Are you people ignorant ? Ok , first off I am a NCAA QB/WR with some of the same style as Michael Vick and I have been involved with the Combine before . The combine is times with the same setup as your local fast food joint or stoplights (at least here in Colorado , the timer starts just as weight is applied past the start line and past the finish and it has about a five foot margin for those of stride wider than normal ! Do you people really think a multi-billion dollar operation like the NFL times by hand ?
All this track vs NFL talk is ridiculous ! The 40m is a acceleration drill mostly based on WR , CB , and Safety positions because of the routes they have to run which are usually no longer than 40m unless it is a very deep pass which means the faster you run the 40m the better chance you will have a step on your CB in turn leading to what Randy Moss does , or in the CB case have a step on your WR in the case of Champ Bailey.
False : 1.The 40m is timed by hand (not in the NFL).
2.The NCAA uses a Combine System (The scout only).
3.Greene 100m times was Annuled because of use of Steroids.
True: 1.Deion Sanders has the fastest timed 40m which is logical considering he has burned some of the NFL's fastest.
2.Jeremy Bloom has been said to run a 4.15 in the Olmypics training center in Colorado Springs (I was a Colorado Buff an know him personally (he was a Olympic Gold Medalist Skier and a Player for the Eagles and Steelers)
3. Any times before the introductions of the Verifi System in 1995 would be historically inaccurate because of the hand timing (any you also can argue atheletes today are much stronger because of technology in health , clothing , and child development)(Please consider the enviroment and what track runners wear vs combine , which only allows Reebok Dazzle and Skinny Shirt and Reebok training shoes!).
AND YES MIKE VICK DID RUN A 4.2 40M and that is one of the reason the coaches in Atlanta let him run the ball.
The NFL runs official 40 yard dash times that are timed by computers who go by a runners movement, here are some of the fastest times recorded.
Deion Sanders ran a official 4.23 40 yard dash, and ran a 4.19 after he ran that was it so he kept running to the locker room.
Randy Moss ran a blazing official 4.25 40 yard dash at Florida State, he ran a 4.13 while in high school that was timed by a stopwatch.
Chris Johnson ran a official 4.24 at the 2008 combine.
Dexter Jackson ran a official 4.27 40 yard dash at the NFL combine.
Bo Jackson ran a unofficial 4.12 back in the 80s he was timed with a stopwatch.
DeAngelo Hall ran a 4.30 outside and a 4.27 inside a dome.
Champ Bailey ran a official 4.28 at the 1998 combine.
1. Chris Johnson (4.24 @ NFL Combine)
2. Randy Moss (4.25 @ Marshall University & 4.13 in high school)[3]
3. Reggie Bush (4.33 @ University of USC at Pro Day 2006)[3]
4. Ike Taylor (4.18 @ University of Louisiana at Lafayette Pro Day)[4]
5. Laveranues Coles (4.16 @ Florida State University, 4.29 @ Jets Media Guide)[3]
6. Ahman Green (4.19 @ Pre-Draft Workout in Nebraska)[3]
7. Kevin Curtis (4.21 @ Utah State Pro Day)
8. Donte Stallworth (4.22 @ 2003 Tennessee Pro Day)[3]
9. Willie Parker (4.23 @ 2004 North Carolina Pro Day)[3]
10. Fabian Washington (4.29 @ 2005 NFL Combine)[3]
11. Champ Bailey (4.28 @ 1999 NFL Combine)[3]
12. Jerome Mathis (4.28 @ 2005 NFL Combine)[3]
13. Willis McGahee (4.28 @ Miami Pre-Injury)[3]
14. Michael Bennett (4.17 @ Wisconsin Pro Day, 4.37 @ 2001 NFL Combine)[3]
15. Ian McGinnis (4.12 @ Cabrillo College Scout Day, 4.20 @ SLV Scout Day)[3]
16. Wes Read (4.15 @ The University of Memphis Scout Day)