Posts tagged Matt Waldman NFL

NFL Closeup: Le’Veon Bell’s Progress Report

November 19, 2013 0 Comments read Players, Running Back

Progress Report: Don't be a hero. See below. — Progress Report: Don’t be a hero. See below.

Just before the 2013 NFL Draft, I wrote a post about Le’Veon Bell. The gist of the analysis addressed why Bell was a polarizing prospect among fans and analysts and why I believed Bell has the athleticism and patience to prove his naysayers incorrect. Time to check on Bell’s progress.

The major criticisms of Bell’s game are that he 1) runs too much like a small back and won’t make plays with his agility in the NFL and 2) He bounces too many plays outside and needs to run tougher. Based on what I’ve seen this season – and a reflection of much of much of the analysis below – the progress report is a mixed bag.

The critics are correct that Bell makes choices like a small back. However, they are dead wrong about Bell not having enough quickness and agility to make productive plays with this style of running. Because Bell has been able to use his agility and quickness to his advantage, he is bouncing too many plays outside. It’s not so much that he needs to run tougher because he has shown plenty of power. What’s problematic for some to grasp is that Bell’s agility is at the root of the same types of rookie obstacles that we saw from backs like C.J. Spiller, LeSean McCoy, and Jamaal Charles.

Once this trio of backs learned when to bounce plays outside or drop the pads and pound inside based on down and distance situations, their home run speed became a true factor in their games. The difference between these backs and Bell is that once the Steeler runner learns to base his decision-making on down and distance situations, fans will begin to see the more punishing side of Bell’s game.

Agility and Quickness

Bell has shown that he can bounce plays outside and get the edge on a defense since he earned his first start in the regular season.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/Yi6pj_TTmsY]

Bell makes two cuts towards the edge, beats defensive end Brian Robison around the corner and takes it to the end zone. It’s a product of decent blocking the the cornerback peaking his head inside the tight end at the edge that gives Bell the angle to the flat. One of the things Bell is good at doing consistently is manipulating defenders to commit in the wrong direction and lose their original angle.

Here’s a run against the Lions last week where Bell earns the first down because of his agility. This is a 1st and 10 with 10:18 in the opening quarter against a Lions’ defense that commits eight defenders in the box to stop the run.

In a situation like this, the running back has to demonstrate good press and cut back skills to give his teammates a chance to generate a crease he can exploit. Bell will do this by pressing inside towards the right guard and center before bending the run to the tackle and ends.

Once Bell nears the opening, he cuts outside towards the edge. At this point, Bell opts to make a second press and cut back against the defender at the edge. If he doesn’t do so, the location of the defender’s helmet to the inside shoulder of the tight end indicates that the defender has inside leverage and should be able to wrap Bell at the line of scrimmage for a minimal gain.

Bell reaches the tight end and edge defender and makes a move towards the outside. When he does this, the edge defender and the defensive back in the right flat will react to the move and slide outside just long enough for the Pittsburgh runner to exploit the gap to the end’s inside shoulder.

Dip outside . . .

Edge defender moves head from blocker’s inside shoulder to outside shoulder, giving up his leverage . . .

Bell slides inside . . .

Bell bursts through the gap inside that he creates with his short area agility. Remember, Bell had excellent agility times during pre-draft workouts. If you didn’t trust what your eyes saw with the former Michigan State runner’s quickness during his college career, his workouts substantiated the analysis that Bell’s quickness would not be an issue.

Bell bursts through the crease and earns 12 yards untouched, forcing the defensive back to give chase rather than approach over top because of his initial move at the edge of the crease.

Bell dips away from the safety as he crosses the first down marker and is eventually dragged to the turf after a gain of 14 yards.

Later in the game, Bell bounces a second run to the far side end on a shotgun run for positive yards in the red zone. A big back bouncing outside to the far side tackle from the shotgun in the red zone cannot be a ponderous runner.

Although this run requires quickness on Bell’s part, it is a well designed run when examining it from the perspective of the formation. The Steelers are in a trips set to the left and this creates a situation where most of the defense is to the left of center. If blocked as planned, the center should be able to reach the linebacker at the right hash, the right guard and right tackle should seal the defensive tackle and defensive end and the receiver in the right flat should handle the cornerback. This could give Bell a one-on-one with the safety.

So far, so good. Bell takes the exchange as the center works towards the linebacker and the guard and center engage the right side of the Lions’ defensive line.

Bell considers working between his backside guard and tackle. On the one hand, I like that he’s at least thinking about getting down hill as soon as possible even if he ultimately bounces the run around his tackle. It’s a good choice, too, because Ndamukong Suh is working free of his man and will be meeting Bell unblocked if the runner enters this hole.

Bell is quick enough to bounce the run around the edge of the right tackle despite the fact that the defender has outside leverage.

If Bell were as slow as characterized by some, this would be a tackle for a loss within the next step, if not right now. Instead, Bell dips the inside shoulder and takes the corner.

Bell is fast enough to turn the corner and get his pads downhill. As the cornerback works up the flat, Bell decides to hurdle the defender.

Up . . .

Over . . .

And still maintains his balance as he lands after contact.

I’m not a big fan of runners hurdling defenders because it’s a reckless decision with more potential harm than good for the back and his football team. However, it’s still a fine display of quickness and agility from a back some deemed unable to execute these types of plays at the highest level of football.

Here’s a rare running play in Pittsburgh where the offensive line creates a hole fast and Bell doesn’t have to do much to create. The primary crease will be at left tackle and the receiver tight to the formation will dip between the end and tackle to root out the defensive back No.28.

The first course of action is for the Steelers’ left tackle, left guard, center, and right guard to slant to the right side and seal the inside while the ends seal the outside. As you can see with the location of the helmets, the offensive line has done its job moving the Patriots defense inside.

Bell approaches the line of scrimmage in a straight line and then bends the run outside to press the hole. The wide receiver tight to the formation at the beginning of the play works inside to address the safety. He doesn’t score a direct it but it’s enough to hook the defender and give Bell room to hit the crease. Bell is agile enough to change direction, make a second shift of weight and get downhill with an angle away from the DB.

The slight stutter and change of direction does the trick and the next three frames show Bell hitting the crease with good burst and gaining positive yards.

The blocking is sound, Bell makes a quick decision, bursts through the crease, and its a six-yard gain.

Of course, rarely does an NFL offensive line open this type of crease on a consistent basis. Good NFL starters have to demonstrate superior athleticism and/or creativity and decision-making to earn quality production. Bell has the athleticism. The decision-making is not all there but compared to other backs that have entered this league and had similar gaps of knowledge and maturity, Bell is on the right track.

Agility and Underrated Power

What I’ve read from critics who I know watch football is that Bell needs to run tougher and he needs to use his frame better. In some respects, I agree. However, there are enough examples where Bell displays power than people overlook because of poor statistical production. It’s also an illustration of a back integrating moves with his upper and lower body and powering through contact.

In fact, I’d say Bell does so many things right on this play, that if I could show him his run and the next 2nd and 4 run I’m going to show you, it would prove an instructive for the rookie to know when to create and when to drop the pads and take whatever is ahead of him. At this point of his rookie year, Bell has to do a better job of reading the field and making the decision that will put his team in the best position to succeed.

On this play, Bell bounces the run outside after the two defensive tackles and the inside linebacker show good position inside to foil a run up the middle.

There are several factors why I think Bell made a good decision to bounce this play outside. The first is the team’s field position. The Steelers are near mid-field and a potential loss of yards here doesn’t compress the range of plays that Pittsburgh might otherwise run if Bell lost yards inside its own 20. Further, it’s a first-quarter run on 2nd and 4. If it was a fourth-quarter run at the edge of field goal range and his team was down by two, then taking a risk to bounce a run outside and lose yards would be a bad decision.

Second, Bell spots three defenders capable of penetrating the middle before he even reaches the line of scrimmage. Bell’s best shot to earn positive yards before dealing with contact is to bounce outside. A third reason, is the position of the cornerback, who is working away from the line of scrimmage and with enough depth that Bell has a chance to win this one-on-one match up.

If the corner had his pads squared down hill and/or closer to the line, Bell would be better served to make one dip to slide to the right side, square his pads as soon as possible and hit the crease against the linebacker. Perhaps he could slide inside this linebacker, avoid direct contact and at least minimize a loss or earn a short gain. This is what Bell should have done on the next 2nd and 4 run that I show.

On this play, Bell reads the line and reacts accordingly, sliding to the edge after first considering the next hole from the center.

As Bell dips to the edge note the cornerback outside the right hash beginning to square his pads and work to the line of scrimmage. Bell has an advantage due to the distance and the fact that he is the first to get his pads downhill and anticipate the defender.

First, Bell has to take the edge. The rookie does this with a quick stiff arm on the edge defender coming free.

It takes strength, balance, and quickness to ward off a defender while moving east west without a lot of downhill momentum. But because fans aren’t seeing Bell run through open holes with a start of 5-7 yards before dropping the pads on a linebacker and running over the defender, the runner’s power isn’t as obvious.

After turning the corner with the stiff arm, Bell gets down hill and assesses his angle on the cornerback. What I like is that within five yards of making two moves to bounce outside and then a stiff arm, Bell still has a head fake in his arsenal to set up the cornerback. The defender bites outside due to the fake and Bell now has a chance to run inside the defender’s angle.

Now Bell lowers his pads and sizes up the backside pursuit, delivering a forearm on No.28 as he crosses the first down marker.

It’s not a highlight-reel play, but it’s an effective move for a back who has already made several on just this run alone.

It’s also a move that affords Bell the opportunity to gain five yards after contact. When Bell can do a better job of knowing when not to create on runs, he’s going to be even more dangerous when these creative opportunities present themselves.

