Scout's View: The Interview Process
by Birddog26 on Feb 8, 2012 1:39 PM CST
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PrintWe often talk about the interview process for draft prospects and the importance of them. For most fans the interest seems to start at the Senior Bowl and Combine. For teams and scouts the interview process can start as early as their freshman season and can a deciding factor in whether a team will pursue a prospect or not. As a scout the interview process lets me get an inside look into a prospect's character and mental alertness.
While I am at a College or University on a scouting trip, while I may be looking at certain players for the upcoming draft, I also like to find out about other players who may be draft prospects down the road. I have found this may be my best opportunity to get unfiltered thoughts and opinions from the HC and assistants. As a player enters his Junior or Senior season and is starting to be considered for the draft and talked about more in the media, the HC and assistants will give a more filtered answer about prospects. These at times almost seem rehearsed. The interview process can be very extensive for most prospects. A prospect may be interviewed up to 3 times before they even play their last College game. For the team I work for the prospect and their coaches will be interviewed by the Regional Scout, Position Scout and a Verifying Scout.
The interview process does not stop there. As a scout I interview as many people as possible so I can give the best informed opinion on a prospect possible. The typical list of people I interview are:
1. Player
2. Teammates and opponents (includes both high school and College)
3. Coaches (includes high school coaches).
4. Parents, relatives. (Sometimes, parents tell you what they really think)
5. Wife, girlfriend and ex-girlfriends
6. Trainers and Doctors
7. Secretaries
8. Teachers, counselors
9. Priest, rabbi, minister
10. Roommate
11. Classmates
12. Equipment men, janitors
13. Police departments - campus, town, home
All of these interviews are typically completed before the end of the Bowl Games. This allows all of the team's personnel to go over my initial scouting reports and interviews so they can be more focused on what they want to discuss when they sit down with prospects at the Senior Bowl, Combine, Pro Days, private workouts and team days at the home facility.
At the Senior Bowl a team normally has about 40 minutes per prospect for interviews, Combine 15 minutes, Pro Days are controlled by the College or University and team days at facilities are dictated by how many prospects are invited at one time. Private workouts held by a team for a prospect are one of the best opportunities to really get to know a candidate and get in depth with them in an interview.
The private workouts are the most secretive. They are typically not reported to the media and are held in private and sometimes a neutral location. They can be held for 48 hours and give the scouts and coaches a 1 on 1 look at a prospect. As fans we look to see who the teams have interviewed at the other events and see who is invited to Valley Ranch to get insight on who they are interested in, but the private workouts are the ones we do not know about and are the most intensive.
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Thanks for the insight Birddog
Who do you think the Cowboys are considering for their first round pick?
"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."
by Rohpuri on Feb 8, 2012 6:47 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Thanks Roh
I know this is a little bit of a dry subject, but one I wanted to touch on as part of the Scout’s View series so everyone cn see the total picture.
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
Still early to tell but I think they have 6 or 7 names there for the first round
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
Basically a background check
This sounds like the process is basically a background check like any government entity or security organization may perform. However it is more thorough and probably more extensive since this business is potentially investing millions on one person. I have always been curious with how much you guys dig in terms of character concerns and how much teams truly value those types of reports.
When 6 & 7 figure salaries are on the line
You can never be too sure
"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."
by Rohpuri on Feb 8, 2012 10:22 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
you have been a rec machine the past couple of days Roh
Get out of my head!
Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT
Now, if somebody doesn’t agree with that, that’s cool. I also don’t agree with the fact that I don’t have $10 million in my bank account. But the fact that I don’t agree with it doesn’t make it any less true.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 23, 2010 12:00 AM PST
by I am Ironman!!! on Feb 9, 2012 6:35 AM CST up reply actions
More intense than a background check.
I know for sure the military did not talk to most of my teachers, I still talk with some of them.
A lot of people hated last years’ draft class, but I think last year is going to be a great draft class. Same with this year. We could trade back and pick up quality CBs and pass rushers in second and third. These youngsters are constantly making the NFL better, have been for years.
