mattwaldmanrsp said:
This is coming from a guy who has never been an NFL scout or employee, but has talked with several over the years. It's advice based on their knowledge as well as my experience as a manager of large teams/branches-offices with several roles I had to account for. In other words - life experience/common sense (to a degree).
- Commit to this as an aspiration and be persistent.
- I believe Russ Lande still does some scout school work and he has pupils who have earned gigs with college teams and the CFL. Look into that.
- Network, be professional, and be willing to do grunt work that may not be scouting but an entry into the realm.
- Know that scouting is a tough business with a lot of turnover, low entry level pay, and long hours.
- Learn to communicate in a professional way and not allow frustrations to get the best of you.
- Work harder than everyone else - if you can't do it, then you know it might not be for you.
- Find coaches clinics conducted by college coaches and pay to attend. Study. Network with these guys. Ask questions. Ask how to get started. If they give you contact info, don' think they were just being nice - actually contact them with salient questions that you have about the game and show that you really want to learn and have a passion. These guys love football. If they see you love it like them, they're more apt to give you a shot if they have one. Not everyone means it when they say to call them, but if they give you a number or email and they seem irritated that you used it and had a salient question for them to answer within a limited amount of time then it's on them for giving you their info when they didn't mean it.
Thanks.
mattwaldmanrsp said:
I do, but if I show them I undermine my relationship with the people who have shared them and risk their careers. There's a certain gray area where I think it makes sense to protect the anonymity of people I write about and when to reveal info fully. I will tell you that the reports I saw were no more than 5-8 sentences on the player's ability on the field.
Of course, I don't want you to reveal anything confidential. I was just wondering if you had any non-confidential examples. It's not a big deal though.
So there is 5-8 lines of on the field info, anything else?
It's shocking to me that a decision maker would use sparknotes. I must have glorified what they do.
mattwaldmanrsp said:
I don't do mock drafts. I'm not in the Mel Kiper/McShay/beat writer mode. I focus on talent and dissecting technique of players up close.
Yes, I remembered that after I asked.
mattwaldmanrsp said:
Oh boy . . . to me, it's a play.
Thanks, the check is in the mail.
One more question Matt, where would you rank Ryan Fitzpatrick, Josh Freeman, and Tyrod Taylor among starting QBs? I understand you'd be guessing on Taylor.