Grading the 2011 Draft - 1 Year In
by Blue Eyed Devil on Jan 28, 2012 8:50 PM CST
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PrintEveryone agrees it takes 3 years to fully grade a draft class. But that hasn't stopped us from judging before, I even issued snap-judgments on the 2011 draft without seeing them even in an NFL jersey.
With 1 out of 3 seasons down, these players are now 1/3rd of the way to reaching final judgment. In school you often have your first test at about 1/3rd of the way through the semester. So let's evaluate these players like we would if they were at that stage of a school year. Most times students that get an 'A' in that first test go on to have similar grades the rest of the way. Other times students with good grades coast the rest of the year and end up with a negative grade. Still other kids need a wake-up after the first test comes back with a low grade and work hard to become good students by the end of the term.
In that spirit I offer my grades on the 2011 draft class after their first season in the NFL.
Post-Draft Grade: A
2011 Grade: A+
Description: What hasn't been said about Tyron Smith already? The guy combined freakish genetics for the position with an amazingly quick ability to pick up the technical skills required of being a tackle. He's a guy who is so talented the sky is the limit and the work ethic to reach for the stars. The NFC East now has the best collection of pass rushers of any division in the NFL with Orakpo, Trent Cole, and a little guy named Jason Pierre-Paul. Tyron Smith is on a trajectory to be the Great Wall that holds back the barbarian hordes from Cowboys quarterbacks for the next decade. A+ draft pick by the war room.
The PTA Meeting: Tyron is an excellent student. It's clear he's quicker than the rest of his class and studies hard. The teachers think we need to give him more of a challenge so we'd like to invite him to attend Left Tackle High's Gifted and Talented program next year.
Post Draft Grade: C-
2011 Grade: D
Description: Bruce Carter was an absolute failure in 2011. An athletic linebacker with questionable heart and instincts he was already a risky pick heading into the NFL draft. Then the risk-meter got turned up to 11 when the speed linebacker shredded his ACL. He fell down most teams' draft boards everywhere except in Dallas. The Cowboys have talked about how their medical staff is so good they're able to out-smart everyone and know when an ACL tear is going to heal fast. The only people Valley Ranch out-smarteted was themselves as Bruce Carter was unable to put a helmet on until half-way through the season. When he did he was unable to beat out a geriatric Keith Brooking whose side-line-to-sideline speed has turned into center-to-guard speed. Rob Ryan even prefered an undrafted safety playing at his inside linebacker spot to the supposed 1st-round-quality Bruce Carter. With players like Stefen Wisnewski (C), Ben Ijalana (G), Brooks Reed (OLB), and Da'Quan Bowers (DE) still on the board, the Bruce Carter selection still baffles observers. The pick even baffles the man who made it, Jerry himself, when Jerry said in an interview to NFL network that calling Bruce Carter a starter would be "presumptuous."
The PTA Meeting: How do I break the news to you, Brucey is a little... slow. He doesn't play with the other kids and believes 1 + 1 = cat. The principal recommends giving him a "special education" next school year.
DeMarco Murray
Post Draft Grade: F
2011 Grade: B+
Description: Entering the draft DeMarco Murray was thought of as a small, fast scat-back that could only run to the edges. At Oklahoma fans derided his between-the-tackles play as "running into the butts of his O-linemen." But that speed combined with good hands and route-running made draftnicks think he would be an effective 3rd down back in the NFL. Such a pigeon-hole couldn't have been more wrong. DeMarco Murray blew open the doors of the Cowboys offense with a violent between-the-tackles running style in 2011. His highlight reel is full of runs where he gained yards after multiple contacts. He displayed a vision he did not in college by finding holes right as they appeared. More impressive was his accomplishing these feats behind one of the weaker O-lines. At the end oft he season he ranked second amongst all running backs drafted int he last 2 years in rushing yards. This amazing breakout performance was tempered by a warning label he carried on draft day, "fragile". Murray fractured his right ankle in December and was placed no IR. It remains to be seen if his amazing yardage total was due to facing bad defenses and if he can remain healthy, but the skills he displayed leave no doubt he has the ability to be a starter in the NFL.
PTA Meeting: Little DeMarco has been a bright light to the classroom. When we gave him the chance to take the lead role in the school play he took everyone's breath away. The only problem is the little issue of absenteeism. If we can see him in class every day next year he's got a bright future.
