Notes on the CB's at the scouting combine

by Dave Halprin on Feb 26, 2008 1:35 PM CST in Dallas Cowboys News

What’s up with the NFL Network? Today’s combine coverage of the DB's only showed the second group of players. So we didn’t get a look at guys like Antoine Cason, Mike Jenkins and Leodis McKelvin. I would really have liked to see those guys doing backpedals, turning their hips or their ball skills because the 40-times alone are not the only indicator. Come on NFL Network, while I appreciate that you actually show the combine, can’t we get coverage of both groups? I mean how many times can you show Total Access or NFL Replay?

OK, back to what we did see today.

Dominique Rogers-Cromartie was flat-out impressive. Not just his 40-time but his footwork, his hips, everything about him screamed star CB. I’m very worried now that he is going to jump ahead of the Cowboys draft spots in the first round.

Aqib Talib looked pretty good to me. He had a few moments where he didn’t look as smooth in the drills as you’d like, but he still looked better than a lot of the guys who were out there.

Justin King ran a blistering 4.31 40-time. I would love to have seen his workout drills but he was part of the group that the NFL Network didn’t show. Anybody watch Penn St. regularly this year?

A guy who I thought was very smooth in the drills was USC CB Terrell Thomas. I don’t know much else about him but he had a smooth backpedal and a nice turn of his hips.

Here are the top 40-times from today.

Justin King – 4.31
Tyvon Branch – 4.31
Orland Scandrick – 4.32
DRC – 4.33
Josh Barrett(S) – 4.35
Terrence Wheatley – 4.37
Tracy Porter – 4.37
Michael Grant – 4.37
Jonathon Wilhite – 4.38
Leodis McKelvin – 4.38
Mike Jenkins – 4.38

Zach Thomas talks about becoming a Cowboy.

The Star-T has notes on the slow-going negotiations with Flozell and this surprising stance on Marc Colombo.

Cowboys president Stephen Jones said the team will not renegotiate a new contract for tackle Marc Colombo, who said earlier he is looking for a new deal. He has one year left on his contract he signed in 2007 that will pay him $2 million.

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My three faves today...

DRC, Barrett, and Porter

www.xanga.com/five11nation

by kcbrett5 on Feb 26, 2008 1:41 PM CST reply actions

silver, oddly my pre Senior Bowl mock was:

1)Felix Jones-RB
1)DRC-CB
2)Porter-CB
3)Schmitt-FB
4)Barrett-SS
..............hmmm..i'm on to something...

now there is no way that's going to happen...

True Cowboys diehard since 1975.

by BoyzRback07 on Feb 26, 2008 2:46 PM CST up reply actions

The same stance should be taken With T.O

T.O's under contract for another year, there is no need to renegotiate his contract at this time, especially for a 34 year old receiver. Jerry should of learned from the long term contract he gave to Roy Williams, he should of waited until the end of that year to see if he had improved his play, which was very highly questionable for the three years previous.

Columbo had a nice year, but he signed a two year deal, so if after Thanksgiving next year and he's had another solid season, then Steven Jones can work on a longer contract, the same way we did with Crayton at the end of last year, there is no rush to get a deal done with any of these guys that are still under contract.

Trade up a few spots to get ahead of Houston and draft Jonathan Stewart, thee best all around Back in the draft.

by Deke on Feb 26, 2008 1:50 PM CST reply actions

Everybody's a scout. . .

Bum's Boy Boyz

by JerrodWheeler on Feb 26, 2008 1:58 PM CST reply actions

Thanks

Glad to receive your recognition.

If you're reading this, you could be commenting, too. Sign up for a free account on Blogging The Boys.

by Dave Halprin on Feb 26, 2008 2:06 PM CST up reply actions

ROTFL!!! I just spit out my afternoon coffee...

You're hilarious, Grizz.

www.xanga.com/five11nation

by kcbrett5 on Feb 26, 2008 2:23 PM CST up reply actions

very good assessment on Grizz's part...

True Cowboys diehard since 1975.

by BoyzRback07 on Feb 26, 2008 2:48 PM CST up reply actions

I wasn't poking fun. . .

I was thinking of how things have changed - that we have more information than ever before due to access, the complexity of the game, the obsession of the fans (note - us). . .

It is a different arena. One that permits our observations to potentially create a ground swell and shape perceptions. Do the paid scouts, coaches, and analysts have more information/access than we do? Sure. . .but we have the power of the fan. We shape political polls that drive policy - what makes you think we don't have the same opportunity to shape draft picks? With that opportunity comes great responsibility.

Or am I ready too much Fromm?

Bum's Boy Boyz

by JerrodWheeler on Feb 26, 2008 2:51 PM CST up reply actions

Some guys shouldn't have run da 40

All right, that was last year, but they didn't have footage available yet of today's so-called "sprint."

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by kcbrett5 on Feb 26, 2008 2:33 PM CST reply actions

Eisen is about as athletic as

a snail and almost as fast..lol

The Beast of the East is back!!!!

by Cowboys81 on Feb 26, 2008 2:44 PM CST up reply actions

The sad thing...

