Dallas Cowboys Scouts: Where They've Been & Who They've Been Watching

by One.Cool.Customer on Oct 28, 2010 2:00 AM CDT

Looks like this year we'll start talking about the draft earlier than most other teams. Well, as Jason Bourne would say, "So be it". It's never too early to talk about the draft anyway.

But is there a way to make talking about the draft this early more than just idle speculation? BTB-member Lissyyyyy and I have teamed up to do just that: We have painstakingly reconstructed what the Dallas Cowboys Scouts have been up to, we've pored over college rosters and we've scoured all available draft rankings to figure out what the Cowboys draft strategy could look like.

After the break, we'll look at which games the Cowboys Scouts have visited so far this season, which players they likely scouted at those games and make an educated guess at which position the Cowboys might pick with their first pick - and no, it's neither an O-lineman nor a Safety.

[Note: Everything we write below is of a speculative nature. We like to think it's an 'educated guess', but who really knows? Fact is, if you disagree with the conclusions, you can easily duplicate the exercise for the Cowboys - or for any other team - and you may come up with different conclusions]

Chris Steuber, an NFL draft analyst for NFLdraftscout.com on CBSsports.com, regularly tweets which NFL Scouts officially visit which college games. Since the college season began, he's been a busy man. Here's the list of college games that Cowboys Scouts have attended, according to Steuber:

Date	Teams
23-Oct	Georgia Tech @ Clemson
16-Oct	Missouri @ Texas A&M
16-Oct	Baylor @ Colorado
9-Oct	Tennessee @ Georgia
9-Oct	Auburn @ Kentucky
2-Oct	Ohio State @ Illinois
2-Oct	East Carolina @ North Carolina

Date	Teams
2-Oct	Penn State @ Iowa
25-Sep	South Carolina @ Auburn
11-Sep	South Florida @ Florida
6-Sep	Boise State @ Virgina Tech
4-Sep	Richmond @ Virgina
4-Sep	Oregon State @ TCU
4-Sep	Weber State @ Boston College

The first question we need to answer as we look at these 14 games, 27 teams and something like 600+ starters is: Which players were the Cowboys Scouts watching at each of these games? We used a process of elimination to whittle down the number of players:

First, we eliminated all players on each team that were ranked with a draft grade lower than a 4th round in the cbssports.com 2011 draft database. Two reasons for that. One, we want to figure out what position the Cowboys will draft with their top picks, and two, dipping into the shallow end of the draft pool makes things very murky.

Second, we threw out all positions that we didn't think the Cowboys will place a high priority on next year: QB, WR, RB, TE and FB.

Finally, since cbssports, like many other draft boards at this time of year, doesn't have any juniors or sophomores in their database, we added those juniors and sophomores that we found on draftsite.com's list to the CBS list.

Somewhat surprisingly, the 14 games only resulted in 26 player names who could be on the Cowboys' short list. Here's what we think that shortlist could look like so far (* denotes juniors):

Short list of players the Cowboys possibly scouted (click column header to sort)

Proj. Rd	Player	Pos.	School	Wt.	Ht.	40 Time
1	Adrian Clayborn	DE	Iowa	286	6-3	4.79
1	Cameron Heyward	DE	Ohio State	285	6-5	4.92
1	Da'Quan Bowers*	DE	Clemson	280	6-4	4.80
1	Nick Fairley*	DT	Auburn	298	6-5	4.81
1	Anthony Castonzo	OT	Boston College	308	6-7	5.06
1-2	Stefen Wisniewski	C	Penn State	298	6-3	5.16
1-2	Ras-I Dowling	CB	Virginia	200	6-2	4.54
1-2	Nate Solder	OT	Colorado	315	6-8	4.89
1-2	DeAndre McDaniel	SS	Clemson	215	6-0	4.54
2	Jimmy Smith	CB	Colorado	205	6-2	4.49
2	Christian Ballard	DE	Iowa	298	6-4	4.86
2	Marvin Austin	DT	North Carolina	310	6-3	4.96
2	Quan Sturdivant	ILB	North Carolina	235	6-2	4.63
2	Mike Pouncey	OG	Florida	310	6-4	5.29
2	Mark Herzlich	OLB	Boston College	245	6-4	4.75
2	Marcus Cannon	OT	TCU	358	6-5	5.34
2-3	Chris Culliver	CB	South Carolina	201	6-0	4.47
3	Marcus Gilchrist	CB	Clemson	190	5-11	4.49
3	Ahmad Black	SS	Florida	190	5-10	4.51
3-4	Kendric Burney	CB	North Carolina	190	5-9	4.47
3-4	Rashad Carmichael	CB	Virginia Tech	182	5-10	4.38
3-4	Deunta Williams	FS	North Carolina	210	6-1	4.53
4	Wayne Daniels	DE	TCU	250	6-2	4.79
4	Jermale Hines	FS	Ohio State	215	6-2	4.59
4	Clint Boling	OG	Georgia	304	6-5	5.16
4	Marcus Gilbert	OT	Florida	320	6-5	5.23

