Split End ~ Jaelen Strong ~ Arizona State Sun Devils ~ 6024/216
Regarding Split Ends
Most Fans don't know that WideOuts can generally be broken down into 3 Categories, based on traditional Roles, and that those Roles naturally enough call for 3 distinctive Skill Sets, based on the classic X, Y, and Z Positions:
Split Ends are usually the bigger, taller WideOuts who line up in the X Position, on the Line of Scrimmage.
SlotBacks are usually the quicker, smaller WideOuts who line up at the Y Position, off the Line.
FlankerBacks are usually the faster WideOuts who line up at the Z Position, off the Line.
The Split End prototype would be about 6030/225 or so.
The Flanker prototype would be about 6000/200 or so.
The SlotBack prototype would be about 5010/195 or so.
However a given Coach chooses to deploy the Soldiers at his disposal is of course entirely up to him, and most WideOuts will see Snaps at multiple Positions and in multiple Alignments, but I believe that it is valuable to categorize WideOuts in terms of classic Skill Sets, to better define the differences in the kind of Impact they might wield at the next level.
This is how I break things down when I'm evaluating Split Ends, Flankers, and SlotBacks:
Separation: Getting Open. This encompasses Combat Skills & Fluidity to beat Press, Acceleration out'f the Blocks, Fluidity and Ricochet in navigating Traffic, Route Running Precision, the capacity to deceive Defenders, and Field Vision for Timing Seems and Open Zones. All other Aspects of a WideOut's Job Description are dwarfed by this one.
Catch Point Capacity: In Transit or Contested: Hands, WingSpan, Vertical Agility, Combat Skills, and Timing.
Navigation: How well he Navigates the Field after the Catch: Power, Agility, Acceleration, Long Speed, and Field Vision.
Broken down into SubCategories, it'd go something like this:
Separation
* Combat Skills
* Fluidity
* Acceleration
* Ricochet
* Routing
* Deception
* Field Vision
Catch Point Capacity
Catch Point Capacity
* Timing
* Combat Skills
* Vertical Agility
* Hands
* WingSpan
Navigation
* Power
* Fluidity
* Ricochet
* Acceleration
* Long Speed
* Field Vision
Split Ends are usually the bigger, taller WideOuts who line up in the X Position, on the Line of Scrimmage.
SlotBacks are usually the quicker, smaller WideOuts who line up at the Y Position, off the Line.
FlankerBacks are usually the faster WideOuts who line up at the Z Position, off the Line.
The Split End prototype would be about 6030/225 or so.
The Flanker prototype would be about 6000/200 or so.
The SlotBack prototype would be about 5010/195 or so.
However a given Coach chooses to deploy the Soldiers at his disposal is of course entirely up to him, and most WideOuts will see Snaps at multiple Positions and in multiple Alignments, but I believe that it is valuable to categorize WideOuts in terms of classic Skill Sets, to better define the differences in the kind of Impact they might wield at the next level.
This is how I break things down when I'm evaluating Split Ends, Flankers, and SlotBacks:
Separation: Getting Open. This encompasses Combat Skills & Fluidity to beat Press, Acceleration out'f the Blocks, Fluidity and Ricochet in navigating Traffic, Route Running Precision, the capacity to deceive Defenders, and Field Vision for Timing Seems and Open Zones. All other Aspects of a WideOut's Job Description are dwarfed by this one.
Catch Point Capacity: In Transit or Contested: Hands, WingSpan, Vertical Agility, Combat Skills, and Timing.
Navigation: How well he Navigates the Field after the Catch: Power, Agility, Acceleration, Long Speed, and Field Vision.
Broken down into SubCategories, it'd go something like this:
Separation
* Combat Skills
* Fluidity
* Acceleration
* Ricochet
* Routing
* Deception
* Field Vision
Catch Point Capacity
Catch Point Capacity
* Timing
* Combat Skills
* Vertical Agility
* Hands
* WingSpan
Navigation
* Power
* Fluidity
* Ricochet
* Acceleration
* Long Speed
* Field Vision
Jaelen Strong Scouting Report
Separation: Mediocre. I read a lot about his Athleticism, but I just don't see it. He displays competitive Acceleration off the Line, I suppose, and moderate Fluidity, but'is Ricochet out'f'is Breaks is just awful. However, his Route Running has improved considerably this Year, and his Instincts for the Open Zone have become exceptional.
Catch Point Capacity: Phenomenal. Strong is a Maestro, consistently displaying an exhilarating fusion of fearless Focus, outstanding Combat Skills, tremendous Vertical Agility, excellent Tracking & Timing skills, and terrific Hands.
Navigation: Competitive. Adequate Fluidity. Awful Ricochet. Excellent Power, though, and a jacked up Motor.
