Dallas Cowboys random articles
by Dave Halprin on Feb 25, 2008 1:27 PM CST
in Dallas Cowboys News
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PrintJerry Jones held court with the media and said absolutely nothing of interest. You can read the DMN version here and the Star-T version here.
I still haven’t decided how I feel about the Zach Thomas signing. There are a lot of good things about it and some questionable aspects, too. Something tells me I’ll have to end up seeing him in action before I can come to any kind of conclusion. Yup, I’m a waffler on this one. Anyway, Jimmy Johnson gives him high praise in this article.
"At his size, you've got to scheme him right, keep him protected, keep those massive offensive linemen off him. Give Zach a step, and he will make a ton of tackles. He's a tackling machine. A playmaker.
"As far as leadership, he's good at that. But a leader has to also be a good player. Unless age or injury slows him, Zach can still play. He's vocal; he's got tremendous passion and tremendous dedication.
"The guys will rally around him. The other players respect him for his talent, his toughness and that motor that is always running."
For the negative side, I stumbled across this article at Lubbock Online. I don’t know the writer or the publication but he sure doesn’t like Zach.
Let's see, why would I want an aging linebacker who missed all but five games of the season last year with the effects of a concussion, who has lost more than one step, misses half the tackles he goes for and can't cover me, which is particularly bad since he'll be playing inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. The 3-4 absolutely requires two things of its inside linebackers - that they be able to run and that they be able to tackle, neither of which Thomas can do adequately enough to be effective.
[snip]
Thomas will have a very tough time to crack the starting lineup. He'll go into camp no better than the No. 5 inside linebacker behind Bradie James, Akin Ayodele, Kevin Burnett and Bobby Carpenter (although Carpenter has been less than spectacular since the Cowboys drafted him out of Ohio State).
No. 5 ILB? Apparently this guy couldn’t be bothered to read about Jerry and Wade anointing him a starter already. Doing research is such a bother.
While watching the NFL Combine yesterday I noted in the open thread that I was really impressed with WR Eddie Royal out of Virginia Tech. Being an ACC guy, I’d watched him his whole college career, but his combine performance was spectacular and really opened my eyes. Mike Sando over at Hashmarks sums it up.
Virginia Tech's Eddie Royal posted top-five finishes at his position in four of five categories for which I have results. I have results in the 40-yard dash, 10- and 20-yard splits, and vertical jump.
According to numbers provided by the NFL, Royal finished first in the 10-yard split (1.48 seconds) and bench press (24 repetitions of 225 pounds). He finished fifth in the 20-yard split (2.55) and 40-yard dash (4.39). Michigan's State's Devin Thomas also finished first in two of the five categories in question (1.48 seconds over 10 yards and 2.52 seconds over 20 yards).
SaratogaMan also likes Eddie and posted a diary about it, here.
Here’s a good page to keep up with the combine stats for each drill and position.
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Eddie Royal
Dave H & TrueBlue: Glad to see you follow the ACC too as there are some real nuggets buried there that fit well with our needs. Re: Eddie Royal, he is definitely a playmaker, but I did not want to give you the impression that he is THE answer. I think he would be a steal in the fourth round as a playmaker. I mean, Skyler Green couldn't tie Royal's shoes.
by SaratogaMan on Feb 25, 2008 1:53 PM CST reply actions
But after his impressive combine showing...
... I could see him being drafted in the early 3rd round.
Man, he's fun to watch.
Just for kicks (sorry Grizz):
And another one (that killed me... against my Beloved Canes):
Finally, an overall tribute to the speed merchant:
I hoping Devin Thomas falls to us somehow
in the 2nd rd, I think this kid's upside is really huge. I'm thinking a much bigger version of Terry Glenn.
If that doesn't happen, I'd love to get Eddie was well later, in the 3rd or 4th rd.
Todd Mcshay
just said on the radio that Dmac measured at 6'1 1/4 and at 217 lbs.