Another display of power is a four-yard gain on 2nd and 11 with 9:38 in the first quarter of the same game. This is a zone play with Heath Miller functioning as the lead blocker. The line does a good job opening the initial hole, but Miller fails to seal the second level and this is where we get another glimpse of Bell’s strength.

Pittsburgh double teams the back side end and the center and front side guard attack the Patriots’ linebackers.

As Bell approaches the exchange point with Roethlisberger, the position of the silver helmets at the line of scrimmage are indicating this play to the right side should yield a crease at the line of scrimmage. The three Patriots defenders in the middle of the field each have their helmets to the left shoulder of the lineman blocking them. Although the right tackle doesn’t have inside leverage on the front side end, Miller is entering the hole and should help seal that edge so Bell can pass.

As Miller approaches the line of scrimmage, the right tackle has turned the end just enough that Bell should reach the crease untouched. The center has engaged the inside linebacker and the right guard is about to engage Donta Hightower at the right hash.

Bell does a solid job of pressing this crease with an approach to the middle of the line of scrimmage and then dipping to the right as he reaches the crease. I have seen plenty of criticism that Bell is too slow to the hole and he needs to be more aggressive hitting the crease. If Pittsburgh ran a gap-style running offense where the back follows a pulling lineman to one crease and that’s the only true choice for the play design, then I’d agree.

However, zone blocking requires more patience to the hole and then a hard cut and burst down hill when that hole opens. When the line isn’t opening holes fast enough, the back has two choices: create or take whatever he can get with brute power. Once again, this decision-making boils down to field position and down and distance.

Bell gets as close to the line of scrimmage as possible and then dips to his right. Because he exhibits the patience necessary for a zone run, the right tackle has been given the time to turn the end to the outside and the guard has reached Hightower in the second level. If Bell hits the intended crease without this slower approach, he’s likely wrapped by the end and hit by the linebacker at the line of scrimmage for no gain. This is part of Darren McFadden’s problem on zone plays and why the Raiders return to more of a gap scheme with him.

It’s another example why fit with a system is important. If health weren’t an issue for McFadden and he was on a more balanced offense, McFadden’s explosive athleticism and aggressive mindset “to and through” the line of scrimmage is a great match for a gap style offense. Some backs can do both well. Bobby Rainey, the Buccaneers’ new back, has shown good skill as a zone runner and gap runner at Western Kentucky just as he did Sunday against the Falcons. If I were to assess which style he’s best at, I’d say he’s better suited to zone, but his facility with both made him an underrated player.

As Bell crosses the line of scrimmage, Hightower gets outside leverage on the Steelers’ guard.

Hightower, who has the size, weight, and strength advantage on Bell, hits the running back high. However, Bell isn’t the smallish back Hightower is used to running roughshod and the Steelers’ runner doesn’t collapse to the turf on his side despite the linebacker initiating an indirect collision.

In the RSP publication, I grade players on three basic types of balance when they are carrying the football: direct collisions, indirect collisions, and making cuts. Every ball carrier should display good balance when making a cut. If he doesn’t, then he will have initial struggles at the NFL level and he will need to address if footwork as soon as possible.

Skill with handling direct collisions are more times than not a matter of technical skill. Whether a 185-pound scat back or a 250-pound bruiser, good pad level, knee bend, and attacking the oncoming collision can help a player maintain balance or at least fall forward.

However, one of the true ways to tell if a ball carrier has uncommon balance is whether he can stay upright when a bigger man gets a flush hit on him from an indirect angle. Ryan Mathews has had his ups and downs as a professional – and much of it has stemmed from how he handles adversity. When it comes to pure ball carrying, Mathews’ balance to bounce off flush hits from an indirect angle was one of several factors that made him a first-round talent.

Bell doesn’t lose his footing with this hit and he continues forward as the defensive back slips inside Miller and delivers a second hit with Hightower wrapped around the Steelers’ back.

As we see at least once a week in football, a second hit can often dislodge the first defender from the ball carrier and spring that runner loose. The defensive back makes most of his contact on Bell and the runner doesn’t go down. Instead, Bell transfers some of the energy of that collision into momentum to spin.

Bell begins to spin loose in the frame below as Hightower is forced to slide to Bell’s hips in an attempt to drop the runner.

At this point, it’s a stalemate as a third Pats defender enters the fray.

The whistle blows and Bells’ progress is ruled stopped after four yards. Not a great play on 2nd and 11, but this is tough running. It’s not tough and productive for the situation, but the tools are there. Rome wasn’t built in a day and most NFL running games aren’t built during a season.

Decision-Making and Maturity: Room for Improvement

Bell’s athleticism can get him into trouble when the Steelers’ offensive line fails to open a crease and the rookie has the option to create or bull his way into the backs of his teammates and take whatever he can get. As I mentioned earlier, he doesn’t always know how to determine when he should do one or the other.

Here’s a 2nd-and-2 run where I would characterize the play as “right process, wrong outcome” because of the down and distance, the score of the game, time on the clock, and the field position. The Steelers spread the field just enough that it hopes Bell can find a crease on this short-yardage play in Patriots’ territory early in the first quarter of this scoreless game.

As Bell takes the exchange, note the various defenders I’ve circled below and the gaps they are covering. There is no true open at this point of the run. If this was 3rd and 2 or the setting of the game was different, Bell might be best served to ram the ball behind the lineman with the greatest push and get whatever he can to set up a 3rd-and-short.

However, I believe Bell has license to create on this play and he tries to press the hole to the right by beginning his approach towards the left and bending it back.

The Patriots defense has done a good job filling the gaps inside (blue and red) and covering the front side and back side gaps (green and orange).

At this point, Bell should probably lower the pads and take on the linebacker coming over top or try to slide outside No.68 and squeeze the run between this blocker and the backside defensive back No.37. Neither of these options are likely to produce a significant gain, but this “find the home run hole” mentality is what Bell has to temper.

The linebacker shoots the gap, hits Bell in the legs, and drops the runner for a loss. Again, bad outcome but the setting allows some leeway for Bell to be creative and fail with a short loss. It happens to every back in the NFL.

Here’s a play where Bell has to be more conscientious about his decision-making in contrast to the 2nd-and-4 gain where he earns five yards after contact and did a good job reading the defensive back’s position so he could bounce the play outside. This play Bell does everything wrong.

The Steelers’ line hopes to create its primary crease off right tackle and use the fullback, tight end, and wide receiver to seal the edge and second level so Bell has a one-on-one with the safety at the right hash. This is the type of play that is tempting for an athletic runner to bounce outside. Fellow Big-10 alum Laurence Maroney appeared to have turned the corner on a play similar to this during a 59-0 blowout of the Titans in a snowstorm when he kept a play inside, lowered the pads through the defensive back and busted the run up the gut for a touchdown. However Maroney failed to turn the same corner that many of his contemporaries did and left the league shortly after.

Bell approaches the exchange point and the interior linemen are already engaged. If they can force the Patriots defensive linemen to work to left, Bell has a nice press and cut to the right. The frame below illustrates that this is exactly what happens.

Bell will begin his press and cut between the frame above and the next shot. Note the position of the safety. Bell needs to read this player on this 2nd-and-4 run. The Steelers are already down by seven and approaching midfield. This is a time to make a conservative decision and if he breaks some tackles in the first or second level, great. If not, third and short isn’t a bad situation for Pittsburgh.

As Bell begins his cutback in the frame above, note the fullback working through the crease towards the linebacker just inside the right hash. Bell needs to focus on hitting his crease with downhill momentum and getting his pads low. If the fullback gets a good block, Bell might be able to slide inside the safety or run through the defensive back’s hit for a first down.

The worst-case scenario for his play is the edge defender on Heath Miller sliding inside and wrapping Bell at the line of scrimmage. Again, not a big deal in the scheme of this series. However, Bell still has the home run mentality at work and it’s the rookie runner who fails his teammates in this situation.

In the frame below, Bell sees the edge defender’s helmet on Miller’ inside shoulder and fixates on the possibility of bouncing the run to the edge. The corner store is in sight for Bell and he hasn’t learned that there’s a time when taking a side trip is a bad idea. With the safety in position to earn a good angle through three possible gaps and close to the line of scrimmage with his pads down hill, this is one of them. Remember, on the 2nd and 4 play I showed where Bell bounced the play outside for a nice gain, the defensive back began the play working away from the line of scrimmage, the field position was different, and the game was scoreless.

Bell decides to bounce the play to his right because of his fixation on the edge defender’s head inside the tight end. When focusing solely on the first level, this is the correct read. However, within context of the play design and the defensive back, it’s all wrong. This bounce outside will also give the linebacker outside leverage on the fullback.

Bell works across the back of his tight end in the frame below and at that point, the play is over. The edge defender pops outside as the safety continues shooting the inside gap. Bell realizes he has made a mistake midway through his gap and displays the tentative nature that can plague any good zone runner when he makes a bad decision.

Now Bell engages in some unproductive, wishful thinking and tries to revisit the inside gap. The safety shows Bell why it’s too late.

Bell is now forced to plow through the defender to reach the line of scrimmage and earn minimal yardage. If he didn’t get greedy, he might have earned four yards with good pad level, downhill momentum, and a leg drive if he displayed greater maturity.

Bell is a good, young player in a difficult position. The Steelers’ offensive line is struggling, the coaching staff is under pressure, and it’s possible we might see a new offensive system – if not a new staff – in 2014. If Pittsburgh has a different coach next year, Bell – and what he does best as a runner – might not be the best fit for this organization. It will be easy to view the rookie as part of the problem.

If you look at Bell’s skills and decision-making on the field, he’s one issue away from upping his 3.1 yards-per-carry average to the 4.1-4.3 range. Bell needs to study these down and distance situations, do a better job reading the field, and repeat after me when he sees them: Don’t be a hero.

