An important part of growing a successful organization depends on leaders that can identify and develop great talent. Professional football teams do this like no other organization. Below are actual notes from a scout that analyzed a high school football player. The scouts assessment showed the player was a risky pick. He ended up being drafted after 198 picks. What did one coach catch that all others missed?
Positives:
Good height to see the field. Very poised and composed. Smart and alert. Can read coverages. Good accuracy and touch. Produces in big spots and in big games. Has some Brian Griese in him and is a gamer. Generally plays within himself. Team leader.
Negatives:
Poor build. Very skinny and narrow. Ended the season weighing 195 pounds and still looks like a rail at 211. Looks a little frail and lacks great physical stature and strength. Can get pushed down more easily than you’d like. Lacks mobility and ability to avoid the rush. Lacks a really strong arm. Can’t drive the ball down the field and does not throw a really tight spiral. System-type player who can get exposed if he must ad-lib and do things on his own.
Summary:
Is not what you’re looking for in terms of physical stature, strength, arm strength and mobility, but he has the intangibles and production and showed great Griese-like improvement as a senior. Could make it in the right system but will not be for everyone.
The player analyzed above is now one of the best quarterbacks in the business and has been given MVP awards. We know he’ll be in the Hall of Fame one day, too. Do you know how to identify and develop great talent when you see it? Maybe we should take some pointers from the NFL?
Do you know which football player was described above? If you do, you could win a football signed by him through our contest! You have the opportunity to enter in our random drawing three times.
1. Leave a comment on this blog post with the name of the athlete AND your favorite NFL team.
2. “Like” our Facebook fan page. Click on the football photo and leave a comment with the name of the athlete AND your favorite NFL team.
3. Tweet this to your followers: “Guess the athlete and win a signed football from @farwestcap! Details here: http://bit.ly/qTS0Ac”
This contest runs from Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. CST until Friday, July 22, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. CST. The winner will be chosen by a random drawing and announced on Monday, July 25, 2011. Good luck!