Is This The Deepest 3-4 Defensive End Draft Ever?

The Cowboys have already scouted four DE's (Fairley, if he comes out, would project nicely as a 3-4 DE) who could likely earn a first round grade. Add Alabama's Marcell Dareus and Allen Bailey from Miami (Fla.), and you'd have 6 DE's who could go in the first round. This would mark the first time in NFL history that 6 DE's would be taken in the first round. The Cowboys are sure to scout this position extensively, likely rounding out the top prospects but also looking at more prospects for later rounds like Hampton's DT Kenrick Ellis, currently projected as a 2nd-3rd rounder.

The Cowboys are definitely looking for help at DE. Marcus Spears, Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher are free agents after the season, and Olshansky's contract is up in 2012. And as Lissyyyyy says: "Sean Lissemore is a great player, but he can only man one spot."

The Cowboys scouts have looked at a lot of DEs with first round grades. Given the quality of the class and what is increasingly looking to be a very high pick, the Cowboys look likely to go for one of the premier DEs in 2011 in the hope of solidifying the D-line for years to come.

But what about the O-line?

2011 is not shaping up to be a great year for tackles. In Castonzo and Solder, the Cowboys Scouts have looked at two of the premier tackles available (with Mississippi State's Derek Sherrod the odd man out - so far), but it's possible that the Cowboys may go for more of the T/G tweener type players like Marcus Cannon, DeMarcus Love and Benjamin Ijalana who're likely to still be there in the second round. Also, Stefen Wisniewski is a great center prospect.

But as you look beyond our self-imposed limit of a 4th round grade, there are some intriguing prospects for the O-Line that our scouts have already seen in live action:

O-line candidates the Cowboys possibly scouted (click column header to sort)

Proj. Rd	Player	Pos.	School	Wt.	Ht.	40 Time
1	Anthony Castonzo	OT	Boston College	308	6-7	5.06
1-2	Stefen Wisniewski	C	Penn State	298	6-3	5.16
1-2	Nate Solder	OT	Colorado	315	6-8	4.89
2	Mike Pouncey	OG	Florida	310	6-4	5.29
2	Marcus Cannon	OT	TCU	358	6-5	5.34
4	Clint Boling	OG	Georgia	304	6-5	5.16
4	Marcus Gilbert	OT	Florida	320	6-5	5.23
4-5	Chris Hairston	OT	Clemson	325	6-7	5.18
5	Justin Boren	OG	Ohio State	320	6-3	5.24
5-6	Lee Ziemba	OT	Auburn	320	6-6	5.22
6-7	Tim Barnes	C	Missouri	300	6-4	5.14
6-7	Jarriel King	OG	South Carolina	324	6-5	5.23
7	Jake Kirkpatrick	C	TCU	305	6-3	5.14

Two sleepers on this list might be TCU's Center Jake Kirkpatrick and Auburn's OT Lee Ziemba. Kirkpatrick gets ranked low maybe because he didn't start playing football until his senior year of high school, but he is a natural athlete with good size. And Ziemba would make a real nice RT and has tons of starting experience. Also, Mizzou's Tim Barnes is having a pretty good year, and while he might be a better fit in a ZBS he still has the size to play in our scheme.

