This Week’s RLV: Driving Blind, Mr. Clean, Talent On The Fringe, The Price Of Free, And Militant Frogs

Views – “Driving Blind” A Film By Brian James Griffo

Brian James Griffo asked me to check out his trailer and tell everyone that proceeds from the movie (rent for $4.99/buy for $8.99) are going to research. I’ll be If you’ve done a road trip to see the country or a country that lasts more than 10 days then you know how life-changing these adventures can be. I did one 21 years ago across the U.S. in a van. It was one of the great experiences of my life.

I haven’t seen the full movie, but I just bought it based on what I’ve seen and what I gained from my road trip. Learn more here.

Listens – Brad Mehldau

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. For those of you calendar challenged like me, that’s this Monday . . .

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.

In Case You Missed It/What’s Ahead at The RSP Blog

• Talents On The Fringe: RB Shakir Bell – Every draft has a handful of players where the talent is there, but they don’t register on the draft media’s radar. Bell is one of them. Find out why.
• Futures: WR Brandin Cooks vs. CB Ifo Ekpre-Olumu – Cooks is getting a lot of love, but I think this match up provides some sobering critiques of a good prospect who doesn’t deserve the Steve Smith comparisons at this time. And if you’re a fan of defenese, Ekpre-Olumu deserves your attention. This article is just as much about him as it is Cooks.
• Six Plays That Make Me A Fan Of WR Odell Beckham’s Game – A lot of Tweets from people telling me Beckham is their No.2 WR in their class. Some comp him to Antonio Brown. I’m more inclined to say Greg Jennings-Isaac Bruce-Tim Brown. Stylistically, all four have enough similarities that it’s not a major debate.
• Boiler Room: QB Johnny Manziel And Why I Think Of Ali – Manziel isn’t as haphazard a player and reckless as you think. His techniques are unique, but they are techniques. It was the same with boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Learn about the parallels between them.
• Coming Soon: No-Huddle Series: Cal TE Richard Rodgers- Lots of promise, but can he fulfill it?
• Coming Soon: WR Kelvin Benjamin Analysis – I haven’t decided whether this will be a Futures column or analysis entirely on this blog. Stay tuned.
• Coming Soon: RB Kapri Bibbs and the difference between “college good” and “NFL good.”
• Coming Soon RSPWP3 – There won’t be a draft this year, but the team building/management angle will be a compelling exercise for our participants.

Reads (Football)

• Is Bridgewater a Bill O’Brien QB? – Nick Page at Draft Breakdown provides his take with accompanying visual evidence.
• The Price of Free – Patrick Hruby at Sports On Earth provides his counter argument to the “But they’re getting a free education” stance for college football players.
• Packers News Profile Of Seattle GM John Schneider – Good piece. Sigmund Bloom likes to tell me that the Seahawks and Patriots like the same players I like and it’s as if they read the RSP.
• Which Teams Have The Tallest And Shortest Targets – Chase Stuart, the macho version of Carrie Bradshaw, provides another fine take on the NFL.
• Alan Faneca Drops 110 lbs., Runs Marathon – I enjoy seeing these former linemen get into post-football athletic shape and move forward in life.

Reads (Non-Football)

• India Declares Dolphins Non-Human Persons – To many Americans, India is the Ornette Coleman of nations. It’s too uncomfortable for many to understand with their rooted way of thinking. But once you let go a little bit and free your mind, there’s immense beauty, culture, love, and power that lies within. I like this step. Of course, I’m a Coleman fan, too. (Author’s Note: Points two fingers at eyes and then points fingers to Cecil Lammey:  “Asterisk Lammey . . . asterisk”)
• The Right Way To Hug A Lion – On the other hand . . .
• Real Madrid’s Marcelo And Son Racially Abused By Atletico Madrid Fans – I understand that majority of soccer fans aren’t engaged in this heinous type of behavior. However, the minority who are acting this deplorably appear to be much larger in population than the nuts we get in stadiums like Cleveland, Oakland, Philadelphia, New York, and every other venue.
• Why Young Sexual Assault Victims Tell Incoherent Stories – And why their attackers count on it.
• New York Cops Break 10-Year-Old Kid’s Leg, Sexually Assault Mother, Lawsuit Claims – Kid says, “I told my mom being a detective would be cool . . . I want to be a better detective than the one who did this.”

Views – Sony World Photography Awards 

Click the link above for the rest – Photo above by Nicolas Reusens.

Listens – “Mr. Clean”

A Freddie Hubbard tune performed by Roy Hargrove and company. I’ve been listening to this version on constant rotation in my car all week.