Matt Waldman's RSP Cast

Buccaneers at Redskins 11/16/14 PFF analyst and RSP alum Dwain McFarland returns to the RSP Cast for a Film And Data conversation with Matt Waldman about NFL teams had significant offseason changes.  It's always fun to talk football with Dwain. Our views often complement each other, filling in gaps with our analysis. And when they don't, the divergent views are not only helpful with our individual analysis but provides thought-provoking conversation for listeners. This weekend, Dwain and and sat down for a two-hour film and data conversation about several NFL teams that experienced significant changes during the offseason. We shared some of our projections of key players on those teams as well. We led off with a team that had some underrated changes in terms of health despite really only one key addition to the offense: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here's some of what we discussed: * Why we're both all-in on Tom Brady, Mike Evans, and the Buccaneers passing offense approaching records in 2021. * Our thoughts on Matthew Stafford's ceiling and why DeSean Jackson is a massive factor for Staffords' ceiling and floor. * Figuring out Darrell Henderson. * Tyler Higbee disappointed last year but why the thought that Higbee's 2020 campaign is evidence that his ceiling is capped is misleading. * Why Jared Cook is not only "free money" in re-draft leagues but his commentary to the media has told us a lot about the Chargers offense. * Why both of us have Justin Herbert as a healthy QB1 but the film and data gives Herbert a lower floor than people are discussing. * What could make Russell Wilson more efficient in Seattle and why Dwain and Matt differ on Chris Carson in 2021. We'll likely do another show before the season with conversation about Tennessee, Atlanta, and a few other offenses. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

The Pewter Report's Jon Ledyard joins the podcast for a 30-minute dive into Giovani Bernard's prospects: Why his multifaceted game is not only a great fit with the Tampa Bay Buccaneer offense, but also why he could be more than Tom Brady's "next James White" in 2021.  Giovani Bernard is one of those NFL players whose tape has often been better than his statline. Most people forget that Giovani Bernard was one of the top 2-3 running backs in his draft class. Especially the Cincinnati Bengals. After giving Bernard a prominent role in the offense early Bernard's career, they saw Jeremy Hill as the future of the backfield. Even after that didn't pan out, Marvin Lewis and his offensive staff(s) coveted a big back. Even when Bernard was on the field and the offense had one or two standout linemen, the unit as a whole has been one of Cincinnati's longstanding weaknesses. It's why colleagues like J Moyer and I have long wished for Bernard to have an opportunity to play in the Patriots' offense. Now a Buccaneer, we have gotten better. Pewter Report beat writer and NFL Draft analyst Jon Ledyard joins this 30-minute show to discuss Bernard's excellent training camp and why we could be looking at Bernard as not only part of 1-2 punch with Ronald Jones but also a better version of James White because he's a superior runner between the tackles. This is a fun deep dive on one player who is getting overlooked in what could be a historically productive offense in 2021. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman's RSP Cast examines a variety of topics this week: Edgerrin James' career, high-ceiling values of note for the 2021 fantasy season, developmental players who could one day be the next Mike Davis or Raheem Mostert of fantasy football, and the headliners of the 2022 quarterback class.  It's a packed podcast this week filled with a variety of players and topics: * The skills, body type, and athletic ability that made Edgerrin James an easy choice for the Hall of Fame. * 2021 fantasy options whose ceiling exceeds my current projections and it's worth taking shots on 2-3 of them in most drafts. * Under-the-radar developmental talents having good training camps who could develop into starters or productive contributors during the next 2-3 seasons. * My thoughts on the 2022 quarterback class. The RSP Quick Game with Mark Schofield will be back this season and potential guests for the podcast and film rooms in the coming weeks include J Moyer, Dwain McFarland, Laurie Fitzpatrick, and Ben Solak. Stay tuned. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Reception Perception orginator and Yahoo! fantasy analyst Matt Harmon returns to Matt Waldman's RSP Cast for conversation about several receivers, quarterbacks, and offenses heading into the 2021 NFL season.  