Dallas Cowboys select DE (OLB) Erik Walden at #167
by Dave Halprin (Grizz)
on Apr 27, 2008 2:18 PM CDT
in News
With the 167th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft the Dallas Cowboys select….Middle Tennessee State DE (OLB) Erik Walden.
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I guess you can never have enough pass rushers
But that was frustrating with Hillis still there.
by Brandon W on Apr 27, 2008 2:20 PM CDT 0 recs
Rubin still was there too-- I think
Oh well, some line depth is cool
That #38 sure can hit!
by Bigrigga31 on Apr 27, 2008 2:21 PM CDT 0 recs
Rubin was the one
that I was looking to get. I guess there’s always room for the 59th ranked DE on the team. Maybe he’s our next FB??
by kameleon_o on
Apr 27, 2008 3:02 PM CDT
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He is stacked
in that youtube video, 25 bench reps..
Don’t count this guy out yet…
And the secret sources in Cincinnati get the last laugh....
by miles on Apr 27, 2008 2:22 PM CDT 0 recs
Glad to see
someone else on here watched and counted every one of those as well ;- )
by tasan on
Apr 27, 2008 2:23 PM CDT
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Fullback is always something you can get in rookie FA, just have to do your homework
by tasan on Apr 27, 2008 2:23 PM CDT 0 recs
I like Jerry Jones's commentt
that with the rookie free agents you can list who you want and get them all!
Aldridge said. "We feel like we can beat any team. We feel like we can beat the Spurs, Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, whoever any night right now, and we'll still be here when those teams get old and their guys retire. We're going to be here for a long time."
by lee3022 on
Apr 27, 2008 3:00 PM CDT
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Someone
needs to ping Mickey Spags with the youtube video link
by tasan on Apr 27, 2008 2:24 PM CDT 0 recs
I wonder
when Mike Hart will be picked…
He’s not bad.
And the secret sources in Cincinnati get the last laugh....
by miles on Apr 27, 2008 2:26 PM CDT 0 recs
wow!
Texans just took D barber
Its my Money, And I want it NOW!
by thebigham on Apr 27, 2008 2:27 PM CDT 0 recs
He's going to get playing time in Houston
They have depth problems in the secondary.
by tasan on
Apr 27, 2008 2:28 PM CDT
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Here is one scouting report I found
Strengths
Good motor with a quick first step. Good pass rush with speed and bull rush. Will chase plays down and doesn’t give up. Good at getting hands up for pass deflections.
Weaknesses
Must move to OLB. Too small for DE. Therefore he’ll have to adjust to playing standing up and pass dropping. Seems to have the body and athleticism to make this transition, but it is difficult to do for some DEs.
by Dave Halprin (Grizz) on Apr 27, 2008 2:27 PM CDT 0 recs
More from an article about his pro day
Walden, MTSU’s all-time sack leader, also showed a good combination of strength and speed. His 25 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press was second only to Dunbar’s 27 among MTSU’s prospects.Walden, who is being evaluated as a possible linebacker at the NFL level, measured 6-2, 242 pounds and ran 4.67 seconds in the 40-yard dash. His vertical jump and shuttle run were second-best in Thursday’s workout.
by Dave Halprin (Grizz) on Apr 27, 2008 2:30 PM CDT 0 recs
Thats good
news, there the best drafters in the NFL.
And the secret sources in Cincinnati get the last laugh....
by miles on
Apr 27, 2008 2:35 PM CDT
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The Chargers
might have something to say about that. Or the Colts.
by GhettoBear04 on
Apr 27, 2008 4:31 PM CDT
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lol
Walden is a beast. I like him now. Awesome convo with Norm and co…
just got ownaged
by Longhorn on Apr 27, 2008 2:38 PM CDT 0 recs
Pats wanted Walden only if he became a FA
but were not going to draft him. Just heard his interview on the Cowboys Network
by Boyzfan94 on Apr 27, 2008 2:38 PM CDT 0 recs
Is this right we have
2 #3’s 3 #4s and 1 #6 next year??
by Boyzfan94 on Apr 27, 2008 2:40 PM CDT 0 recs
this info
is what i am looking for…
W: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."
by hubcityraider on
Apr 27, 2008 2:44 PM CDT
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Bah. Disagree with second day.
