Is that the ESPN insider that is on the website for 39.95 including magazines?my favorite four from past few seasons (in order)...
frank coyle (about $50 & up for internet package... draft guide suffices)
kiper (about $20-$25)
pro football weekly (about $15)
sporting news magazine ($8)
i borrowed ourlads from baker & it was very well done... i probably liked it better than all but coyle... forget how much it cost (about $20?)
usa today has a real good draft special but out by their sports weekly division... it is like a $5 paper, but definitely magazine quality...
pro football weekly is advertising that they will have a magazine for the first time that should hit the news stands soon...
i just added espn insider exclusive online content ($40) by scouts inc... it is excellent...
this is probably overkill for many, so you can be selective & try 1-2... for my purposes, at $100 plus, it is a small price to pay for a year round hobby...
if they were all identical, i wouldn't have kept getting them, but i like the diversity of multiple perspectives, & having more information by which to form my own conclusions...
i also like to tape things like senior bowl, draft & some of highlight shows... it is great to augment scouting reports written by others with what film you can see of prospects with your own eyes... it helps to ground the written reports... in this context, i found the yahoo nfl video highlight packages of many of the day one (& some day two) draft picks from last year, sorted by team, EXTREMELY useful & handy (i don't think they are up anymore... couldn't find them when i looked a while back)...
* BTW, the PFW guide (book form) is free with a subscription... i don't know of any deals... it is more than $50, i think...
sporting news is a great weekly, & you can get deals on internet... two years ago it was like $10 through independent company that basically gets them for free to boost subscription numbers so they can charge advertisers more (guess once the content is done, the incremental costs of just printing more mags isn't all that great)... last year, i found ad on internet THROUGH sporting news for $20...
usa today sports weekly will have draft content coming up pretty soon (if not already... i haven't checked recently)... they do positional breakdowns week-by-week, than as we approach draft, they do an overall breakdown... its only $1.50 a week (comes out on wed)...
Link?That idiot running ourlads was convicted of selling retired racing dogs to labs. The owners thought he was finding them homes instead of being mutilated in labs. A real scumbag that I definitely wouldn't be supporting.
thans for the advice. The Ourlads this year Just the guide is 32.00. I thought it was pretty good as well as draftinsiders. I gave the espn a free 30 day trial - we'll see.Link?That idiot running ourlads was convicted of selling retired racing dogs to labs. The owners thought he was finding them homes instead of being mutilated in labs. A real scumbag that I definitely wouldn't be supporting.
Looking at his website I now remember it was the third draftguide I got last year and I was impressed with it. I ordered it again this year along with ESPN. Not sure about Ourlads or PFW. Thanks for the great advice! This season I will make sure I store the guides away where I can compare next year. I misplaced them and I think they got thrown out. Wanted to compare analyise of all guides a year later.below is a link to coyle's site (draft insider's.com), with examples of some scouting profiles dating back to 2001, to get a sense of what his guides offer, & if it is for you or not...
http://www.draftinsiders.com/fc.html#yearbook
some testimonials...
Gil Brandt - NFL.com Analyst and legendary V.P. and Director of Player Personnel for the Dallas Cowboys for 30 years.
"I've been involved with the NFL for decades. In that time, I have known few people who can match Frank Coyle's ability to judge football talent. I value his opinions very much. And any fan who wants an accurate and in-depth analysis of college players headed to the NFL should read Frank Coyle's Draft Insiders’ Digest. Frank offers great insights you won't find in any other NFL Draft publication."
Phil Savage - General Manager of the Cleveland Browns
“ I have found Frank Coyle’s information to be very thorough and insightful. In my opinion, any NFL fan who is interested in the NFL Draft would enjoy Draft Insiders’ Digest very much. I know how many hours and months the Ravens and Browns put in preparing for the NFL Draft and I think Frank Coyle and his staff do the same thing. It’s obvious by their volume of quality information on the college prospects in Draft Insiders’ Digest.”
Charley Armey - General Manager of the St. Louis Rams
"Free Agency, NFL Draft, Player Development - these are the heart of developing a winning tradition. Draft Insiders' Digest gives us a unique, and accurate evaluation to cross reference. It's great that Draft Insiders' Digest does the scouting work needed to give us a first class publication"!
Charley Casserly - General Manager of the Houston Texans
" Draft Insiders' Digest is a first class publication that I can't wait to read and always find insightful information in."
Well, until I see some evidence of this, I took it with a grain of salt. You simply shouldn't post something along those lines without some, even a little, evidence of it's truthfulness. And this is not the place for making serious allegations without backing them up.Again, it could be true and I have no reason to doubt Renegade, but without something to support it, I am contemplating deleting his post.May look into Ourlads as well, although I don't like what Funk said as a puppy owner. I'll have to look into that first.
someone(I think it was the owner) from ourlads passed away not that long ago and many people came out and said what a good guy he was. So like Dave said, please provide a link to your claimLink?That idiot running ourlads was convicted of selling retired racing dogs to labs. The owners thought he was finding them homes instead of being mutilated in labs. A real scumbag that I definitely wouldn't be supporting.
