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But that was obvious from the get.
PFF/Scouting Megathread
- Thread starter Finsup1981
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I’m assuming there are personnel working under/in conjunction with these guys on scouting right? Cause a total of 12 scouts between college and pro doesn’t seem like nearly enough with all the information these guys have to sift thru and all the in person scouting they do…do you have any idea on how it’s broken down like one scout gets SEC, one’s a defensive only scout etc I’d love to know more info if you or anyone else has any
Article man @Finsup1981 tell him what humor is, good boy now fetch me more draft intel. Your time and effort is much appreciated, keep up the good work and you’ll get a treat!!
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I like Article Man better.
This also means when I see you I get to pee all over you. Woof gotta mark my territory you know lol
VAFinsfan72
Club Member
I would rather have pick 79 than have Wright.
We could potentially draft a starter at a position of need at 79.
This is a deep RB class and we could draft a RB on day 3 just as good as Wright.
They should all be fired along with Grier.
It's water under the bridge now, so no use lamenting about it. I kind of agree, though, and I'd never draft any RB before the 3rd day. It's the most fungible position in football anymore.
Wright was on average ranked 74th overall before the 2024 draft kicked off. So, using a 3rd for pick 120 to take him wasn't bad value. No one ever guessed or suspected Wilkins would fall short of that stupid snap threshold. If they asked me, it would be based on the contract size only. I've always felt that way.
If Wright were in this draft, he'd be one of the RBs I'd most consider on Day 3.
I don't know. There could be some intern types who aren't listed on the official team site. As far as I know, the ones who aren't the national scouts are area scouts. West Coast, Midwest, Northeast, etc. They are each scouting all positions in the areas they cover.
It turned out to be a misevaluation by Grier, again, because he thought our coaches could get the lights to come on in his head. It's frustrating because when he plays in preseason, he has looked good, all three years. Then the regular season rolls around, and he's even stuck behind Duke Riley for gawd sake.
VAFinsfan72
Club Member
I assume youre talking about Tindall.
Yes its frustrating, he has all the physical skills to be a good LB, he must not have the instincts to play the position.
Since this is the last year of his rookie deal. Watch him go somewhere next year and become a baller. It wouldn't shock me at all.
This is Jim Abrams, one of our Senior Scouts, when he was the Raiders' Director of College Scouting.
Nor I. I've been saying for a couple of years that they need to quit mollycoddling Tindall. Just throw him into the deep end without a life jacket. Sink or swim. If this season is a soft reboot, anoint him the starter next to Brooks and let him take his lumps. Or at least give him a third of Brooks and Dodson's combined snaps.
Granted, in preseason he's playing mostly against other backups, but when he does, he looks good. We were lacking in pass rush last season, and Tindall could have at least been brought on on passing downs and told to just see ball get ball.
Ron Brockington joined the Miami Dolphins in 2006. He was promoted to national scout in 2016 and senior
national scout in 2019.
Brockington came to Miami after spending nine years (1997-2005) in the player personnel department
of the New York Jets, including the last seven as a scout. He started full-time with the Jets in 1997 when
he worked in the team’s personnel department. After two years as an assistant in player personnel, he was
elevated to a scout for the 1999 season.
Nathan Trott joined the Miami Dolphins as a college scout in 2022 and was promoted to national scout in
2024.In his current role, Trott focuses on scouting top talent and traveling to colleges across the country.
Trott joined the Dolphins in 2022 following 15 seasons (2007-21) with the Houston Texans, where he spent
13 seasons (2009-21) as an area scout covering 21 different states during that time and helping the Texans
win six division titles. Trott began his time in Houston as a pro scouting intern from 2007-08.
Jim Abrams joined the Miami Dolphins as a senior scout in 2022.
Abrams joined the Dolphins with 30 years of NFL scouting experience. Most recently, he spent three
seasons (2019-21) with the Raiders as director of college scouting and seven seasons (2012-18) with Dallas
as an area scout. Abrams spent seven seasons (2005-11) with Tampa Bay, first as an area scout (2005) before
being promoted to national scout in 2006. He spent 13 seasons (1992-2004) with San Francisco, serving as a
scouting assistant (1992-93), regional scout (1994-2000) and national scout (2001-04).
