I emailed him asking him some Qs I just wonderred about. I did NOT plan to share these here, it was an email. However he said feel free to share em' with the guys at FBGs so while not that exciting at all, here goes....
Sam Hurd-How can this guy come out of left field? You do all your
research as an NFLDraftscout, how is it possible?
Hurd didn't really come out of left field. We listed him among the top
100 receivers for the 2006 draft (66th) and recognized that he made some
big plays for Northern Illinois (First Team MAC honors) and has size at
6-2, 190 pounds. He wasn't invited to the Combine and signed with the
Cowboys as a relatively unheralded undrafted free agent. Each year there
are players who slip through the cracks. Hurd and Detroit's Shaun
Bodiford (67th) are two examples of receivers who did just that.
Couple "no names" from previous years-
Derrick Wimbush seemed to be a hustler with a great work ethic that
DelRio loved. He's now the starting FB. Jacque Lewis was cut again by
Tampa Bay and I believe he was the best or the 2nd best RB as a senior
in high school. Do you see or read about college coaches discussing
hard work and all to their stars? It's understood it comes across to
the team but I mean on a personal level or "one on one"?
Wimbush has a lot of talent and stood out to me, personally, when I
scouted him at the 2005 Hula Bowl. We listed him as the 27th best
running back prospect in the draft. With the injury to Greg Jones,
Wimbush has an opportunity to show he can play fullback. Though I'm sure
he'll work hard as a blocker, Wimbush is a natural runner, as well. He
could surprise in this capacity.
Further-In regards to guys like Owens and Moss with their well
discussed pamperred star attitudes being a negative point on a great
career; Do you ever recall college coaches "getting on" a star to break
this attitude? Or do you feel some cater to it?
There are certainly some coaches who have catered to the star treatment
theory. Bill Parcells, for one, was well known to treat Lawrence Taylor
differently than some of his other players. Treating stars differently
than other players is fine, as long as the players are ultimately held
accountable and have the dedication to perform. I believe that most
coaches try to hold their stars just as accountable as their back-ups,
though examples of a coach specifically calling out their best players
to mature is usually done behind the scenes.
It looks like Saginaw Valley State will have two WRs playing in the NFL
this year in Glenn Martinez and Ruvell Martin. While they're not first
string, for a lesser level school(d3) that must have been some kind of
offense to have 2 WRs go pro. Did they set any records in d3?
Glenn Martinez was the more statistically successful of the two. In 2003
he caught 66 passes for 1,130 yards, both school single season records.
In hindsight, who do you think had the best draft?
Arizona, San Francisco, Green Bay, New York Jets, and Philadelphia
immediately come to mind.
Packers have 2 rookie linemen starting and neither had the draft day
notoriety of Colledge. Any thoughts on that?
Colledge is a talented player, but one must remember that he is making a
tough transition from left tackle inside to guard. What makes this even
tougher is that Colledge was known for his athleticism and technique,
not his strength while at Boise State. Tony Moll also made this
transition, but he had only one year of experience at tackle and thus he
proved to be a little more flexible. Jason Spitz was a standout interior
lineman throughout his career with Louisville. I'm in favor of keeping
Colledge at tackle, though Green Bay's questions along the offensive
line will likely dictate where he is used.
The Jets seem to have built one side of their line that will be
excellent for the next decade. Do you think NFL GMs, in general,
overvalue RBs and "skill positions"?
Not necessarily. It is just difficult to collect a great many offensive
linemen so quickly. Philadelphia, Seattle, and Pittsburgh are other
teams that have quietly built their lines as the foundation of their
team, though the skill position players for these clubs have been good
enough in recent years to distract from their big men.
How do you feel now about Mario before Bush?(probably asked 1000 times,
sorry)
Reggie Bush was the top player in the 2006 draft on my board. Mario
Williams, however, was right behind him as the second. The decision made
sense for the Texans because of Gary Kubiak's perceived ability to
"make" running backs. Would I have taken Bush? Absolutely. But I
understand the Texans' rationale and feel they'll ultimately be very
happy with their decision. It is unfair to compare Bush and Williams'
statistics due to their difference in position and profile. If Houston's
defense as a whole and win totals are improved in 2006 -- and I think
they will -- Houston will have some justification for their selection.
How long would you guess until Vince Young plays regularly?
Probably mid-season.
Kordell had a brief time as a star. Some wonder if Vick's star is
fading. Is it possible and/or likely that running QBs have shorter
careers? Is that a trend you see?
It certainly makes sense given how much more punishment they're going to
endure. That said, Kordell Stewart can hardly be described as a star. He
was a solid quarterback for a few years, more known for his rare
athleticism than for any legitimate statistical or post-season success.
Also, he was far from the number one overall selection that Vick was. I
am optimistic that Vick begins to turn things around a bit this season.
Do you watch NFLEurope or Arena league games and think "I remember that
guy"? Does anyone ever make you think "How did he not make it in the
NFL?"
