HTTRDynasty

RICHMOND, Va. — Think of Scot McCloughan the NFL talent evaluator, and a single phrase comes to mind. The man just wants “football players.” During his two years as general manager for the Washington Redskins, McCloughan repeated that mantra over and over. Listening to the grit and guttural intonation behind the words meant no additional definition required, but the football lifer passionately provides one when asked. “It’s not just the talent level, but it’s the person you get, the character,” McCloughan told The Athletic last week. “The toughness, the competitiveness, the understanding that I’m fighting every day for my life. I’ve got to take care of my wife, my kids, my mom, whatever it is. You see that “It” factor. That’s when you’re rolling.” McCloughan, considered a scouting savant by some, made two first-round selections in Washington. Brawling Pro Bowl left guard Brandon Scherff, the sixth overall selection in 2015, embodies that rugged ethos. Josh Doctson does not. Forget that the 2016 first-rounder has yet to veer anywhere near the production range of a go-to receiver, a significant factor in Washington’s decision to decline his fifth-year player option. Rating the introverted wide receiver against those traits McCloughan desires for “football players” is apples to oranges. For those entirely out on the fourth-year receiver with zero 100-yard games in his pro career, apples to lemons. The longtime executive selected the former Texas Christian University standout 22nd overall. For those steeped in McCloughanisms, the connection never made sense. “The thing about Josh that’s very unique — I wish I had known him personally better,” McCloughan said. “I kind of screwed up on that part.” McCloughan moved to Colorado and returned to running his scouting service after a bitter finish in Washington that concluded during the 2017 offseason. Despite Doctson’s struggles, McCloughan won’t run away from his initial talent evaluation. “What (Doctson) did in college was incredible,” McCloughan said during a phone interview. At TCU, Doctson found the end zone 25 times over his final two seasons. During his senior campaign, he scored at least two touchdowns in a single game six times. That production disappeared once the red-zone target jumped to the professional game. Doctson’s struggles began immediately. He suffered a heel injury during the summer before his rookie season and played in only two regular-season games before landing on injured reserve. Doctson finished 2018 with two touchdowns while setting uninspiring career bests with 44 receptions and 532 yards. The Texas native, who transferred from Wyoming to TCU in part because of a case of homesickness, freely acknowledges he lacked contentment upon arriving with Washington. “Oh, man. I know what’s going on,” Doctson said of his current mindset compared wit that first training camp. “I feel a lot more comfortable, man.” McCloughan cannot put his finger on exactly what he missed with Doctson or why receivers often struggle upon entering the league. “For a receiver, it’s very hard,” he said. He does grasp why some consider Doctson aloof, another attribute that stands in contrast to the “football player” vision. “(Josh) is talented, but he doesn’t bring the prima donna outlook. Excited, emotional guy. That’s not him at all — but the guy can play football,” McCloughan said. What intrigues McCloughan most about Doctson’s future is a specific and nearly identical example of a first-round receiver he once drafted who made a dramatic turnaround. San Francisco selected Texas Tech standout Michael Crabtree 10th overall in 2009, McCloughan’s final year with the organization. Like Doctson, Crabtree labored during his early seasons. While Doctson missed the bulk of his rookie season because of injuries, Crabtree did not make his debut until Week 7 because of a contract holdout. Athletic and personality similarities also exist. “They’re both physical, big guys. They’re both quiet guys. They’re not really outgoing where the fans like them and the media like them. They’re not going to say much at all,” McCloughan said. Crabtree’s breakout season came in 2011 with 72 receptions. He finished with 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns for the NFC champions the following season. The 10-year veteran later posted quality numbers for Oakland and played 16 games for Baltimore in 2018. “The thing with Crabtree is he’s come through so far and had a good career, but it took him 3-4 years in San Fran to get where he’s at,” McCloughan said. “I think it’s going to be the same thing with Doctson. I think his best football is definitely ahead of him.” Doctson lacks the diva quality McCloughan referenced and most associate with NFL receivers. That’s partly because he’s a thinker and self-aware. “When you get in the league as a first-round talent and going through some injuries, hearing some different comments, it kind of takes you a step back,” Doctson told The Athletic after Sunday’s morning practice. “It’s just kind of a natural instinct from human nature. You don’t really understand most things.” Now 26, Doctson has life experiences that include a trip to war-torn Rwanda earlier this year, and those have helped provide needed perspective. “I understand the game and what’s going on more so these days, not just outside but inside. I understand where my position is at, and I (can) be happy where I’m at in life at 26 years old and what I’m able to do for my family and generations to come,” he said. Doctson won’t become one of those players grasping for every last breath of a career, but the perspective he gained has helped him find fulfillment while in the game. “I wouldn’t say this is my purpose, but this is my passion currently, or I wouldn’t be playing,” Doctson said. “You have to be passionate out here, or you’ll get hurt. I think I’ve been healthy the last two full years because I was passionate about my NFL career. You’ve got to be. … I’m definitely passionate about the sport. I love it, but like I said, it’s not my end purpose. I won’t fulfill my purpose at 30 years old. I still have hopefully another 60 years to live after that. We’ll see what goes on after these next few years.” Josh Doctson catches a touchdown pass against Atlanta last season. (Geoff Burke / USA Today) The player who retreated from the spotlight as a rookie now takes pride in his leadership role for a receiver unit that on Week 1 might include four first- or second-year players in Trey Quinn, Terry McLaurin, Kelvin Harmon and Cam Sims. Doctson, Paul Richardson and Quinn are the projected starters. “It’s cool, man. Being able to watch these young guys come in here just like you (did), I think that’s neat. You can see yourself in them. How they are just stargazing a bit (and) wondering what to do, what’s next,” Doctson said. “To be that comfort zone for them and point them in the right direction. It’s neat. I definitely appreciate it.” Even if the 2019 campaign turns into the most productive of Doctson’s career, it might become the final one with Washington. “When it’s all said and done if it’s with the Redskins, great. If elsewhere, he’ll be a good player,” McCloughan said. Since his arrival, Doctson has watched Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson and good friend Jamison Crowder play out their contracts before signing elsewhere. “I’m a realist,” Doctson said. “Bittersweet moment. I’m just trying to take it all in, and we’ll see where it goes after this one.” The Redskins have significant uncertainty along the offensive line and a quarterback battle brewing. Finding stability at wide receiver could help smooth those trouble spots. Doctson’s size and speed combined with experience in Washington’s offense make him an ideal candidate. If the football passion arrives in abundance on Sundays, the Redskins may have another “football player” on the roster. “What I saw in (Josh),” McCloughan said, “I’m not giving up on him yet.”

