This week’s edition of Matt Waldman’s RSP Cast Scout Talk with Russ Lande discusses the value of coaches with varied experience, interim coaches, and advice to aspiring media-football scouts. 

Why is it important for football leadership to have a variety of experiences under different regimes?  Why are desperation and failure vital components for organizational success in NFL scouting?

Why do so few interim coaches have long-term success in the NFL and what does this mean for Raheem Morris in Atlanta?

And why is it important for aspiring scouts—football and media—to own failure? Former NFL scout, BigTen Network analyst, and current CFL scout, Russ Lande and Rookie Scouting Portfolio publisher Matt Waldman discuss these subjects and more in this week's Scout Talk podcast.

If you're interested in the game behind the game of football as well as the perspective that's important to be a scout, this episode is for you.

For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  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.  

Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Mark Schofield and Matt Waldman deliver a pre-Thanksgiving podcast with a mix of NFL and Turkey Day talk. 

Mark Schofield and I reconvene for a Week 12 Quick Game that combines football and holiday talk.

* Benching Tua Tagovailoa: Good or bad for the young quarterback?

* Can the Cowboys go on a winning streak with Andy Dalton back?

* Thoughts on Phillip Walker

* Can Dez Bryant be a statistically-relevant producer in Baltimore?

* The savior complex and Lamar Jackson

* Players we think could play in any era that might surprise listeners.

* Taysom Hill's debut.

* Worst/best fantasy teams we've fielded this year.

* Fondest, funniest, or oddest Thanksgiving memory.

* What kind of joints is Waldman reading about?

* Scariest defenders Mark and Matt have seen play.

* Weird neighborhood stories from our youth.

For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2020  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  

If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2019 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.  

Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

PFF and Fantasy Football Hustle analyst Dwain McFarland rejoins the RSP Cast for another episode of Film and Data. We examine a number of rookie seasons from the 2020 class as well as look behind the numbers at Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. 

Dwain McFarland drops by the RSP Cast for an hour-long conversation about prominent performers from the 2020 NFL Draft class. First, we led off with a discussion about Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens:

* Where does the data match the film in terms of Baltimore's limitations in the passing game?

* What's next for Jackson and the Ravens?

* Progress report: D'Andre Swift is taking over key roles. How does he look running the football?

* Progress report: Indianapolis fans are invoking Trent Richardson comparisons. Is the apocalypse near?

* Progress report: Opponents have changed up their gameplans for Chase Claypool, how have the Steelers countered and what does it mean for Claypool's fantasy value?

* Progress report: Antonio Gibson is running blindfolded. What does that mean?

* How has  Michael Pittman, Jr.'s usage changed since returning from injury?

For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2020  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  

If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2019 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.  

Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

 

This week's edition of Matt Waldman's RSP Cast Scout Talk with Russ Lande debates the merits of Daniel Jones and Carson Wentz, the value of head coaches and offensive coordinators, Lamar Jackson's current performance, and thoughts on a pair of intriguing wide receiver prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft. 

If all financials were equal, would you rather be the head coach of Carson Wentz or Daniel Jones? What's more vital for NFL success a great head coach or an elite quarterback?

These were the questions Footballguys.com owner Joe Bryant broached privately on our staff message board this week. I thought they were also good questions for me to discuss with former NFL and current CFL scout Russ Lande.

Lande also added the value of offensive coordinator into the mix. Alex Gibbs, Bill Parcells, Marty Schottenheimer earned relevant mentions during this conversation about development and the role of the coach, the player, and the coordinator.

We then discussed Lamar Jackson's 2020 season that has been in the spotlight because the public is reacting as if the 6-3 Ravens are 3-6. Is Jackson the problem? Is the staff? Or are both part of an imminent solution?

And how long do we define 'imminent?'

We finish the show with thoughts about a pair of big, strong, and tough wide receivers on the college scene: Wake Forest's Sage Surratt and Temple's Branden Mack.