Beast.
by Longhorn @ Blogging The Boys on Feb 25, 2008 2:20 PM CST reply actions
he actually weighed in at 211
D-Mac is a freak of nature!!!
Freak od Nature!!
would that be the porno version of freaks of nature, or how many women can you impregnate in a season, that would be under the Guinness book of world records freaks of nature..
That's FREAKin' Hilarious!!!!!!!!
Well, Wilt Chamberlain is the All-Time Career Ldr
Thant's right
He had women at a rate of about 4 a day according to his memoirs. There were bound to be a few "accidents" at that rate.
by APerfectStar on Feb 25, 2008 3:44 PM CST up reply actions
i like it how junk like this is not deleted
but other stuff is...
by Longhorn @ Blogging The Boys on Feb 25, 2008 3:49 PM CST up reply actions
C'mon Longhorn. I Love DM, just havin' a lil fun
I'd be ecstatic if we landed McFadden. I'm just clownin' around and funnin' with da whole playa thang.
That's all.
No disrespect intended, and no offense meant.
it wasn't a reply to your comment
it was a reply to Deke's.
by Longhorn @ Blogging The Boys on Feb 25, 2008 6:10 PM CST up reply actions
HaHa!
how many women can you impregnate in a season, that would be under the Guinness book of world records freaks of nature..
I smell a new reality show for next season...
Bumpin' Uglies....Starring D-MAC
HaHaHa!
get off the WR comment Terry
it's getting old. He is a stud RB the reason why he is the best.
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 3:12 PM CST up reply actions
that doesn't make sense
the reason why he's the best is because he's a stud RB?? Explain that to me.
Frankly I don't care if you think the WR comment is getting old, thats what he looks like to me when I watch him play, not a RB. Sorry, but thats my opinion.
He doesn't look anything like a pro back to me. Now Mendenhall, Stewart, those guys look like pro backs, those guys are beasts.
6-1, 211, to me thats good WR size, not RB size, especially when you consider his build. A.P. has similiar ht and wt, but A.P. is built like a back, thick in the hips and legs. Not skinny like DMac.
Someone that surprised me w/Skinny Legs was...
... UCF's Kevin Smith.
Did anyone see those hideous shorts he was wearing at the combine yesterday and how it totally showed how thin his legs are?!?!
Pass.
Tony Ugoh has skinny legs
This was his knock coming into the draft. Turned into a good OT didn't he?
That theory went right out the window.
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 3:59 PM CST up reply actions
If K. Smith was faster with dem skinny legs...
I'd say, maybe.
But if you're gonna have thinner legs, you might as well have top-flight speed like McFadden!!!
Now if we're comparing OTs, Torrin Tucker had skinny legs, and he's a regular turnstyle of an OL.
But that's just my opinion... which doesn't mean much.
Hell, it doesn't even qualify as a theory!!!
We're all entitled to our own opinions, 81. I'm not takin' myself too seriously, man...
No, I wasnt knocking you Silver
I was just commenting on the skinny legs theory and how people make a big deal out of it. In DMAC's case he dominated college football for the past two seasons with those skinny legs. In other cases having skinny legs could be a problem. Like in Smith. I didn't see him run so I can't comment
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 5:33 PM CST up reply actions
Terry its a good thing your
not a scout.
so AP at 6'2, 220 lbs that's a WR also right.
Brandon Jacobs is 6'2 260 so he's a TE right?
So what is a RB 5'7 200 lbs??
C'mon Terry let it go.
The kid was a Heisman Trophy candidate for two years running. Put up incredible numbers at Arkansas and was projected to be a better pro RB than AP.
He just lit up the NFL Combine.
That's what makes him a stud RB.
