Scouting 101 - Tom Marino
In reading my most recent issue of SCOUT - the 2008 NFL Draft Guide, there is a feature where Scout.com's NFL Scouting Expert, Tom Marino, answers questions.
One of the questions and his answer, caught my eye and thought some of you may want to debate the topic.
Here goes:
The Question...What is the most important position on bothe the offensive and defensive side of the the football?
His answer..."Years ago, with the help of a veteran, we put together what I now refer to as a "Pyramid for Success" for building a winning professional football franchise.
Standing alone on the top row is obviously the AB (you simply can't win without one at the professional level), but I think most people expect the second row to include a running back, wide receiver and a run-stopping linebacker.
Althought these high-profile positions play a very prominent role when building a championship-caliber club, the second row of the pyramid should include the following three positions:
1)
LT - To win, you have to protect the quarterback
2)
CB - To win, you have to negate the QB's throwing effectiveness
3)
RDE - To win, you have to get to the quarterback
Here's that pyramid of positions:
QB
CB - LT - RDE
CB(2) - RB - WR - WB - LDE - CB(3) - DT
CB(4) - FS - WR - MLB - ROT - DE - LG - TE - SLB - RB(2)
TE(2) - KS - WR(3) - FB - OC - CB(5) - ROG - SS - PT - RS - LS
So I gues the simple answer to the question is quarterback on offensive and cornerback on defense.
In closing, if you have any further questions regarding the process, or about a particular prospect, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]"
Marino scouted for 34 seasons and in three different leagues with the following teams:
Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, St. Louis Rams, NY Giants, New Orleans Saints, Boston Breakers (USFL), Philadelphia Stars (USFL), Denver Gold (USFL), and the Philadelphia Bell (WFL).
I think this pyramid is tremendously insightful.
Having just seen ESPN's "Vikings, you are on the clock," segment on SportsCenter, it is clear that McKinnie's potential issues are forcing Childress' and the Vikes' hand and may impact the draft dramatically.
We've spent alot of time on PP.O contemplating OT, DE, QB and CB...according to the pyramid, we are clearly focused on debating the right things.
The boys on ESPN are not convinced the Vikes are done with QB, suggesting Rosenfels is on his way and that we will draft another one.
All of that said, I am in virtually total agreement with Marrdro's 4 Round Mock in that, I believe the Vikes will go DE, OT, QB, and in the first 4 rounds.
I don't believe they will draft another DT, instead, I think we go LB, CB, or second, speed rushing DE.
Re: Scouting 101 - Tom Marino
Can't find Strongside LB.
Re: Scouting 101 - Tom Marino
"jessejames09" wrote:
Quote:
Can't find Strongside LB.
Wasn't one...I added it where I thought it might be
:-\.
Maybe a SLB isn't part of the pyramid
:-
Re: Scouting 101 - Tom Marino
Cool. I will have to go pick up that SCOUT.
That is very insightful, but without knowing what the abbreviations are for, its hard to totally agree with him.
I would assume that a pyramid of players would atleast fill every starting position then the key Special teams players.
This is why he lists out CBs all 5 of them.
However here are my questions:
DT = Defensife Takle ... only 1? If so wheres the NG (Nose Guard)?
WB = Weak Side Line Backer?
not sure, but if so, where is the SB (Strong Side Line Backer)?
KS = Kicking specialist i am guessing?
RS = Return Specialst i am guessing?
LS = Long Snapper i am guessing?
PT = Punter
Seems like if you are listing out the Punter you should atleast be able to field a full starting line up on the defensive side of the ball :))
Re: Scouting 101 - Tom Marino
"MaxVike" wrote:
Quote:
"jessejames09" wrote:
Quote:
Can't find Strongside LB.
Wasn't one...I added it where I thought it might be
:-\.
Maybe a SLB isn't part of the pyramid
:-\
That will teach me to run to the bathroom in the middle of a post :p
Maybe those guys are considered dime a dozen and can be filled in by any athletic meathead (SLB and other DT) :D
Re: Scouting 101 - Tom Marino
Interesting take, gives credibility to many fan's thoughts.
Isn't that surprising.
Re: Scouting 101 - Tom Marino
This is not good since the top of the pyramid is what we are lacking or have questions
Re: Scouting 101 - Tom Marino
"marstc09" wrote:
Quote:
This is not good since the top of the pyramid is what we are lacking or have questions
Pretty sure the Ravens won a Super Bowl with Trent Dilfer and Tampa Bay won one with Brad Johnson.
Re: Scouting 101 - Tom Marino
Thanks for the read Max.
I have that very same magazine sitting on the rack and haven't read it yet cause I have been digging into the draft so much that I've been ignoring it.
Very interesting concept though.
Quote:
2)
CB - To win, you have to negate the QB's throwing effectiveness
3)
RDE - To win, you have to get to the quarterback
Kindof seems odd as most believe you need to stop the run to win.
Again, very interesting.
I will read the whole article when I get home.
Thanks for the PM as well.
You just moved up a couple columns on the spread sheet.
;D
Re: Scouting 101 - Tom Marino
That's an interesting article - thanks for that Max. Makes sense and I can see the reasoning behind the pyramid. As pointed out though there are questions marks over three of the top four positions so we may the team to show just how true this pyramid applies.
