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Reads Listens Views 1/4/2013
Now Accepting Prepayment for the 2013 RSP I’m spending the weekend with a bunch of Footballguys watching the playoffs and talking shop. Meanwhile here’s some welcome news for those of you who have asked me when you can prepay for the 2013 RSP. The answer is now: If you wish to prepay for the April 1 download…
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Chicken or Egg: RB Stefphon Jefferson or Nevada Scheme?
Nevada running back Stefphon Jefferson declared for the NFL Draft this week. Looking at the numbers, it’s hard to blame him. Although he only had 73 carries as a freshman and sophomore, his junior year blew away all expectations: 375 carries and 397 total touches 5.0 yards-per-carry average 1883 yards rushing 2053 yards from scrimmage…
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Walk on The Wildside: Notes From the RSP Bunker
It’s been a productive summer and fall at the RSP Film Room. I am closing in on finishing play-by-play evaluations of 130 different skill position players as my winter vacation is ending and I thought I’d provide a few highlights of what I’ve seen this week. Most of this is lighthearted analysis in three short…
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Flashes: RB Benny Cunningham, MTSU
This installment of Flashes profiles the play of Middle Tennessee State University runner Benny Cunningham. The senior, who was on the Doak Walker Award Watch List this summer, had a 217-yard, 5-touchdown afternoon against Georgia Tech in September. By November, he was out for the season with a torn patella tendon. what quality did he…
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No-Huddle Series: WR Darius Johnson, SMU
For more analysis of skill players like the post below, download the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio. Better yet, if you’re a fantasy owner the 56-page Post-Draft Add-on comes with the 2012 RSP at no additional charge. Best, yet, 10 percent of every sale is donated to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse. News for the availability…
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What is Integrated Technique?
In the world of draftniks, the word ‘intangibles’ is often a catchall term that explains a smart player without NFL skill sets. Sometimes those using the term make the mistake to include players who possess what I call an integrated skill set. Find out what that means and why it’s the difference between a good…
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Futures: WR Marquess Wilson
Futures: WR Marquess Wilson by Matt Waldman This week’s Futures is about more than Marquess Wilson. It’s about the dynamics of power within college football programs and the risks that come with questioning their authority. For most of us outside the situation, it’s about being willing to reserve judgment about a player’s decisions when we may never…
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Futures: Pittsburgh RB Ray Graham
Futures: Pittsburgh RB Ray Graham by Matt Waldman “I had the pleasure of coaching Barry Sanders, and Frank Gore is the best back I’ve been around since Barry Sanders.” -Former University of Miami Head Coach Larry Coker, July 26, 2004 College coaches are prone to hyperbole, but when the coach comparing Frank Gore to Sanders has not only coached the NFL Hall of Famer, but Thurman…
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Futures: Texas FS Kenny Vaccaro
Studying football players is a solitary pursuit. So it feels good when a performance catches your attention and months later you learn that it did the same for another writer, scout, or talent evaluator. Everyone enjoys that kind of validation. One of those moments occurred last spring when I was watching Keenan Allen. As fun…
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Futures: Florida TE Jordan Reed
Last week, I wrote about Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert and how his skills fit into the growing pantheon of versatile tight end play that is in vogue in the NFL. But versatility can have a number of different meanings depending on the talents of the player and his fit within an offense. The word doesn’t necessarily mean…