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Futures: UNC TE Eric Ebron
Futures: UNC TE Eric Ebron by Matt Waldman Eric Ebron is the hot name among the NFL Draft media, but the University of North Carolina tight end isn’t some flash fire that ignited at Chapel Hill in mid-October. The Tar Heel has been ablaze for two seasons –- make it three if you count a…
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Futures: Arizona State DT Will Sutton
The Arizona State defensive tackle’s story is turning into another example of where the system is focused on spotting flaws more than serious consideration of how to maximize available talent. Futures: Arizona State DT Will Sutton By Matt Waldman Unusual. Not typical. Uncommon. Extraordinary. These are all meanings of “exceptional”. The best talent evaluators create…
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Futures: Florida State WR Rashad Greene
Futures: Florida State WR Rashad Greene By Matt Waldman When it comes to workouts, interviews, and background investigations, I have nothing on the NFL. I’m just like everyone else; I’m waiting to hear the outcomes of whatever the league shares with the public. But after speaking with former and current scouts, I can say with…
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Futures at Football Outsiders: Texas A&M OT Jake Matthews
Futures: Texas A&M OT Jake Matthews By Matt Waldman I heard a great story about Lawrence Taylor this week from my friend Sigmund Bloom. Thanks to NFL Films, the Hall of Fame linebacker and “trash talk” go together like K-Tel and “greatest hits” – complete with a low-budget, late-night commercial featuring a scrolling list…
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Blocking: Alabama WR Kevin Norwood
To the casual college football viewer, wide receivers and blocking go together like orange slices with pepper or french fries dipped in a Frosty. Both seem odd, but they work. A receiver who does his best to make the position and the task fit together Alabama’s Kevin Norwood. I can think of dozens of receivers…
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Futures at Football Outsiders: Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel
Futures: Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel by Matt Waldman Management Style and Quarterbacking In last week’s Futures on Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, I described quarterbacking styles within the context of task-oriented management and creative management. Be it a white-collar, blue-collar, or athletic career, these are two basic ends of the spectrum when talking about management styles. Task-oriented…
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Flashes: QB Chase Rettig, Boston College
Playing quarterback at a high level requires a pairing of skill sets that at times seem paradoxical. Intense preparation and freewheeling improvisational skill. Finesse and grit. Control and abandon. An elephantine memory and selective amnesia. It’s why it’s the toughest position to evaluate. Kurt Warner sat on the bench at Northern Iowa for three years.…
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Futures at Football Outsiders: Venric Mark, Offensive Weapon?
Venric Mark: Offensive Weapon? by Matt Waldman A couple of months ago, an employee from an NFL player-personnel department asked for preliminary input on a project he’s undertaking. He asked me to relay things I watch when I study offensive skill players that he could quantify. One of the things I shared pertains to running backs. What…
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Small Frame, Big Game: Kansas State RB John Hubert
What drives you crazy more: getting whooped or losing a close battle to someone who you think you should have dominated? For me it’s the latter choice because it’s one thing to believe you gave your all and weren’t ready to compete at the same level, but an entirely different story when you think you…
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Should I Stay or Should I Go? RB Charles Sims – Initial Thoughts
University of Houston running back Charles Sims has been in limbo this spring, but one thing seems certain: He’s leaving the Cougars. One option is this summer’s NFL Supplemental Draft. Another is is to transfer programs so he can increase his draft stock. Switching schools is a decision I believe Sims will make and I…