Chase Leshin joined the Miami Dolphins in 2009 and was most-recently promoted to senior scout in 2024.
Prior to his promotion to senior scout, he served as a college scout from 2018-23. He was a player personnel
coordinator/college scout from 2012-17 and the college scouting coordinator from 2011-12.
In his current role, Leshin focuses on scouting the Southeast region of the country. He assists both the
college scouting and pro personnel departments in daily operations, assisting with player evaluations and
traveling to different colleges around the country.
Matt Leitch joined the Miami Dolphins in 2020 and was promoted to college scout in 2022. He previously
spent two seasons (2020-21) with the team as a scouting assistant.
In his current role, Leitch focuses on scouting the Northeast region of the country. He assists both the
college scouting and pro personnel departments in daily operations, assisting with player evaluations and
traveling to different colleges around the country.
Leitch joined the Dolphins in 2020 following a brief stint at UNLV as the director of player personnel in
2020. He began his career at Oregon, where he was a recruiting and operations intern in 2016 before being
promoted to recruiting assistant in 2017 and assistant director of player personnel in 2019.
Leitch graduated from Oregon with a degree in sports business and a minor in economics
Ricky Seale joined the Miami Dolphins as a college scout in 2022.
In his current role, Seale focuses on scouting the Southwest region of the country. He assists both the
college scouting and pro personnel departments in daily operations, assisting with player evaluations and
traveling to different colleges around the country.
Seale joined the Dolphins in 2022 following four seasons (2018-21) with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he
served as a scouting assistant (2018-20) and NFS scout (2021). He originally joined the Chiefs as a personnel
intern during the team’s training camp in 2017. Seale also served as wide receivers coach at Escondido High
School from 2017-18.
Grant Wallace joined the Miami Dolphins in 2015 and was promoted to college scout in 2018. He spent the
2017 season as a player personnel scout, was a player personnel assistant in 2016 and spent the 2015 season
as a scouting intern, assisting both the college and pro personnel departments.
In his current role, Wallace focuses on scouting the Midwest region of the country. He assists both the
college scouting and pro personnel departments.
Minh Luu joined the Miami Dolphins in 2016 and was promoted to player personnel coordinator in 2018.
He spent the 2017 season as a college scouting staff assistant and the 2016 season as a team operations staff
assistant prior to being promoted to his current role.
In his role, Luu assists with organizing and managing the day-to-day operation of the club’s college
scouting department. He is responsible for analyzing the information gathered on draft-eligible players,
assisting with the assigning of crosscheck coverage nationwide during the fall season, planning the yearly
player personnel calendar, overseeing the club’s scouting database and coordinating the logistics of the
team’s Top 30 Visits, Local Day, All-Star Games, Private Workouts and the NFL Combine. Additionally, Luu
assists the pro and college departments with player evaluations while working in collaboration to help
develop and enhance the team’s technological scouting systems.
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How I Evaluate Each Position
By Bill Walsh
Coaches and scouts all have their own criteria for evaluating players. These criteria change as the game evolves and they differ depending upon the needs or systems of respective teams.
But there will always be certain, basic requirements for players at each position.
Still, evaluating players is not a science. It must take into account a myriad of factors and, in the final analysis, must answer one critical question — can this man perform on my team?
Requirements vary greatly by position, so here are some of the criteria and considerations I use when evaluating players at each position.
QUARTERBACK
Ideal size: 6-3, 210
To become a great quarterback, there must be instincts and intuition. This is the area that can be the difference between a very solid quarterback and a great quarterback. This isn't an area you can do much with as a coach. You can certainly bring a quarterback up to a competitive standard, but to reach greatness, the quarterback must possess that inherently, à la Billy Kilmer, Sonny Jurgensen, Ken Stabler, and Warren Moon.
If throwing a ball were the only aspect of playing quarterback, then this would be an easy position to evaluate. However, because of the dynamic role he plays on the team, a quarterback must have physical, mental, emotional, and instinctive traits that go well beyond the mere ability to pass a football.
