Date Archives January 2012

RB David Wilson’s Vision: Part III – Flashes of Refined Play

0 Comments read Players, Running Back
David Wilson might rely too much on his superior athleticism, but there are flashes of maturity that I think he'll continue to develop as a pro. Photo by VaMedia

This has been David Wilson Week at the RSP blog. In case you missed it, here’s the analysis I have done – and what is still slated – for the Va. Tech runner:

What I have seen from Wilson this game are things that I’ve seen from him in other starts: He’s a runner with tremendous athleticism and fundamental skills, but occasional bouts of immaturity when it comes to applying the tools of his trade. One could have said the same thing about LeSean McCoy or Jamaal Charles when they were prospects – I know I did.

If you agree that Wilson is a quality RB prospect and accept the fact that he has shortcomings to address before he becomes a consistent and productive NFL starter, then the question becomes “how long will his transition take?” I think one telling indicator is if a running back prospect flashes moments of NFL-caliber decision-making. Another is how often that back flashes these moments despite immature plays like the ones I profiled of Wilson in the previous post.

I’m going to examine runs in this and the next post that I believe are good indicators for NFL success. The analysis in this post is a list of plays where Wilson shows some refined decision-making and skill. Continue reading →

RB David Wilson’s Vision: Part II – The Low Lights

0 Comments read Players, Running Back
David Wilson has the physical tools of a Pro Bowl RB, but the decision-making and patience of a college player. There's reason for optimism with this pro prospect, but find out his specific deficiencies as a runner based on film study. Photo by Michael Miller.

As I explained yesterday, Vision is often poorly defined as an abstract, catchall intangible that is vital to the success of a ball carrier. Vision should be something we actively try to define and despite its intuitive characteristics I believe there are major components of the skill set that running backs learn as late as years into their pro careers. Reggie Bush, C.J. Spiller, LeSean McCoy, and Jamaal Charles are recent backs that had to improve some aspect of their vision to complete that transition from promising prospect to effective performer.

One of the runners in the 2012 class with the skills to potentially make that transition from college star to NFL starter is Virginia Tech’s David Wilson. This four-part series on Wilson comes from analysis of a single game from Wilson for the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio available here on April 1, 2012. I’m going to group the analysis of Wilson’s runs into four categories:

After studying two games and over 50 touches from the 2011 season, I believe Wilson is one of those players that my evaluation checklist will deliver a lower grade than the analysis seen in my evaluation profile. What I love about the RSP evaluation process is that when this happens, I generally know that I have a player with immense upside but clear deficiencies that might take time for him to address. Continue reading →

RB David Wilson’s Vision: Part I Raw Skill in Action

0 Comments read Players, Running Back
Virginia Tech RB David Wilson is the subject of a four-part study on his game, specifically his vision. Photo by Michael Miller.

To come to be you must have a vision of Being, a Dream, a Purpose, a Principle. You will become what your vision is.

  – Peter Nivio Zarlenga

Vision is a magical term. Even in the world of business, visionary leaders are seen as semi-fictional characters. For all of his petulance, coldness, and cruelty towards friends, employees, and business partners, Steve Jobs’ vision transformed Apple into a real life WonkaVille.

Football players with great vision also seem magical. Watch a highlight of Gale Sayers, Barry Sanders, or Ladainian Tomlinson in their prime and their performances frequently dance along the borders of the impossible. Great vision in football is said to be intuitive. Many scouts say it can’t be taught. I agree with much of the first statement, but not with the second.
Continue reading →

Reads, Listens, Views 1/27/12

0 Comments read Reads Listens Views

The RSP Caption Contest Winner is….

Having to play catch up. I thought I’d have it later in the day but I changed this entry to reflect the entry I made later about readers voting on it.

Views

[youtube=http://youtu.be/boy0tkwcv-A]

Marvin Jones Highlights from 2010 (Hat tip to ninersnation.com for mentioning my blog and finding this highlight package). What you’ll find here are strong examples of body control, hand-eye coordination, patience and toughness (not necessarily power) as a runner, and good speed and quickness. I also think you’ll see some of the light-footed precision as a route runner.

Reads

Jene Bramel’s list of Senior Bowl participants with Scheme Versatility.

