Dallas Cowboys News & Analysis | Cowboys Nation

Saying Everything and Nothing at All

2012-02-25T09:37:00.002-06:00

Jerry held court for the press yesterday, and gave them one tip, then another, then another...

So many tips it's hard to find a scoop. He said they could take a pass rusher at 14. He didn't rule out an offensive lineman there.

On free agency, he held out a scenario where the Cowboys could keep Terence Newman, long assumed to be marking time until he's cut before the March 13th free agency window opens. Then Jerry offered this goulash about Anthony Spencer. Bonus points if you can parse this passage:

“He’s your edge guy,” Jones said. “He plays differently by design than [DeMarcus] Ware, and let’s say he’s a set-your-edge and Ware is freer to go. Now the fact that Ware draws the chip, draws the block, the double team, then that should make Spencer have an edge. That should free up Spencer more, but you could come up with a concept that if you had two Wares you can set the edge less with the other guy.

“Let’s not say Spencer, but name another top pass rusher in the league and had them at both ends, you would play them differently than we would Spencer. If we end up changing that then you will see Spencer with better sack numbers, not necessarily at the expense of Ware, but just by doing it differently.”

“Anthony can be and is very capable of being much more impactful for us than he was last year, although he played well last year,” Jones said. “To have a Ware and two have two really pressure players that other teams have to deal with is a dream of defensive coordinators. I personally think Anthony Spencer has a chance to be a much more effective pressure player, and so he’s somebody I value.”

You can see this as an endorsement of Spencer, in the "he's somebody I value" clause. You can also see it as an indictment of Spencer, because he points out that Ware draws the extra attention and gives Spencer better chances, which he has not exploited.

And who is this other "pressure player," this hypothetical -- or not hypothetical? -- "second Ware" he's suggesting?

If you want the Cowboys to franchise Spencer, there's something for you here. If you want the Cowboys to get another veteran, there's something for you too. If you think the Cowboys will tag Spencer and get another top rusher, you can find some evidence here as well.

Then there's Jason Garrett. He's been very positive about Spencer and his fellow free agents. But when has Garrett ever uttered a discouraging word about any of his players to the press?

Cowboys Kremlinologists will remember that the team's brass were quiet as monks during the Johnson era. In Jerry 1.0, information leaked freely. Since an information embargo seems impossible while Jerry is sentient and press microphones are plentiful, maybe the team has taken a new tack; instead of saying nothing, they'll say everything.

Which amounts to nothing at all.

The Combine is Underway

2012-02-24T17:52:00.001-06:00

Official weights and measurements had physical tests have begun.

Some early numbers of interest.

The offensive linemen lifted today. Some numbers of note:

OTs
Matt Kalil, USC -- 30 reps @ 225 lbs.
Zebrie Sanders, Florida State -- 28 reps
Riley Reiff, Iowa -- 23 reps
Mike Adams, Ohio State -- 19 reps

Gs
David DeCastro, Stanford -- 34 reps
Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State -- 32 reps
Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin -- 32 reps
Tony Bergstron, Utah -- 32 reps
Jeff Allen, Illinois -- 31 reps
Cordy Glenn, Georgia 31 reps
Amini Silatolu, Midwestern State -- 28 reps
Brandon Washington, Miami -- 28 reps

Cs
David Molk, Michigan -- 41 reps
Ben Jones, Georgia -- 29 reps
Mike Brewster,Ohio State -- 29 reps
Phillip Blake, Baylor -- 22 reps
Peter Konz, Wisconsin -- 18 reps

I'm surprised by the low reps put up by Mike Adams and Peter Konz. Adams has a chance to rise, given the need for OTs among teams in the 9-13 range. Konz won't lose his top center rating over this, but does this hurt him?

Draft Windows: Who Might Be Available at Pick 14 and Who Won't

2012-02-24T11:02:00.000-06:00

Jeff Fisher's next power back?

Mocks come fast and cheap these days, with the free agent window still three weeks away. With the Combine approaching, I'm taking a different approach to the first this week. I'm looking at the top picks and trying to figure where they slot. I'm creating windows for each name, their potential high and their potential low.

In today's exercise, I'm going to eliminate some names from the top, those that have absolutely no chance of entering Dallas' discussion.

-- Andrew Luck: window, 1-2 Odds are strong that he'll be the top overall pick, no matter what anybody in the Colts front office claims. They're not moving down, and the only player with a remote chance of jumping Luck is Robert Griffin III.

-- Robert Griffin III: window 2-4. The Rams, owners of the 2nd pick, have made it clear that their pick is for sale. That's led to speculation that either the Browns will move up from the 4th pick or the Redskins will hop from the 6th. One of them will likely make the move. The worst case scenario will have the Browns pick him at 4, should St. Louis ask for too much, or stay in the two slot and take the next player.

-- Matt Kalil: window 2-6: I've seen rumors this week that the Rams could cut offensive tackle Jason Smith. This would create a hole at one of the tackle spots. The Rams could stay in the 2nd slot and draft Kalil here. If they don't, it's become a consensus among the mockers that the tackle-needy Vikings will grab him at slot 3. If the Vikings take someone like Morris Claiborne, the Rams will likely snap him up.

-- Trent Richardson: window 4-17. A very wide window for a back some have said is the best prospect since Adrian Peterson. Backs fall, with so many teams using rotations now. Ask Richardson's college teammate Mark Ingram, who dropped all the way to the 28th slot last year.

I don't see that happening with Richardson. Two teams in the top 5, the Rams or the Bucs could take him. Should Richardson escape them he could drop a bit, but there's not a chance he slips past the Jets at 16 or the Bengals at 17. Both teams need backs, and Richardson would improve either's playoff odds.