Terry, I played HS and college football at the RB position. He may have skinny legs, but that can all be fixed in the weight room just like him carrying the ball in the wrong hand at times and fumbling on occasion. Tiki Barber had the same problems as I pointed out in another thread and he was able to over come it. He is only 20 years old!. His body is still maturing. He has the frame to add the weight in his lower body and be just as fast. The upside and talent are off the charts with him. Who ever his NFL trainer will be is going to love his potential to grow and get stronger. The kid hasn't even begun to peak.
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 3:56 PM CST up reply actions
I could say the same thing about you
Anyone that knows football and if you played you should know this, knows that A.P. is built much differently than D Mac, they are nothing alike at all.
Okay, forget the ht and wt, all I'm saying is that he doesn't look like a pro back to me. I'm not saying he doesn't have talent because he obviously does.
But he is no where the sure thing people like you and Longhorn portray him to be. He certainly not worth trading up for IMO when there are backs in this draft just as good or better.
I may not be a scout
by I played the position unlike you for 5+ years in HS and College so I think I know a little something about working out and nutrition.
I know your a DMAC hater, but give the kid a little credit. He's been one of the best RBs, if not the best RB in college for the past two seasons.
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 5:38 PM CST up reply actions
2 time Heisman runner-up
I don't see how anyone could argue intelligently that DMac isn't the top college RB coming out.
The fact that he's lightning fast and looks like his frame could easily take another 5-10 pounds of lower body muscle makes him the clear pick as the 1st RB taken.
No player is a sure thing, but you can't use that as a reason to downgrade him. Stewart is impressive, as is Mendenhall, but I'd still put them a notch below DMac.
by APerfectStar on Feb 25, 2008 5:46 PM CST up reply actions
agreed Tom
no arguements here.
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 6:06 PM CST up reply actions
Legs, skinny or not
There are no sure things in the draft. That's what scares all these teams about drafting 1-5. The pressure is huge to hit the right guy and the financial impact can be devastating.
That I think is what fuels the intense scrutiny of guys like DMac. You are seriously betting the farm on his potential.
Experience is great
but I know many things about working out and nutrition as well. We should all understand that some guys can add weight well and others can't, at least not until much later in life. It's why guys turn to steroids - to take their bodies places that genetics can't.
I am not saying DMac can or cannot add weight in the right places and without affecting his quickness, but it's an open question for all young players. Personally I'd rather see a kid who needs to add weight or strength than one who is listed as "unathletic" or "lacks foot speed". Those can be worked on too, but with much less success.
My concern with DMac is his maturity. You hear more than you'd like to about him on that topic.
no doubt that's
a concern, but I think he is somewhat immature because of him only being 20 yrs. old.
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 6:58 PM CST up reply actions
I don't hate DMac at all
just don't think he's as good as most people think he is.
BTW, I played the game too at your level.
then you should know better
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 7:46 PM CST up reply actions
Mayock wasnt a RB
And just because he played in the NFL doesn't make him a know it all.
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 9:11 PM CST up reply actions
he still knows the game, he doesn't have
to play RB to see that D Mac isn't the best RB or a top 10 talent in this draft.
I guess I'm not the only one who thinks
DMac looks like a WR.
I’m not saying McFadden is going to be a bust, or that he’s too small to play in the NFL. But he is built more like Charlie Garner than Tiki Barber, much less Bo Jackson (6-1, 227), Barry Sanders, or LaDainian Tomlinson. Put simply, he’s got skinny legs and looks like a wide receiver, not a running back. He’s about the same weight as Laurence Maroney, but a full four inches taller. Can he put the weight on? Almost certainly, although it’s unclear if he can do it and retain his other attributes. McFadden’s a good prospect, no doubt, but he played his senior year at about 13 pounds lighter (and the same height or taller) than Adrian Peterson did last year, and I think that’s a significant enough difference to question if he’s really the same level of prospect.
Who cares Terry
The guy is a stud RB. Who cares if he looks like a QB, CB, WR at this point. The kid has been one of the best college players in two years. Enough said...Don't be a hater because the kid is that darn good. The fact of the matter is he can do everything a RB is supposed to do and do it very well as seen by the drills at the Combine.