Still, if he can't pass, he obviously won't be a good quarterback either. For now, let's assume our quarterback candidate has shown an ability to throw the ball.
Now, he must be courageous and intensely competitive. He will be the one on the field who is running the team. His teammates must believe in him or it may not matter how much physical ability he has. If he is courageous and intensely competitive, then other players will know and respect that. This will be a foundation for becoming a leader.
Naturally, he will have to perform up to certain physical standards to maintain that respect and become a leader.
Arm strength is somewhat misleading. Some players can throw 80 yards, but they aren't good passers. Good passing has to do with accuracy, timing, and throwing a ball with touch so it is catchable. This all involves understanding a system, the receivers in the system, and having great anticipation. It is a plus to be able to throw a ball on a line for 35 yards, but not if it is off target or arrives in such a way that it is difficult to catch.
Remember, the goal of passing a ball is to make sure it is caught ... by your intended receiver.
You look at how complete an inventory of throws a quarterback possesses — from screen passes to timed short passes to medium-range passes and downfield throws. This complete range. For the scout, not having a complete inventory does not eliminate the quarterback. But you are looking to evaluate in all facets and distances, and types of passes in throwing the ball.
There have been quarterbacks of greatness, Hall of Fame quarterbacks, who didn't have a complete inventory of passes. But you're looking to see the potential of the quarterback in each area. You can see where the emphasis of the offense would be if he were with your team.
A quick delivery , one that is not telegraphed to help the defense, gives the quarterback an advantage when he finds his intended target. That's when it is essential to get the ball "up and gone'' with no wasted motion. Some of this can be acquired by learning proper technique. But to a certain degree, a quick release is related to a quarterback's reaction time between spotting his receiver and getting the ball "up and gone.''
Touch is important, especially in a medium range passing game. One of Joe Montana's most remarkable skills was putting the right touch on a pass so that it was easily catchable by a receiver, who often did not have to break stride.
The ability to read defenses is not something that players have learned to a high degree coming out of college. Even if they have, the pro defenses are very different. But most systems require quarterbacks to look at primary and secondary receivers, usually based on the defense that confronts him. You can see if he locates that secondary receiver — or maybe even an emergency outlet receiver — with ease or with a sense of urgency.
This should work like a natural progression, not a situation where it's — "Oh, my gosh, now I must look over here ... no, over there.'' You can see which quarterbacks handle these situations with grace. These are the types who have a chance to perform with consistency in the NFL.
Mobility and an ability to avoid a pass rush are crucial. Some quarterbacks use this mobility within the pocket just enough so they are able to move and pass when they "feel" a rush. But overall quickness and agility can make a remarkable difference. As an example, there were some very quick boxers in Sugar Ray Leonard's era, but he was quicker than they were and because of that he became a great champ.
Quarterbacks must be able to function while injured. The pro season is about twice as long and more punishing than a college season. They are vulnerable to getting hit hard every time they pass. They must be able to avoid being rattled, get up and show they are in control and can continue to lead the offense.
The single trait that separates great quarterbacks from good quarterbacks is the ability to make the great, spontaneous decision, especially at a crucial time. The clock is running down and your team is five points behind. The play that was called has broken down and 22 players are moving in almost unpredictable directions all over the field.
This is where the great quarterback uses his experience, vision, mobility and what we will call spontaneous genius. He makes something good happen. This, of course, is what we saw in Joe Montana when he pulled out those dramatic victories for Notre Dame.
By Bill Walsh
Coaches and scouts all have their own criteria for evaluating players. These criteria change as the game evolves and they differ depending upon the needs or systems of respective teams.
But there will always be certain, basic requirements for players at each position.
Still, evaluating players is not a science. It must take into account a myriad of factors and, in the final analysis, must answer one critical question — can this man perform on my team?
Requirements vary greatly by position, so here are some of the criteria and considerations I use when evaluating players at each position.
QUARTERBACK
Ideal size: 6-3, 210
To become a great quarterback, there must be instincts and intuition. This is the area that can be the difference between a very solid quarterback and a great quarterback. This isn't an area you can do much with as a coach. You can certainly bring a quarterback up to a competitive standard, but to reach greatness, the quarterback must possess that inherently, à la Billy Kilmer, Sonny Jurgensen, Ken Stabler, and Warren Moon.
