Matt Waldman's RSP Cast

Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Scouting Glossary illustrates with the help of 2023 NFL Draft prospect, Kendre Miller of TCU, why overextending at the collision point as a pass protector places a running back at a disadvantage with his assignments. What Is Overextending? Pretty much what you'd expect: leaning too far forward. For pass protection, overextending happens when an offensive player has his head and shoulders over his knees. While this can be a good body alignment for a running back when he's carrying the ball, it's suboptimal for pass protection. A blocker should be in an athletic stance with the knees and hips bent and the head and shoulders high enough that they aren't leaning over the knees. A good rule of thumb for a pass protector's stance: The first two parts of the blocker's body to make contact with the opponent should be the hands and the chest in that order. If the helmet and/or the shoulders are one of the first two points of contact, it's likely the blocker is overextending. Why Is Overextending Bad for Pass Protection? When a blocker delivers a punch, he should strike first with his hands and use his hips to roll upward to help him generate force through the blow. When a blocker overextends, he's far less likely for the first point of contact to be with his hands and this diminishes his opportunity to a proper punch with enough force to stifle his opponent. Placing the head over the body leads to an open invitation for the defender to make contact with the defender's head and shoulders, which can violently upend the balance of the blocker and send him backward. Overextending leads to the defender initiating the collision and with any collision sport that has elements of combat, the individual who dictates his rhythm holds the advantage. When a blocker's position forfeits the opportunity to initiate contact, he's allowing the opponent to dictate the rhythm of the interaction. It means the blocker is now reacting to the strike while the defender is generating his second movement. When the blocker dictates his rhythm on the opponent, the defender is reacting to the strike while the blocker is beginning his second move. The inherent advantage sides with the party dictating their rhythm. Overextending also puts the blocker in a position where he can't see who he's hitting during the final phases of movement prior to the collision. When the blocker's head is down during the final steps of an opponent's approach to the collision, it tips off the blocker's position early enough for the defender to adjust his path to the quarterback. Other than eliminating the blocker's first-strike initiative, power, and accuracy, there's nothing wrong with overextending. What It Looks Like with Kendre Miller Overextending is a common flaw with running back's learning to pass protect because they think they have to deliver with everything they've got to handle box defenders or a safety screaming downhill into the pocket on a well-timed blitz. Overextending is overcompensating in an attempt to deliver with power. Running backs often think they have to deliver a hit, which means getting into a hitting stance. It's not surprising that Miller, a former linebacker, overextends. Here are two plays where Miller overextends. The first shows that Miller can deliver an uppercut punch, but the overextension limits the potential for him to dictate the action from beginning to end. https://twitter.com/MattWaldman/status/1615931522132885504 The second play shows how Miller's overextension tips off his opponent. https://twitter.com/MattWaldman/status/1615947857323778049 Miller has the size, athletic ability, and physicality to become an effective pass protector in the NFL.

Montreal Alouettes’ head of U.S. scouting Russ Lande and the RSP’s Matt Waldman discusses the Cardinals' changes on Kyler Murray's development challenges, the Justin Fields-Bryce Young offseason conundrum, our criteria for scouting RBs, and Tulane RB Tyjae Spears. Topics This week: * The backdrop for Kliff Kingsbury's firing and what's ahead for Arizona. * The work ahead for Kyler Murray and what's missed about evaluating success for NFL quarterbacks. * Why the Bears could be legitimately considering drafting a first-round QB. * Why the Bears might not be legitimately considering a first-round QB but want us to think so? * Where we stand on Justin Fields. * Thoughts on Bryce Young. * Our criteria and red flags for scouting running backs. * What people misunderstand about "tackling" when charting RB performance. * The skills of Tyjae Spears and how they fit into some of these criteria as examples. And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2023 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 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children. 