My guess? I think the Rams will take Richardson, at pick 4, or at pick 6, depending on their deal. Yes, I know the Rams have Steven Jackson, but for how long, and at what level? Jackson has eight years and over 2100 carries on his odometer. He's past the point where most backs lose their effectiveness. Jackson also signed a six-year extension in 2008 that has huge salary escalators built into the last two seasons, 2012 and 2013. I have not seen any updates on this, but it was reported in '08 that Jackson would have to maintain his '05-'07 level of production to trigger the escalators, something Jackson has done.

Now, take a look at new Rams coach Jeff Fisher's style. He built all his Oilers and Titans offenses around a power running game. He got Eddie George in 1996 and used him until he wore out. George last started for Tennessee in 2003. That spring, Fisher used a 3rd round pick on Colorado's Chris Brown, a 235 lb. masher in the George mold. Brown got two years at starter in '04 and '05 and underwhelmed.

In '06, Fisher used his 2nd round pick on USC bruiser LenDale White. He failed to impress, so the next season Fisher used another 2nd rounder on Arizona's 235 lb.Chris Henry. He didn't cut it, so the next season Fisher used Tennessee's first rounder on Chris Johnson.

Fisher wants to run the football and he isn't shy about spending high picks on backs until he finds the right one. He drafted four in a six-year span, looking for a back equal to or better than Eddie George. Fisher will have a chance to grab a true marquee running back in year one of his new regime. Maybe it's one year too soon, but Jackson's age and contract suggest to me that Richardson will get strong consideration.

Richardson is the most likely prospect to drop, but if his scoped knee checks out, he'll probably be drafted high. Nobody questions his game.

Morris Claiborne: window: 4-7 He's a blue-chipper on everybody's board. Big time corners don't slip. He might be a consideration for St. Louis, but I look at Tampa and Washington as his most likely landing spots. He won't get past the D-back starved Jags at 7. Teams will be forcing better players over him if that happens.

Michael Brockers: window 6-8 He's now a solid top-10 prospect. He would make sense for the Rams if they dropped to 6 and passed on Richardson. I've heard from more than one source that he won't get past Carolina at 8. The normal caveats apply, but he would make sense in Carolina blue.

Quentin Coples: window 5-14 The highest rated 5-technique and 4-3 DE prospect on many draftnik. Butch Davis works for the Bucs now, and may want one of his North Carolina standouts to pair with Adrian Clayborn. If the Redskins don't chase Griffin, and miss on Claiborne, Coples would make sense for them. He would also make a lot of sense for the Jaguars, who have no edge rushers on their four-man line. Would Dave Wannstedt take his buddy Davis' guy at 10 for his new Bills 4-3?

He's the kind of guy the Cowboys would grab at 14, and I've seen one draftnik slot Coples there. Questions about his motor could drop Coples into Jerry's reach, but with so little competition and so many teams in the 5-10 range matching up, I can't see the Cowboys getting a shot.

Next: OT alley

Cowboys Offseason 2012: Youth or Risk?

2012-02-23T10:54:00.003-06:00

Abraham: age or production?

Which blueprint will the Cowboys follow in 2012? Will they combine the steady weeding of older veterans with the influx of young blood we saw in 2011, or the dart-board addition of talent, regardless of age?

Stephen Jones' pre-Combine address yesterday hinted at option one. He all but declared Bradie James and Keith Brooking cut men walking. Jerry Jones suggested the same of Terence Newman earlier this off-season. At the same time, Stephen labeled 26 year old Laurent Robinson "a priority." More kids, more long-term thinking.

Of course, we're still three weeks away from the free agent window. We've seen Jerry succumb to impulse once those windows open. He came this close with Nnamdi Asomugha last year. Could he pursue another older veteran? We've discussed the possibility that this could happen at center, if the team feels none of the Costa, Kowalski, Nagy trio can progress.

Scanning the free agent list, one candidate catches my eye -- John Abraham. He'll turn 34 this summer, but he's still an A-list pass rusher. Abraham's agent said yesterday that he expects the Falcons will let Abraham hit the market. Older players represent a major risk, but Abraham's production has been high and steady the last five years. He's averaged 10.9 sacks per season in that span, with very little help. He's generated 36% of the Falcons' sacks since '07, the same percentage DeMarcus Ware has for the Cowboys.

And there's this:

He's a class above Anthony Spencer, maybe two. Bill Parcells drafted Abraham in 2000 with the intent of playing him at outside linebacker in a 3-4, though he's spent most of his career with his hand down in a 4-3. He might welcome the late-career conversion 4-3 ends Willie McGinnest and Greg Ellis made, standing up and playing SOLB in a five-man front. This would give him more rushes against tight ends and backs and lessen the pounding on his body. He might also welcome playing opposite a fellow elite rusher like Ware.

Abraham's age should keep teams from offering him a long-term deal. He would probably cost less than Mario Williams, who is seven years Abraham's junior.

Here's a hypothetical. If you're priced out of the Williams sweepstakes, and could get Abraham on a short-term deal, say two years with an option, would you go this route, or tag Spencer for $8.8 million ?

Which path would Jerry choose?

The Cowboys Combine Rush Sleeper?

2012-02-22T20:26:00.000-06:00

The Anthony Spencer debate gained momentum today with statements by both Stephen and Jerry Jones hinting that the team values the veteran, but stopping short of firmly committing to franchising him. The big question centers on draft value at the outside linebacker position. While Melvin Ingram and Courtney Upshaw top the OLB rankings, neither has convinced draftniks that they have a sure double-digit-sack-per-year upside.

Which brings us back to West Virginia's Bruce Irvin. Wes Bunting tipped us weeks ago that Irvin had piqued the interest of many 3-4 teams looking for edge rushers. Irvin played out of position, as a 5-technique in a 3-3-5 scheme. Scouts and draftniks looked for Irvin to switch to the linebacker spot at the Senior Bowl, but he was not invited.

