NFL 2013 Preseason Week 1 Notes and Updates, Volume 1

August 12, 2013 by

Volume 1 of Notes and Updates as it pertains to Week 1 of the 2013 NFL Preseason is below:

  • After missing two games with an undisclosed injury to his knee, Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver Rishard Matthews has returned to practice, running a vertical route and making a fantastic catch down the sideline on a Ryan Tannehill pass; it was described as the play of the day.
  • Atlanta Falcons Cornerback Desmond Trufant had a nice start to his career, playing well in his NFL debut. As quoted from Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith, “I was impressed with the way that they [Desmond Trufant / Robert Alford] handled it, not only their production on the field but their grade sheet when we graded it on Friday.” 
  • Minnesota Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson demonstrated his elite skills in the return right off the bat, with a 50 yard return on the opening kickoff. Despite less than ideal route running skills, he was also able to produce in the passing game with 4 receptions for 54 yards

More to follow on Week 1 of the 2013 NFL Preseason later in the week.

Filed Under: 4-3 Defensive Ends (DE), Atlanta Falcons, Cornerbacks (CB), Detroit Lions, Football Analytics, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Wide Receivers (WR)

What Is The Outlook On The Detroit Lions 2013 NFL Draft Class?

July 8, 2013 by

The Detroit Lions 2013 NFL Draft lacked any arbitrage opportunities and the class is also at a high risk of not producing any pro bowl players. Having volunteered with an organization that deals heavily with International Students, I have been told directly from an individual that came from the same region as Ansah on how easy it was to doctor his birth certificate as well as the purposes behind why he did it.  In addition of the reports of scouts questioning his age, this tidbit of information does not give me any confidence in the age of DE Ziggy Ansash matching that on his birth certificate, adding further risk on his selection. It is quite possible that even if Ansah is the real deal, that his career has a high risk of being shorter than the typical defensive end.

CB Darius Slay is likely to be a solid, but unspectacular cornerback once his knee heals. As long as he returns to full health, he holds the highest probability of making a pro bowl. The odds are against him, but it is not out of the realm of possibility for that to be his ceiling.

The 2013 NFL Draft for the Detroit Lions has all the makings of finishing in the bottom third of the league in long term production since the first two round picks have a bit of risk, and the rest of the picks have analytical profiles of very little upside and arbitrage opportunity.

Filed Under: 4-3 Defensive Ends (DE), Cornerbacks (CB), Detroit Lions, Football Analytics, NFL Draft

Atlanta Falcons Flying High With Cornerback Desmond Trufant

July 6, 2013 by

The Atlanta Falcons bolstered their defensive backfield with two very solid selections in CB Desmond Trufant and CB Robert Alford.  For the purposes of this discussion though, I will focus on Cornerback Desmond Trufant.

CB Desmond Trufant was taken in the first round, and even so, was an arbitrage selection at number 22 overall.  Drafted out of Washington, Trufant follows in the footsteps of brothers, Marcus Trufant and Isaiah Trufant.  What makes Desmond Trufant an arbitrage selection is not only the elite physical test metrics and the DNA, but also the production metrics of the wide receivers that he was lining up against.  If you want, take time to compare what he did with that of CB Darrelle Revis.  In a passing league, good corners are critical to winning, and the Atlanta Falcons have lined up a very good duo at the position for the long term.

Filed Under: Atlanta Falcons, Cornerbacks (CB), Football Analytics, NFL Draft

Who Is WR Tobais Palmer Of The Jacksonville Jaguars?

June 22, 2013 by

While the Jacksonville Jaguars selection of CB Dwayne Gratz was solid, it was the signing of WR Tobais Palmer as an undrafted free agent that was intriguing.  Tobais Palmer is a wide receiver out of North Carolina State that brings an intriguing skill set as an undrafted player.

Besides the obvious measure of speed, Tobais Palmer scored well in the reliance and production metrics at wide receiver.  He also gets a boost due to what he can provide as a kick returner.  He was not a punt returner in college, but may be worth a look at the position as well.  He has the analytical profile to be able to stick on a roster despite going undrafted.  He is certainly an arbitrage signing based on his profile makeup, and should push for playing time down the line as he develops.  While he develops, he can provide special teams value.

Filed Under: Cornerbacks (CB), Football Analytics, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kick Returners (KR), NFL Draft, Punt Returners (PR), Wide Receivers (WR)