How Important Is A Big Scouting Department These Days?

[BFritz21]

I still think that we need more scouts, but how important is a big scouting department these days?

Everything is online and you can find pretty much every game on every player that you want.

I still think that coaches are important because they know what they want, but we don't need a bunch of scouts to fly all over the country to find hidden gems and properly evaluate players because you can find out pretty much anything about anyone online now.

I think more scouts would be good to find players online, but how important is a big scouting department?

Coaches can spend time before the draft looking for the player that they want and that fits the team needs.

Ironic part is that we finally have a front office willing to spend money when we don't need to as much.

[SunsetBengal]

The right scouts absolutely mean more than just a "bunch of scouts" for sure. But it seems that the ones that the Bengals have just aren't getting the job done. I know that the draft is a crap shoot, but the number of failed picks in the past 10 years is something of note, particularly the mid round picks.

Either the people the Bengals have scouting are not looking at people that will fit what the Bengals want to do with them, or the coaches have all just been terrible. Since the coaching has turned over with the same results, I tend to look at the scouting and possibly the one putting the big board together.

[*ochocincos*]

(01-22-2025, 07:44 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: I still think that we need more scouts, but how important is a big scouting department these days?

Everything is online and you can find pretty much every game on every player that you want.

I still think that coaches are important because they know what they want, but we don't need a bunch of scouts to fly all over the country to find hidden gems and properly evaluate players because you can find out pretty much anything about anyone online now.

I think more scouts would be good to find players online, but how important is a big scouting department?

Coaches can spend time before the draft looking for the player that they want and that fits the team needs.

Ironic part is that we finally have a front office willing to spend money when we don't need to as much.

The *WAY* scouting is done now vs 20+ years ago is changed, for sure.

You may not need to physically go to the games (as much) now with all these games getting recorded, having the All-22 views, Ultra 4K, multiple camera angles, etc.

What you do need is *TIME* to review these games, and the more bodies you have, the better.

It's unrealistic to think an OC/DC/Zac can spend hours upon hours watching game film assessing these prospects in addition to their actual other responsibilities.
An expanded scouting department can help take (some of) these responsibilities off of the coaches and get more eyes and opinions on prospects to potentially bring in.
With that said, you need resources you can trust with a proven pedigree. Proven pedigree as in either proven success identifying/selecting good talent, or at least put less experienced individuals through some type of interview to understand what things they would look for and understand how they assess if given the opportunity.

[Essex Johnson]

Well it has not been helping the Browns and Patriots, which have one of the larger departments

[HarleyDog]

You don't even need a scouting department. Just go to http://www.thebengalsboard.com and we'll tell coaches who to draft. It's that simple. And, not only that. ITS FREE!

Hear that Mike Brown? "ITS FREE!"

But wait,.... "THERES MORE!" 

Accuracy is GAURANTEED! We are so confident we can get you the right pick every time, that if we don't? We will bust our TV's, burn our jerseys, Scream we are done forever (which our scouts are easily replaced) and even shave our heads if needed. 

But wait.... "THERE'S EVEN MORE! Dumping your scouts and trusting in us will not only get you a Lombardi, but we will pool funds together and purchase a 1979 Pontiac station wagon with wooden panel sides. We know how to do it, so let's get it done.

Now lets everyone go to Denny's.

[SunsetBengal]

(01-22-2025, 09:36 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: You don't even need a scouting department. Just go to http://www.thebengalsboard.com and we'll tell coaches who to draft. It's that simple. And, not only that. ITS FREE!

Hear that Mike Brown? "ITS FREE!"

But wait,.... "THERES MORE!" 

Accuracy is GAURANTEED! We are so confident we can get you the right pick every time, that if we don't? We will bust our TV's, burn our jerseys, Scream we are done forever (which our scouts are easily replaced) and even shave our heads if needed. 

But wait.... "THERE'S EVEN MORE! Dumping your scouts and trusting in us will not only get you a Lombardi, but we will pool funds together and purchase a 1979 Pontiac station wagon with wooden panel sides. We know how to do it, so let's get it done.

Now lets everyone go to Denny's.

Wait, you mean the subscription to Mel Kiper's insider isn't working anymore?? 

[*Synric*]

(01-22-2025, 09:13 PM)ochocincos Wrote: The *WAY* scouting is done now vs 20+ years ago is changed, for sure.

You may not need to physically go to the games (as much) now with all these games getting recorded, having the All-22 views, Ultra 4K, multiple camera angles, etc.

What you do need is *TIME* to review these games, and the more bodies you have, the better.

It's unrealistic to think an OC/DC/Zac can spend hours upon hours watching game film assessing these prospects in addition to their actual other responsibilities.
An expanded scouting department can help take (some of) these responsibilities off of the coaches and get more eyes and opinions on prospects to potentially bring in.
With that said, you need resources you can trust with a proven pedigree. Proven pedigree as in either proven success identifying/selecting good talent, or at least put less experienced individuals through some type of interview to understand what things they would look for and understand how they assess if given the opportunity.

Something can be said about watching players live.

[Luvnit2]

Obviously having more eyes should not hurt. I have never done an analysis, but if it was the only factor in drafting and free agent signings, it would be easy to rank.

