

Can you point out those worthless players that don't meet the skills test? As for being in shape, I can't recall the last time I saw an out of shape NFL player.

Off the top of my head, do you remember Eddie Lacy?

How about Tyrone Davis?

[pbmax]

A common mistake, especially outside the skill positions, is to confuse a desire for speed for a desire for quickness.

[Radagast]

A common mistake, especially outside the skill positions, is to confuse a desire for speed for a desire for quickness.

Most NFL CBs are quick, speed often is the best way to gain separation from them. Also, being quick is an asset for a Kick returner that needs to quickly change direction, but I've seen quick/sure handed players get run down from behind because they were slow. Don't confuse the desire for quickness with the need for speed.

IMO, a LB running to stop a RB from turning the corner is a matter of speed , not quickness. If that RB were to change direction to avoid the LB, then the LB would need quickness to also change his direction and tackle the RB. Being quick requires processing a thought into action, while speed requires less brain power. I value both, but just being quick can be not enough when matched against someone with speed too.

As for out of shape players, it is not often they are seen or tolerated by teams.Most NFL locker rooms look like a commercial for Golds Gym.