Matt Waldman’s Reads Listens Views is back and devoted to a short list of recommended reads, listens, and views for the week.
Welcome
If you’re new to the Rookie Scouting Portfolio blog, welcome. Friday is my one day off from football. It’s a day I devote to music lessons, reading, movies, and other mediums of value.
On some Fridays, I’ll scout players from the past to share What Made Them Great. In other weeks, I’ll have guests tell compelling short stories about their lives:
- Last week, I shared my successful experience as a stowaway on a commercial flight.
- The week before, TV and movie composer and bassist Adam Dorn shared a hilarious story about KISS bassist Gene Simmons making a bet with Dorn on the streets of NYC and losing in epic fashion.
Every Friday, I post links to pieces that I’ve found personally compelling or to content I hope will eventually scratch that itch when I get around to it.
You may not like everything listed here, but you’re bound to like something.
Reads
Adam Harstad recommended this excellent piece in the Atlantic on Andy Reid studying the tape of what has been known as the greatest game in football history (Colts-Giants).
Listens
I’ve been memorizing this Stanley Turrentine saxophone solo by ear before I go to sleep at night. If you like blues, you can’t get much better than the pairing of Turrentine and organist Jimmy Smith.
In terms of learning the notes, Turrentine’s solo isn’t that difficult. So much of it is based on blues scales. However, the stylistic devices for beginning and ending notes and phrases are part of what makes this so good. He plays like a singer.
I know there’s one thing he does at the end of the phrase at the 1:42-1:43 mark that sounds simple, but is going to take me a long time to figure out because it’s not the type of skill you learn in a book.
Views
I was a boxing fan as early as I was a football fan. I was a kid during the golden age of the heavyweight division with Ali, Holmes, Norton, Shavers, Foreman, and Frazier. The welterweight/middleweight sagas with Leonard, Hearns, Duran, and Hagler bled into my teenage years.
I’ve already shown videos of Earnie Shavers in the past, known as the hardest puncher of all time. This week, let’s show you the slipperiest fighter. This is Matrix-level shit.
And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2022 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.
Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95
If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.
If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.
Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse of children.