BOF Posted April 21, 2012 Moderator Share Posted April 21, 2012 Soccer doesn't have an equivalent to the combine. As Dante says, NFL players have very specific abilities based on their positions. Soccer doesn't really work like that and because of it's worldwide nature and varying approaches to coaching etc, soccer is much more a subjective assessment of players and of fitting them into many different kinds of systems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Copey11 Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 I understand that, but I wonder to what degree physical projections play a part. I played pro hockey, and I know there were scouts at tournaments that would show up and just cross off every player below a certain size. Though I was a bit small, my all around talent and vision of the game was on par with top players, but my size, while not a complete hindrance, was a reason to go after a larger player with a similar and in some cases less talented skill set. Smaller players with some sort of special skill would be looked at however. In the scouting combine you have certain measurements taken that are designed to understand what a prospects "potential" could be. As an example, corner backs are measured in a shuttle run to see how they move their hips, tackles have their arms measured, etc. These are designed to understand how high a "ceiling" they might have or if they will always be limited to some degree. I look at the Chelsea teams during the Mourinho era, and let's say Bayern now and they have these skilled players who are big, strong, and powerful. Perhaps they are no "better" than a mid-table player, but have these physical attributes that put them over the top. Furthermore, and more interesting, would be the "moneyball" win shares analyses. What are the statistics (e.g. possession, crosses, dribbles, passing percentages) that equate into a more possible chance at winning? Have you guys ever seen anything like that for football? The NBA, a similar team sport to football and hockey, is desperately trying to get this analysis right, and the idea that Liverpool would be using similar methods to aid the transfer process leads me to believe that there is at least a movement towards this. Obviously Barca spring to mind, and you can see them looking for young players that have certain characteristics that will fit their playing style at the expense of other players who, though incredibly talented, just won't work for them (Zlatan?). anyway, I know these are very different sports (NFL and football), but I believe there is some merit in using some of the player evaluation techniques in evaluating and identifying potential stars, especially for a club like ours that needs to identify less known but potentially great talent, and the actually infrastructure to develop that talent. thanks for the responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mole86 Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 Dante/Anyone who may know, Is the draft being shown on UK tv? I've booked the day off on friday assuming it would be on ESPN like last year and it doesn't look like they are showing it?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dante_Lockhart Posted April 25, 2012 Author Share Posted April 25, 2012 It's on Thursday night / Friday morning on ESPN. About 1am I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dante_Lockhart Posted April 25, 2012 Author Share Posted April 25, 2012 Actually just looking at the TV guide it isn't listed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dante_Lockhart Posted April 25, 2012 Author Share Posted April 25, 2012 Looks like having to stream it through nfl.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mole86 Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 Yeah just looked into it further, I think i'm going to pay the 2.99 for a monthly subscription for NFL network Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerniesElbow Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 Rumor Central: The St. Louis Rams are shopping (RB)Stephen Jackson in order to put together a package to trade to Minnesota to move up to #3 and take Trent Richardson, which would thoroughly screw Cleveland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dante_Lockhart Posted April 26, 2012 Author Share Posted April 26, 2012 Best rumour I've heard so far is a trade package between the Browns and the Cowboys with Romo, their first and another pick (3rd I think) going to the Browns for their #4 pick so the Cowboys can take Tannehill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtsimonw Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 Cowboys would be mental to do that. Then again, this is the Cowboys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkr Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 Please be true! I have seen about 5-7 different names for the Giants at 32 so i have no idea who we will take but it will be BPA. 4 of the latest mocks on CBS have Coples, J Martin and D Martin headed our way which id be very happy with any of those. Mayock also has us taking OT Jonathan Martin so id be pleased with that selection. NFL.com popular selections are Coby Fleener and Donta Hightower falling to us. Id prefer Fleener. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted April 26, 2012 Moderator Share Posted April 26, 2012 I'd love to see how many mock drafts get anywhere near reality beyond the top 8 picks. Surely there are just way too many variables and any divergences in the upper picks have exponential waterfall effects lower down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bully Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 Why do I get the feeling that the Browns are gonna get shafted? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhyscartwright_avfc Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 Are mocks usually anywhere near being correct? I watched the draft for 1st time last year as the Broncos had #2 overall. Didn't pay attention to pre-draft stuff though. Still don't know many players in this years draft beyond the first few picks and who the Broncos might take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerniesElbow Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 BREAKING NEWS------Browns get #3 pick from the Vikings.....there were reports that Tampa and the Jets wanted to get Richardson at #3 from Minnesota. Cleveland heard this and reacted......stay tuned....reports are Browns want (WR)Blackmon(I HOPE not) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerniesElbow Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 BROWNS gave up a 4th, 5th and 7th round pick to ensure they move up to #3.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerniesElbow Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 ...plus their first-round pick, obviously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerniesElbow Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 Theres no way its Blackmon, it HAS to be Richardson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerniesElbow Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 Live draft coverage from Cleveland: http://www.espncleveland.com/index.php Click on "LISTEN LIVE" BROWNS also have pick #22...stay tuned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerniesElbow Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 INDY takes Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford. *His father (Oliver---GOOGLE him) was a Clevelander! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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