The Dallas Cowboys need cornerback help, and by grabbing DeAngelo Smith, they are taking a wise...

The Dallas Cowboys need cornerback help, and by grabbing DeAngelo Smith, they are taking a wise gamble on a guy who could become an impact player if he plays up to his potential. He is a very physical cornerback who enjoys pushing and shoving the receiver to get him off route, but he needs a lot of work on his footwork and technique. He was expected to go much higher in the draft when the 2008 season ended, but he struggled in the spring and fell down draft boards. Definitely a good risk-based pick—if he can go from being a better athlete than player, he could become a quality starting cornerback.

Former NFL scout Russ Lande who now writes for the Sporting News.

about 3 years ago Dave Halprin 24 comments 0 recs |

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Nice

get to work Campo

by sublimezg on Apr 28, 2009 12:51 AM CDT reply actions

True dat

And Campo is a better position coach and head coach. He’s got a great rapport with the DBs and they listen to him.

Can’t wait to see D. Smith on the field.

Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/

by silverblue5 on Apr 28, 2009 6:33 AM CDT up reply actions

finally!

someone who likes our draft!

"They need security in the world, Craig!"

by Tuna Helper on Apr 28, 2009 1:29 AM CDT reply actions

actually Mike Lambardo from NFL Network

said we had a good draft and as a former GM and scout, he holds a lot more credibility with me than these idiot sportswriters and so called draft experts.

He said the guys we wanted to draft Delmas, Robitskie and Unger were all gone and insteading drafting Loadholt, we traded out of the first rd and selected a bunch of players our scouts liked and thought could help ST and become quality backups.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Apr 28, 2009 7:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Colin Cowherd loved it, too.

I know he’s not a true expert, but he is an ESPN guy.

by Baked Potato Soup on Apr 28, 2009 8:38 AM CDT up reply actions

seriously?

he loved it? That’s a shocker.

This suit is NOT black!!

by Dub_TC on Apr 28, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions

i saw that...

you’re right. he was the first person i saw that didn’t trash us. man i wanted delmas and robeiski

"They need security in the world, Craig!"

by Tuna Helper on Apr 28, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, my heart sunk when both those guys fell off the board.

Don’t even want to get into how I felt when the Seachickens drafted Nick Reed…ugh.

Trust them...they know what they're doing.

by Aaron Novinger on Apr 28, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Didn't Jerry say they were going to move this guy to safety?

It might be a better idea to leave him at cornerback and see what he can develop into. Wade likes physical corners who can press, no?

by steve94 on Apr 28, 2009 2:37 AM CDT reply actions

I'd think, they'll try him at both positions before its all over

by BishopWest on Apr 28, 2009 4:39 AM CDT up reply actions

Move to FS is what at least one scouting report suggested

Basically it said he lacks the deep speed to play NFL CB. He apparently has pretty good skill though.

by StillHateTheGiants on Apr 28, 2009 7:00 AM CDT up reply actions

I think the plan is

to have him be a safety who can play corner in a pinch. He’ll probably be a safety to start his career.

by TK19 on Apr 28, 2009 7:23 AM CDT up reply actions

They can train him for the nick and dimes, too.

Trust them...they know what they're doing.

by Aaron Novinger on Apr 28, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Dallas likes these camera phone guys.

Ball, Courtney Brown, this guy, etc.

Adequate camera, adequate phone, but neither a great camera nor a great phone. Some of them even have mp3 players that are not as good as a dedicated mp3 player, and mobile web browsing that is not as good as a laptop.

by Baked Potato Soup on Apr 28, 2009 9:04 AM CDT reply actions

lol

what?

by sublimezg on Apr 28, 2009 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions

I'll explain, lol

Okay, instead of getting a guy and training him to be a solid safety or solid CB, they’ve got all these guys that are merely adequate at both positions. Similar to how your Blackberry can be used as a camera or web browser, but is nowhere near as good as a real digital camera or a laptop computer. Similarly, by not picking one position for these young guys and allowing them to focus solely on improving at that spot, they are limiting how good they can ever be. A young guy is already going to have trouble just learning to play any position at an NFL level due to the larger playbooks, faster speed, superior competition, etc. So they are taking guys who are considered less talented than say, Mike Jenkins, to begin with, and asking for more out of them.

by Baked Potato Soup on Apr 28, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Your just bitter

I thank God everyday i wasnt born a Eagles fan!!!!!!

by regaberto on Apr 28, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm not bitter at all.

I’m past the draft and looking up with big expectations. I want all of these guys to be everything they can be, as they are now Cowboys. But I don’t think it gives them their best opportunity when they aren’t allowed to focus on learning one position, and instead need to know how to play 2. No one is asking Jenkins or Newman to play both, or Hamlin to play CB. Why not pick a spot for a guy and allow him to try to excel?

by Baked Potato Soup on Apr 28, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Basically, they're limiting his potential.

By not allowing him to focus on one position, they are pre-determining that they will only ever be backups.

by Baked Potato Soup on Apr 28, 2009 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with baked. They can be competent in omany things but masters of nothing if they are spread too thin . look at Barbie Carp that fool was a first round pick but has been jerked around so much as to be nearly worthless.

Don't believe everything you think.

Your causes are cute!!!

by stoproyce on Apr 28, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions

lol

4/20 was laaaast week

Hooah.

by .FRoST.USAF on Apr 28, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Wade's satellite is just about built so we'll see who can get onto the 3G network..he, he.

Trust them...they know what they're doing.

by Aaron Novinger on Apr 28, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Alan Ball

Ball is in an interesting position this year. He’s shown to be a solid 4th CB, but you have to wonder if that’s all he is. If Ball has an average camp (solid but nothing spectacular), whereas a guy like Mickins makes some plays in camp… who would you keep on the roster? Let’s assume you HAVE to make a choice between the two. Do you keep the guy with experience who may have already reached his ceiling, or take a chance on a rookie who shows potential?

It’s a tough call, I like Mickin’s and his ability and I don’t think Ball is anything more than a average 3rd CB/good 4th CB. But if we have an injury I think Ball would do a better job this year.

What do you guys think? Do we go with potential or experience? There’s going to be several decisions to make like this at training camp.

by TK19 on Apr 28, 2009 11:44 AM CDT reply actions