Matt Waldman's 4th Annual RSP Writers' Project

[mascho]

Hey Peeps:
 
I'm sure most - if not all - of you know of Matt Waldman's work. He writes the Rookie Scouting Portfolio, where he breaks down skill position players both before the draft, and after, to help with your fantasy football teams. He writes a ton about football, and his RSP film rooms are tremendous. He was also kind enough to do a chat with us one draft season ago, which you can find here: Waldman Chat.
 
Monday kicks off another of his projects, the RSP Writers' Project. He assembles a team of football writers from around the football world and gives them a scenario. In the past years it was assembling a team from scratch, or adapting to real-life NFL front office dilemmas. This year's is right out of Independence Day, as an alien race has descended upon earth to take over the planet, but offers one chance for survival: A football game between their team and a human team comprised of coaches and players from any era - dead or alive. Writers have to assemble a team and coaching staff and defend their choices.
 
Matt was kind enough to invite me to participate, and my team will be posted Monday, first out of the gate. While this is technically a competition with a prize at the end, I'm not here trolling for votes, but thought it was a cool exercise and something fun to pass the six weeks until Training Camps start. Matt's writing in this as well, plus some other pretty good football writers, so all the teams should be fun to read. Here's the link to check these out: http://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2015/05/18/fourth-annual-rsp-writers-project-the-team-to-defend-the-planet/
 
Hope you guys find these enjoyable to read. 

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

This is awesome, Mark.

 

[mascho]

This is awesome, Mark.

Well, you might want to wait to see my team.

Thanks buddy.

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

Space Jam!

Sounds interesting, thanks for sharing.

 

[NoXInNixon]

NVM. That's what I get for responding before reading the article.

 

[ivanvamp]

Interesting.  It's basically a fun way to say, what's your all-time NFL team?  
 
But with a twist.  Because here's the thing.  I think that John Hannah was the best guard of all time, but at his prime size and weight, he wouldn't stand a chance of being an NFL starter today.  
 
6'2", 265 pounds.  
 
Looking at the Patriots' current roster, the *SMALLEST* offensive lineman (Kline) is 6'3", 295 pounds.  Five of them weigh 320 or more.  There's no way Hannah would hold up, at 265 pounds, in today's NFL.  
 
So if the aliens allowed Hannah to use modern training and nutrition and such, and get up to 295, well then, that's different.  So Mark, you have to factor these things into the equation, don't you?  Hannah was an all-time great, but just would be too small, resurrected at his prime size, to compete in today's NFL.  
 
That would mean most of your players would be modern players, given the size and speed of the game today.  

 

[mascho]

Yeah, it's interesting. When I first started thinking about this I assumed there would naturally be a lot of overlap between this roster and an all-time roster, but as I dug into this I found that there was quite a bit of divergence between what I would consider my all-time team and the squad I've put together for this exercise. And I think that's because given the scenario, there are a number of directions you can take your team, in part because the choosing of coordinators might influence the roster somewhat. 
 
When I started putting the players together - and the coaches - I had given the scenario a lot of thought and for me the hard cut line seemed to focus on the mental side of things. I wanted players who would not be overwhelmed by the enormity of the moment. This is a game to save the human race, not just another Sunday afternoon, so I wanted guys with a proven track record of rising to the ultimate test. The bulk of my players have played in, and played very well in, Super Bowls. Because that's the closest thing we've got to a situation like this. 2 of the 3 coaches have won multiple Super Bowls. And the few on the team that haven't played at that level, they are on the roster because they bring something very specific to this team, including one of my offensive guards, who was the first guy I filled in and for a very, very, very specific reason. 
 
I'm really interested in seeing how the other guys constructed their rosters and what factors they placed importance upon, especially a guy like Ryan Riddle, who played two seasons in the league. Will he place similar emphasis on the mental? Or will he place more emphasis on the pure size and speed advantages of today's players when putting together his roster? 
 