Our names may be boring, but from the perspective of unique content this double-Matt-stack is well worth a listen. Harmon and I discuss a variety of topics in addition to the unveiling of his awesome new Reception Perception site and excellent product. * What makes Brandon Aiyuk better than we thought as an NFL Draft prospect? * Robert Woods and the Rams need vertical element to make the offense sing. * Do the Rams have someone to provide that deep threat? * What Sean McVay has done well and where he has struggled as a coach and offensive mind? * Are we too quick to scapegoat Jared Goff? * How do Harmon and Waldman see the 2021 season unfolding for the Seahawks receivers? * Why do the Jaguars' trio of D.J. Chark, Marvin Jones, and Laviska Shenault intrigue Harmon? * Does Emmanuel Sanders offer more to Buffalo than Harmon-favorite John Brown? * The underrated receiver on the Cowboys' corps and what Harmon would like to see happen with the rotation. * Is Michael Pittman the player Bills fans think they see when they look at Gabriel Davis? * The similarities with Shenault and D.J. Moore. * Harmon's advice for taking opportunities that may seem to run counter to one's ultimate goal in the fantasy industry. As always, it was a pleasure to hang with Harmon and talk about an aspect of football in a way that few people can. Do yourself and favor, and get his analysis. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman's RSP Film Room Scouts Hall of Fame runner Ladainian Tomlinson, illustrating the skills and traits that not only made Tomlinson an elite back but also showing things that all backs, coaches, and scouts can transfer to their approach.  Ladainian Tomlinson could do everything that a team in the modern era would want from a running back. Blessed with breakaway speed, lateral agility, and a low center of gravity, Tomlinson could flip the field and earn the hard yards. When studying his performances, the things that stood out the most weren't strictly tied to raw athletic ability: * Tomlinson repeatedly demonstrated a great pre-snap understanding of defender alignments. * He was an expert at scraping against his lead blocks to hide from opponents or at least reduce the time opponents had to generate a productive pursuit angle. * Tomlinson's footwork helped him generate balanced lateral movement that cleared him from pursuit in tight quarters better than most backs. * His stiff arm was a versatile weapon that aimed for power but could counter with deception. * Why Tomlinson's decision to reach a maximum leaping highpoint as early as possible with green zone runs was an excellent strategy. Here’s the YouTube video. If the NFL won’t allow it to be watched from here, you can go to my YouTube Channel to access it. You can also listen to it as a podcast if you prefer or lack the opportunity to watch video. https://youtu.be/SFfT-DyoT8g For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman's RSP Cast takes a dive into Bo Jackson's tape to unearth what's teachable and what's not from the game of this myth of a player.  What makes Bo Jackson great? The common narrative, which came from NFL Films inviting beat writers to pontificate on the subject, is he's so fast...he's so big...he's so big AND so fast.  True. It's also an incomplete analysis that glosses over the fact that Bo Jackson was a highly skilled running back. Whether Jackson learned these skills through disciplined attention to detail or he picked them up fast doesn't eliminate the fact that he acquired them and that young running backs, running back coaches, and scouts can gain something from studying Jackson's tape that goes beyond he's so fast...he's so big...he's so big AND so fast.  I'll hopefully have a YouTube video to provide visual underpinnings to what I describe in this podcast, but if you're commuting and wish to hear what I found of value with Jackson's game, give it a listen. There are several techniques Jackson uses that succesful NFL backs that followed him use. Here's the YouTube video. If the NFL won't allow it to be watched from here, you can go to my YouTube Channel to access it. https://youtu.be/zPTd2k1-cWw For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

PPF's Dwain McFarland stops by Matt Waldman's RSP Cast for an extended conversation about the dividends of an organically gained sense of perspective and how this ties to player evaluation, NFL organizations, and fantasy football.  Dwain McFarland took a two-year sabbatical from the corporate world. Whether it was a movie, television show, magazine story, or podcast, you've had experience with the story of someone who leaves a major part of their world behind and gains something more valuable from the experience. These stories don't often delve into why. We live in a society where there's great demand for instant insight. It trickles down from the workplace to our entertainment. Most of us have bought into the idea that technology has made us capable of gaining insights at an unprecedented rate of speed. We're able to communicate raw knowledge faster than ever. However, the human mind has always been a knowledge junkie. New information is sugar or entertainment for the brain. Taking the time and effort to learn how to apply that information with great wisdom is a lot harder. It takes focus, discipline, routine effort, and space in between that effort—an underrated component—for our subconscious mind to processes the various applications of this knowledge. Dwain and I spend the hour discussing