Forty times are so over inflated, the ten and twenty yard time splits in the forty are the key as is the short shuttle times to determine a receievers quickness, quickness is the key to a receiver, not top end speed as the forty times measures. No receiever in a game runs forty yards flatout in a straight line down the field in a game.

If Player X runs a 4.59 forty and 4.15 short shuttle and player B runs a 4.39 forty and a short shuttle 4.25, who is the quicker receiver??

The key to determining the quickness of a receiver is the difference between the forty time and the short shuttle time, if the difference between the two times is more than four tenths, thats a measure of a receivers quickness, if its less than four tenths, its a measure of top speed, so player X (4.59-4.15=.44)is the quicker receiver and a more viable NFL player as thats a player that will be able to get open in the first ten to twenty yards from the snap than a player who has top speed like player B (4.39-4.25=.14) Short shuttle times is more important than forty times when judging a player, any player, although the media wants to make a big deal about forty times.

The other drill thats more important than the forty times is the receiever drills where you watch the receiver, turn catch a ball, turn, catch another ball and then runs along the twenty yard marker and catches balls while running full speed along the marker. Alot of the receivers either cant catch a ball at full speed, or cant run a straight line, and if they drop a ball, they end up dropping another, losing concentration.