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Futures: FSU CB Xavier Rhodes
Last week I wrote about NC State corner David Amerson, who owns the record for interceptions in a season. I spent much of the piece contrasting Amerson’s style of play with Florida State’s Xavier Rhodes and Alabama’s Dee Milliner, two corners considered to be in the same tier to begin the year. After examining Amerson’s…
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Flashes: Oregon RB Kenjon Barner
Study football players long enough and it becomes clear that we all make assumptions about what they can and cannot do. We base these conclusions on what we think we know about a player’s size, speed, and strength. The truth is that we often underestimate the importance of technique, awareness, and fit with a specific…
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Juron Criner: “Trust Me”
Raiders receiver Juron Criner made a play this weekend against the Saints that was typical, if not easier, than what he did at Arizona. I think he could continue to earn time in the starting lineup this year. He has Cris Carter-like hands and body control. Big shoes to fill, but he’s worthy of the…
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Futures: NC State CB David Amerson
“Sure he was great, but don’t forget Ginger Rogers did everything he did backwards…and in high heels!” – Bob Thaves Cornerbacks don’t wear heels, but there’s a little bit of Ginger Rogers in every good one that has to line up and do the dance with a receiver. Much like Astaire’s underrated partner, there are…
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Twitter seems fascinated with this euphemism I coined for poor decision-making among young running backs, so I’m re-blogging.
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Futures: Texas FS Kenny Vaccaro
Studying football players is a solitary pursuit. So it feels good when a performance catches your attention and months later you learn that it did the same for another writer, scout, or talent evaluator. Everyone enjoys that kind of validation. One of those moments occurred last spring when I was watching Keenan Allen. As fun…
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Justin Hunter: Focus is a Skill
Much is expected of the great football prospect. Especially when one of them is a rising junior with the NFL-ready physique, the athleticism, and the budding technical skill to win battles with NFL defensive backs like Eric Berry during summer workouts. Potential like that is seductive to anyone who watches it. More than anything, potential…
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The Progression of Doug Martin
By Nick Whalen Editor’s Note: Whalen submitted this piece Sunday morning prior to Martin’s 251-yard, 4-touchdown rout of the Raiders defense. Martin did not leave big-play opportunities on the field. Due to the injury concerns, most high profile RB’s come into the NFL as underclassmen. So despite being a senior, Doug Martin was a running…
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WR Justin Hunter: Unvarnished Moss
If you attempt to keep up he’ll run by you. If you try to get in his way he’ll run around you. And in those cases you succeed in sticking close, he’ll leap over you. Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter is a 6-4, 200 lb., gazelle in pads. There are only two players that I…
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Futures: Florida TE Jordan Reed
Last week, I wrote about Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert and how his skills fit into the growing pantheon of versatile tight end play that is in vogue in the NFL. But versatility can have a number of different meanings depending on the talents of the player and his fit within an offense. The word doesn’t necessarily mean…