You may find Lande's comp for Surratt surprising in some respects and Waldman's thoughts on Mack esoteric but according to Lande, gets to the inner nature of the role of scouting.

For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2021  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.  

Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman’s RSP Quick Game delivers a robust Week 10 episode with Mark Schofield that includes thoughts on several wide receivers, older running backs, and young quarterbacks.

Mark Schofield and have a Week 10 Quick Game worth your listening pleasure:

* Tua Tagovailo's Week 9 performance.

* Miami's blitzing defense and the matchup with Justin Herbert.

* Matt's thoughts on Missouri WR Damon Hazelton, especially his underrated work against Alabama.

* Pick'em: DeAndre Hopkins, Stefon Diggs, or Keenan Allen.

* Pick'em: CeeDee Lamb, Chase Claypool, or Justin Jefferson.

* Pick'em: Mark Andrews, Darren Waller, or Hayden Hurst.

* Pick'em: Terry McLaurin, A.J. Brown, or Robert Woods.

* Will Panthers fans stop talking about drafting a quarterback?

* What were Mark and Matt's first paid writing gigs?

* Jake Luton's future.

* Bill Belichick deserving more time to right the ship?

For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2020  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  

If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2019 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.  

Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman's RSP Cast brings back former NFL and current CFL scout Russ Lande for a 2020 season of Scout Talk. This week, they discuss the development trajectories of several NFL quarterbacks and receivers. 

Russ Lande and I had a blast doing Scout Talk last year and have brought it back once again as a bi-weekly series for the 2020 football season and 2021 NFL Draft. This week, Russ and I discuss the talents, flaws, progress, and overall development trajectories of a trio of NFL quarterbacks and a pair of young wide receivers:

* Jared Goff

* Carson Wentz

* Lamar Jackson

* Chase Claypool

* D.K. Metcalf

We also discuss the role of analytics, film study, game-planning, and cooperative development that has gone into the success or struggles with these players. We wrap up the episode with conversations about Clemson receiver Amari Rodgers and Florida tight end Kyle Pitts.

For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2020  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  

If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2019 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.  

Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman's RSP Quick Game delivers a jam-packed Week 8 episode with Mark Schofield that includes can't-miss segments on the lack of reaction Dallas had to Washington cheap-shotting Andy Dalton, foiling Tampa's defense, and underrated college quarterbacks. 

Mark Schofield and I reconvene for a Week 8 Quick Game that's filled to the brim with a ton of thoughts on football and a few non-football topics:

* Appetizer: Food/cocktails we enjoy making/eating right now.

* Antonio Brown's impact in Tampa Bay.

* Are the Steelers the team to beat in the AFC?

* Miami quarterback D'Eriq King.

* The secret to Tampa Bay's defense and how to attack it?

* The team that could be a great schematic matchup for the Buccaneers.

* Does Andy Dalton have a chance of succeeding in Dallas?

* Thoughts on the Cowboys not starting a fight after Washington cheap-shotted its quarterback.

* Dak Prescott's leadership and play look like a lot bigger deal for keeping Dallas competitive than many may have realized.

* Tua Tagovailoa: This year and beyond.

* Baker Mayfield Hope: True or False?

* Bengals, Texans, and Cowboys defenses.

* Matt Waldman and Matt Bowen's thoughts on Josh Allen facing zone defenses.

* Ryan Tannehill is the quarterback Vikings fans expected from Kirk Cousins.

* Thoughts on BYU QB Zach Wilson.

* The Rams backfield in the passing game.

* Where football media deserves criticism.

* Best traveling experiences.

For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2020  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  

If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2019 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.  

Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman and Nick Whalen chop it up with a discussion about Jonathan Taylor's game, the underrated difficulty of the running back position and an in-depth geek session focused on various details of scouting football talent. 

If you're an RSP long-timer, then you know Nick Whalen used to contribute to this site shortly after his days as a GA for Western Kentucky's football team. Nick writes at Dynasty Nerds, an excellent site with terrific video content, and he has started his own YouTube channel with football analysis episodes he calls "Reel Talk."