Catch Point Capacity: Phenomenal. Strong is a Maestro, consistently displaying an exhilarating fusion of fearless Focus, outstanding Combat Skills, tremendous Vertical Agility, excellent Tracking & Timing skills, and terrific Hands.
Navigation: Competitive. Adequate Fluidity. Awful Ricochet. Excellent Power, though, and a jacked up Motor.
Please do Note: This and all Evaluations issued by this Site are produced by a ludicrously unqualified Amateur, privy to not even the tiniest fraction of Coach's Tape, Scouting Expertise, Face to Face Interviewing, Experience, or Inside Information enjoyed by the Professionals. As such, anything put forth is certainly misinformed, euphonious, derivative Tripe, and should be rejected out'f hand and indeed shunned by all men and women of Good Will!!
In EarthSpeak: Virtually all of my opinions are inferred.
I'm trying to discern Power, Agility, Combat Skills, and far more abstract, esoteric Concepts such as Processing Speed and Motor, and I'm trying to do so based almost entirely on a fascinating fusion of Tape, Combine Numbers, and Pro Days, while trying to attenuate my findings based on Allowances for Competition Level, Scheme, Concept, Context, and, above all: Trajectory!! None of this is even remotely a Complaint, mind you, but rather a Warning!! Caveat Emptor!!
In EarthSpeak: Virtually all of my opinions are inferred.
I'm trying to discern Power, Agility, Combat Skills, and far more abstract, esoteric Concepts such as Processing Speed and Motor, and I'm trying to do so based almost entirely on a fascinating fusion of Tape, Combine Numbers, and Pro Days, while trying to attenuate my findings based on Allowances for Competition Level, Scheme, Concept, Context, and, above all: Trajectory!! None of this is even remotely a Complaint, mind you, but rather a Warning!! Caveat Emptor!!
Jaelen Strong Prospectus
I am pulled sharply in both directions on Jaelen Strong.
On the one hand, he is absolutely phenomenal at the Catch Point.
On the other hand, his Agility sucks.
I'm all about Trajectory, and I believe that Strong commands precisely the fusion of Intelligence & Drive that I am oh so fond of harping on, combined with sufficient scraps of Agility and astonishing Catch Point Talent...to excel.
I read a remarkably intriguing Article about Strong's Preparation that I found extremely revelatory.
Allow me to acknowledge that any Article that unilaterally lauds a Prospect need be taken with a grain of salt. The next few months will doubtlessly see an ocean of Puff Pieces, and there is just as certain to be countless numbers of worthy Prospects whose legitimately inspiring stories will utterly escape my attention. Having said that...
I believe that the line between a 1st Round Prospect and a UFA Prospect is wafer thin, and that inferring Intelligence and Drive is therefore crucial to evaluating Prospects. And part of what I do here is to try to discern genuine Insight from Hyperbole...And my gut is telling me that I have just read about a guy obsessed with The Pursuit of Greatness.
Persuaded thus, I refuse to consign Jaelen Strong to the Rank of Possession Receiver that I believe his stark lack of Agility suggests...But neither I am prepared to get on board with the general consensus. While I admire the lad, and will be rooting for'm fervently, I believe that his Stock has been driven by his Statistics...and has been driven too high.
Grateful Thanks, as always, for the crucial Work done by the folks at Draft BreakDown!!
On the one hand, he is absolutely phenomenal at the Catch Point.
On the other hand, his Agility sucks.
I'm all about Trajectory, and I believe that Strong commands precisely the fusion of Intelligence & Drive that I am oh so fond of harping on, combined with sufficient scraps of Agility and astonishing Catch Point Talent...to excel.
I read a remarkably intriguing Article about Strong's Preparation that I found extremely revelatory.
Allow me to acknowledge that any Article that unilaterally lauds a Prospect need be taken with a grain of salt. The next few months will doubtlessly see an ocean of Puff Pieces, and there is just as certain to be countless numbers of worthy Prospects whose legitimately inspiring stories will utterly escape my attention. Having said that...
I believe that the line between a 1st Round Prospect and a UFA Prospect is wafer thin, and that inferring Intelligence and Drive is therefore crucial to evaluating Prospects. And part of what I do here is to try to discern genuine Insight from Hyperbole...And my gut is telling me that I have just read about a guy obsessed with The Pursuit of Greatness.
Persuaded thus, I refuse to consign Jaelen Strong to the Rank of Possession Receiver that I believe his stark lack of Agility suggests...But neither I am prepared to get on board with the general consensus. While I admire the lad, and will be rooting for'm fervently, I believe that his Stock has been driven by his Statistics...and has been driven too high.
Grateful Thanks, as always, for the crucial Work done by the folks at Draft BreakDown!!
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Yank Rank: Warrior ~ OverRated!!
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