Among Eric Stoner’s talents is his experience playing and coaching linebackers. The contributing writer for the RSP blog joined me Sunday morning for a look at Dawson, who was considered a top linebacker prospect before his disappointing combine performance. Should we throw out the numbers or does the tape underscore the data?
Here are some of the things Stoner and I discussed on the show:
- Fundamental qualities Stoner seeks from linebackers.
- How the tape reveals important points about Dawson’s confidence level in his athleticism.
- Why shooting gaps is similar to running backs and cutback lanes or quarterbacks and shot plays.
- How a linebacker should defend a flat/curl concept.
- The importance of 45 degree angles to linebacker play.
- Why linebackers step toward the line of scrimmage.
- Projecting college talent with an NFL eye, or why Matt Forte (and several others) would eat Dawson alive on a specific play.
- Numerous examples of good instincts-below average NFL athleticism.
John Owning, a fine writer at DraftBreadown who joined me for an excellent film room episode on Owamagbe Odighizuwa, took a sneak peek at this episode after writing his own take on Dawson and came away impressed with the analysis and told Twitter that he learned a thing or two from the show.
Always great to hear. Hopefully you’ll feel the same.
For analysis of skill players in this year’s draft class, get the 2015 Rookie Scouting Portfolio – available for pre-order now. Better yet, if you’re a fantasy owner the 56-page Post-Draft Add-on comes with the 2012 – 2015 RSPs at no additional charge. Best, yet, 10 percent of every sale is donated to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse. You can purchase past editions of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio for just $9.95 apiece.
The 2015 RSP, like every other RSP from 2006-2014, will be ready for download April 1.