Athletic white players!

Could ut be that Caste Football is having an influence? Read these player evaluations from USA Today:
1. Joe Thomas, Wisconsin, 6-7, 311:This giant has a rare combination of quickness, field awareness and the athletic agility to dominate on first- and second-level blocks. He is a fluid athlete who even has impressive stats â€â€￾ in 37 starts at left tackle, Thomas registered 311 knockdown blocks, 193 coming in run support. He was credited with 69 blocks resulting in touchdowns and was penalized only three times on 2,571 career offensive plays. Thomas also excelled in the classroom, twice earning Academic all-Big Ten Conference honors. He put on bulk while rehabbing his right knee, which he injured in the 2006 Capital One Bowl.
4. Joe Staley, Central Michigan, 6-6, 306:His superior athletic ability stood out among the other stars at Senior Bowl practices. When Central Michigan went to a pass-heavy attack in 2006, Staley was able to display his pro potential at left tackle. He has the vision and alertness to pick up stunts and the foot speed to easily neutralize edge rushers.
Looked for the obligatory negative remarks and there are none!

Good find! It's good news no matter how it happened!

I like how they call Thomas "fluid", it ain't "wiggle" but I'll take it.

Actually I think write-ups tend to be more balanced when describing offensive linemen. It's when they talk about WR's and white defensive players that words like "sneaky speed", "motor that never stops", "intangibles", and the like are used ad nauseum.

jared said:

Actually I think write-ups tend to be more balanced when describing offensive linemen. It's when they talk about WR's and white defensive players that words like "sneaky speed", "motor that never stops", "intangibles", and the like are used ad nauseum.

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I agree with that (and the phrase "ad nauseum" is appropriate) and am going to look hard for any example to the contrary, but won't hold my breath. Of course, one of the problems is that there are so few WR and tailbacks considered pro prospects that it may be hard to find many evaluations. Fortunately, there are sufficient numbers of white defensive players.


Being old enough to remember when the situation was not so extreme, I seriously wonder what would happen to guys like Lance Alworth, John Riggins, and Roger Wehrli if they were college upperclassmen now.

You have a good head on your shoulders highschoolcoach. I enjoy your posts including Track & Field stuff.

highschoolcoach said:

I seriously wonder what would happen to guys like Lance Alworth, John Riggins, and Roger Wehrli if they were college upperclassmen now.

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No doubt Riggo would be a fullback. It's quite awful how much things have changed.

Alworth would be a "slot receiver" today, Riggins would be, according Dick Vermeil and Marshall Faulk, a "really good fullback," and Wehrli would be a safety that "is good enough in coverage to cover fullback and tight ends, but he isn't a big enough hitter, a perfect candidate to come in as a nickleback or dime situation."


i hate modern football.

Jimmy Chitwood said:

Alworth would be a "slot receiver" today, Riggins would be, according Dick Vermeil and Marshall Faulk, a "really good fullback," and Wehrli would be a safety that "is good enough in coverage to cover fullback and tight ends, but he isn't a big enough hitter, a perfect candidate to come in as a nickleback or dime situation."


i hate modern football.

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You are probably dead-on right. I too fondly remember when football was more equitable at the offensive and defensive backfield positions and wide receiver.

Modern day "scouts take" for Lance Alworth:
Alworth is a guy who won't turn any heads with his 40 time but has that sneaky speed to be a dependable #3 option. Although he doesn't have great intangibles Alworth has an uncanny knack for always getting open and is a student of the game.

whiteCB said:

Modern day "scouts take" for Lance Alworth:
Alworth is a guy who won't turn any heads with his 40 time but has that sneaky speed to be a dependable #3 option. Although he doesn't have great intangibles Alworth has an uncanny knack for always getting open and is a student of the game.

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We also have to remember that it was much tougher for Lance than it is today. I think it might had something to do with bump-and-run coverage, but I might be mistaken.

whiteCB said:

Modern day "scouts take" for Lance Alworth:
Alworth is a guy who won't turn any heads with his 40 time but has that sneaky speed to be a dependable #3 option. Although he doesn't have great intangibles Alworth has an uncanny knack for always getting open and is a student of the game.

