Originally posted by 49erphan:
Originally posted by pd24:
Originally posted by 49erphan:
Originally posted by Jcool:
"In their scouting evaluations, the 49ers will create a separate competitiveness/toughness grade, to try and find players who love football the most."
http://www.knbr.com/2017/02/08/john-lynch-details-what-he-and-kyle-shanahans-first-big-project-will-be/
New 49ers GM John Lynch said the team will create an extra "competitiveness and toughness grade" in the hopes of finding prospects "who love football the most."
It is not a revolutionary concept, as it screams "coach speak" and is somewhat expected from a former player. We will never know how much this impacts the team's final decision, but you can surmise that the club will not draft players with questions around their passion for the game. The full interview is interesting, as Lynch adds the team's quarterback search could continue into 2018.
Source: KNBR
Grading "competitiveness and toughness" is going to be a very subjective process. There are only limited ways to quantity such characteristics with much of any degree of objectivity. Never-the-less, I think it is important to try and Lynch might be a guy who can make those kinds of subjective assessments with some "accuracy". I wish Baalke had had such a "competitiveness and toughness" grading system because then there's a good chance he would have (should have) NOT drafted A.J. Jenkins in the first round in 2012. A.J. Jenkins in like the poster boy for why a grading system on "competitiveness and toughness" is an important thing to try to do.
He said a lot will go into that grade, like speaking to the player and see if they can detect BS. Speaking to strength coaches, position coaches, and people that can't do anything for the player or gain anything from the player.
Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that Lynch was just going to look in a crystal ball and see how much "competitiveness and toughness" a player has. It is an intrinsically mostly subjective process but by looking at many factors and comparing notes with other knowledgeable and savvy people that you trust to have good judgement about those qualities does temper the subjectivity element. I'm glad he is doing it.
I can dig it. There are tons of athletic freaks that have no passion for the game, only chase the money. The difference between good players and great players is that passion for the game. You think guys like Brady and Montana are all time greats because of their physical tools? Their legendary work ethic has everything to do with their legacy.
