Some of you may have the misconception that I think I’m a scout
because I write profiles, or player evaluations. Just to set the
record straight, I do not consider myself a scout. A scout does far
more work on an NFL draft-eligible player for the draft than I do. I
don’t interview players or coaches or parents. I don’t do background
checks on players or interview high school coaches or friends of
players. I’m not on the road eight months out of the year looking
for players all over the place or getting lost in a rental car
trying to find a small college for a player that in most cases does
not have the talent to play in the NFL, but must be checked out just
in case. I don’t stay up all hours of the night missing my family
and friends trying to get reports done for a GM.
I consider myself an
analyst. I am just a person who analyzes the draft and its players
by studying film, stats and information. I am no different than a
stockbroker on Wall Street who breaks down a business from
information and sources available to give my client a profile
recommending whether to buy or sell a stock.
In using film, information
and stats to develop a profile, at times, I am out of step with the
mainstream thinking of player profiles found on most other sites.
For this I offer no apologies; in fact, I’m proud that my profiles
offer a fresh look at a player. I feel that by using film as the
main basis of a profile, I can develop a better picture of a
player’s ability than I would by reading a lot of propaganda on a
player and repeating a skill level that is formalized by others. I
also try to add a little humor to a profile because that’s just
me…it’s who I am.It’s
also what I hope brings character and readability to the profiles.
I have been criticized
occasionally for being too opinionated in the profiles; however, the
truth is, I have never taken myself serious enough to think for one
minute that my criticism or opinions in a profile would affect the
ability of a player to make an NFL roster. No matter what I say
about a player, good or bad, it is up to the player as to whether or
not he is successful.
I don’t just watch film.I scrutinize film on each player – looking for his level of
heart, execution, avidity (desire) and talent (HEAT).To be specific, in film review I am measuring a player’s:
Ø
Heart
- What the player shows on film in the 4th quarter of a winning and
losing game situation. Does the player have the character to win and
lose with sportsmanship?
Ø
Execution
- How well the player executes the game plan and the specific
responsibilities of his position.Does a player (based on execution) make impact plays during
the course of a game?
Ø
Avidity
- Does the player on film take downs off? Does the player have
stamina in the 4th quarter? Does a player (based on effort) make
impact plays during the course of a game and in the 4th quarter?
Ø
Talent
- Does the player show on film the speed, strength, balance and
awareness needed to be a success at the next level?Do his skills improve from year to year?How does his production/stats relate to his talent? Does the
player (based on talent) make impact plays during the course of a
game?
I’m also looking for those
intangibles – such as the way the player conducts himself with
coaches and with players on the field in good times and in bad. To
most people reading this right now, you might be
saying to yourself, “Yeah, right! He can see all of those things?”Well all I can say to that is, yes.I can and do see all of those things about a player from the
film.
I believe it takes more than
talent to play the game at the NFL level and I look for more than
talent when I watch the film on a player. I look at a player from
the point of view of a businessman doing his due diligence on an
investment.Hopefully,
this gives you, the fan, a different perspective on the draft that
most profilers don’t have, and a point of view that I hope is unique
for use in your personal evaluation of the players in the draft for
your team. My passion for the draft grows every year and I don’t
know why. As long as I can do profiles, watch film, check out the
combine and analyze the Senior Bowl, I am happy. It’s strange to me
that I have gotten so involved in the draft and yet, it is very
fulfilling. But make no mistake about it, I’m not a scout.
I’m not that good.