And where does that leave the secondary?

The Cowboys appear to like like AOA and their two UFA's, Church and McCray as options at safety and will probably give them a chance to make something of themselves. The Cowboys have scouted DeAndre McDaniel out of Clemson and some later round safeties, and obviously they still have a couple of games to scout, but based on the scouting trips publicized so far, it's unlikely the 'Boys will go high for a Safety. Look for a free agent signing here as the likelier option.

Based on their scouting behavior, the Cowboys think they have a bigger need at corner. If you sort the Short List above by player position, you'll see that the Cowboys have scouted six corners between a 1-2 round grade (Ras-I Dowling) through a 3-4 round grade. That translates into a corner roughly every 15 spots. This may be pure coincidence, but this could also indicate that the Cowboys are keeping all their options open regarding a corner and will take one whenever there's an opportunity.

A couple of linebackers round out the short list, and linebackers are always in demand on 3-4 teams, particularly if Jason Williams doesn't pan out.

And that leaves?

Free Agency. There are too many holes on this team to fix in one go and the holes from the botched 2006 and 2009 drafts (and to some extent also the 2007 draft) are showing. If Jerry wants to avoid going into a complete rebuilding mode, he'll have to shell out for a couple of choice free agents to bolster the team.

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well Hopefullly

Jerry doesn’t go all “special Teams Draft” again

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by I draft the Cowboys!!!! on Oct 28, 2010 2:07 AM CDT reply actions

Jerry is going to spend a lot this offseason

He’s pissed….to say the least

by -Primetime21- on Oct 28, 2010 2:16 AM CDT reply actions

I don't see Jerry signing any FA's until we have a CBA.

Then, the Jerry will spend. And it could be a deep FA class. (Great idea for a follow-on post) To say I was a little disappointed to realize the Cowboys could be looking DE in the 1st round is an understatement. In our current scheme, DE’s are there to gobble up blocks and stop the run. You don’t draft those types of players high in the 1st round. Bottom of the 1st round, maybe, 2nd or 3rd, yeah, but not in the top 8 elite players. I’m getting ahead of myself thinking we might have a high enough draft spot to get one of the short list of elite players, but I seem to have gone from hoping to win every game, to how do we get the players we truly need.

If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

by White Wolf on Oct 28, 2010 5:45 AM CDT reply actions

Even in 3-4 there’s a premium for a pass rushing DE. A great 3-4 defense has a great DE to rely on. That kid from Auburn would be a great addition to the D. Plus, we 3 DE going into free agency next year.

by Perry the Platypus on Oct 28, 2010 11:26 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I think we have one in Ratliff

I would look for a big NT in the 3 – 5 round move Rat to DE and keep one or two of the current DEs.

by staubachfan on Oct 28, 2010 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Center, Guard, CB, safety

That is what we need. I think we can resign Spears for a reasonable deal. And we can get some wide bodies later in the draft. Lets face it; our DE’s just need to be big and strong and hold the O line up; they do not need much else.

Everyone seems to rave about the PSU Center but I saw him against Iowa and he did not impress me; plus he is only 298. Remember al johnson? in this day and age of large NTs and DTs that is too small unless you have fantastic technique. And Penn State has one of the very best weight programs in college football; so you really cannot expect him to gain much more if any.

With Scandrik looking like a bust, we need to look fairly high at CB. Safety, well no more needs to be said. And Guard is another need.

by burmafrd1944 on Oct 28, 2010 6:47 AM CDT reply actions

Thinking the same thing WhiteWolf

Our D-Line does need some upgrades, but not with a top 10 pick IMO. Perhaps this was because they wanted to know their options as early as possible before starting contract negotiations with Bowen, Hatcher, and Spears.
Hopefully, after recent games, JJ put the word out to start looking more at 1st round elite CB’s. I am a little surprised at some of the names missing. I wonder if their previous efforts were based on some assumptions that haven’t proven true: i.e. Cowboys have low draft pick, we are set with starting CBs.

"Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it's so incredible, it's unbelievable."
"Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control." - Tom Landry

by Kegbearer on Oct 28, 2010 6:47 AM CDT reply actions

We have to get McGee in this year

So we know what we’ve got. There will be some decent QB prospects on the board at various places. I am a Romo guy, but we have to be prepared. Luck, Stanzi, Devlin, etc. at various spots.

by King Man on Oct 28, 2010 7:30 AM CDT reply actions

With our oline, you might get that wish.

by Mr._Mulligan on Oct 28, 2010 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions

FA Class

For some reason my computer won’t let me reply to comments. In any case, great idea for a follow up post WhiteWolf. I don’t know if any of these guys has been signed to a long term deal yet, but FA that I would be most interested in are:
Haloti Ngata – BAL NT
Nogal Mankins – NE LG
Daryn Colledge – GB LG
David Harris – NYJ ILB
Jonathan Joseph – CIN CB
Bernard Pollard – HOU Safety

by Kegbearer on Oct 28, 2010 7:32 AM CDT reply actions

I like that list, especially Nogal, haha was that intentional? Cuz it's kind of a sweet name

by JLMax09 on Oct 28, 2010 8:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Don't know why we haven't already gone after Mankins.

I like Tashard Choice, but I’m sure NE would love to have him. I don’t think we should trade any draft picks, especially since they may be going up in value.

If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

by White Wolf on Oct 28, 2010 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Probably because it would take alot of money to sign him

Not sure if Jerry wants to spend any money with a possible player lockout coming

by Antonio S on Oct 28, 2010 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Bernard Pollard

Bernard Pollard sucks. He’s like Roy Williams lite…pretty much only good against the run.

by somebodyquiet on Oct 29, 2010 3:14 AM CDT up reply actions

If/when the DEs were being scouted

the thought probably wasn’t at the time that we’d be looking at a “top half of the round” pick. But rather a pick near the bottom where those picks would be appropriate in the 1st round. If, in fact, we do end up with at top ten pick, I hope JJ would parlay it into more picks and concentrate on the middle of the field (as someone else’s post pointed out): G/C, FS/SS, and ILB. Probably in that order.

by TroyisGr8 on Oct 28, 2010 7:33 AM CDT reply actions

Suprised Greg Carimi isn't on this list

Carimi is a younger faster version of Columbo. I think we need to pick up Mike Pouncey from Florida and Carimi from Wisconsin with our first two picks. I don’t know if we can wait until the second round for each of them, but Jerry knows how to make moves.
Logan Mankins in Dallas makes way too much sense, and I think we all know what that means.
furthermore, if the new staff coming in decides to scrap our 3-4…do we have the LBs to run it?

by elFURIOSOpozo on Oct 28, 2010 7:36 AM CDT reply actions

i completely agree with your assessment of Carimi

But we haven’t scouted Wisconsin yet. Another badger who I really really like is JJ Watt. He would make an excellent 3-4 end.

Although I’m not so high on Mike Pouncey. Not nearly as athletic as his brother.

Sean Lissemore = The next Bruce Smith

by Lissyyyyy on Oct 28, 2010 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions

I wish

They would look at Steve Schilling (Guard out of Michigan) I think he would be perfect for us and is def way better than any of the back ups. I also heard Mike Mayock talk about Jimmy Smith, He sounds like a good CB.

by Antonio S on Oct 28, 2010 8:25 AM CDT reply actions

OK, I’ll be the first to say… ridiculously well-researched piece here guys. Very well done.

by JimmyK on Oct 28, 2010 9:01 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks OCC does a great job

I just tried to provide as much input as I could

Sean Lissemore = The next Bruce Smith

by Lissyyyyy on Oct 28, 2010 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Ha ha ha

At least half of the post is your input man, don’t sell yourself short. I don’t really have a clue about the draft, I just saw a pattern, paired it with some numbers and then sent it to the expert for input.

by One.Cool.Customer on Oct 28, 2010 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Shutdown corner, shutdown corner, shutdown corner.

Shutdown corner.

