Posts tagged RSP

The No-Huddle Series

0 Comments read Matt Waldman
Arian Foster would have been in my No-Huddle Series if I had a blog back them. Read more about the series below.

The No-Huddle will be a series of posts that feature just one play on a prospect that I think says something notable about him. The players in this series will mostly be (in my opinion) late-round prospects in this draft, at best. I may throw in some top prospects because I want to share something unusual about what I saw.

I’m hoping this will be a fun way to inform and cover players that aren’t in the headlines, but readers like you want to know something about.

Obviously, you can get a lot more on these players – including some who could see ascents similar to Ahmad Bradshaw, Arian Foster, Victor Cruz, or Tony Romo – if you download the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio.

You know I had to get that in.

Rankings Insight for This Year’s WR Class

0 Comments read Players, Wide Receiver
Marvin Jones can tell a story that keeps cornerbacks guessing a big reason he’s my No.4 WR in the NY Times RSP Series. Photo by John Martinez Pavliga.

When it comes to this series, I usually just provide a teaser of the post to the Fifth Down and link you to the rest. But with today’s receivers,  No.5 WR Greg Childs and No. 4 WR Marvin Jones, I want to discuss the thought process behind their unusually high ranking – and a few general philosophical points with how I rank players. I believe additional perspective is a good thing in this case because many of you reading this post are fantasy owners in addition to football fans and draftniks. Continue reading →

Reads Listens Views 4/13/2012

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/OhlgY0timTA]

For Maximum Effect: Mute the sound on this Cliff Branch highlight and open a second window on your browser and check out my link to the Gap Band’s “You Dropped a Bomb On Me,” later in this post.

Thank you

The response to the publication of the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio has been great. I appreciate the feedback from old and new readers alike. I’m already setting plans in motion to make 2013’s publication even better and I’m actually Continue reading →

The Best of the RSP Blog (Draft Reads) for 2011-2012

0 Comments read Matt Waldman

Sometime in May I plan to reorganize the site by draft year. Until then, this post contains a list of NFL Draft-worthy reads from this blog during the past 10-11 months I’ve been posting here. Before we get into that list, I want to take a moment to discuss one of the common questions I used to get over the years about my annual Rookie Scouting Portfolio: “What do I get from the RSP?”

One of the things that I haven’t mentioned in that list of things RSP readers get is what you’re reading right now: This blog. I created this blog for a number of reasons but more than anything, it is to give you an idea of the study and analysis that goes into the publication. I love Continue reading →

New York Times Fifth Down Blog: No.1 RB Trent Richardson

0 Comments read Players, Running Back

[youtube=http://youtu.be/SfZXSoaigP0]

1.    Trent Richardson, Alabama (5-9, 228)

There are several impressive components to Trent Richardson’s game. His balance and agility combined with his strength make him a rare commodity among backs of his range of 220-230 pounds. He has the footwork and balance of a back 15-20 pounds lighter. And that balance is what makes him special. Once he gets a head of steam and lowers his pads, the way he runs through defenders looks effortless at times.

Richardson has the power to push the pile and grind his way through defenders that execute good wraps. More often than most running backs I see, Richardson seems to be the one [Click here to read more]

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

New York Times Fifth Down Series: No. 2 RB Doug Martin

0 Comments read Players, Running Back

[youtube=http://youtu.be/xSc_Fru5lQs]

2.    Doug Martin, Boise State (5-9, 223)

Martin reminds me of Ray Rice in the respect that he’s not abundantly fast once he reaches the second or third level, but his initial burst is top notch. He consistently defeats the angles of defenders as he enters and exits a hole because they misjudge his quickness, which is excellent for a back of his dimensions. Combined with the fact that he’s a strong, downhill runner who isn’t afraid to create a hole by ramming up the backsides of his linemen, he seems to be the product of a mad football scientist who spliced Rice with Frank Gore’s build.

Martin does three things that a lot of N.F.L.-caliber runners can do:[Click here to read more]

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

New York Times Fifth Down Series: No.3 RB Lamar Miller

0 Comments read Players, Running Back

[youtube=http://youtu.be/f7dxPzUBoi4]

3.     Lamar Miller, running back, Miami (5-10, 212)

Lamar Miller is a potential Pro Bowl back. He’s at the sweet spot in terms of height, weight, speed and acceleration. He runs with patience and balance, and he protects the ball. He understands how to stay close to his blocks until an opening develops, and like Clinton Portis and Edgerrin James before him, he knows how to shorten his steps in traffic until he finds a cutback lane or alternate crease when the primary hole does not open.

He runs with good balance and power between the tackles. He can run through contact, and he has good enough footwork to prevent defenders from getting angles on him. He bends runs with good speed, and he has shown some skill to [Click here for the rest]

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

Get Er Done: QB Mechanics by Brett Favre

0 Comments read Players, Quarterback
If scouts, analysts, and media ascribe the Emily Post finishing school of QB mechanics, Brett Favre belongs to the Larry the Cable Guy technical college of Get Er Done. Photo by Tiger Girl.

This weekend I watched the 2010 NFC Championship between the Saints and Vikings so I could study Drew Brees for my first “Futures” column at Football Outsiders, but I couldn’t skip the Vikings possessions. Not because of Adrian Peterson or Percy Harvin, whose  physical skills I marvel with each viewing. The truth is, I’m an unabashed fan of Brett Favre’s game.

I don’t care about the will-he-or-won’t-he drama at the end of his career or the possibility that he thought a cell phone portrait of his Continue reading →

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.

RSP Contest Winners

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/X7Qya1uVY4o]

Congratulations for Kyle Dwyer, who was the first to correctly name the three University of Miami Hurricanes for yesterday’s RSP Contest.

These three RBs comprised the top-five all-time rookie rushing seasons in NFL history:

  • Ottis Anderson
  • Edgerrin James
  • Clinton Portis

Kyle, Joe Upegui, and David Barr scored a free Rookie Scouting Portfolio of their choice from 2006-2011.

In addition, Jack Heneghan suggested the RSP title “Futures Market,” for my new Football Outsider’s column scheduled for its first run this Monday. I had “Futures” on my short list of titles and I’m going to roll with “Futures.”

Jack’s suggestion tipped it over the edge so I’m giving him a copy of the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio.

If you haven’t checked out the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio, here’s some of the feedback I’ve received this week:

Great work this year, the links [to YouTube highlights and interviews] are a great addition!

-Lami Harmon

Thanks Matt – it’s been a fantastic read so far… just like every other year!

-Mike Torok

Thank you, Santa.  This is the best RSP yet, and I’ve just barely         broken the seal on it.  So much good stuff.  Thanks for your hard work and love of this aspect of the game.
                                            -Dave Hamill
Schwing!!!!
                -David Collins

Remember, 10 percent of all 2012 purchases will be going to Darkness to Light, a non-profit that combats sexual abuse.

I’ll be back tomorrow with Reads Listens Views…