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Scout Hall Of Fame
Ourlads' Scouting Services wants to recognize and honor NFL Draft personnel scouts by entering them in the Scouts' Hall of Fame. Over their careers these men played the game, coached, and recruited. They were responsible for all the schools in their area. They evaluated, interviewed, tested, and cross-checked NFL prospects for the draft. They participated in draft meetings in the fall and in the spring. They were talent evaluators, not just information gatherers. They carried Kodak analyst projectors before tapes became popular. Their appearance and demeanor was a direct reflection on their team and they were professional in every way. These men knew it was a privilege to be invited on campus and respected that opportunity. All members had/have at least fifteen years in the league - most over twenty years. Their names were submitted by a committee to Ourlads' General Manager, Dan Shonka. Shonka scouted with several of the honorees. Additions and profiles will be ongoing.
Mark Hatley The National Football League lost a longtime employee and scout on July 27, 2004 when Mark Hatley died unexpectedly of a heart attack in his Green Bay home. Known by those whose life he touched as "Hat"- a moniker suited for his Texas upbringing-Hatley was a pivotal contributor to the Chiefs, Bears and Packers as a personnel man. As a college linebacker at Oklahoma State University, he led the Big 8 in interceptions his junior senior. After his playing days were over, Hatley joined the collegiate ranks as a coach before taking his first NFL job with the New Orleans Saints as the secondary coach in 1985 under O.A. "Bum" Phillips. "He was a through football man," recalled Phillips. "He was as good as a scout as I'd seen.I don't believe there was anyone better. He was not only a good judge of talent; he was a good judge of people." He joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 1987 as the linebackers coach before serving as a scout in '88-'91. He was then promoted to Director of Pro Personnel in 1991 and held that position until 1996 when he left the Chiefs to become the Vice President of Player Personnel for the Chicago Bears. He worked for the Bears until 2001 when he was hired by the Green Bay Packers as Vice President of Football Operations, a position he held until his untimely passing. Hatley is credited with the signings of Marcus Allen to the Chiefs and the drafting of back to back rookies of the year, Brian Urlacher and Anthony Thomas. He was also instrumental in the Packers selection of Javon Walker and Nick Barnett. Hatley is survived by wife Claudia and daughter Eliza. 
Carmen A. PicconeFootball coach, scout, 75 Carmen A. Piccone, 75, of Ambler, PA, a Temple quarterback who later became a football coach and scout, died of an aortic aneurysm at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, PA on July 10, 2005. Mr. Piccone was a star football player at South Philadelphia High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Temple University and was quarterback and co-captain of Temple's football team. When his former Temple coach, Al Kawal, became head football coach at Southern Illinois University, he hired Mr. Piccone as backfield coach, and in 1959 Mr. Piccone succeeded Kawal as head coach. While at Southern he earned a master's degree in health education. From 1964 to 1975, Mr. Piccone was head coach at Virginia Military Institute and then was an offensive coordinator at Cornell University and at Trenton State University before returning to Temple in 1977 as offensive coordinator. For 10 years, until 1993, he was a scout for the New Orleans Saints. He was an assistant in the player personnel department of the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999 to 2001. Mr. Piccone's wife and former high school sweetheart, Dorothy Procino Piccone, said that as a coach and mentor to young players, her husband stressed the importance of sportsmanship and character. He enjoyed fishing and boating at the Jersey Shore, she said. In addition to his wife of 53 years, Mr. Piccone is survived by sons Marc and Scott; two brothers; and six grandchildren. Remembrances in his name to St. Joseph's Church, 16 S. Spring Garden St., Ambler, PA 19002 or Lankenau Hospital Foundation, Att Development Office, 100 Lancaster Ave., Wynne-wood PA 19096 would be appreciated. Letter From The Editor When I started as a professional football scout with the National Football Scouting Combine in 1988, I was very fortunate that Carmen Piccone was a New Orleans Saints team scout in my area. Carm was responsible for the Midwest. He took me under his wing and told me what teams expect from Combine scouts. "You'll have a lifetime job if you get the verified height, weight, speed, and test score on a prospect", he proclaimed. Carm also coached former Viking, Ed Marinaro, at Cornell University among other coaching stops before he got into scouting. After his retirement, Carm helped out Ourlads as a scout at the Senior Bowl and other all-star games. Rest in peace Carmen. To all of our subscribers and friends of OURLADS, he's one of the best human beings you've never met. Dan Shonka  NFL DEPTH CHARTS / ROSTERS
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 LETTER FROM DAN SHONKA
PRO SCOUT CONFIDENTIAL
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Director of Ourlads, Dan Shonka's Letter to subscribers.