I can only hope and pray we get one of the top two corners in this class – they say Peterson from LSU may be the second coming of Darelle Revis. Prince Amukamara while not quite on that level still has a high ceiling. I just want him to be the second coming of “good” Scandrick – not this hesitant wimp we’ve trotted out onto the field the past two years.

Cornerback in the first, linemen in the second, and then hopefully the chips will fall where they may after that. Then it’s up to the Free Agency to plug in our remaining holes. We should have roughly 20 million dollars to spare after we cut our overpaid linemen and Keith Brooking retires.

by G_SWAG on Oct 28, 2010 9:08 AM CDT reply actions

I agree on Peterson, would love to land him. Amukamara on the other hand, worries me, I watched his game against Okie St. this past weekend and saw an elite receiver in Blackmon dominate Prince up and down the field….I don’t know what to think of him now because that’s really all I’ve seen, but nothing in that game screamed “shutdown” for me.

by -Primetime21- on Oct 28, 2010 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah I’d agree with that, but like I said I still think his ceiling is pretty high. He’s got the physical tools to get the job done.

Another name that hasn’t been mentioned is Ingram. I wouldn’t mind Ingram with Barber on the way out but it’s so hard to justify taking another running back right now.

by G_SWAG on Oct 28, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions

yeah that was a pretty bad game for prince

but I think blackmon had a big play on a flea flicker which inflated his stats. Although Prince’s performance was still concerning.

Sean Lissemore = The next Bruce Smith

by Lissyyyyy on Oct 28, 2010 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions

I hope

we stay away from the UNC players. Yes they’re talented but not too smart. They took money, gifts, etc. from agents, cheated on classwork, then tweeted about it. We’ve got enough guys who do stupid things already.

by IronCowboy on Oct 28, 2010 9:30 AM CDT reply actions

here’s burke’s take on the value of Romo.

I realize bad news for the Cowboys is good news in these parts. Losing quarterback Tony Romo to a broken collarbone is going to replace a passer with a career 7.4 net YPA with one with 5.0 net YPA. We can’t say for certain how Jon Kitna will perform in relief, but that difference of 2.4 YPA would take a team that is theoretically average in every other category from an 11-win team to a 5-win team over the course of a full season. Dallas is already buried in last place in the NFC East at 1-5, and things aren’t looking good for Cowboys fans.

Again, it’s going to be interesting to see if Kitna’s performance is in line with his career averages.

by Fan in Thick and Thin on Oct 28, 2010 9:30 AM CDT reply actions

Interesting thought on FA

I wonder how many teams will use a franchise tag this year, with the uncertainty of actually playing games, would they take the risk???

I have to assume that Ngata is going to get tagged no matter what, and possibly Jonathan Joseph, but the others, will be interesting to see what the team decides to do if the CBA isn’t settled before March.

by -Primetime21- on Oct 28, 2010 9:53 AM CDT reply actions

You can’t lose Ngata but the thing about all of these free agents is that they’re looking for a huge cash in with the labor uncertainty. I think this FA market is going to be very pricey but I doubt there are going to be many teams willing to get into a bidding war.

by G_SWAG on Oct 28, 2010 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions

Let me be GM for a minute

The first move I make is to sign Tony Washington. He’s dirt cheap and would in all likelihood upgrade our RT spot immediately. The media would make a scene of it, but my guess is it would quickly fade. I’d let him practice with the team for the remainder of the season. If he proves to be an upgrade over Colombo before the season is over then I make the switch and get him some game work so that he’s ripe for next year. This will give us time to see what kind of player he can be at this level. Sorry Colombo.

AOA, congrats! You’re our new starting FS

Church, congrats! You’re our new starting SS.

Ball, sorry, but also conrgats! You’re now our 3rd corner.

Sean Lee’s role will increase to at least 50% of the snaps.

Lissemore’s too.

As far as McGee goes, I’d wait to see if Kitna can string together a few wins. If he can’t then I’m putting him on the bench and letting McGee show us what he’s got. Kitna’s old and we need to get McGee some real game time experience.