Waldman has actually started a "Hard Cuts" series where he outlines why he ruled some guys in or out of his team, and the first piece, RB, is a great read. http://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2015/06/18/hard-cuts-choosing-a-rb-to-defend-the-planet/ He starts to dig into his offensive scheme a bit as well.
 
So while the size of today's players is definitely a track I can see people going down, it isn't what I chose to do. I focused on the mental, while putting together guys who would fit well with the schemes employed by both my OC and my DC. My basic theme is situational awareness with an edge. There are some guys on my roster who bring an intimidation factor to this exercise, to try and punch these Aliens in the chops a few times and see if they'll pack up and fly home. And in terms of active players, including coaches there are only five members of my roster that are still active. 
 
Now, Hannah is a very interesting case. He is definitely undersized by today's standards - most guys at the OG spot are pushing close to 300. But take Evan Mathis, who is listed at 6'5" 295. Hannah's 6'2" 265 is much more stout and compact, nice for a guard IMO. But Hannah also wasn't a guy to win with brute size, he was a masterful technician with a tremendously strong lower body.  Remember he was a shot putter/discus thrower at Alabama, as well as a wrestler. He might have been undersized but his quickness and technique made him a force up front. 
 
Hannah was also a strong presence in the locker room, and a team leader. That New England club that drafted him endured only two losing seasons while Hog was on the team, and that's a testament to what he brought to that offensive line, and he cut his teeth under Paul Bryant while in college. 
 
Those are just some of the reasons that Hannah is my LG. 

 

[ivanvamp]

Yeah, it's interesting. When I first started thinking about this I assumed there would naturally be a lot of overlap between this roster and an all-time roster, but as I dug into this I found that there was quite a bit of divergence between what I would consider my all-time team and the squad I've put together for this exercise. And I think that's because given the scenario, there are a number of directions you can take your team, in part because the choosing of coordinators might influence the roster somewhat. 
 
When I started putting the players together - and the coaches - I had given the scenario a lot of thought and for me the hard cut line seemed to focus on the mental side of things. I wanted players who would not be overwhelmed by the enormity of the moment. This is a game to save the human race, not just another Sunday afternoon, so I wanted guys with a proven track record of rising to the ultimate test. The bulk of my players have played in, and played very well in, Super Bowls. Because that's the closest thing we've got to a situation like this. 2 of the 3 coaches have won multiple Super Bowls. And the few on the team that haven't played at that level, they are on the roster because they bring something very specific to this team, including one of my offensive guards, who was the first guy I filled in and for a very, very, very specific reason. 
 
I'm really interested in seeing how the other guys constructed their rosters and what factors they placed importance upon, especially a guy like Ryan Riddle, who played two seasons in the league. Will he place similar emphasis on the mental? Or will he place more emphasis on the pure size and speed advantages of today's players when putting together his roster? 
 
Waldman has actually started a "Hard Cuts" series where he outlines why he ruled some guys in or out of his team, and the first piece, RB, is a great read. http://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2015/06/18/hard-cuts-choosing-a-rb-to-defend-the-planet/ He starts to dig into his offensive scheme a bit as well.
 
So while the size of today's players is definitely a track I can see people going down, it isn't what I chose to do. I focused on the mental, while putting together guys who would fit well with the schemes employed by both my OC and my DC. My basic theme is situational awareness with an edge. There are some guys on my roster who bring an intimidation factor to this exercise, to try and punch these Aliens in the chops a few times and see if they'll pack up and fly home. And in terms of active players, including coaches there are only five members of my roster that are still active. 
 
Now, Hannah is a very interesting case. He is definitely undersized by today's standards - most guys at the OG spot are pushing close to 300. But take Evan Mathis, who is listed at 6'5" 295. Hannah's 6'2" 265 is much more stout and compact, nice for a guard IMO. But Hannah also wasn't a guy to win with brute size, he was a masterful technician with a tremendously strong lower body.  Remember he was a shot putter/discus thrower at Alabama, as well as a wrestler. He might have been undersized but his quickness and technique made him a force up front. 
 