the value of time off, why it's vital to honor the organic development of perspective, and how consistent practice can eventually generate value even after you take time away from the process. We discuss how this applies to player evaluation, fantasy football, and the NFL's world. This topic is one of the underlying reasons why most people miss the mark when they expect instant "lessons learned," especially with scouting. They're so driven to have a decision that will help them be right, that they sacrifice wisdom for instant knowledge that may not be accurate long-term. I've seen this with player evaluation, analysis of team decision-making, and in people's personal lives. This podcast doesn't promise instant insights, but let it sit for a bit. You may gain something of organic value down the line that helps you with topics you usually come here to learn about as well as those outside the sphere of the playing field. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

NFL.com researcher and analyst Chad Reuter returns to the RSP Scout Talk podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about football, music, and the NFL Draft.  I'm fortunate to have become friends with Chad Reuter after meeting him a decade ago through Cecil Lammey at the Senior Bowl. Chad has an economics background and like many of us, came down with the illness that's scouting football talent. He began 20 years ago, running his own site and earning consultation work with several NFL teams. Since then, he has worked with NFL Draft Scout, CBS, and now, NFL.com. In addition to supplying advanced scouting of players NFL.com writers and analysts, Chad has some excellent breakdowns of prospects at the site and all 32 teams have picked up his video work that's well worth checking out. Chad and I discussed a variety of topics in addition to the 2021 NFL Draft: * How the high school and college games are changing the NFL's view of prospects. * Why the pocket quarterback isn't dead, but the barrier to their entry and success is rising. * Our thoughts on first-round running backs. * 2021 prospects we loved. * 2021 prospects we already love--or we are at least looking forward to studying. * Our concert bucket lists. * Concerts we nearly attended and wish we had because the artist passed just after missing the event. I just hit the record button and added an introduction after the show. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman's RSP Cast discusses why differs from other draft analysts when it comes to running backs like Trey Sermon and being equally alright with Mac Jones and Justin Fields in San Francisco.  With all of the podcasts I'm doing, I'm most often asked why I like Trey Sermon. However, it took a reader to ask me why I view Sermon differently from so many other analysts. In this podcast, I answer that question as well as discuss why the answer for San Francisco's quarterback needs isn't right or wrong when it comes to Justin Fields or Mac Jones. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.  

Matt Waldman delivers a solo podcast covering underrated rookies few podcasters are asking him about, good potential team fits for rookie quarterbacks, an in-depth list of his career hits and misses, and how he grades "potential" and "compensatory factors," as a scout.   I've been doing a ton of podcasts, but I like to reserve opportunities to talk about subjects for my own show: * Where I'd like to see many of these quarterbacks land. * Players few are asking me about that I like or find intriguing. * A long list of hits and misses based on: * Players I was higher on than many of my peers who worked out and those that didn't. * Players I was lower on than many of my peers who worked out and those that didn't. * The difficulty with grading potential and compensatory factors. * What to do with Miles Boykin and Hakeem Butler. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman's RSP Scout Talk hosts former Rookie Scouting Portfolio contributor, J. Moyer of FFAstronauts for a great conversation about the running back class for the 2021 NFL Draft.  It's always fun to reunite with colleagues that I have worked with in the past. And if I had to pick one current draftnik/analyst I enjoy hearing their thoughts on running backs, it's J. Moyer. Now, a part of the FFAstronauts team, J and his crew are working on their own scouting guide that will be a worthwhile read. Moyer and I took an hour to talk about this year's running back class: * Why is the efficiency of movement important for running backs? * Who are the efficient runners in this class? * Who is the back that J sees as a Kamara-like runner? * How do we determine a runner's speed and acceleration from film study? * Where we're similar but different on Rhamondre Stevenson? * Why we're similarly not sold on Chuba Hubbard * What J appreciates about Trey Sermon. * What we like about Najee Harris and Kenneth Gainwell and where we differ. We cover several more prospects in an episode that I know many of you have been looking forward to us doing. We could have gone another hour and perhaps post-draft, we will. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman's RSP Scout Talk picks up with an excellent 90-minute conversation with NFL Draft Bible's Ric Serritella about media scouting, team building, and prospect talk that you won't want to miss.  Earlier this week, I joined Ric and Scout Talk co-host Russ Lande for a conversation on Ric's State of Football podcast at SI.com. I wanted to pick up where we left off and go into more depth. * Ric and I share our "coming up" stories in this industry. * Ric's one love, one necessary evil, and one changing opinion about his career. * 2-3 players Ric and I are each sold on. * 1-3 players Ric and I would risk selecting if our co-workers on a team were on board. * How Ric and I would build teams if we were given a guaranteed five years as GMs. * UDFA strategy * A strategic reshaping of a scouting department * The employment of retired player-consultants * Vision for team construction * One likely UDFA that you don't think will ever be a starter much less make an active roster this year, but we're intrigued with their game. You can check out the NFL Draft Bible here. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman does an RSP solo podcast about several quarterback prospects from the 2021 NFL Draft class.  If you missed the RSP Running Back or Wide Receiver Brain Dump Podcasts, check them out at your convenience. This week, I share my thoughts on the state of quarterback development and several 2021 prospects at the position. * Why the death of the pocket game is a gross exaggeration. * The NFL has improved its acclimation process for rookies, but the process might as well be on par with corporations that take shortcuts to meet quarterly expectations rather than execute sustainable practices. * Which quarterback's game is more icing than cake? * Why the Trevor Lawrence-Andrew Luck comp isn't too much. * Which mid-round prospect has a "clean" game? * Which potential developmental projection sees the game like a well-trained Marine? * The quarterback who gives me a nagging feeling that he'll be better than I think. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman does an RSP solo podcast about several wide receiver prospects from the 2021 NFL Draft class.  If you missed the RSP Running Back Brain Dump Podcast, you can find it here. This week, I give quick takes on over 20 wide receivers. * How does 2021’s class compare to 2021 at the top of the board? * Who is the best overall weapon in this class? * Is DeVonta Smith a primary wide receiver?  Is the Marvin Harrison comparison too steep? * Why I'm high on Tylan Wallace and Rashod Bateman but think they have some minor speed bumps that could limit their first-year contributions. * The wide receiver with a "tell" that could be exploited with off-coverage if not addressed early (it should be). * Why Steve Smith is a far too combustible comparison for Elijah Moore but I'll explore Lane Kiffin's comparison as a starting point for sharing my own. * The part of Kadarius Toney's game that is way too out of control and must be addressed to maximize his potential. * A player whose route running and movement style remind me of Chad Johnson. * Which promising receiver is a light-switch player? For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman does an RSP solo podcast about several running back prospects from the 2021 NFL Draft class.  Apologies for not delivering an RSP Cast last week. I was busy finalizing much of my running back board for the 2021 Rookie Scouting Portfolio and Russ Lande took a new job as the head of U.S. scouting for the Montreal Alouettes. Congratulations to Russ, who will join me once again for future Scout Talk episodes next week. So, I figured it was a good time for a brain dump on running back prospects. * How does 2021's class compare to 2021 at the top of the board? * Who are the 4-6 backs 2-3 tiers below the top of the board? Why do they have the promise to develop into lead backs and potentially feature backs if they address one currently lacking in their game, but their volatility is great enough that we may never see them earn extended time on the field? * The prospect that reminds me of a young Tiki Barber. * The runner who has a lot of the positive qualities of Melvin Gordon to his game but makes 3-4 confounding decisions per contest that hold him back. * The back whose game I want to love, but can only like. * The player that I like as a future starter but may not have as high on my board as people will expect. * Why Eddie Lacy and LeGarrette Blount shouldn't be negative comparisons for runners and there are two that may fit those comparisons in some ways. Going further, why LenDale White shouldn't be a negative either unless you have done your homework well enough that you're making an off-field comparison and not an on-field one. For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.   Matt’s new RSP Dynasty Rankings and Two-Year Projections Package is available for $24.95 If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2020 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.