But I don't think he works with Tomsula at all... at least from what I've heard.

Any reason to think Sweat's instincts may significantly improve with NFL coaching? Especially considering that he was a tight end recruit coming out of high school and was moved to defense at MSU (and only played 4 games total his first two years there before transferring)? May be a little unfair to compare his instincts to guys who have been playing on the DL from Pee-Wee football through present. Thanks, love reading that as well. I wonder who the 6th is in "Tomsula Six" though. You have JA, DP, MI, TS, and CB. Who's the 6th? EDIT: Just looked at the depth chart. Only two others listed are JoJo Wicker and Ryan Bee. I imagine they're referring to Wicker, since he is higher on the depth chart. He was a UDFA we signed last year.

Lol

@stevemcqueen1 Just curious, I’m guessing you completely agree with the Sweat take from the guy speaking in the video below?

Haven’t seen this posted:

I know there was some confusion with different numbers, but I'm pretty sure 1.5s is the real number: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001021021/printable/2019-nfl-scouting-combine-twelve-numbers-that-matter-most https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2019/3/3/18249222/combine-five-thoughts-day-5-pass-rushers-nick-bosa-josh-allen

I agree 40 times don't translate directly, just an example of what a freak Sweat is. And Sweat had a 1.50s 10 yard split, and Hunter had 1.58s. That's a lot faster than just "slightly" IMO. Most of Hunter's other testing results, most notably the short shuttle and 3 cone drill, came at his pro day, which I don't take as seriously as I would Combine numbers. Regardless, I agree Hunter is a physical freak too. My point is that Sweat is on another level. Also, when it comes to arm length, that extra inch and a half makes a huge difference. For example, Trent Williams has 34 and 1/4 inch arms, same as Hunter, which obviously makes it tougher for Hunter to win with length than it would if he had arms 1.5 inches longer.

