The Twitterverse is a wonderful place, once you get past the spam. Really, all of social media as a whole is reinventing the way people share information. You can keep track of all sorts of folks associated with your favorite pasttime; from athletes to beat writers to analysts. Sure, some people are too social, and you'll get the occasional faux pas or release of too much information, but the merits of the medium are obvious.
While watching the BCS Championship game last night, I came across a string of tweets that originated during the Wild Card games that took place on Sunday. To say that it piqued my interest would be an understatement.
If you aren't familiar with Bryan Broaddus, (@BryanBroaddus) as a Cowboys fan you should be. He writes for ESPN Dallas and is a former NFL Scout. He provides some of the best material that site has to offer and honestly, shouldn't be judged by his contemporaries. Anyway, Broaddus had an interesting exchange with @DCBlueStar that I had to follow up on to make sure my aging eyes weren't deceiving me.
BloggingTheBoysBlogging The Boys@BryanBroaddus Just want to confirm I'm twear-hustling correctly... team official says team considering moving Ratliff to DE?
@BryanBroaddus
Bryan Broaddus@BloggingTheBoys I have talked to several sources that said it is something that they would be talking about. Not done at all. Talking about
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Now that's a big change from the stance the team has taken pretty much every off season since Jay Ratliff was put as the nose tackle position. Again, Broaddus simply is saying there will be conversation, but I'm sure this will put some on the defensive but also please several others to no end. Get it? Defensive? End? I'm here all week.
Follow the jump for more tweet beat.
Another off season fan favorite for Cowboys followers are the draft musings of one Wes Bunting (@WesBunting), of the National Football Post. As last night's championship game went on, Wes provided his take on which players did what to their draft stock. Obviously one can't make a decision based on one game, but the performance of a prospect on the college game's biggest stage does lend some credence to how they will do with the higher stakes of professional football.
Bunting felt that Alabama offensive linemen, C William Vlachos and OG Alfred McCullough are both fringe NFL prospects at best.
Here's a collection of tweets from Bunting in regards to the numerous defensive prospects that took the field in New Orleans last night.
#Alabama ILB Donta Hightower lacks the kind of plus instincts to make up for his first step consistently to be a big time NFL LB #nfldraft
— Wesley Bunting (@WesBunting) January 10, 2012
Still don't think there has been a completion against #LSU CB Morris Claiborne tonight...one of few elite prospects in this years draft
— Wesley Bunting (@WesBunting) January 10, 2012
Love the short area explosion from #Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw.... Good first step and combo of power ...safe first round pick
— Wesley Bunting (@WesBunting) January 10, 2012
Looking at the girth of #Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw, you don't expect him to close so quick & play with the "plus" motor he does #NFLDRAFT
— Wesley Bunting (@WesBunting) January 10, 2012
After watching tape today/ early in this game #Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick is the best tackling corner in the nation... Top 10 pick #nfldraft
— Wesley Bunting (@WesBunting) January 10, 2012
Really impressed after first quarter with #Alabama SS Mark Barron, physical striker, improved balance with footwork, NFL starter #nfldraft
— Wesley Bunting (@WesBunting) January 10, 2012
We had a good comments section debate in one of my posts from last week about the strategy of taking Stanford's David DeCastro with the #14 pick. For those that think that great OG's can be found in the second round or later, your stance is buoyed by this Bunting tweet:
Well, you know where I'm going with this conversation, don't you? Obviously things will change as the combine comes and goes, but on a team devoid of much defensive talent, I certainly am leaning towards wanted a defensive prospect in the first round and solidifying the offensive line if a prospect is available later.
Everyone likes to point to the hope Dallas fields an offensive line like the early '90s and forgets that Dallas had a defensive line rotation that was the envy of the league as well. I do believe that offense is more important than defense, and I love watching the Saints with their elite line and the mesmerizing display of dominance... wait, I'm leaning the other direction again. Help me out here folks, what do you think?
And if you aren't currently, don't forget to follow us on Twitter @BloggingTheBoys, hopefully you enjoy what I brought to the table over the past season. We moved from just story links to plenty of interaction. In-game analysis, Q&A sessions and my general take on any and everything Cowboys. Join the fun.