Hey Terry, You better pray that Jerry doesn't pull the trade of the century and draft DMAC because I'm going to be all over you as well as others here...lol
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 9:18 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not a hater, but I' not a DMac homer either
I never said he wasn't good, I'm saying I don't think he's as good as you think he is.
I heard how great everyone said Reggie Bush was, how great of a stud he was, how he was the best college player in the country, how he can do everything great..sound familiar?
Turned out Bush is just a speciality player in the NFL and DMac is the same kind of back, only he's taller.
He's not an every down back IMO and I'll remind you all the time of that when it proves true.
that was an interesting write up Terry..
stats tend to tell alot of stories...
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 25, 2008 11:42 PM CST up reply actions
That's why we have these discussions
'Cuz we're able to get enlightened by opposing perspectives.
Superb point with this statement, 81...
He may have skinny legs, but that can all be fixed in the weight room just like him carrying the ball in the wrong hand at times and fumbling on occasion.
Point well taken.
Skinny legs...
Did you ever see Eric Dickerson?
He looked like a WR too.
I am guessing he is glad he played RB.
I remember Dickerson quite well actually and
I remember that he was bigger than D Mac and I didn't think he had skinny legs, quite the opposite, I thought he was built more like A.P., very thick in his lower body.
No way..
D-Mac is the spitting image of Dickerson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GyzP...
Peterson has way more wiggle than both of these guys.
D-Mac and Dickerson are 'gliders'.
Peterson is a high knee guy in traffic like Roger Craig, not as high but in same manner. AP runs much lower also, he compacts himself and never runs straight up unless he gets near the sideline.
Great point DC
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 5:39 PM CST up reply actions
Yep
some people are just blinded by their hate for the player.
by Longhorn @ Blogging The Boys on Feb 25, 2008 3:49 PM CST up reply actions
This ones for backs with legs
Check out the hit Earl Campbell dishes out in this youtube video
damn "e"...i sure loved me some Earl Cambell.
Those were the days...that man was a beast...if any of you youngin's never seen him play...you missed out on the most physically dominant RBs of all time..along with Jim Brown...I could watch film on those two alll day.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 25, 2008 11:47 PM CST up reply actions
thats true
Earl Campbell Was truley a BEAST!
MB3
Jim Brown played 9 years....
He left on his own terms, completely healthy to become an actor...
over 12,0000 in 9 all pro seasons...there has never been another Jim Brown.
...Cambell only played about 6 seasons ?...
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 26, 2008 10:18 AM CST up reply actions
Zach
I'm with you Grizz, I don't know how I feel about it either. But the deal is already done, so I hope it works out for both him and us.
by Nelson @ Blogging The Boys on Feb 25, 2008 2:30 PM CST reply actions
i'm excited about the prospect of getting...
such an accomplished linebacker...
but it's only fair to question if he's too old, too slow or has too many injuries to be effective...
i'm hoping he's the old zach thomas. Not the OLD zach thomas. if he's the former, he can help us out a great deal.
wait a sec
No. 5 ILB? Apparently this guy couldn’t be bothered to read about Jerry and Wade anointing him a starter already
Where did you read that Grizz? I haven't seen anything about him being named the starter. The last I read was he will be given the opportunity to start.
However, if this is true Ayodele is history.
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 3:11 PM CST reply actions
here
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/story...
by Dave Halprin on Feb 25, 2008 3:12 PM CST up reply actions
I see what your saying
because of Wade commenting on they feel he is a starter in this league, but to me that doesn't mean he's been given the starting WILB position. He is going to have to prove it in training camp. I still think Ayodele is gone and they will ride with Zach, Carpenter and Burnett. The one thing that is certian is there will be a new WILB next season.
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 3:18 PM CST up reply actions
Some interesting Jerry stuff..