Hannah was also a strong presence in the locker room, and a team leader. That New England club that drafted him endured only two losing seasons while Hog was on the team, and that's a testament to what he brought to that offensive line, and he cut his teeth under Paul Bryant while in college. 
 
Those are just some of the reasons that Hannah is my LG. 

Good stuff. Regarding Hannah, he certainly wasn't undersized when he played. But he would be very small if he tried to play today.

What made him great wasn't merely that he was a great technician (which he was), but also because he was really strong AND had the best technique in the game. Moving 260 pound defensive linemen is one thing. Moving 330 pound defensive linemen who are also just as quick as you is another thing entirely.

I remember in the 1986 AFC championship game when the Patriots beat Miami, the Dolphins' huge nose tackle was Mile Charles. He was considered to be bigger than most guys at that position.

He weighed 271. Just 6 pounds more than Hannah.

Vince Wilfork..... Well put it this way: he's not only more athletic than Charles was; he also weighs about 80 pounds more.

Hannah is the greatest left guard the sport has ever seen. I just don't know that he would hold up in today's game IF HE TRIED TO PLAY AT 265 POUNDS.

 

[mascho]

Offense has been posted: http://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2015/06/22/mark-schofields-coaches-and-offense-to-defend-the-planet/
 
Defense coming later today.

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

Awesome.  Surprised you didn't mention as a potential point in Gronk's favor that he is mostly alien, and as such may be able to steal signs from the competition.

 

[mascho]

Awesome.  Surprised you didn't mention as a potential point in Gronk's favor that he is mostly alien, and as such may be able to steal signs from the competition.

 
Thought about that to be sure. Thanks man.

 

[mascho]

Defense posted: http://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2015/06/23/mark-schofields-coaches-and-defense-to-defend-the-planet

Thanks again for reading everyone. Mock at will.

 

[soxfan121]

Dude, I cannot believe you went for Jack Lambert instead of Derrick Brooks as the "coverage" ILB. Mind boggling! The Steelers of the 70s didn't have to be represented; Lambert was an old school MLB and couldn't hang from Gronk's jock on a crossing route, whereas Brooks was the finest coverage LB to ever play and much more adept in space and against faster competition. 
 
You suck.

 

[mascho]

Fair enough.

 

[BrazilianSoxFan]

I can't get past this point:
 

 
Finally, let us deal with the elephant in the room: If there were one football coach anywhere in the galaxy who possessed practice and/or game footage of this alien squad and their tendencies, it is Bill Belichick. In fact, it’s probably on a shelf in his office next to the tape titled “Trap Blocking in the Single Wing Offense.” Such footage might come in handy.

 
I know you were trying for humor, but you should know better. Why would you help perpetuate this Belichick-is-a-cheater meme?

 

[mascho]

It's indeed a joke, and a rather absurd one at that. Pretty sure that my thoughts on Belichick won't move the needle on public opinion. 

 

[soxfan121]

I can't get past this point:
 
 
I know you were trying for humor, but you should know better. Why would you help perpetuate this Belichick-is-a-cheater meme?

Why do you assume he stole intergalactic practice film, sir? Why couldn't it just be filmed from a legal location scouting tape, huh?

 

[Super Nomario]

Dude, I cannot believe you went for Jack Lambert instead of Derrick Brooks as the "coverage" ILB. Mind boggling! The Steelers of the 70s didn't have to be represented; Lambert was an old school MLB and couldn't hang from Gronk's jock on a crossing route, whereas Brooks was the finest coverage LB to ever play and much more adept in space and against faster competition. 
 
You suck.

