Dallas Cowboys Rooting Guide For The NFL Combine

by One.Cool.Customer on Feb 15, 2012 3:00 PM CST in Dallas Cowboys 2012 Draft

If and when you tune in to the NFL Combine this year, you'll probably be focusing on the better known names. Luck vs. RGIII, how fast is Dre Kirkpatrick, what is David DeCastro's bench press, how agile is Quinton Coples, etc. etc. But when some of the lesser known names take the stage, you'll be wondering who to root for.

Not anymore.

Every year, in addition to 30 usually high profile national draft-eligible players the Cowboys bring in for pre-draft visits, they also bring in some draft-eligible local prospects who are usually less well known.

These visits by local prospects usually happen in early to mid April and are known as "Dallas Days". Players qualify as a 'local prospect' if they attended one of the many high schools within the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area or played for SMU or TCU. These "Dallas Days" have delivered their share of Cowboys players in the past, with the likes of Patrick Crayton, Brandon Williams, Jacques Reeves, Stephen Hodge, Bryan McCann and Dez Bryant, as well as last year's rookies Phillip Tanner, Raymond Radway and Josh Thomas.

We don't yet know which local prospects the Cowboys will invite this year, but we do know which of the 328 players invited to the Combine would qualify as local prospects for the Cowboys.

After the break we list the 15 local players attending the Combine this year, many of whom you've probably never heard of.

Thanks to BTB member sgitr for doing the legwork to find these names, and without further ado, here are the local prospects:

CBS rank	Projected Round	Player	POS	Combine #	College	High School	Hometown
92	3	Jamell Fleming	CB	DB14	Oklahoma	Seguin	Arlington
98	3	Cyrus Gray	RB	RB10	Texas A&M	DeSoto	DeSoto
122	3-4	Chris Givens	WR	WO16	Wake Forest	Wylie	Wylie
132	4	Keenan Robinson	ILB	LB26	Texas	Plano East	Plano
161	4-5	Jeff Fuller	WR	WO15	Texas A&M	Boyd	McKinney
167	5	Emmanuell Acho	ILB	LB01	Texas	St Mark's	Dallas
198	5-6	Jacquies Smith	OLB	DL48	Missouri	South Oak Cliff	Dallas
233	6-7	Tank Carder	ILB	LB07	TCU	Sweeny	Sweeny
249	7	D'Anton Lynn	CB	DB33	Penn St.	Celina	Celina
271	7-FA	Kelvin Beachum	OT	OL05	SMU	Mexia	Mexia
288	7-FA	James Hanna	TE	TE07	Oklahoma	Flower Mound	Flower Mound
314	7-FA	Ron Brooks	CB	DB08	LSU	Macarthur	Irving
320	7-FA	Patrick Witt	QB	QB19	Yale	Wylie	Wylie
334	7-FA	Jamie Blatnick	OLB	DL04	Oklahoma St.	Celina	Celina
601	FA	Josh LeRibeus	OG	OL28	SMU	Berkner	Richardson

The players are arranged according to how they rank on the CBSSports big board. The 'Combine #' is the number they'll be wearing throughout the various Combine events.

While a few names on the list will be familiar to the some Cowboys fans, many of the names will have even hardcore draftniks scrambling for their draft manuals. But with this list in hand, you'll know who to root for once the lesser known names take the stage at the Combine - you never know, one of them might end up a Cowboy.

If nothing else, us this list to get a head start on your pet cats this year. But if you're planning on watching the Combine, think of this as your Cowboys Rooting Guide for the Combine, and bookmark it!!

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Cyrus Gray is a bad mofo

only the diminishing value of RBs could push that guy down to the 3rd round

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by AustonianAggie on Feb 15, 2012 3:06 PM CST reply actions

Spoken like a true aggie.

Cyrus Gray is a bad mofo

Jerry is the end all in Dallas.

by football mensa on Feb 15, 2012 3:53 PM CST up reply actions

Yup, only an aggie would be excited about a running back who is:

Pretty solid in pass protection.

3rd in all purpose yards in the Big 12 behind Darren Sproles and DeMarco Murray.

In a single season had 6 straight games with over 100 yards and not once was there a worry that his hamstring would blow.

And, was able to do all of this starting out as the back up to Christine Michael, then when Michael got injured, stepping up, and then when Michael recovered, splitting the carrying duties. (As a note, when he ran 100+ yards in 6 straight games, Michael was injured, so the running duties were almost exclusively on Grey. When Michael came back at the beginning of the season, grey’s numbers dropped due to splitting carries.).