This weekend, we and the professionals will get our first look at Irvin when he works out at the Combine. Here's a grading guide on him from Wes:

Cowboys Nation: Questions keep coming in about Bruce Irvin. Since nobody has seen him work out, I guess the folks at home will get an early a look at him this off-season as you have.

Wes Bunting: They're going to stand him up and have him work out as a 3-4 outside backer.

CN: Since he didn't go to the Senior Bowl, and there's no tape of this guy as a 3-4 OLB, is there a speed range into which we can slot him? In other words, if he runs a certain time, can we peg him in one round, and if he runs a faster or slower time, in earlier or later rounds?

WB: First off, I want to see how big he is. There's a big difference if he comes in at 225 pounds and he's running 4.5 than if he's 245 and runs 4.5. If he comes in at 240 or 245 and runs in the high 4.4s or low 4.5s, he's locked up 2nd round. If he builds momentum off that, maybe he can sneak into the 1st round.

If he's 225 and running 4.6, that's not impressive. It's the combination or speed and weight.

The Cowboys Aim to Avoid Repeating History at Inside Linebacker

2012-02-22T13:33:00.004-06:00

Prospect X: 6'2", 239 lbs.

"Smooth, fluid athlete with loose hips. Great athletic ability. Shows the movement skills of a safety. Very active. Makes plays sideline to sideline... changes directions quickly and gets good depth on his drops. Explosive hitter... runs around too many blocks and is not a take-on guy. Motor does not always run.

Run-and-hit "Will" linebacker who would fit ideally in a one-gap defense. Has first-round athletic ability."

Which Cowboys player carried this scouting report into the pros?

Raise you hand if you said Bruce Carter. You would be close, but off-the mark. This was Kevin Burnett's profile when he entered the NFL in 2005. A side-by-side comparison of Burnett and Carter is uncanny. Both were weakside 4-3 linebackers in college. Both tore ACLs in college. Both were drafted in the 2nd round, and were tabbed as 1st round talents. Both were projected as inside linebackers in a 3-4 scheme. Both missed significant time as rookies.

The next year will tell if Dallas can shake its dread of repeating familiar and failed history. Burnett frustrated the team and fans in his four years with the team. He missed more time in his second season with minor injuries, then failed to crack the starting lineup when Wade Phillips replaced Bill Parcells in 2007. Dallas preferred to go with Akin Ayodele in '07 and '08, using Burnett as a dedicated nickel back. Burnett thrived in that role, but when his contract came up for renewal in 2009, the Cowboys let him go, drafting Jason Williams as his replacement.

While Williams face planted, Burnett proved his three-down bonafides, first for the Chargers and then the Dolphins. He got his weight up to 240, after spending his last Cowboys season at 227, and showed why Bill Parcells valued him. Burnett made every start the last two seasons, recording 164 solo tackles and 8.5 sacks.

Whatever the case, be it too little cap space or too little faith, the Cowboys erred in letting Burnett go. He could have manned one of the inside spots the Cowboys have tried to fill with greybeards like Keith Brooking and with duds like Williams.

Which gets us to Carter. His weight has been a subject of recent debate. He ended the season at 233. He weighed 241 at the 2011 Combine, and has been in same weight range as Burnett. The Cowboys have not updated team weights since the season finished, so there's no telling where Carter tips the scale now. Adding 5-8 lbs. should not be hard. He's played at 240 before.

There's also the matter of projection. Dallas has drafted a series of athletic, but injured inside linebackers in recent years. The first two, Burnett and Sean Lee, turned into solid pros. Add that Dallas' rating of All Pro ILB NaVorro Bowman was dead on in 2010 -- he got a top 25 grade from the team, while the consensus among the draftniks was that he was a 3rd rounder -- and I'm willing to give the scouts and Carter the benefit of the doubt for the moment.

This team misses enough as it is. There's no reason to compound the problem by bailing early on a possible hit. Kevin Burnett shows why.

Cowboys Free Agency 2012: Stirrings in the Mid-Price Basket

2012-02-21T10:14:00.001-06:00

Early news from this pre-free agency period suggests the cornerback pool will become thin and overpriced when the free agency window opens March 13th. Stanford Routt signed for nearly $7 million per. Top candidate Cortland Finnegan wants a contract that averages close to $10 million a year.

A better buy may come from the center position. Today's Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports of discord between center Scott Wells and the team. Wells is seeking a deal that ranks among the top five at his position. That's still a rather large chunk of change. The five best centers average $7.07 M per season. As the story points out, four of those contracts were given to players in their mid-20s, players like Nick Mangold and Ryan Kalil.

A better benchmark might be Giant center David Baas' 5-year, $27.5 million deal, signed last year. Baas is close to Wells in age (the former is 30, Wells is 31). That's a cap figure the Cowboys could tolerate.

Of course, there are other factors to consider. What's Wells' anticipated performance arc compared to the players in house? Will the copious amounts of money available to teams blow up the centers prices, even 30-something centers' prices, once the market starts?

If nothing else, Wells gives Dallas one more option to consider, should it decide to pursue a center.

In other news, if you're not reading Jimmy K's pieces on Anthony Spencer's potential tag in Blogging the BEast, go here and here. Full disclosure. I'm in full agreement with his conclusions.

You can take it as concern trolling, but K has marshaled too much data to make his point, in my opinion. Franchising Spencer is a poor use of limited cap resources.

Cowboys Free Agency 2012: Finnegan Wants (Almost) Asomugha Money

2012-02-20T18:07:00.002-06:00

One more reason to take Rob Ryan at his word when he said he was looking for defensive backs at the Senior Bowl:

From Titan's Insider Terry McCormick:

...Finnegan is believed to be looking for a contract extension that would pay him somewhere around $9.5 million on the low end with a high end of perhaps in the $10.5-$11 million range per season.

