- Messages
- 7,424
- Reaction score
- 6,243
Most of what they judge on is how they react to each situation while on the field. Do they see the play developing, and react by doing their job, or do they watch the play. Often, you judge a player who isn't specifically in a play by how he acts after his original part in the play is done. As an example, the LT who ends up going down field after a play is run to the right, and tries to pick up another block, to help spring a runner if he cuts back. Standing and watching the play doesn't get that done. On defense, it's little judgements, like whether a guy maintains his outside position to turn a runner in, or forcing the play to string out to the sideline, and out of bounds, when he realizes there's nobody going to be in position to cut off the run if the RB cuts it up field. You need to "think," and that's what the coaches look for, because instinctive players end up making great players. What always separated Woodson from others was his knowledge of the game, and being able to instinctively know what every other player on the field was doing, and reacting in such a way to help make the defensive play, even if he wasn't the one going to make the tackle. About half of what I judged players on was how they played off the ball.