Other than the draft, The Gut Check enjoys the process of scouting fantasy rookie prospects more than most any aspect of the hobby. Yours Truly doesn't fancy himself on par with anyone that seriously scouts pro prospects, but he does feel he's learned a lot from reading what others have to say about a player and simple observation.

Identifying a good prospect is like recruiting the best candidate for a job:

• Actions speak louder than words.
  
  
• Superior raw talent can be molded into superior production, but the results are as dependent on the organization as the player.
  
  
• Experience is overrated.
  
  
• Ultimately, it's still a crapshoot.

Actions speak louder than words: This is the time of year when the hype machine for pro prospects goes into overdrive and players with glaring weaknesses get picked on the first day of the draft but experience failure in the NFL. College coaches and agents fuel this hype machine because both have much to gain from their player becoming a high pick. No matter how much hype the player is receiving, it's important to observe his performance. Sounds like common sense, but it's easy to get sucked in by a coach's comments—especially if these coaches are successful on the level of Bobby Bowden, Joe Paterno, or Pete Carroll.

Superior raw talent can be molded into superior production, but the results are as dependent on the organization as the player. In other words, the training is just as important as the talent. There are many award-winning companies that subscribe to the belief that they are just as likely to benefit more from hiring an employee with no experience in a position over candidates with several years of experience. This is because they believe you can teach skills (route running, reading defenses, etc.) but you can't teach talent (heart, work ethic, etc.). Would Brett Favre been nearly as great a quarterback under Jerry Glanville's coaching staff as he was under Mike Holmgren? Did Rueben Droughns get the necessary training to be an effective NFL runner with the Lions? The Gut Check doesn't think so.

Some teams do a great job of developing raw talent at a position. This is worth noting during a draft. Pittsburgh (Ward & Randle El), Oakland (Porter & Curry), and Tennessee (Mason, McCareins, and Bennett) have a good track record of developing receivers. The Seahawks are doing a nice job with converted linebacker Michael Boulware as a safety and the Bears did a pretty good job with a former safety at linebacker in Brian Urlacher.

Experience is overrated. Likewise, a successful college career isn't a stand-alone requirement for a great NFL career. J.J. Stokes, Kevin Dyson, and Tim Couch were high draft picks based on great college careers, but were mediocre NFL talents, at best. The Gut Check feels experience and raw talent must work in conjunction to create a successful NFL player. Every team has a different system and these schemes target players with skills and experience that best match their designs. This is why the Gut Check believes West Coast offenses wouldn't have drafted Randy Moss even if his off field issues were non-existent. Can you imagine the Raiders of the Jon Gruden era benefiting the most from Randy Moss?

Ultimately, it's still a crapshoot. There are too many intangibles with people. It's the intangibles that made Priest Holmes one of the best backs of all time although un-drafted. It's the lack of intangibles that doomed Ryan Leaf. And it's the intangibles that kept Drew Brees from packing it in when the Chargers wanted to make it Phillip Rivers' team. As The Gut Check just pointed out with Brees, intangibles aren't always revealed immediately. Not to compare Brees with these guys, but many of the all-time greats suffered early disappointments before putting it all together: Johnny Unitas, O.J. Simpson, and Steve Young weren't great players from the beginning.

As mentioned in his preseason series on preparing for the draft, Yours Truly starts the evaluation process with a running notebook of college players. Although the Senior Bowl and other postseason scouting games are useful in some respects, it's best to observe players in-season. Fortunately for those of you with a late start, the Bowl games are great opportunities to do a little fantasy scouting. These are regarded as some of the biggest games of the year for most teams and its useful to observe how a prospect performs in high-pressure situations.

For now, The Gut Check is going to provide some random notes on players that caught his eye during the college season. Some will be in the NFL draft this spring; others may spend another year or two on college campuses. Hopefully these notes will give you some ideas or at least a barometer for your opinions on certain NFL-hopefuls:

Anthony Davis, RB, Wisconsin: Small back—5'8", 205 lbs. (at best)—with a great offensive line in front of him. Against UCF Davis displayed excellent acceleration through the hole. He doesn't appear to have a lot of start and stop moves in the open field. Davis is beating the first man that has a shot at him, but the blocking is so good that his yardage gained is fairly deceiving. NFL Scouts say he needs to show better receiving skills. Today, Davis had a nice, 12-yard reception on a scoring drive. Plays smart. Is willing to aggressively engage an opposing defender as a pass blocker. Overall, the jury is still out—Davis needs to show how well he runs between the tackles against a team that is a better match for this good, Wisconsin offensive line.