Nick is also the author of the Devy Report, which you can find details for purchasing pinned to his Twitter account @_NickWhalen.

A few weeks ago, Nick and I got together to watch Jonathan Taylor. Nick had recently done a video critiquing where Taylor had to grow as a prospect whereas I was recently trying to calm a segment of Indianapolis Colts fans who worried Taylor was the next Trent Richardson.

As is often the case, Nick and I were approaching Taylor's game from opposite standpoints but winding up in the same place: Taylor is a talented back with more to learn, and he's exhibiting some rookie behaviors that need refinement.

From that session, Nick and I learned things from each other about running back play that we shared in this podcast. We also discuss the underrated difficulty of learning the running back position that's too often overlooked.

Later, we delve into the intricacies of evaluating talent.

It's always great to catch up with Nick and we'll be doing a film session together in the near future.

For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2020  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  

If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2019 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.  

Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman's RSP Cast returns with the Quick Game podcast featuring Mark Schofield that includes an hour of conversation about mobile quarterbacks, 2020's rookie receivers, and why Schofield's high school game ball is deflated. 

Mark Schofield and I always have a good time on the Quick Game. This week, we keep it to an hour and talk a lot of NFL and NFL prospect quarterbacking:

* Is Patrick Mahomes falling into a bad habit?

* Thoughts about Derek Carr and the Raiders vertical game.

* Why Minnesota and Jacksonville are perfect fits for Justin Jefferson and Laviska Shenault, respectively.

* Matt's impressions of CeeDee Lamb and Gabriel Davis.

* Could Tua Tagovailoa's landing spot in Miami prove a better long-term situation for his development than Joe Burrow?

* Do quarterbacks have to be mobile to play in the NFL and what does 'mobile' mean to Mark and Matt?

* Is Philip Rivers done?

* Which NFL reserve quarterback would Mark and Matt like to see starting in the league and for which teams?

* Why the football on Mark's basement shelf is deflated?

For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2020  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  

If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2019 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.  

Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.

Matt Waldman and Dwain McFarland bring back the RSP NFL Film and Data podcast for a look at various players through the first month of the 2020 season. 

Whether you play fantasy football or you're a diehard NFL fan, this is the podcast of the week when it comes to the quality of insights you'll get from Dwain's data insights and my film breakdowns. Here are the topics from this two-hour podcast:

* Is Clyde Edwards-Helaire's value on the rise or is he who we've seen thus far?

* Will James Conner earn bell-cow touches or do the Steelers have a firm cap on his weekly volume?

* Why is James Robinson "Dollar Store Joe Mixon," in fantasy leagues despite having a different style and talent level?

* Has A.J. Green lost a step? Does he still have on-field value? Why isn't he a great match for Joe Burrow's talents?

* Tee Higgins' role is emerging, but how does he fit within this offense?

* Why is Robert Tonyan having quality production, and when and how may that change?

* What makes Justin Herbert a compelling rookie and why is Keenan Allen feeling giddy?

* Why is Daniel Jones a quarterback horror story that fantasy players should abandon after the Dallas game?

* Are Teddy Bridgewater and the Panthers offense on the rise? Why Robby Anderson isn't a fluke and D.J. Moore GMs should hold steady.

* Drew Brees is fine and Emmanuel Sanders is worth your patience.

* Josh Allen deserves praise for his improvement but what must Matt see that Allen hasn't faced this year that Dwain was able to access data that validated Matt's point?

As I said, it's a great pod. Tune in and enjoy.

For the most in-depth analysis of offensive skill players available (QB, RB, WR, and TE), download the 2020  Rookie Scouting Portfolio for $21.95.  

If you’re a fantasy owner and interested in purchasing past publications for $9.95 each, the 2012-2019 RSPs also have a Post-Draft Add-on that’s included at no additional charge.  

Best yet, a percentage of each sale is set aside for a year-end donation to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse.