I like his optimism but clearly not his best piece
ReiB is clearly a better read than the debris he left behind, but, yeah, I'd agree that he DID get a bit carried away, here...not that I'VE ever done so!!
I do give him props, though, for a VERY refreshing angle on things: an Uncommon Angle on Upside.
The vast majority of Writers ~ and posters ~ tend to fall DRAMATICALLY short of a real understanding of how players can develop from their 1st year to their 5th...and beyond. But Wes Welker's Ascension, one of many examples, should not have shocked any Student of the Game.
***
When I'm evaluating a Prospect, there're many things to look at, but there're 4 things above all which I consider absolutely critical to his prospective success, with varying degrees, depending on position.
3 of them have well-known measuring sticks, one does not, and NONE of them...are his "40" Speed. They are:
1 ~ Processing Speed ~ No Current Measuring Stick
2 ~ Explosiveness ~ 10 Yard Split
3 ~ Lateral Velocity ~ 20 Yard Shuttle
4 ~ Elusiveness ~ 3 Cone Drill
Processing Speed ~ the ability to Read + React Correctly, Decisively, and Instantaneously ~ is listed 1st for a reason...but is very difficult to measure, and it is, above all, what I look for when reading Game Tapes.
It is what makes Tom Brady a FAR better
QuarterBack than Peyton Manning, despite Peyton Manning being a better
Passer.
It is why I was PRAYING for us to draft Brandon Spikes, even though I knew, damned well, that there was no way in HELL that was gonna happen!!
And it is why it KILLS me that we didn't scoop up UFA Joique Bell, the Brandon Spikes of 2010 Running Back prospects.
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Crable's numbers on the Cones and the Shuttle were HORRIBLE...and his 10 Yard Split was breathtakingly Average.
However, he WAS a PlayMaker in College. An HUGE PlayMaker.
I've looked at his Game Tapes, but I'm simply not good enough ~ not yet, anyway ~ to offer valuable analysis of his Processing Speed, based on them.
But playmaking ability ~ particularly against top flight competitions, such as Michigan tends to face ~ DOES, in fact, speak very well to Processing Speed.
So I'd say he's got a prayer.
3 Strikes and you're out, Brother Crable: It's time to shytte...or get off the can.