This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
QB- Height, Arm Strength, Accuracy, Pocket presence (awareness), production against top competition in that order. Speed is a plus but historically the more a QB relies on his legs, the less polished a passer he is.RB- "Burst" (Acceleration), Ability to dodge or break tackles, Vision, Production against top competition, Straight line speed. Height/Weight can be deceiving in determining weather a RB will be good at the Pro level, although if a RB is under 5'9" he better be a freak of nature like MJD. If a RB weighs in at less than 200, that's generally a red flag.WR- Hands, Straight line speed, "Burst" (Acceleration, specifically in and out of cuts), Height. Someone who is rail thin (under 180 for someone who is 6'+) is a red flag. I find sometimes that collegiate production sometimes does not accuratly reflect how good someone will become as a Pro.ETA: "Toughness" is something I would look for in their character as a person. Someone who lets their play do the talking strikes me as a consomate Pro. Someone who plays with a chip on their shoulder is an obvious boon, while someone who is too cocky or prissy can kill a player's value.jeter23 said:
same hereWill answer at some point.
McFadden is unbelievable at it. Better then Carnell, who was the best since LT.
Brennan is a top prospect in my view, and I believe this will translate when he is drafted.
This thread is unbelievably helpful, thank you! I watch a lot of college FB, but not with a critical eye. Now that I'm joining my first dynasty league, I will be watching differently. For instance, I watched Lorenzo Booker last night. He is obviously fast, but I'd be interested to hear your critique of him.
I think BOoker is a situational guy at best. Very talented for sure, but not capable of all the runs necessary to be an every down threat. He strikes me a faster Kevin Faulk type then anything else.
Simms was shopwing real progress this season before he went down to injury. I think that Gruden obviously thinks he's salvagable (thus the contract extension).
Jeff Bowden has killed Lorenzo Bookers college career as he did Leon Washingtons also. Just look at what Washington is doing as a rookie at the next level. He is putting up better #s at the next level then he ever did in college. Booker needs to add about 10 lbs of bulk but I think he can be a good pro RB. Jeff Bowden couldve killed Ladainian Tomlinsons career had he been LTs offensive coodinator, thats how bad a coach he is and how important having a competent OC is.
I will start with some general concepts. To some exent I am addressing the obvious, but it will keep me from assuming. Generally regardless of position I look for the following1- Production- At the end of the day, in my fantasy league or for an NFL team this is all that matters. The player needs to put up yards and TDs as a skill player or an Olmen needs to block people or a defensive players needs to make tackles. I don't really care for the guy with the measurables and mininal production. 2- Consistent production- Make sure the guy does not run it up against the weak sisters of the poor and disappears when the level of competittion gets close.3- Special skills- What does the player do that other guys at his position don't or can't do? 4- System- Is it a passing system where all QBs and Wrs put up numbers because of scheme or a offense which feeds the RBs no matter what. Make sure the numbers are based on talent not Xs and Os. 5- Surrounding Talent- Both around his team and who he plays. I expect players who go against inferior talent to put up stupid numbers, but if a player is around bunches of other great players I need to figure out if he is along for the ride. Next post skill positions.Will answer at some point.
Booker was possibly the best RB to come out of high school in California. All World type stats. He had over 8,000 yards during his high school years in a good prep program in Cali...that's saying something!However, he's taken a beating while in college due to the bad O-line at FSU and bad QB play. I know he shared time with Leon Washington, but neither were very effective. Booker looked motivated in the bowl game because he was playing in front of his hometown crowd. I see him as being nothing other than a 3rd down/ COP back ala Amp Lee. He sure is fast though.As far as what I look for in a player...first and foremost HEART and MOTOR...an overachiever...someone that is hungry and has a good head on his shoulders. How often do we see these freaks of nature with unlimited talent tank out in the pros? I believe that is because they are more in love with themselves instead of loving the game. The list is endless as far as 1st round talent that hasn't panned out because they think they are greater than what they are and they have no work ethic and the game passes them by.If I were a GM and would be cautious of overly confident prospects and instead keep an eye out for that humble player from the small school, maybe somewhat undersized and had people tell him he wouldn't make it, that knows he's gotta work hard to achieve success. But then again I'm a little bit old school.
This is a huge one. The opposite is stiffness (See: Leonard Pope). EBF also touches on body control in his example. An important thing to point out here is that aesthetics are important in player evaluation. A fluid player is just going to look better doing his thing than a stiff player.
I agree with your entire assessment. I just see a different outcome. Simms was never asked to do anything in high school since he played in a district size extremely thin of talent. He went out and did whatever he wanted, like the 6'9 kid playing Class A basketball where the next tallest kid is 6'0.When Simms got to college, he did exactly as Brady Quinn has done - put up great performances against bad/average teams and frozen up when the ligths were brightest. He never did much of any progressing in Austin b/c it was never asked of him. The Colorado Big XII title game was the zenith of the fact that Simms was incapable of making adjustments without the direction of his coaches, who were incapable themselves. Ergo, he was a mess.However, the "light" I see in Tampa for him is that he's working with a good quarterback's coach and none of the physical things have changed - he still can make all the throws and has a good release and stature. The "kicker" for me is the fact that now he doesn't appear to be such a wimp. Getting the tar kicked out of him at Tampa and coming back for more showed more grit in one afternoon then in the last half decade. has he been uber-productive at the pro level? Not yet. Has he shown flashes? Absolutely. I look forward to seeing him under center next season.
