-
Futures: Wake Forest WR Michael Campanaro
A Lesson In Zone Routes By Matt Waldman The depth of the wide receiver class is one of the headlines of the 2014 NFL Draft. The subtext of this storyline that deserves more attention is how the volume of talent at the position generates massive variation of player grades from team to team across the…
-
2013 RSP Flashback: RB Zac Stacy
The 2014 Rookie Scouting Portfolio is now available for pre-order for it’s April 1 release. Here’s a sample from 2013 of the underrated Zac Stacy. There is not much flash in Stacy’s game, but there is plenty of substance. The Commodores runner has a low center of gravity and good power to keep his legs…
-
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…
-
Futures: BYU OLB Kyle Van Noy
Van Noy has all the tools to become a quality starter in the NFL. He also has the vision and decision-making to become potential star. Futures: BYU OLB Kyle Van Noy By Matt Waldman When my friend Ryan Riddle, Cal’s all-time sack leader, says outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy has great instincts, that’s a player…
-
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…
-
Reads Listens Views 3/14/2014
This week’s RLV: Previous Deckers, Guide to music at work, WWII told as a bar fight, Wonderlicked, and Norwegian Lady Day. What is Reads Listens Views? If you’re new to the Rookie Scouting Portfolio blog, welcome. Most Fridays (except this month, because I’m wrapping up the RSP Publication) I post links to content I’m saving…
-
Futures: “I am smarter than ‘Phillip’ Rivers”
The Wonderlic is great for testing future loan officers, but Matt Waldman would rather have Wonderlic failures like Jim Kelly or Ray Lewis as his on-field CEOs. Futures: I Am Smarter Than “Phillip” Rivers by Matt Waldman “You scored a 32 –- that’s better than Phillip Rivers. He scored a 30. Rivers’…
-
QB Jimmy Garoppolo: Knockout
Jimmy Garoppolo’s draft stock in the media is gaining steam, but the quarterback is a player whose whole does not equal the sum of his parts. In this week’s Futures, I wrote that scouting quarterbacks remains an untamed wilderness for the NFL. While easier for scouts to identify details like height, weight, arm strength, base accuracy,…
-
Scouting QBs: Separating the Dark From the Dark
After spending an insane amount of time during the last decade studying players, talking with scouts, and paying attention to history, I have learned three things about evaluating football talent: Scouting and quarterbacking are about detail and nuance. Experience matters, but not like you think. Quarterback remains the untamed wilderness of football evaluation. These are…
Menu (Click Arrow Below)
The Rookie Scouting Portfolio
A Seat in Matt Waldman’s Film Room: The Most Comprehensive NFL Draft Scouting Reports of Offensive Skill Positions (QB, RB, WR, TE) Available.
