East-West Shrine Game 2011: Dallas Cowboys Talk To A Few Players

by Dave Halprin on Jan 21, 2011 8:49 AM CST in Dallas Cowboys General

The first of the college all-star games is coming up this Saturday. The East-West Shrine Game will be played at 4 PM EST tomorrow. The coach for the West Team? None other than our ex-coach, Wade Phillips. On the other side of the ball, coaching the East, is another guy with Cowboys connections, Dan Reeves.

One of SB Nation's NFL sites, Big Cat Country (covering the Jaguars), has writers attending the practices this week for the game. They have various reports on practices, but this was funny.

First of all, Wade Phillips ran special teams practice for about a half hour on Tuesday afternoon, which was rather obnoxious. You could see most of the NFL scouts, etc. with an annoyed look on their face, especially because the West's kicker, Dan Bailey of Oklahoma State, kept booting the kickoff out of the endzone.

Oh that Wade!

Anyway, they also emailed me and told me they saw Dallas Cowboys scouts talking to two guys after practice on Tuesday. Hawaii running back Alex Green and Utah safety Justin Taplin-Ross. They also notice the New England Patriots scouts talking to the same two guys.

More below...

Here's a quick blurb on Green, but maybe some of you guys have watched him play and can give us more.

Another offensive player worth keeping an eye on is Hawaii running back Alex Green. His size (6’2″, 230 lbs) is hard to ignore and he is quietly having a huge year for the Warriors, averaging 8.8 yards per carry. He reminds me of Jaguars fullback Greg Jones, who played running back during his days at Florida State. He won’t be drafted as high as Jones, but has a chance to carve out a similar NFL career if he continues to develop.

Maybe a big-back to replace the possibly soon-to-be-departed Marion Barber?

Here's an interview with safety Taplin-Ross.

Scott Porter: What will you be doing between now and draft time to best prepare yourself for your dream of making it to the NFL?

Justin Taplin-Ross: I will be playing in the Shrine Bowl All-Star game. I just had my appendix removed so I will be just getting over that right before the game. I am working on my size. I want to play around 220 or 225. I want to work on getting my speed up and focus on keeping my strength and put myself in the best situation I can to get a shot at an NFL roster.

Lord knows we need safety help.

Okay draftniks, enlighten us. Any other players at the game you guys particularly like?

Tweet Comment 29 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

ive seen Green before

kinda reminds me of Barber with the dreads
same type of style but Green runs like he weighs 200, when he ways around 220
great value pick or UDFA
we need a short yardage back and Green would be a great fit
if they compare him to Greg Jones, hey thats great, Jones is a great player
we need another RB, not a high draft pick obviously, but something late is where you find guys like we found Barber, Green could be the next Barber, same style same type of draft pick

by Archie Barberio on Jan 21, 2011 8:55 AM CST reply actions

If they're comparing him to Greg Jones

are they looking at him as a full time Full Back?

by AustonianAggie on Jan 21, 2011 9:55 AM CST up reply actions

idk

thats what intruiged me too when I read Greg Jones comparison

by Archie Barberio on Jan 21, 2011 10:38 AM CST up reply actions

if he is the FB i have one Question...

How good are his hands?

formerly I draft the Cowboys!!!
Yes...I am Ironman....seriously my last name is ironman in German

Knowledge and Skill overcome superstition and Luck-Dawn Patrol

by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 21, 2011 2:56 PM CST up reply actions

And more importantly...

his blocking…both inline run and pass protection. Yeah, I’m greedy, I want the total Moose package…receiving and blocking.LOL

Rabid and luvin' it

by lonewolfz28 on Jan 21, 2011 5:13 PM CST up reply actions

Could we move Barber to FB?

That way he is used for his best ablities…blocking and Receiving

formerly I draft the Cowboys!!!
Yes...I am Ironman....seriously my last name is ironman in German

Knowledge and Skill overcome superstition and Luck-Dawn Patrol

by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 21, 2011 11:46 PM CST up reply actions

That would be one VERY expensive FB.

And I’m not sure he would stay healthy for long.

