-
Reads Listens Views 2/28/2014
This Week’s RLV: Why the RSP shows its work, Chase Stuart’s Combine MVP, and one funky spider. Listens What is Reads Listens Views? If you’re new to the Rookie Scouting Portfolio blog, welcome. Every Friday, I post links to content I’m saving for later reading when I have time. You may not like everything…
-
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…
-
No-Huddle Series: WR/KR Bruce Ellington
Bruce Ellington is like a Swiss Army knife equipped with a butane lighter that doubles as a jet pack. A couple weeks ago, I was a guest on Elise Woodward’s show on 950 KJR Seattle talking Seattle wide receivers and the NFL Draft. Woodward asked me which receivers I think the Seahawks might take in…
-
Reads Listens Views 2/21/2014
This Week’s RLV: 2-hr couch session on rookie QBs, Lil’ Darlin’, David Fales Developmental Gem?, 2 Muggs and my ugly mug. Listens – Speaking of Infernos . . . Michael Brecker may look more like a Philadelphia-area accountant than a musician, but if you ever heard the Saturday Night Live Band from the 70s or…
-
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…
-
The Little Things That Make Sammy Watkins A Big Deal
The great strength of Sammy Watkins’ game is in the finer details. If Sammy Watkins didn’t possess excellent hands and speed, he wouldn’t be a top prospect at his position. However, it’s the little things that make Watkins a special prospect. Weeks ago, I profiled Allen Robinson’s penchant for leaving his feet to catch targets…
-
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 –…
-
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…
-
Futures: Louisville S Calvin Pryor
When it’s all said and done, Teddy Bridgewater might not be the best Louisville player in this draft. Futures: Louisville S Calvin Pryor By Matt Waldman One of my favorite football players during the past 15 years began his college career as a corner, but finished it playing both safety positions and earned a first-team…
-
RSP Rorschach No.3: Cornell QB Jeff Mathews
Thrown too early or thrown too late? See below. Some plays are like Rorschach inkblots because there’s no definitive answer to why they unfold the way they do. This new series examines plays that have more than one viable explanation and may be too difficult to draw a single conclusion. The fun part is that…