Then I found more evidence that this is, actually, the same Dan ShonkaFebruary 7, 2003
Madison - Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager announced Daniel P. Shonka of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and his corporation, Shodan Enterprises, Inc., have entered pleas to criminal charges and were sentenced by the Honorable Scott. R. Needham, in St. Croix County, in a case involving over one thousand stolen racing dogs sold for medical research.
Shonka was convicted of taking dogs without the consent of the dogs’ owners and selling the dogs for profit to a Minnesota medical research facility.
Dan Shonka pleaded no contest to Felony Theft and was sentenced to two years in prison, the maximum sentence, imposed and stayed. He was placed on probation for four years and fined the maximum amount of $10,000 plus costs.
In addition, Shonka has numerous conditions of his probation, including 200 hours community service, no involvement with dog racing, buying or selling of dogs, and restitution of $5,949.20. Shonka was also convicted of Misdemeanor Theft, and was sentenced to nine months jail and a $10,000 fine; both are the maximums for that offense.
And the guy who runs Ourlads was quoted as saying:Shonka, a long-time scout for the National Football League’s Philadelphia Eagles, runs a kennel for racing dogs at St. Croix Meadows Greyhound Racing Track in Hudson, Wisconsin and operates his so-called adoption program from his home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Since 1996 he has held a USDA license for his Cedar Rapids location to sell animals to laboratories, but the license does not entitle him to acquire animals by deceit. When the allegations against Shonka surfaced in April, he disconnected his home and business telephone.
I think Renegade might be on to something here.My name is Dan Shonka. I am a sixteen-year NFL scouting veteran with the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, and National Football Scouting.
I thought Ourlads were a Jersey outfit?nevermind I see that they changed owners & are based in IAHe is. Check out the official address for Ourlads (somewhere in Iowa) and then Google where this happened (somewhere in Iowa).
Makes me pass. Hopefully they'll get someone else in there.
Thanks for the heads up Funk. Saved me $32.Sorry to leave you guys hanging on the links. I've been busy with work and didn't get a chance to come back to this post. Thanks for adding the links Dave, at the time I didn't have time and planned to come back and add them later.
I'm a dog lover and couldn't imagine giving this guy my money. Just the thought of these dogs busting their tails racing and then when they get a chance to have a normal pet life they get sold to labs where they are mutilated. A real shame and the slap on the wrist he got doesn't come close to fair punishment.
Thanks for the heads up Funk. Saved me $32.Sorry to leave you guys hanging on the links. I've been busy with work and didn't get a chance to come back to this post. Thanks for adding the links Dave, at the time I didn't have time and planned to come back and add them later.
I'm a dog lover and couldn't imagine giving this guy my money. Just the thought of these dogs busting their tails racing and then when they get a chance to have a normal pet life they get sold to labs where they are mutilated. A real shame and the slap on the wrist he got doesn't come close to fair punishment.
So which do you like best between Coyle, PFW, Kiper, and TSN?I've been getting Coyle, Kiper, PFW and TSN the last couple of years. I also got the USA Today weekly and agree with Bob that it was very well done. Street & Smith had one last year as well, but I didn't like it as much. May look into Ourlads as well, although I don't like what Funk said as a puppy owner. I'll have to look into that first.
I have never subscribed to an NFL Draft guide because I figured you could read it all online after the fact. But this year I am involved in three or four leagues that will have rookie drafts so I want even more info. I am going to purchase The Drugstore List.So which do you like best between Coyle, PFW, Kiper, and TSN?I've been getting Coyle, Kiper, PFW and TSN the last couple of years. I also got the USA Today weekly and agree with Bob that it was very well done. Street & Smith had one last year as well, but I didn't like it as much. May look into Ourlads as well, although I don't like what Funk said as a puppy owner. I'll have to look into that first.
Just my 2 cents last year between PFW and Coyle - I preferred Coyle and have already ordered it.So which do you like best between Coyle, PFW, Kiper, and TSN?I've been getting Coyle, Kiper, PFW and TSN the last couple of years. I also got the USA Today weekly and agree with Bob that it was very well done. Street & Smith had one last year as well, but I didn't like it as much. May look into Ourlads as well, although I don't like what Funk said as a puppy owner. I'll have to look into that first.
I've found them like this:CoyleSo which do you like best between Coyle, PFW, Kiper, and TSN?I've been getting Coyle, Kiper, PFW and TSN the last couple of years. I also got the USA Today weekly and agree with Bob that it was very well done. Street & Smith had one last year as well, but I didn't like it as much. May look into Ourlads as well, although I don't like what Funk said as a puppy owner. I'll have to look into that first.