Or, were you just talking about the use of the word ‘mofo,’ because that’s not really an Aggie thing.

"I know we put a lot of weight on championships, and rightfully so. But championships are won as a team, and I'm fully convinced of that. You never see one guy — a great player, great quarterback — carry a team through the playoffs and into a Super Bowl and win a Super Bowl that way. I've never seen it." - Kurt warner

by Grimlock83 on Feb 16, 2012 12:26 PM CST up reply actions

I don't know what would bother me more

Dallas spending a top pick on a player from U of Texas or Dallas having a guy who was a Berkner Ram on the roster

check out my bands nanoSMASH and Day vs Night

by AustonianAggie on Feb 15, 2012 3:08 PM CST reply actions

This is one of a million reasons I LOVE BTB. Thanks for doing the footwork for me!

by phoenix11 on Feb 15, 2012 3:08 PM CST reply actions

I'll be rooting for Antwuan Reed from Pitt

Local boy from my town who played at Pitt as CB and had a pretty good college career there. He’ll be a late rounder but if he runs fast, could be a mid round pick.

I think he would be a nice 4th CB for us and he has nice return skills as well.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Feb 15, 2012 3:14 PM CST reply actions

J.Hosley is my pet cat & has really good hips, speed, ballskills & has great return skills also

he was a 4th rounder & now i’m seeing him more in the 3rd round but after combine it wouldn’t surprise me if some team took him late in the 2nd.
the kids an instant starter in the slot

Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.

by DCNation73 on Feb 15, 2012 4:22 PM CST up reply actions

I've even seen him going late first

Screw this Janoris Jenkins talk. We can easily get Fleming and Hosley and still be loaded. Both are future All-Pros IMO

by soonercowboy14 on Feb 15, 2012 9:58 PM CST up reply actions

Please Cowboys FO JUST SAY NO

To Jeff Fuller. He’s Roy E. Williams 2.0

I was watching some games to get a feel for Ryan Tannehill, and the one thing that stood out to me was Jeff Fuller’s bad hands.

He put those bad hands on display at the Senior Bowl during the practices and the game.

"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."

by Rohpuri on Feb 15, 2012 3:33 PM CST reply actions

I wouldn't mind taking a flyer on Ryan Swope.

Welker 2.0

"Back in Irish's day you had to kill a man before you were taken seriously in polite society." - Aquaman56 06/25/10
If everything I do is wrong, then goddamn, I do it right!

by Samuel_L_Bronkowitz on Feb 15, 2012 3:35 PM CST up reply actions

Now there's a guy who I would love to see in this offense

But we’ll have to wait a year for him

"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."

by Rohpuri on Feb 15, 2012 3:51 PM CST up reply actions

Let me guess -

Ryan Swope is small…

Welker is only good with Brady…

People do not understand this….

by Rome One on Feb 15, 2012 4:34 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, Welker was so terrible in his first 2 seasons in Miami...

with such great QB’s in Frerotte and Harrington.

by casew on Feb 15, 2012 8:42 PM CST up reply actions

Sure

It’s not like Belicheck said they got Welker because he was the one opponent they consistintely couldn’t cover or something….

Oh wait, he did say that.

by redandy on Feb 15, 2012 10:21 PM CST up reply actions

Tannehill has done a great job considering he was a WR not long ago.

i’d probably take Tannehill over someone like Locker or Ponder in last years draft but i dont think he’s ready to start his rookie season.

Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.

by DCNation73 on Feb 15, 2012 4:24 PM CST up reply actions

Not many pass rushers on that list...

Hey Washington... D.C. stands for Dallas Cowboys

Jerry the GM…if we could only find a way to get rid of that guy…

Twitter: @silva918

by Antonio S on Feb 15, 2012 3:37 PM CST reply actions

Let's hope Tank Carder

wasn’t one of the players busted in the drug test TCU did on Feb. 1. I just read through the arrest reports and one of the undercover cops said that Tanner Brock (linebacker) expected 60 (Yes, SIXTY) players to flunk the test. If nothing else, guilt-by-association is gonna hurt Tank Carder at least somewhat if anywhere near that number of players flunked a drug test at TCU.