That target would sandwich's Finnegan's take just south of Nnamdi Asomugha's 2011 deal and just north of Johnathan Joseph's contract.

Is the 28 year old Finnegan worth this much, on a long-term deal? Or might Dallas be better served investing that sum in a pass rusher or offensive lineman (or both) and filling its secondary sack in April?

Cowboys Draft 2012: Back to the Bunting Mailbag

2012-02-20T17:47:00.000-06:00

Dre Kirkpatrick

Part four of this week's chat with the National Football Post's Wes Bunting addresses more reader questions.

Cowboys Nation: Question about pick 14. If you have a ''clean'' Mark Barron and a character-questioned Dre Kirkpatrick there, who do you take?

Wes Bunting: I would take Kirkpatrick. I think he's a better football player, and plays a higher-priority position.

CN: The marijuana-possession charges against Kirkpatrick were dropped. The friend driving the vehicle in which Kirkpatrick was a passenger claimed that the marijuana was his and not Kirkpatrick's. Has this changed his status in the eyes of NFL teams?

WB: Not that I know. And it's not like teams were taking him off their boards before. The charges were dropped. He shouldn't be in that situation, though, at the same time. That's how it has to be viewed. But does it affect him a ton? No.

CN; A reader would like to know some 5-techniques with rush ability once you get past Quinton Coples.

WB: Those guys would be up there with Coples if they could rush the passer as 5-techniques. Fletcher Cox (Mississippi St.) is probably your best bet. He goes in the 1st round, though. Jared Crick from Nebraska in the 2nd round. He's not in that Grant Wistrom, J.J. Watt-type mold. He's that next tier down.

CN: An Adam Carriker-level player?

WB: Not the player that Carriker was thought to be coming out, but the type of player he's been in the NFL.

Malik Jackson is an interesting player. He's 6'5'', he's 270. He played defensive tackle at Tennessee. He's long-armed. He's physical. He could be a guy you project to put on a little more weight and rush the passer.

Derek Wolfe from Cincinnati is a guy to look at late in the draft. He's 6'5'', 300. Trevor Guyton from Californa (6'5'', 280) is a guy to watch as well.

CN: I want to ask about a guy who was in discussions early on -- Dominique Hamilton from Missouri. You had good things to tweet about him during his All-Star game week. He looks like a late-round value. We here in the land of Jay Ratliff and Leon Lett are always looking for a late-round, sleeper D-lineman.

WB: I like him more than most, cause I think this guy has the ability to be a starting 5-technique in the NFL. Now, he played the 1-technique at Missouri, but he can bend. He's a strong, 6'5'' guy (305 lbs.) with the ability to get bigger, especially in his lower half. Most of his weight is above his waist, so that's a little scary, but if he's going to be your 4th developmental 5-technique starting out, why not roll the dice? He's a bad man. He plays angry. He plays hard. He's got a passion for the game. I'd take a chance on him. I like him.

CN: How high does he project?

WB: I would say 4th-5th, or maybe 5th-6th.

CN: Unless Quinton Coples somehow falls to the 14th pick, I don't see Dallas drafting a 5-technique high, so I'm with the reader. I'm looking for later round guys who might have a chance. You had good things to say about him during the season and had more good things to say about his game this month.

He reads like a guy who could blow up in his second season. It sounds like he needs a year with a good strength coach but has the physical ability to contribute.

WB: You're making the switch from college to pro. That's one big shift there. He's going from a 4-3 to a 3-4 front if you take him. That's another transition. He's changing positions. He'll have to learn new techniques. I'd say that's a fair assessment. He's going to take some time. But he plays hard, and he's got some talent, and he's got the measurables you look for in a 5-technique.

CN: Question about Nick Perry. Could he rise into the top 10 or 12?

WB: I don't know if he's done a ton or rising. Teams are looking for pass rushers and there he is. There just are not that many at the top of the draft. I like Nick Perry. I'm not in love with him as a pass-rushing prospect. At first, I didn't like him at all, then I watched him more and thought, I missed something. Now, I'm somewhere in between. I think this guy can be a good pass rusher. Will he be dynamic off the edge? No, I don't think so. Best case, you can get some Cameron Wake-type production from him. I think he's probably an 8-sack-a-year guy in the NFL, 'cause he's tight hipped.

CN: That's the issue with Anthony Spencer. He's tight-hipped. He can't dip and turn the corner at speed. I don't think Nick Perry can be a better player than Anthony Spencer. He's younger, but not better, from what I've seen.

WB: And he's not as good against the run as Anthony Spencer.

You know, Perry can be a good, productive pass rusher. I gave him a 6.9. I think he can be a good, plus starter in the NFL. But when you're talking about taking a guy in the top 15, who would you rather have? A David DeCastro, who can go to the Pro Bowl, or Perry, who in a good year gets you 8-9 sacks?

We in the media hyped up Ryan Kerrigan before and up to the draft. Jabaal Sheard had more sacks last year than he did. Adrian Clayborn had as many sacks. I think Kerrigan had 7.5 sacks last year. This is where I think Perry is, on Kerrigan's level.

New NFL Year Turns (on) Corners: Routt a Chief

2012-02-20T14:54:00.000-06:00

The free agent merry-go-round started early, with news that free agent Stanford Routt, cut by the Raiders prior to the free agent window, inked a 3-year, $19.6 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. $11 million of that is due this year.

Ravens scribe Aaron Wilson quotes a league source who says Routt had similar offers from Buffalo and Cincinnati:

From the Cowboys' perspective, this means the Chiefs will not franchise Brandon Carr, and will almost certainly turn their attention to re-signing WR Dwayne Bowe.

