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The Audible - interview with Matt Waldman (1 Viewer)

Good stuff, as usual guys.

It was interesting to hear Matt's take on Kevin Smith. That was probably the most positive reaction I've heard about him from just about anyone yet. I'm local to Cent. FL so I got see him off and on over his career. I'm still undecided on what I think he's going to turn out to be, myself. I guess situation will dictate a lot.

It still kind of blows my mind, when I look at this crop of runners, that someone told him entering this draft was such a hot idea. Any other year and he's probably being looked at in a completely different light.

 
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I'm sure he is E.F. Hutton...

I'm more like Bruiser Brody--people are just waiting for me to begin barking during my interview.

You know Brody would have been a prototypical left tackle at what, 6-7(or was it 6-9), 310lbs and the ability to perform a drop kick...

 
I'm sure he is E.F. Hutton...I'm more like Bruiser Brody--people are just waiting for me to begin barking during my interview. You know Brody would have been a prototypical left tackle at what, 6-7(or was it 6-9), 310lbs and the ability to perform a drop kick...
Didn't he have, like, size 18 feet? That'd be one helluva a dropkick. :)
 
So I get home and decide to watch Kevin Smith (UCF vs. Miss St.) in the Liberty Bowl (again) because it was fun to hear I'm part of the minority on Smith's prospects compared to the elite runners in the class. Some interesting things that I believe I point out in the RSP but I'm mentioning here, if not:

a) On several plays in just the first half alone, the Miss St. line has the UCF line pushed 1-3 yards behind the LOS as Smith gets the ball and on all but one play, he gains positive yardage. The one where he didn't was the FS executing a textbook drop, roll, and shoot forward type of move you see in warm up drills from defenders that got him past the blocker and straight into Smith. Several times he had to make the first man miss. He took a 1st QTR hand off against 7 players lined up at the LOS and he correctly read the unblocked man before the snap--the LOLB who actually was 3 yards behind the LOS as Smith was handed the ball. Smith planted and turned away from the LOB, bursting to the corner for I believe a 4-yard gain that would have easily been a 3-yard loss. With 13:05 in the 2nd QTR. He takes an and handoff from the shotgun the offensive line slanting left. The free man is the LB coming off the edge and not even a yard from the RB as Smith takes the ball about 2-3 yards behind the LOS. Smith makes one lateral plant and cut to make the LB completely whiff, shoots up the middle for two yards before he slides off a tackle attempt to his shoulders and leans forward for another 3 yards. A 5-yard gain on a play that often would be a 3-yard loss. The next play he loses a yard when two Miss St. defenders from the left side of the formation each get three yards penetration into the backfield after Smith takes one step with the ball in his hands. Fortunately that step sets up a jump cut away from the safety who beat the FB and this allows him to take on the LB's hit and fall forward for a 1-yard loss instead. Again, great reaction and very decisive, even on a loss.

b) Vision...I like his vision a lot. On 1st and 10 with 13:30 in the half he faces a 7 man front and has the option to exploit a lane around left end that develops as he hits the hole off LG. Just before he has to really commit, he spots the safety charging up the left side from his spot in the defensive backfield. Smith makes one quick hop-step and accelerates through a much smaller, alternate lane created by the center who is assigned to the LB after the snap and has successfully turned the 'backer toward the left. This hop step and cut up the middle leaves the charging safety way out of position because he over committed on the play--thanks to Smith's vision--and the RB gains 15 yards on the run. That cut was very explosive.

c) Smith injures his lower left leg with less than 10:00 in the half, but still manages another 45-50 yards in the game against a defense that I believe held McFadden to 88 yards. On the first run of his return, he gains 12 yards.

c) I did see him dance unnecessarily on the next play. He made the first man miss behind the LOS, but then tried to put a stop-start move on the safety who filled the gap Smith bounced to. Smith probably should have took him on and maximized what he could get. Instead he tried to bounce it outside one more time and was brought down by a 3rd player in support. Based on the sheer number of runs I've seen in other games and this one, this is more immaturity that is common among young studs (trying to get the yardage on their own and make the big play). He's often running plays where he's relied upon to beat an unblocked man at the LOS. O'Leary, a former NFL d-coordinator, understands a quality NFL back can do this often has Smith in similar situations. This was the occasional downside rearing its head.

d) He cuts very well deep in the hole. It reminds me a bit of a healthy Cadillac Williams when at Auburn, but in a bigger body. Very patient against two safeties blitzing and gaining 4 after making a nice move a yard in the hole.

e) I just think he runs with a great wiggle. He patiently avoided a DL in the primary hold off RG on a 2nd and 8 hand off from the shotgun and bounced the run across the formation to the left side for 12 yards with 7:17 in the 3rd QTR. he gets over 100 yards on his 23rd carry with 7:12 left...against the defense that only allowed 3 100-yard rushers all season. He's still limping a bit after each carry.

Again, just a window into a different perspective.

 
Can you guys set up a call-in show sometime? I'd like to harass Waldman in a public forum :confused:

 
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Good stuff here. I love your take on DMC and agree completely.

