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Eye Catching Tweets From NFL Camps 8/7

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Is Browns runner Montario Hardesty dealing with a setback or just the reality that he's not yet physically at the point where he orignally told reporters? Photo by Tennessee Journalist Wade Rackley.

While training camp is in session I will be selecting eye catching tweets from NFL beat writers, fantasy football writers, and football analysts, posting them here, and providing my take on the tweet.

Steve Smith (Carolina)

@josephperson Steve Smith: CAR new O is refreshing. Says Chudzinski is using him more effectively than Fox’s staff.

My Take: Smith says that Chudzinski is motioning him around the formation to gain more mismatches prior to the snap. This movement should also create easier opportunities for Cam Newton to process under center. I’m still skeptical that Smith is going to return to a level of production that rivals the height of his career, but the ability is still there. I also expect Greg Olsen to preoccupy safeties enough for Smith to see more single coverage. For you fantasy owners out there, I think Smith is worth a mid-round risk.

(More) James Starks

RobDemovsky: Looks like Starks is the third down back. He was in on third-and-13 with three wides and a TE.

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Hall of Fame and Tweets 8/6

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Lott's bust even looks fierce. Might be the best rendition of any player in that sense.
A couple of months ago I had a chance to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Here’s the link to the original post with a slideshow of the exhibit.

Blaine Gabbert

ChrisWesseling: From @PriscoCBS: What I saw from Gabbert is “like nothing I’ve witnessed on any #Jaguars‘ practice field in 16 years.” http://bit.ly/ptc4Mw

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Reads, Listens, and Views…and Tweets 8/5

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How good are UTEP's Kris Adams (Bears) and Cincinnati's Armon Binns (Jags)? The 2011 RSP has the low-down. Collage by Matt Waldman.

A great week of football at the Rookie Scouting Portfolio. A healthy dose of training camp helps. Special thanks to all of you who have subscribed to the blog or have made it part of your daily ritual. If you like what you’ve seen thus far, please consider these three acts of kindness: Continue reading →

Eye Catching Tweets From NFL Camps 8/4

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I don't know what kind of arm Ochocinco has, but Dez Bryant apparently has a great one. Link to a video demonstration at the end of this post. Photo by Navin Rajagopalan.

Twitter is a great place to get camp updates but they come so fast and furious, I thought I’d pick a few about players from various beat writers and provide my takes on these quick reports. 

Derrick Mason:

@jamisonhensley is reporting Derrick. Mason will sign with the #Jets tomorrow. If he does Floyd needs to be a Raven by the end of the day

My Take: I don’t know about Floyd “needing” to be a Raven. Sounds like panicky thinking to me if that happens. Seriously is it just me, or does the Ravens possibly  going from Derrick Mason to Malcolm Floyd feeling like settling? Continue reading →

Eye Catching Tweets From NFL Camps 8/3

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Why will Marshawn Lynch be happier in 2011? Thank Raiders ex-pats Tom Cable, Robert Gallery, and now Zach Miller. Photo by Matt McGee

 

Twitter is a great place to get camp updates but they come so fast and furious, I thought I’d pick a few about rookies from various beat writers and provide my takes on these quick reports.  

 

Blaine Gabbert: @Taniaganguli‘ s piece on Blaine Gabbert’s defense of David Garrard provide a glimpse of the maturity and perspective that the beat writers have observed from the rookie thus far. The article also summarizes the speed and arm that has impressed Gene Frennette enough to say that Gabbert has the best arm of any passer he’s seen in Jacksonville.

My Take: I still think Gabbert will be the best prospect in this class. I think the criticisms of the spread offense and his reactions to pressure in the pocket are overdone. Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers had issues with how to handle pressure in the pocket. But much like Rodgers, and unlike Ryan, Gabbert has the athleticism to make plays on the move that will serve him well as a pro. He’s capable of franchise-caliber throws and he’s already shown a little of that in camp. I hope the Jaguars sit him for a year. Of course, I hope that for most rookie quarterbacks.

Ryan Mathews: @ffootball tweeted a link to an AP piece on Mathews’ first week of camp. Despite Mathews failing a conditioning test, Norv Turner and RB coach Ollie Wilson are confident in their second-year runner breaking out in 2011. Even Mike Tolbert feels he and Mathews complement each other and present a formidable tandem for opposing defenses.

My Take: I came away from the article with no discernible answer about what happened with the conditioning test. Was it the toe or the lack of conditioning that was the reason for Mathews failing the conditioning test? Despite this nagging question, Norv Turner’s high expectations seem in line with the notion that Mathews will have first crack at the feature back role and he’ll need to really blow it in order for Mike Tolbert to take over.

Of course frame of reference is everything with the media. If you listen to some NFL analysts/reporters who have already been down on Mathews they have proclaimed him a bust. I fall on the other side of the fence – but I’ve stated my view last month.

Zach Miller: @Greg Cosell tweets, ” Z. Miller a surprise to SEA. Personnel dictates a lot of 2 TE packages w/Carlson. Run game foundation. Need to manipulate + manage Jackson.”

