Posts tagged Rookie Scouting Portfolio

Contests: Win a Past Issue of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio

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Eric Dickerson holds the rookie rushing record with 390 attempts for 1808 yards. Name thee of the top five from the same college and win a past issue of the RSP. Photo by Master Sgt. Cohen A. Young

I’m in a giving mood today and I also have to think of a name for my Football Outsider’s Saturday Column (as well as write it), which will cover college players with NFL prospects – similar to what I do here. So today, I’m having a contest:

The three people to correctly answer this question will win a past issue (2006-2011) of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio.

In addition, I’ll give away a 2012 RSP if you can suggest a name for my new column that I like enough to use. I can’t guarantee I’ll hear one I like enough to use, but would appreciate the ideas.

There’s also a different contest going on my Facebook page. Like that page and answer that three-part question correctly and you could earn a chance to win.

The NFL’s top-five rookie years for rushing yardage includes three backs who came from the same college. Name the college and the three backs.

[contact-form subject=”The Rookie Scouting Portfolio Contests: Win a Past Issue of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio ” to=”mattwaldmanrsp@gmail.com”] [contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Name the college the three RBs share.” type=”text” /] [contact-field label=”RB No.1″ type=”text” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”RB No.2″ type=”text” /] [contact-field label=”RB No.3″ type=”text” /] [contact-field label=”Suggested Football Outsiders column title” type=”text” /] [/contact-form]

Cal WR Keenan Allen: Creating Separation With His Hands

0 Comments read Players, Wide Receiver
Keenan Allen might have DeSean Jackson’s fancy footwork in a 6’3, 205 lbs. frame, but he also flashes some quality hands in more ways than one. Photo by John Martinez Pavliga.

I’ll still be writing about 2012 NFL Draft prospects in the coming months, but with the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio in the books – and available for download – I’m also beginning my work for next year’s draft. See below.

If you’ve been reading my blog for at least a couple of months then you know I have an appreciation for former Cal wide receiver Marvin Jones. As much as I enjoy his technical skill at the position, Jones’ contributions were sometimes overshadowed by the terrific athleticism of his teammate Keenan Allen. The rising junior is 6’3″, 205 lbs. of quick-twitch, X-box-inspired moves once the ball is in his hands. Continue reading →

QB Guru George Whitfield: “How I’d Build Tim Tebow”

0 Comments read Players, Quarterback, Reads Listens Views

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George Whitfield is quickly becoming known (by the media) as a QB guru. Here’s a cool segment breaking down Tim Tebow’s mechanics. Whitfield does not work with Tebow, but he believes Tebow can become “an effective…if not, great” NFL quarterback and he lays out how he’d help Tebow to achieve it.

If you’re looking for a chance to learn more about quarterbacking techniques – good and bad – this is an insightful watch.

I’ll be posting more analysis of players on this blog on Wednesday and next week I hope to begin breaking down players for 2013 – yes, 2013 😉

And as sincerely as I can convey this to you – thank you for reading this blog and thank you for being 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio readers. I have a loyal base or readers, which is one of the big ways I know I’m doing something right with this publication. If you’re considering the publication for the first time, these are some of the comments I get from readers every year.

I’m taking my wife out to dinner tonight – she deserves at least that for the support she provides for me to indulge in what can be an obsession.

 

2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio is Ready for Download!

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The 2012 RSP is ready for download now. If you pre-ordered, you can go directly to this page and enter your login and password.

A big thanks to Jene Bramel doing his part ot edit and Mike MacGregor for getting the download site set up.

Here’s the Tale of the Tape:

  • Approximately 175 pages of magazine style analysis
    • Rankings
    • Player comparisons
    • Skill set break-downs by position
    • Draft history data by position
    • Fantasy football overviews
    • Bookmarked menus for easy drill-down
    • Links to highlight videos
    • Overrated/Underrated/Projects
  • 800 pages of play-by-play analysis on 151 players at the offensive skill positions.
    • Each position has its own criteria and scoring system
    • Play-by-play documentation of what happened and my observations
    • Transparent process to studying players
  • A complete glossary of scoring criteria

Remember, 10 percent of this year’s sales will be donated to Darkness to Light, a non-profit dedicated to preventing sexual abuse.

I hope you enjoy it. If you’re a first-time reader…or even a seventh-time reader, drop me a line and let me know what you think!

National Football Post Draftnik Roundtable

0 Comments read Players, Quarterback
The more I watch Russell Wilson, the more I like him. I know realistically that his height means “backup,” but he’s still a fine talent worth a serious shot. Photo by Seth Youngblood.

