OLB
Where I rank and list all of the Outside Linebacker Prospects who I have scouted, and believe will be eligible for the 2009 NFL Draft.
Zach Follett, Cal, 6′2 230lbs, 6.2
William Moore, Missouri, 6′0 223lbs, 6.1 I
Dannell Ellerbe, University of Georgia, 6′1 236lbs, 6.1 I CR
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What I Do
How to Read These Scouting Reports
Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re not an NFL Scout. And if you are an NFL Scout, that’s no guarantee that my ratings will make sense without translation. I use a slightly modified system of what Bucko Kilroy, an NFL scout with over 40 years experience, created and is used by about a dozen teams. Due to my limited financial resources, I have modified it slightly to place less emphasis on personal character (keeps his nose clean), football character (works hard), and body growth (can he add weight), with more emphasis on performance. This does not reflect a disinterest in those categories, as I believe they are important (Football character especially is a top concern of mine), but until I have the money and access to visit school and inquire about players, my ability to provide an accurate grade on these things is limited. My knowledge of this system comes from Russ Lande, who publishes GM JR which uses a scale that was the inspiration for my scale, though we have a few, mostly minor, differences.
The grading scale works on a basic 1-9 system. In general, a player with a 4 or lower in any rating has a lot to overcome to be an effective NFL player, and you will rarely see that in my grading. Again, I am focused more toward players with legitimate NFL careers because I don’t have the time to scout out every eligible player available. Those reading this without a blood relation to me are most likely interested in early-round picks, not undrafted free agents. Those reading this with a blood relation probably don’t care too much one way or another. That doesn’t mean I am going only after stars. Of the first four players graded, I’d be surprised if more than one of them went in the 1st round of the 2009 NFL Draft. What it does mean is that I only am interested in scouting players who stand a legitimate chance of playing in the National Football League.
How the grades work:
Overall player grades are a little different from individual skill grades. An 8 is the highest grade I can ever give, and it is doubtful I will give that grade to anyone anytime soon. Of course, there is a fair bit of projection with any draft choice. Some players end up in excellent situations that improve them in ways that were not expected before they were drafted. Other players might be rated highly and then be colossal busts. I am unaware of any scout who can see the future, the best we can do is project the most likely path for a player, but in no way does that mean a player cannot improve/regress in ways that were unforseen – a player assigned a “Good Starter” grade could turn out to be a HOF player if groomed by the right coach for the right system, and that same player could be a colossal bust if drafted by a defunct franchise that is a poor schematic fit. And, of course, it is possible that I am simply wrong.
8.0 = No doubt the #1 pick, no doubt a HOF player.
7.9-7.0 = Surefire multiple Pro-Bowl player. Legitimate HOF chances. Top-5 pick.
6.9-6.5 = Possible Pro-Bowler for several years. Very productive starter. Easily a first rounder.
6.4-6.3 = Good starter. Asset on the field. Late first, early second round selection.
6.2-6.1 = Above Average starter. Does a good job. Second or third round
6.0 = Acceptable starter, may be a quality backup early. Second or third round.
5.9 = Backup now. Has potential to become a starter. Third round.
5.8 = Probably a long-term backup or journeyman starter. Constantly replaced. Fourth round or lower.
5.7-5.5 = Fill out a roster types, long term project players, career special teams player. 5th round or lower.
5.4 or lower = Free Agents.
Throughout the reports, I will grade each player individually on several skills. All players will be graded based off of four factors.
Athleticism – Quickness, Balance, Flexibility, Body Control
Physical Talents – Strength, Explosiveness, Body Type
Polish – Understanding of Playbook, Proper Technique, Instincts
Competitiveness – Plays Through Pain, Consistency, Clutch Play, Effort
These are all graded on a slightly different scale. The numbers go 1-9, with 9 being the highest. Here is a general translation:
9.0 = Incredible. Rarely given out ever.
8.5 = Amazing. Rarely given out ever.
