What's more impressive: a 4.3 40 yard dash or a 40 inch vertical jump?

[DrA]

I was thinking about this, and I don't really know. They are probably equal in terms of how many people can do either one, and some people can do both. From my experiences though, not everyone who runs fast can jump high, but most people that jump high can run fast.

[James Steele]

A really high jump is cool, but being that fast is impressive.

[Kris P Lettus]

In football, I'd go for vertical but both are impressive..

[SammyG]

In football, I'd go for vertical but both are impressive..

[Gonzo]

I think running a 4.3 is more impressive. If you can run that in pads, starting from next to nothing thats impressive. A vertical is certainly impressive as well especially if you can jump that high while running in full sprint.

I guess either one is pretty impressive. Either you can blow by an opponent, or out jump them for the ball. Ultimately, 4.3 though. Improving a vertical is probably easier than improving your 40 time.

[road doggy dogg]

I think we should ask Vernon Davis which is better.
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[Kris P Lettus]

I think running a 4.3 is more impressive. If you can run that in pads, starting from next to nothing thats impressive. A vertical is certainly impressive as well especially if you can jump that high while running in full sprint.

I guess either one is pretty impressive. Either you can blow by an opponent, or out jump them for the ball. Ultimately, 4.3 though. Improving a vertical is probably easier than improving your 40 time.

My thinking is, some of the most elite WRs in the NFL right now had horrid 40 times.. E.g. Larry Fitzgerald

But I bet they had awesome verts..

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

I'd rather run a 4.3 40, I'd assume with that I'd still have a mid to high 30inch vert.

As far as more impressive I'm going with the 4.3 40 time

[The Gold Standard]

Both are impressive, but the 4.3 40 is better in my eyes because being fast can be used in every sport.

[Krimzon7]

Well, I've seen plenty people run a 4.3. Hell, Dante Hall runs a 4.1 dash. That's more impressive than both in the poll, but I'm more impressed with the verticle jump.

[DrA]

There are also people that have 50 inch vertical jumps.

Also to be honest the 40 yard dash has been so inflated that you can't really take most of the times seriously. I have seen reports of this guy running a 4.1 or this guy running a 4 flat, but you really have to take it all with a grain of salt.

[road doggy dogg]

Combine numbers in general are way over-rated. Don't get me wrong, they are definitely important in evaluating a player, and physical ability/talent goes a long way in determining a player's odds of success, but it's ridiculous how like if a WR has a 4.4 40 but great hands, he drops way down the board compared to a guy with a 4.30 who can't catch shit. Of course, that's just Al Davis' draft board so I suppose the point is moot.
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[Y2Ant]

What about someone who can run a 4.3 40 while jumping 40 inches at the same time?

[Team Sheep]

These things are daft, it's all about how you perform in a game situation. Hate how players are "ranked" based on these things.

[DrA]

This isn't about football. Overall which is the more impressive physical spurt at a glare. I was thinking more in terms of a popular football measurement in comparison to a popular basketball one.

[Team Sheep]

This isn't about football. Overall which is the more impressive physical spurt at a glare. I was thinking more in terms of a popular football measurement in comparison to a popular basketball one.

Well if you're not linking this to football, they're both equally as impressive in their own right.

[WestNZ]

im on both sides of this one. But just imagine, doing a 4.3 40 yard dash to the line, then jumping over a defender on the line, thats would use both skills

[Team Sheep]

im on both sides of this one. But just imagine, doing a 4.3 40 yard dash to the line, then jumping over a defender on the line, thats would use both skills

That would be a fairer assessment.