Post Draft Grade: B+
2011 Grade: F
Description: Given the chance to start in training camp he was quickly beaten out by a 7th round supplemental pick. During the season he was inactive for every game. The Cowboys signed Daniel "Who?" Loeper and even made him active before giving Arkin an outside chance to see the field. The company line that "he's a small school guy so of course he can't start until he has a 'full off-season'" contradicts the fact that the Cowboys inserted Arkin into the starting line-up in training camp. Something is fishy in Denmark and it's Arkin that smells.
PTA Meeting: I'm not Davey's teacher anymore, you're going to need to go across the hall to the remedial education center.
Josh Thomas
Post Draft Grade: A-
2011 Grade: B-
Description: Josh Thomas flashed some skills in training camp. The Cowboys tried to sneak him onto the practice roster because they have a stupid GM. Turns out those other 31 teams in the NFL like to add talent when they can and the Panthers quickly signed him. The reason Cowboys fans have to watch Stephen McGee throw incompletions is because Jerry tried the same trick with Matt Moore. So when you have to see Alan Ball next year, remember how Jerry let Josh Thomas slip away.
PTA Meeting: Family moved to South Carolina
Post Draft Grade: B
2011 Grade:C+
Description: You throw things against the wall and see if they stick in the 6th round. Harris looked like he might have some slot receiver skills. He looked slow during kick return duty and never saw the field as a WR. You try things in the 6th round, sometimes they work, 90% of the time they don't.
PTA Meeting: Dwayne is an average student. If you tell him he can be anything, an Astronaut, a President, you're lying to him. Let's just try to get him a GED and a stable job, shall we?
Post Draft Grade: A
2011 Grade: F
Description: And now we come to the Chap-ass. Remember Henry Hynoski blowing Sean Lee out of the hole for Ahmad Bradshaw this year? Yeah, Jerry passed over that guy to draft this Chap-ass. So when we watch Hynoski steamroll Cowboys linebackers for the next 10 years and Sean Chapas is managing a Taco Bell we can all reminisce about this pick
PTA Meeting: Teacher just stares at the parents in anger
Post Draft Grade: B
2011 Grade: B+
Description: Nagy was bad in 2011 as a guard. So why give him a B+? He showed some skills to get inserted into the starting lineup even if he was over-matched physically. I hate to use the cliche'd "give him a full off-season" but when you are talking about a guy that missed most of 2010 due to injury and the 2011 off-season there is reason to believe he may not be as strong as he would be had he been in the weight room for 2 years instead of his couch. I strongly doubt he will ever become a starter, he got tossed around too much in the regular season for that. But he clearly has some skills and a competitive mindset. An offseason of physical fitness and work with the new positional coach and I believe Bill Nagy could he a solid backup in the NFL. Combine that with his versatility to play either guard or center and you have a guy that could be a quite valuable piece of the team. Fans tend to ignore backups but injuries happen and you need someone on the team that can step in and let the machine move forward. Nagy is on track to be that utility player on the Dallas O-line and that's a great deal for the 3rd to last pick in the NFL draft.
PTA Meeting: Billy gets made fun of for being a big-boned kid by his classmates but that doesn't get him down. He works real hard at his studies and turns in good test grades. Billy just needs to keep working real hard and he can be a good kid.
Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.
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Haha, well done
I’d love to see your 2/3 grades for the 2010 club
#demarcusvstheworld
Cowboys wishlist: RG3
by accidental innuendo on Jan 28, 2012 9:22 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
this is true
Sean Lee didn’t start a single game his first year…(played in 14)
in fact he didn’t even record is first tackle until Week 5 (got 3)
Now I admit that Carter’s tackle totals aren’t impressive, However Remember Ryan’s Defense is much more complex than Wade’s was…plus Carter couldn’t practice with the team until what week 6? Sean Got a true Offseason, plus 3 games in Preseason, plus was on the roster the entire year…. advantages that Carter didn’t have…..
I would say Carter gets an Incomplete…
Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT
Now, if somebody doesn’t agree with that, that’s cool. I also don’t agree with the fact that I don’t have $10 million in my bank account. But the fact that I don’t agree with it doesn’t make it any less true.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 23, 2010 12:00 AM PST
by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 28, 2012 9:58 PM CST up reply actions
He wasn't allowed to attend practice till after he was taken off of PUP.
