Posts tagged Pro Football Focus

RSP Writers Q&A: Sam Monson, Pro Football Focus

When you can turn “Gronk” and Gates (twice) into “Gunk,” you can have strong safety Tyvon Branch’s swagger. Sam Monson explains why Branch is the only hybrid stopper in the NFL. Photo by Jeffery Beall.

I was raised on cornerbacks Hanford Dixon and Frank Minnifield playing bump and run in Cleveland. It was a big reason why I wanted Darrelle Revis and added some young, promising corners with man coverage skill to my squad. I have a brother-in-arms in that department with Sam Monson. The Pro Football Focus writer unveiled his RSP Writers team yesterday and if you appreciate the skill of man coverage, you’re going to love what he did.

I probably asked Monson more follow up questions than any writer thus far, including a mini-discussion about studying the game from a statistical perspective versus one of technique. I couldn’t agree with his answer more. We lead off with that question, using Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate as the starting point for this stats vs. technique discussion. Continue reading

RSP Writers Team: Sam Monson, Pro Football Focus

About damn time Drew Brees is on a writers team, don’t you think? Sam Monson builds a team that a defensive back would like: a passing game he only has to face in practice and a defensive unit geared to defend an aerial assault. Photo by eschipul.

Sam Monson is an analyst at Pro Football Focus. He’s a sales and marketing director in Dublin, Ireland. Apparently, Monson is also a ball-hawking defensive back for his local football league (see his Twitter profile). Jene Bramel was sent across the pond to scout him. His report is forthcoming.

In the spirit of Monson’s football position, the PFF writer built a RSP team that I believe places heavy emphasis on taking away the pass as well as testing good passing defenses. He has a strong 1-2 punch at receiver, a promising all-around tight end, and throwing the ball to them is none other than Drew Brees, who makes his first appearance on a RSP Writers Project Team.

Just from the initial scan of Monson’s roster, he has built a unit with defensive backs capable of sticking to receivers like flypaper and relentless edge rushers along the defensive line. While I’m not a fan of some of his depth, it’s easy to nitpick any of these teams in that department. What I do know is that Monson’s team will be competitive as long as it stays healthy and when I say competitive, I mean compiling stats in the left-hand column labeled “W.” Continue reading

Pro Football Focus Fantasy Editor Alex Miglio’s Q&A

Whitney Mercilus will have a pivotal role in PFF writer-editor Alex Miglio’s defensive scheme. Is he ready? Photo by The Daily Herald.

PFF writer and editor Alex Miglio unveiled at roster with promising offensive skill players, linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties under 26 years of age. This is a young and physically talented team. What intrigues me most about this team is that Andrew Luck has been compared often to Peyton Manning, but unlike the Colts or Broncos, Miglio is going to give Luck and his young squad a complex offense with a variety of personnel sets and formation shifts.

While Luck may be up to the task, the question might be whether the rest of his team is up to the scheme complexities Continue reading

Pro Football Focus Fantasy Editor Alex Miglio’s RSP Writers Team

Pro Football Focus fantasy redraft editor Alessandro Miglio is banking big on the Andrew Luck to Coby Fleener tandem. Photo by Han Shot First.

Alessandro Miglio is the Redraft Editor for Pro Football Focus’ fantasy content and a featured columnist at Bleacher Report where he covers the Dolphins and the NFL. Miglio and I both share a fondness for the Miami Hurricanes football team and Foster 206, which is not a beer but a location for excellent music.

Miglio believes he built his team for the long haul.

This team was built to last. There is youth and upside at many vital positions. While that means there is some uncertainty about quality of play, the youthful makeup of this club was intentional. While they may not be immediate Super Bowl contenders, they should quickly grow into one.

With players like Andrew Luck, Jonathan Stewart, Taiwan Jones, and Demaryius Thomas, Miglio has some explosive elements to his team. The questions arise on defense where he has a lot of promise and physical talent, but is there enough savvy to make it work? Continue reading