Posts tagged 2012 RSP

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.

[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

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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.

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

Mel Kiper better look out.

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

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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 →

Reader Q&A – Ask Your Question Here

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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

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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 →

Juron Criner: “Trust Me”

0 Comments read Players, Wide Receiver
Arizona WR Juron Criner is a “Trust Me” player. See below (trust me).

Whether it was in a stadium, the park, the street, or your friend’s back yard, I know you’ve been in a situation where you knew you could take the man assigned to you. All you had to do was convince your quarterback. The fewer the words, the better.

“Trust me.”

Continue reading →

Tight Quarters: LaMichael James

0 Comments read Players, Running Back
LaMichael James plays in an offense tailored to his strengths, but there are still game situations that reveal he has a fighting chance to do more than catch screens and run draws in the NFL. Photo by Neon Tommy.

LaMichael James is a short, quicksilver running back in an offense that plays at a break-neck tempo. There’s little doubt that he can have an impact as a kick return specialist and a third-down back in the NFL. And if the Broncos don’t land Peyton Manning and continue with some form of spread option offense, James could be a nice fit as an integral part of Denver’s backfield as my Footballguys.com colleague Cecil Lammey suggests.

However, let’s presume that “the future” is not “now” when it comes to offensive concepts and James must work in a traditional, pro-style offense. Does he have what it takes to perform as a between the tackles runner in the NFL? Can he carry the load like Warrick Dunn did for a couple of years with the Atlanta Falcons?  I’m looking at a few plays that provide some indication of what James can – and can’t – do.

Yesterday, I examined James in a short-yardage situation. Today, I’m looking at a play that requires an ability to carry the football in tight quarters. This is an aspect of James’ game where I think he shines. Continue reading →