What are you doing Jerry? What was the point of all the trading? I understand that we also picked up picks for next year too, but c’mon. I defended the Bennet pick because I assumed the other need areas would be addressed also.
Let’s assume for a minute that the Cowboys are fine with their WR depth (nevermind that last year should have been the year for Austin and Hurd to step up). They still had needs at backup Safety, NT, and ILB.
They still could have made the deal with Cleveland (getting next year’s 3rd) and got the following:
(100-Pick from Miami traded to Oakland) NT-Dre Moore or S-Tyvone Branch
(143-From Chicago through Buffalo, JAX) ILB-Jonathan Goff
(167-From Miami) S-Josh Barret or DT-Athyba Rubin
Unless they play on moving one of their many corners to backup safety, I don’t get how they went about today. You already have 4.5 OLB’s (Ware, Ellis, Spencer, Rogers, Carpenter). You have 3.5 ILB’s. So you draft…another OLB? That was projected as an UFA? You have 6 CB’s, 4 capable of starting by the end of the year (Newman, Henry, Pacman, Jenkins, Oglesby, Ball), and you draft ANOTHER CB? And completely ignore Safety?
I understand BPA. I’ve always been a proponent of BPA at positions of need. Identify 4-6 positions you need to fill, and make sure you are drafting to that. They filled CB, RB, and TE depth. They missed on NT, S, and ILB Depth. Thank goodness we are good enough to only need depth now…
by GhettoBear04 on Apr 27, 2008 2:46 PM CDT 0 recs
The 2 glaring needs of this team were addressed
CB and RB. I don’t think we could’ve asked for anything better than that. There is no guarantee that MB3 or Newman will be resigned, so this draft gave us some insurance because I don’t think Newman will be around this time next year. I do think with the Felix Jones pick Jerry thinks MB3 will be here. I also think by not drafting a safety he thinks Hamlin can be resigned.
by Boyzfan94 on
Apr 27, 2008 2:58 PM CDT
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I think special teams is addressed also
These later picks have got to be better on SST than they guys already there.
Aldridge said. "We feel like we can beat any team. We feel like we can beat the Spurs, Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, whoever any night right now, and we'll still be here when those teams get old and their guys retire. We're going to be here for a long time."
by lee3022 on
Apr 27, 2008 3:02 PM CDT
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I agree with you
But I said I disagreed with the second day. Why take a 7th CB? Or a 5th/6th OLB?
Sigh…in the end, it probably doesn’t matter. The last two picks will be competing to make the roster/practice squad anyways. I just wished they were competing with the 3rd and 4th players at that position instead of 6th and 7th.
by GhettoBear04 on
Apr 27, 2008 3:04 PM CDT
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Maybe they know more about the players than you do?
Just having bodies at a position doesn’t make the position any good. Exhibit A – Nate Jones trying to cover Welker out of the slot in last year’s arse whooping????
The facination this board has with a NT is beyond me. None of the potential NTs taken would have made it out of training camp. None of them would have been able to break the rotation of Tank and Ratliff. And it is foolish to think that you move Ratliff to DE just because you pick an Okam or a Bryant. I think that Ratliff would be a good DE too, but I think Spears makes a better DE than Bryant makes a back up NT.
I bet you didn’t like the Nick Folk pick last year – that seems like it worked out, huh?
Bum's Boy Boyz
by JerrodWheeler on
Apr 27, 2008 3:33 PM CDT
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You're argument works against you.
“Just having bodies at a position doesn’t make the position any good.”
