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GM Ethan Hammerman on “Double Down or Stand Pat” (RSPWP III)
Do you trust your scouting intel on a player that you value higher than most or do you stick to your board? What is 2014’s Writer’s Project? This year’s RSPWP is a different take on team building. I will have 15-20 written scenarios based on true NFL stories provided to me from current and former…
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Browns WR Travis Benjamin: A 2012 RSP Excerpt
The Browns announced today that second-year receiver Travis Benjamin will likely earn the starting job while Josh Gordon serves his two-game suspension. Benjamin was my No.17 receiver in the pre-draft rankings of the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio publication. I like what Benjamin has to offer the Browns long-term and it’s telling that despite the addition…
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Football Godfather: Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks)
I’ve been asked 2-3 times a day for the past two weeks what my take on Russell Wilson was before the season. I know many of you have read my thoughts on the Seattle quarterback, but I’m going to share those original takes, some thoughts about leadership and why Wilson could be the football equivalent…
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2012 RSP Sample: QB Skill Breakdown Sample
Whenever I provide samples of the RSP, they are links to individual reports of players. These reports are raw, play-by-play notes located in the back of the book. My readers appreciate these, but most of them get the publication for the front-of-the-book material. One of these reports is the Skill Breadowns that I perform by position.…
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RSP Writers Project Q&A: Chase Stuart, Footballguys, Football Perspective, and Pro Football Reference
Chase Stuart took an aggressive, offensive approach to the Rookie Scouting Portfolio Writers Project, spending $93.5 million of his $150 million salary cap on his offense. Can’t say I blame him. He has a nice mix of young skill talent and veteran grit and his dollar cost averaging for his offensive line could pay off.…
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New York Times Fifth Down Series: No. 2 WR Justin Blackmon
2. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma St. (6-0, 207) [Highlights above differ from article in NY Times.] Blackmon plays a physical brand of football despite the fact that he is smaller and slower than he appears when featured in this wide-open Oklahoma State offense. The Cowboy offense gives Blackmon a lot of opportunities to approach defenders in…
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Emerging Talents: Hybrid James Casey
“He’s going to play everywhere. He’s our starting fullback. He’s a starting (tight end) if we go to two tights. It’s still about versatility with James.” – Gary Kubiak, head coach of the Houston Texans talking to Houston Chronicle reporter John McClain about James Casey in May 2012. Based on what I’ve observed about James…
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A Route Lesson for Panthers WR Joe Adams From Wes Welker
Carolina Panthers rookie receiver Joe Adams has dynamite skills after the catch. I also like his ability to catch the football. However, one thing I consistently saw at Senior Bowl practices was difficulty getting early separation against press coverage. On at least five down field routes, I saw Adams still fighting for separation against the…
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More Parallels Between Music and Football
I have often broached the idea that quarterbacking or running between the tackles is similar to improvising with a rhythm section. There has to be an understanding of rhythm, interaction, and when to play outside the conventional boundaries of the structure. It should also be a given that a player has to have mastery over…