The Place for Football Education
Perhaps the most polarizing figure in professional football is back in the news. Tim Tebow was released by the New York Jets after only a single season with “Gang Green” in the “Big Apple”. Tebow’s tenure over this short period of time has come to personify the dysfunction and turmoil used to describe the inner workings of the other tenants at MetLife Stadium. From the very beginning it was an acquisition that made very little … [Read more...]
I received this question via Twitter from an inquisitive fan; Henry S. – “Mr. Sundquist can you provide any insight on how trade discussions happen between two teams?” Simple I suppose. I was part of an NFL front office that was one of the most active in professional football for 16 years. Perhaps one of the most significant trades in Denver Bronco history emerged while I was General Manager. We sent former Offensive Rookie of the … [Read more...]
As the draft process begins to wind down and clubs start to zero in on their selections for 2013, scouts are already busy planning for the 2014 draft. In fact the overall process for this season started well in advance of this same time last year and the amount of club investment in time, work, and dollars for 7 young 21/22 year olds to add to their roster is at times unfathomable. Yet the annual NFL Draft is thought to be the life blood of … [Read more...]
Putting the finishing touches on a first round draft choice requires ensuring that all the boxes are checked off and the various angles examined. The Football Educator is not a fan of the mock draft process, but recently I was asked to present my Top 10 picks from a general manager's perspective. Along with Charley Casserly the two of us surmised who we would each select given the scenarios facing the club at the time. Evaluating a prospect's … [Read more...]
Here are 3 current stories covered by the NFL media that continue to bug the living #$%@& out of me. Just sayin'. NFL Head Coach Candidates I’m going to use a story I saw about San Francisco 49ers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman to illustrate a point. I’m not directly targeting Roman nor singling out his particular situation. The recent success of the 49ers has deservedly brought attention and the spotlight to both the … [Read more...]
How did we get here? The infatuation of the media and fan base with NFL player contract structure and negotiation? Seems every season during the free agency period there’s an intense debate about how much NFL players are paid and whether they’re worth it. The latest deliberation revolves around the extension of Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo and so called the $108 million commitment made by “America’s Team”. Perception isn't … [Read more...]
Most mock drafts focus on the first round, though there are some brave souls that attempt to go deeper. The dynamics of movement through trades and unforeseen selections really makes that an exercise in futility. To be honest, trying to predict how the initial selection of all 32 teams will go is next to impossible and yet many will continue to make the attempt regardless. This places the majority of focus from a media perspective on the … [Read more...]
I was never formally trained in the art of negotiation prior to becoming a general manager in the National Football League. There was really nothing in my professional background or experience that might lead you to believe that I would ever be successful in selling a roster opportunity in exchange for multi-millionaire dollar deal. Most might argue that this responsibility would be best left up to attorneys, wise in the ways of spinning … [Read more...]
How many scenarios are accounted for in NFL draft preparation to ensure a team is well prepared in the event that a highly rated player, one who has been targeted as the team's top prospect, is selected just before they are on the clock? The Football Educator thought this was a rather intriguing question and one that deserved a closer look as we continue to dissect the various aspects of draft preparation. If there's a positive One positive … [Read more...]
In the movie classic “Braveheart”, England’s King Edward “Longshanks” invades Scotland at the Battle of Falkirk against the Scottish army led by Sir William Wallace (Mel Gibson). Longshanks had secretly organized the invasion while sending his daughter-in-law to negotiate a truce. The English army initiates the attack pushing Irish conscripts to the front, only to have them turn and side with the Scots. Wallace counters and calls … [Read more...]