Scandrick, Sensabaugh, welcome to Benchville. You know why.

There. Now we can thoroughly evaluate the future, in season, and get the youngsters some real game time experience with minimal pressure on their shoulders. If they prove to be incapable then at least we have a better idea of what we’ll need to address come draft day.

And since I’m still GM, I’m slapping Jerry upside his head on my way out. I’m also having a one on one with Wade to explain how I think he’s a swell fella and maybe he should consider a new profession, perhaps as an Eagle Scoutmaster.

by Dezstroyer88 on Oct 28, 2010 10:45 AM CDT reply actions

I want AOA to get a lot of PT

I think he’ll be a stud, but we’ll never know if he’s not on the field.

by -Primetime21- on Oct 28, 2010 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions

I’m wondering how much of it is that Tony Washington just can’t play, as opposed to him banging his sister. From what I saw leading up to the draft, I think the consensus was that he had somewhere around a 4th round grade. There are tons of guys projected with 4th round grades that don’t get drafted. You just never hear about them again because, well, and this is just pure speculation, they didn’t bang their sisters. With 32 teams out there and so many of them with major OL issues, I find it hard to believe not one of them would take a shot on this kid because of something he did when he was 15 (I think).

Obviously, banging your sister doesn’t help, but maybe’s he’s just not that good?

by JimmyK on Oct 28, 2010 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions

I think some had him as high as a second round grade.

Have any teams worked him out and concluded that he just can’t cut it? You may be right, but you’d think someone would have him in to run around some cones to see what he has, given the major OL issues, as you pointed out, and as far as I know, nobody has done so.

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
My Beer Blog: http://tiltingsuds.wordpress.com/

by Seanrude on Oct 28, 2010 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions

That's definitely a possibility

But I think I read somewhere that the Cowboys were the only team to attend his pro day. I’d have to assume that’s more because of the sister thing than a lack of talent based on his 2nd-4th round grades.

by Dezstroyer88 on Oct 28, 2010 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Looks like Dallas ran his pro day (and there were other prospects there as well), but other teams attended…

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2010/mar/22/showing-their-stuff/

But yeah, I hear you. Maybe a combo of the 2. Frankly, I’ve never seen the guy play, so I’m not exactly in a position to have a strong opinion either way, haha.

by JimmyK on Oct 28, 2010 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions

I like a lot of what you propose.

I’d add that Lissemore should get lots of reps at DE. Brent lots of reps at DT. AOA, Church, & Lee, plug em in. RW, sorry can’t pay a #3 like a #1.

If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

by White Wolf on Oct 28, 2010 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions

In my imagination today I just happen to be playing Jerry Jones...

Dezstroyer, you’re hired, which means, of course, that I just fired myself. BTW, ouch that hurt!

by LDVFootball on Oct 28, 2010 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions

For some reason I can't reply on this thread but to the guys above G Swag...

I am totally a Peterson lover.

There might be other positions of more importance, but I put Peterson in that Dez Bryant freak category.

He’s the best CB in college I’ve seen in a long time.

AFB Condensed- New name, same flavor.

Quoting yourself doesn't require your own name attached to it. I'm going to assume if there isn't anyone else's name attached it's yours.

by Iron Fist on Oct 28, 2010 1:47 PM CDT reply actions

Patrick Peterson

at the begining of the season I thought going in that Patrick Peterson Prince Amukanamora and Janoris Jenkins were the best CB’s coming into the draft
really didnt think we would have a shot at Peterson, but its looking like we will
idk if anyone has seen Peterson play but he is all that and a bag of chips
if he is available when we draft I wouldnt have any doubts in my mind that Goodell should be announcing “The Dallas Cowboys select………….Patrick Peterson Cornerback LSU”
considering we might have a high 2nd rd pick then I would go for our OL
alot of guys will be available there, only problem it may be a Guard, kinda of a weak tackle class

by Archie Barberio on Oct 28, 2010 2:25 PM CDT reply actions

I agree with all that has been said here, but don't overlook the possibility

That this team might go out and upgrade the running back position. I have some potential candidates that we might see wearing the silver and blue next season:
1) Mark Ingram
2) Shane Vereen
3) Kendall Hunter
4) Doug Martin
5) Daniel Thomas
6) Noel Devine
7) DeMarco Murray