No earlier than after week 8.
He was the #40 pick in the draft
Many times you get 1st round graded players at that draft spot. At the very least you have your pick of the litter of 2nd round draft grades. Ben Ijalana could have been an upgrade at guard. Stephan Wisnewski would have been a difference making center that may have been the difference in Dallas being 8-8 or going to the playoffs. Brooks Reed would have us excited about Ware’s bookend for the first time in his career.
None of these names are “hindsight” names, they were all talked about before the draft.
Instead we have a guy that Jerry, the most positive guy about Cowboys players, says is “presumptuous” to talk about as a starter in 2012.
That’s a really really bad situation my friend.
by Blue Eyed Devil on Jan 28, 2012 9:59 PM CST up reply actions
While I agree that he wasn’t the best player to take with that pick you can’t punish him for it. It’s not his fault that we took him over some other players that some of us wanted.
That's the point of grading a draft
You can say don’t blame the Toyota Camry for getting purchased for $100,000 but if someone purchases a used Toyota Camry for $100,000 it’s a bad purchase. You want a Lamborghini when you spend $100,000 on a car.
Similarly draft picks have value. If Bruce Carter never starts for the Dallas Cowboys it is way worse than if Dwayne Harris never starts for the Cowboys.
by Blue Eyed Devil on Jan 28, 2012 10:09 PM CST up reply actions
To follow your automobile analogy:
In Carter, the Cowboys might just have picked up a Lamborghini for a the price of a Mercedes.
The reason Dallas picked Carter rather than Ijalana, Wisnewski or Reed? He’s a much better player—or at least was in college. He’s a superb, elite level athlete with ridiculous tools, who was a good soldier, loves football, and was highly productive at UNC.
Why would you think he’ll never start for Dallas? Of course he will, at some point.
This is why you can’t fairly evaluate a draft for five years. By 2015 we’ll have very different opinions on all of these guys. Sure, Carter may have proven by then to be a bust. But he might also be a perennial All-Pro. He certainly has the raw tools to become one…
by rabblerousr on Jan 29, 2012 11:37 AM CST up reply actions
Ken Norton Junior looked completely lost his first year with the Cowboys
by Jonathan Stern on Jan 29, 2012 2:41 PM CST up reply actions
Wisniewski was my pet cat
I was screaming “TAKE WIZ, TAKE WIZ” when it was our turn to draft… That being said, Carter isn’t a bust yet, lets wait one more year before we curse Jerry and the FO.
"People don't really understand the light that I bring and just kind of shine on my teammates."
-Actual DeSean Jackson quote
by CaliCowboysFan92 on Jan 28, 2012 10:07 PM CST up reply actions
I will give you Reed
but Ijalana was active for 4 games last year, and Wisnewski graded out worse than Costa iirc
plus while everyone agreed that Brooking was toast, I dare you to find one person that thought that James would drop off like he did….
So while yes in hindsight the Carter pick wasn’t the greatest, by getting him Dallas has potentially solidified the ILB position for the next what 6+ years?
and as far as the JErry saying that it is "presumptuous" to talk about Carter as a starter in 2012, Havent we all been saying that no player should be guaranteed a starter role? so would him saying that indicate that Carter will have to Fight for his spot?
But because he was a 2nd round pick you think he should be handed the starter role? Is that what you are saying?……
I am not trying to "put words in your mouth BED, simply trying to see what your Expectations are….
Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT
Now, if somebody doesn’t agree with that, that’s cool. I also don’t agree with the fact that I don’t have $10 million in my bank account. But the fact that I don’t agree with it doesn’t make it any less true.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 23, 2010 12:00 AM PST
by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 28, 2012 10:12 PM CST up reply actions
Wisnewski was named to PFF's all-rookie team.
plus while everyone agreed that Brooking was toast, I dare you to find one person that thought that James would drop off like he did…
This only means there was more opportunity for Carter to step in, but he couldn’t.
The only person keeping Bruce Carter off the field was Bruce Carter.
by Blue Eyed Devil on Jan 28, 2012 10:29 PM CST up reply actions
I wouldn't be so sure about that.
It is not like this team has a great history of self-scouting. I mean, if not for an injury to RW in 2009, does Miles Austin ever really break out?