If throwing a ball were the only aspect of playing quarterback, then this would be an easy position to evaluate. However, because of the dynamic role he plays on the team, a quarterback must have physical, mental, emotional, and instinctive traits that go well beyond the mere ability to pass a football.
Still, if he can't pass, he obviously won't be a good quarterback either. For now, let's assume our quarterback candidate has shown an ability to throw the ball.
Now, he must be courageous and intensely competitive. He will be the one on the field who is running the team. His teammates must believe in him or it may not matter how much physical ability he has. If he is courageous and intensely competitive, then other players will know and respect that. This will be a foundation for becoming a leader.
Naturally, he will have to perform up to certain physical standards to maintain that respect and become a leader.
Arm strength is somewhat misleading. Some players can throw 80 yards, but they aren't good passers. Good passing has to do with accuracy, timing, and throwing a ball with touch so it is catchable. This all involves understanding a system, the receivers in the system, and having great anticipation. It is a plus to be able to throw a ball on a line for 35 yards, but not if it is off target or arrives in such a way that it is difficult to catch.
Remember, the goal of passing a ball is to make sure it is caught ... by your intended receiver.
You look at how complete an inventory of throws a quarterback possesses — from screen passes to timed short passes to medium-range passes and downfield throws. This complete range. For the scout, not having a complete inventory does not eliminate the quarterback. But you are looking to evaluate in all facets and distances, and types of passes in throwing the ball.
There have been quarterbacks of greatness, Hall of Fame quarterbacks, who didn't have a complete inventory of passes. But you're looking to see the potential of the quarterback in each area. You can see where the emphasis of the offense would be if he were with your team.
A quick delivery , one that is not telegraphed to help the defense, gives the quarterback an advantage when he finds his intended target. That's when it is essential to get the ball "up and gone'' with no wasted motion. Some of this can be acquired by learning proper technique. But to a certain degree, a quick release is related to a quarterback's reaction time between spotting his receiver and getting the ball "up and gone.''
Touch is important, especially in a medium range passing game. One of Joe Montana's most remarkable skills was putting the right touch on a pass so that it was easily catchable by a receiver, who often did not have to break stride.
The ability to read defenses is not something that players have learned to a high degree coming out of college. Even if they have, the pro defenses are very different. But most systems require quarterbacks to look at primary and secondary receivers, usually based on the defense that confronts him. You can see if he locates that secondary receiver — or maybe even an emergency outlet receiver — with ease or with a sense of urgency.
This should work like a natural progression, not a situation where it's — "Oh, my gosh, now I must look over here ... no, over there.'' You can see which quarterbacks handle these situations with grace. These are the types who have a chance to perform with consistency in the NFL.
Mobility and an ability to avoid a pass rush are crucial. Some quarterbacks use this mobility within the pocket just enough so they are able to move and pass when they "feel" a rush. But overall quickness and agility can make a remarkable difference. As an example, there were some very quick boxers in Sugar Ray Leonard's era, but he was quicker than they were and because of that he became a great champ.
Quarterbacks must be able to function while injured. The pro season is about twice as long and more punishing than a college season. They are vulnerable to getting hit hard every time they pass. They must be able to avoid being rattled, get up and show they are in control and can continue to lead the offense.
The single trait that separates great quarterbacks from good quarterbacks is the ability to make the great, spontaneous decision, especially at a crucial time. The clock is running down and your team is five points behind. The play that was called has broken down and 22 players are moving in almost unpredictable directions all over the field.
This is where the great quarterback uses his experience, vision, mobility and what we will call spontaneous genius. He makes something good happen. This, of course, is what we saw in Joe Montana when he pulled out those dramatic victories for Notre Dame.
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Still don’t understand why they don’t just use him like they did at Georgia and just have him run to the qb in a straight line thru A or B gap. He is the fastest lb on our roster and I refuse to believe he can’t grasp the concept of “ see quarterback and run straight to him in a line” since he did it at Georgia just fine
I mean we aren’t asking the guy for his thoughts on the theory of relativity here guys.
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