New Seahawks left tackle Robert Gallery and fellow Raider's ex-pat Zach Miller will be a huge help in translating former Oakland coach Tom Cables run schemes to the field. Marshawn Lynch should have a solid year. Photo by Jeffrey Beall.

My Take: Tom Cable, Robert Gallery, and Zach Miller all in Seattle this year. No coincidence, whatsoever. I’m thinking Marshawn Lynch will have enough of the 2010 Raiders running game going for him that he should have more success in 2012. Cable is regarded as a heck of a line coach and I believe it after what he did to open gargantuan holes for Darren McFadden last year. Gallery and Miller should figure prominently in at least giving Lynch a crease. In Lynch’s case, that’s all he really needs. In contrast to his career thus far, those creases will probably look like craters.

Osi Umenyiora: @jamisonhensley reports, ” Source tells Mike Preston: Several of the #Ravens top officials have urged general manager Ozzie Newsome to make the deal for Umenyiora.”

@ChrisWesseling: #Giants have reportedly dropping the Umenyiora asking price to a 2nd-rounder. #Ravens, #Patriots among 5 teams in hunt: http://bit.ly/oJrabn

My Take: Baltimore or New England are absolutely great places for the Giants DE to land. These are veteran locker rooms that will keep Umenyiora from acting out to the detriment of the team. Even if Umenyiora plays a limited role as a third-down pass rusher opposite Terrell Suggs, the Ravens defense could be dangerous enough to possibly weather Joe Flacco’s ups and downs in big games (Okay, I won’t go that far). I don’t need to tell you how this helps the Patriots.

Eddie Royal: These three tweets tell a bit of an interesting story…

milehighsalute Mile High Salute: Denver Broncos receiver Eddie Royal‘s 2010 injury took time to identify: Royal, who was listed on the Broncos’ i… http://bit.ly/o5EHru
cecillammey Cecil Lammey: I liked what I saw from Eddie Royal today… adjusted to poorly thrown pass from Orton in stride, gathered it and turned upfield, good play!
cecillammey Cecil Lammey Eddie Royal is back! Wow, has he really been impressive, he’s working hard to be team’s number 2 WR opposite Lloyd:
My Take: Lammey has talked about Royal having issues running zone routes (that he stunk at it). I’m interested in hearing from Lammey if he’s seen anything to indicate that has changed or if John Fox’s system pretty much dictates that defenses use more man coverage on receivers.  At worst, Royal is showing major signs of life.
The Broncos receiving corps is shaping up to include a deep threat/red zone playmaker in Brandon Lloyd; a shifty threat in Royal who can turn short plays into longs ones; and a big, sturdy route runner who can make tough plays in the middle of the field in Eric Decker. Seems like a potential upgrade to Jabar Gaffney, doesn’t it?

Eye-catching Tweets From NFL Camps 8/2

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Yes, I've used this photo before. But like Green, it's just too good to just look at it once. Photo by Tennessee Journalist (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tnjn/5064947481/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

Twitter is a great place to get camp updates but they come so fast and furious, I thought I’d pick a few about rookies from various beat writers and provide my takes on these quick reports.  

Packers WR Randall Cobb

Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press Gazette reports that Packers rookie receiver Randall Cobb put on a clinic Monday night, making grabs over the middle, in traffic, and flashing excellent burst and skill after the catch. According to Vandermause, Cobb is learning all of the wide receiver positions.

My Take: Cobb is one of my favorite players in this rookie class. He reminds me of Santonio Holmes because Continue reading →

Reads, Listens, and Views 7/29/11

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A visual metaphor for a team without Frank Gore perhaps? Photo by Addressehere

Another nice week here at the Rookie Scouting Portfolio. It helps that the NFL has a CBA agreement that lasts a decade with no opt-out clause. Special thanks to all of you who have subscribed to the blog or have made it part of your daily ritual. If you like what you’ve seen thus far, please consider these three acts of kindness:

  1. Subscribe to this blog. It’s free.
  2. Share this blog with your friends.
  3. Send me feedback.

As the college football season approaches, I’ll be posting more prospect analysis that you’ll likely see in the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio, available here for purchase in the early spring.

Each Friday, I’ll be sharing what I’ve been reading, listening, and viewing each week – football, fantasy football, and non-football.

This week includes:

  • Two stat-oriented, fantasy profiles from Bryan Fontaine on Tim Tebow and Ryan Mathews.
  • Footballguy Sigmund Bloom’s always entertaining, jocular, and informative Buy Low/Sell High column.
  • Rick Reilly covering an NFL agent’s day post-lockout – entertaining.
  • More of Chris Brown’s treasure trove at Smart Football.
  • Guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel fronting an all-star quintet of musicians on a tune that sounds like something you’d hear if aliens kidnapped Thelonius Monk and transported him light years to an intergalactic blues joint.

