Monday, March 16, 2009

Proday at Ohio State

Last Friday, Coach Tressel once again gave me credentials for the Ohio State Proday. Although this was my fourth year at to attend, it never gets old. I could bore you with times and the "who's who," but you can find that in the local media. What continues to amaze me is the amount of first class football players who come out of Ohio State.

Talked with AJ Hawk for about 10 minutes. As long as I have known him, I have always kidded him about his being 6 feet tall. He may be, but he is not close to 6'1. He is moving more inside next season. He really likes James's chances to go high. I believe James L will have to covered, but so do most of the lb's in the NFL.

Todd Beckman- always first class. He said before the workout that this was his BIG and BEST chance. Donot know what the evaluators thought, but I thought that he did well. He is a pro passer.

Chris Welles, as you know, blew them away. Always smiling, he has time for everybody. I have known him since his sophomore year at Akron Garfield. Tremendous kid. My hope is that somebody finally shows him some "tough love," and that he becomes just nasty. Wished him luck.

Kirk Barton is now with the Bengals. Has bounced around alittle. Hopefully all of the injuries are healed, and he has increased his flexibilty.. Also believe he has matured as a proplayer.

Michael Doss stopped to say,"hi." He is working with the Bengals. After excellent years with the Colts and then getting injured, he seems to be all healed and good shape.

My point to this entry is that character matters. Of course, with the idiots that believe the National Championship is the only thing, you just have to smile, because they are in another world. Ohio State football is class, and it all begins with the coaching staff.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Highlight video

I have heard enough comments about the vacant blog that I have promised myself to make blogging an important part of my work. You see, scouting and evaluating talent is what it is all about. Rating prospects as to a top "whatever," is not one of my priorities. Rating the best by position is something I do for my colleges, but seldom do for the public. Websites are much better for that kind of information.

Also last week I finished my "Ohio Top 100" DVD sets for my colleges. Actually, there were 116 prospects on video. The Ohio Prospect Directory is finished and being mailed. This year there were almost 700 prospects in the directory. Hopefully, we are promoting "kids" the right way.

About highlight videos. More and more, I am finally believing in the importance of them. However, donot make time , as much of an issue as quality. For colleges, you donot need (1) music and flashing lights, (2) a company's name on every play, or (3)overskill on stats and contact information. This is fun for internet sites. All colleges want are very clear video with a marker as to where you are on the video. This does not have to be on every play. Maybe the first 6or7. Limit your number of plays. 25 plays is really the max.

After making the highlight video, be sure to have one or two game videos that show you at your best. Hopefully, colleges will not offer you a verbal just off your highlight tape. This happens, but it should not. A player in Northeast Ohio has received some "big school" offers and those colleges could not have watched full game video. So, yes, it does happen.

The two best RB's in Ohio next year. Erick Howard(NC Hoover) strong, tough, vision, and durable. Andre Givens(Hubbard) strong, fast, and makes you miss. I will finish this list and give my uneducated guesses on other positions over the next few weeks.

Yea, Ohio high school football.