What is the star now? A fallen piece of hardened plastic? The heaviest franchise in American sport? A false idol adored by many millions? The epitome of all that can be achieved with hard work? All that can be lost with too strong a sense of entitlement? A welcome coping mechanism, distracting from the real negativity on Earth? A bonding and separating agent?
by BlueNSilverBlood on Feb 9, 2012 6:31 PM CST up reply actions
The military did talk to my teachers, and about everybody who knew me but my family.
They get so worked up about giving someone control of nukes.
Formerly Pineywoods - different name, same cockeyed view of the world.
Jason Garrett - Lord of Order
Rob Ryan - Lord of Chaos
What's that?
If your considering Tom for the position of pushing the big red button, please ignore what I said about him being “irrational” and how he lacks pragmatism. I was only kidding. I can’t think of any other guy for the job of sending the world into a nuclear war.
"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."
by Rohpuri on Feb 9, 2012 8:38 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Sean Rude!
What is the star now? A fallen piece of hardened plastic? The heaviest franchise in American sport? A false idol adored by many millions? The epitome of all that can be achieved with hard work? All that can be lost with too strong a sense of entitlement? A welcome coping mechanism, distracting from the real negativity on Earth? A bonding and separating agent?
by BlueNSilverBlood on Feb 10, 2012 12:07 AM CST up reply actions
No. Lord Humungus!
Though Football Mensa is probably the most likely candidate ;)
What is the star now? A fallen piece of hardened plastic? The heaviest franchise in American sport? A false idol adored by many millions? The epitome of all that can be achieved with hard work? All that can be lost with too strong a sense of entitlement? A welcome coping mechanism, distracting from the real negativity on Earth? A bonding and separating agent?
by BlueNSilverBlood on Feb 10, 2012 12:09 AM CST up reply actions
haha. Yeah I couldn't believe the people that would call or tell me hey um so so from the FBI/Army called
But I was only in charge of directing where our 155’s fell.
"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo
Do you do these interviews in person?
Or are they sometimes through email or phone?
"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo
I do as many in person as possible
Those done in person I use a camcorder and those over the phone I record. All the interviews I transcribe . I never use email for interviews.
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
And do you usually have to schedule them weeks in advance
Or are people use to it being in that field (coaches etc)?
"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo
I preschedule all I can with schools
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
I'm guessing a guy like Jenkins is having
all 12 of those people on his list contacted.
"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."
by Rohpuri on Feb 9, 2012 12:27 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I did a little over 100 total interviews on Jenkins
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
Gah.
And, if I remember correctly, you’d support the Cowboys drafting him… yes?
In the late first to early second
I would also advocate the team I work for taking him in the same range
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
realistically
where do you see Jenkins going? 14-20? or 25-64?
"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."
by Rohpuri on Feb 9, 2012 2:05 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
sorry
I meant 14-25? or 26-37?
"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."
by Rohpuri on Feb 9, 2012 2:07 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Right now I see 26 to 37
The combine will weigh alot on his draft spot. A few more pounds, a fast 40 along with very good vertical, 3 cone drill and bench press could push him up. He is scheduled to arrive at the combine on Saturday the 25th and will have his workout on Tuesday the 28th.
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
very interesting as normal.
As fans we look to see who the teams have interviewed at the other events and see who is invited to Valley Ranch to get insight on who they are interested in, but the private workouts are the ones we do not know about and are the most intensive.
It seems like Dallas often has players it drafts visit Valley Ranch. Is Dallas unusual in this redundant behavior? Private workouts AND the Valley Ranch visit?
check out my bands nanoSMASH and Day vs Night
It is not unusual
What you may not see though is them having a Matt Kalil or a Morris Claiborne for example in for a private workout with the thought that if they fall past a certain point they would attempt to move up and get them.
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
wait, can you explain that
I don’t think I understand. Are you saying that a guys who come in for private workouts are the ones the Cowboys expect to be on the board when their pick is in range?
"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."
by Rohpuri on Feb 9, 2012 2:10 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
The true Private workouts are for players that teams do not want others to know they are looking at.
These could be players in thier range or those they may want to move up or down for.
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
ok. that makes sense
"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."
