Gatlin participated in a pro timing event today in Knoxville, Tennessee. Gatlin's 8 year ban was reduced to 4 years and according to SI.com, Gatlin is appealing the ban in hopes of voiding his first two violations, which would allow him to compete in the Beijing Olympic Games this summer.
This isn't the first time Gatlin has worked out as a WR in front of NFL scouts. After the 2007 NFL draft, he visited the Tampa Bay Bucs, the Tennessee Titans, and the Houston Texans. Gary Kubiak said Gatlin was "very impressive" and went on to explain that, "It was positive. He did a good job. Some of our people were over there watching him and were amazed at how fast he ran. I don't even know if he was full speed at that time. But he did catch the ball pretty good."
At 6'1'' 185, Gatlin runs a 9.76 100 meter dash. That would translate mathematically into a 3.56 40 yard dash - if he were on a track, wearing track shoes, and using starting blocks.
But Gatlin hasn't played football since 10th grade. Should that even matter? Antonio Gates didn't play football since his senior year in high school before he was drafted and hes one of the premier TEs in the league. Favre was only offered a scholarship to play DB and he became one of the greatest QBs to ever play the game. Texas Longhorn Jamaal Charles is a four time All-American in track and has won the Big 12 100m dash multiple times. This year he also ran for 1619 yards, 18 touchdowns, and averaged 6.3 ypc. But, I'm skeptical. These guys at least played a sport with a ball. They didn't specialize in running as fast as humanly possible in a straight line.
I can't say that Justin Gatlin isn't a phenomenal athlete. While he would certainly be the fastest player on the field, football is not a track meet. It isn't always about who can run the fastest - that's why teams have safeties. How fast would Gatlin be with a helmet and pads on? He could run a go route great (he would certainly be able to stretch the field), but what about a post corner? Would he be a good route runner at all? Would he be able to take a hit from a LB as he came across the middle? Kubiak said he could catch the ball pretty good, so can millions of other people. A lot of people are fast and suck in the NFL. People like Reggie Bush, Troy Williamson, Matt Jones, and lesser known all-stars like Rondel Menendez, Jay Hinton, Aaron Lockett, Karsten Bailey, and Chris McKenzie.
Honestly, I can't see him being any more than a guy you would throw in there to run a reverse or end around with.
I guess he'd be a pretty scary kick returner though.
Gatlin Bio courtesy of ESPN
2 comments:
gatlin would be better than you think. sure he's only 185 going against 225+ pound linebackers but gatlin runs with so muchpower its unreal. in pros vs joes, the dude ran a 60 meter dash dragging 100 pounds behind him or something and also beat someone spotting them 10 meters in a 60 meter dash. he's agile and has quick feet (obviously). he would be a perfect slot receiver if he grew a pair of hands. it would be a workng process but he would be the next wes welker ( i hate him).
That translates into a 3.56 40-yard dash just as it translates into a 39.04 second 400-yard dash.
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