couchscout
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As many of you know, I'm an active football coach and have always been an aspiring scout. I record every game every season, watch them over and over an over during the offseason, then write up reports on each Cowboy player, the HC, the DC, and OC, and give them all grades. I've always known my ability as a talent evaluator was far superior to my motivational/teaching/coaching skills, so I've always known my chances of making the NFL level lied in scouting as opposed to coaching.
Another thing I do every off season is helping out a friend of mine that owns a local bar. They have concerts once a week and he needs stronger bartenders than he typically gets in this relatively small town. So I help him out and make a little cash on the side. A couple of months ago, I arrived at work early to do my weekly pour test (making sure we pour accurately) and there was this very large guy sitting at the main bar drinking and commenting on how people did on their test. He and I hit it off immediately, he made fun of my first attempt at the test, I was distracted and did pretty poorly, the next time I nailed it and he remarked on you could see the concentration in my eyes.
After all the testing was over, I walked by while waiting to be put on a bar, and he struck up a conversation. He started asking me about football, if I played, what positions, etc. After a few minutes of conversation I learned he is a former NFL player, playing 14 seasons for several AFC teams and a short stint with the Skins (which I promptly ridiculed him for). We started talking about different players and stuff, and before I knew it we were in a full blown NFL scouting conversation. I got put on a bar, so he gave me his card and told me to call him, he might have an opportunity for me.
After a few days I called him, and after a couple weeks of exchanging phone calls, and me emailing him some of my player evaluations, he offered to talk to his former team for me, and try to get me a job in pro scouting. A couple days later, I received a call from that team, and they offered me a very very very low position on the scouting totem pole. Essentially, I will be sent to each Cowboy's home game, and asked to watch 5 or 6 specific players who are thought to be cut or on the trade block soon, and send in a report on them. The pay is pathetic, it sucks because I don't get to actually watch the games, but it's a foot in the NFL door, something that is nearly impossible to get. The other huge benefit, I'll get a little heads up on Cowboys players on the trading block, and any heads up I get, my fellow Zoners get.
Another thing I do every off season is helping out a friend of mine that owns a local bar. They have concerts once a week and he needs stronger bartenders than he typically gets in this relatively small town. So I help him out and make a little cash on the side. A couple of months ago, I arrived at work early to do my weekly pour test (making sure we pour accurately) and there was this very large guy sitting at the main bar drinking and commenting on how people did on their test. He and I hit it off immediately, he made fun of my first attempt at the test, I was distracted and did pretty poorly, the next time I nailed it and he remarked on you could see the concentration in my eyes.
After all the testing was over, I walked by while waiting to be put on a bar, and he struck up a conversation. He started asking me about football, if I played, what positions, etc. After a few minutes of conversation I learned he is a former NFL player, playing 14 seasons for several AFC teams and a short stint with the Skins (which I promptly ridiculed him for). We started talking about different players and stuff, and before I knew it we were in a full blown NFL scouting conversation. I got put on a bar, so he gave me his card and told me to call him, he might have an opportunity for me.
After a few days I called him, and after a couple weeks of exchanging phone calls, and me emailing him some of my player evaluations, he offered to talk to his former team for me, and try to get me a job in pro scouting. A couple days later, I received a call from that team, and they offered me a very very very low position on the scouting totem pole. Essentially, I will be sent to each Cowboy's home game, and asked to watch 5 or 6 specific players who are thought to be cut or on the trade block soon, and send in a report on them. The pay is pathetic, it sucks because I don't get to actually watch the games, but it's a foot in the NFL door, something that is nearly impossible to get. The other huge benefit, I'll get a little heads up on Cowboys players on the trading block, and any heads up I get, my fellow Zoners get.
This may be a way in the back door for you buddy, to watch other players that team is interested in, and possibly open door for you to join the cowboys scouting department. I would say, whatever you can, get in touch with bryan broaddus, who was a former scout for cowboys, most likely he could give you some pointers, do's and don'ts;
