Desmond Bishop isn't going to win any footraces against many of the linebackers taken in the 2007 NFL Draft.
But Packers assistant head coach and linebackers coach Winston Moss cautions everyone not to read too much into his 4.77-second time in the 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine.
Moss likes what he's seen on film from Bishop, the second of the Packers' three consecutive sixth-round draft picks on Sunday (192nd overall). What matters more to Moss is that Bishop, a first-team all-Pac 10 defensive standout from Cal, showed a nose for the ball in leading his team in tackles for two straight seasons.
"If you say he doesn't run fast enough, be careful with that," Moss said. "You talk about very good speed you're looking at linebackers running 4.5s. Guys are getting enamored with those really, really fast linebackers.
"When Desmond is running 4.6, 4.7, if he plays fast as a football player, even though that timed speed might not be what looking for, that's going to be good enough for me. Can he make the play on the football field? Is he fast enough to run guys down? Can he help Mike Stock out on special teams, if it comes to it?"
Originally a junior college product who played two years at Cal, Bishop is considered an ideal inside run stuffer, but with the Packers he's more likely to get a look as an outside linebacker. The questions about his speed raise potential red flags regarding his ability in pass coverage, staying with the athletic tight ends becoming so prevalent in the NFL.
But Bishop believed he proved himself against the pass last season with three interceptions in a generally pass-oriented conference.
"Being in the Pac-10 with a lot of passes, you have to be very versatile," Bishop said. "I don't think I struggled (in pass coverage)."
In addition to the three picks, Bishop also recorded three sacks, a team-high 15 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries last season.
"Looking at him on film, I like what I saw," Moss said. "I thought he had a playmaker mentality, thought he was very active to the ball. I probably had him rated higher than when he actually got drafted, but his speed might have knocked him down a little bit."