For more analysis of offensive skill players like this post, download the 2013 Rookie Scouting Portfolio available April 1. Prepayment is available now. Better yet, if you’re a fantasy owner the 56-page Post-Draft Add-on comes with the 2013 RSP at no additional charge. Best, yet, 10 percent of every sale is donated to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse. You can purchase past editions of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio for just $9.95 apiece.

Futures at Football Outsiders: OK St. CB Justin Gilbert

November 16, 2013 0 Comments read 2014 NFL Draft, Players

Justin Gilbert has always been a talented athlete, but he has demonstrated technical improvement that is upping his draft stock. Photo by KT King.

He could be good, but he could be bad. It could be said about every player transitioning from college football to the NFL. When reading scouting reports and draft day analysis, it can seem like this is the basic assessment of every prospect.

Most Internet scouting reports aren’t written with the purpose of the analyst hedging his bets. The intent is to cover the full spectrum of a player’s strengths and weaknesses. But if not careful, the overall product appears wishy-washy.

In all fairness, every year there are prospects that merit this kind of “he could be good, but he could be bad” analysis. It’s understandable when considering the context of the times. The size of the NFL draft is smaller than any time in the modern era of football. Physical talent is better and the concentration of that athleticism is often as good at the top of the draft as it is at the bottom. It’s why we read about undrafted free agents who at one time were considered first-day prospects.

Rookie receiver Da’Rick Rogers -– a street free agent who tried out with the Buffalo Bills this summer and got cut -– is on the cusp of earning significant playing time this month for the Colts. With a playing style that reminded me a lot of Dwayne Bowe but with greater short area agility, there was a time Rogers was every bit the prospect – if not better – than his fellow Tennessee Volunteers matriculates. It’s a list that includes the likes of Justin Hunter, Denarius Moore, and Kenbrell Thompkins (although Thompkins never played a down in orange and white, opting out when Lane Kiffin left campus). It was Rogers’ off-field behavior that put him on outside looking in when the NFL held it’s annual “April Rush.”

Entering the 2013 season, Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert also had a wish-washy scouting report despite an on-field game that was brimming with confidence. Gilbert has first-day athleticism and versatility, but junior year lapses with technique and judgment made him the type of player who elicited a wide range of draft day possibilities before his senior year.

Read the rest at Football Outsiders

Reads Listens Views 11/15/2013

November 14, 2013 0 Comments read Reads Listens Views

Views – 27 Surreal Places to Visit Before You Die (<— See the rest at this link)

Coming Soon at The RSP Blog

NFL Closeup: RB Bryce Brown, Wild Horse.
Futures at Football Outsiders: Oklahoma State CB Justin Gilbert
Trent Richardson’s latest video – Not really, just checking to see if you were awake.

Views – Shane Koyczan’s Awesome Spoken Word Performance About Beethoven

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppwowTJg0mI&w=420&h=315]

I don’t care if you like classical music, you’ll dig this. You can learn more about him here.

Thanks

New to the RSP Blog? Friday is the day I post links to content I’m consuming online – football and non-football alike. You may not like everything you see here, but I’m sure you’ll like at least one thing. It’s also a chance for me to thank you for visiting this blog on the regular and most important, downloading the Rookie Scouting Portfolio publication. Entering its ninth year of existence, the RSP is the most comprehensive analysis of rookie prospects at the skill positions available.

The RSP is available every April 1 and includes pre-draft positional rankings, underrated/overrated analysis, thorough player comparisons, position draft overviews and history, and analysis on individual skill sets while noting the player’s potential to improve in each. When you download the RSP, you also get the RSP Post-Draft at no cost. Published a week after the draft, the RSP Post-Draft provides revised rankings based current team fit, fantasy mock draft analysis, fantasy draft day value data, good fit/bad fit analysis, and a cheat sheet ranking players across each position. And of course, you get over a thousand pages of my evaluation grading sheets and play-by-play notes because I like to show my work.

Once again, I’ll be offering a prepayment option in January based on requests for me to do so (prepayment customers got their RSPs a little early last year). I also donate 10 percent of each sale to Darkness to Light – a non-profit devoted to preventing and addressing sexual abuse in communities through the training of communities across the country. Past issues (2006-2012) are also available for download at half price.

Listens – D.J. Cheb I Sabbah

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcPv2LZGvuU&w=420&h=315]

“If there was a disconnect in an Algerian Jew plugging into Hindu and Sufi Muslim spirituality, or in layering ragas with heavy beats, Cheb I Sabbah didn’t see it. He used music to build the kind of world that he wanted to live in — and in so doing became godfather and mentor to generations of artists and listeners who found common ground on the dance floor.” – Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR.

Football Reads

On Reflection Jay Glazer’s Interview With Richie Incognito – H/T to Chase Stuart via Twitter.
Todd Christensen Obituary – A terrific move tight end for the Raiders passed away this week after a bout with liver disease.
Ricky Watters Lives With Afteraffects of Punishing Football Career – A fine player I’ll be writing about soon.

Views – The Subterranean Structures of Ants (Surprising and Amazing)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozkBd2p2piU&w=420&h=315]

Non-Football Reads

The Life of a Cult Investigator – I’ve told him so: If Sigmund Bloom took a wrong turn in life he would have been a cult leader. Just saying . . .
How to Cut The Poverty Rate In Half – The author says it’s easy. Perhaps I’d prefer “simple”, because simplicity is often achieved through great difficulty.
20 Obscure King of The Hill Facts All Diehard Fans Should Know – H/T Andrea Hangst via Facebook.
Wal-Mart: An Economic Cancer to Our Cities – Using the city of Asheville, N.C. as an example of the healthier alternative.
Stereotypes About Math That Hold Americans Back – For my brother the math whiz.

Views – Sacha Baron Cohen Kills Award Presenter

[youtube=http://youtu.be/Sob9imddmBo]

Listens – Janelle Monae’s Electric Lady Album

[youtube=http://youtu.be/s-kiMZvR6KA]

H/T to Bloom via Facebook.

QB Case Keenum: Color Me Impressed

November 12, 2013 0 Comments read Players, Quarterback

Case Keenum is the most surprising bench player in the NFL this year. I’ve studied his three starts and I believe the Cardinals defense provided the best evidence that the Texans’ new starter has the potential to succeed long-term.

I’ve kept a close eye on Case Keenum for the past three weeks. The first-time starter was solid against a brash Kansas City defense that loaded the box and dared the quarterback to make quick decisions. The Colts tried a similar approach and Keenum made them pay with an aggressive vertical game. Although the Chiefs have a better overall defense in the stats column, last weekend’s game versus the Cardinals was Keenum’s stiffest test to date, and the quarterback impressed me with his poise and maturity.

Arizona presented a true litmus test for Keenum, because its pass rush is most dangerous up the middle. Daryl Washington and Karlos Dansby can wreak havoc on a passing game when the Cardinals use them in conjunction with Darnell Dockett to penetrate the pocket through the A gaps. How a quarterback handles A-gap pressure is a great indicator of his poise and maturity. Keenum had some rough moments, but far fewer than I expected.

Initiation Phase

The first play of the game featured John Abraham making a strip-sack-fumble recovery for a touchdown off the edge. The Cardinals smell blood and the second offensive play of the game is an illustration of what pressure up the middle can do to a quarterback. Although the Cardinals fail to force the turnover, it should have been 14-0 Arizona after two plays.

Keenum is facing another defense with one safety high. His check-downs on this play are his fullback and receiver Andre Johnson running the cross. His deeper routes are the tight end and DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins has single coverage, but the development of the play forces Keenum to abandon a deeper throw. I haven’t had a chance to access the All-22 on this play, so while it’s possible Keenum lacked the anticipation and confidence deliver the ball to Hopkins, past performance dictates it’s unlikely – especially with the corner peeking into the backfield from the get-go on this play.

Keenum looks to the safety as he begins his drop from center. It’s worth noting that Keenum is earning more looks from center as he earns more starts, but the quarterback still spends a majority of his time in the pistol or the shotgun. The motor coordination to read the field and execute on a drop from center is more difficult than a drop from the other two formations: More steps, more momentum to control, and more reads to make closer to the line while on the move. While I believe it is overstated, one of the reasons teams favor tall quarterbacks in a traditional pocket game from center is the ability to see over some of the passing lanes when closer to the line of scrimmage.

As Keenum completes his drop, the Cardinals defense has the tight end well-covered and neither of the shallow routes are at the stage of breaking open. At the same time, the right guard is getting bulldozed into the pocket and Keenum’s path.

Keenum is a mobile player, but what are his options? If he moves right, he gives the edge rusher a free path. If he slides to his left, the linebacker on the fullback has a shot to make the play and there’s still the defensive tackle crashing the middle who has the inside shoulder of the guard and the angle to pursue without resistance.

Keenum does the right thing by staying in the pocket. In contrast, here’s the mobile Seneca Wallace on Sunday leaning too hard on his mobility in a similar situation.

Wallace has two receivers to his left and one to his right. This play will end with Wallace in the right flat desperately trying to get rid of the ball to one receiver and the whole orchestration is his doing – and ultimately his undoing as the Packers’ starter in short order.

Interior pressure begins to build off right guard in the photo above. Although the pressure isn’t nearly as intrusive as what Keenum experiences, watch Wallace perceive the pressure and react to his right.

This opens the pursuit lane for the edge defender off right tackle and Wallace has just made his job even more difficult. If he remained patient in the pocket, he would have had more options to target in the passing game. This move to the right cuts off half the field and two-thirds of the receivers he has running routes at the moment.

Look below and you can see the defensive lineman also have open pursuit lanes to the flat. Instead of one defensive tackle pushing the pocket up the middle – who, by the way gets addressed when the guard recovers enough to shore up his protection – now Wallace has three defenders with angles on him for a sack.

Moreover, there’s only one receiver for Wallace to target. This is at least until the tight end breaks from the line of scrimmage and releases as an outlet that Wallace would have to target with a throw across his body while on the move.

