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The Football Diner Big Interview:
Nolan Nawrocki
interviewed by Mark Bielby
23/9/2007
 When I started thinking who would be a great first interview for Draftniks Corner, I thought why not start with the authority on pro football, Pro Football Weekly.
As probably the most respected American Football publication on the market, it provides a weekly paper during the season and monthly in the off season.
The copy I have to hand begins with Hub Arkush’s editorial column and ‘The way we hear it,’ the latest news from all thirty two NFL teams. Feature articles include news from training camp, new NFL coaches and the league’s new player conduct policy. Coverage from the CFL, Arena League and fantasy league are also covered.
Frankly, it’s the absolute last word in football coverage.
Of course the draft is never too far away, and overseeing the entire scouting process for Pro Football Weekly is Nolan Nawrocki. He became PFW’s head draft honcho a few years ago succeeding the late, great Joel Buschbaum. As well as writing articles for the paper, Nolan writes two draft books -Pro Prospects Preview (normally out in September, an early look at the top prospects for the upcoming draft) and the Draft Preview (normally out in March/April).
Here’s what he had to say to Football Diner….
Can you tell us how you got started with PFW?
Nawrocki: I got started at Pro Football Weekly as a volunteer after having walked on to the football team at the University of Illinois and having earned a graduate degree in journalism during my five years in Champaign. The more I learned about PFW, the more I knew it was a perfect fit for me, and I offered my services per gratis following a short-lived, foolish attempt to follow my ambitions of playing professional football. I quickly learned the NFL was not seeking short, slow, eleventh-string linebackers.
Upon arriving at PFW, my eyes were opened to the art of talent evaluation by PFW’s legendary late superscout Joel Buchsbaum. For nearly two years prior to Joel’s passing, I was basically a grunt, often assisting Joel any way I could and joining forces with him on some assignments. Two weeks before he passed, he called late one night to tell me I needed to start doing more features on my own. When he unexpectedly left us too early late one Sunday night while we were going to press, and it just happened to be the editor-in-chief’s birthday what a birthday present a feeling of panic overtook the news room.
However, Joel’s work needed to be continued and with very little time before deadlines were approaching on PFW’s annual draft publications, my primary responsibility immediately became to continue Joel’s work and attempt the unthinkable task of carrying out his legacy.
What did it feel like when you were offered the job?
Nawrocki: It was very intimidating at first, working non-stop to learn the intricacies of the scouting profession. It was a baptism by fire, without question. No one could have been ready to handle the crazy hours that Joel worked or possess his unique perspective from a lifetime of evaluating NFL talent. He was a machine. Five days prior to his passing, I had just learned that my wife and I would be welcoming our first child in nine months. Two sons, one beautiful daughter and 10 books later, my schedule has not slowed down. If anything, it only continues to grow more hectic as we introduced a new draft magazine in 2006 that has quickly become a fan favorite with the glossy, more graphic and featured look it provides of the draft. A good night’s sleep is five hours. Twelve-to-15 hour days are the norm, with 15- to 18-hour days common in months prior to book deadlines, including many long stretches months on end without a single day off. Close friends advise that I’m a strong burnout candidate, but when you enjoy the work and have a passion for it, it is not as bad as it might sound to the average person judging from afar.
How many people are involved in the draft publications?
Nawrocki: PFW’s 12-man editorial staff, which includes myself, all are involved in one way or the other, as well as our very talented two-man art department featuring all-everything art director Bob Peters. The staff does a terrific job researching, editing and laying out the design of the publications. I am responsible for the evaluations of all pro prospects.
How much film study is involved?
Nolan Nawrocki
playing at Illinois |
Nawrocki: A great deal that is difficult to even quantify by the time prospects reach their final seasons. Because I begin taking notes on prospects from the time they enter college, we often have a three- or four-year perspective on collegiate talent, as opposed to the senior perspective that NFL scouts generally see. We rely heavily on coaches’ tape, but also watch TV copy, highlight/profile tape, all-star game tape, combine tape and anything we can get our hands on to better assess a player’s ability. Bookcases of tape in Beta, VHS and DVD formats line my office walls. And that does not take into consideration all of the film study performed by many close confidants around the league who are grinding most of the year and offering input into our evaluation process.
Do you guys go on the road?
Nawrocki: Yes. As much as we could given our scouting staff and budget and we’re always seeking to get out more, time permitting. Seeing prospects live in person, observing their body types and watching them interact with teammates in their own environment is key to the evaluation process, as is talking to coaches, trainers, secretaries and anyone on or off campus who possesses intimate details about prospects. Where we cannot go and see all players first hand, we rely on the observations of NFL scouts to be our eyes and ears and trust their evaluations. We may not be seeing the world through a windshield year-round like so many NFL pro prospect evaluators, but we try to be every bit as thorough by approaching our publications as an NFL GM would, and regularly maintaining contact with the NFL’s best evaluators making the rounds in every region of the country.
What are the most difficult/pleasing parts about your job?
Nawrocki: Time is the biggest challenge. I wish I had another 24 hours in the day. Time goes by too fast trying to get everything done, and finding a healthy balance is next to impossible. The relationships with NFL personnel are the most gratifying. Evaluators as a group are some of the most unique and entertaining people in the country, and most are very passionate about their jobs.
How long has PFW been in business?
Nawrocki: This season marked our 40th anniversary.
(Check out the special tribute section that PFW ran in its kickoff issue here)
Does PFW cater to the UK?
Nawrocki: Absolutely, PFW began offering a cost-efficient, immediately accessible PFW Online product in 2003, and it has become very popular with American Football fans overseas. Included in the subscription is access to every one of PFW’s online issues since the product began being offered five years ago. We also offer overseas delivery options!
(To explore PFW’s products and check out the authority , you can visit PFW’s online store.)
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