I see what you mean. I haven't watched much LSU tape on Hunter, but I've watched him in the NFL and I agree with your take on how he usually wins. Although he isn't as instinctual, Sweat definitely has physical advantages over Hunter - speed, obviously (4.41 vs. 4.57 40yd) and length (35 3/5 inch arms vs. 34 1/4 inch arms). The length is the big one. He has longer arms than most OTs in the league. If he can become an elite technician with his hand-fighting, and you add the speed factor to threaten the edge, there's no doubt in my mind he'll get 12+ sacks every year. So yeah, I agree, Hunter isn't a perfect comp for Sweat, but I do think Sweat can use his other gifts to become a perennial All Pro if it all clicks for him.

Lack of bend was something Danielle Hunter was heavily criticized for coming out as well. He still found a way to get 14.5 sacks last year. Albeit Hunter was younger (and a lot more raw) coming into the league. Guys win in different ways. We just need for Sweat to develop an elite move, and an elite counter to that move, that can win at the NFL level. Everything else is gravy.

https://www.titansonline.com/video/next-gen-stats-top-edge-rushers-by-final-draft-score

The wait next off-season will be much more brutal:

Breakdown starts at 4 minutes.

I’m with you. I don’t need to see a ton of sacks this season for me to appreciate his rookie year. As you mentioned, the ability to chase down RBs backside will be big too, not to mention he’s a good run defender on the strong side as well. But the thing I’m anticipating most with him is the ability to chase down Dak, Wentz, and to a lesser extent, Jones when he starts. I can’t even count how many times I would shake my head in disgust as Carson and Dak effortlessly eluded our pass rushers on crucial downs to pick up key first downs with their legs or throw back-breaking deep balls when our guys just miss getting them on the ground. That now becomes much more difficult for them with Sweat chasing them down. Even if they try to roll out to Kerrigan’s side, Sweat should be hounding them backside. I might legitimately shed a tear the first time I see him chase down either of those guys on a roll-out for the sack.

I like the focus on making sure Montez stays low at 1:44 in this video.

Yeah, I think agility has a pretty significant weight. I'm not sure about Ford's agility drills since he didn't run at the combine, but Clowney graded out as just "OK" there in his RAS. Though they did both run impressive 40's (Ford at his pro day). I think it makes sense for agility to be a strong factor, considering these guys aren't running 10 or 40 yards in a straight line. Clowney, though an elite run defender, is not the pass rusher the Texans thought he would be (I'm sure their fans agonize over what could have been if they had drafted Mack instead), which is why he still hasn't been paid. And Ford was just passed over for a second contract in favor of the Chiefs trading for Frank Clark, whom the formula identified as a Force Player, even though he was drafted in the mid-rounds. I'd say, with the names I mentioned above, this is a good example of the formula getting it right.

Yeah, it's much more of a cautionary indicator on which players not to draft (i.e. Fowler over Beasley) than it is on which players to draft without the good tape to go with it. It checks a box though, so I'm happy to see Sweat make the list. It was originally the "Waldo" formula produced by a poster on another board, but he's kind of fallen off the map, so his buddy has been running a modified version of it ever since. Seems like he's lost interest a bit though, since he hasn't published any articles on it since 2017, though he does still post which players were FPs before every draft.

Sweat is 1 of only 4 "Force Players" in this class: This link goes in depth on what a force player is and who has been one in the past: http://settingedge.com/movement

I love Kerrigan. He’s been our most consistently good player for most of this decade. However, just comparing stats across the board doesn’t do those other guys justice. Von and Donald have been facing double teams on a consistent basis these last few years, and they are still wrecking game plans. Watt, when healthy, does the same. Kerrigan has never really been that kind of player. He’s a clear tier below, imo. Nothing to be ashamed of, since there are only a handful of those guys every generation.

I considered Mack, and he’s the best all-around player IMO. The complete package. I just don’t think his pass-rushing is as consistently elite as the others.

Aaron Donald Von Miller JJ Watt Everyone else is a tier below.

Ignoring all the Raiders stuff, this is a good blend of highlights on what Sweat brings in each phase of the game.