Date Archives April 2012

The No-Huddle Series

0 Comments read Matt Waldman
Arian Foster would have been in my No-Huddle Series if I had a blog back them. Read more about the series below.

The No-Huddle will be a series of posts that feature just one play on a prospect that I think says something notable about him. The players in this series will mostly be (in my opinion) late-round prospects in this draft, at best. I may throw in some top prospects because I want to share something unusual about what I saw.

I’m hoping this will be a fun way to inform and cover players that aren’t in the headlines, but readers like you want to know something about.

Obviously, you can get a lot more on these players – including some who could see ascents similar to Ahmad Bradshaw, Arian Foster, Victor Cruz, or Tony Romo – if you download the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio.

You know I had to get that in.

Rankings Insight for This Year’s WR Class

0 Comments read Players, Wide Receiver
Marvin Jones can tell a story that keeps cornerbacks guessing a big reason he’s my No.4 WR in the NY Times RSP Series. Photo by John Martinez Pavliga.

When it comes to this series, I usually just provide a teaser of the post to the Fifth Down and link you to the rest. But with today’s receivers,  No.5 WR Greg Childs and No. 4 WR Marvin Jones, I want to discuss the thought process behind their unusually high ranking – and a few general philosophical points with how I rank players. I believe additional perspective is a good thing in this case because many of you reading this post are fantasy owners in addition to football fans and draftniks. Continue reading →

Reads Listens Views 4/13/2012

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/OhlgY0timTA]

For Maximum Effect: Mute the sound on this Cliff Branch highlight and open a second window on your browser and check out my link to the Gap Band’s “You Dropped a Bomb On Me,” later in this post.

Thank you

The response to the publication of the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio has been great. I appreciate the feedback from old and new readers alike. I’m already setting plans in motion to make 2013’s publication even better and I’m actually Continue reading →

The Best of the RSP Blog (Draft Reads) for 2011-2012

0 Comments read Matt Waldman

Sometime in May I plan to reorganize the site by draft year. Until then, this post contains a list of NFL Draft-worthy reads from this blog during the past 10-11 months I’ve been posting here. Before we get into that list, I want to take a moment to discuss one of the common questions I used to get over the years about my annual Rookie Scouting Portfolio: “What do I get from the RSP?”

One of the things that I haven’t mentioned in that list of things RSP readers get is what you’re reading right now: This blog. I created this blog for a number of reasons but more than anything, it is to give you an idea of the study and analysis that goes into the publication. I love Continue reading →

Mystery Pic Contest Winners

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Yesterday I held a contest with the above header photo on my blog that appeared randomly. If you were one of the first five to ID the character in the photo you win a free Rookie Scouting Portfolio of your choice from 2006-2011.Here are our five winners:

  1. Emil Kalinowski
  2. Jason Stark
  3. Matt Leidlein
  4. Larry Rosenthal
  5. B. Allen

I will be emailing you to find out which of the past RSPs you want.

Jason Stark also wins the second and third parts of the contest, as the first person to name the company the guy in the Elmo suit represents (Footballguys.com) and the identity of the man behind the suit (co-founder David Dodds).

Thanks for playing! I’ll do more of these when the mood strikes.

New York Times Fifth Down Blog: No.1 RB Trent Richardson

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/SfZXSoaigP0]

1.    Trent Richardson, Alabama (5-9, 228)

There are several impressive components to Trent Richardson’s game. His balance and agility combined with his strength make him a rare commodity among backs of his range of 220-230 pounds. He has the footwork and balance of a back 15-20 pounds lighter. And that balance is what makes him special. Once he gets a head of steam and lowers his pads, the way he runs through defenders looks effortless at times.

Richardson has the power to push the pile and grind his way through defenders that execute good wraps. More often than most running backs I see, Richardson seems to be the one [Click here to read more]

Download the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for analysis of over 151 prospects at QB, RB, WR, and TE.

New York Times Fifth Down Series: No. 2 RB Doug Martin

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/xSc_Fru5lQs]

2.    Doug Martin, Boise State (5-9, 223)

Martin reminds me of Ray Rice in the respect that he’s not abundantly fast once he reaches the second or third level, but his initial burst is top notch. He consistently defeats the angles of defenders as he enters and exits a hole because they misjudge his quickness, which is excellent for a back of his dimensions. Combined with the fact that he’s a strong, downhill runner who isn’t afraid to create a hole by ramming up the backsides of his linemen, he seems to be the product of a mad football scientist who spliced Rice with Frank Gore’s build.

Martin does three things that a lot of N.F.L.-caliber runners can do:[Click here to read more]

Download the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for analysis of over 151 prospects at QB, RB, WR, and TE.

Quick RSP Contest: Mystery Blog Pic

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There’s a header photo on my blog that appears randomly that is not a football player. Be one of the first five to ID the character in the photo and win a free Rookie Scouting Portfolio of your choice from 2006-2011.

Be the first person to name the company he represents and win either a second RSP from 2006-2011 or get a $5 discount on the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio. Be the first person to name the actual person impersonating the character and earn either a second free RSP from 2006-2011 or get a 50 percent discount on the 2012 RSP.

[contact-form] [contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Name of Character” type=”text” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Name of company” type=”text” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Name of actual person” type=”text” /] [/contact-form]

Futures: My New Football Outsiders Column

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Russell Wilson is short by NFL QB standards but matched with the right offense, there is a place for him in the league. Photo by Seth Youngblood.

This week’s column on Russell Wilson is titled, “Studying the Asterisk.” I studied three games of Wilson’s junior season at N.C. State – FSU, UNC, and Va. Tech – and I think there’s ample evidence that demonstrates why Wilson is an underrated commodity in this draft. I also provide some footage and analysis of Drew Brees to illustrate how Wilson could be used in an NFL offense to help a team win games.

Enjoy!

If you like the analysis you read at Football Outsiders, download the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for analysis of over 151 prospects at QB, RB, WR, and TE.

New York Times Fifth Down Series: No.3 RB Lamar Miller

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/f7dxPzUBoi4]

3.     Lamar Miller, running back, Miami (5-10, 212)

Lamar Miller is a potential Pro Bowl back. He’s at the sweet spot in terms of height, weight, speed and acceleration. He runs with patience and balance, and he protects the ball. He understands how to stay close to his blocks until an opening develops, and like Clinton Portis and Edgerrin James before him, he knows how to shorten his steps in traffic until he finds a cutback lane or alternate crease when the primary hole does not open.

He runs with good balance and power between the tackles. He can run through contact, and he has good enough footwork to prevent defenders from getting angles on him. He bends runs with good speed, and he has shown some skill to [Click here for the rest]

Download the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for analysis of over 151 prospects at QB, RB, WR, and TE.