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The VRR: Cowboys Beginning to Schedule Pre-Draft Workouts

Yesterday, we found out that Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant will be visiting Valley Ranch on April Fool's Day. Evidently, he is just visiting the Cowboys, not working out.

His agent, Eugene Parker, said that Bryant will not work out for the Cowboys. Players cannot have private workouts without a special waiver from the NFL.

A few other names have popped up on the Cowboys' radar in terms of draft prospects. Kentucky FB John Conner will meet with the team on March 31. Here's a brief scouting report on Conner:

He breaks down well in space, but doesn't exhibit the same body control when asked to cut down defenders. Conner has a tendency to whiff on blocks. He showcases good power as a runner, has an above-average first step and hits the hole quickly, but he can get a bit upright and lacks wiggle to his game. He has the power and body control to make his way as an NFL lead blocker but needs to do a better job using his hands and sticking through contact.

And two Penn State prospects are scheduled to work out with the Cowboys: ILB Sean Lee and OLB Navorro Bowman.

According to pennlive.com, Lee missed the 2008 season recovering from a torn right anterior cruciate ligament and dealt with sprained left ACL last season.

Bowman, a two-time first-team All-Big Ten choice, had a pair of off-field issues - he was involved in an on-campus fight a couple years back and also admitted to using marijuana prior to his senior year.

More VRR after the jump.

Star-divide

More on Bowman's off-field issues:

Bowman was put on probation for one year in 2008 for his involvement in an October 2007 fight at Penn State's student union building. In May 2009, he admitted in Centre County Court that he had violated his probation by smoking marijuana. Not only did a judge extend his probation by one year, but Bowman received a last-chance warning from Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno.

He has endured much in the last two years. His father, Hillard Bowman, died suddenly in June 2008 of complications from a blood clot. Then his high school football coach, Nick Lynch, a father figure, died in a car accident in Maryland a day before Penn State played in the 2009 Rose Bowl.

Either the Cowboys are not interested in Fresno State RB Ryan Mathews, or they are not highly interested in drafting anybody at that position.

Solidifying his already high draft stock, the 5-foot-11, 217-pound runner had a strong Pro Day workout. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 to 4.48 seconds, according to NFL.com.

Per the report, Mathews also had a 34-inch vertical leap and a 4.1 short shuttle.

Every NFL team except for the Dallas Cowboys attended the workout session.

Matt Mosely can see the team trading down if a quality offensive lineman can't be had at 27. But he doesn't see them taking a WR until the later rounds.

In conversations with folks at Valley Ranch, the offensive line is what gets mentioned the most. If the Cowboys can identify a talented offensive tackle or guard late in the first round, that's the direction they'll go. There's also the possibility they'll try to trade down because this appears to be a relatively deep draft. Obviously, place-kicker continues to be a glaring need.

But after that, it's still offensive line, safety, inside linebacker and then probably wide receiver. With the rise of Miles Austin and the intrigue of Kevin Ogletree, I could see the Cowboys waiting until later in the draft to grab a wide receiver. After all, both Austin and Ogletree were undrafted players.

A trade up or trade down out of that 27th spot, Jerry Jones?

"I'd say probably we're less likely to move around this year," Jones said.

In terms of free agent signings, it's the Redskins 9, Cowboys 0.

The Cowboys are the only team that hasn't lost, added, or kept a single free agent, according to the Dallas Morning News. Despite the perception that the Redskins have been quiet, they have actually added or retained the most players with a total of nine.

Patrick Willis edged DeMarcus Ware by 11 votes to take home the 2009 Butkus Award for the league's best linebacker.

Willis was credited with 152 tackles, four sacks, and three forced fumbles in 2009. He also brought down three interceptions for the 8-8 49ers. Ware had 57 tackles, 11 sacks and five forced fumbles, on his way to Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.

Calvin Watkins predicts the Cowboys hosting the Titans for their annual Thanksgiving game.

The reason I picked the Titans is because of Vince Young's return to the state of Texas as the full-time starter. The Saints would be a pretty good opponent, too, but I'm not sure if Fox or NBC would want this highly anticipated matchup for another day. Not sure about the Bears. Jay Cutler vs. Tony Romo would be a pretty good matchup, however the Cowboys played the Bears on Thanksgiving in 2004 and won, 21-7. The Jaguars have no real sex appeal for Thanksgiving Day.