Wallace has to deliver a pump fake to freeze the defense before targeting his receiver returning up the sideline for a whopping completion of . . .

Negative yardage before the receiver becomes a ball carrier. This play isn’t about physical ability. Wallace has enough speed and arm strength to play in the league. What he lacks on this play is the ability to stay in the pocket at the first sign of pressure or the knowledge of where he should break the pocket to maximize his chances for a positive play and minimize the potential of a negative one. Wallace also injures his groin on this play and left the game.

Keenum, demonstrates this patience Wallace lacked and it’s clear from this game that he doesn’t perceive pressure too early. He stands his ground, waits for the crossing route to come open, and delivers the ball from the pocket. The problem is that the crossing route is never really open. Keenum, in a hurry due to the pressure up the middle, forgets that the safety has position to come over the top to cut off the target. This is why more patience with the single coverage or throwing the ball away might have been wiser options. I would have also considered sliding left and throwing the ball away if Keenum couldn’t bait the linebacker to come downhill.

As the ball arrives (see below), the safety comes over the top. If he makes this catch there is a ton of green grass and blockers to pave the way for a pick-six. Imagine the complexion of this game with Arizona up 14-0 after two plays – and two Keenum turnovers. Could this have altered Keenum’s confidence? Possibly. However, I’d like to think that the same guy who listened to Cris Collinsworth say, “You’re not exactly 6’6″ . . . ” and responded, “Not yet . . .” without missing a beat, would have the confidence not to retreat into a shell.

The question is irrelevant now; the safety gets his hands on the ball, but cannot secure the interception.

Keenum lives for another play. After this trial by fire, the Texans quarterback learns from the experience and begins to make wiser plays under heavier pressure.

Outside Pressure

The first-year starter’s highlight plays have often been flights from pressure where he flushed to one side of the of the field and throws the ball deep. Fun plays to watch, but what about pressure situations where the defense forces Keenum to exhibit more control? This 2nd-and-14 play in the first quarter is a great example of Keenum doing just that.

Keenum has two vertical routes inside with his outside bunch receiver Hopkins crossing the middle. Houston’s fullback runs a flat route on this play-action pass.

Keenum finishes the play fake and the defense, sending five and dropping six, has strong intermediate and short coverage in the middle of the field. The pressure will come from Keenum’s blind side.

Keenum feels the pressure working loose from the left as he finishes his drop and does a good job of climbing the pocket in rhythm.

His eyes stay focused downfield and he’s able to see three options: Hopkins on the cross, Johnson in the middle of the field, and the fullback in the flat.

As Keenum works towards the line of scrimmage, this forces the secondary to slide to Keenum’s right and towards the pocket. Keenum’s movement opens the fullback in the flat.

The fact that Keenum climbs the pocket in rhythm helps the quarterback keep his feet under him to deliver an accurate throw.

First down.

Restraint

Pressure forces impulsive behavior, especially interior pressure. However, Keenum exhibits the poise of a veteran in a situation where many veterans turn their back to the pressure or force the ball into coverage. The play begins with Hopkins and Johnson running dual crossing routes, the tight end stretching the seam, and the fullback running a wheel route to the left sideline. The Cardinals send five defenders to the pocket, running a twist with John Abraham working from the right edge to the middle.

Keenum is again under center, so there’s more to process on the move with less field to see at the early stages of his drop.

As Keenum finishes his drop, Abraham is making his way to an open lane up the middle. As you can see, the Texans receivers are well covered with the exception of Tate in the right flat. Even Tate isn’t a great option, because he’s seven yards behind in the line of scrimmage with a Karlos Dansby waiting in the flat. Considering that Dansby has 78 tackles this year and a huge majority of them unassisted, Keenum is seeking better options.

Nothing comes open within the next beat and the defense is constricting the pocket. Keenum has no running lane, but what he does display is a quarterback’s best friend if he can execute it: a pump fake.

Keenum flashes the ball, freezes the defense, and opens a crease in the pocket with this move. Not all quarterbacks have the skill to execute a good pump fake. Those that do often lack the awareness of when to use it.

Keenum’s pump fake gives him second life in the pocket. He keeps his eyes down field, slides to his left, and when nothing comes open, delivers a second pump fake. I love the small slide. Many NFL quarterbacks in this situation would have turned their backs to the defense and tried to roll away from the inside pressure 2-3 frames ago. This is the type of poise that is proving the Texans coaching staff right about Keenum and something they must have seen enough in practice to hope he could display it when the lights came on.

At this point, Keenum freezes the secondary and this buys him just enough time to flee the pocket to the left flat.

I also like that Keenum opts to slide with plenty of room to avoid a huge hit. Another small sign of maturity that I hope is a pattern for him during his development.

Third and short is much better than most of the consequences that could have come from this play.

Patience With Eyes And Feet

This touchdown pass is essentially a two-man route using play action. Andre Johnson makes one of two fantastic catches in this game, but Keenum does a ton to make his play happen.

This is a max protection scheme where the fullback and running back block and eventually release from the line of scrimmage as receivers once the play breaks down. The quarterback has to execute a strong play fake, patience, and excellent pass placement against a zone defense that has a lot of defenders occupying very little space.

Keenum begins the play with his back turned to the line of scrimmage while executing the play fake with good extension of the ball towards the running back.

The initial action is good, but Keenum’s decision to duck lower to sell the fake is an added touch that forces the linebackers up field.

Once Keenum finishes his drop he’s staring at Hopkins crossing between four defenders in a tight zone over the middle. What I like is that Keenum remains patient and sells the defense on the idea that he’s waiting for Hopkins to clear the middle and deliver the ball in that direction.

It helps that Keenum’s second look continues along the trajectory of Hopkins’ break, but also gives the quarterback the opportunity to spot Johnson running the opposite direction behind Hopkins. This is a conceptual benefit to routes that crisscross at various depths.

As Keenum spots Johnson breaking open from left to right, the interior pressure makes its way into the pocket. Keenum has time to slide to his right to avoid a hit, but if he does he likely tips off Johnson’s cross and forces a scramble drill to the right side where the defense will flow to the area and eliminate any openings.

Keenum stands his ground and delivers the ball to a spot where only Johnson can make the catch. It’s a 25-yard throw that requires good timing and velocity with a 300-plus-pounder breathing down his back.

Johnson makes an excellent catch at the boundary for the score, but it’s Keenum’s play fake, use of his eyes to hold the defense in the middle of the field, and the willingness to stand his ground to deliver a strike that sets up the highlight reel play.

The Blurry Line Between Patience and Hesitation

Not everything Keenum did was good without question. Here’s a second-quarter play where Keenum converts the first down after leaving the pocket, but I wonder if he forced the scramble because he was hesitant to act on what he saw. This is 2nd-and-six pass where interior pressure forces Keenum to flush right, but did Keenum wait too long? See for yourself.

Keenum’s primary read is the tight end in the slot running an out at the first down marker. Good anticipation on this play would be for Keenum to deliver the ball just as the receiver begins his break (at the top of his stem).

This is the top of the receiver’s stem and Keenum should be in the middle of his release if he’s going to deliver the ball with impeccable timing. However, the cornerback is sitting on this route. It posses a good question: Is the tight end open? Based on the position of the corner to the outside with his pads downhill, I think Keenum made a wise choice not to throw the ball. However, you can see below that he’s still thinking about it for another beat.

As the tight end makes his break, you can see that the defensive back has a clear angle to cut off the throw and it’s a pick-six if he wins. If he loses, the tight end might have possession with the corner flying up the sideline in the opposite directon without the ball, but it’s a risky play. Meanwhile, the defensive tackle is working inside the left guard and the window of protection is closing in this pocket.

Many a reckless or freaked out quarterback under pressure still throws the pass at this point, but to Keenum’s credit he’s not one of them. This consistent interior pressure is something I’ve been waiting to see Keenum face before I could give an opinion on what I think of the quarterback long-term. Now that I see how he handles interior pressure, I think the quarterback has the goods to remain in the league for a long time as a contributor on some level – at least as a high-end backup or short-term starter. Perhaps more if he can demonstrate the ability to overcome what defensive coordinators will do to game plan against Keenum once they see enough of him on film.

There’s no climbing the pocket on this play. Keenum must retreat, reset, and choose a direction to roll.

The Texans’ starter does a good job keeping his eyes downfield and his body ready to deliver the ball as he moves to the right flat.

Solid technique to throw with his feet mostly under him as he spots the receiver coming back to him at the sideline.

First down.

Lingering Concerns: Reading The Middle of The Field

The most difficult area of the field to master for a quarterback is the middle. Defenders are changing positions, disguising zones, and demonstrate more range than most young quarterbacks are used to seeing most weeks at the college level. This is the last great frontier for Keenum’s development.

This play from the Texans’ end zone is a lucky outcome of a bad decision and it exemplifies the pass protection skills of linebackers the Keenum isn’t used to seeing outside of perhaps his old buddy Phillip Steward at Houston. Playing the bigger, faster, more experienced version of Steward is veteran linebacker Karlos Dansby – one of my favorite vets in the game today.

Keenum begins this 3rd-and-7 with his receivers tight to the formation. His primary read will be Hopkins, the outside receiver in the left flat. Dansby, circled below, reads Keenum’s eyes, gauges the receiver and works to his spot in the zone to defend the pass.

Dansby, who has played both inside and outside linebacker with success in the NFL, is a known for his skill as a pass defender despite the fact that he was an excellent blitzer as an inside player at Auburn – and now during his second stint in Arizona.

Keenum does not anticipate the drop or he believes he can fit the ball over Dansby to Hopkins. This proves to be a tighter window than he anticipates.

Dansby high-points the ball, nearly intercepting it with room up the flat to score if he does. Instead, the ball flies through his mitts and into the arms of the rookie Hopkins.

The receiver makes the catch, turns up field, and turns a disastrous decision into a fine play. Good outcome, bad process.

