The best way to begin any evaluation of a potential NFL draft prospect starts from a negative viewpoint. Yes, the best way to scout is from a Debbie Downer mindset. Why? Because being a “prove it to me” scout forces the player to demonstrate his talents, without assuming he is great, then keeps your eyes open and helps remove biases. The negative view essentially forces the player to show his talents and prove your assumptions wrong through his play. When you begin in a positive frame, then you overlook the flaws, overlook the bad plays, and make excuses for the mishaps. It’s a natural human instinct to agree with the perceptions, instinctively, most people are not contrarians. Your mind loves being in a euphoric state, and no one wants to be a party pooper.
When I would watch Bryce Young of Alabama play during the fall, I was negative about his game translating into the NFL. I was political with my answer to the question: How good is Bryce? I would say, it was hard to not acknowledge he was a great college player, but his lack of size and frame made me highly skeptical of his talents on Sunday. I was doubtful, adding, I missed the memo on 5’10 quarterbacks being in vogue. The NFL has never had a player with his size dominate the game—or transform a franchise. Small players aren’t the norm—particularly small quarterbacks.
No one remembers Eddie LeBaron. Who? Yes, Eddie LeBaron, a 5’7 quarterback, was the smallest ever to make the Pro Bowl when he played for the team in Washington and then again for the newly started Dallas Cowboys. LeBaron was a fast runner, could handle the ball and was known to take off and run for first downs when running quarterbacks were not commonplace. His name shines brightly on the Commanders' Wall of Fame having gone to four pro bowls and winning rookie of the year in 1952. He was also a military hero earning the Bronze Star for his heroism when he served in the Korean War during his NFL career. LeBaron started 85 games over his 11-year career and only won 28 of them. Yes, he was fun to watch, but his skills never made the teams better. When Doug Flutie was playing at Boston College in the early 1980s, winning the Heisman, no one other than Mike Ditka of the Bears thought he could play with the big boys. Afte r a few below-average seasons, Flutie went to the CFL, made a difference came back to the NFL in 1998 winning comeback player of the year. He then had starting stints with the Chargers, even replacing Drew Brees in 2002.