Date Archives March 2012

Reads Listens Views 3/30/12

0 Comments read Uncategorized

Perhaps the craziest stride on a top college RB ever.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/5mOFEwbOjGo]

Keith Byars might have run like one of the Flintstones, but he had a heck of a career as a Joker for the Eagles and Patriots.

We’re counting down to the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio, which will be available for download on April 1. I’d count on it happening sometime after 7 pm EST. You can pre-order here or download past issues now.

I just finished my initial phase of running back analysis. What’s left is ranking and writing the chapter. All of the notes and reports are ready to place into the chapter. Once that’s done, it’s just a matter of putting together the book.

Here’s a final list of players who will be  in the publication (sorted by alpha). Continue reading →

National Football Post Draftnik Roundtable

0 Comments read Players, Quarterback
The more I watch Russell Wilson, the more I like him. I know realistically that his height means “backup,” but he’s still a fine talent worth a serious shot. Photo by Seth Youngblood.

Monday afternoon, I joined Josh Buchanan of JBScouting, Josh Norris of Rotoworld.com, and Wes Bunting of the National Football Post for Draftnik Roundtable 6.0,  a half-hour discussion of quarterbacks not named Griffin or Luck. This is a series Bunting has created for the NFP.

If you want to learn more about Bunting, I did a four-part interview with him last summer (here’s Part I) and we discussed a variety of topics related to his start as a draft analyst and our takes on the craft of studying player performance.

It was a fun discussion and I think we all hope to do more of these with Wes in the future. If you follow Josh Norris on Twitter, please feel free to tell him that he doesn’t need to call me “Mr.” I’ve tried several times to tell him so, but his good, southern upbringing just won’t let him give up so easily.

If you’re not following Josh Norris, Josh Buchanan or Wes Bunting on Twitter, I recommend you do so:

  • Follow Wes on twitter: @WesBunting
  • Follow Josh Norris on twitter: @JoshNorris
  • Follow Josh Buchanan on twitter: @JoshBDraft
  • I’ll add @ryanlownes, @optimumscouting, and ABXXV25 to that list.

Back to QB write-ups. Some likely surprises in my rankings, but that’s not unusual. It’s not because I try to make a splash – I just do most of my watching cloistered away.

2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio Publication Update

0 Comments read Uncategorized
Getting to the end zone on a long drive towards finishing the 2012 RSP. Details below. Photo by Joint Base Lewis McChord

I’ll keep this short and sweet: I’m on schedule for the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio publication to be ready for download the evening/night of Sunday, April 1. If you’ve pre-ordered the publication, I’ll write a blog post and use Twitter and Facebook to notify when it’s ready to download.

Remember, all RSP purchases in 2012 will have 10 percent of its monies donated to the non-profit organization Darkness to Light.

For those of you that have pre-ordered, thank you for not only doing so but suggesting it in the first place. It’s humbling to have this kind of early response for the RSP and I have to tell you that while I have added new analysis to the publication this year, this is the first time in the history of the RSP that I’m actually looking forward to starting the book for 2013 before the 2012 NFL Draft.

You’re a big reason why.

If it goes as planned – and I believe it will – I  think the 2013 RSP will be a significant improvement from the past seven issues combined.

I’ll leave you with some Jarrett Boykin analysis…from a really young draftnik. Awesome early start for this kid.

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

Mel Kiper better look out.

UT-Chattanooga QB B.J. Coleman: Decision-Making is Also Fundamental

0 Comments read Players, Quarterback
B.J. Coleman copied Peyton Manning’s drops and play fakes to a “T.” Here’s a look at both guts and in flawed decision-making by the young prospect with late-round value. Photo by chattanoogaalumni.

For a more in-depth breakdown, see my analysis of Coleman at FootballOutsiders.com

A few weeks ago, I profiled East Carolina receiver Lance Lewis and demonstrated how his fade routes often appear identical to Patriots receiver Brandon Lloyd. In that post, I mentioned that University of Tennessee-Chattanooga QB B.J. Coleman’s drop, play fake, and release of the football is no different than Peyton Manning. Coleman voraciously studied Peyton Manning’s game as a redshirt freshman at Tennessee before transferring to Chattanooga and it has paid huge dividends with his fundamentals.