Throughout this game, Arizona sent pressure up the middle and Keenum demonstrated the awareness to throw the ball away, scramble to an open spot as a runner, and even in some cases take the sack rather than risk a turnover. With 5:15 left and down by 10, Keenum opts to take a risk. This is a good example of what some coaches or analysts will call “pressing”, when the quarterback tries to force the ball to make a play when the team is behind. It’s a negative connotation, but there are points in a game where the quarterback has to take chances or the game will end.

At this point in the game, I can see how Keenum might feel this is the time to gamble. It’s a two-possession game and even if the Texans can score in the next two plays, it might run another 30-45 seconds off the clock. A player like Manning or Brees might not press in this situation, knowing that the offense is built for big plays and high tempo. The Texans haven’t been built in that image.

Keenum has three deeper routes and one crossing route on this play. The Cardinals send an inside linebacker and safety up the middle on a blitz to disrupt Keenum’s process, dropping the outside linebacker at the left hash into coverage of the shallow zone.

Keenum takes his drop looking at the deep coverage. All three deep routes are accounted for, save potentially a deep throw up the left sideline to Hopkins, but Patrick Peterson is on the rookie with outside technique. Considering that Keenum lacks a great arm and this is an opposite-hash throw to one of the better press corners in football, it’s not going to happen.

Once Keenum reads the deep zone, the pressure is already coming. Keenum sees the shallow cross, but he doesn’t have a strong sense of the passing lane where he’s delivering the ball. There are two players of defense at Keenum’s left in position to defend this throw. As we saw earlier, the young quarterback still isn’t used to the level of athleticism of linebackers and defensive linemen.

Keenum forces the ball on the cross as he’s hit. The first defender tips the ball skyward.

The second defender nearly makes a play on the ball. This is one of three potential interceptions that Keenum could have thrown in this game and two of these plays had a strong shot of becoming pick-sixes.

I could tell you that I think the Texans’ starter is going to become a good starter in the NFL – and I like his chances more than I did three weeks ago. Keenum may lack the great arm or size, but he has all the tools to help an offense compete every week. But based on what I’m watching I’d just be rolling the dice if I told you he’s a passer with a future to bet on.

Keenum has shown me enough that I think he’s a good player and a bargain. That said, I like his poise, pocket presence, and aggressive mentality. If he can maintain those three qualities and get better at reading defenses, he has a shot to maintain the starting job in Houston for longer than this year.

Robert Griffin Part II: Reasons For Hope and Watching Grass Grow

November 4, 2013 0 Comments read Matt Waldman

Part I’s analysis of Robert Griffin focuses on the relationship between Robert Griffin’s injury and Washington’s offensive scheme. It also raises questions about building an offense around a young player’s legs and its consequences. Part II examines how the weaknesses of this offense creates a vicious cycle of degradation to Griffin’s game, but there are also several reasons for hope if Griffin can hang tough.

Last year, I posted an analysis from a writer who was critical of Robert Griffin’s game and the Washington offensive system. The overall reader feedback was negative and some of their points had merit. Yet, there was an overall emotional tenor from readers that was rooted in denial that Griffin could be statistically good and still a flawed young player. Last year Griffin was mostly a one-read quarterback in an offense that augmented his athleticism while diminishing any reliance on his weaknesses.

This year, the herd is far more open to criticizing Griffin. Many people will say the quarterback is the dysfunctional force on Washington’s football team. If you read Sally Jenkins’ Washington Post editorial, she believes Griffin is a manipulative locker room lawyer with a forked tongue. Jenkins might argue that her take based on conversations with whatever sources she has in Washington is more nuanced than what I described, but I’m just calling it like I read it.

I agree that Griffin is a dysfunctional force. He’s the quarterback and leader of a dysfunctional offense and the marketing face of this team. He has made statements to the press that has elicited criticism about his methods of communication, his willingness to learn new skills, and his overall leadership.

But the dysfunctional force in Washington is the leadership above Griffin. They are enabling the behavior of a young player who needs the organization to guide him. The coaches and front office need to provide guidance and enforce boundaries for Griffin’s conversations with the media.

For this team it’s easier said than done. The true head of this organization has been questioned about his leadership for years. I also think Daniel Snyder displaying a similar myopia about his team’s name that – regardless of how you feel about the issue – will ultimately place Washington’s owner on the wrong side of history if he continues to resist the growing public sentiment for change. Like water, leadership flows downhill. So do the pollutants.

From what I see on the field this year, Griffin still has all the building blocks to develop into a good leader. He’s comfortable with risk, he’s tough as nails, and there’s a resiliency to his game despite the punishment that he’s taking on and off the field. The concern is that prolonged punishment can wear down any player.

However, there is evidence that Washington’s coaching staff is transitioning Griffin to a more pocket-friendly game. The staff is taking a gradual process with the offense, which for the public is like watching grass grow. If you’re a Washington fan, there’s reason for hope. If you’re a fantasy football owner, stay patient. I still believe Griffin will have an excellent career as a starting quarterback.

Max Protection: Mixed Results Continued

As I illustrated last week, Washington’s max protection schemes are designed to provide Griffin time in the pocket and simple choices. However, Washington’s offensive line continues to struggle even when there’s additional help and this places more pressure on its quarterback to make excellent decisions and execute at a near-perfect level in situations where there’s a higher degree of difficulty and potential for even greater criticism. Nothing like having a lower pass percentage with fewer receivers to target per play than your peers and more pressure while delivering that target.

Here’s Washington’s first offensive play from yesterday’s game against the Chargers. It’s a two-route scheme with max protection at Washington’s own goal line.

San Diego rushes three defenders and drops eight. Washington should have no problem protecting three defensive linemen with seven players, right? In theory this is correct; in practice, the line’s struggles are disappointing.

Griffin executes a play fake as his receivers release from the line of scrimmage. Griffin does a good job turning his back and extending the ball to the runner’s belly to sell the play action. The right tackle will get beat by No.91 and because the fullback had to work towards the outside linebacker, who drops into coverage, he could not provide a double team.

The fullback tries a late attempt to help the right tackle as the outside linebacker he was assigned to block drops into coverage with the other three linebackers, but No.91 splits the fullback and tackle and is within a steps of Griffin. Just like last week’s Broncos game, the linebackers are dropping and spread in position to take away the underneath game and stop Griffin from running. Griffin knows where he’s throwing as soon as his back foot plants at the end of his drop. These are simple route concepts designed for him to get rid of the ball fast. However, this pressure will require an even faster release than designed.

Griffin is nearing the apex of his release point just as the Chargers defensive end hits the quarterback square. The wide receiver is open, but it would help if the quarterback isn’t covered by a 300-pound lineman.

Griffin manages to get the ball out despite getting hit, but the pass is understandably lacking velocity and accuracy and falls behind Pierre Garcon. This is a routine occurrence for Griffin this year and a big reason for a drop in yards per attempt and completion percentage. I don’t care who the quarterback is, if he can’t get a clean pocket to deliver the ball without getting hit before releasing the football he’s not going to have consistent, efficient production.

Here’s a max protection scheme that works and the difference between this play and the one above is that Griffin has a clean pocket to deliver the football.

Notice the wrinkle that Washington is using more often with its pistol zone read option scheme: the deep back swinging to the perimeter. Griffin will often keep the ball and then wait for the outside containment to commit to him and then pitch the ball to this deep back. Washington is also sending Santana Moss in motion behind Griffin just before the snap and running a variation of this play to the receiver. These plays were effective against the Chargers as change-ups to their bread-and-butter runs.

On this play, Griffin executes the read option exchange with the back to his left and then drops to deliver the ball down field to Garcon who is split left. San Diego sends five and drops six into coverage; three of those defenders in the deep range of the field but split wide enough for Washington to find an opening in its zone.

The Chargers’ safety at the left hash drops deep enough for Garcon to break under the defender and the linebackers are shallow enough that the quarterback’s throw is an easy one.

Griffin finishes the play fake and has a spotless pocket to deliver the ball in rhythm to Garcon. If the receiver didn’t come open, the outlet receiver on the left side also appears open for a check-down. It’s a well-designed play if the defense is concerned about playing the run. Alfred Morris is doing a fine job of generating that kind of attention.

Griffin’s pass is on-time and Garcon has the room to work across the field and up the sideline for a nice gain. Simplicity is genius and when it worked consistently last year, everyone proclaimed Griffin a quarterback genius. When it stopped working as well this year, they are critical of Griffin’s development. But I think Washington has always been aware that this offensive scheme is limited and it is just the first step in its plan to develop Griffin into a complete player.

They’re also aware that the transition will be gradual and the downside will be complaints from the public about Griffin and the simplicity of the scheme. However for the sake of maintaining a secure game plan, they aren’t going to be transparent with the public about what they’re doing. Their job is to do the exact opposite – keep it private and hopefully over time, the results will clam the public concern.

Single Reads – Tight Windows (No Pass Protection, No Patience w/first?)

Because Washington’s offense is having difficulty protecting Griffin with max protection schemes, an unintended consequence is its quarterback displaying a lack patience in the pocket. Ask David Carr, Blaine Gabbert, Trent Edwards, and a variety of early-round quarterback prospects who were pummeled early in their careers and lost their accuracy, their poise, and their aggressive mindset. Griffin isn’t at the stage where he has become shell shocked, but he is exhibiting some minor symptoms.

Here’s a play where Griffin targets his tight end Jordan Reed up the seam, but he forces the ball to get rid of it early rather than stay patient and read the field. The Chargers have eight defenders within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage with one safety deep. Right away, Griffin should be thinking about his wide receiver split to the left with a defender most likely playing off-man coverage.

At the snap, the safety drops to his right, which is among the first things Griffin should notice. This validates the idea that the Washington quarterback should target his wide receiver at the left sideline on some type of curl, hook, comeback. In this case, the receiver is running a comeback.