I actually ordered PFW again - so now I have both to get 2 viewpoints. So now I have Coyle and PFW - I believe I'm set.PFW has a special with a combo deal of draft guide and the predraft ranking (what I call guide) you get their online inner circle for free thru the predraft time. I had payed to do it last year and it wasn't great but found a lot of useful information. FYIThanks for the answers - I used PFW last year and will either use them or Coyle this year.
Frank Coyle http://www.draftinsiders.com/PFW http://www.pfwstore.com/To help those of us who might like to order one (or more) of these guides, would people mind putting in links to the sites from which you can order them?
I am also not one to spend a lot of money on NFL draft analysis for the reasons that were cited by Mr. Kellogg above. However...The Drugstore List is a great resource. I have regularly checked his free news and samples for years (he posts snippets of analysis and a top 250 prospects on the website for no charge). It's not the slickest website out there, and you have to print out an order form and mail in your payment, but I think that content-wise it is the best NFL draft resource available online. This year I am actually blasting the lock off my wallet and ordering his March Final edition, even though I am very selective about paying for other people's draft opinions. His free analysis/lists posted on the website have been so good for several years that I want to read his full opinions/profiles.I have never subscribed to an NFL Draft guide because I figured you could read it all online after the fact. But this year I am involved in three or four leagues that will have rookie drafts so I want even more info. I am going to purchase The Drugstore List.So which do you like best between Coyle, PFW, Kiper, and TSN?I've been getting Coyle, Kiper, PFW and TSN the last couple of years. I also got the USA Today weekly and agree with Bob that it was very well done. Street & Smith had one last year as well, but I didn't like it as much. May look into Ourlads as well, although I don't like what Funk said as a puppy owner. I'll have to look into that first.
Testimonials
"I've always looked forward to receiving those little gold books from Jerry- it's the best prospect list put out by someone who's not working for an NFL team."
- GIL BRANDT, Dallas Cowboy VP & Personnel Director, 1960-1989 (During those years, the Cowboys were in Super Bowls V, VI, X, XII, XIII)
+++
"Jerry, for many years, has been considered an outstanding judge of football talent. His Drugstore List is as accurate a projection as is produced."
- BILL WALSH, Special Consultant, San Francisco 49ers (Head Coach, San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowls XVI, XIX, XXIII)
+++
"Jerry is the only outside draft rater ever invited into an NFL war room by the legendary Paul Brown- that's pretty good proof of the quality."
- SAM WYCHE, Quarterback Coach, Buffalo Bills, former NFL Head Coach, NFL vet (Head Coach, Cincinnati Bengals, Super Bowl XXIII)
+++
"For years, The Drugstore List has been the most factual and reliable of all draft publications."
- F.J. "BUCKO" KILROY, Draft Consultant, New England Patriots, with Patriots since 1971 as Personnel Director, GM and VP, NFL vet. (The Patriots have been in Super Bowls XX, XXXI, XXXVI and XXXVIII)
+++
"The Drugstore List has, for years, been the only draft publication I use. It continues to be the most accurate source of information concerning the NFL draft."
- BOB TRUMPY, NFL Analyst, CBS Radio, NFL vet
+++
"We used Jerry Jones' Drugstore List for many years. It was a great source of information as we prepared for the draft each year."
- BRUCE COSLET. Personnel consultant, Cincinnati Bengals, former NFL Head Coach, NFL vet
+++
"My draft bible. The updated editions during the year keep me well informed. It is simple to use, accurate and complete."
- DAVE LAPHAM, Analyst, Cincinnati Bengals Radio Network, Fox Sports, NFL vet
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"A very accurate and complete projection that I use each year. It is very helpful in preparation for the draft."
- RICHARD WILLIAMSON, Receivers Coach. Carolina Panthers
+++
"Jerry Jones was "into" the NFL draft before it was "cool" to be into it. I would estimate that he has more years of preparation on the draft process than anyone around. If you're looking for experienced prognostication, The Drugstore List is the place you'll find it."
- **** LE BEAU, Defensive Coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers, former NFL Head Coach, NFL vet
+++
"Concise, informative, to the point, a powerful source of information."
- BOB KARMELOWICZ, Defensive Line Coach, Kansas City Chiefs
+++
"For not being involved on a daily basis in the NFL process, Jerry is a very savvy guy. He does his homework and keeps up to date with changes right up to the draft. The Drugstore List is legit."
- MIKE STOCK, Special Teams Coach, St. Louis Rams
+++
"The Drugstore List has been a valuable tool for me in preparing for the NFL draft. The accuracy and concise information give me an opportunity to be very comprehensive in studying the young men we evaluate."
- RON LYNN, 25+ years of NFL coaching experience
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"Jerry is one of the finest scouts in the country. His Drugstore List is used by many NFL teams and you often hear "what does The Drugstore List say" during the mock drafts.
- JIM McNALLY, Offensive Line Coach, Buffalo Bills