I will try to keep the position stuff shortQB- Is the QB throwing into relative tight places or is he putting up numbers because WRs are constantly running wide open? If you look around the NFL, the places where college QBs come from is underwhelming. I believe that QBs from these schools get to play a lot of football and have less an adjustment to throwing into small quarters than QBs who are tossing the ball to superior athletes in quality schemes. Watch larger school QBs when they play other really good schools versus their conference bottom feeders. RB- Vision and quickness to the hole. Will look to see if they break tackles or make players miss in some manner. I also watch to see if they are constantly running through gaint holes before engaging in contact. WR- Hands and separation. Looking to see if the WRs catches with his hands and especially if he does so in traffic. A collge player I remember not catching with his hands was Josh Reed. Separation, is the WR getting open. Because of angles rarely get to see how well a WR runs routes, but I prefer to have a WR who gets open that way than muscling or running pass people because he won't be able to do so in the pros.TE- much of the same as with WR, but I do note blocking. A TE that can't block won't play enough to be a factor. OL- I watch the feet. Does he stay in front of his guy and stay in balance? Also, does the player get down field and play until the whistle? Lots of strong guys can overpower lesser defensive players. Other notesNot meant to be a commerical, but I buy Phil steele's guide as he has the listed size for most D-1 players. Often the listed size is off but it gives you a general idea to start from.Trust your eyes. Even if you can't explain it technically, if you are on this board this time of the year, there is a good chance that you watched enough football to know if a player is good or not.Pay attention to what others are saying. It is Ok to be different, but if you are alone on an island understand why.Remember that no matter what you think of a player, what the pros think of the player matters more. Along these lines once a player has been in the NFL a couple of years, forget all about how you ranked him in college. Character does matter, but try to find out why there is a character concern or off-field issues. I have seen everything from a guy who was late to a couple of philosophy classes to a really big guy dragging a 105lb chick by the hair described as character isses. Watch as much college football as possible. I know that for some of you that maybe 10 games in a year while some of can watch 5 games in a weekend.Finally, enjoy the bleeping game. Its football don't spend too much time overthinking players and miss out on an entertaining game.Sorry about the poor typing.I will start with some general concepts. To some exent I am addressing the obvious, but it will keep me from assuming. Generally regardless of position I look for the following1- Production- At the end of the day, in my fantasy league or for an NFL team this is all that matters. The player needs to put up yards and TDs as a skill player or an Olmen needs to block people or a defensive players needs to make tackles. I don't really care for the guy with the measurables and mininal production. 2- Consistent production- Make sure the guy does not run it up against the weak sisters of the poor and disappears when the level of competittion gets close.3- Special skills- What does the player do that other guys at his position don't or can't do? 4- System- Is it a passing system where all QBs and Wrs put up numbers because of scheme or a offense which feeds the RBs no matter what. Make sure the numbers are based on talent not Xs and Os. 5- Surrounding Talent- Both around his team and who he plays. I expect players who go against inferior talent to put up stupid numbers, but if a player is around bunches of other great players I need to figure out if he is along for the ride. Next post skill positions.Will answer at some point.
Great point. When watching the Hawaiian Bowl I was also checking out Zach Miller, the Sun Devil's AA TE, and I thought he looked horribly stiff. Even on the TD catch that was called back, I though he looked lumbering and not at all fluid. I understand that he's a TE, but I agreed with Bloom last year about Pope and I see the same things in Miller this year.
Agreed. Like Assani, I consider myself too much of a casual observer to feel comfortable deciding whether a given player who looks fast against a certain level of competition will translate well on Sundays. Things like whether an above average back is explosive enough to get through an NFL hole, whether a receiver is strong and quick enough to get separation against a NFL corner, whether a smallish DE can stand up to an NFL OT.But I think it's easier to pick up on this gestalt-aesthetic fluidity for me, especially with the skill positions, but you can see it on the defensive side of the ball too. The "it" factor. Youtube and Yahoo have helped tremendously in this respect.
What other Rbs have good vision? Particularly those who will at this years combine.
I wouldn't use a pick on him either. If you're desperate for a bargain dynasty TE, you'd be better off trading for Heath Miller or Marcedes Lewis.
LSU has as much, if not more, pro-level talent as anyone in the country.
LSU/ND will also be a nice game to compare Quinn and Russell side by sideLSU has as much, if not more, pro-level talent as anyone in the country.
Watch the LSU Dline also. Lots of quality there (among other spots)LSU/ND will also be a nice game to compare Quinn and Russell side by sideLSU has as much, if not more, pro-level talent as anyone in the country.Great thread, ring the bell, school's in - just in time to watch some bowl games. Incidentally which bowl games are of interest in this regard this weekend?
Love what I've seen of this guy this year. Big rugged back with the burst of a smaller back. He's one of my personal favorite frosh RBs with Mike Goodson (Texas A&M) and C.J. Spiller (Clemson)The WRs are led by Seniors Dwayne Bowe, a strong physical WR, who should go in the 2nd this year, and Craig "Buster" Davis, a great athlete but not as polished as Bowe - could be another first day pick.
And played through the injuries. The toughness factor. Something bums like Chrissy Brown lack.
Got that right. DeSean Jackson really put on a display on how to catch a football last night.
This is a very good set of things to look for. I would further break these into 2 more sets.Set #1 (and a bit more important in my mind) would be the "natural" things like frame size, arm strength, field presence, etc.Set #2 would be the things that can be taught like reading defenses, going through progressions, etc. To a fairly large extent you may be able to overcome deficiencies in set #2, it is likely to be harder to overcome deficiencies in set #1.
Think Charles Rogers and Mike Williams here...