Any thoughts on Felix Jones/Chris Johnson/Jamaal Charles? I see these guys as being similar in terms of body type and playing style. They're a tough bunch for me to rank since they each offer some intriguing positives, yet they each have some negatives that could relegate them to the bench in the NFL.

 
I believe the most talented of the three you mention is Charles and I'm tempted to say he's in a class by himself compared to the other two you mention. The problems I see with Charles stem with immaturity as a ball carrier. Either as a kid or an adult, have you ever gone to the park or gym and watch someone "athletically show off?" What I mean by this phrase is the person in question deliberately makes difficult choices because he wants to show others he can be spectacular. I believe Charles sometimes did this as a runner when he had to make choices at the line of scrimmage. I saw this happen on a few plays against ASU. It just appeared that he tried to make more difficult cuts when there were easier runs available. On the one hand, it takes great vision to see what he saw at the line of scrimmage, but it's like he was too hooked on the idea of showing everyone else that he had great vision rather than gaining yards for his team. I'm not saying that's really his singular thought process. Who knows what he's really thinking, but I've seen athletes, musicians, or performers who always go for the high-risk/greatness play that few could even see or conceive fully regardless of the situation. Charles sometimes did this--it also fits in with the bravado/confidence he had as a freshman to say that he was going to make people forget about Adrian Peterson . I think Charles has the best natural instincts and total package, but he needs to protect the ball and not over-think what he's going to do. Some guys look like they are thinking too hard and play deliberately as if they are worried about making the right choice. Charles situation is different. I watched some plays where I thought "that was a weird choice," then I rewind and break it down and see that he saw something that could have resulted in a huge play. The problem is he was decisively playing as if you could hear him in a split-second saying, "find the most diffcult, bad-### play I can make and go for it." If he took what the defense gave him more often--ala Ray Rice, he'd be one of the best in this class. I think he has Marshall Faulk-like skills in many respects.

Jones? I really like the little I saw of Jones as a behind the line of scrimmage TB. But 1/2-2/3 of his carries seem to come as a WR on an end around in the 6 games I watched of his. I think he'll be a fine situational back with the opportunity to develop into something more if he demonstrates he's capable. The best word I would use for him as a running back is "unproven" at the college level. As a runner (kick return, open field, situational guy on end arounds) he's proven he's a heck of a football player. I just find it difficult to project him confidently as an every down runner when he's only had one 20+ carry game for his entire college career. Does that mean I won't take a chance on him at the end of the first round if he fell to me? No. I'd snatch him up in a heartbeat, but it doesn't mean I have him as high as many. Nor would I snatch him up as readily if I had a mid-first round pick in a rookie draft.

Johnson? Speed is amazing. Very fluid, too. I have him and McFadden fairly equal and both have the potential to become more than what I see from them. The difference is that I think Johnson is regarded by teams the way the Titans may have mistakenly regarded their RB pick last year. This is the right way to regard Johnson--an unfinished product who will provide situational explosiveness with the potential to become a huge threat as he continues to learn as long as expectations aren't for him to ever be more than a 12-15 carry/gm player. McFadden is discussed as if he's a 20-25 touch/game player who will run over people and grind it out and that's where I think people are mistaken. Johnson's balance is nice and he does some things that are very impressive, but he's a bit hot/cold when it comes to consistent, good techniques and choices. I like him, but wouldn't feel comfortable counting on him at this stage. The Westbrook comparisons I sometimes heard were off to me. Westbrook was a more polished player out of school, just from a small school and had to prove he was big enough to compete. Johnson seems to me like some circles are giving him the credit Westbrook had to earn and that's a mistake. Plus they are different style of player.

Mike, I'll have to send you a bribe if it were a call-in show...plus you can always find the number to the radio shows in Seattle and KC that I've been on on for years now...

 
Thanks. Charles has been moving up my board as of late. I really love the jukes and the athletic ability. I think he has exciting running skills, but my concern is that he doesn't have the lower body bulk to be more than a change of pace back. You're not worried about that? His body type is similar to that of Clinton Portis coming out of school and I think Portis represents a best case scenario for Charles, but it's difficult to say whether or not he can pack on 10-20 pounds like Portis did. There aren't many 200 pound featured backs in the NFL.

This is a really challenging RB class to evaluate. I see 8-10 guys with legitimate starting potential, yet I know when the dust settles the crop will probably only yield 3-6 long term starters. It's very tough to figure out who those guys are. The problem is that the more I watch these backs, the more I want to believe they'll succeed. I think I need to go wander off into the forest for a few days to find the answers here.

 
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McFadden is discussed as if he's a 20-25 touch/game player who will run over people and grind it out and that's where I think people are mistaken.
I think you're right about McFadden. He's more of a change of pace back than a workhorse. This is one of the things that's been really puzzling about all of the draft coverage I've been checking out on the internet because people LOVE this guy. The talking heads on ESPN are saying he's the best player in the draft. Guys like Scott Wright (whose archives reveal a very spotty record of evaluating talent) are saying he's the best player in the draft and a rare prospect. Almost every major media source is slobbering over DMC. It just doesn't jive with what I see on the field. McFadden doesn't run strong, he's not built like a RB, and (like you said in the podcast) you don't often see him flash the quick lateral step. Even after a long second look I can't rank him ahead of Stewart and Mendenhall. I think both of those guys more closely resemble NFL starters than McFadden does. IMO Mendenhall has the highest floor in this class and Stewart is the best overall RB talent. McFadden is more of a curiosity. He'll hit some home runs and have his supporters saying "I told you so" every now and then when he busts a long one, but I'll be very surprised if he justifies the hype.
 