Every time this man says Leonard Davis may end up playing LT if Flo leaves I want to grab him in a headlock.
Let the big guy stay at Guard where he can play at a Pro Bowl level!!!
Then I noticed Jerry is also not seemingly alarmed about the prospects at WR, yet there are rumors today about the Cowboys going after Javon Walker.
Jerry is still praying Stanback turns into something.
If Stanback pans out
He would be the answer to Cowboys fans prayers. Fast, well built WR with good hands that can also return punts.
Stanback and Free are the keys for our future, IMO.
by APerfectStar on Feb 25, 2008 5:50 PM CST up reply actions
You know
I've been really excited about seeing Stanback. He is fast but not nearly as fast as I had suspected. Apparently he comes in around a 4.6 in the 40 and that's on the high end for receivers. I'd bet that's actually around what Crayton runs, maybe just a tad faster.
Interesting, I thought he was faster too
Maybe he's just quicker, or accelerates faster.
by APerfectStar on Feb 25, 2008 7:15 PM CST up reply actions
I remember hearing him
say after the Cowboys drafted him he ran a sub-4.4
He looks fast on tape anyways.
That 40-time isn't representative of his speed
of his speed. He was a track athlete at UW and one of the better ones.
He showed glimpses of his previous, 4.42 speed in the 40-yard dash, the gift that made him a finalist in the Pac-10 championships in the 100 meters last spring. He finished one place out of qualifying for the NCAA finals.
by Dave Halprin on Feb 25, 2008 7:45 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah but...
That time was also long before the foot injury.
He better turn into something for Jerry because that 4th rounder could have been used on someone who wasn't another 'athlete/project'.
what a horrible draft pick
another Skyler Green in the making.
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 9:20 PM CST up reply actions
Cut the kid some slack!
what a horrible draft pick
another Skyler Green in the making.
It never ceases to amaze me how quick some of you are to throw a player under the bus.
He is admittedly a project makinhg the switch from college QB to Pro WR,and coming off a leg injury.
Everybody agrees it usually takes a couple or 3 years for even a STUD WR to mature into a productive player.
so why are you so quick to LABEL stanback a bust...after his rookie season?
hmm...
just like people are so quick to label Carpenter a bust right.
Are you one of them True?
Same applies here.
How we forget so easily.
by Cowboys81 on Feb 26, 2008 2:55 PM CST up reply actions
difference is Carp has actually has played
for 2 years and when you see Stanback light it up you'll be eating serious crow.
I go two words for you
just like people are so quick to label Carpenter a bust right.
Are you one of them True?
Same applies here.
How we forget so easily.
Jimmy Smith
NeXT.....
good call Tom..I agree.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 25, 2008 11:52 PM CST up reply actions
Jerry could be mentioning Bigg at LT
just to take away some of flo's bargaining power
That sounds about right
I can't imagine moving him out to LT in the real world. He's already shown he can't be nearly as successful as he is at guard.
by APerfectStar on Feb 25, 2008 5:53 PM CST up reply actions
who posted on restructuring of contracts?
I know someone posted the rule. If anyone can give me the link to the site or tell me the thread it was under I would appreciate it. I have a friend that posted on another site saying he heard Romo is going to restructure his contract, but I think he heard wrong.
by Cowboys81 on Feb 25, 2008 6:20 PM CST reply actions
Here
Here is the tread...
Thanks a mil DeRat
this is a big discussion on a board I frequent.
by Cowboys81 on Feb 26, 2008 2:56 PM CST up reply actions
Hmmm. Jimmy Johnson or some guy from Lubbock
Which one knows more about football and Zach Thomas. Hmmm....
We NEEDED Zach Thomas
by Baked Potato Soup on Feb 25, 2008 7:03 PM CST reply actions
What I got from Jerry
is that we go offense in this draft and not getting DMAC. I also got that Jerry wants himself a WOW factor.
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