Each week sports reporters Matthew Lambert and Eric Schroeder will face off on a hot topic in sports. The world of sports is changing quickly and constantly, but we want to slow it down and take a better look at the juiciest gossip, scandal, rumor or issue that is making headlines this week. Lambert and Schroeder will take different sides and battle it out, telling you why you they are right.

This week’s topic: The NFL Scouting Combine

The NFL Scouting Combine is a weeklong showcase of future draft picks. College football players are tested physically and mentally in front of the league’s coaches, managers and scouts. But is it fair to put so much emphasis on one week’s performance that can make or break an athlete? Or should game performances over the years be taken into account? Let’s talk about it…

(Recap by Allison Mueller)

FROM ERIC SCHROEDER

The NFL Combine helps give a complete picture of the athletes. Not only does it give an idea of the physical strength and endurance of each player, but it also gets into the mindset and personality of the player.

One portion of the Combine that is not broadcasted as part of everything is the personal interviews that teams can conduct. In my mind the interview is the most important part of this entire process for these college athletes. It allows athletes and teams to connect on a more personal level and for teams to get insight into who the player is outside of the media. It also allows players to talk about blemishes on their record in college and show teams who they truly are.

At the same time this could completely drop a player’s stock if they interview poorly. Teams can see potential issues with immaturity or other behavior concerns. So while some may continue to disagree with the importance put on the combine, it has and will continue to be a staple as players prepare for the draft.

FROM MATTHEW LAMBERT

I relate the NFL Combine to the local county fair. The scouts are trying to find their prize hog to place their personal blue ribbon on.

Personally, I prefer to look toward the game film and everything they accomplished in college. Watching what they do in a game is more valuable than how high they can jump and if they can run a 4.3 40-time. Will they break down in a late game situation? How efficient are they when they have the ball? Are they leaders on the field? These questions are much more important than trying to find some athletic freak.

It’s been proven that it doesn’t pay off to try and make players be something they aren’t. There have been plenty of players who haven’t blown scouts away at the combine. Teddy Bridgewater didn’t shine perfectly and fell to the bottom of the first round but was arguably one of the best quarterbacks out of last season’s draft. Look at Shannon Sharpe or Tom Brady. Two players who are the top of their respective classes and didn’t have a great showing at the combine, slid very far on draft day and have Hall of Fame careers.

The point is simple. Don’t judge a book by its cover. I think in an age that values statistics and efficiency in sports, we should move away from the players who jump the highest, lift the most or run the fastest.