That’s the whole point, we’re trying to get more than just warm bodies at the backup spots. More specifically, we’re trying to get players who can develop into replacements for starters or start in case of injury. Also, I think that Pat Sims or Dre Moore could play 5-10 snaps for you a game in the first half of the season. More importantly, after this year, when we most likely will lose Spears and Tank Johnson, wouldn’t it be nice to have someone ready to plug in?
I do not dout that the Cowboys scouts know more than I do about these players. Or that any scouts from any organization. However, certain teams seem to be able to more value out of their 5-7 picks than we do. Until the Cowboys get there, I will always be in favor of keeping higher picks than accumulating more 5th, 6th, and 7th round picks.
by GhettoBear04 on
Apr 27, 2008 4:37 PM CDT
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We've Done Pretty Good
In the later rounds, actually. Crayton, Ratliff, McQuistan, and Deon Anderson spring immediately to mind. Nick Folk went to the Pro Bowl last year. Reeves and Nate Jones weren’t superstars, but how many seventh round corners not only stick around but contribute for four years?
I’d say we’ve done much better than most teams.
by kindablue on
Apr 27, 2008 5:02 PM CDT
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You know what?
You’re right. I was wrong. My argument was that it was during the Parcells years that we picked those players, but it’s the same basic people there now, right? I will trust that the Cowboys know what they’re doing and stop expecting late round picks to be starters. Realistically, if more than half of your 5-7 round guys are on the team 2-3 years later, you’ve done a good job.
I would rather be wrong, and the Cowboys scouting department be right…and let’s be honest, that’s the most likely scenario.
by GhettoBear04 on
Apr 27, 2008 5:17 PM CDT
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More on Walden
BIOGRAPHY: Moved into the starting lineup as a freshman and has played both defensive end spots as well as outside linebacker the past four years. Senior-year totals included 46/8.5/2 with one interception. Posted career-high numbers of 48/14.5/11.5 as a junior when he was an All-Conference selection.POSITIVES: Aggressive defender who makes plays all over the field. Gets depth on drops, displays good range, and stays with assignments. Forceful up the field, plays with good leverage, and chases hard to make plays. Displays a good degree of quickness in his game as well as a closing burst of speed.
NEGATIVES: Marginally strong at the point and struggles against blocks. Limited skills making plays in reverse.
ANALYSIS: Walden possesses the size and speed to play at the next level. His ability to penetrate the line of scrimmage will get him consideration as a pass-rushing linebacker in a 3-4 system.
PROJECTION: Undrafted Free Agent
by Dave Halprin (Grizz) on Apr 27, 2008 2:46 PM CDT 0 recs
I like going after small school projects
This guy seems to fit the bill perfectly. He’s a “tweener” in that he’s not quite and DE and nobody knows whether he can be a good 3-4 OLB. This guy is the definition of a project. If he’s gone by the end of the summer I would not be shocked; if he’s contributing this year I would not be shocked.
Our scouts clearly had him high on their charts. Time will tell.
Tar Heels football will surprise this year
by DalaiLuke on Apr 27, 2008 2:46 PM CDT 0 recs
Josh Barrett?
What happened to Barrett? He totally dropped off the charts…a few weeks ago, he was rated as the #3 safety by some.
"The Most Dangerous Man in the world is the one with nothing to lose"
by SaratogaRacing on Apr 27, 2008 2:47 PM CDT 0 recs
Washington selects Colt Brennen,,,
Hahaha, what suckers.
And the secret sources in Cincinnati get the last laugh....
by miles on Apr 27, 2008 2:57 PM CDT 0 recs
I was checking out another blog and they mentioned that maybe
we’re looking to convert him to a FB, a la Hoyte. Not sure how I feel about that. Why not just take a FB (Hillis) if that is their plan? I guess time will tell.
by DC_fan on Apr 27, 2008 2:59 PM CDT 0 recs
two #3's 2 #'4's and 2 #6's I think
I thought I saw somewhere we have 3 #4’s??
by Boyzfan94 on
Apr 27, 2008 3:12 PM CDT
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How did we get the extra 09 3rd?