Jaws made a pretty strong case for Lambert in The Games that Changed the Game: https://books.google.com/books?id=BzuMNo3CleEC&pg=PA46&lpg=PA46&dq=jack+lambert+the+games+that+changed+the+game&source=bl&ots=Ycsjcygc4H&sig=JUnpBDNQnuxonE4IRco9bt7kmcU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=yceJVdqpJ8HGsQWAy4PwCQ&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=jack%20lambert%20the%20games%20that%20changed%20the%20game&f=false

 

[RG33]

Good stuff Mark. I have never heard of Alworth and was intrigued by the write-up on Mike Webster because I thought he was a well-known steroid freak. From googling, it looks like he never admitted anything and it was more the concussions that did him in.

 

[mascho]

This guy does not like my defense: https://twitter.com/MediaMike2015/status/613511444160770048
 
ETA: https://twitter.com/MediaMike2015/status/613512137789583360

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

He didnt fit your 3-4. Reggie White can go die in his sleep.

 

[mascho]

He didnt fit your 3-4. Reggie White can go die in his sleep.

 
Are you Waldman? Because I kid you not he just DM'd me almost the same exact thing. 

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Great minds something something.

 

[BrazilianSoxFan]

Why do you assume he stole intergalactic practice film, sir? Why couldn't it just be filmed from a legal location scouting tape, huh?

That's not the point and you know it. It's obviously a joke, but one that assumes he deserves this reputation. You're not laughing at those who believe in spygate, you're laughing with them.

It's the new guy in school badmouthing the nerds to look cool to the jocks.

 

[Hambone]

This is really cool and awesome you were picked to contribute. Congrats.
 
Curious on your offensive though process, especially based on your coach decisions. There's been discussion on the defensive side of 3-4 vs 4-3, but did you consider a scenario where a RB such as Marshall Faulk could flourish in the Bill Walsh offense?
 
Along the same lines did you consider special teams or offensive considerations with Deion Sanders? Not sure you needed to in order to justify the decision, but wondering what goes into this. 
 
Finally and most importantly, really looking forward to when Demario Richard takes over Jim Brown's position in a few years.
 
http://insidethepylon.com/film-study/film-study-u/offense-film-study-u/2014/11/10/pick-ing-up-a-score-demario-richard-asu-top-notre-dame/
 
We can go back and debate why your team didn't include any of the following at a later date.
 
QB - Jake Plummer
RB - Gerald Riggs
TE - Todd Heap
LT - Marvel Smith
LG -Randall McDaniel
C - Mike Pollak
RG - Kyle Kosier
RT - Juan Roque
WR - John Jefferson
WR - Jaelen Strong
WR - Keith Poole
 
DE - Dexter Davis
DT - Will Sutton
DE - Jim Jeffcoat
LB - Vontaze Burfict
LB - Brandon Magee
LB - Terell Suggs
LB - Adam Archuleta
CB - Eric Allen
CB - Philippi Sparks
DB - Darren Woodson
DB - Pat Tillman
 
Special Teams - Demario Richard
Special Teams - Omar Bolden
Punter - Nick Murphy
Kicker - Thomas Weber
 
At that time we can also discuss why I'm awake putting together an all ASU team

 

[ivanvamp]

Offense has been posted: http://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2015/06/22/mark-schofields-coaches-and-offense-to-defend-the-planet/
 
Defense coming later today.

 
So basically you just went with your all-time great team, which is cool.  Great, GREAT players on your roster.  But obviously you didn't really consider the point that the game is much bigger and stronger and faster than it used to be and so someone like Hannah or even Munoz - arguably the best left tackle in the game's history - simply wouldn't have held up given their relative size.  Munoz at his peak was 278 pounds.  The average weight for the Patriots' tackles is 318 - 40 pounds more than Munoz.  (I know I made this point a few days ago)
 
Anyway, still, a great list of players.  Fun assignment.

 

[tims4wins]

One fun tweak might be to add nickel personnel for the D and spread personnel for the O.
 
So for the offense add a passing back (Marshall Faulk?), and a 3rd / slot WR. For the D you could revamp your DL and LB, and add a slot CB. That way Reggie White would be on the team as a nickel edge rusher.

