Posts tagged 2012 RSP

UNC DE Quinton Coples: The Importance of Pad Level

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Is UNC defensive end Quinton Coples the next Jason Pierre-Paul? Jene Bramel says the potential is there but like everything earned in life, he has to put in the work to hone his gifts. Photo by Jene Bramel.

By Jene Bramel

Editor’s Note: Dr. Jene Bramel is a staff writer at Footballguys.com where he is among the best in the fantasy football business analyzing individual defensive players and player injuries. His top-notch work includes the columns “Reading the Defense,” “Second Opinion,” and his popular segments on The Audible podcasts. Jene would never tell you these things himself, but since I get to play editor he just has to deal with the fact that he’s getting the praise he deserves. Whenever I get the chance I beg him (and on occasion, “throw” a basketball game or two), to contribute here at the RSP blog. Follow Jene on Twitter @JeneBramel.

UNC’s Quinton Coples has the frame and body type that makes scouts drool and defensive line coaches want to stand on a table. That’s not hard to do when a defensive end from an ACC school has the height (6’6″), weight (281 pounds), hands (10-plus inches), arm length (33-plus inches), and wingspan (in excess of 80 inches) that makes him a top-10 prospect in most drafts.

Although his frame and athleticism are NFL-ready, Coples has flaws in his technique that may keep him from reaching his vast potential during his rookie year. Coples isn’t alone in this regard. Continue reading →

David Wilson’s Vision: Part IV – Exploring the Gray Area

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Wrapping up David Wilson Week at the RSP Blog with some good plays that might have been better in more experienced hands. Photo by Tech Sports.

If you’ve missed David Wilson Week at the RSP blog you can catch up by reading parts I, II, and III. If you want to start here that’s fine, too. No one is going to write you a ticket for improper blog reading.

Ever watch a ball carrier in a football game finish a good run and still wonder if his choices were the best ones? If you watch the game with any regularity it has probably crossed your mind numerous times. The “what-if” game is a natural part of being an avid football fan.

I had these questions arise while studying Virginia Tech RB David Wilson’s Sugar Bowl performance against Michigan. I frequently saw good runs where Wilson deserved praise for the work he did, but his decisions still left me wondering if he left better choices on the field. Would a runner with Wilson’s physical skills and greater vision been able to do more with these attempts? I don’t know if I have a good answer.

These runs are “gray area,” plays. I watched these runs enough to believe there’s a chance Wilson could have made a different decision and generated a better outcome on the play, but I think its highly debatable. Still, the alternative for each run profiled below is obvious enough to generate a post and potentially some worthwhile discussion. Continue reading →

2012 RSP Update

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With the NFL well into its postseason, I’m steadily working my way through draft prospects for the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio, which will be sold exclusively through a link to a secure shopping page you can access from this blog. If you’d like to purchase the 2011 RSP it is still available for $9.95. Back issues are available for $5.95 apiece until April 1.

To buy past RSPs, email me at mattwaldmanrsp@gmail.com and include the years you wish to purchase (2006-2011 are available) and the email I can use to send you a PayPal invoice as well as the publications once the invoice is paid. After March 31, Continue reading →

RSP Cutting Room Floor: College RB and WR Notes

0 Comments read Players, Running Back, Wide Receiver
Jarrett Boykin has NFL athleticism but the Hokie offense didn't demand him to develop NFL receiver skills. Photo by Gary Cope.

If you haven’t noticed, the RSP blog is often my catchall area to write about anything I can relate to football. Nonetheless, rookie evaluation is still far and away the headliner. With the regular NFL season in the books I’ve ramped up my film study of college players. Here’s a few odds and ends about several players I’ve watched recently. For much more in-depth analysis, get the Rookie Scouting Portfolio publication available April 1.

Western Kentucky RB Bobby Rainey is the best running back prospect you’ve never heard of. Continue reading →