Great comments Matt. Sounds like you and EBF are doing our side project right here, lol.

I agree with your comments about Charles. My thought is whether you think he can easily stop "showing off". I know it sounds simple to say to him, Hey son, you're in the NFL now. Just get what yards you can. But I think it's going to be more difficult for him to do that. It's almost his instinct to look for the big play every time. I think instincts are hard to change.

 
Mike, I'll have to send you a bribe if it were a call-in show...plus you can always find the number to the radio shows in Seattle and KC that I've been on on for years now...
Good suggestion. I really hadn't thought of that, although I never have much luck calling the radio :goodposting: I'm sure you jam the phone lines when you're on too, right? I will accept the bribe though. What ya got? :shrug:
 
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Thanks. Charles has been moving up my board as of late. I really love the jukes and the athletic ability. I think he has exciting running skills, but my concern is that he doesn't have the lower body bulk to be more than a change of pace back. You're not worried about that? His body type is similar to that of Clinton Portis coming out of school and I think Portis represents a best case scenario for Charles, but it's difficult to say whether or not he can pack on 10-20 pounds like Portis did. There aren't many 200 pound featured backs in the NFL. This is a really challenging RB class to evaluate. I see 8-10 guys with legitimate starting potential, yet I know when the dust settles the crop will probably only yield 3-6 long term starters. It's very tough to figure out who those guys are. The problem is that the more I watch these backs, the more I want to believe they'll succeed. I think I need to go wander off into the forest for a few days to find the answers here.
I think you are viewing this realistically (the class and Charles). I like Charles as a Portis-type back. I think he's a natural football player at his position, but just tries to get too fancy rather than go to work.
 
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McFadden is discussed as if he's a 20-25 touch/game player who will run over people and grind it out and that's where I think people are mistaken.
I think you're right about McFadden. He's more of a change of pace back than a workhorse. This is one of the things that's been really puzzling about all of the draft coverage I've been checking out on the internet because people LOVE this guy. The talking heads on ESPN are saying he's the best player in the draft. Guys like Scott Wright (whose archives reveal a very spotty record of evaluating talent) are saying he's the best player in the draft and a rare prospect. Almost every major media source is slobbering over DMC. It just doesn't jive with what I see on the field. McFadden doesn't run strong, he's not built like a RB, and (like you said in the podcast) you don't often see him flash the quick lateral step. Even after a long second look I can't rank him ahead of Stewart and Mendenhall. I think both of those guys more closely resemble NFL starters than McFadden does. IMO Mendenhall has the highest floor in this class and Stewart is the best overall RB talent. McFadden is more of a curiosity. He'll hit some home runs and have his supporters saying "I told you so" every now and then when he busts a long one, but I'll be very surprised if he justifies the hype.
That pretty much sums it up for me.
 
Mike, I'll have to send you a bribe if it were a call-in show...plus you can always find the number to the radio shows in Seattle and KC that I've been on on for years now...
Good suggestion. I really hadn't thought of that, although I never have much luck calling the radio :goodposting: I'm sure you jam the phone lines when you're on too, right? I will accept the bribe though. What ya got? :lmao:
I've got a root canal and crown coming up...not very enticing is it? :confused: What about the 30th anniversary DVD of Slapshot!
 
Great comments Matt. Sounds like you and EBF are doing our side project right here, lol. I agree with your comments about Charles. My thought is whether you think he can easily stop "showing off". I know it sounds simple to say to him, Hey son, you're in the NFL now. Just get what yards you can. But I think it's going to be more difficult for him to do that. It's almost his instinct to look for the big play every time. I think instincts are hard to change.
It's a good point, but Larry Johnson learned to become a more patient runner (although that's a different issue than Charles has)....I think Charles real issue is ball control. If he can limit the fumbles the other stuff doesn't worry me. I think he really is so good that his tendencies I mentioned were out of boredom than sheer instinct. It's the same reason why some of the big-time RBs would try to reverse their field a couple of times on a single play rather than just save their energy for another day. It's a sense of on-field arrogance. I believe he'll have some of that arrogance knocked out of his ear hole by October. Now if he instinctively didn't handle contact well--say, like not lowering his shoulders, knees, and hips into contact--then I'd be more concerned. Back to DMac. This is going to be great year to see whether speed can outweigh other techniques and talents to make a great player. If so, I may have to adjust how I grade players if 3-4 years from now McFadden runs the same way as he did in college and is having 1200 to 1500-yard seasons. I think if he has those seasons, we'll see a player who has learned how to run with better leverage and use his leg strength more efficiently. I'm rooting for the guy, I'd just be happier drafting him in the 3rd round of a dynasty rookie draft when I know most feel he's a top 3 pick.
 

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