Posts tagged RSP

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]

UT-Chattanooga QB B.J. Coleman: Decision-Making is Also Fundamental

0 Comments read Players, Quarterback
B.J. Coleman copied Peyton Manning’s drops and play fakes to a “T.” Here’s a look at both guts and in flawed decision-making by the young prospect with late-round value. Photo by chattanoogaalumni.

For a more in-depth breakdown, see my analysis of Coleman at FootballOutsiders.com

A few weeks ago, I profiled East Carolina receiver Lance Lewis and demonstrated how his fade routes often appear identical to Patriots receiver Brandon Lloyd. In that post, I mentioned that University of Tennessee-Chattanooga QB B.J. Coleman’s drop, play fake, and release of the football is no different than Peyton Manning. Coleman voraciously studied Peyton Manning’s game as a redshirt freshman at Tennessee before transferring to Chattanooga and it has paid huge dividends with his fundamentals.

I had a chance to watch Coleman again this weekend with my Footballguys.com pals Cecil Lammey, Sigmund Bloom, and David Dodds (Jene Bramel would pop in, see one bad throw, and then mock us before returning to the NCAA tourney). I’m not going to detail how Coleman looks like Manning here. It’s pretty obvious once you see it. So, here’s highlights of the Shrine Game:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/__GQYD1aRi8]

You have to admire a young player like Coleman to copy the best fundamental physical skills of a great like Manning. I bet coaches and GMs wish more Continue reading →

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.

Arkansas WR Greg Childs: Career Resurrection?

0 Comments read Players, Wide Receiver
Ryan Williams is working his way back from a Career Near-Death Experience. See what WR Greg Childs was like before his.

The Career Near-Death Experience. This is one of my favorite Bloomisms of football writing. A Bloomism is what I call the slang that Footballguys and Bleacher Report Draft Analyst Sigmund Bloom (who is also a medalist in some Writer-Olympiad) creates to encompass various football experiences, states of mind, or rights of passage in the sport.

The Career Near-Death Experience is an event where a player faces his career mortality. All players face it at some point. Those that don’t cross to the other side discover a new and better way to approach the game. Former wide receiver Cris Carter had a career near-death experience as drug addict when playing with the Philadelphia Eagles and Coach Buddy Ryan helped save the receiver with a southern fried reprise of the ghost of Christmas Future.

The career near-death experience can also manifest Continue reading →

Reader Email Bag

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49ers fans beware. Manningham is a terrific talent, but his skill for working at his game hasn't been part of the package.

This email bag includes topics pertaining to Robert Turbin, Blaine Gabbert, physical skills and techniques I value from players at each skill position, and of course, Mario Manningham.

(From Alexandra): When evaluating a player entering the draft, what are the positives of his skills that make a difference once in the NFL, and what are the negatives of his skills that are correctable in the NFL?  Which negatives are not so correctable and therefore devalue the potential of the player in the NFL? Continue reading →

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]

Reads Listens Views 3/16/2012

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Looking for Mr. Dunn? Keep looking…

[youtube=http://youtu.be/yov6BjKx3A0]

I like James, but Dunn was the right talent at the right time.

Blog News

Based on numerous requests in recent weeks, I’m now accepting pre-orders for the 2012 Rookie Scouting Portfolio. Available for download April 1, I am unofficially through with the game study phase of my analysis. I have a few more games of specific players I want to review, but it’s time to put the book together.

You can also purchase and immediately download past issues of the RSP (2006-2011) at the same link. Thanks to my friend, Mike MacGregor who helped me get the purchase area set up during my busiest time of the year.

Remember, 10 percent of my 2012 sales will be going to the non-profit Darkness to Light. The organization is committed to eliminating sexual abuse Continue reading →

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 →

Chad Spann: Post Rookie Debriefing

0 Comments read Players, Running Back
UDFA RB Chad Spann began his rookie year with the Colts, mid season with the Buccaneers, and the rest of the year as a Steeler. Spann explains how Coach Mike Tomlin and the team create a culture that he appreciates.

Chad Spann is a reserve running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers after stops with the Colts and Buccaneers. I have interviewed Spann multiple times since this time last year. The former NIU walk-on who began his career ninth on the depth chart and ended it as the 2010 NCAA touchdown leader is a confident but grounded player who learned early that everything he’s going to get as a football player will be earned with hard work and persistence.

It won’t be a surprise to most fans if Pittsburgh drafts a running back in the mid-to-late rounds as a hedge for Rashard Mendenhall’s recovery from a knee injury. Even so, Spann is still the only healthy running back on the roster with change of pace, third-down skills. There’s a strong likelihood that Spann’s name becomes more common on the lips of beat writers this summer.

Q: I read your DLF interview and I’d like to build on it. You talked about the Steelers organization with me in the past. Now that the season is over and you’ve had time to reflect, tell me specifically what you like about being in Pittsburgh.

A: Man, it was really just a culture shock going in there after being in Tampa and Indianapolis. It was completely different. The environment. The coaches. The players. The very first day I was there Coach Tomlin Continue reading →