TD Wire’s Laurie Fitzpatrick returns to Matt Waldman’s RSP Cast to do some match-making between unrestricted free-agent RBs to NFL teams.  Topics * The Lions' plans to supplement D'Andre Swift. * The Cowboys' RB stable: present and future. * Miles Sanders: Better or worse post-Eagles? * Premium and lower cost options for Philadelphia. * The Dolphins' RB stable: present and future. * Assessing the mid-range/low-cost starters/contributors on the market. * Who has the best shot to start? * Who is most likely to become persona non grata? * What direction do the Saints go? Could D'Onta Foreman be part of the answer? * The Raiders and Josh Jacobs. * Why Rashaad Penny strikes fear in our hearts in multiple ways. * Backs we didn't discuss who could be under the radar. And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2023 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95. There’s an early-bird discount period running from December 1-22 to pre-order it for $19.95  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 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children. 

A weekly phone conversation between fantasy veterans Bob Harris and Matt Waldman is a quick and dirty run-down of NFL players, units, or teams https://youtu.be/XBZekwom4tg 1. Daniel Jones' best opportunity is outside New York? 2. Tom Brady's best opportunity in Tampa? 3. Kareem Hunt will be a feature back elsewhere next year? 4. Ezekiel Elliott will be a feature back elsewhere next year? 5. Dallas resigns Tony Pollard? 6. Jeff Wilson stays in Miami? 7. Miles Sanders - similar production outside Philly? 8. Foster Moreau - starter elsewhere? 9. Derek Carr returns to 2021 form elsewhere? 10. Allen Lazard's best fit in Green Bay? 11. Mike Gesicki will be a fantasy starter in a new town? 12. Jamaal Williams will be a committee back in a new town? 13. Detroit will sign a back to work in tandem with D'Andre Swift similar to Williams? 14. Samaje Perine could be the next Jamaal Williams with a new team? 15. D'Ernest Johnson will contribute more with a new team? 16. Lamar Jackson will be back in Baltimore? 17. Alexander Mattison will contribute more with a new team? 18. JuJu Smith Schuster will be back in KC? 19. Jakobi Meyers returns to NE? 20. Evan Engram returns to Jax 21. Saquon Barkley to Dallas? 22. Josh Jacobs to Philly? 23. Geno Smith back in Seattle? And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2023 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 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children. 

Campus2Canton’s Felix Sharpe and RSP’s Matt Waldman discuss Damar Hamlin and the football community's response, C.J. Stroud's standout performance against Georgia, and various rookie performances during the 2022 NFL season. Every other week, Felix @sharpereview of @campus2canton will be joining me to discuss college and NFL talent, many of them underclassmen (Devy). The show will be focused solely on these aspects of fantasy football so you can get familiar with them for your Devy, dynasty, and re-draft leagues. This Week’sTopics * Thoughts on Damar Hamlin. * Praise for the football community. * How C.J. Stroud may have changed his pre-draft perception with one game. * Why Ohio State's approach to quarterbacking may be limiting for prospect's draft capital. * 2022 NFL Rookie Review: Who surprised us? Who didn't do much but we still believe? Who may never earn a shot but we still value their talents? And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2023 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 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children. 

Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Scouting Glossary illustrates how Texas running back Bijan Robinson of the 2023 NFL Draft class uses curvilinear movement to efficiently defeat two angles of pursuit at the same time.  What Is Curvilinear Movement? Imagine a motorcyclist or speedskater taking a curve at a high speed. Their bodies (and in the biker's case, the machine) bend into the curve. This movement helps the individual change direction without losing as much speed as they would with a turn requiring a sharp angle. There are two facets of curvilinear behavior we observe: * How dramatic the bend in the curve is (movement). * How fast the individual's movement is when working that bend (speed). When a football player can execute curvilinear movement with speed, these skills add a dangerous weapon to his athletic arsenal as a ballcarrier, pass rusher, route runner, or pursuing defender. Why Is Curvilinear Movement Valuable? Changes of direction along a curve are subtler to track than changing direction at a hard angle. As mentioned earlier, curvilinear movement is often more efficient for the individual executing it to maintain his speed. Hard-angle changes of direction require the individual to slow down, gather his base of gravity in a more dramatic fashion, and then turn. As a ballcarrier, this act of slowing down to gather steps allows pursuit more time to make up ground. There are changes of direction at hard angles that are more sudden, but the stress on the body makes it more difficult to execute when approaching the turn at a high rate of speed. What It Looks like with Texas RB Bijan Robinson https://youtu.be/zB2VYR0sJPg And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2023 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 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children. 

