A collection of NFL Draft Scouting lingo, poorly illustrated with kitten gifs. Because everything is better when poorly illustrated with kitten gifs.
We are just over a week away from the NFL Draft, and I’m starting to stir crazy as I wait. I’ve watched so much film, read so many scouting reports, and compared so many players that I’m starting to use scouting jargon in my every life.
Early today, when looking for a gif on twitter for some reason I cannot remember, I ran into this one. Sadly, my brain went straight into player evaluation mode
"The player has cat-like reflexes"
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 19, 2016
Is that a good thing? pic.twitter.com/AfF5JulCqN
That led to a terrible, and yet awesome, idea. Below are quotes from actual scouting reports I’ve read recently. Each is poorly illustrated with a gif of a kitten. You have to excuse the fact that they are all attached to a tweet. Imagine licensing and all, it was the only way to make this possible.
Not everything can improve with coaching, but this is one I think we can work with:
"Poor hand usage. Should improve with coaching" pic.twitter.com/qGvG7avjkw
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
The lack of effort here is staggering.
"Known to occasionally take plays off" pic.twitter.com/67H2ZUnEWs
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
When you single out offensive linemen and watch how they move, it is kinda like this.
"Good knee bend. Wide stance" pic.twitter.com/T51aLUAtF7
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
I’m not sure this is what they meant, but whatever…
"Square peg, round hole" pic.twitter.com/8cd7gyQH6W
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
This one might not be a direct quote from a scouting report. Still awesome though.
"Loves to study the playbook" pic.twitter.com/ALIxxERibR
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
No jokes here, this next one is damn impressive.
"Able to out jump receivers" pic.twitter.com/QgOtN2tqCS
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
I’d like to think this cat’s name is Michael Bennett.
"Explosive first step" pic.twitter.com/c2UHzDximQ
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
Long Limbs are nice, but his form needs work.
"Has the long limbs necessary to play the position" pic.twitter.com/yUh6tFKbNW
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
Literally even…
"True leader that can carry his team" pic.twitter.com/I2aQbEybZ9
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
He’s almost like Shaun Alexander in that final year.
"Tends to avoid contact" pic.twitter.com/9LIXlCTmes
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
More of a straight-line athlete unfortunately.
"Lack proper body lean to consistently get around the corner" pic.twitter.com/QqVMqy3MWQ
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
I bet he’s great in coverage.
"Great hip flexibility" pic.twitter.com/cd5ifh3rDZ
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
A natural between-the-tackles RB.
"Can get skinny when he needs to in order to get passed the line" pic.twitter.com/CIjeeRrDTs
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
Should read “against the run”
"Able to sink and anchor again the run" pic.twitter.com/hOHWcHYBzs
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
It is what made the Seahawks like Jordan Hill so much.
"Has rare refinement with hand use" pic.twitter.com/VACsgFiLgg
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
This next one feels like it should have been for Cary “Cat” Williams.
"Can get turned around in coverage" pic.twitter.com/u0h4ZNBJIr
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
These next are obviously on opposite ends of the spectrum.
"Tremendous ball skills" pic.twitter.com/XCVh1ewOtF
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
"Lacks ball skills" pic.twitter.com/Q1Io1tH7eJ
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
Revis Island looks different than I remember.
"Coaches weren't afraid to put him on an island in coverage" pic.twitter.com/ZF3K3rQwtx
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
Tom Cable would like the next one. The one after… not so much.
"Won't back down, even when taking on players twice his size" pic.twitter.com/Bpdusl1uoj
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
"Lacks the mean streak coaches look for" pic.twitter.com/aM9JF9Ir5X
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
And finally, my favorite. This cat has some crazy skills!
"Climbs the pocket well to avoid pressure" pic.twitter.com/AnoUyZZK0k
— Keith Myers (@MyersNFL) April 20, 2016
I don’t know about you, but I found this to be an incredible learning experience. (Not really, but at least it was fun.)