I know it’s the time of year we watch highlight reels of our new draftees. After being disappointed by some of our busts I have developed my own guidelines for what I want to see in a highlight reel. Rule 1. Highlight reels are more important for what you don’t see than what you see. If an inoortant part of the game is lacking from the film at college level it is unlikely for that to develop in the NFL Rule 2 If it does not involve defeating an opponent it is not a highlight. If scheme/opponent errors/ teammates getting rid of opponents/random bounce of the ball are involved it may be a game highlight, but it isn’t a showcase of the player’s ability. For example Dion Jordan’s film is full of sacks where the scheme gave him a free lane to the QB. Rule 3 There are 4 basic ways a player can defeat an opponent. What constitutes each area will vary position by position. If any one is missing, then you need to wonder if it will appear at the NFL level. I) superior athleticism. If you can’t be faster/stronger/more agile than the average college athlete then you won’t be a starter in the NFL. This is the easiest to see on film. II) Mental processing.In particular the ability to adjust to what there opponent is doing and reacting appropriately. At the NFL level players need to make good decisions, they can’t rely on robotically following the scheme. III) Technique. Specifically a variety of techniques. It doesn’t matter if your DE has one killer swim move, because NFL lineman can block any move if they know it’s coming. IV) Mental toughness. This can be perseverance and making something out of a busted play, willingness to take a hit to make big catch, not getting run down from behind on a long run/catching the ball carrier who has broken away. The NFL is tough and there are no easy roads to success. If Ted Ginn never took a hit to take a contested pass in college there’s no reason to think he will donthat at the NFL level. Rule 4. Beware if the film only has highlights from a small number of games. Anyone can have a monster game now and again. In the NFL you have to show up and perform every week. Rule 5. Beware of “flat track bullies”. “Flat track bully” is a cricketing term which describes a batsman who is dominant in favorable conditions, but cannot perform in adverse conditions. If your prospects highlights come from homecoming games against the Idaho Community College for the Blind and Amputees and nothing from games against Alabama or Auburn then there is a problem. Of course more of your highlights should come against weaker opposition, but not all.
I’ve only looked at Waddle and Philips, and both of them fairly quickly. Both of them seem to have fairly complete games, in that there isn’t anything missing from the highlights that I’d want to see. I’ve been busy with work and family, so hope to get some time to watch the highlights in more depth next week.