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This is terrific. You obviously read a lot of football player evaluations. If you are Mel Kiper, indicate so by putting 2 smiley faces on your next post.

highschoolcoach said:

whiteCB said:

Modern day "scouts take" for Lance Alworth: Alworth is a guy who won't turn any heads with his 40 time but has that sneaky speed to be a dependable #3 option. Although he doesn't have great intangibles Alworth has an uncanny knack for always getting open and is a student of the game.

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This is terrific. You obviously read a lot of football player evaluations. If you are Mel Kiper, indicate so by putting 2 smiley faces on your next post.

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They call me Mel Kiper III

whiteCB said:

Modern day "scouts take" for Lance Alworth:
Alworth is a guy who won't turn any heads with his 40 time but has that sneaky speed to be a dependable #3 option. Although he doesn't have great intangibles Alworth has an uncanny knack for always getting open and is a student of the game.

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Productive player, a leader type could be a good third reciever type in a Wayne Chrebet mould.......

Alworth would have torn up the NFL had he played today with the newer rules protecting receivers. Great speed, moves and jumping ability (nicknamed Bambi) to go along with his great hands and obvious toughness (DB's used to beat on him all the way down the field).

Paul Zimmerman of S.I., had Alworth as one of the receivers on his all time NFL team (Rice being the other choice) and stated that Alworth was the greatest deep threat who ever played the game.

Wikipedia: Lance Dwight Alworth (born August 3, 1940 in Houston, Texas) is a former American football wide receiver. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.


At the University of Arkansas, the six-foot (1.83 m), 180-pound (82 kg) Alworth was a running back who led all colleges in punt return yardage in 1960 and 1961. He also was a track star: running the 100 and 220 yard dashes (9.6 seconds and 21.3 seconds) and long jump. He is a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.


The American Football League's San Diego Chargers drafted Alworth in the second round of the 1962 AFL draft and signed him after a bidding war with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. The Chargers moved Alworth to wide receiver. His slender build, speed, grace, and leaping ability earned him the nickname "Bambi." He was an all-American Football League selection seven consecutive times, from 1963 through 1969; was the UPI's 1963 AFL Most Valuable Player; and is a member of the All-time All-AFL Team. Alworth scored on a 48-yard touchdown pass in the Chargers' 1963 AFL Championship Game victory over the Boston Patriots. In Alworth's 8 AFL seasons, he led the league in receiving yards and receptions 3 times.


He held records for the most consecutive games with a reception (96), the most games with 200 or more yards on receptions (5) and was the only receiver to average more than 100 yards a game in three consecutive seasons (1964-1966). Alworth formed a formidable tandem along with Chargers quarterback John Hadl, and is considered by many to be the best wide receiver in all of professional football during the 1960s. Alworth played his final two seasons (1971 and 1972) with the Dallas Cowboys, catching a touchdown pass for the team in Super Bowl VI, a 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Alworth would later call the two receptions he made in Super Bowl VI(one that converted a third and long and the other for the touchdown)the two most important catches of his career. He had all the statistics, but now he finally was a champion.


Alworth finished his 11 AFL/NFL seasons with 543 receptions for 10,266 yards. He also rushed for 129 yards, returned 29 punts for 309 yards, gained 216 yards on 10 kickoff returns, and scored 87 touchdowns (85 receiving and 2 rushing).

While QB is still a white-friendly position, it's still nice to see a white athlete credited with being athletic. Hey, a white quarterback who can really run! Will wonder never cease? Nevermind that Steve Young was probably the best-ever running quarterback.


Drew Stanton, Michigan State, 6-3, 226:Stanton is a mentally and physically tough guy with a sizzling competitive fire that got him into trouble when he tried to shoulder too much of the load. He is a scholar in the classroom and a stud on the field, where he looks like a linebacker, runs like a running back and throws like a quarterback should. He has a fluid throwing motion, fires tight spirals and has great accuracy. He has that passer's geometry, putting the ball into a place where it allows receivers good run-after-catch opportunities. Although Stanton operated frequently from the shotgun in college, he can take the snap from center and use his quick feet to drop, set and throw on time. Stanton was often the victim of a poor offensive line and unreliable receivers at Michigan State. Some scouts have rated him to be as good or better than Quinn and rationalize that Stanton would have been everything Quinn was if he had the advantage of playing under Weis at Notre Dame. Stanton ranks second in Spartans history, completing 543 of 846 passes for 6,524 yards, 42 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. His pass completion percentage of 64.2% set a school career record. He rushed 332 times for 1,512 yards (averaging 4.6 yards a carry) and 15 scores and ranks second in MSU annals with 8,036 yards of total offense.