Wes Bunting’s Senior Bowl Stockwatch and the Senior Bowl’s Top 10 Prospects.

Josh Norris’ Senior Bowl Report of the offense.

The most popular books bought by Smart Football readers.

Listens

[youtube=http://youtu.be/ZrJzzjx583c]

John Abercrombie trio “Bo Diddy”

What to Expect from the Senior Bowl

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Quinton Coples anchors a South squad defensive front that should have a good day in the Senior Bowl game. Photo by Jene Bramel.

College all-star game practices are different every year because there’s always a new coaching staff running them. This year, both the Redskins and Vikings coaches did less with its running backs and quarterbacks than what I saw in team practices run by the Lions, Bengals, Bills, and Dolphins in recent years. The same can be said about defensive players in general, because they are not allowed to finish plays.

The game will provide a little more insight into these players where practice couldn’t. Although film study of players during their college careers is still far and away more important than what this game will reveal, I thought it worthwhile to share what I believe you’ll see in the actual North-South match up. Here’s what I saw in Mobile this week that I believe will translate to the game: Continue reading →

Jene Bramel: Scheme Versatility

0 Comments read Matt Waldman
Oklahoma State safety Markelle Martin is a fine example of a scheme versatile player. Photo by A Cooper Kemp.

NFL offenses continue to stretch the binding of their playbooks. Many offenses have gone to spread concepts as their base alignment, using multiple receivers on every down. Those receiving options aren’t necessarily traditional wideouts. The New England Patriots have generated match up nightmares over the past two seasons by huddling with two tight ends and/or a running back that could line up anywhere in the formation.

To adjust, many teams have chosen to become multiple with their defensive playbooks. Defenders who can match up well regardless of how an offense breaks the huddle have quickly become hot commodities. A player who can rush the passer effectively from a two or three point stance but also handle underneath zone responsibilities or a safety who can drop down and cover a tight end or receiver in the slot or a defensive lineman that can play multiple roles across the line will draw attention from more teams and see their draft stock rise accordingly.

NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock often preaches Continue reading →

Senior Bowl Day Three Observations

0 Comments read Matt Waldman
Lennon Creer's pass protection had some bright moments today during his first day of Senior Bowl practice as Clemson FB Chad Diehl's replacement. Photo by Westside Shooter.

Wide Receivers

Marvin Jones, Cal: The North receivers ran a variation of a four-cone drill that ended with a pass thrown after the final turn among these four cones and then cut between a narrow alley between two cones. After Marvin McNutt felt his way through the cones at 3/4 speed, Jones breezed through the cones as fast as any receiver participating in the drill – on the first try. He’s a light-footed runner with strong change of direction and his technique was on display drill after drill at the beginning of practice Coach Stewart approached Jones and told him “excellent job today, Jones.”

Stewart said it loud enough from the 30 yard line to Jones at the 15 that I could hear the coach 28 rows up from the end zone. Later in practice, Continue reading →

Fifth Down Blog Sr. Bowl Practice Notes

0 Comments read Matt Waldman
Combine this lunch at Saucy Q with the New York Times Fifth Down Blog Practice Reports and you almost have the complete Senior Bowl experience at home. Photo by Cecil Lammey.

Here’s a current list of links to this week’s practice notes from the Senior Bowl:

Tomorrow morning we’ll have a wrap-up of the practice sessions that includes overall thoughts. Jene Bramel and I may also share some thoughts here. I also have at least two more player interviews and forthcoming Q&A with ESPN 102.3 Broncos Insider, Audible Host, and Footballguys writer Cecil Lammey.

Senior Bowl Interview with WR Jeff Fuller

0 Comments read Players, Wide Receiver
Fuller has the build and core skills of a future NFL starter, but his status as a top-tier player at his position in this class is now questionable due to an inconsistent senior year.

This Q&A of Texas A&M wide receiver Jeff Fuller took place at the Senior Bowl’s media night. I was unable to identify the reporters at the beginning of this session so I have labeled them Reporter 1 and Reporter 2. Fuller is a 6’4”, 217-pound receiver with experience in a pro-style offense brought to College Station by former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike Sherman. Here’s what Fuller had to say about his up and down senior year, his learning progression during his college career, and what he expects to face during his transition to the NFL. Continue reading →