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Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens: RB Ito Smith’s (Falcons) Diagnosis of a Cutback
Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens examines a cutback by Falcons running back Ito Smith and the concept behind the decision. Continuing the conversation that we have an abundance of football analysis that oversimplifies the running back position when they refer to it as instinctive, and therefore easy, let’s examine this Ito Smith run against the…
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Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens: RB Damien Harris (Patriots) And the Eyes-Feet Connection
Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens examines the footwork and processing of Patriots RB Damien Harris. What is mental processing for a running back? A simple way of describing it is the connection between the eyes and the feet. If you can see the feet react logically to what the eyes should see on the field…
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Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens: RB Darwin Thompson’ (Chiefs) Pass Protection
Matt Waldman’s Rookie Scouting Portfolio examines the pass protection of running back Darwin Thompson, a compelling rookie for the Kansas City Chiefs. If you’re a regular at the Rookie Scouting Portfolio, you’ve known about Darwin Thompson as far back as last February. A short running back whose game resembles Brian Westbrook or Dion Lewis “with…
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Dwain McFarland’s RSP NFL Lens: Does Preseason Matter?
Rookie Scouting Portfolio analyst Dwain McFarland explains how to filter the signal from the noise during the preseason. Follow Dwain on Twitter @dwainmcfarland Does preseason football matter? It depends. For some teams and players, it matters a lot. For others, it doesn’t matter at all other than emerging unscathed by injury. For which teams and…
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J. Moyer’s RSP NFL Lens: RB Darrell Henderson’s (Rams) Transition to Zone Blocking
Rams rookie Darrell Henderson is one of the most exciting backs from the 2019 NFL Draft, but J. Moyer explains why his transition from start collegian to complete runner won’t be immediate. Perhaps the draft’s most electric back, Darrell Henderson’s arrival in the Rams’ hyper-efficient rushing offense offers plenty of justifiable excitement. It never meant…
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Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens: RB Ito Smith’s (Falcons) Blitz Pickup
Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens examines a play from Atlanta RB Ito Smith’s preseason portfolio—a blitz pickup against a Miami Dolphins linebacker. The Atlanta Falcons have transitioned from the Devonta Freeman-Tevin Coleman plan that was Kyle Shanahan’s offense (and maintained by Shanahan’s replacement, Steve Sarkisian) to Dirk Koetter’s offense. Although Koetter has had seasons as…
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Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens: Sony Michel and the Patriots Bait Ndamukong Suh
Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens examines the Patriot’s first offensive play of the Super Bowl—and explosive run against the L.A. Rams—that’s the product of effective scouting, preparation, and execution against Ndamukong Suh. Ndamukong Suh is known for his ability to make plays in the offensive backfield. The New England Patriots are known for devising and…
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Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens: WR Olamide Zaccheaus’ (Falcons) Release Game
Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens examines a release from former UVA standout Olamide Zaccheaus, who is making a push for a roster spot with the Atlanta Falcons. Two weeks ago, Drew Lieberman posted a video on social media about a release technique that I have seen many times but never knew the name for the…
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Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens: RB Alexander Mattison’s (Minnesota) Processing And Execution
Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens shares two examples of Alexander Mattison’s processing and execution—one at Boise State and the other with the Vikings, courtesy of RSP contributor J. Moyer. What’s wrong with size and speed when evaluating the potential of an NFL back? Nothing. Unless that back isn’t a strong processor of information and lacks…
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Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens: Radio Interview with WR Coach Sanjay Lal (Cowboys)
Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens shares an excellent interview of Dallas Cowboys receiver coach Sanjay Lal on KESN1033. Sanjay Lal has a great reputation as a wide receiver coach in the NFL. This KESN 1033 interview with Lal is one of the most informative I’ve heard about the wide receiver position as well as a…