8.0 = Exceptional. Might find this a few times in my reports.
7.5 = Excellent. More easily obtainable, but still a huge plus.
7.0 = Great. Several players have this for a single attribute.
6.5 = Very good. Given out to players who have skills that are above-average.
6.0 = Good. Given out for skills that are average for a college player.
5.5 = Inconsistent. Can be improved, but needs work.
5.0 = Acceptable. It won’t ruin a career, but will hinder it unless improved.
4.5 – 3.0 = Very bad. Unlikely to success with this, but possible.
2.0 = Terrible. Rarely given out to players I grade, as these players will struggle to make it in the NFL.
1.0 = I’m out of bad adjectives to describe how bad this is. This would be the grade I would give my own NFL skills, if I scouted myself.
There are also position-specific skills. These will be graded the same way that general player attributes are graded. I don’t want to give a comprehensive list for every position because it would be boring for all involved, but things such as Hands, Concentration, Routes, After Catch Skills, are all examples of what a Wide Receiver prospect would be graded on in position-specific skills.
There are also a few symbols that I should explain.
E = Estimated – used for height/weight/40 speed primarily.
V = Verified – I have from a reliable source of information an exact number.
* = Junior (redshirt or not) who has declared for the NFL Draft.
** = Redshirt Sophomore who has declared for the NFL Draft.
CR = Character Risk – I’m liberal in applying this, though many of these guys may be fit to draft.
CP = Character Problem – I’m conservative in applying this, and I wouldn’t recommend drafting this guy early.
I = Injured – Player needs to prove his health before a team uses an early selection on him.
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Welcome to my blog!
Essentially, I wanted a place to record my thoughts on the draft. I absolutely love scouting, but much of what I say is lost when wherever I say it cleans it’s archives. I’ll make sure not to clean the archives here.
My name is Kyle Rota, I’m a college student residing in Bellingham, Washington. I’m hoping to get into scouting someday, mainly because I already do it anyways and getting paid for it sounds like a good idea. That said, I have no doubt that my scouting is rudimentary at best. I’m currently working on improving my scouting, and will be doing some cool stuff by December, or so I hope.
Figuring out this site presented some difficulties. As far as the NFL goes, I try to follow all teams casually but the only team I really know in and out is the Seattle Seahawks. Because of that, both the players chosen to be scouted and what I look for is influenced. I consider this a natural extension of what real scouts do – look for the guys who fit the scheme that their team runs. So, things are presented with a Seattle slant. That said, while I may watch USC looking at Taylor Mays (given Seattle’s need for a good safety), it would be impossible for me not to notice, oh, half the defense that deserves to be drafted in the first day.
I hope that you enjoy what you read. I absolutely love discussing prospects, so by all means feel free to post responses, if I have the time (and short of this site gaining national prominence, I will eventually) I will likely reply. That said, there are a few basic things you should do if you don’t want me to delete it:
1.) Mild profanity at most. I don’t care if you swear, but if your post sounds like an Ozzie Guillen press conference it’ll be gone.
2.) Disagreements are great. It means you have an opinion you believe. Bickering and personal attacks are not. Keep it on the subject of players.
3.) No porn, no advertising, no spam. Duh.
I hope you enjoy,
Kyle Rota
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Hi Kyle,
Appreciate your efforts! I’m a lifelong Lions fan and while I think we have to take Stafford and be willing to sit him for the bulk of 09, we have to do something at MLB. With the change from Tampa 2 to a 4-3 “thumper” as Schwartz says he wants at MLB, we really have no one that can play the position. I like Dizon, but I thought he projected more to SLB as Schwartz’ previous guy was 225lbs. Bringing in Peterson (thanks by the way) moved Dizon to the bench IMO and since we didn’t make a play for a guy like Scott or Vilma in FA, it all comes down to the draft.
