Should The Cowboys Pursue Armond Armstead?

The NFL is a copycat type of league that is always looking for the next big thing. Some teams are willing to open up and go outside of the box. Over the past few years, we've seen players from the CFL make a transition over to the NFL. The success rate isn't very high, but players like Cameron Wake and Jerrell Freeman have come into the NFL and immediately made their presence felt.

Now there is another CFL player leaving Canada for the United States. Former USC defensive lineman Armond Armstead worked out for the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles. If you aren't familiar with Armstead, then I will quickly fill you in on his situation.

Coming out of high school, Armstead was one of the most sought after defensive tackles in the country. The large defensive lineman (6-5 and 300) had a bright future ahead of him at USC. During his junior season in 2010, he racked up 43 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. The switch from defensive tackle to defensive end really offered the USC defensive line more balance. The combination of Nick Perry and Armond Armstead was supposed to be one of the most dangerous combinations in college football.

Then there was a falling out between Armstead and USC. Armstead's attorney claims that his client was given a painkiller that forced him into having a heart attack.

"Armond suffered a heart attack," Dreyer said in a phone interview Thursday. "We believe Armond suffered the heart attack because of the Toradol administered to him by a team doctor."

The heart issues forced Armstead to miss the rest of the 2011 season and he went undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft. The medical issues may have cost Armstead a lot of money that he could have made had he been drafted in the NFL Draft, but he put in a lot of hard work and made a journey up north to the CFL.

Armstead signed with the Toronto Argonauts and he led them to a league championship. He recorded 43 tackles and 6 sacks, but he clearly showed scouts that he had recovered from his heart issues. Armstead went to the CFL to prove that he can hold up physically, but he also wanted to show that he still has the talent to play in the NFL.

So, after spending some time up north, Armstead is ready to take his talents to the NFL. There has been no interest shown by the Dallas Cowboys so far, but should Monte Kiffin at least consider taking a look at his former player? With a move to the 4-3, the Cowboys could use Armstead as three-technique defensive lineman. He's a big guy who would bring some much needed talent to the defensive line.

A quick look on the tape below shows me that Armstead is a very good athlete who has some power and strength in his game. He also possesses a great swim and spin move. I can't say whether he is going to be a good player in the NFL, but sometimes you need to take some chances. I would hate to see the Cowboys miss out on the next big thing out of the CFL.

I don't know if the Cowboys will pursue or even contact Armstead, but it may not be a bad idea. I ask you BTB, should the Cowboys pursue Armstead?

For more on Armond Armstead, check out this detailed scouting report on him here.

Armond Armstead 2012 CFL All-Star Highlight Video (via AW Prince)