He's a tight end, another white-friendly position, but gets credit for being fast. I'll take it until white WRs start getting credit for being speedy.


from Sporting News, 4/16/07. p. 50:


"(Raiders TE John) Madsen, who has a good chance to unseat Courtney Anderson, has the speed to get open downfield and make yards after the catch."

white is right said:

whiteCB said:

Modern day "scouts take" for Lance Alworth:
Alworth is a guy who won't turn any heads with his 40 time but has that sneaky speed to be a dependable #3 option. Although he doesn't have great intangibles Alworth has an uncanny knack for always getting open and is a student of the game.

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Productive player, a leader type could be a good third reciever type in a Wayne Chrebet mould.......

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These are so good i would even pay to read more. Please do one for one or both of the following players: John Riggins and Hugh McIlhenny. I've deliberately picked those 2 because i know that they were also state track& field champions, so any stereotyping concerning lack of speed is baloney. (Riggins 2-time state 100 yd. dash cahmp @ 9.6; McIlhenny Calif. state champ in high hurdles, low hurdles, and long jump)

highschoolcoach said:

He's a tight end, another white-friendly position, but gets credit for being fast. I'll take it until white WRs start getting credit for being speedy.


from Sporting News, 4/16/07. p. 50:


"(Raiders TE John) Madsen, who has a good chance to unseat Courtney Anderson, has the speed to get open downfield and make yards after the catch."

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Madsen was a very good, tall and skinny wide receiver in college. In fact, before his senior season at Utah, Mel Kiper had him rated as one of the top five WRs in the country. But of course he went undrafted and then the Raiders made him beef up into a tight end. So he's "speedy" for a tight end, but Madsen should be getting open downfield and making yards after the catch as a wide receiver. Making it doubly insulting was Madsen's "competition" at WR last year -- Randy Moss, who didn't try; Jerry Porter, who fought with the coaching staff and had one catch all season; and the usual crew of lousy blacks (with the exception of oft-injured Ronald Curry, who does have talent).


Tall and fast black wide receivers with decent hands -- 1st round material


Tall and slow black wide receivers with questionable hands and a poor attitude -- 1st round material (Mike Williams and others)


Tall and fast white wide receivers with great hands -- tight end materialEdited by: Don Wassall

One of my best buddies was one of the most athletic fellas I've known. He played hoops & ran track in HS with me and then got a scholarship to Missouri Valley College. In college, he was 6'5, 225, he had a 36" vertical leap, 4.6 40 YD, could high jump 7'1 & ran a 10.85 100 meter dash (all steroid free ). Unfortunately, he fell victim to the caste system in college and severely injured his leg a few years after college. There were several other white guys I went to HS with that were real quick, ran solid 40s & had good vertical leaps. An all this (in HS) was back in the late 1980s. An another example of athletic whites!Edited by: DixieDestroyer

highschoolcoach said:

white is right said:

whiteCB said:

Modern day "scouts take" for Lance Alworth: Alworth is a guy who won't turn any heads with his 40 time but has that sneaky speed to be a dependable #3 option. Although he doesn't have great intangibles Alworth has an uncanny knack for always getting open and is a student of the game.

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Productive player, a leader type could be a good third reciever type in a Wayne Chrebet mould.......

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These are so good i would even pay to read more.  Please do one for one or both of the following players: John Riggins and Hugh McIlhenny.  I've deliberately picked those 2 because i know that they were also state track & field champions, so any stereotyping concerning lack of speed is baloney. (Riggins 2-time state 100 yd. dash cahmp @ 9.6; McIlhenny Calif. state champ in high hurdles, low hurdles, and long jump)

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John Riggins is one of those guys who won't ever rush to daylight. He does however have a big frame and low powerful running style which will get him modest gains. He's best suited for a one back set or for teams using a 2 back set he can easily bulk to FB. Riggins is your classic overachieveing hard nosed bruising RB.

