Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

"Throw out all the rules"

Mr. Scot

By Mr. Scot,
in Carolina Panthers

 Share

Recommended Posts

  • Popular Post
Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

Posted
  • Popular Post
Posted (edited)

Mentioned elsewhere that Lady Cowboy Fan got me a book called "Scout Speak" by Neil Stratton of "Inside the League" for Christmas. It's about learning how NFL scouts evaluate talent.

IMG_20211226_103156558.thumb.jpg.ef9e25e24baacdca7cec3dc03345cf5b.jpg

Here's one of the first paragraphs in the book, Stratton explaining some of the core things he's learned in twenty years of scouting experience...

1. Throw out all the rules No matter what any scout says, there are none. As a fan, or as a young football professional, you will be told certain positions have to be certain sizes run certain speeds or have certain production. Maybe, maybe not. Scouting is, was, and always will be highly subjective. Trends, popularity, which players are deemed to be "safe" at what rounds, etc., matter far more to most teams and their scouts than they'd like to admit. But none of that matters...

I'd like to add "arm length" to that list of crap that doesn't mean anything 😕

Stratton goes on to explain why and add in some other cool insights into the scouting world.

With a forward by Jeff Ireland that includes some good behind the scenes stories, this is definitely a book I can tell I'm going to enjoy.

And throw in that right out of the gate, it says something about Matt Rhule's rules.

Edited by Mr. Scot
  • Pie 5
  • Beer 4
  • Flames 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
CarolinaNCSU Proficient

CarolinaNCSU

Posted
Posted

At the end of the day, football and evaluation should be simple but is convoluted by "forward" thinkers trying to find an edge.  Keep it simple. 

1. Can they play?

2. Are they smart/good teammate/etc.? 

3.  Oh yeah, can they play? 

When you start solely nixing players because of certain athletic or body measures, and not what's on their tape, you're going to fug up. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AU-panther Mentor

AU-panther

Posted
Posted

Not to be an apologist for Rhule but BC had 32 teams pass on him for multiple rounds.  Why is that?

He probably had the best college tape of any of the OT prospects.  Why did 32 teams pass on him multiple times?

It's because of arm length.  So in fact, these scouts didn't "throw out the rules" or he would have been drafted before he was.

Rhule would be better served by not always being so open with his thoughts.  He would have been better served not saying anything or saying maybe they think BC's skillset is better served at guard, which would have came across as much more logical than just blaming arm length.

With that being said, I would definitely give BC a chance there to see what he can do, but to act like Rhule is the only person in the league who factors in measurables to decide where to play a player is ignorant.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

Posted
  • Author
Posted
3 minutes ago, AU-panther said:

Not to be an apologist for Rhule but BC had 32 teams pass on him for multiple rounds.  Why is that?

He probably had the best college tape of any of the OT prospects.  Why did 32 teams pass on him multiple times?

It's because of arm length.  So in fact, these scouts didn't "throw out the rules" or he would have been drafted before he was.

Rhule would be better served by not always being so open with his thoughts.  He would have been better served not saying anything or saying maybe they think BC's skillset is better served at guard, which would have came across as much more logical than just blaming arm length.

With that being said, I would definitely give BC a chance there to see what he can do, but to act like Rhule is the only person in the league who factors in measurables to decide where to play a player is ignorant.

Stratton's point isn't that the majority of teams and scouts throw out the rules, but that they should.

As to why teams passed on  Christensen though, I doubt it's as simple as one thing.

  • Beer 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
AU-panther Mentor

AU-panther

Posted
Posted
Just now, Mr. Scot said:

Stratton's point isn't that the majority of teams and scouts throw out the rules, but that they should.

As to why teams passed on  Christensen though, I doubt it's as simple as one thing.

If he had some of the best tape in all of college football at the LT positions what else could it be?

Also his athletic testing numbers were elite.

The only thing left were his measurables.

Players get drafted on production, testing, and measurables.  He was elite at 2 of those, but he made it to the 3rd round.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

Posted
  • Author
Posted
4 minutes ago, AU-panther said:

If he had some of the best tape in all of college football at the LT positions what else could it be?

Also his athletic testing numbers were elite.

The only thing left were his measurables.

Players get drafted on production, testing, and measurables.  He was elite at 2 of those, but he made it to the 3rd round.

School and level of competition, among other things...

The draft profiles of Christensen that I've read had him projected as a backup at the NFL level. Third round is pretty reasonable for that. 

  • Beer 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
kungfoodude Grand Master

kungfoodude

Posted
Posted
8 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

School and level of competition, among other things...