A weekly phone conversation between fantasy veterans Bob Harris and Matt Waldman is a quick and dirty run-down of NFL players, units, or teams https://youtu.be/6dGoBitMCyQ 1. Skyler Thompson: a deep dynasty stash? 2. Kenny Pickett as a fantasy QB2 next year? 3. T.Y. Hilton one more year in Dallas? 4. Malik Willis: a shallow dynasty stash? 5. Treylon Burks? a WR2 next year? 6. Desmond Ridder: a fantasy QB2 next year? 7. Trey McBride: a shallow dynasty stash? 8. Justin Fields: a better passer than his receiving corps? 9. D'Andre Swift - Lions committing fantasy malpractice? 10. Albert Okweugbunam - Good player in Denver Doghouse? 11. Kadarius Toney 12. Raheem Mostert 13. Daniel Jones: on the rise? 14. Richie James: starter in NYG next year? 15. Eno Benjamin shallow dynasty stash? 16. Sam Darnold: starter in Carolina next year? 17. Rachaad White - fantasy RB2 next year? 18. Tom Brady in Vegas 2023? 19. Derek Carr a Jet in 2023? 20. Deshaun Watson and Cleveland a playoff team in 2023? 21. Trey Lance starting in 2023? And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2023 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 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children. 

SBNation’s Mark Schofield returns to Matt Waldman’s RSP Cast for a little break from football with part two of our scouting the warriors in George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones. This week, we seed the combatants in a 16-team and 18-team tourney. The NFL playoffs are around the corner, draft season is on its way, and as Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell has figured out by injecting tug of war into his team’s practices, sometimes you have to switch things up to keep things fresh. This week, Mark Schofield and I scout the warriors from the Game of Thrones universe. We chose the 18 best warriors from the television version of the story who the audience actually saw in a fight. Last week, we graded the warriors on specific categories. This week, we're assigning seeds and creating tourney brackets. Next week, we'll be breaking down specific matchups and how we think they'd fare. We'll be continuing this until we arrive at the winners of our mock tourneys. If you enjoyed Game of Thrones or simply want to listen to two analysts discuss the characteristics of athletes in a fictional and wildly different universe than football, you’ll enjoy this show as much as we enjoyed creating it. Of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2022 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.   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, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children. 

Footballguys staff writer Adam Harstad joins RSP Film and Data as Matt Waldman’s cohost for the 2022 football season to discuss practices that will make you a better fantasy GM and NFL fan. There are a lot of excellent writers and analysts in the fantasy industry. There are few that I hold in as high a regard as Adam. He’s a forthright human being with a tremendous intellect whose approach to analysis in this space differs from most. He’s also an excellent fantasy GM in re-draft and dynasty formats. Unlike Dwain McFarland, whose work delves into the statistical process, Adam spends a lot of time examining results and dealing with broad themes of decision-making that help us become better fantasy players and fantasy analysts. If we do another season, we’re going to retitle this show, “Film And Theory.” This week’s topics: * Adam's rookie modeling of receivers and how Christian Watson's results are highly encouraging despite room for skepticism. * Matt's pre-draft and post-draft film study of Watson and why the processes of his game mesh well with the encouraging results of Adam's model. * Matt's pre-draft, pre-injury, and post-injury assessments of Cam Akers and why he's looking better than he did at the beginning of his NFL career. * When and why Adam has been in and out an Akers during the past three but is now back in. And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2023 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 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children. 

This week, Matt Waldman RSP Cast breaks down different disciplines of football analysis, the building blocks for a helpful film-grading process, and why grades are far more important than rankings.  Laurie Fitzpatrick is off this week, so I did a solo cast on the scouting of player film: * Why understanding the disciplines of football analysis aids your perspective as a fan. * The building blocks for a well-functioning grading process for film study. * Why grades are far more important than rankings. And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2023 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 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children. 

Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Scouting Glossary illustrates how TCU quarterback Max Duggan of the 2023 NFL Draft class accounts for ancillary coverage to deliver an optimal target to his fellow draft classmate, wide receiver Quinton Johnston.  https://youtu.be/W2iWkYEK9Qs What Is Ancillary Coverage? There are probably multiple ways to describe this coverage among coaches. I call it ancillary coverage because it's a player or players who provide the necessary support to the primary coverage in the area of the target. I'll also use the term peripheral coverage because I'm noting a player not in the area of the target but close enough to become involved with defending it. Either way, ancillary coverage is a defender or defender not primarily responsible for the receiver's route: * A defender in the adjacent zone to the target. Their location gives them an angle to work into to that targeted zone and attack the ball or the receiver. * A defender with a man-to-man assignment against a receiver in the same zone as the targeted receiver and he correctly identifies the quarterback's intended target early enough to peel off his assignment and attack the actual target. * A defender assigned to the intended target as part of a double/triple team or bracket coverage. He may not be near the receiver as the quarterback begins the release of the ball, but will be in the path of the receiver's break to challenge the target. Depending on the route's location and the nature of the defense, ancillary coverage can be any defender on the field: * A defensive lineman or linebacker who drops into a shallow or intermediate zone. * A safety aligned over or under the break of a route determines the target and works into the path of the break. * A cornerback peeling off his man-to-man assignment that's working through the same area as the intended target. One of the biggest causes of interceptions occurs when the quarterback neither identifies nor accounts for ancillary coverage when they make the decision to throw the ball. A quarterback may see the nearby coverage but not account for the defender's body position (leverage) which will make it easy for him to intercept the target. Or, the quarterback has no way of seeing the leverage of an ancillary defender but he should know that defender is in the area. A good example of this is when a quarterback is working through route progressions to one side of the field or holding the defense with his eyes until he executes a late turn and quick throw to the opposite side of the field. Screens, throwbacks, or secondary targets often require the quarterback to release the ball as soon as he pivots his body to the opposite side of the field. Because of the development timeline of the play or pressure, there's little time for the quarterback to turn, set, AND note ancillary coverage before beginning his release. Inserting that final step can derail the play. Quarterbacks often lean on their pre-snap or early post-snap identification of the entire coverage concept. They surmise where the ancillary defenders should be when making that late turn and this guides the quarterback on where to place the ball. A quarterback properly accounting for ancillary coverage will often place a target in a position that forces the receiver to alter the speed or direction of the break to eliminate the ancillary defender's angle to the ball. This placement often forces the receiver to change his body position to earn the ball. The change might be a difficult but necessary move. To the uninitiated, this pass may appear as if it's lacking pinpoint accuracy. However, when we grade quarterback accuracy, we should be accounting for more than the ball reaching the receiver in stride or exactly the exact spot where ...

A weekly phone conversation between fantasy veterans Bob Harris and Matt Waldman is a quick and dirty run-down of NFL players, units, or teams https://youtu.be/TV2aSoy4bdI 1. Greg Dortch 2. James Cook 3. Chuba Hubbard 4. Drake London 5. Velus Jones 6. Khalil Herbert 7. Amari Cooper 8. Nick Chubb 9. Colby Parkinson 10. Isiah Hodgins 11. Richie James 12. Darius Slayton 13 Trenton Irwin 14. Jahan Dotson 15. Darren Waller 16. Hunter Renfrow 17. Cam Akers 18. Tyler Higbee And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2023 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 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children.  .

Montreal Alouettes’ head of U.S. scouting Russ Lande and the RSP’s Matt Waldman discuss how NFL teams develop lists of prospects for evaluation, why this is a great time of year to build the back end of rosters, and thoughts on quarterback development and running back devaluation.  Topics This week: * The roles of Blesto, National, NFL teams, and college with creating lists of prospects with NFL potential. * How scouts build these lists and the benefits of the process. * How NFL teams use IR or cut veterans to earn opportunities to acquire and develop younger players. * How Russ would structure a coaching staff to foster more quarterback development * Why Tyler Allgeier's big afternoon in Atlanta is another signal of where the NFL is heading and what it means for the devaluation of the running back position. And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2023 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95 -- and an early-bird, pre-order discount is available $19.95 through December 22nd.    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 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children. 

