Over/Under for Rich Eisen’s 40-Yard Dash at 2019 NFL Combine Set at 6 Seconds

• The annual Rich Eisen run at the NFL combine is must-see TV
• Last year, the NFL Network host logged a 5.97
• What’s the best bet to make in 2019?

You can geek out over the cone drill, the bench press or the standing long jump at the upcoming NFL Combine, scheduled for February 26th.

Me? There’s only one thing I’m here for. And his name is Rich Eisen.

Since 2005, the NFL Network host has run the 40-yard dash at the combine in the full suit.

Every time … it slays me.

Who is less athletic: @michaelsmith or @richeisen ?

Smith vs CJ2K: http://t.co/b5jtvZiCDB

Rich 40-yd dash: http://t.co/N2qb5Ke6zy

— brett niemand (@brettniems) February 8, 2015

With the 2019 combine within range, sportsbooks have set the line for bettors in the annual must-see event.

Are they asking too much here?

Over/Under Rich Eisen’s 40-Yard Dash Time at Combine

*Odds taken 2/20

Can Eisen Get Under 6 Seconds Again?

Since he started this tradition in 2005, he has only been able to crack the sub-6.0 mark three times, while finishing over 6.1 seconds eight times.

.@richeisen ran the 40-yard dash in 5.97 seconds at the 2018 Combine, his 2nd-fastest time since he began running in 2005#RunRichRun pic.twitter.com/wDbdiiJKYZ

— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) March 5, 2018

That being said, four of the last five years, he’s run his four best times, including 2016, when he ran his personal-best of 5.94 seconds.

(Note: if you’re not blinded by the speed, the neon green shoes should finish burning your corneas.)

#TBT to @RichEisen's best-ever 40-yard dash performance in 2016.

Can he top his PR this year?

📺: #NFLCombine coverage starts TOMORROW (9am ET) only on NFL Network https://t.co/J6NkiVIO2A

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 1, 2018

After his first sub-6 run in 2014, he’s teetered back and forth across six seconds each year. Last season he bounced back from a 6.02 in 2017 to a 5.97.

By the way, whoever came up with the idea of simulating a normal middle-aged dude against supreme young men in their athletic prime in the same race is absolute genius.

Here's Rich Eisen (with a 7-yard head start) vs. John Ross in the 40-yard dash 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/M3LYUOteVu

— TPS (@TotalProSports) March 7, 2017

Are there any other factors?

Eisen will be turning 50 in June. So in this, his golden year, he’ll need to dig down deep to run the first back-to-back 40-yard dashes in under six seconds in his illustrious/hilarious 15th season competing.

.@usainbolt vs. @richeisen in a 40 yard dash!!

Who came out on top??? #RunRichRun pic.twitter.com/ZVQaJy3zLM

— NFL GameDay (@NFLGameDay) February 3, 2019

The real winners, of course, are the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Eisen will gladly have the world marvel at his less-than-sublime athleticism for as ever long as he can help raise money for a worthy cause. They’re up to $480,000 and counting in the now known #RunRichRun campaign.

What’s the Best Bet to Make Here?

On his radio show, Eisen said that he’s already been preparing for this combine, putting down six dashes already, with the focus on getting out of the blocks.

From the sounds of that segment, he is intent on keeping the times down, with his co-hosts going so far as to claim that his mark this year could be at an all-time low of 5.80 seconds.

Brockman and @DeionSanders preview the #Panthers vs #Saints on #MNF, and come up with a tough love approach for @richeisen's 40-yard dash aspirations in today's Eisen Overtime: https://t.co/VG8exYnF8W pic.twitter.com/TstlSzsWpM

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) December 18, 2018

Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I don’t think he’s in a Creed-style training regimen, and it wouldn’t be fun to watch an everyman be a below average sprinter for a day.

🏃 Could you outrun @richeisen in the 40 yard dash?#NFLCombinehttps://t.co/oxDLVF6LFI

— Gridiron (@Gridiron) March 5, 2018

But judging from the past three years, like a fine wine, Rich Eisen is aging with style, and I expect him to put on a show for NFL fans and his charity at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis at the end of this month.

I can’t wait.

The pick: Over (-120)