Did Ingram kill himself by running slow? No Did it help? No

The Dolphins are in the market for a running back in the NFL draft.

The Dolphins are also in the market for speed on offense and the NFL draft is expected to deliver that as well.

So it stands to reason if general manager Jeff Ireland can find a running back who is fast, he can meet two needs for the price of one pick. That's the reason Alabama running back Mark Ingram was such a popular guess as the Dolphins first round pick (15th overall) according to many draft gurus with opinions. The marriage just seemed to fit.

And then Ingram ran the 40-yard dash as the NFL Combine on Sunday. And his time was a pedestrian 4.62 in one clocking, which raised some red flags and eyebrows because, well, it's never great news when a smallish back cannot run away from bigger defenders.

So is Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Tropy winner from Alabama, thus eliminated from Miami's list of possible draft day targets?

Former NFL defensive back Corey Chavous, a draft guru in his own right and founder of nfldraftnasty.com, doesn't think so. In fact, Chavous now thinks Ingram has joined some very good company.

"A lot of running backs that are the greatest of all time that haven't had the greatest of 40 times," Chavous said today on my radio show, Armando and the Amigo. "Emmitt Smith ran high 4.5s and low 4.6s. Walter Payton was also 4.5 type guy. And that's kind of what [Ingram] has got to be compared to now if you're saying he's going to be an elite running back. You look at some of the better running backs that have played with that same build and stature that haven't had great 40-yard dash times."

You can listen to the complete Armando and the Amigo interview yourself on the podcast right here. Chavous also discusses the quarterback that most impressed him during the combine.

One thing that Chavous did point out is that Ingram was not supposed to run slow. It was indeed a surprise -- obviously not a pleasant one.

"I was surprised because Ingram ran 10.7 in the 100 meters in high school so him running a 4.6 surprised me," Chavous said. "It seems he got into a stride too early and didn't stay in his explosion phase long enough."

That suggests Ingram can rehabilitate that time when he has a pro day at Alabama or a personal workout for various teams -- including the Dolphins. But even then, the 40-time is not a tolling bell of doom.

I do repeat, it is a red flag. Remember that Ingram spent parts of the 2010 season battling injury concerns. So teams will want to know if the 40 time is an outgrowth of lingering injury issues.

But will it erase him from Miami's radar? Probably not.

My take? I personally believe the Dolphins are in trade down mode already. I believe they want to add a second round pick and the only real way to accomplish that is trade out of No. 15 to lower in the first round and add a low second rounder to boot.

But you obviously need a partner to participate in that scenario. Barring that scenario presenting itself, the Dolphins will obviously still consider Ingram -- although it is hardly a certainty they will take him.

Comments

[ALoco]

DYING BREED IS THE GODFATHER OF THE GANG AND BILL IS THE HIT MAN .

[DyingBreed]

ALOCO DER MEATBALL SURB HITLER

[Craig M]

I think guys have a tendency to put too much stock into the Combine. The measurables are fine but at the end of the day it's about how the guy looks on the football field and on tape. Mark Ingram at 15 is not exactly what I want to happen but if it happens I will embrace it and I think he could be good for this team for the next 4-5 years.

[Yazzi]

Rob (@ 11:34 PM)

It was Mayock who said that Pat White would eventually start over Chad Henne....

I'm not sure if he was REALLY REALLY WRONG about White or...perfectly acurate about Henne...
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The whole thing is just sad.
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[ALoco]

I FORGOT WHO MADE THE COMMENT THAT DB IS THE BLOG HITLER,ANY ONE REMEMBERS ?

[odinseye]

Craig,

I have to agree with you.

NO! Not about Shockey, about Bill's pessimism.

I don't have a lot of confidence from Ross on down to Henne on down Vernon Carey.

However, as a fan, I got to BELIEVE. I believe Coach Nolan put together an awesome defense. By every indication, I believe it will be better this year. Maybe even top 5.

As a fan, I got to believe that sooner or later Ireland will at least get a "lucky bounce".

Henne or Thigpen could come of age under Daboll and anything has to be better than Henning.

We draft a starting offensive lineman and it clicks for John Jerry all of the sudden.

Maybe we do land Ingram and suddenly he looks like the second coming of Jim Brown.

A couple of lucky bounces here and there and the next thing you know, we're right in the thick of things.

As a fan, I got to believe! I can't imagine going through life, right or wrong, only anticipating the negatives. What a miserable existence that must be.

So I agree with you Craig.

No, no, no! I already told you, not about Shockey! About the negatives!