"A successful coach needs a paitient wife, a loyal dog, and a great quarterback. But if you don't have a wife the dog can pull double duty." --Barry Switzer

by Tennessee_Jed on Feb 15, 2012 4:04 PM CST reply actions

Thats gonna get messy

Hey Washington... D.C. stands for Dallas Cowboys

Jerry the GM…if we could only find a way to get rid of that guy…

Twitter: @silva918

by Antonio S on Feb 15, 2012 4:13 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think we'll see any TCU guys in Cowboys gear anytime soon.

From the DMN today:

On Feb. 1, there was a mandatory team meeting where all players underwent a drug test, according to an arrest warrant.

"Ya, they caught us slipping," [TCU linebacker Tanner] Brock told an undercover officer later that day before allegedly selling him $220 worth of marijuana.

He added that he had failed the surprise test "for sure," according to the warrant, then adding that he thought it wouldn’t be a problem because there "would be about 60 people screwed."

Horn had looked through the football roster and "said there were only 20 people that would pass the test on the team," Brock said, according to the warrant. And asked about the drug test, Johnson allegedly told an undercover officer: "What can they do, 82 people failed it."

by One.Cool.Customer on Feb 15, 2012 4:14 PM CST up reply actions

hahaha Big 12 takes it on the chin

check out my bands nanoSMASH and Day vs Night

by AustonianAggie on Feb 15, 2012 4:18 PM CST up reply actions

thing is busting college kids smoking pot is like telling at an ocean to stop it’s tide. This is dumb. Hell weed is probably safer for the kids than Hydrocodone

check out my bands nanoSMASH and Day vs Night

by AustonianAggie on Feb 15, 2012 4:20 PM CST up reply actions

no drugs safe when being misused.

weed effects peoples brains & i’d stay away from any idiot who threw there career down the drain to catch a buzz. theres plently of people in college who are smart enough to stay away drugs & giving them a pass for being college students is crazy imo. at that age you should know better & while you can people 2nd chances you cant fix dumb

Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.

by DCNation73 on Feb 15, 2012 4:29 PM CST up reply actions

good point

On not being able to fix dumb, imagine what Dez could do if we were able too tho. I can only imagine

by P.N.Westernboysfan on Feb 15, 2012 4:34 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

Dez has C.Johnson or A.Johnson talent but can't figure out the playbook so far.

forget measurables & footballs not rocket science. seriously if Dez doesn’t look like the clear cut #1 this season then i dont have much faith he’ll ever be more then a JAG.
all the measurables & talent in the world doesnt fix dumb

Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.

by DCNation73 on Feb 15, 2012 4:39 PM CST up reply actions

agreed

It’s just…. That’s the hardest of all problems to solve. I wonder how low his wonderlict test was?

by P.N.Westernboysfan on Feb 15, 2012 4:45 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

Jag? Please

There aren’t many JAGs that catch 9 td in their second yr in the league.

by emmitthound on Feb 15, 2012 6:27 PM CST up reply actions

not a JAG

Dez don’t even know how to spell JAG. That’s the whole thing about him he’s gotta start gettin it imagine what he’s gonna be able to do when it all clicks.

by P.N.Westernboysfan on Feb 15, 2012 7:06 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

Give it a chance

He will do more when he gets more targets. Don’t know many 2nd and third options that catch 90 passes and 1300 yards. His production was right on line with where he should be. This is his third yr, first training camp, when blows up this year just be happy he’s on our squad.

by emmitthound on Feb 15, 2012 8:18 PM CST up reply actions

AustonianAggie

I agree with you somewhat, but this story is different.

These were players busted for being dealers (not just having a joint or scoring some weed for a friend, but being serious dealers). Also, the “surprise” drug test came after the head coach was informed by a “prize recruit” (according to the FW Star Telegram) that he would not be attending TCU due to the team’s “drug problem.” To me that’s a huge issue for the school and program.

Look, I’m not gonna blame a college kid for smoking a little weed, even ol’ Tennessee Jed tried a little weed in college, but these were serious dealers. Also, if more than half your team flunks a drug test that’s just crazy, especially when recruits are signing elesewhere due to the problem.

"A successful coach needs a paitient wife, a loyal dog, and a great quarterback. But if you don't have a wife the dog can pull double duty." --Barry Switzer

by Tennessee_Jed on Feb 15, 2012 4:32 PM CST up reply actions

I guess I didn’t read too far in to the article. I thought as of last year TCU was the cleanest program in college? What the heck happened?