During next week's NFL owners meetings, the competition committee will consider implementing a "Flozell Adams" rule.

Start with Adams' personal foul after the final play of the first half during a loss at the New York Giants in December. The Cowboys did not suffer for Adams' actions because a dead-ball personal foul against the offense cannot be carried over into the second half or overtime.

McKay said the competition committee wants to close that loophole, which could lead to premeditated cheap shots, by having the penalty be carried over into the second half or overtime.

Hat tip to DC_Fan for the FanShot.

The punting drama surrounding the height of Cowboys Stadium's video board is all but squashed.

Cowboys Stadium saw 91 punts -- excluding those negated by penalty -- during eight regular-season games and one playoff game. No punter, including Oakland's Shane Lechler and San Diego's Mike Scifres, came close to hitting the board.

A new rule will be implemented requiring the Cowboys to declare at least 90 minutes before kickoff whether the sliding end-zone doors at Cowboys Stadium will be opened or closed. It's similar to the rule that requires teams with retractable-roof stadiums to declare 90 minutes before game time whether the roof is to be open or closed.

Manny Pacquiao's successful bout at Cowboys Stadium could very well have earned him another championship fight there. Pacquiao-Mayweather...will it happen?

The 12-round bout won by the Filipino behind a lopsided unanimous decision, attracted a crowd of 50,994, the third biggest in modern day boxing history after the Muhammad Ali-Leon Spinks rematch at the Superdome in 1977 and the Julio Cesar Chavez-Pernell Whitaker showdown at the Alamodome in 1993.

Free Reign is hitting the metal strong again this offseason.

"Being in a band is more difficult than I ever imagined," Colombo said. "It's demanding. You have to practice if you want to stay sharp. "In football, we do all these things. No one works harder in the off-season or during the season than a football player. It's grueling, but we realize that you have to put some of that same effort into music."

Free Reign will be a presenter at the Revolver Golden Gods awards at Club Nokia in Los Angeles on April 8. They are also a nominee in the Most Metal Athlete(s) category.

The band is planning to work in the studio over the summer before football season kicks in and then return after it ends, so that they can put out another album next year. In between, they will gig when they have time.

Yeehaw! Former Cowboys WR Rocket Ismail has a new gig as a bull riding announer.

Ismail will serve as a correspondent for some of the Professional Bull Riders telecasts on American cable channel Versus. He became interested in the sport when he took part in Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge on CMT.

Miles and K.O. having fun!


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We have

to get John Conner. He’s just too important.

by Satch30 on Mar 19, 2010 12:15 PM CDT via mobile reply actions  

LMAO

let’s get him and signed him to a 10 year deal so we dont have to worry about FB anytime soon :)

by DCowboy on Mar 19, 2010 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

My bad :)

didn’t get it ’till afterwards. hehe

by DCowboy on Mar 19, 2010 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

Are you John Conner?

RW is the opposite of WR. Coincidence? I think not.

by aussie_cowboy on Mar 19, 2010 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

Wow....

Finally people see the great need at fullback. This is what we need for those 3rd and 1’s. I’m sorry but Barber is not a power back and he just needs to get traded. Jones, Choice, and Conor-sounds just right.

by doomsday D on Mar 19, 2010 12:42 PM CDT reply actions  

+48

FBs like Moose don’t come around very often do they?

by DIRE WOLF on Mar 19, 2010 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

I've heard that it's almost a dying breed

College uses true FBs less. Hence more TEs being used as H backs.

FREE THE OGLETREE!!!

by dunkman on Mar 19, 2010 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yeah, teams are moving LBs and quick OGs

into the position also. It gives them more bluk in the short yardage plays.

by DIRE WOLF on Mar 19, 2010 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

+48

Nice.

Ready for some baseball.

by txhc on Mar 19, 2010 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions  

I miss the days when people like Marion Barber

And didn’t act like he was a harm to this team. It wasn’t just on him on those short yardage downs, dont forget. He’s just two years removed from being what, 50 percent td ratio in the red zone?

You aint been around in awhile, maybe you haven't hear....I don't shine shoes no more

by markdamack on Mar 19, 2010 12:45 PM CDT reply actions  

+1

Wait until he’s healthy next season, then the talk of getting rid of him will stop.

to make the jump to the next level, Odrick said today he needs to work on one area. "Just being more violent overall,'' Odrick said. "Play the game and play it right, violently.''

by APerfectStar on Mar 19, 2010 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

The problem is that he's always hurt!