Of course us being the Lions, 4-3 MLB is weak as hades in this draft if you want sure things. Heck, even if you take Curry, by far the highest rated LB, and who’s plenty big enogh, you still are “projecting” him at a position he didn’t play in college. Not like watching a Curtis Lofton man the middle. In my dreams, Rey Maualuga would have a prolonged hammy and fall to us at 20, but not going to happen. Personally, I’d be willing to trade ahead of SD and take him, but I’m in the extreme minority and I understand, that giving up picks on a team with so many holes isn’t smart.
So Rey and Curry are gone and we need a Jerod Mayo to be there at 20 and there just isn’t. Or in the top of the second. Brinkley I see as a late second early third round reach and we need a day one starter. I personally don’t like Laurenitis, so that’s why I’ve been talking around a 4-3 MLB that is looked at as a late first round pick. So I said aaaall that to say this. If you are taking requests to do a scouting report, my request is also the guy I’d love to take if Rey isn’t there at 20. Clay Matthews Jr. Talk about projecting a player? I’m doing it. IMO the worst you get is a worthy replacement for Peterson when he leaves. In 09 I think Peterson at Sam, Matthews at Mike and Sims at Will puts us in pretty good shape and I think Clay has what it takes from an effort standpoint to make the transition. He’ll just do whatever it takes and you know that going in. Which in my mind limits the risk considering you are getting a 10 yard time a tick behind Percy Harvin and movement numbers not far off Curry at 6′3 246. Well this has been a novel, so I’ll let you go. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Rick
I find it odd that you’re moving Dizon to the bench, personally. I was really high on him last year, but the schematic fit may not be there.
I think the best guy for you at #20 is James Laurinitis of OSU (I probably spelled that last name wrong). He has the size and the instincts, and while he lacks a lot of speed you have that with Sims and Peterson on the outside. He also seemed to be good in coverage and the leadership credentials (a big plus for you guys) are there as well. I love Maualuga and think he’s a future All-Pro, but I’m not sure I want him operating in a lot of space at the pro-level. He’s just too aggressive for a 4-3, IMO.
I think if you took Matthews, you’d be looking at an OLB, not an ILB. But I’m not terribly familiar with what Schwartz has said he wants to do with the linebackers. Matthews reminds me a little of Peterson, btw, in that both are 4-3 LBs with the ability to line up at end – JP is probably more explosive and athletic, but everything I’ve read indicates Matthews is a try-hard kid and they tend to do well on defense.
I was one of the few on our Lions forum that was a big Dizon supporter. I looked at the size of Schwartz’ previous SLB in Tennesse and he was 225lbs. So I’m thinking we are fine with Dizon and Sims outside, we just need an impact non-Tampa 2 4-3 downhill MLB. Then, we trade for Peterson. What do you think that did to Dizon? He’s a highly paid nickle LB and special teams ace, unless you want to move Peterson to MLB. Personally, I don’t know if that would be a terrible move, but I think we brought Peterson in to rush the passer more, and I think you can do that at SLB easier than you can MLB in a 4-3.
Post USC proday, with people there talking about Matthews being the most atheletic LB of the three, at 6-3 240 and all world competitiveness, intellegence and a 4.57 40 to his credit, are you sure we couldn’t put him in the middle?
On Schwartz, he’s talked a ton about being flexible schematically and being able to do what the players do well. After years of trying to fit square pegs in round holes, you can’t believe how refreshing this thought process is. He feels that if offenses that shift alot really mess with you defensively because you’ve got a LB that can’t cover, or an in the box only type safety that it’s not the way you want to build your team. Sort of like how Tampa 2 safties are often two FS types because both the SS and FS have similar responsibilities on any given play.
He has mentioned wanting a MLB that goes “thump.” I guess I can figure out what that means. In my mind, he’s got a small fast guy in Sims, but calls him a run and hit LB at the Will, Peterson at Sam and we are still looking for a bigger MLB that is still atheletic enough to stay on the field for three downs. I think that needs to come early in the draft, and I’m just not a Laurenitis fan. Rey won’t fall so there we are.