The Chargers blitz one defender, sending a four-man front towards the pocket as Griffin receives the snap from the gun.

Look at all the space up the sideline with just one defender in the area. This should be the primary option on this play, but Griffin has eyes for Reed up the seam. Griffin hopes the tight end inside Reed will occupy the linebacker just inside the right hash so Reed has room to separate against the outside linebacker. Even so, this is a tight window and a riskier play than waiting for the outside receiver to come open on a deep route – unless of course you’re the quarterback working with an offensive line that has difficulty protecting you from three defenders in a max protection scheme. While Griffin is making a conceptual mistake, I understand his logic.

Griffin sees that the inside linebacker has dropped deep enough to take away both tight end rounds. However, Reed doesn’t make the adjustment on his route that Griffin is anticipating. The Washington quarterback wants to throw the ball behind the linebacker at the left lash, which requires Reed to take a more vertical break rather than break inside as hard as he is.

As Griffin delivers the ball down field and behind the linebacker, the tight end is not in position to make the play because of his break. The result is an overthrown pass. Note that the receiver running the comeback is still working on his route and Griffin has a lot of space in the pocket to wait for it. The patience isn’t there because he’s been smacked around enough not to hang in the pocket.

As the ball reaches the turf, note the receiver on the left beginning his break. With more consistent protection, Griffin will have more opportunities to display patience. The concern is will Griffin be able to withstand the storm until then? I don’t have a definitive answer. His toughness thus far is reason for optimism, but it’s no guarantee.

Single Reads-Tight Windows

Griffin’s elite arm strength and potential to develop pinpoint accuracy gives him potential to develop into an elite pocket passer. This play on 3rd and 11 isn’t the type of target that has everyone gushing over Aaron Rodgers, but it’s within the same spectrum and a good completion that offers future development along those lines.

Griffin has four receivers in routes on this 3rd-and-11 pass versus one safety deep, but eight defenders dropping into coverage. Once again, Griffin targets Reed.

A quick drop and release as the two outside receivers run routes of similar depth to force the defenders to focus more on this two-route combination as Reed breaks just behind (and inside) of them.

Good throw, good catch, first down. This doesn’t seem like a tight window, but if the perspective of this photo was the coaches tape or a shot from the pocket, it would be apparent that this pass required a fair amount of precision. As this offense provides better protection for Griffin, we’ll see more routes with multiple receivers and fewer two and three-man routes with max protection.

Here’s a money throw that put Washington in position to win. It was a clutch throw and catch in overtime.

This is a max protection play with two receivers versus eight defenders dropping into coverage on 1st and 20. Washington gives its two receivers a chance to get behind the linebackers by slowing their drops with Griffin’s play fake. Even this late in the game, Griffin issues a play fake with his back to the defense, selling the action.

A quick drop, turn, and Griffin is beginning his release as Garcon plants his outside leg to begin his break inside. Based on the coverage, it’s apparent this is going to be a tight-window throw.

The success of the ground game has given Griffin a nice pocket to deliver the ball and he hits Garcon between the linebacker and the safety. What I like about this play is that Griffin displays pinpoint accuracy, but a better throw would have been to the receiver’s back shoulder so Garcon wasn’t lead into the teeth of the defense. This is a fine point that currently defines the difference between Griffin’s passing skills and that of more refined passers in the NFL.

Garcon makes the catch, and to his credit, he made at least three receptions in this game on errant targets in tight coverage that required difficult adjustments – two of them one-handed catches down field. These aren’t high percentage throws, but Griffin could do a more to increase the odds. While the placement was bad, the accuracy was good. Garcon makes the catch and then displays great effort to work past the safety for the first down in field goal range, settling up an eventual game-winning touchdown.

Here’s a difficult throw from the Denver game where the pocket wasn’t clean and the result is an accurate, but high placement that makes his receiver’s job a difficult one.

Denver will send five and drop six against four receivers. The target is the outside trips receiver on this play.

Griffin will have to throw this ball against two safeties deep and a corner taking away the outside. Look at the left guard in this photo and the next two after it and you’ll see why this throw will be a difficult one.

Griffin delivers the ball with a hand in his face and close to impeding the motion of the quarterback’s release. The result is a high placement. The window as the line of scrimmage is tight enough that I’m not convinced Griffin could have delivered this target lower than he did.

The receiver get his hands on the ball, but this extension with contact to his back is a difficult play. It’s expected he should make this catch, but the pressure from the pocket made the stakes high.

The hit knocks the ball loose and the safety almost earns an interception – see below.

Here are two more from last week where Griffin encounters pressure in his face that alters his release and the course of the play.

This time, note the left side of the line getting bull rushed into its own quarterback.

Griffin’s routes on this 3rd-and-7 are slow-developing and he’s trying to remain patient with them rather than opting for a check-down early.

Griffin times his release with a defender in his sight line with the receiver. The result is a high throw.

And an overthrow . . .

More pressure from Griffin’s blindside on this play and the result is similar to some of the plays over the middle that I’ve already shown.

Griffin provides a solid play fake but the pressure off left guard forces a throw on an intermediate cross that is behind the receiver.

Far from a clean pocket to deliver the ball with a defender’s helmet on Griffin’s outside shoulder.

This play is why it’s rarely simple to pinpoint the source of a problem on one player or unit – it’s all interrelated.

Multiple Reads: Signs of Progress

There are plays in both games where Griffin not only makes multiple reads, but he navigates the pocket under duress and finishes with an accurate throw. Here’s a short pass in the red zone from yesterday’s game. Griffin’s first two reads are the post an crossing route that accidentally meet at the same spot at the same time. The next two reads are a shallow cross by the tight end (blue line) and a drag route from the wing back.

As Griffin finish his drop, there’s a traffic jam with the potential for a pile up. I don’t know who erred on their route depth or choice, but there’s a good chance this play will be nicknamed “Congress” in the film room.

Griffin has good protection to deliver the ball, but there’s no shot for him to find an open man on this side of the field. Knowing his time is limited, he turns to the right where the shallow cross is breaking open.

Griffin delivers the ball where his receiver should make the catch for the touchdown. The tight end unfortunately leaves his feet and takes contact as he makes the catch, knocking the receiver away from the goal line.

Still, this is a good play from Griffin. Here’s a similar situation in the red zone against the Broncos last week where he faces pressure and still makes the play.

This time, three receivers are working in the right quadrant of the defense with the potential for a pick play between the tight end and receiver inside the five.

It appears the shallow cross under neath the two receivers at the goal line is the target Griffin considers, but pressure off right tackle forces the quarterback to abandon this read.

Griffin feels the pressure below and has to slide away from a potential sack, reset and deliver the ball elsewhere.

Good slide to keep his feet set and remain in a throwing position with his eyes down field. Although Griffin may sometimes lose patience due to the consistent pressure he’s seeing every week, he’s not perceiving pressure or losing focus. One thing Griffin can do as well as anyone I’ve watched is take punishment and come back for more. This was the case at Baylor and has remained as such in Washington. Hopefully the offensive line can eliminate the need for Griffin to be a heavy back for 300-pounders.

Griffin spots his man working inside and delivers a strike between defenders for the touchdown.

Another delivery in a tight pocket. It’s encouraging he’s comfortable doing it, but there’s no doubt Washington wants to reduce these tight-pocket deliveries with a big guy in Griffin’s face.

Progress One Week Later: Checking Down

Last week, Griffin ignored some check-downs on early down passes. This week, Griffin got the memo. Here’s another one of Washington’s max protect packages where the team gives the look of a potential option run, but Griffin drops to throw deep.

If the Chargers bite on the run fake, at least four of the seven Chargers defenders will be close enough to the line of scrimmage that Griffin will have an easy throw in the intermediate range of the field. This is what was so successful for Washington last year. Now, linebackers aren’t reacting with the same aggression to these run fakes as often and it’s tightening the passing lanes for Griffin.

As the Washington quarterback drops, there are seven Chargers in coverage and not a lot of room to operate. The photo below illustrates the Griffin was ready to deliver this ball in rhythm to the receiver on a vertical route: his feet are planted and his shoulders are angled for a deeper throw.

However, Griffin remembers that against the Broncos last week, he delivered multiple deep throws in double coverage without success. He turns to his right, spots Reed on the swing route and sets his feet to lead the tight end down field.

Good throw outside and down field, giving Reed a shot to beat the defender over top for a positive gain.

Four yards on 2nd and 7? Washington will take that every time.

The Fine Line Between Toughness and Recklessness

There is a hot debate among some long-time analysts about players with Griffin’s skills as a runner. Greg Cosell’s mantra is that a quarterback has to win from the pocket and that mobile quarterbacks increase their odds of injury. Others believe that mobile quarterbacks who run don’t get hurt as often when they leave the pocket as they do standing in the pocket taking hits. I agree with the second sentiment until I see valid data that illustrates otherwise. However, there are situations where I think mobile quarterbacks have to display more restraint.

This 3rd-and-9 scramble in a tie game in the third quarter is a good example of a play where Griffin does the spectacular, but generates a lot of ambivalence as someone who wants to see the Washington quarterback have a good career.

Griffin has four receivers working down field as he drops from the gun, but the coverage is good early.

After Griffin’s initial plant and survey, the best option might be the shallow cross, but in this down and distance situation, Griffin tries to remain patient for something to come open with the slower-developing routes. Unfortunately, Griffin has to slide to his right to find an open lane and this opens the edge for the pass rush.

Griffin now must turn to his left and climb the pocket.

Pressure up the middle forces Griffin to tuck and run. Now, running back Roy Helu must become a blocker. Griffin has over 20 yards to run for a shot at the first down and the angles the defense has on the quarterback are good enough to prevent the conversion.

If I had to guess, I’d say Griffin’s speed is probably about 80-85 percent back but the confidence and or stability in the knee to make quick-twitch cuts and moves is not there. Griffin opts to split the defenders with angles on him at the sideline by making like Superman.