And, on top of that, he’s a guy coming back off an ACL tear with no time to actually learn the schemes by performing them. You think that’s the guy these coaches, with their self-scouting techniques, are going to trust?
In my opinion the deck was stacked against Carter playing much this year from day one. And, while we are talking about the Cowboy’s medical staff, it should be noted that Jerry was surprised Carter even came back at all this season. If Carter underperforms next year I will join the mob with my pitchfork sharpened, but you have to give the guy an incomplete grade for this year.
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
Or maybe Jerry knows Carter isn't as good as he thought.
so would him saying that indicate that Carter will have to Fight for his spot?
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Jan 29, 2012 10:14 AM CST up reply actions
Look it up ...
“I dare you to find one person that thought that James would drop off like he did….”
This is what I wrote on November 1, 2010 on the Dallas Cowboys message board:
As for the middle linebackers, James and Brookings are just too slow to consistently make plays. They are too slow to blitz effectively (by comparison, see how the Jets blitz). They are too slow to cover TEs downfield, which they need to do because Spencer and Ware are going to be rushing the QB, and they are too slow to run down runners. They were both very, very good players during their prime, but the Cowboys need a lot more youth back there. This is Brookings last year as a Cowboy and I see James as having a drastically reduced role next year (unless he gets cut).
I was both right/wrong about Brooking — the Cowboys shouldn’t have resigned him (but they did). As for James, I nailed it. Neither are coming back next year. You can write that one in stone.
In the same post I wrote:
At this point, I would bench Sensabaugh, Brookings, and James, and play the young guys. I would also bench Ball but he qualifies as a “young guy” as well, and I don’t see a potential replacement on the roster, so we really don’t have much of a choice.
ok well you got me there
Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT
Now, if somebody doesn’t agree with that, that’s cool. I also don’t agree with the fact that I don’t have $10 million in my bank account. But the fact that I don’t agree with it doesn’t make it any less true.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 23, 2010 12:00 AM PST
by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 30, 2012 5:30 AM CST up reply actions
This post has exposed Jerry's poor philosophy in drafting
The first three rounds, to use a baseball analogy, is to hit singles with. Take the superstar when available, but you must be able to get solid starters from these rounds. Don’t swing for the fences if it may cost you an out. Injury concerns should be automatic red flags.
Carter and Murray are home run swings. Murray is a HR. he was a higher risk pick that outperformed most people’s expectations. A home run in the third round is great. Striking out with carter in the second is not so great. Going one for two in rounds 2 & 3 will not cut it.
By drafting more solid singles overe the years we could have had the opportunity to pass on OT and shore up the DL by picking a JJ Watt instead of Tyron. (I love Tyron btw). Instead we are held hostage to bpa
Ich bin ein Berliner--JFK
Aaaaa. Hit post too fast
*instead we are held hostage to bpa AT A POSITION OF NEED. This lowers the overall talent level.
Jerry has no excuse for this mess we are in. We have a franchise qb. Having that one piece should open up the floodgates for the acquisition of a super bowl talented team. Instead we are arguing if our second rounder will prove his draft status and which holes to fill this year vs next year. SMH.
Our HR hitting ability has also kept us from being the browns. If not for our late round picks and our UDFA, we would be worse than the redskins.
Ich bin ein Berliner--JFK
The game isn't over yet ...
Striking out with carter in the second
Let’s see the man get a training camp under his belt before we label him a bust. Sean Lee didn’t show us much his first year either and he far more opportunity to learn the defense than Carter.
One of the Cowboy players I will never forget is Jimmie Smith. Like Bruce Carter, he was a 2nd round pick of the Cowboys in 1992. He played 7 games in 1992 before missing the rest of the season with a broken leg. In 1993, he went an emergency appendectomy and didn’t play a down in the 1993 season. Dallas cut him before the 1994 season. He played all 16 games in the 1994 season (mostly as a backup) for the Jaguars. However, from 1996-2005, he had 1000 yards+ in 9 of those 10 years. His career numbers: 862 receptions 12,287 yards, 14.3 average, and 67 TDs.
Imagine the Cowboys of the 90s with him playing besides Michael Irvin … we would have been unstoppable.
The moral of the story … don’t give up on a guy over injuries early in his career unless you know he cannot play.
by Conn Cowboy on Jan 29, 2012 9:03 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Name me one team... Hell name me any team in history...
That hit on all three picks in the draft… Every year consistently.
You can’t do that… you can’t even name me one team that hit on 2 of 3 every year consistently.
If you hit on 1 of 3 you are at the League average.
Hell even your first rounders only hit at a 30% rate…. you have to be kidding to think you will get a single or home run with all three… it’s not going to happen.
RexP
Then why draft another injured guy and push your luck ?
you have to be kidding to think you will get a single or home run with all three… it’s not going to happen
.
If this team had so many holes why not draft someone who could kinda help this year. I hope like everyone else Carter becomes a star. But to push your luck in 2 years ….I don’t know bout that.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Jan 31, 2012 5:45 PM CST up reply actions
I think the draft was good
We have 2 starters in the first 3 rounds. The 3rd guy can be a starter this coming season. What more can you ask for? Sure it would be nice for all 3 to be starters from day one.
But how many team’s have there first 3 picks start from day one? I still feel that Nagy and Arkin will be starters with in the nest 2 seasons. I think they need to find a Vet center and it would help the line the most. If the Nagy and Arkin can end up starting you would have 5 of your 8 picks as starters. Now that is a good draft.
by tattooed cowboy on Jan 29, 2012 6:22 AM CST reply actions
You can't grade a draft after one year...
But if you did you would have to give the organization at least a B.
They nailed their first round pick which if you look at the history of first round picks you’ll see it’s no given that even the majority pan out. More often than not they don’t.
Actually look at the every team’s draft for last year. How many of them found more than 2 bonafide starters? We certainly got 2.
And you have to give Carter and Arkin more time. Calling them F’s? Crazy. Both could wind up being starters this year and having good years. Will you eat your own words then?
Get over not getting Hynoski. We’ve all had our favorite players that our teams missed on. 30 other teams made the same mistake
by livemontana on Jan 29, 2012 9:58 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
heads were right about Hynoski
we really really screwed that one up
but I will say this, Fiammettta is equal to Hynoski, so at least we got that right
I disagree about Bruce Carter obviously, but Brooks Reed would look real good right now considering we might have to draft a pass rusher
You know how I feel about Josh Thomas, incredibly dumb move in order to keep David Buehler
A lot of people were wrong about DeMarco Murray, but its cool people manned up to that
Dwayne Harris, man idk I like the kid, so I am positive that will work out
Nagy was a decent pick actually, at worst he is a backup
if we can continue to draft like this, oh baby
"With the 14th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.........The Dallas Cowboys select..............Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina"
My card has been sent in
by Archie Barberio on Jan 29, 2012 11:03 AM CST reply actions
Not so sure, Chia
Recall lots of posts by Raf (and a couple by me) on the Cowboys looking for a FB in the Moose Johnston mold: a guy who can both block and be a threat in the passing game. Hynoski can do the former, but struggles in the passing game—and thus announces to defenses that the play will be a run (or weakens the passing formation with his liability).
I’m not saying Chapas was the right choice—but he had the right profile: a guy who can both block and do a little damage in the passing game.
by rabblerousr on Jan 29, 2012 11:41 AM CST up reply actions
In short, Hynoski is a glorified Lousaka Polite.
And we’ve already been down that path…
by rabblerousr on Jan 29, 2012 11:41 AM CST up reply actions
Hynoski caught more balls in 2011
Than Fiametta’s 2011 and Gronkowski’s 2010 seasons combined.
by Blue Eyed Devil on Jan 29, 2012 12:32 PM CST up reply actions
he looked pretty good catching the ball against us
"With the 14th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.........The Dallas Cowboys select..............Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina"
My card has been sent in
by Archie Barberio on Jan 29, 2012 1:10 PM CST up reply actions
but how much is that an indictment of Fiametta?
if he was targeted more then yeah Dallas made a mistake…if not…then what is the big deal?
Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT
Now, if somebody doesn’t agree with that, that’s cool. I also don’t agree with the fact that I don’t have $10 million in my bank account. But the fact that I don’t agree with it doesn’t make it any less true.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 23, 2010 12:00 AM PST
by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 29, 2012 2:08 PM CST up reply actions
Hynoski was a good FB Receiver
I don’t have a full stat sheet but after a couple searches the only fullbacks I could find with more completions in 2011 were Vonte Leach (15) and Le’Ron McClain (14).
