The New Guard(s) in Dallas
by beautifultyrant on May 7, 2009 5:50 PM CDT
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PrintMany of you don’t put much stock into the Sporting News or any other draft publication for that matter, but the magazine has some interesting information that you might want to know.
This issue has been on the stands since March, so we know that nothing is set in stone since scouts constantly reevaluate and revise their findings. We also know that no magazine is prophecy, but let’s at least listen. Dallas may have new starters at the guard position soon!
Let’s look at some snippets from the Sporting News Draft Guide; I’ll draw my conclusions and you can draw yours.
Here are the four guards that the Cowboys either drafted or signed through free agency.
Robert Brewster, Ball State, Rank (18)
Sporting News: “Brewster is a solid late-round pick who needs development, but he could become a starter at tackle or guard.”
Implication: When Brewster develops in a year or two, he will push both Kosier and Davis for their starting jobs. Heck, he might even push Columbo!
Travis Bright, BYU, Rank (8)
Sporting News: “Bright is a solid football player who understands how to play the game. He is best as a run blocker, but needs to work on pass blocking. Still, there’s little doubt he’ll be starting on Sundays next season.”
Implication: Bright is good enough now to challenge Kosier and Davis for their starting jobs!
Greg Isander, West Virginia, Rank (2)
Sporting News: “He may be drafted later than we have him rated, but Isander has all the tools to become a long-term NFL starter.”
Implication: By “[having] all the tools,” Isander sounds like a complete player who is ready to challenge immediately.”
Michael Turkovich, Notre Dame, Rank (25)
Sporting News: “[Turkovich] may need a year or two on the practice squad before he cracks a roster, but he could develop into a solid backup.”
Implication: Turkovich is the only one that doesn’t have high praise relatively speaking, but he sounds like a better backup than the Cowboys have now. Watch out Proctor!
I exaggerate on some of my implications, but the fact of the matter is that Dallas stockpiled guards in hopes that at least one will challenge the starters and keep them on their toes, if not outright snatch the job from them. Of course, we should take this information with a grain of salt because, if you follow football, you know that scouts are wrong as much as they’re right. But if the Sporting News scouts are right, the Cowboys found gems in the draft and free agency. Hopefully, these guards will make an impact in camp and at least make it hard for the coaches to cut them.
Now, if the Cowboys could only stockpile tackles.
Works Cited
Sporting News Draft Guide 2009
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wishful thinking
Now I know a heck of a lot less than the Sporting News scouts, but the one thing I do know is quite important: of the 32 NFL teams, ZERO of them thought enough of Bright, Isander, and Turkovich to throw even a 7th-round selection their way. I’ll be pleasantly surprised if even one of them make this team, and much more surprised if one of them start a single game, and downright bamboozled if one becomes a regular starter. Brewster has a shot at becoming a regular in a season or two, but it’s highly doubtful he’ll ever be as good as Leonard Davis.
I'm not ruling out Brewster as a left tackle.
He has the skill set, but it would take some time. And the team said they will try him at tackle first.
Jerry Jones could go in his sock, slap you wit a stack of hundreds, then catch you again on the backswing wit 3 Super Bowl rings. So who the hell are you makin' fun of?
by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on May 7, 2009 8:00 PM CDT reply actions
Yeah, I read about that Carl.
I’m just going on SNs projections. I really hope he does succeed at left tackle; they really need one in case Adams gets hurt. I don’t trust Free; he’s done virtually nothing.
by beautifultyrant on May 7, 2009 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Brewster is not a LT prospect
No offense, Carl, but I havent seen anyone refer to Brewster as a potential LT prospect beyond this board. What makes you think he has that ability when no one else seems to?
Jason Garrett said he will get a crack at every spot with the exception of center.
They at least want to take a look.
Jerry Jones could go in his sock, slap you wit a stack of hundreds, then catch you again on the backswing wit 3 Super Bowl rings. So who the hell are you makin' fun of?
by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on May 8, 2009 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions
He doesnt have quick feet which is why he will end up at guard.
The Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson
actually Brewster does have very quick feet
which is one of the reasons we drafted him
In Romo we Trust
No, they blasted his feet. Said he was bowlegged and it limited his ability to slide and mirror opponents.
If he could have played LT he would have played LT in college. He projects more as a G. I think Dallas is wasting time on his developement keeping him at T. He wont be nearly as effective as he would at G.
Our LT next year(2010) is coming in FA or in the first 2 rounds of next years draft. If not consider us screwed for the 2010 season.
The Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson
I disagree
I watched him and he looks like he has quick feet to me and could slide well, bowlegged or not.
In Romo we Trust
What we do know is Dallas has done a lousy job of developing Oline talent.
I hope we see some signs of improvement with Houck in 2nd year and more of an imput on his guys.
Im not impressed with our utilization of the guys we have. I said it before but why did McQ not get an opportunity to fill in for Kosier until the last game. I heard someone said he was stiff and struggled at the second level. If he is atheletic enough to play LT then why not guard. He is more agressive than Proctor, bigger and wouldnt have been shoved in the QBs face. Maybe the second level is true but should you worry about the 1st level first. Proctor didnt get it done. maybe Proctor was less a player but better with line calls and that was the reason.
This team needs a G this year, a LT next year and a G or RT in 2011. This would be a steady smart way of turning over our lines keeping a good mix of veteran savvy and bringging along youth.
Im afraid Brewster might be a decent backup at T but could be a very good guard. The fact that he is a border line T tells me he definitely has some talent but i would like a very good guard than an average T at a time when RT is probably the lowest of our current line needs.
Kosier is a very good technician but he is maxing out his potential and body. These guys sometimes break down a little earlier in their careers and start with nagging injuries. I hope this isnt the case. We arent developing our greatest line need at the moment(LT) so we should be working harder on our second greatest need LG. I realize drafting a center would work out good for us because we could have moved Gurode to G but that fell though. Gurode, if given a smart guy beside him can thrive at C on a near pro bowl level which is why I didnt get up in arms about the C position.
LT is the position that seems to have a low bust rate in the first round. I believe the league really understands exactly what they are looking for in a LT. Lately you see LT with 2nd round grades moving into the 1st round(consistently) and playing well. For this reason I believe we will have to trade up in the 1st round next year to get Flo’s replacement.
PS Brewster will have his lunch handed to him at RT.
The Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson
Good read but
for the same reason I dont put much stock in our post draft grades, I wont get to excited about something published in March. There are so many opinions about draft picks these days, its mind boggeling. Good reason to keep an eye on these guys though.
It would be nice
to believe that these guys have all kinds of info that we don’t and maybe they do and we have some really good players. I hope so.
BTW just a note about draft publications. The May Draft Review Issue of PFW compares CB Sean Smith to former Cowboys FS Pat Watkins. Perhaps someone should let the Cowboys know because he is still listed on the roster.
The writer's probably psychic
And if Smith is being compared to Pat Watkins, I’m glad the Boys passed on him.
Did you happen to take note of the guns on D. Smith in the pictures posted?
If nothing else, he sure looks the part of a Strong Safety. The guy has the speed, if he can lay the leather, and pick up the pro game then we might have finally found at least one answer at safety; then there is Hamlin. Every one is talking about him, but I don’t know , is he not more in the Roy Williams mold?
The problem with Smith was...
he played so little defense in his collegiate career. His went to Utah as a RB. Then he converted to WR. It wasn’t until 2007 that he actually began playing defense. He has a lot to learn about how to play the position, but now, NFL scouts want him to play safety, which is much different than even playing CB. This will be a very difficult transition for this poor kid with huge athleticism.
On draft day I was saying he reminded me of Watkins. Mostly for his size and speed (although Watkins is taller and faster). Why is it, though, that everyone was enamored with this guy? I think it is exactly because of the qualities that lead us to compare him to Watkins (height, weight, speed).
If they can stash Isdaner (or Bright) on the PS while he learns to play C
I’d be happy.
If Brewster can improve his strength and become a quality Guard, or better yet LT, I’ll be thrilled.
Training Camp '09 = Mega Thunder Dome....80 men enter, 53 men leave.
Brewster will have a spot on the roster, just because of his draft status;
but the rest of these guys will be fighting for a PS spot. The problem with that is Bright and Isander probably will not both make the PS, and even if they clear waivers they may get stolen away from us.
Isander will have a better carrer than Brewster
That’s my prediction, at least. I hope he can make the final 53 or secure a spot on the practice squad.
What about our 5th round pick...
Holland, who has been a starter for over 35 games and is a load.
Res firma mitescere nescit
kosier is good
and he is not that old. I don’t see why it’s a priority to replace him.
I like Holland and Kosier alot...
especially Kosier; he’s solid and doesn’t make mistakes. However, most of the other lineman do. I’ll take a solid player that doesn’t make mistakes over an occasionally dominant one that makes many. You have to admit Davis, Proctor, and Gurode can’t pick up blitzes and that gets Romo killed.
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