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Futures: USC DT/DE Leonard Williams
This year’s unofficial theme at Futures is profiling complete football players: physically, mentally, and conceptually sound prospects with the versatility to contribute in multiple roles within their position — and in some cases, on either side of the ball. My profiles of Shaq Thompson, Myles Jack, and Ameer Abdullahhighlight the skills that earned these…
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Boiler Room: Michigan State WR Tony Lippett
Who does your quarterback dial-up when he needs a play? Free agent Nate Washington isn’t at the top of most teams’ shopping lists when it comes to primary starters on the open marker. However, Washington has been the Titans receiver most likely to answer the phone on the first ring. Washington’s speed, timing, and aerial prowess…
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WR Tony Jones: Economy of Movement
Recently, I profiled what can happen when a receiver leaves the ground too willingly. Let’s look at Northwestern’s Tony Jones, a receiver who understands economy of movement with a high target. “Eyes to the Sky, Feet on the Ground” has its own specific display on a 20-yard reception, a target not even intended for Jones on…
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Seeing Two Games In One: Projecting College Performance to the NFL
Effective personnel evaluation requires a little bit of time travel, seeing double, and a rich imagination. See below. I’m among the football writers you’ll read or listen to on a podcast explain that it’s important to know the difference between “college” accuracy and “pro” accuracy. When described, it often means tighter passing lanes against zone…
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RSP Film Room No.21: Auburn QB Nick Marshall
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn says Nick Marshall can become an NFL quarterback. Alex Brown of Optimum Scouting and I watch the QB and discuss. As quick as I’m offering you a chance to study Nick Marshall, I’m asking you to forget him for a brief moment. Watch this film room session because you’re going to…
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WR Markeith Ambles: “Playing Big”
Sometimes I see plays that are more instructive of the position than they are revealing about a player’s NFL potential. You can read about Markeith Ambles in the 2015 Rookie Scouting Portfolio when it’s available for the April 1 download. Today’s post features Ambles on an excellent touchdown catch, but the reception from the…
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RSP Film Room No.20: Nebraska WR/KR Kenny Bell
There are six plays from Odell Beckham’s LSU tape that made me a fan of his game. Bell isn’t Odell Beckham, but the reasons I like his game aren’t much different on tape. I’m a fan of quick, physical, technically sound, smart, and versatile football players. Kenny Bell hits these marks. I’ve seen three games of…
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Pocket Presence Points: Driftin’ With Chuckie (Keaton)
When it comes to player evaluation, seemingly minor issues often get magnified with the intensity of pressure. Utah State Chuckie Keaton’s performance versus Wake Forest is proof. Pocket presence to quarterbacks is like vision to running backs: most agree it’s a vital part of playing the position at the highest level regardless of athleticism. This draft…
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Hands to the Sky, Feet on the Ground: A Lesson for WRs
Positional technique and film study became an interest of mine in the late 1990s and I can recall a magazine feature in ESPN where Sterling Sharpe critiqued an incoming class of wideouts. One of those players was Packers’ draft pick Derrick Mayes, a top prospect from Notre Dame. Sharpe criticized Mayes’ tendency to leave his…
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RSP Film Room Nos.18-19 Brett Hundley w/Eric Stoner
One of my favorite QB analysts in the media today is Eric Stoner. He drops by for a double feature of Brett Hundley. The reason I’m a fan of Eric Stoner’s work is his mix of technical understanding of the game and the perspective not to get hung up on it. If you’ve never read Stoner’s…