I think Hynoski is a top-tier fullback with good all-around skills. I don’t know how his receiving skills can be doubted by Cowboys fans that saw him first-hand catch the ball and hurdle Terrence Newman. That’s clip is going to be on the pre-game highlight reels of GIants games for the next few years.
by Blue Eyed Devil on Jan 29, 2012 4:33 PM CST up reply actions
Really ...
do you want your fullback catching balls?
The FB is behind the 2nd and 3rd TE as a guy I want catching balls. Cowboys have enough mouths to feed as it is.
he looked pretty good catching the ball against us
Anybody looks that good when Newman is covering them.
well thats my problem with the Cowboys
they are looking for too much in a FB
get a guy who can block and move on
"With the 14th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.........The Dallas Cowboys select..............Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina"
My card has been sent in
by Archie Barberio on Jan 29, 2012 1:10 PM CST up reply actions
Chia Reed is fantastic.
Playing with his de’s though helps him immensely. Imagine Ware playing on the same side as Watt.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Jan 29, 2012 2:18 PM CST up reply actions
I know
that front 7 is real good
"With the 14th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.........The Dallas Cowboys select..............Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina"
My card has been sent in
by Archie Barberio on Jan 29, 2012 5:31 PM CST up reply actions
I don’t know why we couldn’t find a way to get Willie Smith.
No one drafted him.
But he started at tackle for the Redskins.
He could have been the guard we were looking for .
by Jonathan Stern on Jan 29, 2012 2:44 PM CST up reply actions
well considering that Trent Williams is their best lineman
and I don’t think he has had a positive season grade from PFF….
Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT
Now, if somebody doesn’t agree with that, that’s cool. I also don’t agree with the fact that I don’t have $10 million in my bank account. But the fact that I don’t agree with it doesn’t make it any less true.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 23, 2010 12:00 AM PST
by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 29, 2012 4:00 PM CST up reply actions
Honestly, I don't put too much focus into PFF grades
But seeing how well Trent plays against D Ware makes me think he is good enough to play against any of the other pass rushers int he league
by somebodyquiet on Jan 30, 2012 4:06 PM CST up reply actions
You had to remind us that Buehler cost us Thomas.
Now I will have a headache all evening from beating my head against the wall again.
Formerly Pineywoods - different name, same cockeyed view of the world.
Jason Garrett - Lord of Order
Rob Ryan - Lord of Chaos
Yeah exactly
We got Dez, Miles, Witten, Robinson, Demarco and Felix. How many balls will the FB even see?
Has Josh Thomas really been that good for the Panthers?
I know we’re mad at losing Matt Moore but he didn’t turn out to be anything special. I know we always bring up Erik Walden too but the fans over at GB’s blog hate him. They want to upgrade him so bad.
No but you wouldn't expect him to be in year 1
5th round pick CBs are projects. Only the Panthers DB coaches know at this point.
So we’ll see. Still, I believe he was a project keeping on the roster over our injured “cold-weather-kickoff-specialist” David Beuhler.
by Blue Eyed Devil on Jan 29, 2012 4:36 PM CST up reply actions
So your saying 5th round picks are projects but
4th round pick Arkin gets an F because he’s expected to start right away?
hmmm
welll I think that is mostly due to the fact
Arkin was never active during the season….which means that Dallas was felt more comfortable with Daniel Loper (who was the Cowboys “cutting boy”(need a spot? Cut Loper") than David Arkin….
I actually understand where he is coming from on this one…..
Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT
Now, if somebody doesn’t agree with that, that’s cool. I also don’t agree with the fact that I don’t have $10 million in my bank account. But the fact that I don’t agree with it doesn’t make it any less true.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 23, 2010 12:00 AM PST
by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 30, 2012 5:35 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah Ironman has my position stated correctly
Remember they went into training camp with Arkin as the starting guard but he lost out to our 7th round supplemental pick. Then was inactive for all 16 games even as injuries took out players ahead of him on the depth chart. The coaches showed less and less faith in Arkin as the season went on.