The draft profiles of Christensen that I've read had him projected as a backup at the NFL level. Third round is pretty reasonable for that. 

Yeah, he also got beaten like a snare drum by some guys that will never be NFL level players. That stood out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AU-panther Mentor

AU-panther

Posted
Posted
Just now, Mr. Scot said:

School and level of competition, among other things...

The draft profiles of Christensen that I've read had him projected as a backup at the NFL level. Third round is pretty reasonable for that. 

exactly.  He was projected by scouts as a backup even though he had elite athletic testing and elite production.  What does that tell you?  Use some logic, the entire league had doubts about his measurables.

Yes, scouts do factor in level of competition when looking at the production aspect of the evaluation puzzle, but that alone didn't drop him that much.

Here again, I think it's stupid we aren't playing him at LT, lets see what he can do, what do we have to lose at this point but i think all of this "arm length talk" has kind of took a life of its own.  I've got bigger issues with Rhule than that comment.

If he would have said his physical traits are better suited for guard then I don't think people would have been so upset or it would have been as big of a deal.  Honestly most of the league agrees with that.

Personally, I thought he was a really good prospect at LG, with some of his quickness.  I know if he can be an average LT that would be an upgrade for us but personally, I thought his best chance of being elite was at LG.  I think the fan base would have been ok with that if we would have just committed to something.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • onmyown
      2026 Schedule. My goodness

      By onmyown · Posted

      Bad news is Bryce will actually get use a middle of the round pick (9-8) missing any chance to get a QB. Honestly though I think Tep would be ok with that and see it as a reason to resign him. After all that’s the most success Tep can muster in 10 years.
    • HeelsPanthersCanes
      Frank Reich Jets OC

      By HeelsPanthersCanes · Posted

      Yes.   It's been widely reported Aaron Glenn is an egomaniac and only wants staff who will not challenge him or tip the scales of power in any direction but his.   I'm guessing that has to be one of, if not, the most toxic environments across the four major sport leagues in America.
    • ProcessBlue2
      Very intrigued how Morgan and Canales handle the offseason

      By ProcessBlue2 · Posted

      Dan tends to attack one specific position group per offseason and the sprinkle others throughout the roster. He extended Moton, signed Hunt, Lewis, Nijman one offseason and then extended Brown and signed Wharton and Hunt and drafted Jackson next offseason. My guess is he attacks LB and Edge this offseason.    1. What do you do with Icky? Likely a scratch for next season and due a massive contract (if healthy) They will bring back Nijman and Christensen and draft a guy on Day 2 is my guess and hope one of them can fill the hole. 2. Coker has the talent for 2nd WR, but do you pay a guy who gets hurt that premium? I think hes your number 3 simply due to risk. Will the Panthers seek another vet or go surprisingly high in the draft? They will probably sign him more and longer than the RFA Tender to keep him happy and not break the bank in the process. Can see them getting a Vet in FA like Tutu Atwell or Hollywood Brown. Somebody with speed but also isn’t overly expensive. I think Horn and Tremayne stick around and unfortunately Legette. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Tremble released and a real TE in brought in, there is a good FA group this year. 3. Do you give X more feature time? Or cut bait now? I wouldn’t be surprised if they traded him but I’m willing to bet he gets one more year. Maybe Canales can find a role like Shenault had with McAdoo.  4. Planning the long term/short term on OL Like I said I think Christensen and Nijman are brought back for T with a Day 2 rookie and prayer something sticks. Moton, Hunt, Lewis return ofcourse. Probably resign Corbett as a safeguard at Center but I think they go C in the 1st or 2nd. Wouldn’t be shocked to see Morgan trade to the back end of the 1st to get a solid C and add picks. 5. How do you address LB? I think Rozeboom leaves. Hoping CJ Allen or Sonny Styles is still there is too big of a risk. They probably go get Kaden Elliss or Leo Chenal and pay good money for them. Maybe a guy on Day 3 for depth with Cherelus and Martin-Scott. Also think he takes a swing at Edge, wouldn’t be shocked to see Hendrickson or Oweh here.  6. Do you bank of Chuba bouncing back?    I think Chuba remains Chuba. There are some decent change of pace backs out there this year that will be cheap. Still developing Etienne and Brooks may be healthy. I think it’s Chuba and that crew maybe a veteran that’s not Dowdle. More like Deejay Dallas who was here already once.  I also think Dalton calls it and they get an upgrade at back up. Nobody that would endanger Bryce’s job but somebody that isn’t 55 years old either. Trubisky, Minshew, Pickett, Kyle Allen (yes same one).  
×
×
  • Create New...