and that is why some NFL teams continue to suck. The question should be, Can he play in a game? I dont care how great you are in shorts and helmets. What does he do when full pads are on?
I'd agree --- to a point. The thing is, when evaluating a player from their on-field performance in college is difficult to extrapolate --- pro players are so much bigger/stronger/faster and more polished in terms of technique that a player who does very, very well in college (on the field) may in fact fe a fish out of water in the pros. So... the bast they can do in evaluation is get as much data as they can amass. This is why the drills and the measurables are considered.
As to Dillard. He was a very good college player these last six games. That said, even against college LBers' as a reference group, he would be considered to be only of slightly above average athleticism (speed, quickness, etc.)--- at best. What made him stand out was heart, effort and intensity. Also, again against college players, he had a knowledge of the schemes, an instinct that served him well and he had a nose for the football. These attributes carried him above his athletic measurables into the realm of over-achiever. Which was great and I really enjoyed watching him succeed on such grit and football savvy. Glad he was and will always be a Husker. Now.... the in the NFL VEERYONE has grit, a good sense of the schemes, instinct and football savvy --- such that the very thing that set him apart from his college peers will not at the NFL level. So... they are ascertaining whether he has the minimum athleticism to enable him to compete at that level.
Phillip Dillard, a truly fine an noteworthy college player (albeit for 1/2 of one season or so) will have much less than average game-day in-pad speed/quickness/athleticism relative to NFL LBer's. This should surprise no one. If he makes it --- and I hope he does --- it will be a real testimony to his effort and intensity.
Related, but as an aside --- the Huskers have two guys as potentials to replace Dillard --- Lavonte David (if he signs) and sophomore-to-be Eric Martin. Now one can hardly compare David in terms of speed/quickness as the film is with David against inferior competition. That said, Martin seems clearly faster and more explosively quick than Dillard --- and every bit as intense and violent. If Martin masters the schemes, develops in terms of technique and benefits from the excellent coaching he is receiving then I'd guess that by mid-season he will be playing (as a sophomore) at or exceeding the level of Dillard.