Continue reading →

Reads, Listens, and Views – 7/21

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Football helmet of the late Owen Thomas, a former University of Pennsylvania football player, brought to the hearing on H.R 6172, Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act by his mother, Rev. Katherine E. Brearley, Ph.D.Photo by House Committee on Education and Workforce Dem http://www.flickr.com/photos/edlabordems/

 

It has been a fun couple of months here at the Rookie Scouting Portfolio. I want to extend a hearty thanks to all of you who have been repeat visitors to my blog and given me some terrific feedback. If you like what you’ve seen thus far, please consider these three acts of kindness:

  1. Subscribe to this blog. It’s free.
  2. Share this blog with your friends.
  3. Send me feedback.

As we get into the college football season, I’ll be posting more prospect analysis as I conduct research for the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio, which will be available here for purchase in the early spring.

A new thing I’ll be doing on the blog is sharing what I’ve been reading, listening, and viewing each week – football, fantasy football, and non-football.

This week includes:

  • Important research on football safety.
  • Footballguy Jason Wood’s well-reasoned thoughts on WR Brandon Lloyd.
  • A poetic view of blue collar life by the great Phillip Levine.
  • A barking cat.
  • Grammy Winning bassist-singer-composer Esperanza Spalding.

    • Continue reading →

In Perspective: Marshall Faulk Defensive Back???

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Every year the draft brings rookies into the league and many of the prospects have question marks about their game. Pick a player and there’s a criticism: too short, too light, too slow, not muscular enough, didn’t play well against top competition, came from a lesser program, you name it.

This is why I love YouTube as a football fan. With Marshall Faulk heading to Canton this August, I wanted to check out his highlights at San Diego State. The second overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft, Faulk was the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and the Pro Bowl MVP. However just for kicks, watch this highlight package from his years as an Aztec and tell me from a physical standpoint – height (5’10”) and weight (207 lbs.) – and the plays you see on the highlights, whether you would project him as an every down back, much less a Hall of Famer.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/TDOyV1bphoE]

There’s no question about his speed and lateral agility, but nowadays Faulk might have been classified as a third-down back.

A video like this one is also why NFL teams should never judge a player based on prepackaged highlights (see my piece Evaluating the Evaluator, which highlights an argument that resulted from Rams GM Charlie Armey trying to push that style of evaluation onto former scout Dave Razzano with QB Alex Smith). Imagine a compilation of highlights like this one where we see very limited evidence of his balance after contact? A GM with Armey’s mentality could intend to show his staff the big-play ability of Faulk with the unintended consequence that Faulk lacked every down skills as a runner.

It sounds like a stretch to say this about Faulk, but remember, major college programs like Nebraska recruited him as a defensive back. Faulk could have never even gotten a whiff of the pros if he didn’t stand his ground and state he’d only play running back.

Just some things to think about when consider the value NFL teams place on the wisdom of major college programs as well as the value of highlight packages….

An Unexpected Visit With Family

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On Saturday, my wife and daughter drove to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to attend a family event, which I hoped to make, but I had work that kept me home. At least that’s what I thought. Then I received news that my grandmother passed away.

By Sunday morning I was on the road for an 11-hour trek to Cleveland, Ohio for a Monday funeral. Despite the unexpected and somber circumstances, it was nice to reconnect with several members of family. I hope my wife and I can make our way to Ohio soon for a future visit to include time with those family members I didn’t get to see.

As I reviewed my route online, I realized I would be going through Canton, which got me thinking about the possibility of seeing the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When I saw its unmistakable football-shaped roof whiz by my window on I-77, it occurred to me that if I had time on my way home that this was another family I needed to reconnect with. A family that had not only added many new members, but had also made additions and renovations to its house since I was last there. A family I hadn’t seen in at least 35 years as a six- or seven-year-old who couldn’t remember much or really appreciate the time spent.

I don’t think I’m wrong to say that for most of you there’s a sense of a familial connection to many of the players in Hall of Fame. It might not be a connection by blood, but the legends and heroes of our youth has created a deep and everlasting bond. Realizing that this was a golden opportunity, I made it a priority on the way home.

With the current labor strife I think we all need a reminder why we love football. And within the confines of this building are the players, coaches, owners, and commissioners who made this game great. If I could I’d take the owners and players on a tour to remind them that it was a collective effort that made this game great, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately I don’t have that kind of money and I arrived equipped with only a cellphone camera. However, I think I did the exhibit enough justice to share them with you (105 photos with captions).  If you value the game like me then this is your family, too, and many of you might never get a chance to pay a visit. I hope you get a chance to come, but if not I hope my “photo tour” will give you a better idea of what its like.

As you can imagine, it is well worth the visit. The time flew faster than Darrell Green chasing down Eric Dickerson (which you can also see on video here). In fact, I could have stayed another four hours if not if I didn’t need to return to Athens for work the next day. Hell, I could have stayed another four hours in the post-exhibit area that’s filled with Madden games, a football throwing cage, and guess-the-play, bar games. Hopefully I’ll be back again but if I’m not, this was a visit I’ll actually remember and with players I treasured watching.

[slideshow]