Birddog
I always appreciate your posts. As “Joe Fan” I really don’t know a lot about the process that teams/players/scouts/front office/etc. go through in looking at a guy but you give really excellent posts about what goes on behind the scenes. I figured it would be pretty obvious that there would be as many interviews as possible about a kid being considered for a high pick but the fact that you did over a hundred interviews about Jenkins shows how thorough the process is for many (Most? Some?) teams.
I bet it would fun to hear the things you could share “off the record” about the league and your experiences over a cold beer and some good barbecue. I imagine you have a million stories that you can’t post on a blog! LOL!
Anyway, I appreciate the knowledge you share with us and the glimpses you give into this crazy process. If you ever find yourself in the Cleveland area I’ll buy the first round (though I wouldn’t recommend the Yankee barbecue up here).
"A successful coach needs a paitient wife, a loyal dog, and a great quarterback. But if you don't have a wife the dog can pull double duty." --Barry Switzer
Confirmed.
I imagine you have a million stories that you can’t post on a blog! LOL!
Formerly Pineywoods - different name, same cockeyed view of the world.
Jason Garrett - Lord of Order
Rob Ryan - Lord of Chaos
Thanks Jed
I get up in that area from time to time. I love going to Bubba Baker’s place, Bubba’s Q. He does some great BBQ.
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
Birddog
I’m a San Diego St alum, I was wondering if you had any insight as to how teams view RB Ronnie Hilman, QB Ryan Lindley, and 43 OLB Miles Burris?
"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."
by Rohpuri on Feb 9, 2012 2:16 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I realy did not look at those players, but I do know that scouts like them.
Will be intresting to see how they do.
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
Love this info Birddog
That interview process appears exhausting. You would certainly get to know the player though. Good post.
Thanks, After all you go through you hope you know a player as well as any ever could
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
Thanks Static
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
How many players do you go through this process on in an average season?
And about how much time do you allocate per player?
From the other side, how many teams will some of the top prospects be interviewed by? I would imagine that for some, this must get to be rather grueling.
Formerly Pineywoods - different name, same cockeyed view of the world.
Jason Garrett - Lord of Order
Rob Ryan - Lord of Chaos
I did 31 DB's this year
And filed reports on 267 other players. The majority of these were just a standard game and pratice reports on players with intitial interviews with coaches. Full scouting reports take about 50 hours per prospect. Standard scouting report takes about 10 to 15 hours per prospect.
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
that’s an impressive work load.
check out my bands nanoSMASH and Day vs Night
by AustonianAggie on Feb 10, 2012 12:27 PM CST up reply actions
The rest of my answer was cut off
For ubderclassmen who made up about 200 of those I spent about 3 to 5 hours on the reports. Draft eligeble underclassmen I will go back a view film on after the draft.
Top prospects will interview with almost all teams. Round 2 and 3 prospects can get 25 or so teams interviewing them.
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
Thanks for taking time
to provide this type of insight! It’s much appreciated!
Agreed!
Hey TT, when are you going to put up the second part of your post?
"Fear the Star" -A WISE Man!
by mho on Feb 9, 2012 5:58 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
I should be posting it
sometime today. I’m usually pretty busy with work or doing things with my family so I don’t get to participate on here as much as I’d like, but I have every other Friday off so I’ll have time today to give one last look.
by The Trenches on Feb 10, 2012 5:28 AM CST up reply actions
Thanks, you have been doing some great posts also.
Keep them coming
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
Ditto Birddog,you add a unique insight that most are not privvy to.
Thanks for making this the BEST Cowboys site period!!
40yr fan who loves his Lord and Savior,Beautiful Wife,kids and 2 Pits,America,and Americas Team.
Searching for at least 2 more Super Bowl wins and more kool-aid.
Totally excited about new coaches and this teams future.
Sounds like you lend credence to the ol'eyeball test
As in looking someone in the eye to get a handle on them, whether their speaking of themselves or another person. Place much in speaking to someone who can do nothing for the individual you’re interested in and seeing just what their take on that person is or observe how the guy you’re interested in treats folks that can do nothing for him, just people they interact with in life if even but once?
Ahhh, equipment men, janitors. Think I may consider the question answered if you lend them as much or more than many of the others. Depending on whether they pass the eyeball test, that is.
“I never use email for interviews” Dadgumit, knew you were a smart cookie.
That's one small step...