I’m late on catching up on today’s events or was that (3rd) not acquired today?
by ajspop on
Apr 27, 2008 3:15 PM CDT
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+1
W: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."
by hubcityraider on
Apr 27, 2008 3:16 PM CDT
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Traded
our 4th rounder to Cleveland
And the secret sources in Cincinnati get the last laugh....
by miles on
Apr 27, 2008 3:19 PM CDT
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We'll be getting compensatory picks too for the FAs we lost this offseason
So we’ll have plenty of minor chips to move wherever we want within 5 picks or so next year.
by grapejoos on
Apr 27, 2008 3:30 PM CDT
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I don't believe we can trade compensatory picks
but we still have plenty of ammunition!
Aldridge said. "We feel like we can beat any team. We feel like we can beat the Spurs, Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, whoever any night right now, and we'll still be here when those teams get old and their guys retire. We're going to be here for a long time."
by lee3022 on
Apr 27, 2008 3:39 PM CDT
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Ah ok, good point1
Wasn’t aware of that, but at least we can trade the others and keep our compensatory picks.
by grapejoos on
Apr 27, 2008 3:42 PM CDT
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With no drafted FB Jerry can get
the pick of the free agent FBs.
Aldridge said. "We feel like we can beat any team. We feel like we can beat the Spurs, Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, whoever any night right now, and we'll still be here when those teams get old and their guys retire. We're going to be here for a long time."
by lee3022 on Apr 27, 2008 3:04 PM CDT 0 recs
Jerry just said this wasn't the year to be reaching
for WR’s and I agree.
by Boyzfan94 on Apr 27, 2008 3:07 PM CDT 0 recs
Here's another overview on Walden
http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/erik-walden?id=4489
Note what they say about him at the top. That he fits Miami’s 3-4 scheme as a rush LB. Did they think Miami took him??
by kameleon_o on Apr 27, 2008 3:09 PM CDT 0 recs
I don't remember another year
without drafting a d-lineman or an o-lineman
Aldridge said. "We feel like we can beat any team. We feel like we can beat the Spurs, Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, whoever any night right now, and we'll still be here when those teams get old and their guys retire. We're going to be here for a long time."
by lee3022 on Apr 27, 2008 3:10 PM CDT 0 recs
What I was thinking
Those measurable look like a replacement for Burnett.
by Leon on
Apr 27, 2008 3:13 PM CDT
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Yeah I think we like Justin Rogers
and Spencer and Ellis will dominate the strong side. He might be an ILB convert considering all the flux we may have at that position soon.
by quincyyyyy on
Apr 27, 2008 3:17 PM CDT
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Still No Explanation on
Scandrick’s “major character concerns” voiced by NFL.com. I’ve been googling him for some time, but other than the occasional reference that he has character issues, there’s no information.
Strange, the character stuff is normally pretty easy to find, especially if they’re as “major” as NFL.com says.
by kindablue on Apr 27, 2008 3:30 PM CDT 0 recs
Please get over your FB fixation. Not gonna happen. The ‘boys love Anderson, and if hes as capable as he showed last year then you dont need a training camp FB. That is a luxury/ wasted pick.
Plus, Im sorry but all of you whinning for a saftey pick…..do you really believe anyone drafted in anything other than the first 2 rounds is beneficial? Get real. Hamlin is your long term saftey, the contract will get done, and IF.;..IF…IF… Roy doesnt pick up his game then next year the ‘Boys will look at safety, but #38 has one more year to prove his paycheck. Besides, noone drafted now will be more of a sure thing than Brown or Watkins who are on the roster as we speak.
Think before you post.
Classic overreaction.. but it comes with the terrotory
by Phooey on Apr 27, 2008 3:33 PM CDT 0 recs
Jerry said they had an eye on a couple of safeties
but really only for special team considerations, not as starters. FB was never going to happen. They love Anderson and if we really need another FB we can sign a FA.
by Boyzfan94 on
Apr 27, 2008 3:46 PM CDT
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As much as Choice likes contact
he has the size and only needs to add upper body strength to be a good lead blocker as well.
