Posts tagged New York Times

No. 4 RB David Wilson

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David Wilson is my No.4 RB in the 2012 RSP. Here’s an excerpt of my ranking thoughts on Wilson in the New York Times Fifth Down Blog.

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

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

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

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

Also see my David Wilson Series:

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

New York Times Fifth Down Blog Top-Five Series

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reads Listens Views 2/24/2012

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/jV5ioewi4pk]

Lot’s happening right now. Here’s a partial list:

2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio News

April 1 is just around the corner, and I’m still studying film for the 2012 publication. So far I have evaluated 144 prospects at QB, RB, WR, and TE. I’m expecting to watch another 10-20 players before I publish. The 2012 RSP will be available through a link I provide here for $19.95. Past issues are also be available (2006-2011).

Beginning this year, 10 percent of each 2012 RSP sale will be donated to the organization Darkness to Light. Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse should be a top priority in this country and this organization provides programs that “raise awareness of the prevalence and consequences of child sexual abuse by educating adults about the steps they can take to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse.”

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