Monday afternoon, I joined Josh Buchanan of JBScouting, Josh Norris of Rotoworld.com, and Wes Bunting of the National Football Post for Draftnik Roundtable 6.0,  a half-hour discussion of quarterbacks not named Griffin or Luck. This is a series Bunting has created for the NFP.

If you want to learn more about Bunting, I did a four-part interview with him last summer (here’s Part I) and we discussed a variety of topics related to his start as a draft analyst and our takes on the craft of studying player performance.

It was a fun discussion and I think we all hope to do more of these with Wes in the future. If you follow Josh Norris on Twitter, please feel free to tell him that he doesn’t need to call me “Mr.” I’ve tried several times to tell him so, but his good, southern upbringing just won’t let him give up so easily.

If you’re not following Josh Norris, Josh Buchanan or Wes Bunting on Twitter, I recommend you do so:

  • Follow Wes on twitter: @WesBunting
  • Follow Josh Norris on twitter: @JoshNorris
  • Follow Josh Buchanan on twitter: @JoshBDraft
  • I’ll add @ryanlownes, @optimumscouting, and ABXXV25 to that list.

Back to QB write-ups. Some likely surprises in my rankings, but that’s not unusual. It’s not because I try to make a splash – I just do most of my watching cloistered away.

Joining Football Outsiders

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I'm not sure what German Shepherd this guy is training (check out the pants), but I'm suiting up for the Football Outsiders' team to write a pro prospect analysis column on Saturdays. Photo from Claremont Colleges Digital Library.

I’m pleased to announce that I will be joining Football Outsiders to pen analysis on pro prospects.  My weekly column will be published on Saturdays beginning this fall until the NFL Draft. I will provide player/game analysis of high-performing college players, including non-skill positions on both sides of the ball.

I’m excited become a part of another great team of writers on the Internet, but nothing else is changing. You can still find me writing fantasy football-related content at Footballguys.com and maintaining this blog. Football Outsiders is an additional opportunity to write about what I study.

I want to thank all of you who read and recommend my work on a regular basis. You’re a great audience and I appreciate the opportunities you have helped to provide. I’m still thinking of a name for the column so if you have suggestions, I’m all ears.

Reader Q&A – Ask Your Question Here

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Got a question? Ask it below and I'll answer for tomorrow (photo courtesy of Andrew Morrell Photography).

For the next two weeks, I’m reviewing game notes, writing content, and constructing reports for the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio available for download April 1. You can click the link and pre-order if you wish. Back issues (2006-2011) are available there for immediate download.

Today, I’m switching things up at the blog. Ask me a question in the form below about free agency, the draft, or the RSP and I’ll post and answer them here late tonight-early tomorrow.

[contact-form subject=”Reader Q&A” to=”mattwaldmanrsp@gmail.com”] [contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Question” type=”textarea” required=”true” /] [/contact-form]

Juron Criner: “Trust Me”

0 Comments read Players, Wide Receiver
Arizona WR Juron Criner is a “Trust Me” player. See below (trust me).

Whether it was in a stadium, the park, the street, or your friend’s back yard, I know you’ve been in a situation where you knew you could take the man assigned to you. All you had to do was convince your quarterback. The fewer the words, the better.

“Trust me.”

Continue reading →

Tight Quarters: LaMichael James

0 Comments read Players, Running Back
LaMichael James plays in an offense tailored to his strengths, but there are still game situations that reveal he has a fighting chance to do more than catch screens and run draws in the NFL. Photo by Neon Tommy.

LaMichael James is a short, quicksilver running back in an offense that plays at a break-neck tempo. There’s little doubt that he can have an impact as a kick return specialist and a third-down back in the NFL. And if the Broncos don’t land Peyton Manning and continue with some form of spread option offense, James could be a nice fit as an integral part of Denver’s backfield as my Footballguys.com colleague Cecil Lammey suggests.

However, let’s presume that “the future” is not “now” when it comes to offensive concepts and James must work in a traditional, pro-style offense. Does he have what it takes to perform as a between the tackles runner in the NFL? Can he carry the load like Warrick Dunn did for a couple of years with the Atlanta Falcons?  I’m looking at a few plays that provide some indication of what James can – and can’t – do.

Yesterday, I examined James in a short-yardage situation. Today, I’m looking at a play that requires an ability to carry the football in tight quarters. This is an aspect of James’ game where I think he shines. Continue reading →