I had a chance to watch Coleman again this weekend with my Footballguys.com pals Cecil Lammey, Sigmund Bloom, and David Dodds (Jene Bramel would pop in, see one bad throw, and then mock us before returning to the NCAA tourney). I’m not going to detail how Coleman looks like Manning here. It’s pretty obvious once you see it. So, here’s highlights of the Shrine Game:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/__GQYD1aRi8]

You have to admire a young player like Coleman to copy the best fundamental physical skills of a great like Manning. I bet coaches and GMs wish more Continue reading →

Joining Football Outsiders

0 Comments read Uncategorized
I'm not sure what German Shepherd this guy is training (check out the pants), but I'm suiting up for the Football Outsiders' team to write a pro prospect analysis column on Saturdays. Photo from Claremont Colleges Digital Library.

I’m pleased to announce that I will be joining Football Outsiders to pen analysis on pro prospects.  My weekly column will be published on Saturdays beginning this fall until the NFL Draft. I will provide player/game analysis of high-performing college players, including non-skill positions on both sides of the ball.

I’m excited become a part of another great team of writers on the Internet, but nothing else is changing. You can still find me writing fantasy football-related content at Footballguys.com and maintaining this blog. Football Outsiders is an additional opportunity to write about what I study.

I want to thank all of you who read and recommend my work on a regular basis. You’re a great audience and I appreciate the opportunities you have helped to provide. I’m still thinking of a name for the column so if you have suggestions, I’m all ears.

Arkansas WR Greg Childs: Career Resurrection?

0 Comments read Players, Wide Receiver
Ryan Williams is working his way back from a Career Near-Death Experience. See what WR Greg Childs was like before his.

The Career Near-Death Experience. This is one of my favorite Bloomisms of football writing. A Bloomism is what I call the slang that Footballguys and Bleacher Report Draft Analyst Sigmund Bloom (who is also a medalist in some Writer-Olympiad) creates to encompass various football experiences, states of mind, or rights of passage in the sport.

The Career Near-Death Experience is an event where a player faces his career mortality. All players face it at some point. Those that don’t cross to the other side discover a new and better way to approach the game. Former wide receiver Cris Carter had a career near-death experience as drug addict when playing with the Philadelphia Eagles and Coach Buddy Ryan helped save the receiver with a southern fried reprise of the ghost of Christmas Future.

The career near-death experience can also manifest Continue reading →

Reader Email Bag

0 Comments read Reads Listens Views
49ers fans beware. Manningham is a terrific talent, but his skill for working at his game hasn't been part of the package.

This email bag includes topics pertaining to Robert Turbin, Blaine Gabbert, physical skills and techniques I value from players at each skill position, and of course, Mario Manningham.

(From Alexandra): When evaluating a player entering the draft, what are the positives of his skills that make a difference once in the NFL, and what are the negatives of his skills that are correctable in the NFL?  Which negatives are not so correctable and therefore devalue the potential of the player in the NFL? Continue reading →

Reader Q&A – Ask Your Question Here

0 Comments read Reads Listens Views
Got a question? Ask it below and I'll answer for tomorrow (photo courtesy of Andrew Morrell Photography).

For the next two weeks, I’m reviewing game notes, writing content, and constructing reports for the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio available for download April 1. You can click the link and pre-order if you wish. Back issues (2006-2011) are available there for immediate download.

Today, I’m switching things up at the blog. Ask me a question in the form below about free agency, the draft, or the RSP and I’ll post and answer them here late tonight-early tomorrow.

[contact-form subject=”Reader Q&A” to=”mattwaldmanrsp@gmail.com”] [contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Question” type=”textarea” required=”true” /] [/contact-form]

Reads Listens Views 3/16/2012

0 Comments read Uncategorized

Looking for Mr. Dunn? Keep looking…

[youtube=http://youtu.be/yov6BjKx3A0]

I like James, but Dunn was the right talent at the right time.

Blog News

Based on numerous requests in recent weeks, I’m now accepting pre-orders for the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio. Available for download April 1, I am unofficially through with the game study phase of my analysis. I have a few more games of specific players I want to review, but it’s time to put the book together.

You can also purchase and immediately download past issues of the RSP (2006-2011) at the same link. Thanks to my friend, Mike MacGregor who helped me get the purchase area set up during my busiest time of the year.

Remember, 10 percent of my 2012 sales will be going to the non-profit Darkness to Light. The organization is committed to eliminating sexual abuse Continue reading →