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Futures: 2014 Speed Score Leaders
If I had a laboratory fitting of a mad scientist, Football Outsiders’ Speed Score would have its application. What about now? Futures: The 2014 Speed Score Leaders By Matt Waldman Indulge me in a bit of fantasy. Imagine an old football field. It’s a practice field at the rear of an abandoned high school with…
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No-Huddle Series: David Fales, Developmental Gem?
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Futures: A Trio of Sleepers
WR Paul Richardson, RB Tim Flanders, and QB Dustin Vaughan are intriguing players without the big-top pedigree. Futures: A Trio of Sleepers by Matt Waldman According to most fantasy football writers, the term “Sleeper” is dead, buried, and the wake held in its honor featured a stuffed mushroom dish with creamed spinach and Italian breadcrumbs…
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Embracing The Craft of Player Evaluation
Player evaluation is an imperfect endeavor. Understanding one’s limitations is a huge step towards getting better at it. The most compelling thing about the NFL Draft is that no matter how hard it tries, it cannot escape its humanity. It’s this human element that makes player evaluation – and evaluating what good evaluation is –…
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Picking on Jarvis Landry
I promise, I really do like a lot about Landry’s game, but when a player provides good teaching opportunities, you take it. I’ve already heard from some LSU fans who feel it was unfair to criticize Landry’s effort in an area where I stated most college receivers aren’t playing at top intensity (run blocking). Forget…
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Funny Thing Happened at the Senior Bowl . . .
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Futures: Brandin Cooks vs. Ifo Ekpre-Olumu
The Oregon State receiver may be a headliner, but Cooks was upstaged in this game in resounding fashion by a fellow junior with a higher draft stock that has chosen to stay in school. Futures: WR Brandin Cooks vs. Ifo Ekpre-Olumu On most Saturdays where he treads his feet, Oregon State junior Brandin Cooks is…
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Six Plays That Make Me A Fan Of WR Odell Beckham’s Game
Some schools are known for producing good athletes whose games don’t translate to the NFL. LSU’s Beckham doesn’t fit that pattern. Craig “Buster” Davis. Devery Henderson. Early Doucet. Brandon LaFell. Terrence Tolliver. These five receivers were good college players at LSU who failed to develop into productive starters that an NFL team feels it’s “set”…
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Boiler Room: QB Johnny Manziel and Why I Think of Ali
Manziel isn’t as haphazard and reckless as you think. The question is will the quarterback’s style become haphazard and reckless at the elevated level of pro football? The Boiler Room Series is my attempt to capture the state of an NFL prospect’s development into a single play. This is an impossible task, but what if…
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Futures: Louisiville QB Teddy Bridgewater
Bridgewater is fluid, relaxed, and confident, but does his arm, deep accuracy, and hand size inspire the NFL’s confidence? Futures: Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater By Matt Waldman The question of what makes a good NFL quarterback isn’t much different than the question of what is healthy eating for a human being. Most want a simple…