Rabid and luvin' it

by lonewolfz28 on Jan 22, 2011 5:56 PM CST up reply actions

idk anything about Taplin-Ross

looked up his bio on Utah’s site, 4.54 40 time their best athlete at S, played SS this year
looks productive
born in Texas, yessir another Texas boy, keep em coming

Pats talked to him too, scout anybody they do, thats a good look

by Archie Barberio on Jan 21, 2011 9:00 AM CST reply actions

I'll be looking at

DE/OLB Ricky Elmore, DE/DT David Carter, DE/DT/NT Marvin Austin, CB Justin Rogers, and OG/OT Will Rackley

Those are some people that could be 2nd-5th round selections.

Also I wonder if some team will move Jerrod Johnson from QB to TE. He certainly has the size and athleticism and his arm length is 35", which is even impressive for an offensive tackle let alone a TE.

Sean Lissemore = The next Bruce Smith

by Lissyyyyy on Jan 21, 2011 9:04 AM CST reply actions

The thing I don't want to see happening is a team taking a chance on him at QB

The guy doesn’t have the decision making skills for it.

Tell EVERYONE you can about www.NFLLockout.com and how they can sign the Petition to Block the Lockout.

by NYHorn on Jan 21, 2011 9:14 AM CST up reply actions

I like Davis Carter from UCLA Austin is a nice DT Rogers will come out of nowhere, he can ball

by Archie Barberio on Jan 21, 2011 10:38 AM CST up reply actions

Austin could be huge value.

AFB Condensed- New name, same flavor.

by Iron Fist on Jan 21, 2011 9:42 PM CST up reply actions

Taplin Ross...

plays at 220-225 which would make him a SS right? We don`t need help there with Sensabaugh playing well there this past year. We need a FS with a ballhawking style who can help Jenkins out on the right side of the field.

by A.A Tea on Jan 21, 2011 12:25 PM CST reply actions

Sensabaugh didn't play well - the stats are lying

Sensabaugh has been soft his whole career. Last year Ken Hamlin covered for that but this year with two softies on the backend we got physically humiliated as well as burned in coverage. We definitely need a player who can hit hard in our secondary and Sensabaugh is not it – and since he’s the SS it’s his responsibility.

As for Taplin Ross – he’ll be a FS if he pulls a 4.5, and a SS if he pulls a 4.6 40

by AustonianAggie on Jan 21, 2011 12:53 PM CST up reply actions

Sensabaugh has 5 picks on the stat sheet

but he sucks
simple

by Archie Barberio on Jan 21, 2011 1:08 PM CST up reply actions

it was like

Ball was one cheek and Sensabaugh was the other cheek
and the opposing offense got right up in that azzzz

by Archie Barberio on Jan 21, 2011 1:10 PM CST up reply actions

You sir

Win 1 Internet. Hilarious.

by blackgallagher on Jan 21, 2011 4:43 PM CST up reply actions

Sensa looked horrible blitzing

i saw him jump on the QBs back when he had a clean shot on his blindside & couldn’t even take him down. i can’t remember which game but it wasn’t like it was Big Ben

Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth! Garrett & Ryan working as a team should create a physical environment at Valley Ranch that shows up on gameday.

by DCNation73 on Jan 21, 2011 1:49 PM CST up reply actions

Sensi also has a horrible attitude

It wouldn’t surprise me if JG let him walk

by somebodyquiet on Jan 21, 2011 4:30 PM CST up reply actions

Sensa is also looking for a hefty contract most likely, i say let him test FA.

i think he was an average SS but i just can’t see over paying for his services.

Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth! Garrett & Ryan working as a team should create a physical environment at Valley Ranch that shows up on gameday.

by DCNation73 on Jan 21, 2011 1:46 PM CST up reply actions

This.

Rabid and luvin' it

by lonewolfz28 on Jan 21, 2011 5:16 PM CST up reply actions

Money comment

He’s not awful as a SS, but he’s not a playmaker either. If money is an issue, then he’s probably out. Just as well, because I like Church as the backup, and he still has upside.

"I'm not gonna hold my head down. I'm gonna fight until this damn thing is over, period!" Jay Ratliff

by APerfectStar on Jan 23, 2011 2:17 AM CST up reply actions