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A Pass Protection Instructional Video Guide
Matt Waldman’s RSP joins Fantrax.com’s Andy Singleton for a fantasy football instructional on running back pass protection. One of the most underrated and misunderstood points of analysis about running backs in fantasy football is pass protection. It’s the difference between being a starting-caliber ball carrier and a starting-caliber running back. Teams want players who encompass…
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The NFL Lens: The Mechanics And Elegance Of A Pump Fake
Matt Waldman’s RSP profiles Derek Carr’s manipulation of the Cowboys Cover 2 defense with a pump fake that sets the standard for evaluating college prospects. The Rookie Scouting Portfolio evaluation process is based on defined criteria for the positions that I evaluate. The standard for that criteria is the NFL game. This includes processes as…
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The NFL Lens: Timing the Dynamite w/Lawrence Timmons
Lawrence Timmons demolition of Jeremy Hill at the goal line reveals the technique behind the primal force. Be it blowing up buildings or ball carriers, successful linebackers and demolition experts understand that timing and placement are essential components of a successful job. Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons demonstrates both timing and placement with his dynamite, blowing up Jeremy…
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NFL Lens: Pass Drops with LB Albert McClellan
The Ravens inside linebacker foils the best in the business with his work on Monday night. Albert McClellan is not an NFL star. He won’t run down scat backs sideline-to-sideline and stuff them for losses. He’s not a gifted pass rusher He’s a solid contributor on a good defense. It makes him an ideal choice…
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NFL Lens: Reading Blocks (And People) w/David Johnson
A vivid illustration of what a running back should use to guide his decisions between the tackles. Not until he was well into his tenure as a starter with the Green Bay Packers did Brett Favre even know what a nickel defense was. Jon Gruden credits Favre with inventing the RPO. If there was a…
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NFL Lens: Quiet Plays With David Johnson
What type of displays should set off fireworks in the minds of talent evaluators? David Johnson’s touchdown catch against Atlanta is one of them. Repeat after me: There is no magic moment without layers and layers of data processed beneath the surface. Try to remember this in light of the moments below: Bo Jackson running up…
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NFL Lens: Hard Break w/Jordan Reed
Reed demonstrates both facets of executing a hard break. I once watched Michael Irvin teach the mechanics of a hard break on an NFL.com pre-draft special. His two pupils: A.J. Green and Greg Little. Irvin explained that the two most important components of the hard break—the style of break often used on outs, curls, and…
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NFL Lens: Vertical Accuracy w/Jameis Winston
Jameis Winston and Alex Smith illustrate how vertical accuracy begins with the feet and the mindset, not the arm. There will be no rants about arm strength today. It’s because emphasizing arm strength during a discussion of deep ball accuracy is like having a discussion about Einstein and spending most of your time on his…
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NFL Lens: Explosive Movement: DT Aaron Donald
The mechanics behind an Aaron Donald predation event. On the surface, a defensive lineman stuffing the run looks similar to a massive predator stalking its prey from a hidden vantage point. An orca emerging jaws-first from dark water to snatch a seal breaching the surface. A lion exploding through the brush and pouncing on a grazing impala.…
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The NFL Lens: Agility and Flexibilty w/LeGarrette Blount
It’s always in the hips, folks. This dude is how most football fans I know react to speed. But if you want to see me act like this guy over a player, show me a prospect with great hips. If a football player is capable of doing a deep squat—especially in the context of his job—I’m…