[DyingBreed]

ALOCO DRINK MAGRETAS ALL DAY AND SIT IN THIER BUBBEL BATH WITH ORPHA WINFRY AND TAKE MR ROSS MONEY

[DyingBreed]

ARLOCO ES HITLER TU ARMANDERS BLOG

[Rob in OC]

0x80,

No malice at all. Hard to debate and have a differnce of opinion without a tiny edge. I will try and keep it more sedate with you.

I prefer the court dramas where there is electricity in the air.

If it's too vanilla I will fall asleep.

Sorry of anything was too harsh...not intended. You can look at all the posts from this year anyways (please exclude any SUPER doozie old school ones from a year ago I got into with NJ Phin, bobbyd12 and others) I don't call people names etc.

I have said a jillion times we are all guessing along with the "pros, ex jocks, talking heads, draftniks, etc.). I just more apt to watch games, review and research then let my own opinion dictate where I would put players.

Trust me, when I am wrong I have to pay the price for any such "bold statements" or "going out on limbs".

I am completely fine and cool with you, Craig, Aloco and most every other person saying that Ingram is the safe pick at 15 or the best for the Fins.

Cheers,

[ALoco]

LIPPY THE LION WOULD HAVE TO COME TO THE BAHMAHAS AND EAT HEYNA COWHER AND ORP[AH WINFRY AND THEN MR ROSS WOULD THANK LIPPY AND TAKE HIM TO APE STADUM ON THE PLANET OF APES TO SEE THE GORILA FASANO

[DyingBreed]

ARLOCO SIPD MAGRETAS FROM ORPHA WINFRYS BULLY BOOTON

[ALoco]

IF ALL FANS LIKE ROB IN OC OR OX80 OR GRAIG M WE WOULD BE NO 1 TEAM IN THE WORLD

[Rob in OC]

Thanks Aloco! You da man!!!!

You can leave me on the Gang of Defeat list if ya like.

I will wear it like a badge of honor. lol

Cheers bro,

[Yazzi]

YES Rob...

You agree.

The Whole Draft is a Cr@p Shoot !!
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Cheers!
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.

[DyingBreed]

ARLOCO EAT BANANA IN GORILA FASONO ON THE PLANET OF APE CITY. ARLOCO FEEDS HEYNA COHWER FRO MR ROSS MONEY IN MANSION WITH MAGRETAS

[Craig M]

Odinseye,

Cheers man!! You gotta have faith!....it's what keeps us going. Otherwise what's the point of being a fan. It's the definition of being 'a fan', of being 'fanatical'. There's nothing negative in the definition.

[DyingBreed]

ARLOCO GORILA FASANO FROM APE CITY WANT5S HIS BANANA BACK. ORPHA WINFRY SAY YOU DRINK MAGRETA LIKE APE CITY GORILA FASANO. HEYNA COWHER SAY HELLO

[Yazzi]

Rob,

"Court dramas where there is electricity in the air."

Yeah...

...and thanks to YOU I'll be following the career of Brandon Graham just out of curiosity from last year!!
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I hope he does well.

Cheers!

[SendIreland ToIreland]

Management is totally clueless and will trade down like the idiots they are (Odrick over Dez Bryant last year).

They will lose most of their games because of their stupidity at QB and coaching and finally, after another season of losing at home, it will be all over for them. I can't wait.

[DyingBreed]

ARLOCO SPRAY GANG OF DEFEET WITH WITH DR SHOLL. NO STINKY NO MOORE

[Yazzi]

DyingBreed learning ALoco 'dialect' LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!
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[odinseye]

Cower and a blown uo Oprah in the Bahamas!

ROTFLMAO!

ALoco, you Soooooooooooooo CRAZY!!!!

[0x80]

Rob - no need to be sedate with me. You can disagree or criticize my point of view all you like and I am totally fine with it, because I do the same. Silly name calling is another matter, but I haven't seen you do that so no worries. I was just making an observation. I spout my point until I think otherwise. I can change my own mind or someone elses argument may enlighten me as well. Keep on bloggin....

[DyingBreed]

ALOCO FOR DOLPHIN GM. NO HEYNA, GORILA FASANO FOR APE CITY MAYOR. SIP MAGRETAS WITH ORPHA WINFRY WITH MR ROSS MONEY. NO!

[odinseye]

ALco,

Beerphin called DB "Littlt Hitler" of the blog.

[DyingBreed]

DYINGBREED LURN GANG OF DEFEAT AND APE CITY GORILA. SPEND MR ROSS MONEY SIP ON MAGRETA FROM PANET OF THE APES MANSION. ORPHA WINFRY WITH HEYNA COWHER

[Rob in OC]

Craig M, @ 11:46

Uhhhh, my own eyes, research and then educated guess having no more or less power over what actually happens in the NFL after Ingram gets on the field than say Scott Pioli's opinion, your opinion, the legion of 'experts".