Griffin picks up a block from Helu while airborne but his trajectory towards earth doesn’t make for a smooth landing.

There’s a name for this finishing move in wrestling, depending on the wrestler. Griffin earns the first down and pops up for another play. But what about three years from now? Five years? 10 years? I love Griffin’s toughness, but I think his risk-taking extends past the line of toughness, passes recklessness, and is approaching insanity.

This is why Washington is working plays into the offense that aren’t just read option looks. However, the team’s best chance to win now will be a healthy Griffin using his arms and legs. In three, five, and 10 years, it will be with a stronger offensive line and reliable receivers on pinpoint throws. It’s straddling both worlds of offensive systems required to win now and prepare Griffin for later that makes this a bumpy ride – especially with the injury.

If Griffin can remain patient and stay healthy, he has shown the toughness, arm strength, pocket presence, and flashes of pinpoint accuracy to continue along a path towards stardom. There are signs of progress, but as long as there’s pressure reaching the pocket – even against max protection – Griffin will take enough punishment that could alter any quarterback’s approach to the game for the worse. I think Washington is doing the best it can with the personnel it has to win games and continue its quarterback’s development.

Front office leadership’s leadership in the draft, free agency, and financial management will be critical factors that can tip the scales either way for Griffin’s development. The team needs an infusion of talent and cap friendly contracts so there’s both quantity and quality. Thus far, its track record hasn’t been good under Snyder’s tenure. Hopefully Bruce Allen’s work in the front office will turn the tide, but it requires off-field analysis I have no interest in other than its outcome for Griffin.

For more analysis of skill players like this post, download the 2013 Rookie Scouting Portfolio available April 1. Prepayment is available now. Better yet, if you’re a fantasy owner the 56-page Post-Draft Add-on comes with the 2013 RSP at no additional charge. Best, yet, 10 percent of every sale is donated to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse. You can purchase past editions of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio for just $9.95 apiece.

Futures at Football Outsiders: Baylor RB Lache Seastrunk

November 2, 2013 0 Comments read 2014 NFL Draft, Players, Running Back

This shot begins one of my favorite runs of the year, painted courtesy of Baylor's Lache Seastrunk. — This shot begins one of my favorite runs of the year, painted courtesy of Baylor’s Lache Seastrunk.

Futures: Baylor RB Lache Seastrunk

by Matt Waldman

There’s no position I enjoy watching more than running back. One of the reasons I love studying the position is that relative to other roles on the field, there’s a tremendous amount of diversity among players that can excel at the job.

No other position in football has such a wide range of acceptable physical dimensions. There was a time when Brandon Jacobs weighed 87 pounds more than Warrick Dunn. Both players sport multiple 1000-yard seasons. Adrian Peterson is almost a half-foot taller than Frank Gore, but they are about same weight and inspire similar frustration among opposing defenders.

Watch Peterson, Herschel Walker, and Bo Jackson and they seem chiseled from ebony. By comparison, Jerome Bettis and Craig “Ironhead: Heyward were amorphous lumps of clay. None were a joy to tackle.

Cleveland’s 6-foot-2, 232-pound fullback Jim Brown and Chicago’s 5-foot-10, 200-pound Walter Payton are far apart on the dimension spectrum of running backs, but is there any separation between them when it came to dying hard on every play? For that matter, is there anyone else even close?

Read the rest at Football Outsiders

NFL Closeup: Safety T.J. Ward’s Line of Scrimmage High Wire Act

November 1, 2013 0 Comments read Players

T.J. Ward's tackle of Jamaal Charles for a loss last Sunday is what makes football beautiful, predatory, and savage. Photo by BGSU86 — T.J. Ward’s tackle of Jamaal Charles for a loss last Sunday is what makes football beautiful, predatory, and savage. Photo by BGSU86

I love great running back play and this season, Jamaal Charles’ game qualifies. Charles and LeSean McCoy are two of the most elusive backs in the NFL who can also get the tough yards. Their skill at the sharp cut or layering moves upon moves in succession from these backs at the edge of the line of scrimmage or in the open field and it’s the beginning of the end a failed series for a defense.

One false move by the defender and whiff, off to the races. I may imagine that a Charles keeps defenders up at night, the motivation might be excitement more than fear. You have to be confident to play defense in the NFL – especially in today’s league where the rules are stacked against them.

Although fantasy football has influenced my tendencies to watch football from an offensive perspective, my personal DNA makeup is rooted more in defense when you examine the teams I’ve gravitated to as a fan.

Excellent press corner play
Physical and/or rangy safeties
Freakish edge rushers
Physical ground game

This describes much about the 1980s Cleveland Browns, the Jeff Fisher Tennessee Titans at the turn of the century, and Pete Carroll’s Seattle Seahawks. Throw in my love for the Lester Hayes-Mike Haynes corner combo in Oakland and you see what I’m saying.

But what comes to mind when I think of what I love about defense is watching a safety at the line of scrimmage. It’s an act of blatant, white-knuckled aggression and risk that turns the tide of a series or game one way or the other. Watching Browns safety T.J. Ward crowd the line of scrimmage to run blitz Jamal Charles at the edge is one of those high wire acts that is football at its most predatory, savage, and beautiful.

Ward is the safety at the right hash on this run designed for Charles to follow his fullback to the edge. Because it’s a zone play with double teams to the linebacker from the inside, Charles as multiple options and for a runner of his quickness and agility he’s at the apex of the ball carrier food chain when it comes to amazing cutbacks.

Ward is blitzing on this play and his job has more complexity than simply “tackle the runner.” That’s the best-case goal. However, the contingency plan if this doesn’t happen is to funnel Charles inside where there’s enough help to limit the Chiefs’ runner. With a runner like Charles who is the NFL’s Road Runner this is no guarantee for this week’s Wiley E. Coyotes from northeast Ohio to stop him.

Football is a game of angles and defenders know this better than anyone. Ward has to approach the line of scrimmage fast enough to set a position that forces Charles inside and earns the safety a shot to make the tackle. His potential obstacles to his spot are linemen, fullbacks, and the most slippery darter of a ball carrier in the NFL. To help Ward get in position, the Browns hope it’s edge defender can get penetration into the backfield and occupy or beat the fullback.

However, Ward still has to handle the tight end. This requires the speed, vision, and change of direction of a running back, but some of the same body control and technique of a defensive end rushing the edge on a pass play.

See Ward bending his hips and torso to corner the tight end at the line of scrimmage? The orange line is the path he ultimately takes to meet Charles in the backfield, but the outside loop is to prevent the runner from having this two-way go (red arrows) that is currently available at this stage of the play. If Ward slips or misses, Charles is outside the defense and in the flat, breaking ankles of Wards’ teammates.

Here’s that defensive end-like bend. He’s cornering like a motorcyle on a track and this not only gets Ward under the tight end’s interference, but also eliminates Charles’ option to bounce outside. Now, Ward has to explode with a 90-degree turn and hit through Charle’s legs and wrap tight. No easy task.

Charles still has a chance to work inside his fullback and dip to the middle of the line where the double teams have gotten enough traction for a positive gain, and there are enough Chiefs inside the right tackle that this could be a much bigger run than it looks. Note Ward’s arm approaching Charles over the knee. The higher a defender can grab a ball carrier, the more second-effort chances he has to wrap the player if he doesn’t get a secure hold initially. It’s a lot like a wide receiver extending his arms to attack a target at the earliest window – it affords more opportunities to make the play.

Ward slides from Charles’ knee to the feet and ankles to drop Charles for a short loss. While there’s a lot of help from his teammates, the individual athleticism and awareness of angles is as compelling as an acrobatic catch or open field run.

For analysis of offensive skill players like this post, download the 2013 Rookie Scouting Portfolio available April 1. Prepayment is available now. Better yet, if you’re a fantasy owner the 56-page Post-Draft Add-on comes with the 2013 RSP at no additional charge. Best, yet, 10 percent of every sale is donated to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse. You can purchase past editions of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio for just $9.95 apiece.

Reads Listens Views 11/1/2013

November 1, 2013 0 Comments read Reads Listens Views

Thank you for reading. If you are new to the blog, on Fridays I post links to content (football and otherwise) that I’ve read in recent weeks. You may not like everything I share, but you’ll like something. This week: Lions, Tigers, and Bears Living together; Black Sabbath; Unlocking The Truth; The Civil Wars; and cute and sadistic wildlife.

Listens – Unlocking The Truth

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

Do you fellas . . .

Thanks

Busy week at the RSP Blog and everywhere else I’m writing. Thank you for reading. If you are new to the blog, on Fridays I post links to content (football and otherwise) that I’ve read in recent weeks. You may not like everything I share, but you’ll like something.

What to support this blog? Follow follow it and get email notices when I post something new. Better yet, feed your football knowledge and fantasy acumen and download the Rookie Scouting Portfolio. It’s a win-win-win. You get the most comprehensive analysis of rookie skill talent available from the guy who shows you why Russell Wilson was underrated, how Kenbrell Thompkins could make a team as an undrafted free agent, and why you shouldn’t have worried about Keenan Allen’s 40-time. In its eighth year of publication, 10 percent of each sale is donated to Darkness to Light, a charity created to prevent sexual abuse. Plus the more you support the RSP, the more I can provide long-term to this blog and improve what is already the most unbelievably detailed-insightful work on rookies prior to the draft that’s out there.

Thanks to everyone who is a regular reader, visitor, and listener of the content I’m providing on football. It’s a labor, but I enjoy it.

Coming Soon at the RSP Blog

Futures At Football Outsiders: Bayor RB Lache Seastrunk.
More analysis on Robert Griffin – What he’s doing well, where he can improve, and my thoughts on his future development.
NFL Closeup: Safety T.J. Ward’s High Wire Act vs. Jamaal Charles.

