This week’s RLV: Roger Goodell’s inbox, a killer author, a killer oud performance, and dinosaur pushups.
Welcome
If you’re new to the Rookie Scouting Portfolio blog, welcome. Every Friday, I post links to things I’m checking out when I’m online. You may not like everything listed here, but you’re bound to like something. It’s also my chance to thank you for reading my work and encourage you to follow the RSP blog and buy the Rookie Scouting Portfolio publication.
For those of you new to the Rookie Scouting Portfolio, the publication is available every April 1. You can learn more about the RSP here. If you want to see samples of the play-by-play notes I take to write the analysis, you can find them here. And to download past versions of the publication (2006-2012), go here.
This month through February 10, I’m offering an early bird discount to those who pre-order the RSP.
In addition to the RSP and the post-draft publication that comes with it a week after the NFL Draft, 10 percent of each sale is donated to Darkness to Light. This organization is a non-profit devoted to preventing and addressing sexual abuse through community training in schools, religious groups, and a variety of civic groups across the U.S.
Here is what the RSP donated to D2L this year. According to D2L, the RSP’s 2013 donation amount was enough to train 250 adults in communities across the country. I will have an announcement about the 2014 RSP next week. Stay tuned.
Listens
Thanks, Cian . . .
In Case You Missed It/What’s Ahead at The RSP Blog
- Futures: Senior Bowl Preview -I’ll be in Mobile next week covering the practices for the RSP. I’ll even write a little something for Football Outsiders while I’m there.
- Blake Bortles Analysis vs. South Carolina -Want the goods on this UCF QB? Facing the Gamecocks’ defense is a good way to get it.
- “One Good Year” And Other Asinine Thoughts On QB Evaluation -Some rationalizations for taking a cautious approach with quarterbacks are ludicrous. This is one of them.
- Below The Radar: Alabama Utility Back Jalston Fowler – You like Jason Snelling? I liked him at Virginia. Fowler reminds me of Snelling and he’s a better runner.
- Coming Soon: Senior Bowl Practice Reports – I’ll be bunking with Cecil Lammey and Jene Bramel. We might even get a Bramel guest article or two from the deal.
- Coming Soon: Teddy Bridgewater Analysis – The darling of the Twitter football writer scene gets the RSP treatment.
- Coming Soon: Boiler Room: Arizona State RB Marion Grice – Not the most physically talented of the 2014 RB class, but man do I love how he plays football.
- Coming Soon: No-Huddle Series: Cal TE Richard Rodgers- Lots of promise, but can he fulfill it?
- Coming Soon: Kelvin Benjamin Analysis – I haven’t decided whether this will be a Futures column or analysis entirely on this blog. Stay tuned.
Views – Excellent “Magic Tricks” H/T to Gordon Hu
Reads (Football)
- Grantland’s Faux Inbox for Roger Goodell – Well done.
- What If The NFL Logos Were Hipsters? – Then Joe Bryant would be a Chargers fan, Zach Law would loath the Titans, and Aaron Schatz would still be a Patriots fan.
- Seahawks Fans Generated an Earthquake During Skittles’ TD – In other news, the world is round . . .
- Want to write about fantasy football? Eric Dickens (Twitter @DLFootball) is looking for 1-2 aspiring dynasty league writers.
Listens
You never forget the first tune you took a solo – mine came at the “goin’ to church, hand-clapping portion” . . .
Reads (Non-Football)
- Photo-Driven Facts about Martin Luther King Jr – For instance, his first name wasn’t always Martin.
- Prize-Winning Mystery Writer Is Also A Murderer – Taking “Write what you know,” to a new level.
- The Medium Is Not The Message – A review of “Slow Reading In a Hurried Age”
- One Woman’s Dying Wish: A Month Long Farewell Party – As a former hospice worker, this is how you do it.
- The Flood Next Time – Grappling With Sea Level Rise Sooner, Not Later.
- The Great Dying Redux: Shocking Parallels Between Ancient Mass Extinction and Climate Change – The scariest article I’ve ever read. Seriously.
- Fresh Hopes On Climate Change – You may need this (and a lot more) after you read the above link.