Matt Waldman’s RSP Cast Ep.93: Sammy Watkins (Chiefs) Development with WR Coach Drew Lieberman

The Sideline Hustle's Drew Lieberman joins Matt Waldman's RSP Cast to discuss his analysis and interview with Chiefs receiver Sammy Watkins, a player who has finally developed his technique to a level commensurate with his talent. 

When I evaluated Sammy Watkins at Clemson I thought he was an excellent route runner who had limited opportunities to show those skills. I learned in recent years this wasn't true.

Collegiate Sammy Watkins possessed the physical skills necessary to become a good route runner. He wasn't a good route runner by NFL standards until this year—and that development occurred with the help of outside coaching.

One of the great myths perpetuated by media and fans is that NFL position coaches will "coach-up" young players after they're drafted. Occasionally there are skilled position coaches in the college and NFL ranks who are excellent teachers, but most of them are there to manage the players and work on scheme and gameplan.

Drew Lieberman—who works with the likes of Mohamed Sanu, Juwann Winfree, and Jace Sternberger—is a wide receiver coach and runs The Sideline Hustle, which is the best resource for learning the techniques of wide receiver play that I know about. Lieberman produces excellent YouTube videos on receiver techniques that are must-see for the student of the game.

Recently, Lieberman began producing film rooms on NFL players. We sat down to discuss Watkins' development, Lieberman's analysis of Watkin's scintillating Week 1 performance, as well as the state of position coaching in the game, and thoughts on Winfree, John Ross, and Dante Pettis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk78RWRexec

Whether you're a coach, media, fan, or fantasy player, this is an enlightening conversation that will help you understand why there are a lot of talented players in the NFL who are incomplete as craftsmen and because coaches expect them to figure much of it out on their own, it has ramifications for our expectations of young talents entering the league.

Subscribe to The Sideline Hustle YouTube Channel for the upcoming interview of Watkins as well.

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