Anybody in the gallery sad that Dallas didn't splash that cash on Routt?

Tag -- Who's It?

2012-02-20T01:31:00.002-06:00

Will Cortland Finnegan be
franchise tagged today?

The NFL 2012 season starts in a peculiar way today. From Monday through Monday, March 5th, teams can designate players with expiring contracts as franchise players.

We've covered the big potential free agents, but the advanced window should give us a view of which players will be available when the free agency window opens on Tuesday, March 13th.

The big question in Dallas is whether the team will slap the tag on SOLB Anthony Spencer, tying him up for a year at $8.8 million? Other names of note:

Calais Campbell -- This Jason LaCanfora piece for NFL.com confirms that Campbell is almost certain to be tagged by the Cardinals.
Cliff Avril -- He has said in recent days that he will not accept a home town discount. The Lions are scrambling to re-structure Calvin Johnson, who's large 2012 cap figure limits the team's flexibility, and makes it hard for them to franchise Avril. Keep your eyes on the Johnson negotiations.
Mario Williams -- It appears more likely that he'll hit the market. Even the Houston-area writers believe there's little chance a new deal will be worked out prior to March 13th, though Williams maintains he would like to stay in Houston.
Brent Grimes -- looks like a franchise target.
Carl Nicks -- talks between the Saints and Drew Brees have been very slow. New Orleans has to franchise Brees, or hope talks heat up severely and quickly, if they hope to tag Nicks.
Cortland Finnegan -- The LaCanfora piece predicts Tennessee will tag him.
Brandon Carr -- may also get the tag from Kansas City.

Any wonder that Rob Ryan was looking for corners at the Senior Bowl? Franchise tags could rip the top layer off the free agent cornerback class by the end of business today.

Bunting: Mid & Late Round Sleepers

2012-02-19T10:55:00.000-06:00

Brett Roy

In part three of this week's chat with the National Football Post's Wes Bunting, he gives us some sleepers, picks who will likely be drafted in the 4th round and later, who might not produce immediately, but who could be effective players in a year's time.

Cowboys Nation: Reader asks for sleeper players. He's listed a bunch of positions, so I'm going to cherry-pick. Start at guard. We've talked about so many, why don't you start in the 4th round, so you're not repeating yourself.

Wes Bunting: I think Derek Dennis from Temple can be a nice player. Joe Looney from Wake Forest. Kelvin Beachem from SMU. They're all late-round guy.

Tony Bergstrom from Utah is an intriguing player. Played right tackle at Utah, but will kick inside at the pro level.

CN: You brought him up right after the Senior Bowl, and it seems he impressed a lot of other folks there. I saw another draftnik who just moved Bergstrom into his top 100.

Sleepers at safety?

WB: Maybe a Christian Thompson, from South Carolina State. He's 6'0". He's 213. He's got some good range. He's got some good range. Quick feet.

Kelcie McCray from Arkansas State, is 6'2", 200. These tall guys are a little tight hipped, but they've got some physical skills you like.

Then there's Tony Dye. He got a late-round free agent grade this year because he's had health concerns. I'm not disagreeing with that. I think that's a pretty fair assessment. If he's healthy, though, you can get a heck of a player.

CN: Is he going to the Combine?

WB: I don't know that off-hand.

CN: Hypothetically. If Tony Dye is healthy, and checks out at the Combine and runs well. How much could he help himself?

WB: I'd say he could help himself up to being a mid-round pick.

CN: Mid, being what, 4th round?

WB: I'd say 4th round at best.

CN: Any sleeper or not first day outside backers? Once you get past Shea McClellin who intrigues you?

WB: I'm a big Demario Davis fan. He's from Arkansas State. He's a 230 lb. guy with some thump. For a 3-4 team, Kyle Wibur is interesting. He's 6'4'', 240. He's smooth off the edge.

I like Brett Roy from Nevada. This is a good guy to talk about in Cowboysville. If you're looking for that strong-side 3-4 OLB. He's not flashy. He's not overly explosive. He's not a sexy player. But he reminds me a bit of Rob Ninkovich, from the Patriots. He's blue collar. He plays with his shirt up, so his stomach is always exposed. He's got his face painted all the time.

I saw him at the Players All-Star Classic. He's a power player. He knows how to use his hands. He's got a great motor. He can play the run. He'll be a 4-8 sack guy, at best a 6-8 sack guy in the NFL. You can get him in the mid rounds, and he's a really intriguing player.

CN: Hey, 6-8 sacks would be a shade better than what the Cowboys are getting from Anthony Spencer.

WB: And I think this is a mid-round player.

CN: A reader wants to know who this year's Bruce Carter might be? A player or players who were rated high, but might drop, because of injury?

WB: Travis Lewis, the linebacker from Oklahoma. I compare him to Christian Ponder last year, who played hurt. You watch Lewis and he was one of the top-rated juniors coming into the season. He's 6'2'', 227. He runs well. He's not overly physical, but he's a decent tackler. He can play the run, he can play the pass. I think he's a pretty good football player to be honest.

I think worst case, he would have been a 2nd rounder, if he were healthy. Now, he's a 3rd-4th rounder.

Next: More readers questions.

Is Scandrick Dallas' Default Option at Free Safety?

2012-02-18T12:47:00.002-06:00

Some facts to weigh:

The Cowboys at this moment have three secondary veterans under contract: Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick and Gerald Sensabaugh.
They've admitted they're intensely tracking cornerbacks in this corner-rich draft. One could come off the board in the first, if a Dre Kirkpatrick sits at 14. One will almost certainly be selected in the first two rounds.
The draftable safety crop looks thin. Mark Barron aside, there are no 1st round prospects. And Barron does not rate with an Earl Thomas, whom the Cowboys tried to acquire in '10, and whom the Seahawks drafted at pick 14.
The veteran free agent safety crop looks even weaker than the collegians.

