NFL Combine Needs to Take a Deep Breath

"It's a much longer season."
"Playing at least four more games is really tough."
"My old team could have beaten the Rams."

They're all noted as being the differences between college football and the NFL (OK, I may have made the last one up). And almost every week early in the season, at both the college and professional levels, we hear about the necessity to remember one thing: it's a marathon, not a sprint.

For such a long season, the NFL sure likes to put the emphasis on anything that's quick. How quickly can you run for a short distance?? How quickly can you reach the lineman across from you on the snap of the ball?? How quickly can you run side-to-side, backwards and every other which way??

What I'd like to know is not only how fast, but for how long.

I think the NFL Combine for college players is great, but I'd really like to see two things added to the list, both involving the long run.

First of all, along with measuring wingspan, measure lung capacity. For one thing, it would cut down on any off-season (or in-season for that matter) cigarette breaks, but it's also one of those physical characteristics that can be overlooked. How do you work on running for longer?? Often you start by increasing lung capacity.

Another addition: instead of setting the distance, set the time -- run as many yards as you can for 30 minutes. These soon-to-be NFL players can run a 40-yard dash before ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols would even consider blinking twice. But the mental strain comes in running down and back, down and back, down and back... but doing it faster than anyone else can do it.

I've often considered this as an Olympic event as well because the finish line is in your own mind. Plus, think of the television opportunities -- it'd be very similar to Olympic cross-country skiing. Watch for a few minutes from the start, take a commercial break, go to another part of the combine for a bit, check out the 15-17 minute time period, go back to the desk with Rich Eisen and company, then see the end. And who wouldn't want to watch a defensive tackle lumber for a half hour?? (OK, first revision: times would have to fit the positions)

Imagine a world in which coaches actually had a better idea as to how long a player could go before needing a breather. I mean, these ideas are better than adding questions to the Wonderlic, right??