You know, Tan,
I talk about energy a lot, in different forms, and some people on the blog think I am crazy. But after being a student of human nature all my life, and a therapist who addresses mind, body and spirit for several years, I would say that mannerisms and how we choose to treat people are the primary thing that matters. You can find lots of people who can run fast and jump high. How many people work hard enough that they can trust their instincts and be right? How many people will keep their heads and let the other guy get the flag? How many people are going to lift their team up when the media and fanbase are smashing them?
I place a lot of merit on eyeball tests. As a therapist, I can refuse service to anyone. Fortunately I have not been placed in the situation, but there are people that I don’t want to be in the same room with, much less touch them and help them work through their issues, because they focus so much on negativity. Definitely people out there I would not draft and welcome into my family (team,).
Whether we are talking psychologically, religiously, or The Matrixally, We do self project at least a little. JMHO…
What is the star now? A fallen piece of hardened plastic? The heaviest franchise in American sport? A false idol adored by many millions? The epitome of all that can be achieved with hard work? All that can be lost with too strong a sense of entitlement? A welcome coping mechanism, distracting from the real negativity on Earth? A bonding and separating agent?
by BlueNSilverBlood on Feb 9, 2012 6:47 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Birddog, keep it coming.
How about a peek at who your first 5 CB would be and where do you rate Jenkins compared to the other favorites listed on the various sites?
Thanks TDTEXAS
I will list up my DB’s a couple of weeks before the draft along with my Cowboys mock draft also
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
I don't know why, but your piece made me think of this...
With all of these sources, it’s a monumental frustration that so much rif raf slips through the cracks. Honestly Birddog, I often wonder where this world is going, considering all the punks that get scholarships, and then mega-deals in the NFL. In time it becomes clear they aren’t, nor have they ever been good people.
But they can run fast so we put them up on a pedestal and pay them millions of dollars. Meanwhile, opportunities slip away for kids that actually earned it with their character and work ethic.
We have the goal of winning Super Bowls. If you don't have that, find the door.
Jason Garrett
WW, I cannot speak for all teams in the NFL
What I can talk about is the draft philosophy used by the team I work for. In the league there are 6 or 7 other teams that have adopted a similar philosphy for their drafting. The team I worked for first started using it about 7 years ago and applied it to their offense then started expanding it in the last year or two to defense. They have built a very strong Research and Analysis Department that I consider should be the model in the NFL.
Now 3/4 of the league still uses the old model of scouting that is no where near as thourogh and they will not always take character or other factors into consideration. I remeber when I was interviewing several teams last year for a contract scout position. If you ever watched the movie Moneyball and how the scouts were before Beane changed things, you will see the same thing in the NFL. I heard all to often as they discussed players “He just looks like a football player”, but none could say what it was to look like a football player.
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
The 6 Bling question:
Where are the Cowboys in their scouting philosophy?
I was under the impression from past things you and others have said that JG is transitioning to the new model, and Wade was too much into “He just looks like a football player”. Is that correct.
By the way, here is a nomination for FPOTW (not that rabble cares).
Formerly Pineywoods - different name, same cockeyed view of the world.
Jason Garrett - Lord of Order
Rob Ryan - Lord of Chaos
Tom, they are on board with the philosophy
Over the last 2 years they have been putting all of the pieces in place. The feeling I get is that the front office, scouting department and all coaches are onboard with this and all are active in the process. Kind of lost in JJ’s Senior Bowl video was when he talked some about the scouting. That portion of the interview everyone wanted to make a big deal of putting the scouts on the spot in asking for their assesments. What was missed was him also talking about how at that point they had already had 2 to 3 scouts look at each prospect and how much effort they were putting into it to be as thorough as possible,
You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four. Dan Birdwell. Oakland Raiders
How do you want to be rememberd. Go out there and play every play like it is your last play. Be remembered as the person you want to be for the rest of your life. Spike Dykes, Midland Lee and Texas Tech Coach.
I knew I forgot to include something in my post about Jerry's interview
"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."
It's OK, you have to read between the lines with him anyway.
Formerly Pineywoods - different name, same cockeyed view of the world.
Jason Garrett - Lord of Order
Rob Ryan - Lord of Chaos
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