The Rookie Scouting Portfolio (RSP)

Category: Walk on the Wild Side

  • Listens: Three-Cone Drill Podcast w/Rivers McCown & Danny Tuccitto

    Listens: Three-Cone Drill Podcast w/Rivers McCown & Danny Tuccitto

    Listens – The Three-Cone Drill Podcast Rivers McCown and Danny Tuccitto host the Three-Cone Drill Podcast. It’s a fine show (adult language is a factor so keep that in mind where and when you’re listening) and one I hoped to join as a guest. The duo was kind enough to have me on last week.…

  • Deny Emotion and You Only See a Fraction of the Game

    Deny Emotion and You Only See a Fraction of the Game

    Football and the analysis of the sport have become an increasingly intellectual pursuit of a physical game. However, the impact of emotion on the performance of players, plays, and a team remains as important as ever despite the desire to hide its seat at the table.  There are a few things this post is not. Although some…

  • Ray Rice, Pink Cleats, Ice Buckets, and Baseball Bats

    Ray Rice, Pink Cleats, Ice Buckets, and Baseball Bats

    I’m a huge fan of Ray Rice the football player and I have him on one fantasy team this year. But I don’t care what he does on the field anymore — if the NFL can find a legally viable way to change its ruling I’ll be an enthusiastic supporter as long as it isn’t…

  • Applying An Ounce of Skepticism to Practice Reports

    Applying An Ounce of Skepticism to Practice Reports

    I’m gradually reaching the conclusion that the most unreliable aspect of football journalism is the practice report. When done well, they’re invaluable. But how do you know that the observations are sound? Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News posted a trio of tweets about Brandin Cooks this morning and it was a reminder of this point.…

  • On Robin Williams’ Passing

    On Robin Williams’ Passing

    We’re a nation sold on celebrity. It’s also one of our leading exports to the rest of the world. Like many of you, I was raised to venerate the famous. And like many of you, I gradually learned that celebrity is a state of being and not a human being. Sometimes it’s easy to forget…

  • William Andrews vs. Ronnie Lott

    William Andrews vs. Ronnie Lott

    A couple of years ago I recalled a childhood memory of William Andrews taking a swing pass and running through Ronnie Lott. After scoring from 70-plus yards, a woozy Lott was helped off the field. I’ve been looking for this play online for years to see if my memory was accurate. I found the play…

  • The QB to Defend the Planet: The Finalists

    The QB to Defend the Planet: The Finalists

    Chris Trapasso (with some Waldman sarcasm) tallies the votes and reveals the finalists for who we’d pick to defend our planet in a game with an alien race.   By Chris Trapasso and Matt Waldman The scenario is simple, albeit nutty: If an alien race invades earth and challenges the human race to a football…

  • How to Find Your Mercedes: A Lesson to “Anonymous”

    How to Find Your Mercedes: A Lesson to “Anonymous”

    A lesson for the anonymous NFC executive who can’t find the right car in a parking lot. In case you didn’t know–or missed it–I’m fortunate to join Cecil Lammey, Sigmund Bloom, and Jene Bramel on Thursdays for the live Audible podcast that is now a Hangout (at bottom of page).  Last week’s 52-minute show covers…

  • Player-Coach: Questioning Process vs. Questioning Authority

    Player-Coach: Questioning Process vs. Questioning Authority

    It’s not often discussed, but the quality of coaching and leadership adds another layer of complexity to evaluating prospects. One of the great things about the Internet – specifically social media – is having conversations with people who don’t go with the herd. Ryan Riddle is one of those individuals. So when my friend says…

  • Funny Thing Happened at the Senior Bowl . . .

    Funny Thing Happened at the Senior Bowl . . .

    Only I didn’t get the full extent of the punchline until this evening. Media Night at the Senior Bowl is a loosely organized event. Imagine four long life rafts filled with sailors in a sea filled with twice as many sharks. In case you’re not too swift on the uptake this evening, the sharks aren’t…