Teams with most wins since 2020 below. Bengals are tied for 14th. If size of scouting department was the standard for wins do Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, Packers, Eagles have the 5 largest scouting departments? Do Bengals have 14th biggest? We know they do not.

https://champsorchumps.us/records/most-nfl-wins-since-2020

1 Kansas City Chiefs 66-18 78.6% 5 12 2
2 Buffalo Bills 61-22 73.5% 5 7 0
3 Baltimore Ravens 54-30 64.3% 4 3 0
Green Bay Packers 54-30 64.3% 4 2 0
5 Philadelphia Eagles 52-31-1 62.5% 4 4 0
6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 51-33 60.7% 5 6 1
7 Pittsburgh Steelers 50-33-1 60.1% 4 0 0
8 Dallas Cowboys 49-35 58.3% 3 1 0
Minnesota Vikings 49-35 58.3% 2 0 0
10 Los Angeles Rams 47-37 56.0% 4 6 1

[Luvnit2]

(01-22-2025, 09:36 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: You don't even need a scouting department. Just go to http://www.thebengalsboard.com and we'll tell coaches who to draft. It's that simple. And, not only that. ITS FREE!

Hear that Mike Brown? "ITS FREE!"

But wait,.... "THERES MORE!" 

Accuracy is GAURANTEED! We are so confident we can get you the right pick every time, that if we don't? We will bust our TV's, burn our jerseys, Scream we are done forever (which our scouts are easily replaced) and even shave our heads if needed. 

But wait.... "THERE'S EVEN MORE! Dumping your scouts and trusting in us will not only get you a Lombardi, but we will pool funds together and purchase a 1979 Pontiac station wagon with wooden panel sides. We know how to do it, so let's get it done.

Now lets everyone go to Denny's.

[HarleyDog]

(01-22-2025, 10:09 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote:

[Bengal Dude]

I've always found it interesting that the Bengals have one of the smallest scouting departments, but they tend to have one of the largest draft boards. There have been teams that basically start drafting off their UDFA list starting in the 6th round, I've even read about one year where a team started in the 5th. 

The Bengals still find "steals" in the 7th round according to their draft board.

[TecmoBengals]

KC Chiefs: Aiming for their 4th Super Bowl win in recent seasons (https://www.chiefs.com/team/front-office-roster/).

Mike Bradway Senior Director of Player Personnel
Willie Davis Senior Personnel Executive
Tim Terry Director of Player Personnel / Pro Scouting
Ryne Nutt Director of Player Personnel / College Scouting
Pat Sperduto Co-Director of College Scouting
David Hinson Co-Director of College Scouting
Jack Wolov Assistant Director of Football Administration
Ellie Perrigo Player Personnel Assistant
Kunal Tanna Pro Scout/Assistant to the GM
Madison Aponte Player Personnel Coordinator
Anthony McGee Pro Scout
Jalen Myrick College and Pro Scout
Terry Delp Senior College Scouting Executive
Ryan Herman Senior Football Strategy and Compliance Advisor
Greg Castillo West Regional Scout
Jason Lamb Southwest Regional Scout
Jonathan Howard National Scout
Cassidy Kaminski Northeast Area Scout
Will Christopherson Mid-Atlantic Area Scout

Cin Bengals: We all know the story (https://www.bengals.com/team/front-office-roster/)

There is Duke, the dude interviewing for the Jets GM position, and 4 individuals with the word "Scout" in their title.

Yes, this post is anecdotal but it's a good starting point for suggesting "a big scouting department" is important.

[Whatever]

(01-23-2025, 12:25 PM)TecmoBengals Wrote: KC Chiefs: Aiming for their 4th Super Bowl win in recent seasons (https://www.chiefs.com/team/front-office-roster/).

Mike Bradway Senior Director of Player Personnel
Willie Davis Senior Personnel Executive
Tim Terry Director of Player Personnel / Pro Scouting
Ryne Nutt Director of Player Personnel / College Scouting
Pat Sperduto Co-Director of College Scouting
David Hinson Co-Director of College Scouting
Jack Wolov Assistant Director of Football Administration
Ellie Perrigo  Player Personnel Assistant
Kunal Tanna Pro Scout/Assistant to the GM
Madison Aponte Player Personnel Coordinator
Anthony McGee Pro Scout
Jalen Myrick College and Pro Scout
Terry Delp Senior College Scouting Executive
Ryan Herman  Senior Football Strategy and Compliance Advisor
Greg Castillo West Regional Scout
Jason Lamb Southwest Regional Scout
Jonathan Howard National Scout
Cassidy Kaminski Northeast Area Scout
Will Christopherson Mid-Atlantic Area Scout

Cin Bengals: We all know the story (https://www.bengals.com/team/front-office-roster/)

There is Duke, the dude interviewing for the Jets GM position, and 4 individuals with the word "Scout" in their title.

Yes, this post is anecdotal but it's a good starting point for suggesting "a big scouting department" is important.

Honestly, KC's drafting isn't THAT great....

For example, this year they spent a 1st on WR Xavier Worthy, who's disappointed despite injuries at the position.  Things were so bad they had to trade for D-Hop at the deadline.  They hit on Rice in the 2nd last year, but after spending a 2nd in '22 on Skyy Moore, who's been a bust.

Even worse is their T situation.  They're playing Thuney at LT after benching Wanya Morris, a '23 3rd round pick and taking Kingsley Suamataia in the 2nd this year, not mention the complete bust that was Lucas Niang in '20.  

Honestly, their draft history isn't much different than ours.  A couple of monster classes and a number of drafts that yielded little.