The better part of these last two seasons he’s been hobbled, and he isn’t getting any younger!

by blee on Mar 19, 2010 6:23 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

The last 2 seasons he was the primary RB

This season I think Felix will become the featured back, MB3 will return to the backup spot. That should keep him healthy and maximize his effectiveness.

to make the jump to the next level, Odrick said today he needs to work on one area. "Just being more violent overall,'' Odrick said. "Play the game and play it right, violently.''

by APerfectStar on Mar 19, 2010 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions  

+1

The FB is not a “playmaker” in this offense. The FB just needs to block, and block downfield, without getting the crippling holding calls.

by tkosmith on Mar 19, 2010 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

But he should also be able to

to catch a ball or two. I think that limited Anderson some in this offense – he was iffy on catching as well.

FREE THE OGLETREE!!!

by dunkman on Mar 19, 2010 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

That's what I was thinking.

Seeing how that’s the main thing that they do.

Ready for some baseball.

by txhc on Mar 19, 2010 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions  

From NFL Draft Scout

John Conner

Blocking: Old-school traditional lead blocker willing to sell out to knock the linebacker out of the hole. Good size, explosiveness and accuracy to clear the way. Athletic enough to adjust in the open field to hit the moving target. Keeps his head on a swivel in pass protection and blocks inside-out. Aggressive in pass protection. Will take on the bigger man and holds up surprisingly well due to his accurate hand placement, use of leverage and determination. Accurate, reliable cut-blocker.

to make the jump to the next level, Odrick said today he needs to work on one area. "Just being more violent overall,'' Odrick said. "Play the game and play it right, violently.''

by APerfectStar on Mar 19, 2010 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

Me likey a lot

He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors. - Thomas Jefferson

by Fighter15 on Mar 19, 2010 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

Anyone else think JJ flips

When he sees Miles on the zip line?

I'm not losing my memory, I'm living in the now

by tdships on Mar 19, 2010 1:39 PM CDT reply actions  

Perhaps

I personally am just glad to see Ogletree hanging out with Miles Austin. Austin is the guy that Ogletree needs to emulate and I hope that Austin is passing on his knowledge of the game to Ogletree so Kevin can really contribute sooner rather than later.

If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.

by Cowboyfan729 on Mar 19, 2010 2:30 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

+85

In addition to passing along a good attitude and work ethic, they both came down the same career path and have the same obstacles to overcome.

FREE THE OGLETREE!!!

by dunkman on Mar 19, 2010 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

I am now questioning my whole draft line of reasoning

after seeing that Mosely agrees with it in every detail. WHERE HAVE I GONE WRONG????

FREE THE OGLETREE!!!

by dunkman on Mar 19, 2010 1:54 PM CDT reply actions  

Well Watkins would of course be wrong.

The cowboys have to play an NFC team since they will be playing on fox this year. They played the raiders last year on CBS. It rotates every year.

by houseofprime on Mar 19, 2010 1:58 PM CDT via mobile reply actions  

I thought the same exact thing.

It’s amazing that Watkins can haul in a paycheck for sports journalism and still moss such obvious details.

If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.

by Cowboyfan729 on Mar 19, 2010 2:24 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

*miss

If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.

by Cowboyfan729 on Mar 19, 2010 2:25 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

best RB in the draft.
Solidifying his already high draft stock, the 5-foot-11, 217-pound runner had a strong Pro Day workout. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 to 4.48 seconds, according to NFL.com.

Per the report, Mathews also had a 34-inch vertical leap and a 4.1 short shuttle.

Every NFL team except for the Dallas Cowboys attended the workout session

.

FEED THE BEAST!!!
Twitter Account

by Wmillion on Mar 19, 2010 2:03 PM CDT reply actions  

Assuming his injuries from last season are resolved I think the best running back to come out this year will be Jahvid Best. He has got speed to burn and also great vision.

If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.

by Cowboyfan729 on Mar 19, 2010 2:27 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

Remember the name Deji Karim

He was projected to be a late round pick, if not a priority undrafted FA, due to his size (just under 5’9", but weighs 209) and playing in the FCS, but his pro-day workouts (he was snubbed by combine) and production have more and more people talking about him now.

