Posts tagged 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio

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

0 Comments read Players, Running Back

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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.

No. 4 RB David Wilson

0 Comments read Players, Running Back
David Wilson is my No.4 RB in the 2012 RSP. Here’s an excerpt of my ranking thoughts on Wilson in the New York Times Fifth Down Blog.

4. David Wilson, running back, Virginia Tech (5-9, 206)

Physically, Wilson might have as much upside as any back in this draft, and from this perspective, he might be the best back to come out of Virginia Tech. Ryan Williams was a conceptually smarter runner with great effort and a strong array of skills, but purely from an athletic perspective Wilson is to Williams what Trent Richardson is to Mark Ingram.

Wilson’s quickness, speed, balance and stop-start agility are among the best in the country, and it makes him a special athlete/runner in the open field. Get him in space and he’s a nightmare to bring down. When he’s disciplined about what he’s doing conceptually, he has the pad level, acceleration and technique to be productive as a between-the-tackles, chain-moving runner.

Wilson is a “strong” 205 pounds, and I think he can probably [Click here for more]

Also see my David Wilson Series:

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

New York Times Fifth Down Blog Top-Five Series

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Polk kicks off my series of the top-five players at each skill position at the New York Times Fifth Down Blog. Photo by James Santelli.

For the second year, I’ve been invited to contribute my top-five skill players at each position at theNew York Times Fifth Downblog. Today, I begin with Washington RB Chris Polk:

5.  Chris Polk, running back, Washington (5-10, 215)

Physically and conceptually, Polk is almost everything you want from a lead back or a feature runner in the N.F.L. He is one of the better after-contact runners in the 2012 class, but it might not seem that way to some because he frequently he has to work hard to get yardage past the line of scrimmage. Upon closer examination,  he does it with good balance, quick feet and good leg drive after contact. He has some of the more impressive 2-yard runs I’ve seen all year.

He has both punishing power and slippery power, which is an unusual combination for a player. He is strong enough in both his upper and lower body to run through wraps, bounce off hits and ward of defenders with a stiff arm to get yards after contact. He also likes to punish defenders at the end of runs.

But Polk is not just a powerful back. [Click here for more]

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

RSP Contest Winners

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Congratulations for Kyle Dwyer, who was the first to correctly name the three University of Miami Hurricanes for yesterday’s RSP Contest.

These three RBs comprised the top-five all-time rookie rushing seasons in NFL history:

  • Ottis Anderson
  • Edgerrin James
  • Clinton Portis

Kyle, Joe Upegui, and David Barr scored a free Rookie Scouting Portfolio of their choice from 2006-2011.

In addition, Jack Heneghan suggested the RSP title “Futures Market,” for my new Football Outsider’s column scheduled for its first run this Monday. I had “Futures” on my short list of titles and I’m going to roll with “Futures.”

Jack’s suggestion tipped it over the edge so I’m giving him a copy of the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio.

If you haven’t checked out the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio, here’s some of the feedback I’ve received this week:

Great work this year, the links [to YouTube highlights and interviews] are a great addition!

-Lami Harmon

Thanks Matt – it’s been a fantastic read so far… just like every other year!

-Mike Torok

Thank you, Santa.  This is the best RSP yet, and I’ve just barely         broken the seal on it.  So much good stuff.  Thanks for your hard work and love of this aspect of the game.
                                            -Dave Hamill
Schwing!!!!
                -David Collins

Remember, 10 percent of all 2012 purchases will be going to Darkness to Light, a non-profit that combats sexual abuse.

I’ll be back tomorrow with Reads Listens Views…

Contests: Win a Past Issue of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio

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Eric Dickerson holds the rookie rushing record with 390 attempts for 1808 yards. Name thee of the top five from the same college and win a past issue of the RSP. Photo by Master Sgt. Cohen A. Young

I’m in a giving mood today and I also have to think of a name for my Football Outsider’s Saturday Column (as well as write it), which will cover college players with NFL prospects – similar to what I do here. So today, I’m having a contest:

The three people to correctly answer this question will win a past issue (2006-2011) of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio.