I try to remain hypersensitive to the goings on and TiVo watch and rewatch a lot of the draft coverage. (I am a whacko Dolphins nut about this draft stuff to be sure).

I caught a nuance at the very end of one of the latest draft coverage broadcasts. Mayock, Burmeister, Lombardi and I think it was Billick were standing there as they were signing off. Then everyone was heaping praises on Mayock saying he was the supreme stud evaluator. Mayock quickly pointed to Lombardi and said this is the real pro here.

Lombardi has held a talent evaluators position for many more years than Mayock and Myock knows that. When he gets painted as the BMOC he got a little sheepeish knowing he doesn't have the same credentials that Lombardi has. Mayock has strong opinions and great screen presence so he makes a great face/top dog type. I still like Mayock a ton as well.

I noticed Lomardi and Casserly (who also has mad talent eval experience) are both not heaping praise on the Ingram machine. Charlie Casserly even said Ingram ran slower than expected.

Im just trying to help you understand where I'm coming from Craig. Not angry with you or 0x80 or anyone...just keeping tabs on what people say.

Cheers,

[DyingBreed]

DYINGBREED EXPLAIN LIL HITLER

[DyingBreed]

DYINGBREED BLOG HITLER

[DyingBreed]

DYINGBREED KING OF GANG OF DEFEAT

[DyingBreed]

ARLOCO KING OF WUNDER BRA

[Rob in OC]

Aloco...great cartoon. Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har.

Remember the Laugh Olmpics? Herculoids? Battle of the Planets? Wacky Races? Birdman? JLA?

Cheers,

[DyingBreed]

ARLOCO IS KING OF HAR HAR HAR

[beerphin]

Armando = fascist
censor this doucher

[DyingBreed]

TIME FOR A MEATBALL SUB

[ALoco]

LIPPY WAS GOOD AND KIND LION BUT HARDY HAR HAR A SNEEKY HEYNA LIKE COWHER. HE AN ORPAH WINFRY WOULD BE DRUNK ALL DAY IN THE BAHMAHAS ON RUM AND MARGRETAS DANCING THE MAMBO IN THERE UNDER WEAR SPENDING 100 MILLON OF MR ROSS MONEY ON THERE PARTYS

[DyingBreed]

Guys,

ALoco's quiet for the moment but he's going to burn my a*ss later! LOL..........

[Rob in OC]

Sargo,

Maybe so, but you can't teach speed.

I'm not sayin I'm just sayin.

You CANNOT change the landscape (read as SPEED Quotient)of the Fins until you draft guys with it.

I know you can't just draft a track team. They have to be football players. The WR Edmunds that was fast as heck will not be a good player as his speed doesn't carry over in games.

Ginn was fast a sheck but he lacked (to quote CM) testicular fortitude. He had no heart. Plus he had too much straight line speed.

in using your theory i would back of Jerrel Jernigan the WR from Troy as he is smaller and only ran a 4.47. He is plenty fast enough and will make a wicked NFL player. Not the fastest guy but wait until he gets on the field.

It appears I may hunt speed more than most and i probably do value it higher than many. I do rain check a ton of fast guys.

Cheers,

[DyingBreed]

Rotflmao@ALoco:

LIPPY WAS GOOD AND KIND LION BUT HARDY HAR HAR A SNEEKY HEYNA LIKE COWHER. HE AN ORPAH WINFRY WOULD BE DRUNK ALL DAY IN THE BAHMAHAS ON RUM AND MARGRETAS DANCING THE MAMBO IN THERE UNDER WEAR SPENDING 100 MILLON OF MR ROSS MONEY ON THERE PARTYS

Posted by: ALoco | March 02, 2011 at 12:24 AM

[ALoco]

DAYING BREED KING OF THE GANG OF DEFEAT WILL BE IN APE CITY WITH FASANO WHEN HEYNA COWHER IS THROWED INTO THE MONKEY CAGE BY LIPPY THE HERO

[odinseye]

My typos are definitely an indicator of my sobriety level. Should that read, my intoxication level?

Half full, half empty, tomato, to-MAH-to, whatever, I just don't want to be Bill Connors.

I think Aloco and DB's sobriety levels should be checked as well.

Almost forgot, trade down, get Locker and an Offensive tackle(football talk).

[Rob in OC]

Yazzi!!! Wassup my brudda.

Please throw your valued opinion in anytime man...it's always welcome and a good read.

Cheers!

[DyingBreed]

ALoco@ 12:24 AM is just too hilarious! LOL...........