Let's say, for arguments sake, that Dallas invests some of its free agent budget in a corner, a Corland Finnegan, or a Brandon Carr. And let's say that Dallas plucks a Kirkpatrick in the 1st, or a Brandon Boykin in the 2nd round.

That would give Dallas four corners and only one safety under contract.

It makes little sense for Dallas to invest solid money in a veteran corner and a top two pick to have one of them be the 4th corner. Investments that large are acquired to play immediately. Which is the strongest option:

Option A: playing the vets on the corners, the rookie in the slot in nickel situations, with Scandrick teaming with Sensabaugh behind them, or;
Option B: playing the three vets at the three corner spots, letting the rookie season on the bench, and re-signing an Abe Elam to be the free?
Option C: playing Jenkins, Scandrick and the high-round rookie at the corner spots, with Sensabaugh and a high-round rookie at safety?

Sensabaugh to free safety has been a back burner option for some time. In his rookie season, Scandrick, fellow rookie Mike Jenkins, and Alan Ball had to play in a critical mid-season game against Tampa Bay after Anthony Henry, Terence Newman, and Pacman Jones went down. The kids did the job, keeping the Bucs out of the end zone. Scandrick played the slot that day and afterwards, Wade Phillips gushed over Scandrick's intelligence, saying he knew all the secondary roles and helped stabilize the unit.

Scandrick got starter's money with his mid-season extension. His contract is similar to Sensabaugh's -- 5 years/$27 million for Scandrick vs. 5 years/$22.5M for Sensabaugh. Did Scandrick receive that money to play corner, or free safety?

Watch the opening of free agency for your tell. If Dallas rushes out to sign a cornerback, we may see an older vet in a new secondary spot this fall.

Draft Mailbag Part II: More Challengers for Anthony Spencer

2012-02-17T10:58:00.000-06:00

Dont'a Hightower

Part two of this week's chat with the National Football Post's Wes Bunting covers two more linebacker prospects for a 3-4 front.

Cowboys Nation: I get similar questions to Shea McClellin's about Dont'a Hightower. Where would he fit best, in a 4-3 and in a 3-4 front?

Wes Bunting: 4-3 front, I would say either inside or strong side. Preferably inside, so he has some protection, and doesn't have to play in space, but on 3rd downs you can blitz him or rush him.

In a 3-4 I would say he''s the inside backer, preferably the jack. Then on 3rd downs you could blitz him or have him put his hand on the ground and rush off the edge, like he did at 'Bama.

CN: He did that a lot in college?

WB: Yeah. Alabama played him with his hand on the ground on 3rd downs, and on 1st and 2nds, he worked inside.

CN: A question about Tank Carder. We talked about him very early in the college season and based on your breakdowns, he sounded like a physically limited player.

WB: That's a pretty fair word, limited. He a good tackler, but he's not overly powerful at the point of attack. He doesn't run overly well, and he's stiff in space. I don't know where he's a plus for you, where you can say this guy can start for us in the NFL.

CN: So you don't see him starting?

WB: No. I gave him a low draftable grade. A 5-7.

CN: So 6th to 7th maybe?

WB: Yeah. You never know with these overachievers. I can't see him going before the 4th round. I gave Casey Matthews the same grade and he was taken in the 4th round. But he's struggled so far in the NFL. We'll see.

Next: Sleeper picks at guard, and a mid-round pick who could become some team's folk hero.

Wes Bunting Answers Your Draft Mail, Part One

2012-02-16T21:44:00.000-06:00

Shea McClellin

Today, The National Football Post's Wes Bunting sorts through the first batch of readers' questions.

Cowboys Nation: I've received a lot of questions about Anthony Spencer. Nothing is certain but the team has leaked that it's contemplating franchising Anthony Spencer. This seems a defensive move. They don't want to let him walk, then miss on the big free agent(s) or the top 3-4 rushers and have to rely on Victory Butler.

I've had several readers question Butler's skills. What did you think of him coming out? Can he be an every down linebacker?

Wes Bunting: I remember I liked him a bit more than others when he came out. It was kind of a pick out of the blue. What was it, a 4th rounder pick? A lot of people didn't feel he should have gone that high. I had him as a late-round pick. I thought he was more of a reserve. I saw some athletic ability there but I didn't think he was dynamic enough, especially standing up, and I don't think he's powerful enough to play on the strong-side either.

CN: That's where he would have to be played. He has made some big plays, but they have come as a situational rusher.

I got a question about Mark Barron. He had double hernia surgery last week. What does that do, if anything, to his draft rating?

WB: Obviously it's not going to help. I saw that whenever a guy gets hurt, or gets busted. These events don't help the prospects, but at the same time he has a lot of time to get healthy. It's not double ACL surgery, it's a double hernia. In most cases with hernia surgery you're going home the next day. It's not an ideal place to be but I can't see him falling very far.

He might fall a little bit because he can't work out at the Combine and he's not completely healthy but he's a top player at a thin position. I can't see him falling out of the first round.

CN: Several questions about Omar Bolden. What do you know about his rehab?

WB: He's one of those guys who people want to see at the Combine. We want to know how healthy he is. Was he the second coming prior to the injury? No. But he's a guy with okay size, with good speed, who made some plays, who has some click and close ability.

This was a guy who I had as a potential starter, if he had a strong senior year. Now, obviously he didn't play this year, so a lot depends on what he shows at the Combine. If you watched him as a junior, there is some good tape there. No question about that. It's inconsistent tape, but he's a good athlete.

CN: A lot of questions about him and a lot about Cliff Harris, and I don't see him on your board.

WB: Cliff Harris? He should be. I know I wrote him up. I'm going to be upset if he's not on there.