All the time. The one player I still cannot believe hasn't taken the
league by storm is Charles Rogers.
Sam Hurd-How can this guy come out of left field? You do all your
research as an NFLDraftscout, how is it possible?
Hurd didn't really come out of left field. We listed him among the top
100 receivers for the 2006 draft (66th) and recognized that he made some
big plays for Northern Illinois (First Team MAC honors) and has size at
6-2, 190 pounds. He wasn't invited to the Combine and signed with the
Cowboys as a relatively unheralded undrafted free agent. Each year there
are players who slip through the cracks. Hurd and Detroit's Shaun
Bodiford (67th) are two examples of receivers who did just that.
Couple "no names" from previous years-
Derrick Wimbush seemed to be a hustler with a great work ethic that
DelRio loved. He's now the starting FB. Jacque Lewis was cut again by
Tampa Bay and I believe he was the best or the 2nd best RB as a senior
in high school. Do you see or read about college coaches discussing
hard work and all to their stars? It's understood it comes across to
the team but I mean on a personal level or "one on one"?
Wimbush has a lot of talent and stood out to me, personally, when I
scouted him at the 2005 Hula Bowl. We listed him as the 27th best
running back prospect in the draft. With the injury to Greg Jones,
Wimbush has an opportunity to show he can play fullback. Though I'm sure
he'll work hard as a blocker, Wimbush is a natural runner, as well. He
could surprise in this capacity.
Further-In regards to guys like Owens and Moss with their well
discussed pamperred star attitudes being a negative point on a great
career; Do you ever recall college coaches "getting on" a star to break
this attitude? Or do you feel some cater to it?
There are certainly some coaches who have catered to the star treatment
theory. Bill Parcells, for one, was well known to treat Lawrence Taylor
differently than some of his other players. Treating stars differently
than other players is fine, as long as the players are ultimately held
accountable and have the dedication to perform. I believe that most
coaches try to hold their stars just as accountable as their back-ups,
though examples of a coach specifically calling out their best players
to mature is usually done behind the scenes.
It looks like Saginaw Valley State will have two WRs playing in the NFL
this year in Glenn Martinez and Ruvell Martin. While they're not first
string, for a lesser level school(d3) that must have been some kind of
offense to have 2 WRs go pro. Did they set any records in d3?
Glenn Martinez was the more statistically successful of the two. In 2003
he caught 66 passes for 1,130 yards, both school single season records.
In hindsight, who do you think had the best draft?
Arizona, San Francisco, Green Bay, New York Jets, and Philadelphia
immediately come to mind.
Packers have 2 rookie linemen starting and neither had the draft day
notoriety of Colledge. Any thoughts on that?
Colledge is a talented player, but one must remember that he is making a
tough transition from left tackle inside to guard. What makes this even
tougher is that Colledge was known for his athleticism and technique,
not his strength while at Boise State. Tony Moll also made this
transition, but he had only one year of experience at tackle and thus he
proved to be a little more flexible. Jason Spitz was a standout interior
lineman throughout his career with Louisville. I'm in favor of keeping
Colledge at tackle, though Green Bay's questions along the offensive
line will likely dictate where he is used.
The Jets seem to have built one side of their line that will be
excellent for the next decade. Do you think NFL GMs, in general,
overvalue RBs and "skill positions"?
Not necessarily. It is just difficult to collect a great many offensive
linemen so quickly. Philadelphia, Seattle, and Pittsburgh are other
teams that have quietly built their lines as the foundation of their
team, though the skill position players for these clubs have been good
enough in recent years to distract from their big men.
How do you feel now about Mario before Bush?(probably asked 1000 times,
sorry)
Reggie Bush was the top player in the 2006 draft on my board. Mario
Williams, however, was right behind him as the second. The decision made
sense for the Texans because of Gary Kubiak's perceived ability to
"make" running backs. Would I have taken Bush? Absolutely. But I
understand the Texans' rationale and feel they'll ultimately be very
happy with their decision. It is unfair to compare Bush and Williams'
statistics due to their difference in position and profile. If Houston's
defense as a whole and win totals are improved in 2006 -- and I think
they will -- Houston will have some justification for their selection.
How long would you guess until Vince Young plays regularly?
Probably mid-season.
Kordell had a brief time as a star. Some wonder if Vick's star is
fading. Is it possible and/or likely that running QBs have shorter
careers? Is that a trend you see?
It certainly makes sense given how much more punishment they're going to
endure. That said, Kordell Stewart can hardly be described as a star. He
was a solid quarterback for a few years, more known for his rare
athleticism than for any legitimate statistical or post-season success.
Also, he was far from the number one overall selection that Vick was. I
am optimistic that Vick begins to turn things around a bit this season.
Do you watch NFLEurope or Arena league games and think "I remember that
guy"? Does anyone ever make you think "How did he not make it in the
NFL?"
All the time. The one player I still cannot believe hasn't taken the
league by storm is Charles Rogers.
