Back To Basics:Pet Cat Robert Sands ENTER SANDMAN

As we all know, the Dallas Cowboys are desperate for some superior safety play. We have lacked the playmakers necessary to succeed in the NFL and NFC East for some time. Ken Hamlin was a player I was never in love with, but after he was released and we rolled with Alan Ball, Hamlin’s presence was missed. Hamlin was the glue to the secondary and held it all together. His play calling and ability to recognize coverages helped our cornerbacks make plays and create plays themselves. Now as we all know Hamlin was not a playmaker and would not create a lot of turnovers, but he was solid. In moving on to the 2011 season, I think a big part of the off season will be replacing Alan Ball and Gerald Sensabaugh with playmakers, guys who we can rely on to make the plays in the secondary.

This draft in my honest opinion is a fairly weak class for safeties. As of right now I only really see three or four players that could be options for us in the early rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Ahmad Black: As you all know, I am a huge Ahmad Black fan, and I will stick to that player until he is drafted. An opinion I have the utmost respect for is Mike Mayock's of the NFL Network. Mayock has been covering the Senior Bowl for the NFL Network, and a player he values highly is Ahmad Black from Florida. Even though knocked on for his size, Mayock strongly believes that Black will become a starting player in the NFL. Mayock goes on about how Black looks on film. He is just a playmaker and is around the football all the time. Regardless of Black’s size, in my opinion he will be one of the best safeties in the draft.

Rahim Moore: We all know about Rahim Moore and how good of a prospect he is, but I just do not see him falling to the second round for us at 40th overall. Hey, things do happen and players do fall on draft day, but being realistic I do not believe that is going to happen. But if it did, then Moore would be an easy draft pick.

Jaquan Jarrett: Another player I feel strongly about is Jaquan Jarrett from Temple. Even though he is from a smaller school, he has the athleticism and size to become a good player in the NFL.

Robert Sands: The player that has skyrocketed onto my radar is Robert Sands from West Virginia. This kid has amazing size, but at the same time has really great athleticism. For a player that is 6’4, he is truly a great athlete. So let's take a closer look at Robert Sands.

To be honest, I have never watched a West Virginia game this season. The main reason for that is because the only NFL prospects I thought would come out of West Virginia were Jock Sanders and Noel Devine. Now, I did hear some buzz around the internet about a safety they called "The Sandman". So I did some research earlier this fall on Sands and was pretty impressed with him for a guy his size. I felt Sands would return to college and enter the 2012 draft as a major safety prospect. Then earlier in January when the underclassmen list came out I noticed Sands had declared for the NFL Draft.

I will be honest. I was initially kind of turned off by his size, simply because most think of bigger safeties as in the box type players that lack coverage skills. Robert Sands does not lack coverage skills, he is a ball hawk that makes plays on the football. I usually like to use the terms "beast", for a great prospect, "stud" for a really good prospect, and "solid" for a good player. Robert Sands, in my opinion, falls into the beast category. With great size and athleticism, I really feel strongly about Robert Sands this draft and he really could be the steal of the draft for his position.

Robert Sands weighs in at 6’4 and 221 pounds, definitely a big guy. Scouts Inc gave Sands a grade of 78 and have him as their third rated safety in the draft. Durability is not a concern, as he started or appeared in every game in his college career. What I really loved about his scouting report is that Scouts Inc describes Sands as a high character player, who was a vocal leader for West Virginia. Known for picking up his teammates and helping them out in tough situations. One thing we need in our secondary is a vocal leader, and leaders are hard to find. A vocal leader in the secondary that can make plays, man that is a major plus right there. He also is respectful and mature for his age, another intangible that stood out to me in his scouting report.

His awareness and football IQ is above average which is good, and that is something that can be further developed as you get game time in the NFL. Makes quick decisions and a quick diagnosis, therefore getting into a good position to make the play. Reads the quarterback's eyes very well and gets a quick break on the football. Has the ability to anticipate the routes and is a physical presence in the secondary. Can get over-aggressive at times and gamble, but what I like about that is at least he is willing to make a gamble. Noted that he is a fierce competitor who plays with a lot of passion, something we lack at times here in Dallas.

His long frame gives him excellent range and he covers a lot of ground with his long stride. Is a little tight in the hips, but for a guy his size has really good movement. His burst is good and can recover when caught out of position. Takes excellent angles and is very aggressive attacking the football. His size and long arms allow him a wide range to make a play on the football. Has good hands and comes down with acrobatic interceptions. Thrives in jump ball situations. In the run game he makes quick decisions and bursts downfield. Strong and violent tackler that is also reliable. Delivers big hits and is violent when delivering them. Has great timing when going low on the ball carriers legs, and chops their legs out. His size plays into a major advantage in tackling and being physical.

Sounds like a pretty nice scouting report in my opinion. I have heard that Sands is a 2nd-4th round prospect. Draftcountdown.com thinks Sands will run in the 4.5 range in the 40 yard dash, I think from what I have seen on tape maybe a he will run a high 4.4 or a low 4.5. If Sands goes to the combine and tests well, I think he is going to blow up there and a lot of teams will fall in love with this kid. He is everything you can ask for in a young man. Everything I have heard about him is right up our alley, the type of intangibles we should be looking for. A kid that is polite, passionate, a leader, and has all the athletic skills is exactly what the Dallas Cowboys need in the secondary.

Sands is from Carol City, which is in the area of Miami, Florida. He says he tries to model his game after Kenny Phillips, Ed Reed, and Sean Taylor. I believe Robert Sands could become our starting SS right away, because of his willingness to be a leader along with his physical abilities. What I really would like to see is Sands fall to the 3rd round, that would be our best value because it would allow us to take an offensive lineman in the 2nd round. Unless we take an offensive lineman in the 1st round, and Sands really starts to fly up that draft board, then I would take him in the 2nd round.

Chia’s NFL Comparison: Adrian Wilson/Sean Taylor like comparisons

Special Thanks dougitydog

http://www.youtube.com/user/dougitydog

Special Thanks AloAloysius

http://www.youtube.com/user/AloAloysius

Special Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/user/XxDOCTAZxADVACATExX

They all made the videos below, please take a look at Robert Sands, the kid is a beast.