Posts tagged Rookie Scouting Portfolio

Jokers

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It might not be obvious, but Reggie White's role on the defensive line was the football equivalent of slang. Photo by Keith Fujimoto.

One of the pervading themes in this blog has been discussion of  the hybridization of football players:

  • The zone blitz and the evolution of the 3-4 linebacker/defensive end ‘tweener capable of dropping into coverage and sticking his hand in the ground and rushing off the edge.
  • The safety/cornerback capable of covering slot receivers and supporting the run.
  • The tight end/wide receiver capable of playing at the line of scrimmage and  split from the formation.

When I asked my colleagues about a significant trend in the sport, hybridization was the first thing on their mental checklist.

Although hybridization might be a trend, history shows it’s not new. Continue reading →

RSP Readers Poll: 2011 NFL Season

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With the 2011 NFL season approaching fast I want to know your takes. Photo by Matt McGee

I have great readers and I’m curious about your takes heading into the 2011 NFL season. Since I’ve spent all summer giving my takes on the NFL, now it’s your turn to share yours.  Below are 15 questions. Continue reading →

A Case for Canton: William Andrews

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/pg2iByaHvTU]

This isn’t the play versus Lott, but it was a lot like it.

William Andrews legendary run through Ronnie Lott was a part of a recent conversation I had with NFL Films producer Greg Cosell. When I listened to Cosell’s thoughts on Andrews and added that to the litany of fans who revered the Falcons runner’s skill it only validated the most obvious of thoughts: Why isn’t William Andrews enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Continue reading →

Greg Cosell Part VI: Favorites

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(From L-R) Bill Walsh, Dick LeBeau, Don Coryell, Darryle Lamonica, Fred Biletnikoff, and Warren Wells. Photo by Diane Cordell

Parts I, II, and III of my talk with NFL Films senior Producer Greg Cosell – co-author of The Games That Changed the Game were portions of a recent conversation. Part IV and Part V about what goes into evaluating certain positions on the football field are from 2008. The final installment of this series features a short conversation about “favorites.”

Waldman: Who were your favorite players growing up?

Cosell: Wow, it’s funny because I watched football, but the NFL was probably my third or fourth favorite sport after baseball, basketball – the NBA and college – then football. I liked the old AFL. There were players in the old AFL Continue reading →

Reads, Listens, Views 9/2

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/K0EVm7fi0iQ]

Billy “White Shoes” Johnson. Get acquainted with him if you don’t know who he is. A terrific football player from the `70s and early `80s. One of my favorite receivers/return specialists from any era.

As I do every Friday at the Rookie Scouting Portfolio, I extend my thanks to all of you who take the time out of your day to consistently read the work I post here. It’s been the best week yet for the blog and I want to thank Greg Cosell for being a big reason for it. He’s a great interview.

I you like what you’ve seen thus far, please consider these three acts of kindness: Continue reading →

Greg Cosell Part V: Class in Session

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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 →

Greg Cosell Part IV: The Craft of Evaluation

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Greg Cosell and I became acquainted because of our shared take of Raiders RB Darren McFadden in 2008. Photo by TipsterHog.

Entering my third year of studying film for The Rookie Scouting Portfolio, I had just finished a year of film study that included a player who continues to be one of  the bigger lessons I have encountered, 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. And despite a strong 2010 campaign, I’m still not convinced he’ll be a consistent 1000-yard rusher as an every down back.  I’m looking forward to seeing something from his game that will change my mind.

My initial take on Darren McFadden in 2008 was how I became acquainted with NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell. I read his Sporting News piece  on McFadden and I was surprised to learn that we had similar takes on the runner. I sent Cosell my RSP analysis on McFadden and this fueled a longer conversation over the telephone.  While Parts I, II, and III were from a recent conversation. Part IV is a conversation from 2008. Continue reading →

Greg Cosell Part III: The All-Timer Game

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Who would you rather have Larry Fitzgerald or Michael Irvin? NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell is forced to pick among greats past and present. Photo by Photogeek21.

I’m a kid in a candy store this week. I get to share with you my conversations with NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell. One of the few people who not only has access to coaching tape, but also a guy who can call up a coach and talk shop. In Part I of our phone conversation from Cosell’s office at NFL Films headquarters in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, Cosell allowed me to toss what seemed like an endlessly random array of player names for him to give his takes. In Part II, Cosell participates in a more standard Q&A. In Part III, he agrees once again to indulge my inner football child.

Waldman: Let’s play another game. I name two players Continue reading →

Greg Cosell Part II:The Pats TE Duo and Rookies

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Patriots TE/H-Back/WR Aaron Hernandez is a prospect Greg Cosell really liked on film. Read how Cosell views the second-year TE’s role in the offense as well as his takes about the 2011 rookie class. Photo by Patriotworld.

Greg Cosell is the co-author of The Games That Changed the Game with former Eagles quarterback and ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski. The senior producer has watched decades of NFL coaches tape – the all-22 angle that very few people gain consistent access. In Part I of this conversation, Cosell graciously undergoes a voir dire of his knowledge of nearly two-dozen current players. In this portion of our conversation, Cosell supplies his take on the Patriots duo of second-year tight ends, quarterbacking in different eras of the pro game, and his thoughts on several rookies from the 2011 Draft class. Continue reading →

NFL Films’ Greg Cosell Part I: Personnel Interrogation

0 Comments read Matt Waldman
NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell indulges my interrogation of his knowledge of league personnel. Giants DE Justin Tuck is one of many suspects. Photo by Chris Pusateri.

It might be a dream job, but NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell understands what work is. The process of studying the game of football is a methodical one. Doing it well requires the attention and the appreciation of the minute detail, patience, and a large dose of humility.

Entering his third decade with NFL Films, Cosell has been studying football with this intense level of scrutiny longer than the average person reading this blog has been an adult. If football knowledge were gold then Raiders offensive coordinator Al Saunders’ appraisal of Cosell in a recent New York Times feature places the man behind the long-running ESPN program Edge NFL Matchup  on par with Fort Knox:

“Greg is just a brilliant man when it comes to” the strategic and personnel facets of the league, Raiders offensive coordinator Al Saunders said. “Tremendous insight, a tremendous knowledge of personnel, a great command of the intricacies of the game from a strategic standpoint.”

This week I will be featuring a recent conversation with Cosell Continue reading →