... is that U can't tell the difference between the slo-mo and the real-time vids -- LOL!!!

www.xanga.com/five11nation

by kcbrett5 on Feb 26, 2008 3:03 PM CST up reply actions

LOL..I thought my moniter was playing out...

BUT HE's JUST s l o w!!!!!

You'll never get in a traffic jam,while going the extra mile. -Roger staubach

by TrueBlue24 on Feb 26, 2008 5:11 PM CST up reply actions

I've been hyping

King for a wile now. I would really like it if we could get him in the third. I think he could be a future stater in this league.

Heres his combine script.

by Romo9 on Feb 26, 2008 2:44 PM CST reply actions

I agree Romo...he's raw..but top athlete...

I had him penciled in as a possible #2nd rounder for us on my late mock....he's going to go in round 2...almost positive...2-3 years from now..he'll be something else..

True Cowboys diehard since 1975.

by BoyzRback07 on Feb 26, 2008 2:51 PM CST up reply actions

I agree

Although I said third, that was my pre-combine mock draft, I think this did bump him up to the middle to late second round.

by Romo9 on Feb 26, 2008 4:58 PM CST up reply actions

Mendenhall = Tank

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mul...

by Jordan2 on Feb 26, 2008 3:47 PM CST reply actions

His middle name should be "Sherman" tank...

True Cowboys diehard since 1975.

by BoyzRback07 on Feb 26, 2008 4:09 PM CST up reply actions

I'll have to disagree

about Talib. He didn't look good to me and even Mayock the self proclaimed guru said the same. I think he just knocked himself out of the first round. I didn't think he was a first round CB prior to the combine and now I'm sure of it.

The Beast of the East is back!!!!

by Cowboys81 on Feb 26, 2008 4:55 PM CST reply actions

I watched King play this year

living in western Pa and I tell you he's a top notch athlete who can flat out fly. I remember all the Penn State fans up here doing cartwheels when JoPa recruited him a few years ago. He was the most hyped freshmen I've ever seen.

Although I hate Penn State (being a Pittster), I wouldn't be upset at all to land this kid in the second.

Although I'm praying we get a shot at DRC, that kid will be a flat out superstar.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Feb 26, 2008 7:04 PM CST reply actions

i'd like to get both actually...

DRC in 1sr , King in da 2nd.

True Cowboys diehard since 1975.

by BoyzRback07 on Feb 26, 2008 9:38 PM CST up reply actions

Justing King

is a tough read. I'm a big Penn State fan and either watch or attend all their games.

While he is a great athlete and can make plays, he was not anything close to a "shutdown" corner. In his defense, he always goes against the top receivers. Also, he had some injury issues.

He's the classic case, IMO, of someone with the natural abilities to score really well at the combine, but whos game day performances have left a lot to be desired.

I'm not saying that he won't turn out decent. Maybe good coaching and some time to develop will allow him to succeed in the NFL. But I would not select him as a high pick.

All that said, I hope he does well and will root for him until he plays against us.

by King Man on Feb 27, 2008 7:00 AM CST reply actions

good assessment Kingman....I feel the same way...

He surely should have stayed in school and worked on his game, he's a great athlete, but will need lots of work to better himself...right now, he's no better than Jacques Reeves...tons of speed, but little else...i'd hope he'd develope..i see upside there......and the very least, he'd make a good return man for now...that's why he's rated about 8th-12th on my list...still will go 3rd round or better.

True Cowboys diehard since 1975.

by BoyzRback07 on Feb 27, 2008 9:09 AM CST up reply actions

Reminds me of what was said about another CB...

During yesterday's combine session, I believe it was either Charles Davis or Mike Mayock who basically said that Antoine Cason (Arizona) was an under-the-radar type of corner who thrived in prime time situations... in other words, he always seemed to turn his performance up a notch in the big games.

They used the example of how his father played football at the University of Oregon, but the Ducks never recruited him.

So what did he do this past season, he was the defensive playmaker of the game against UO and wreaked enough havoc to turn the contest into a blowout in the Wildcats favor.

I believe that Boyz and Ark both mentioned Cason several weeks ago.

Btw, he also did real well at the combine, and I wouldn't mind seeing him wear the star!!!

www.xanga.com/five11nation

by kcbrett5 on Feb 27, 2008 9:28 AM CST up reply actions

I agree silverblue

if we can't land one of the first rd studs, I'd be happy with a guy like Cason in the second, if he lasts until our pick that is.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Feb 27, 2008 10:32 AM CST up reply actions

I'd love to have Cason....he's very versatile...

Unless we take him at #28....it's going to be hard pressed to get him at #61....I agree with Terry...If he indeed is a targeted CB we covet, we may have to jump up alittle to grab him Top 50

...He is a very polished playmaker..probably the most polished CB in the draft...There were really only questions of his make up speed...I think he answered some of that at the combine...If all the top notch CB's are gone earlier than (DRC,McKelvin,Jenkins) #22...I'd have to grab him at #28..or better yet, trade down into early round 2...

My current CB list:
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