Patriots players believe they could beat every NFL team in a relay race
The New England Patriots have made it a point to increase their team speed across the board over the last few years. Patriots director of player personnel Matt Groh openly acknowledged that last April, and then New England selected one of the fastest players in the draft in wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. Tampa Bay Buccaneers […]
The New England Patriots have made it a point to increase their team speed across the board over the last few years.
Patriots director of player personnel Matt Groh openly acknowledged that last April, and then New England selected one of the fastest players in the draft in wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean posed an interesting question to Twitter on Thursday, “If each 32 teams use their fastest DB, LB, RB, and WR, who would win in a 4×100 relay? I like us to win it.”
Patriots defender Jabrill Peppers thinks New England could win.
Peppers had Jonathan Jones or Marcus Jones running at defensive back, himself at linebacker, Pierre Strong at running back and Thornton at wide receiver. Peppers tossed Mack Wilson into the mix for linebacker “if they get me on technicality but they shouldn’t since I did two combine workouts.”
Peppers is listed by the Patriots as a defensive back. He played most of his snaps inside the box last season in a hybrid linebacker/safety role.
Jonathan Jones believes the Patriots could easily win it.
Jones ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2016. Marcus Jones didn’t run. Peppers ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, Strong ran a 4.37 and Thornton was clocked at 4.28. If Peppers doesn’t qualify at linebacker (which he probably shouldn’t if we’re being honest), then Wilson ran a 4.71-second 40-yard dash at his pro day in 2019 and would probably drag the team down. Chris Board (4.6) and Raekwon McMillan (4.61) are the fastest-timed Patriots linebackers.
Thornton has the second-fastest 40-yard dash clocked at the combine of any current wide receiver. Strong has the fastest 40-yard dash of a current running back clocked at the combine. Jonathan Jones is eighth among cornerbacks, and Peppers would be seventh among linebackers (if he qualifies, but he probably shouldn’t).
The Patriots wouldn’t have even been in the conversation before drafting Thornton and Strong last year, so they're certainly accomplishing their goal of getting faster.
Featured image via Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