Views: Marshawn Lynch E:60 Profile

[youtube=http://youtu.be/d3cWjT9lpZc]

Football Reads/Listens

Trent Richardson and the Colts’ Offense – Ben Muth delivers insightful analysis about the relationship between runner-offensive line, using Richardson as the portrait.
Clutch Encounters – Scott Kacsmar’s quality column at Football Outsiders. This week he talks about Matt Stafford among the other fine moments from Week 8.
On The Couch Podcast – Insightful stuff from Scott Pianowski this week. Sigmund Bloom fosters a great environment for a more open discussion that goes deeper than normal fare.
Misery Football Theater – The Gut Check profiles the Jason Campbell-Josh Gordon on-field relationship in Cleveland and looks at C.J. Anderson’s carries last weeks.

Listens

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZhIm-XtZIk&w=560&h=315]

Fun version of an seminal 1980s pop tune.

Non-Football Reads

Eastern Penitentiary Haunted – Some of the historic instances of torture are horrific. Ah, “civilization”.
Animals can be giant jerks – This isn’t safe for work, but it is compelling if you get sick of stories about the poor, innocent animals. I will say that I wish this infotainment piece had some data about the rate of incidents that they describe and perhaps compare it to humans. Now that would be insightful.
This Tiger, Bear, and Lion aren’t jerks to each other – It’s a complex world we live in.
Your meat is worse than ever – And Claire Leschin-Hoar doesn’t think there’s a damn thing you can do about it.
Woman carries hurt pit bull down mountain side – Dog shot and left to die there, but she hoists the big fella into her arms and gets a one-hour workout to save its life and add to her family.

Listens

[youtube=http://youtu.be/sSRQCMq1gB8]

Is it just me or does a young Ozzy Osborne resemble the kid who played Danny in Kubrick’s version of The Shining? Sounds a lot like him, too – C’mon Ozzy, screech “Redrum! Redrum! Redrum!” a few times for us. Great tune.

NFL Closeup: LB Derrick Johnson Taking on a Lead Block

October 28, 2013 0 Comments read Players

Watch Derrick Johnson demonstrate great athleticism in tight space. Photo by G.R. Allen.

I’ve been a fan of Derrick Johnson since he was a destructive force for the Texas Longhorns. Watching the Chiefs beat the Browns this weekend, Johnson reminded me why I love watching good linebacker play. Among them is the act of taking on a lead block and dropping the ball carrier.

Here’s a variation of a trap play on 1st and 10 with 10:19 in the half with Cleveland on its five yard line. The play begins with the right tackle and right guard slanting to seal the line inside and block its way to the middle linebacker. The left guard pulls to seal the outside defender and the tight end on the wing – Jordan Cameron – is the lead blocker assigned to clear Derrick Johnson from the hole.

Good luck.

Johnson leans to the inside as he’s reading the line of scrimmage, spotting the pulling action of the guard and the tight end behind him. The right side of the Cleveland line does a good job of sealing the inside of the Kansas City front and you can see the right tackle working downhill towards the middle linebacker. If the Browns can block Johnson and the outside linebacker Justin Houston on the edge, this play will yield a nice gain.

As you can see below, the pulling guard takes a strong angle to Houston and keeps the outside linebacker wide of the running lane. The right tackle reaches the middle linebacker at the second level and the interior lineman are all sealed inside as the Brown’ runner follows Cameron into the hole.

Johnson slides to the hole with his pads square to the running back. Note to the fullback coming from the right side near the “1st & 10” graphic of the television broadcast. Johnson has a small margin of error on this play. If he begins with an angle too far outside, he could get double-teamed by the tight end and fullback and the runner earns a lane inside those blocks. If the right tackle can sustain his block for another second, the back is off to the races. If Johnson is too far inside, the tight end can try to pin the linebacker into the line of scrimmage to create an even larger running lane.

This is my favorite part of the play. Johnson takes an outside angle and essentially dips into a three-point stance to slip under Cameron’s block. The conceptual thinking for Johnson here is that if he forces the runner inside, there’s a greater chance that one of his teammates will come free and make the play on the runner if he doesn’t. The physical technique to go from an upright position and almost leaning backwards to this three-point stance in less than a second is the beauty of top-notch defensive athleticism. It’s also a great understanding of angles.

On the other hand, the runner takes a long step towards Johnson when sees the linebacker shooting for him. This is an attempt to put on the breaks and change direction, but the long step prevents him from maintaining his footing. It’s hard to say whether shorter steps to the hole could have altered the outcome of this play. However, I do wonder about the runner’s approach. Based on the angle of his pads and hips, he appears as if he’s still uncertain which direction to take.

What I wish I knew for certain is the fullback’s assignment. It seemed like the fullback had a great opportunity to double-team Johnson. At the same time, it appears the fullback also has an eye on assisting the right tackle on the middle linebacker. If Cameron can take care of Johnson, then it’s the fullback’s help on the middle linebacker that will open this whole beyond the second level of the defense. Forced to guess, I’ll say that the expectation was for Cameron to beat Johnson one-on-one, which proves to be a tough assignment for a young tight end who has earned his place in the starting lineup for his pass receiving more than his run blocking.

Johnson shoots past the runner’s legs the same way Bruce Lee used to emphasize punching past the target point to ensure there’s power behind that blow. Also note that Johnson’s hit is at knee-level. Even a runner with tremendous feet will have difficulty avoiding Johnson’s angle.

Johnson gets under Cameron and shoots through the runner’s legs, upending the ball carrier. The back manages to fall forward to the line of scrimmage, but Johnson foils a play that if he handles wrong should have been at least a four-yard gain and at best a run of 30-40 yards.

For more analysis of offensive skill players download the 2013 Rookie Scouting Portfolio available April 1. Prepayment is available now. Better yet, if you’re a fantasy owner the 56-page Post-Draft Add-on comes with the 2013 RSP at no additional charge. Best, yet, 10 percent of every sale is donated to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse. You can purchase past editions of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio for just $9.95 apiece.

Reads Listens Views 10/24/2013

October 24, 2013 0 Comments read Reads Listens Views

This looked like an overthrow, but it was a rookie mistake by the promising Johnathan Franklin. Read the Gut Check and find out why.

Thanks

If you’re new to the RSP blog, every Friday I post Reads Listens Views – items I’m consuming on the Internet. Some of it is football, a lot of it isn’t. You won’t like everything I share, but I believe you’ll like at least one thing each week. It’s also a chance for me to thank you for reading my content on this blog, at Footballguys, Football Outsiders, and (each January) The New York Times.

And most of all, I get to thank those of you who support my work here and elsewhere by purchasing The Rookie Scouting Portfolio publication.

For the uninitiated, the RSP is The Rookie Scouting Portfolio, my annual publication that is the most comprehensive analysis of skill position players around. I have nearly 1300 pages of quality content (just for 2013) to back that up. Learn about it here. You can download 2013’s publication ($19.95) or get past issues at half price ($9.95) at this link. I give 10 percent of each sale to Darkness to Light, a non-profit devoted to preventing sexual abuse in communities through the creation and implementation of training and awareness programs.

Evan Silva, thank you for reminding us on Twitter of this gem.

Listens

[youtube=http://youtu.be/EXOUkzIEib8]

I’ve played my share of Derek Trucks guitar solos in this weekly feature, but Susan Tedeschi performs a tasty one here.

Football Reads

Football Outsiders’ Film Room – Cian Fahey does a sweet job studying Ryan Tannehill and Joe Haden. I like his focus on cornerbacks, it makes me think about receivers. If Cian’s knee wasn’t as old as I am I’d like to pair what I’ve learned against what he knows with a reasonable passer targeting me. Fahey, if you dish any of that Janoris Jenkins trash my way – even in Irish slang – you’ll wish I was Steve Smith.
Guide to the NFL Workout Circuit – Former National Football Post writer and NFL safety Matt Bowen writes about the vicious cycle of in-season tryouts to join a team.
Disruption Is Production – Josh Norris and I have a mutual admiration society going. Within a week of each other we posted articles about two of the most disruptive defensive tackles in college football and why their on-field production doesn’t always appear in the box score. Good stuff if you want to get past headlines that do nothing but perpetuate shallow knowledge of the game you love.
Random Shots – Joe Bryant, with a little help from some great friends, writes a terrific feature on the lighter side of the NFL. Bryant has a simple, direct style that makes for great reading.
The Gut Check No.283: The Gut Check’s Film Room – I open the home theater for a double feature of Jarrett Boykin and Case Keenum with a short feature on Joique Bell.

Views – Mandatory Education on The War on Drugs

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuCVbR8vO_U]

Listens

[youtube=http://youtu.be/Vef03k5i8VI]

Non-Football Reads

Russell Brand Started a Revolution Last Night – Whether you agree or disagree with Brand, I like that he encourages people to question things we often take for granted. Most of all, I love that he doesn’t take a reporter’s agenda and format for granted and instead questions them at every turn on their modus operandi. Keep holding the mirror to their faces until they realize they’re behavior is a silly game.
Why I Made Blackfish –The documentary about Sea World’s practice of keeping Orcas in captivity is heartbreaking, but a must-see. Did you know there’s no human fatality by an Orca on record in the wild? Go figure.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year – Worth viewing some beauty in its element right about now, am I right?
U.S. Rivers Packed With Garbage – Silly me, to think garbage only went in our landfills and legislatures.
Thinking Fast And Slow – Adam Harstad is a long-time Footballguys’ Shark Pool regular and new staff writer. He recommended this book from heralded economist on cognitive bias. Adding it to my reading list.

Views – Most Popular Boys’ Names By Year Since 1960 – Gif From The Atlantic

Listens

[youtube=http://youtu.be/nls1HtXQe8E]

I like this pop group. These guys can sing, play, and jazz up something that would otherwise be pretty bland.