My reasoning that Jerry Jones might try and get a RB in the 2011 Draft:
1) The fact the running game has not been what it was in previous seasons.
2) Marian Barber will probably be released in the off-season.
3) Tashard Choice will probably be traded in the off-season.
4) Felix Jones is too inconsistent to be an every down RB (this just my subjective opinion).
5) Since Emmitt Smith’s last carry in 2002, Jerry has yet to find the back that can shoulder the majority of the load week in and week out and consider the following:
-2004 He and Parcells passed on Steven Jackson thinking Julius Jones would be the guy.
-2008 He passed on Chris Johnson in favor of Felix.

It's only a dream till you write it down, and then it becomes a goal.
-Emmitt Smith

by Rohpuri on Oct 28, 2010 5:24 PM CDT reply actions

Hint

Upgrade the line and you upgrade the running game. Nuff said

by Dezstroyer88 on Oct 29, 2010 12:54 AM CDT up reply actions

even with an upgraded line

I still don’t like our RBs. Here are my reasons why:

1) When Barber is on the field it’s either going to be a play action pass or a run up the middle that Barber will almost always try to bounce outside: against bad teams he might gain close to 10 yards. Against good teams, he’ll either get stuffed in the backfield or have minimal gains. Oh lets not forget the flip 90 plays where Romo fakes the handoff to the FB and pitches it to Barber for a loss.

2) When Felix is on the field it’s either going to be a screen pass to him, some sort of flat pass, or either having him run the lead draw, a counter trap.

3) When Tashard Choice is in the the Razorback formation we never use any kind of jet sweep motion from the slot back, Tash just takes the direct snap and run up the gut. Last year it was explosive and this year we haven’t seen it since the Bears game when it stuffed. Additionally, when we ran that option play on opening day he kept the ball for himself. Basically what I’m saying here, is that when Tash is on the field he’s getting the ball in some fashion.

Now, if we had a true feature back, defenses wouldn’t be able to predict what plays we’re going to run based on the RB whose on the field at the given moment. It’s asinine that just from looking at which RB we put in the game I am able to determine possible plays we will run. This is the main reason I’ve never been a fan of RB committees.

It's only a dream till you write it down, and then it becomes a goal.
-Emmitt Smith

by Rohpuri on Oct 29, 2010 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions

man Felix Jones is are future

like a previous post implied a zone blocking scheme, Felix would thrive in that
I think he would thrive in any scheme so long he is the starter
Felix is our future and Im damn glad we got a caliber of RB like that going forward at this bleek time
but I agree with drafting another RB, why not, just not early
I mean Mark Ingram is special, really special, I would not argue with that being our first round pick
nobody can argue with that
and he is a great kid, loves football, just like Dez
who knows, we got Dez last year, we get Ingram the next year right
just like we got Irvin then got Emmitt

by Archie Barberio on Oct 28, 2010 5:38 PM CDT reply actions

If Felix was anything more than a good complementary back, he'd have proven it by now

It's only a dream till you write it down, and then it becomes a goal.
-Emmitt Smith

by Rohpuri on Oct 28, 2010 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions

I really think Mark Ingram is too special to not take if we can get him

It's only a dream till you write it down, and then it becomes a goal.
-Emmitt Smith

by Rohpuri on Oct 28, 2010 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions

i would go with a bluechip safety in the 1st as long as it's not a reach

maybe move down a little to still get the guy and maybe pick up an extra pick from another team that wants a blue chip DE …move ball back to backup CB and with an extra 2nd round pick go after the BPA :
1. at OL
2. at ILB
3. at CB
which hopefully at any 3 of those positions contains another bluechip without reaching
3rd round
mostly interior OL
4th on down
BPA at DE and chunk a kicker in there somewhere if Bueller melts down this year

by 0k on Oct 28, 2010 7:19 PM CDT reply actions