 

[mascho]

This is really cool and awesome you were picked to contribute. Congrats.
 
Curious on your offensive though process, especially based on your coach decisions. There's been discussion on the defensive side of 3-4 vs 4-3, but did you consider a scenario where a RB such as Marshall Faulk could flourish in the Bill Walsh offense?
 
Along the same lines did you consider special teams or offensive considerations with Deion Sanders? Not sure you needed to in order to justify the decision, but wondering what goes into this. 
 
Finally and most importantly, really looking forward to when Demario Richard takes over Jim Brown's position in a few years.
 
http://insidethepylon.com/film-study/film-study-u/offense-film-study-u/2014/11/10/pick-ing-up-a-score-demario-richard-asu-top-notre-dame/
 
We can go back and debate why your team didn't include any of the following at a later date.
 
QB - Jake Plummer
RB - Gerald Riggs
TE - Todd Heap
LT - Marvel Smith
LG -Randall McDaniel
C - Mike Pollak
RG - Kyle Kosier
RT - Juan Roque
WR - John Jefferson
WR - Jaelen Strong
WR - Keith Poole
 
DE - Dexter Davis
DT - Will Sutton
DE - Jim Jeffcoat
LB - Vontaze Burfict
LB - Brandon Magee
LB - Terell Suggs
LB - Adam Archuleta
CB - Eric Allen
CB - Philippi Sparks
DB - Darren Woodson
DB - Pat Tillman
 
Special Teams - Demario Richard
Special Teams - Omar Bolden
Punter - Nick Murphy
Kicker - Thomas Weber
 
At that time we can also discuss why I'm awake putting together an all ASU team

 
Yeah, the tricky part with picking Walsh as coach was putting together a skill position group to suit what he would do and what I wanted to accomplish. I wanted to stick with his "throwing to set up the run" and have an RB who would punish the defense as the game wore on, but the issue there is how does Brown fit into Walsh's passing game? Faulk might be a better fit on the whole, but Brown is the battering ram I want to crush their will to go on. 
 
I included some thought to Deion's all-around ability, espeically with the football in his hands. Both he and Reed are offensive threats on the defensive side of the ball. With Ray Guy hopefully pinning their offense deep on each punt, I'm looking for some advantageous field position on defense and a few Pick-6s. 
 
And Sparks over Mike Haynes is not cool man. Not cool.
 

 
So basically you just went with your all-time great team, which is cool.  Great, GREAT players on your roster.  But obviously you didn't really consider the point that the game is much bigger and stronger and faster than it used to be and so someone like Hannah or even Munoz - arguably the best left tackle in the game's history - simply wouldn't have held up given their relative size.  Munoz at his peak was 278 pounds.  The average weight for the Patriots' tackles is 318 - 40 pounds more than Munoz.  (I know I made this point a few days ago)
 
Anyway, still, a great list of players.  Fun assignment.

 
Yeah, maybe going for more modern players might make sense for these reasons, but I really wanted to focus on the mental aspect of this game. Wanted guys who I know could handle the enormity of the situation. 
 
And this really isn't my All-Time team. Off the top of my head I'd have two different receivers, a different TE, a different RB, different C/RG, and a completely different defensive front 7. Defensively, at least up front, I tried to put together a scheme with speed on the edges and some thumpers in the middle. Pressure the pocket on the edges and use speed to slow runs to the outside, and have Vince eat up space in the middle for Lewis and Lambert.
 

One fun tweak might be to add nickel personnel for the D and spread personnel for the O.
 
So for the offense add a passing back (Marshall Faulk?), and a 3rd / slot WR. For the D you could revamp your DL and LB, and add a slot CB. That way Reggie White would be on the team as a nickel edge rusher.

 
Yeah, having the option for sub packages might have opened things up a bit. Faulk as the 3rd down back makes a ton of sense, and White/Brooks/Revis? as sub package specialists does as well.