[Johnny Rotten]

Sid can't play bass at all. I hate that wanker.

[DyingBreed]

Stop it ALoco my gut is splitting! Rotflmao @ALoco 12:27 AM too:

DAYING BREED KING OF THE GANG OF DEFEAT WILL BE IN APE CITY WITH FASANO WHEN HEYNA COWHER IS THROWED INTO THE MONKEY CAGE BY LIPPY THE HERO

Posted by: ALoco | March 02, 2011 at 12:27 AM

[DyingBreed]

ALOCO THE BLOG HITLER WILL HAVE LIPPY THE HERO THROW YOU INTO THE MONKEY CAGE.

[Rob in OC]

Craig M 11:58, Yes sir...trust tape over combine.

Yazzi... The Pat White thing was sad. I wonder if Newton would have been available and had the year he had if the then Trifecta would have targeted him 1st round instead of skinny Pat White? Both impressive running QBs and BP loved him some bigguns!

I think the Wildcat would be alive and well with Cam Newton running that trigger spot. Just my guess...

Cheers,

[ALoco]

DAYING BREED AND THE GANG OF DEFEAT ALL AT HEYNA COWHER AND ORPAHS MANSON PARTY DRINKING RUM FROM COCONUT SHELLS AND LAGHING AT PICTORE OF MR ROSS ON THE WALL LIGHTING CAGARS WITH HIS MONEY AND THEN LIPPY THE HERO LION COMES AND ((SUPRISE)) THEM AND ALL ARE ARESTED AND TAKEN TO APE CITY STADUM FOR THERE TRIAL

[odinseye]

Rob,

Two serious question before the alcohol and my SEVERE ADHD turns me into ALoco the 2nd.

1. How many offensive tackles do you think will go in the first round?

2. Do you think it's prudent drafting a LEFT tackle in rounds 1 or 2 anticipating moving him to the right side?

[DyingBreed]

ALoco, I give up. You are in very rare form tonight lil buddy! LOL....................

[Rob in OC]

Yazzi,

I definitely put a ton of umph into the Brandon Graham arguement for sure.

I felt sort of justified when the Eagles traded up pretty far to grab him (They saw talent and/or demand).

I feel his sophmore(2nd), junior(3rd) NFL years will be much better as many players take a little bit to develop the strength, techniques and know the scheme so they can play faster.

You are one good elephant my friend. Thanks for hanging tough with this blog bro.

What low lying fruit do you see this year in the draft Yazzi? What direction should the Fins go?

Cheers,

[DyingBreed]

ALoco,

Do you think Ireland will get this offseason and draft correct?

[DyingBreed]

ALOCO THE GANG OF DEFEAT HAVE COME AND TAKEN OFF THIER SHOES AND NOW ITS REALLY STINKY IN HERE. lol...................

[0x80]

I predict Ireland won't draft anybody any of the bloggers are discussing. So all the Ingram haters relax. Correct? Well that's another story, time will tell.

[DyingBreed]

0x80,

Im with you on that. I think we'll end up with a bunch of Joe the Plummers this offseason! LOL..........

[DyingBreed]

We'll probably end up with a Division III colege superstar as our #15 pick just to satisfy Ireland's huge ego! LOL.............

[DyingBreed]

IRELAND'S NOT OUT TO BUILD A GREAT TEAM. HE'S OUT TO PROVE HOW GREAT HIS EGO IS.

[DyingBreed]

IF WE DO END UP WITH ONE GREAT PLAYER FROM THIS DRAFT. IT WILL BE A 7TH RD "ACORN" THAT DEFIED ALL OF THE ODDS. THATS EXACTLY HOW IRELAND'S EGO WORKS! LOL............

[Rob in OC]

odin... you are partaking in the good grog I see! Keep up the good work my friend.

As to how many OTs I haven't really sized up the draft from that standpoint but will make a point to and will get back to ya.

I know I like Tyron Smith from USC but think he will be gone by 15.

Costanso, Carmini, Sherrod and Solder are all possible 1sts. Some gusy may get converted to G.

I like Ben Ijalana as a solid, 4 year starter for Villinova. 6'3.5" 317lbs and freakish long 36" arms. He may not have the footspeed but if he does could be a rock at left tackle. Jake Long was thought to possibly be to slow vs speed guys and he worked out.

I hope that helps before you slip into oblivion of painless bliss from the fine grog and turkey leg.

Go Haggar the Horrible go! lol

Cheers my friend!

[0x80]

If Walter Payton or Jerry Rice were at 15 and all the mock drafts had us taking one of them, Ireland would automatically rule them out in favor of someone nobody else ever had thought of.