Darcey Johnson, TE, Wisconsin: Don't know much about the guy, but he made a one-handed catch on a sideline slant, 30-yards down the field as a man was literally tackling him. He's reportedly the third-fastest player on the team.

Alex Haynes, RB, University of Central Florida: 5'10", 225 pounds. Haynes is demonstrating that he's a powerful runner with good body lean. Showing a lot of patience as a runner and displaying both vision and decisiveness in the hole. The announcers seem to have the opinion that Haynes has the talent to be an NFL-caliber back. This is a guy to research in the off-season—a possible sleeper.

David Underwood, RB, Michigan: Against Miami of Ohio, Underwood seemed slow for an RB. His greatest detriment appeared to be his tendency to avoid contact. This was his first start, but generally backs with his size don't shy away from dishing out punishment, or at least taking it when necessary. Underwood was not impressive at all.

Martin Nance, WR, Miami (OH): Does a good job finding the zones. Displays nice concentration and body control in his route running. Almost made a terrific, one-handed catch with Marlon Jackson covering him. Looks like he has the frame to add weight without losing speed. It would be surprising if Nance becomes a first-year wonder in the NFL, but he appears to have the tools to develop into a starter in the future.

Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan: Terrific power as a runner with the ball after he makes a catch. Edwards is a decisive, physical wide receiver with excellent body control when fighting for the ball. Although scouts compared Reggie Williams' skills to Terrell Owens, The Gut Check believes Williams isn't explosive enough an option. On the other hand, Edwards compares more favorably. This guy is the type of receiver that projects well as a primary threat in the NFL because he'll go deep but also make the intermediate catches across the middle. In the right system, Edwards could be an immediate starter in the NFL.

Ahmad Brooks, LB, Virginia: Hits hard, nice speed, and takes decent angles to the ball carrier. Good kick returner—odd combination (LB/KR)—wouldn't be surprised if he's converted to safety if he wants to be a pro.

Ryan Moats, RB LaTech: Wow…averaging 8.4 yards per carry in this game. Sure it's just UNLV, but he's showing a low center of gravity, nice burst through the line, excellent moves in the open field, and even a good stiff arm. His receiving skills need work—doesn't look smooth when he gets the opportunity to catch the ball. Excellent power for his size and announcer, and former Ohio State coach, John Cooper is very impressed with Moats and his frame of reference (Robert Smith, Eddie George, Raymont Harris, etc) is a good one for backs. LaTech was a passing powerhouse with Luke McCown last year (best passing team in the NCAAA) but now they appear to be a doing a complete 180 on offense due to Moats' skills. Moats is a very impressive player that continued to put up excellent stats against higher level of talent.

Joseph Adai, RB/WR LSU: Not sure if Adai is going to be a good fantasy starter in the NFL, but this guy is an excellent football player that will contribute to a pro team. He is carrying this LSU team against Florida tonight. Adai has balance, toughness, and plays big when the team needs a big play. Adai has "it" as a player—awareness and does whatever is needed to get the job done on the field. Has 10 carries for 96 yards with 4 receptions for 26 yards and a game-winning score. If scouts don't see this guy as a valuable prospect—although not necessarily an every down starter—it will be a surprise.

Channing Crowder, LB, Florida: Good hitter that tackles well. Generally takes nice angles and has the speed to rush the passer. Against LSU's mobile QBs, Crowder had two sacks. He also had 10 tackles—3 for a loss. Crowder should be a 1st or 2nd round prospect when he enters the draft. Didn't get to observe enough of Crowder in pass coverage, this will be important to research down the line.

Chris Leak, QB, Florida: Most impressive thing is his poise. Demonstrates toughness both physically and mentally and throws a very pretty ball. Good athlete that does a good job throwing from the pocket. This guy should evolve into a quality NFL starter and a high-round prospect within the next couple of years. Would be shocked if next year is not his coming out party.

Jason Webster, CB, LSU: This is a potential shut down corner. He is a very intelligent player that doesn't overly rely on his athletic ability. Does a nice job fighting for the ball in the end zone. Webster has made a lot of nice plays one on one with receivers in the end zone this year. Seems like a physical player—kind of like a Bobby Taylor with a potentially more savvy to his game. Sometimes he seems to be toying with his competition.

These are generally just one game entries. Yours Truly will collect various one-game observations—often multiple observations for the same player—and compile them into something more substantial. Eventually, he'll create ratings for these rookies heading into his dynasty drafts. Here's his 2004, top-50 rookie list he compiled for a draft in a league where he competes with Mike MacGregor. The players underlined were ones The Gut Check drafted. Yours Truly thought the notes in retrospect might be entertaining to share:

See you next season!