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by AustonianAggie on Feb 15, 2012 5:03 PM CST up reply actions

whatever happened to TCU being the only program that background tested it’s players?

check out my bands nanoSMASH and Day vs Night

by AustonianAggie on Feb 15, 2012 5:04 PM CST up reply actions

You guess you "didn't read too far" into the article?

Well, heck, that’s what I would expect from an Aggie. ;-)

(I kid. I kid. LOL!)

"A successful coach needs a paitient wife, a loyal dog, and a great quarterback. But if you don't have a wife the dog can pull double duty." --Barry Switzer

by Tennessee_Jed on Feb 15, 2012 5:23 PM CST up reply actions

sbnation reported that it wasn't just weed

shrooms, pcp, ecstasy, etc

"We will not be denied." - Antrel Rolle

by BigBlueIntervention on Feb 15, 2012 6:08 PM CST up reply actions

BigBlue

I didn’t know Lawrence Taylor was in Fort Worth. ;-)

"A successful coach needs a paitient wife, a loyal dog, and a great quarterback. But if you don't have a wife the dog can pull double duty." --Barry Switzer

by Tennessee_Jed on Feb 15, 2012 6:17 PM CST up reply actions

Was chillin' there with Michael Irvin

:)))))

"We will not be denied." - Antrel Rolle

by BigBlueIntervention on Feb 15, 2012 6:43 PM CST up reply actions

DOH!

You got me!

"A successful coach needs a paitient wife, a loyal dog, and a great quarterback. But if you don't have a wife the dog can pull double duty." --Barry Switzer

by Tennessee_Jed on Feb 15, 2012 6:47 PM CST up reply actions

ha!

"We will not be denied." - Antrel Rolle

by BigBlueIntervention on Feb 15, 2012 6:50 PM CST up reply actions

@ least the playmaker knows the age of consent is 18 lol

"Some people wear Superman pajamas, Superman wears Chuck Norris pajamas. But Chuck Norris wears Sean Lee pajamas. That is all." --sirjason22

"I'm gonna punch you in the ovary, that's what I'm gonna do. A straight shot. Right to the babymaker." --Ron Burgundy

by DarkKnight88 on Feb 16, 2012 12:05 AM CST up reply actions

DarkKnight88

LOL! That’s just funny! Maybe LT can’t count that high?

"A successful coach needs a paitient wife, a loyal dog, and a great quarterback. But if you don't have a wife the dog can pull double duty." --Barry Switzer

by Tennessee_Jed on Feb 16, 2012 9:17 AM CST up reply actions

I wouldn't doubt it man

LT great player n all but off the field he’s useless.

"Some people wear Superman pajamas, Superman wears Chuck Norris pajamas. But Chuck Norris wears Sean Lee pajamas. That is all." --sirjason22

"I'm gonna punch you in the ovary, that's what I'm gonna do. A straight shot. Right to the babymaker." --Ron Burgundy

by DarkKnight88 on Feb 16, 2012 1:42 PM CST up reply actions

seriously these men knew drug testing was part of the policy, rules & didnt care.

my oldest daughter is going to college next year & i’d love her but i wouldn’t support her 1 bit if she threw her education/career down the drain for a buzz.
shes 17 (almost 18) & has enough common sense to know what they crap does to the brain.

Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.

by DCNation73 on Feb 15, 2012 4:32 PM CST up reply actions

"What exit do I take to get to TCU???"

- “Tank” Johnson

by Rome One on Feb 15, 2012 4:40 PM CST up reply actions

Sam Hurd anyone?

Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.

by DCNation73 on Feb 15, 2012 4:41 PM CST up reply actions

LOL

Sammy said … “TCU….small potatoes….”

by Rome One on Feb 15, 2012 4:43 PM CST up reply actions

Robinson

How is Robinson falling to the fourth round? Didn’t get to see a whole lot of him living where I do, but what I did see was a very athletic and instinct full beast of a LB at UT

by P.N.Westernboysfan on Feb 15, 2012 4:28 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions

i dont have any clue about Robinson but i thought him & Acho were decent players

Hanna TE & Brooks from LSU would be great pick ups if they went undrafted.

Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.

by DCNation73 on Feb 15, 2012 4:35 PM CST up reply actions

I had to comment

I just saw Jacques Reeves name mentioned in a post…

That is the funniest thing I have seen all day! : )

Thank Thank Thank You One Cooool Client for making me laugh my rear off remembering Jacques Reeves….

Hahahahaha

by Rome One on Feb 15, 2012 4:33 PM CST reply actions

yeah that name caught my eye

wasn’t the Texans the team that overpaid for his lack of skills?

Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.

by DCNation73 on Feb 15, 2012 4:36 PM CST up reply actions

I'm still laughing....

I may need medical attention….

Jacques Reeves….in action!!!!

by Rome One on Feb 15, 2012 4:39 PM CST up reply actions

Who was that giant Free Safety from Florida State - like 6'05" Parcells took

Thinking he would lock down the position????

Another laugher!!!!

by Rome One on Feb 15, 2012 4:42 PM CST up reply actions

Watkins

The galloping giraffe…

by TheCowboyWay on Feb 15, 2012 5:04 PM CST up reply actions

Patrick Watkins

I remember him getting embarrassed against the Eagles a few times. His one good moment came in a game against Minnesota in 2007 when Chris Canty (sigh) blocked a field goal and he returned it for the TD.

"A superhero in the flesh, even at my worst I'm the best."

by MicThaRock on Feb 16, 2012 8:39 AM CST up reply actions

Patrick Watkins...Watch DeSean grab his facemask and wave bye bye

Tag Team name for Sean Lee and Bruce Carter is RUSH HOUR

by Rohpuri on Feb 16, 2012 11:20 PM CST up reply actions

D'Anton Lynn

Better than Alan Ball right now.

Today.

February 15, 2012

by Rome One on Feb 15, 2012 4:36 PM CST reply actions

D'Anton Lynn

6’, 200+ Lbs. Good size for a CB. I think he played some at FS.
Speed? IDK how fast he is, or isn’t.

by 1Bullseye on Feb 15, 2012 5:13 PM CST up reply actions

Ball is a 4.6 guy. But he's 6'2.

My most recent fanpost:
The Weekly Chessmatch: Cowboys @ Eagles

by CotySaxman on Feb 16, 2012 11:18 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

so is Antwuan Reed

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Feb 16, 2012 10:49 AM CST up reply actions

Rico Wallace-The Sleeper WR of this year's draft

Mocking the Draft did a story on him yesterday. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cowboys have already scouted him. He was invited to the combine, but he’s got his pro day at James Madison University on March 16th.

"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."

by Rohpuri on Feb 15, 2012 4:57 PM CST reply actions

Should say, he WASN'T invited to the combine

"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."

by Rohpuri on Feb 15, 2012 4:58 PM CST up reply actions

Rico Wallace?

Is he related to Uncle Rico? Can he throw a football over a mountain?

"A successful coach needs a paitient wife, a loyal dog, and a great quarterback. But if you don't have a wife the dog can pull double duty." --Barry Switzer

by Tennessee_Jed on Feb 15, 2012 5:51 PM CST up reply actions

Lol. He was a high school QB

He looks like he can probably jump over a mountain and catch the ball.

"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."

by Rohpuri on Feb 15, 2012 6:21 PM CST up reply actions

good

I never wanted Tank Carder anyway

Tanner Brock was a guy mocked to the Cowboys recently, doubt he is one now unless he is a UDFA

is that really the only players from the Dallas area eligible for the Dallas Day? pretty weak Dallas Day class this year

Anthony Spencer is not the Egg McMuffin of 3-4 OLB's

by Archie Barberio on Feb 15, 2012 5:08 PM CST reply actions

thats the Dallasites who are in the combine

Dallas Day will feature a much wider swath of players

check out my bands nanoSMASH and Day vs Night

by AustonianAggie on Feb 15, 2012 5:09 PM CST up reply actions

oh I didn't think of that

Anthony Spencer is not the Egg McMuffin of 3-4 OLB's

by Archie Barberio on Feb 15, 2012 8:36 PM CST up reply actions

I wonder how many times in his life

Patrick Witt was called a nitwit?

"The tone is business," Garrett said. "Let's get to work. The Giants are going to be at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 4:15. They're an awfully good football team. We have to get ready for them."

by Rohpuri on Feb 16, 2012 12:49 AM CST reply actions

I think I've found one of my pet cats for this draft.

Jacquies Smith, he’s from an area not far from the one I lived while I was in high school in, he graduated from one of our most hated rivals, and plays at a position of need. No, he won’t come in and start as a rookie 5th round pick, but maybe he impresses some folks at the combine and goes in the 4th, maybe even to Dallas.

"A superhero in the flesh, even at my worst I'm the best."

by MicThaRock on Feb 16, 2012 8:45 AM CST reply actions