Even Tood McShay(that little sh*t from ESPN would be pround of that evaluation.

whiteCB said:

highschoolcoach said:

white is right said:

whiteCB said:

Modern day "scouts take" for Lance Alworth: Alworth is a guy who won't turn any heads with his 40 time but has that sneaky speed to be a dependable #3 option. Although he doesn't have great intangibles Alworth has an uncanny knack for always getting open and is a student of the game.

Click to expand...

Productive player, a leader type could be a good third reciever type in a Wayne Chrebet mould.......

Click to expand...

These are so good i would even pay to read more. Please do one for one or both of the following players: John Riggins and Hugh McIlhenny. I've deliberately picked those 2 because i know that they were also state track& field champions, so any stereotyping concerning lack of speed is baloney. (Riggins 2-time state 100 yd. dash cahmp @ 9.6; McIlhenny Calif. state champ in high hurdles, low hurdles, and long jump)

Click to expand...

John Riggins is one of those guys who won't ever rush to daylight. He does however have a big frame and low powerful running style which will get him modest gains. He's best suited for a one back set or for teams using a 2 back set he can easily bulk to FB. Riggins is your classic overachieveing hard nosed bruising RB.

Even Tood McShay(that little sh*t from ESPN would be pround of that evaluation.

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Thanks. I enjoy these immensely. They illustrate how formulaic and stereotypical the evaluations have become. How about one for McIlhenny or some other obviously fast white player.

highschoolcoach said:

whiteCB said:

highschoolcoach said:

white is right said:

whiteCB said:

Modern day "scouts take" for Lance Alworth: Alworth is a guy who won't turn any heads with his 40 time but has that sneaky speed to be a dependable #3 option. Although he doesn't have great intangibles Alworth has an uncanny knack for always getting open and is a student of the game.

Click to expand...

Productive player, a leader type could be a good third reciever type in a Wayne Chrebet mould.......

Click to expand...

These are so good i would even pay to read more.  Please do one for one or both of the following players: John Riggins and Hugh McIlhenny.  I've deliberately picked those 2 because i know that they were also state track & field champions, so any stereotyping concerning lack of speed is baloney. (Riggins 2-time state 100 yd. dash cahmp @ 9.6; McIlhenny Calif. state champ in high hurdles, low hurdles, and long jump)

Click to expand...

John Riggins is one of those guys who won't ever rush to daylight. He does however have a big frame and low powerful running style which will get him modest gains. He's best suited for a one back set or for teams using a 2 back set he can easily bulk to FB. Riggins is your classic overachieveing hard nosed bruising RB. Even Tood McShay(that little sh*t from ESPN would be pround of that evaluation.

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Thanks.  I enjoy these immensely.  They illustrate how formulaic and stereotypical the evaluations have become.  How about one for McIlhenny or some other obviously fast white player.

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Hugh McElhenny was the California State Champion in the high hurdles. Some are better in the sprints. At 6-1, 200 pounds, is too slim for heavy duty RB. Sometimes spectacular but streaky. Has attitude problem. Selfish, arrogant and self-centered. Probably would be better at WR. Could be No.3 reciever.

Nice things said about Oregon State safety Sabby Piscitelli.


http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=4725


Piscitelli is projected to be a late day one or early day two pick. Blessed with top end athleticism and prototypical size (6'3" 224) for the position he had a strong performance in combine testing with a 4.47 40-time, a 34 ½" vertical leap and 10-foot two-inch broad jump. He later topped his 40-time at his pro day as he was clocked on one scout's watch at 4.36.


"I think he put up the fastest shuttle time at the combine and at his pro day he ran in the high 4.3s," said Ellison. "He's a physical specimen. It's ridiculous what he can do."


(Note: Regarding typical stereotypical comments made about white athletes. It seems obvious to me that there are a number of sports writers whose knowledge of athletic ability only goes as far as "white=slow; black=fast", "white=can't jump; black=tremendous leaper", etc., etc. One just has to disregard them and look at performance.)