Campus2Canton’s Felix Sharpe and RSP’s Matt Waldman discuss college players who could be the "next" to fit a development narrative comparable to recent big names, college bowl games that should offer high entertainment value and thoughts on NFL wide receivers Daylen Baldwin and Dareke Young. Every other week, Felix @sharpereview of @campus2canton will be joining me to discuss college and NFL talent, many of them underclassmen (Devy). The show will be focused solely on these aspects of fantasy football so you can get familiar with them for your Devy, dynasty, and re-draft leagues. This Week’sTopics * The next player to fit the Joe Burrow narrative. * Is there a Trevor Lawrence recruit on the horizon? * Who could have a better NFL career than a college career? * Is Caleb Williams the next Patrick Mahomes? * What does Georgia RB Kendall Milton need to work on? * WR Daylen Baldwin's potential to develop into a strong pro in Cleveland? * Why Seattle WR Dareke Young is intriguing? * Three bowl games your family may enjoy watching over the holidays. And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2023 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95 — and there’s an early-bird discount of $19.95 through December 22nd.  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 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.   Best yet, proceeds from sales are set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat the sexual abuse of children. 

Matt Waldman’s RSP NFL Scouting Glossary illustrates how Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson of the 2022 NFL Draft class and Raiders All-Pro Davante Adams use a footwork technique called the hip shift to defeat off-coverage near the top of his stem.  What Is A Hip Shift? A footwork technique, a hip shift is a series of three moves used in combination to earn a favorable position on a defender, usually when that defender is playing coverage directly over the top of the receiver. Also commonly known as a "duck walk," the hip shift begins with a push in the opposite direction of the eventual break path as a setup for a crossover move. For example, if the receiver intends to break to the left, here's the order of the moves for a hip shift: * A hard step/plant to the left. * The very next step moves immediately to the right (known as a rebound step). * The final step is a crossover to the left. You can think of the sequence as 1) A plant step in direction X. 2) A rebound step in direction Y. 3) A final crossover step back to direct X. Most defensive backs are trained to anticipate that the first move a receiver makes is setting up a final move in the opposite direction. This a natural 1-2 rhythm sequence that opponents anticipate. The hip shift works well because it's a 1-2-3 rhythm sequence that throws off the defender's anticipation of the 1-2 style of moves. The hip shift is most effective against defenders playing off the receiver. If the defender is playing directly over the receiver, the hip shift at a high rate of speed can shake the defender in the wrong direction. If the defender is playing over the receiver but he's shaded to the side where the receiver is breaking his route, the receiver will often slow his pace to set up the hip shift and this often throws off the rhythm of the coverage and moves the defender out of position. A hip shift is one of 10 footwork techniques the Rookie Scouting Portfolio defines and tracks for evaluating wide receiver performance. Many of these techniques are used in combination to earn separation against coverage, depending on the position of the defender and the route. What A Hip Shift Looks Like with New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson My colleague from Fantasy Astronauts did a nice job of capturing a hip shift from Garrett Wilson two weeks ago. Wilson executes the moves with additional upper body movement and a fast pace so it's nice to see this slowed down and the final yellow arrow with a zig-zagging stem approximating the initial plant, the rebound step, and the final crossover. https://twitter.com/JetPackGalileo/status/1600254520671420416 Davante Adams with a Masterful Hip Shift to Crossover the DB https://twitter.com/MattWaldman/status/1611092714803859456 Whether you call it a hip shift, a duck walk, or a slinky series of moves, it's a common technique that you'll see top receivers use against off-coverage. And of course, if you want to know about the rookies from this draft class, you will find the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), with the 2023 Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95 — and an early-bird, pre-order discount is available $19.95 through December 22nd.    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 2012-2022 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-o...