Posts tagged 2012 Draft

Futures: My New Football Outsiders Column

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

[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.

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

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

Fifth Down Blog Sr. Bowl Practice Notes

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.