Aldridge said. "We feel like we can beat any team. We feel like we can beat the Spurs, Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, whoever any night right now, and we'll still be here when those teams get old and their guys retire. We're going to be here for a long time."
by lee3022 on Apr 27, 2008 3:41 PM CDT 0 recs
I really like how much faster we got
from this draft.
Aldridge said. "We feel like we can beat any team. We feel like we can beat the Spurs, Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, whoever any night right now, and we'll still be here when those teams get old and their guys retire. We're going to be here for a long time."
by lee3022 on Apr 27, 2008 3:42 PM CDT 0 recs
Agreed.
Can’t wait to see Martellus blow someone up on ST.
by GhettoBear04 on
Apr 27, 2008 4:39 PM CDT
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Aaron rogers
wasn’t picked last year.
And the secret sources in Cincinnati get the last laugh....
by miles on
Apr 27, 2008 4:01 PM CDT
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Or Even the Year Before
Got him mixed up with someone else.
by kindablue on
Apr 27, 2008 4:03 PM CDT
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Josh Barrett
may be available as a FA the way he’s sliding
by tasan on Apr 27, 2008 4:07 PM CDT 0 recs
New numbers in for draft picks
RB Felix Jones will be No. 28
CB Mike Jenkins will take Roy Williams’ No. 31
TE Martellus Bennett is No. 80
CB Pacman Jones will wear No. 21
And of course Roy Williams is switching to No. 38 (his number at Oklahoma).
by Boyzfan94 on Apr 27, 2008 4:09 PM CDT 0 recs
Army S drafted
The Lions took him. I am glad someone is giving this kid a shot.
by Philosopher on Apr 27, 2008 4:18 PM CDT 0 recs
Ok So I have searched high and low about Scandrick's supposed character concerens
And could not find one iota of specific details. Only thing anyone said was that he had some character questions that might affect his value in the draft.
However, half the scouting reports had him listed as a great leader and a high character guy.
by Brandon W on Apr 27, 2008 4:21 PM CDT 0 recs
Same Conclusion
I think the NFL.com page is mistaken. One Cowboys blogger discussed him with Boise State fans, who discounted the “character” claim:
“NFL.com said he has some major character concerns, but everywhere I looked I couldn’t find any on him (in fact, the opposite) and Boise State fans have all told me the same thing, he may be a little cocky, but otherwise they had no idea what NFL.com was talking about.”
http://yakuzarich.blogspot.com/
In the absence of any serious stuff on him, even rumors, I think the NFL page is wrong.
by kindablue on
Apr 27, 2008 4:28 PM CDT
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Josh Barrett has a neck injury
Which explains his fall in the draft.
by Brandon W on Apr 27, 2008 4:26 PM CDT 0 recs
Who's the Dallas Blogger
who’s going to be on the NFL network?
just got ownaged
by Longhorn on Apr 27, 2008 4:32 PM CDT 0 recs
My everything, or nothing!
Wow, I just watched that pregame clip on the homepage with Tashard Jackson. He’s so excited to be a Cowboy. I wanted them to draft him when Bill Jones mentioned his name last week; I youtube’d him and was impressed—especially since he has nearly 5 minutes of highlights when most guys have 2.
TJack = my favorite pick
That #38 sure can hit!
by Bigrigga31 on Apr 27, 2008 5:19 PM CDT 0 recs
His name is Choice
But I agree with the substance :) That video says it all in the character department. That’s what I call intangibles. Seems like a great pick, or at least a nice upgrade on Thompson.
I’m not sure what to make of these later round picks but I feel like the Boys really wanted the guys they got. Time will tell if that’s a good thing.
One thing is certain: we may not have upgraded WR, but we gave Garrett two new weapons to add to what we had last year. Throw in some improvement by our bench WRs (and hopefully Glenn’s return) and I expect the offense to be even more explosive this year. Oh, and CB is now the strongest position on the entire team. Not bad!
by grapejoos on