Posts tagged NFL Matchup

Greg Cosell Part V: Class in Session

0 Comments read Matt Waldman
NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell shares his takes about the game and its players this week. Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo was one of Cosell's favorite rookies when we first spoke in 2008. Photo by Patriotsworld

Entering my third year of studying film for The Rookie Scouting Portfolio, I had just finished a year of film study that included one of  the bigger lessons I had encountered in Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. The highly coveted prospect had some raving fans, but I wasn’t one of them. I didn’t see what others thought even after studying a half-dozen games.

It was how I became acquainted with NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell. I read his 2008 Sporting News piece  on Darren McFadden. I was surprised to learn that we had similar takes on the runner. I sent him my analysis on McFadden and this fueled a longer conversation over the telephone.  Parts I, II, and III were a recent conversation. Part IV and this conversation about what goes into evaluating certain positions on the football field are from 2008. Continue reading →

Quick Announcement 8/25

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I’ve had the pleasure to speak with NFL Films producer Greg Cosell a few times over the years. If you aren’t familiar with his work, read this excellent feature in the New York Times. Beginning Sunday, I will be posting Q&A’s I’ve had with Greg on two different occasions. A 45-minute conversation from three years go and an hour-long conversation we had this afternoon that was just awesome.

I felt a little bit like a kid in a candy store asking him about some of the things you’ll be seeing this week:

  • Offensive and defensive schemes and systems he likes in the NFL.
  • Takes on various rookies.
  • Takes on nearly 20 different veterans from every position.
  • He willingly played the game where I asked him to choose between several sets of players that I posed to him just to get him to share his historical knowledge of the game (Ray Lewis vs. Dick Butkus or Bo Jackson vs. Eric Dickerson).
  • The role of Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski in the Patriots offense.
  • A great anecdote about Michael Irvin paying a visit to NFL Films.
  • Past thoughts on players like Jerod Mayo, Vince Young, Tyrell Johnson, and Darren McFadden.
  • Emerging players.

So stay tuned. It was a lot of fun to pick Cosell’s brain. I think you’re going to enjoy his generosity.

M