Grading the 2011 draft class is tough. You have Cam Newton, Patrick Peterson, Blaine Gabbert, Marcell Dareus , Von Miller, Julio Jones, A.J. Green and many more.
This year’s draft class reminds me of the graduating class back in the year 2000 when Y2K was to end the world as we know it, much in the same case these guys may be drafted into a league that will not play a game during the 2011 season.
Who’s the surest thing as a guaranteed lock to become a Pro Bowl-caliber player in the NFL? Is it A.J. Green as a playmaker and solid No. 1 receiver, or is it Blaine Gabbert who could be anything from Ryan Leaf to Aaron Rogers?
Which team has the best scouts to predict the future? Do we rely on game film, career stats or raw physical measurements (40-yard dash, bench press, etc…)? Who knows the secret to predicting successful longevity in America’s most popular sport?
Here is my take, as a former football player on every level except for the pro level, I would say the one thing that teams struggle with predicting and scouts a lot of times fail to include within their player analysis is determining how much heart a prospect has.
Sure, when you watch game film you look to see how an athlete responds to adversity during a tough game, or you can look to see if a player plays through the whistle even if the play is not a on their side of the field.
Some teams rely on psychological testing to determine how much fight a prospect has in him. Here is the truth, when watching a sporting event (preferably live, cameras sometimes miss the full action), keep an eye on the stars regardless of the sport.
Is he chasing down loose balls, diving out of bounds to save possessions, is he chasing down a opposing teams player after a interception or is he walking off the field in disgust because the quarterback failed to throw the perfect ball?
Heart, in simple sporting definition, is the ability to never give up and the drive to never let your opponent out-work you.
Here’s the catch: Many of the top prospects in college have plenty of heart because they have a goal and a dream to make it to the next level, but once the big pay day has been made, how can you tell who will still have the drive and determination to be the best?
In conclusion, yes, measurables are important (if they weren’t, I would have made it to the league as a fullback at 5’9", 220 pounds running a 4.7 40-yard dash), team psychological testing is also important, however, let’s not forget about heart.
Heart is what separating a guaranteed pre-draft superstar in Ryan Leaf who turned out to be a huge bust and All-Pro in Warren Moon who was not taken seriously coming out of college as a NFL quarterback.
Jerry Rice had heart, LaDanian Tomlinson has heart and now the question is through seven rounds, who will have the drive to out-work the competition on and off the field?
In my opinion, I think the best player in this year’s draft will be someone that we are not talking about as a first-round prospect.
Jason Arnott David Clarkson Patrick Davis Tyler Eckford Mark Fraser Andy Greene
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