Nobody said he runs a 4.30 they said he ran a 4.39 and honestly its not inconceivable that somewhere he ran that on a fast track or something. Guys normally run numerous 40's before they are drafted...combine, pro days, private workouts, etc. All this particular source needed was one report of a 4.39 at a private workout to say that he runs a 4.39 and meanwhile his school's own draft guide probably goes by their pro day numbers and listed i think a 4.55
But if you had to group him with guys in terms of speed, he's more a 4.55 guy and not a 4.4 guy.
BTW, yes Derrius Thompson did start the season as a starter for the Redskins. He was subbed out incessantly by Steve Spurrious for his former Gayders because he couldnt get it through his thick skull to play with the best players on the field. Finally toward the end of the season Spurrious put an end to the quarterback shuffle, put an end to the WR shuffle, and had Derrius Thompson and Rod Gardner start with Patrick Ramsey being QB...and then Derrius flourished. Caught something like almost 500 yards in the last 5 games.
They didn't sign him back for a number of reasons and this comes directly from Skins fans and Skins statements.
#1. They thought he would get more money than he did.
#2. They wanted either Peerless Price or Laveraneous Coles and Derrius may be good, but he's not that good.
#3. They already have Darnerien McCants and Rod Gardner under contract. Doesn't that sound awefully repetitive? Getting Thompson back would add a third receiver to the group (Gardner and Coles top two) who is in the mold of Gardner except slower, whereas Spurrious likes his receivers small and quick not big and strong.
When polled about the loss of Derrius Thompson, overwhelmingly the majority of Skins fans were either pissed or just resigned to losing him because of his size/speed combo not fitting what Spurrious wants considering he's already got McCants and Gardner. Some Skins fans pointed out that Thompson has better hands and makes more plays when playing than Rod Gardner.
Its entirely possible that Thompson is a 1000 yard receiver waiting to happen, and was buried by Spurrious this season with the whole QB roundabout and the gayder lovefest goin on with former gayder receivers.