I don’t know how good Josh Thomas was in Carolina, I don’t think he did much of anything, but at least he was active for them for a few games.
by Blue Eyed Devil on Jan 30, 2012 10:47 AM CST up reply actions
First off,
Nagy came from a dominant line in Wisconsin. The only reason he was picked as low as he was is because of a moped accident. And to be honest, if he becomes a solid back up for us, then that is a hell of a pick. There is nothing wrong with having depth…
F**** establishing a culture, we need to establish dominance...
that being said
while I understand his position, I don’t necessarily agree with it…..From what I understand Arkin was improving, then simply hit a plateau…
Something like that is hard to break through(having been an athlete in many different Sports I know this for fact)
It may be that Houck’s teaching technique wasn’t the correct one for Arkin and he may improve more under Callahan….
Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT
Now, if somebody doesn’t agree with that, that’s cool. I also don’t agree with the fact that I don’t have $10 million in my bank account. But the fact that I don’t agree with it doesn’t make it any less true.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 23, 2010 12:00 AM PST
by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 30, 2012 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
And the hope springs eternal.
I do agree that the grades may need to be adjusted after a normal off season – I don’t know if Arkin can break through, but I do expect Nagy to become at least a swing backup at guard. Be interesting to see how things come out.
Formerly Pineywoods - different name, same cockeyed view of the world.
Jason Garrett - Lord of Order
Rob Ryan - Lord of Chaos
agreed I would rather have kept thomas over Beuhler but
giving him an A seems excessive and the bottom of the draft rarely works out. Can’t keep them all and most won’t make it in this league
by somebodyquiet on Jan 30, 2012 4:07 PM CST up reply actions
To clarify
I graded the pick an A- on draft day. I have revised that score to B- after 1 season because he was not good enough to make the 53 man roster but still has promise in the league by making the Panthers’ 53.
by Blue Eyed Devil on Jan 30, 2012 4:16 PM CST up reply actions
Great write up
very entertaining……always early to grade after the first year IMO, but you did a good job of it
He who laughs last, thinks slowest
The Weather is here, I wish you were beautiful"
Indecision, may or may not be my problem
Honestly...
I think your a bit harsh with the grades. Carter is coming off an ACL tear and was able to contribute on special teams by the end of the season. I would at least give him another season and we can have a better picture of him. I’m kinda glad that your not scouting for us, because if they are Ray Lewis or Tom Brady in elite, I’m sure you would cut them based on these grades.
How do you call a guy remedial when he hasn’t even had a full off season of conditioning and training to learn the playbook? I’ll tell you what. Name me 5 players that where drafted with ACL tears that have dominated their positions. I’ll wait for your response.
F**** establishing a culture, we need to establish dominance...
I don't care about the grades ... accually a good write up.
The Grades are his opinion and he’s entitled to it… even if I don’t agree with it. My problem really is in the EXPECTATIONS that we as Cowboys fans seem to have of our players.
My expectations… 1st rounders should start for the Cowboys by the 2nd season. Contribute in the first season.
2nd rounders should contribute in the first season and be a good back up in the 2nd season and compete to start by the 3rd season
3rd rounders (same as 2nd rounders)
4th rounders… should contribute to special teams and backup to their position if needed or be on the practice squad… if they grade out over the first two years they should be competing to make the 53 man roster and starting position pushing our current starters.
5th-7th are hit and miss project players … if you do happen to hit…. then great.
RexP
by Rex Pfister on Jan 30, 2012 6:25 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
It is okay to use 5th 6th 7th for trade ups if you like a prospect.
by Jonathan Stern on Jan 31, 2012 7:34 AM CST up reply actions
The 2011 grades look a lot like my old report cards
"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"
Good idea for a fanpost
I’m impressed with our draft so far. We have three quality starters at three important positions RT (soon to be LT),RB, and Kicker. We haven’t seen enough of Bruce to judge him IMHO. Considering we didn’t have a real offseason, but still had 3 very successful rookies in my opinion weighs heavily. Next year this time it’ll be interesting to see how they all perform after having a full offseason. If Carter is at least a quality starter, Demarco continues to be a workhorse back (minus injuries), Dan avoids being iced and stays consistent, and Tyron makes the switch to LT and dominates, it’ll be hard not to think of this as one helluva draft.
Too funny...
The impatience and premature kneejerk judgement of Bruce Carter parallels the same criticisms handed out to Sean Lee after his rookie season.
Too funny.
Two forks in my eye > Watching an Aubrey Huff at-bat in '11
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