CN: What can you tell him about him?

WB: Nothing. He's not on my draft board! Seriously, this is a guy, five-star kid coming in. He's 5'11''. Might be 180 lbs. soaking wet. He's probably closer to 175, so he's a skinny kid. But he's naturally fluid. He gets up to speed quickly, and he's got real quick feet. All the things you want to see in a corner.

But he's raw. He doesn't put a ton of work into his trade. He doesn't sit into his stance. He plays upright. He loses some speed in his transition. All the attributes of a raw talent who doesn't put a lot of work into his trade. And then he's got the off-the-field stuff which is scary. He was busted early in the year with marijuana, and there's the video of him with the cops.

CN: Interesting question. A reader asks that if teams are falling in love with guys based on their workouts in shorts every spring, why don't the teams test them in pads?

WB: There would be a considerable difference. You talk to scouts this year and one of the best questions I've heard is who's faster, Joe Adams of Jarius Wright? It depends on if they test in pads or not. They expect Jarius Wright to be the fastest guy from Arkansas, but when you watch them in pads, Joe Adams seems to carry his weight better. He's a little more comfortable in pads running downhill.

Those are interesting situations. Teams can be deceived when they see these guys in underwear.

CN: What do teams do to adjust for that?

WB: If you have play-speed, and you run fast, that's good for your profile. If Joe Adams and Jarius Wright test about the same, well they're both fast players. The potential trouble is when you get a guy who doesn't look that fast on tape who throws up a fast time on the track. Take Tommy Streeter, the junior receiver from Miami. I don't think he plays that fast, but he's 6'4'' and there's a buzz about this guy, that he could run in the 4.3s. That's when you have a concern, when there's a big gap between timed speed and game speed.

CN: Your reviews on Shea McClellin have prompted more questions about him. You're asked to review his position. I think some people may be wondering if he will fall to the 3rd, or if he's a solid 2nd rounder in your opinion?

WB: I would say he's a more solid 2nd than a 3rd overall. He does too many things well not to get a look in the 2nd. And he plays in too many schemes and he offers too much versatility not to get a look in the 2nd round.

CN: Are you projecting him to go in the 2nd round?

WB: I think so.

CN: You say he's flexible. Which schemes does he fit best? Or how does he fit best in each scheme?

WB: If you're looking at him as a pass rusher, he's at his best with his hand on the ground. Being one of those Eagles wide-9 defensive ends. At the same time, for a big guy he's fluid and he can run with backs. So 4-3 teams can look at him as a strong-side backer and then let him put his hand on the ground on 3rd downs.

3-4 teams can play him inside and let him blitz. He can attack downhill. He can play the run. I think he can attack off the edge, though he plays a bit too high at times. But he's got a good motor and he knows how to use his hands and get after the passer in a bunch of ways.

I think he'll be on both 3-4 and 4-3 teams' draft boards. He can run and cover ground in the pass game and rush the passer? Those guys don't last long.

CN: Is he an every-down player in a 4-3?

WB: Yeah. I think most 4-3 teams would see him as a strong-side backer, who rushes.

CN: Where does he fit best in a 3-4?

WB: You just bring him in, let him work and see where he fits best. He stood up and played inside. You can rush him off either side from the outside. He just gives you so much versatility. That makes him intriguing.

Next: Dont'a Hightower, Tank Carder and other reader pet cats.

NFC East Draft -- Line 'Em Up!

2012-02-16T17:22:00.001-06:00

Not taken in the East draft

Four NFC East writers took a crack at drafting 22-man squads using only players off NFC rosters. I joined Blogging the BEast's Jim Kempski, Rich Tandler from RealRedskins.com, and Pro Football Weekly's Eric Edholm in stocking teams for each division franchise. Jimmy K picked for the Eagles, and Eric for the Giants.

You learn a lot when you get to expand beyond your own roster. For all the legitimate complains about the Cowboys holes, the rivals have similar holes. The division has few quality offensive tackles The secondaries lack depth as well.

I took the Jim Finks approach. Stock the lines. After grabbing a quarterback in the first round (you do not want to be the guy starting the Redskins QB or a backup like Vince Young). I had the second pick and after weighing the Tony Romo/Mike Vick choice -- Rich Tandler started by choosing Eli Manning -- I went the homer route and picked Romo. I think grabbed seven linemen before snagging Miles Austin with my 9th selection.

Packing the lines has its downside. I left my secondary until late, and made do with much of the Cowboys secondary. Choices had to be made, as you'll note from the four teams. I'm leaning on my rush to cover for my Cowboys-flavored back four.

Team Redskins
QB -- Eli Manning
RBs -- LeSean McCoy, Ahmad Bradshaw
TE -- Fred Davis
WRs -- Hakeem Nicks, DeSean Jackson
OTs -- Trent Williams, Jammal Brown
OGs -- David Diehl, Montrae Holland
C -- Phil Costa

DL -- Jarvis Jenkins, Adam Carriker, Mike Patterson
LBs -- Ryan Kerrigan, Sean Lee, Mathius Kiwanuka, Anthony Spencer
CBs -- Asante Samuel, Josh Wilson
Ss -- Antrell Rolle, Terence Newman

Team Eagles
QB -- Mike Vick
RB -- Roy Helu
TEs -- Jason Witten, Brent Celek
WRs -- Dez Bryant, Santana Moss
OTs -- Will Beatty, King Dunlap
OGs -- Kory Lichtensteiger, Danny Watkins
C -- Will Montgomery

DL -- Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora, Jay Ratliff, Derek Landri
LBs -- Brian Orakpo, London Fletcher, Brian Rolle
CBs -- Nnamdi Asomugha, DeAngelo Hall
Ss -- Kenny Phillips, Nate Allen