He ran for 1694 yards and 18 TDs last year, was MVFC’s Offensive Player of the Year, unanimous 1st team All-American and finished 3rd for the Payton award (nation’s finest FCS player).

His pro-day measurables would have been good enough for 2nd in the 40 (4.37), 1st in vert, 3rd in broad jump, 1st in 20 yard shuttle, 1st in 3 cone drill and 6th in bench among RBs at the combine.

by dacolan on Mar 19, 2010 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions  

WOW

That sounds like a big time sleeper.

by DIRE WOLF on Mar 19, 2010 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

Seriously.

Ready for some baseball.

by txhc on Mar 19, 2010 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

AND......

He returns kicks!!!!!!!

by ziggy19 on Mar 20, 2010 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions  

Sean Lee looks good as a two down read and react ILB

and he could be had in the later rounds – 5 with luck?

by alanTdot. on Mar 19, 2010 2:36 PM CDT reply actions  

Lee would be great, but won't last past 2 or 3.

I watch a lot of BIG T1E1N football and I like Angerer, who will probably be drafted in the 4th or 5 round. He is not the biggest or fastest, but seems to have a high motor and a good nose for the ball.
   Sean Lee is a better athlete and will probably be drafted in round 2-3, if the doctors are happy with his knees (he missed a year with an ACL injury, then a couple of games this year with an injury to the other knee). He spent his year on the sidelines as a coaching assistant- wearing the headset and relaying plays, going over photos with his fellow linebackers, etc. I think his father was a coach, and he will probably be a great coach after his playing days are over if he desires. He is an extremely athletic, instinctive, and high motor guy who would be a terrific player and well worth a late 2nd round pick if he can stay healthy.
   Bowmann, the other Penn State backer is a freakishly quick athlete (much quicker and faster than his combine numbers would indicate) and will probably be drafted 2nd round, or possibly late 1st. He makes a lot of plays in the backfield in both the running game and as a pass rusher. He made some very stupid decisions off the field and I would have liked for him to play one more year at Penn State to gain more experience, but he is a tremendous athlete with good instincts who could be a star player in this leage with good coaching.
  My personal favorite would be Sean Lee (with good knees), but Angerer could be a very good value pick.

by Yoko Romo on Mar 19, 2010 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions  

I've heard Lee in interviews

He’s sharp. As you point out, the injury history will hold him back.

FREE THE OGLETREE!!!

by dunkman on Mar 19, 2010 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

wait why does it have to be an nfc team

Just because its on fox? I understand fox has most nfc games and cbs has most afc games but the cowboys are at home so that qualifies as a nfc game. It doesn’t have to be two nfc teams does it? I’d like to see it spelled out to increase my knowledge haha

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Mar 19, 2010 4:22 PM CDT via mobile reply actions  

The visiting team determines the network

If an AFC team plays @ Dallas, then it will be on CBS, NFC team means Fox.

Unless, of course, it’s a Sunday (NBC) or Monday Night (ESPN)…and sometimes Thursday and Saturday night (NFL Network).

He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors. - Thomas Jefferson

by Fighter15 on Mar 19, 2010 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

the Cowboys (and Lions) rotate between CBS & Fox

Last year, we played Raiders on CBS. Before that, it was the Seahawks (who are in the NFC despite what Calvin Watkins thinks), so its gotta be an NFC team. We’ve played Bears and Redskins recently on T-Day. Lions have their own game. I’m guessing Saints game will be SNF. That leaves Eagles and Giants. Giants played last year on NFLN, right? Gotta be the Eagles, then.

by MicThaRock on Mar 20, 2010 8:11 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

Miles Austin needs a new contract. Right now.

Did any one see his shorts in that clip. Lord have mercy!

by One.Cool.Customer on Mar 19, 2010 6:52 PM CDT reply actions  

Connor as a blocker?

the write up in the article said he was not all that as a blocker. Then someone posts something that says he is. WHich is it?

by burmafrd1944 on Mar 20, 2010 9:35 AM CDT reply actions  

How about Manase Tonga from BYU at FB

He’s powerful, and used to a heavy dose of lead blocking. He also can catch the ball.

by Bluecheese on Mar 20, 2010 10:05 AM CDT reply actions  

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