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The OBR Podcast: Matt Waldman And Jake Burns Revisit Baker Mayfield’s Scouting Reports
Rookie Scouting Portfolio writer Matt Waldman joins the OBR to discuss his and Lance Zierlein’s pre-draft scouting reports of Browns’ quarterback Baker Mayfield and reflect on his NFL career to date. My comp for Mayfield wasn’t Brett Farve, Russell Wilson, or Drew Brees, the three most popular comparisons I saw in draft media. Mine was…
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How the Chiefs May Use Le’Veon Bell
RSP writer Matt Waldman shares his expectations for Le’Veon Bell and Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the Kansas City offense. Does the Le’Veon Bell signing mean that Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a bad prospect or is Bell merely a situational contributor? As is often the case with our society nursed on polarizing thoughts, the answer is somewhere…
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Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Lens: RB Alvin Kamara’s (Saints) Balance Is Borderline Mystical
Matt Waldman’s RSP can’t get enough Alvin Kamara tape. This week, he profiles a few runs that highlight the root of Kamara’s skill as a star running back with a prowess for tackle-breaking that borders on the mystical. When I watch great running backs, most of you probably think I see footwork, decision-making, athletic ability,…
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Ruminations In The Candy Shop: Thoughts On Sports Writing In The Digital World
Matt Waldman shares his perspective on sports writing layoffs, long-form journalism, video, and cultivating a long-term outlook. When faced with the decision of eating vegetables or candy, most of us will make a beeline for the sugar. We know better, but we don’t care. These dopamine inducing devices in slick, colorful packaging have big money…
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RSP Film Room No.103: DE Tarell Basham (Ohio)
Philadelphia Eagles video content manager Fran Duffy presents the compelling value that Basham will offer an NFL team as a contributor. One of the best parts of the RSP Film Room is the way that ideas, concepts, and wisdom about scouting players emerge, overlap, and build on themselves in these sessions. Fran Duffy’s presentation highlights…
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RSP Boiler Room No.86: TE Jeremy Sprinkle (Arkansas)
Play intelligence from a run blocker and pass protector at the tight end position. Technique and athletic ability earn much of the focus when studying draft prospects. Often, those qualities take a back seat to play intelligence. Jeremy Sprinkle is an unsung option in an exciting class of rookie tight ends. He’s big, strong, and…
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Making Sense of Dak Prescott (And How It Will Change the Future of the RSP)
Matt Waldman, of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio, reflects on Dak Prescott’s sterling rookie campaign and explains how he re-evaluated his process in light of Prescott’s success. What he discovered, about missing on the Dallas quarterback, reminded him of the opposite outcome with Russell Wilson. [Note: This post is an excerpt from my QB chapter in the…
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RSP Boiler Room No.85: TE Cethan Carter (Nebraska) Suddenness & Bend
Even the less unrefined aspects of Carter’s game should excite NFL scouts. When he played for the Falcons, Tony Gonzalez could no longer stretch the seam or wreak havoc in the open field like he did with the Chiefs for most of his career. Even so, defenders couldn’t cover the old tight end in the…
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RSP Film Room No.99: Edge Defender T.J. Watt (Wisconsin) w/Guest, Kyle Crabbs
Projection is a significant component of evaluation and NDT Scouting’s Kyle Crabbs presents a case for T.J. Watt as prospect worth that initial three-year investment. One of the toughest aspects of scouting talent is projecting development. NDT Scouting’s Kyle Crabbs RSP Film Room selection, T.J. Watt has aspects of a project. He’s light and lean…
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RSP Boiler Room No.85: QB Processor Speed
More examples that reveal how a tap or too of the foot can be the difference between a winning and losing quarterback. The feet tell you a lot about a quarterback’s feel for the game and how he’s feeling on the field. I’ve been saying this for a few years. If you understand what the…