The Rookie Scouting Portfolio (RSP)

Author: Matt Waldman

  • Grinding Tape: NIU RB Chad Spann Part I

    This is the first in a series of posts will feature a film study session I had with former NIU RB Chad Spann, 2010’s Division-I leader in rushing TDs and the Mid-American Conference’s Most Valuable Player. If you don’t know about Chad Spann, you’re probably not alone. He wasn’t drafted in April. However, that doesn’t…

  • Losing Your Football Innocence

    Losing Your Football Innocence

    Readers often ask me for advice on how to watch football with a more critical eye. My answers are below, but if you take my advice you’ll lose your football innocence. Let’s dispense with the obvious: You love football. I love football. We wouldn’t be interacting on this blog if we didn’t. I’m stating these…

  • Speed In Context

    Jerry Rice is a perfect example of speed in the proper context.  Speed (noun, verb, sped or speed·ed, speed·ing. –noun) 1. rapidity in moving, going, traveling, proceeding, or performing; swiftness; celerity: the speed of light;the speed of sound… 6. Slang . a stimulating drug, as caffeine, ephedrine, or especially methamphetamine or amphetamine. Legendary NFL owner…

  • Evaluating the Evaluator

    With its vast knowledge of strategy and technique and a wealth of  financial resources at their disposal, NFL organizations not only have the potential to discover if that linebacker prospect fits their scheme, but they can also find out what he did with that blue pencil sharpener in Mrs. Beam’s second grade social studies class.…