In addition, I’ll give away a 2012 RSP if you can suggest a name for my new column that I like enough to use. I can’t guarantee I’ll hear one I like enough to use, but would appreciate the ideas.

There’s also a different contest going on my Facebook page. Like that page and answer that three-part question correctly and you could earn a chance to win.

The NFL’s top-five rookie years for rushing yardage includes three backs who came from the same college. Name the college and the three backs.

[contact-form subject=”The Rookie Scouting Portfolio Contests: Win a Past Issue of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio ” to=”mattwaldmanrsp@gmail.com”] [contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Name the college the three RBs share.” type=”text” /] [contact-field label=”RB No.1″ type=”text” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”RB No.2″ type=”text” /] [contact-field label=”RB No.3″ type=”text” /] [contact-field label=”Suggested Football Outsiders column title” type=”text” /] [/contact-form]

Cal WR Keenan Allen: Creating Separation With His Hands

0 Comments read Players, Wide Receiver
Keenan Allen might have DeSean Jackson’s fancy footwork in a 6’3, 205 lbs. frame, but he also flashes some quality hands in more ways than one. Photo by John Martinez Pavliga.

I’ll still be writing about 2012 NFL Draft prospects in the coming months, but with the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio in the books – and available for download – I’m also beginning my work for next year’s draft. See below.

If you’ve been reading my blog for at least a couple of months then you know I have an appreciation for former Cal wide receiver Marvin Jones. As much as I enjoy his technical skill at the position, Jones’ contributions were sometimes overshadowed by the terrific athleticism of his teammate Keenan Allen. The rising junior is 6’3″, 205 lbs. of quick-twitch, X-box-inspired moves once the ball is in his hands. Continue reading →

QB Guru George Whitfield: “How I’d Build Tim Tebow”

0 Comments read Players, Quarterback, Reads Listens Views

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George Whitfield is quickly becoming known (by the media) as a QB guru. Here’s a cool segment breaking down Tim Tebow’s mechanics. Whitfield does not work with Tebow, but he believes Tebow can become “an effective…if not, great” NFL quarterback and he lays out how he’d help Tebow to achieve it.

If you’re looking for a chance to learn more about quarterbacking techniques – good and bad – this is an insightful watch.

I’ll be posting more analysis of players on this blog on Wednesday and next week I hope to begin breaking down players for 2013 – yes, 2013 😉

And as sincerely as I can convey this to you – thank you for reading this blog and thank you for being 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio readers. I have a loyal base or readers, which is one of the big ways I know I’m doing something right with this publication. If you’re considering the publication for the first time, these are some of the comments I get from readers every year.

I’m taking my wife out to dinner tonight – she deserves at least that for the support she provides for me to indulge in what can be an obsession.

 

2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio is Ready for Download!

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The 2012 RSP is ready for download now. If you pre-ordered, you can go directly to this page and enter your login and password.

A big thanks to Jene Bramel doing his part ot edit and Mike MacGregor for getting the download site set up.

Here’s the Tale of the Tape:

  • Approximately 175 pages of magazine style analysis
    • Rankings
    • Player comparisons
    • Skill set break-downs by position
    • Draft history data by position
    • Fantasy football overviews
    • Bookmarked menus for easy drill-down
    • Links to highlight videos
    • Overrated/Underrated/Projects
  • 800 pages of play-by-play analysis on 151 players at the offensive skill positions.
    • Each position has its own criteria and scoring system
    • Play-by-play documentation of what happened and my observations
    • Transparent process to studying players
  • A complete glossary of scoring criteria

Remember, 10 percent of this year’s sales will be donated to Darkness to Light, a non-profit dedicated to preventing sexual abuse.

I hope you enjoy it. If you’re a first-time reader…or even a seventh-time reader, drop me a line and let me know what you think!

Reads Listens Views 3/30/12

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Perhaps the craziest stride on a top college RB ever.

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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 →

2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio Publication Update

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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.

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Mel Kiper better look out.