Team Giants
QB -- Mike Kafka
RB -- DeMarco Murray
WRs -- Victor Cruz, Jeremy Maclin, Laurent Robinson, Jason Avant
OTs -- Jason Peters, Todd Herremans
OGs -- Chris Snee, Chris Chester
C -- David Baas

DL -- Cullen Jenkins, Chris Canty, Barry Cofield
LB/DL -- DeMarcus Ware
LBs -- Mike Goff, Jamar Chaney, Bruce Carter
CBs -- Corey Webster, Terrell Thomas
Ss -- Laron Landry, Prince Amukamara

Team Cowboys
QB -- Tony Romo
RB -- Felix Jones
FB -- Henry Hynoski
TE -- Chris Cooley
WRs -- Miles Austin, Mario Manningham
OTs -- Tyron Smith, Doug Free
OGs -- Evan Mathis, Kevin Boothe
C -- Jason Kelce

DL -- Trent Cole, Justin Tuck, Stephen Bowen, Linval Joseph
LBs -- Jason Babin, Michael Boley, Chase Blackburn
CBs -- Dominique Rodgers-Cromatie, Mike Jenkins
Ss -- Gerald Sensabaugh, Orlando Scandrick

NFP Mock 3.0: Draft Dilemma

2012-02-16T09:18:00.000-06:00

The National Football Post published its third mock draft yesterday, and it presented a draft dilemma the Cowboys may face.

When the Cowboys pick rolled around, both David DeCastro and Dre Kirkpatrick were on the board. Wes Bunting wrote:

The Cowboys have to be thrilled with both Kirkpatrick and Stanford OG David DeCastro still on the board. However, I see them opting for the big corner because of the overall priority of the position.

I agree with part one. The Cowboys would be thrilled to see both players on the board. I have to disagree on Wes' choice. All things being equal, I think the team would take DeCastro. I think he'll be the higher rated player, based on what I've seen and heard thus far.

All conditions may not be equal. What if the Cowboys have invested in a Carl Nicks at this point? Would that influence their choice?

Even if they have, I think they have to take the higher rated player on their board. Then again, if both of these guys are available at pick 14, who knows if Kirkpatrick wouldn't have the higher grade?

Something to discuss today.

Drop Your Combine Questions Into the Mail Bag

2012-02-15T19:02:00.000-06:00

The Combine starts a week from today.

Drop your Combine and draft-related questions into the comment thread. I'm chatting with Wes Bunting tomorrow and will push as many of your questions as I can.

Cowboys Draft 2012: Finding the Right Corner for the Cowboys' Scheme

2012-02-14T12:25:00.001-06:00

Today's chat with the National Football Post's Wes Bunting looks at the top corners, and which of them fit the Cowboys' man-to-man cover style?

Cowboys Nation: I want to review the cornerback grades and ask for more detail on them. You have Morris Claiborne above everyone else. He looks like a pretty certain top-5 pick. I think we can remove him from Cowboys consideration. He has an 8.5 in your system and the next two guys, Dre Kirkpatrick and Janoris Jenkins, have 7.0s, and Brandon Boykin has a 6.9.

How soon do these guys make the field? That's a very important consideration in Dallas' thinking because I think there's a very good chance the team drafts a corner in the first two rounds. When fans go to your board and look at the grades, how does that translate to early production?

Wes Bunting: If you're taking a corner high, unless you have a bunch of guys who are similar to him, he's going to play early. Unless you're a team like the Texans who have stocked up on corners in free agency and the draft, then your pick won't play as much early.

I can't predict and say, Brandon Boykin will start immediately, because I don't know which team is going to choose him, and what their scheme is and what they expect from him. Usually, the guys who are taken high, ten to one you want him on the field sooner.

CN: Which of the the guys at the top of your board are best bets in a press scheme? Who can play the style that Dallas wants from its corners? Let's take Claiborne out and start with Kirkpatrick, Jenkins, Boykin, Jamell Fleming, Chase Minnifield, Casey Heyward, those guys.

WB: Kirkpatrick is the best of that bunch in press, because he's the biggest and the most physical. He's not overly quick, but he can get into people and re-route them off the line.

Fleming has some press skills. Minnifield, you think he would be a better press man, but he's got to get stronger. He's got the upside to do it.

Janoris Jenkins wants to play press bail most of the time.

Brandon Boykin is not afraid to get into you. He's a pesky, off-the-line guy. Granted, he's 5'9'' and a half. But he's got really good quickness when he keeps his base down and stays balanced. He's got a powerful punch and he can be hard to separate from, when he takes on those bigger receivers.

CN: Moving down the line, I notice you have Stephon Gilmore lower, though he's one of the biggest corners at 6'1''. Here's Josh Norman at 6'0'' and here's Trumaine Johnson at 6'2''. Discuss this tier in the same way. If you're looking for a corner who can press you, how do these three rate?

WB: I don't think Gilmore is a good fit for a man-to-man scheme. I don't think he's a good press corner. He gets overextended. Ideally, he's a zone guy. He's going to play a lot of cover-2. These guys will all play both types of coverage in the pros, zone and man, but you want to play a guy to his strengths.

Trumaine Johnson has some Jimmy Smith to him. The biggest thing is he wasn't asked to play a lot of press at Montana. He played a lot of press-bail. He played a lot of zone. You have to project what he can do.

Josh Norman loves to play off-man, where you can look in the backfield, and click-and-close. I saw him play some press at the East West Shrine Game and he's got the capability.

Again, all of these guys are projections. I would say Norman has the chance to be the best press man, of those three, and then Johnson and then Gilmore.

CN: Let's go back to Alfonzo Dennard. He was one of the top press corners coming into the season. You described him as a hyper-aggressive guy who loves to get in your face, and he's dropped some. What's caused that drop?

WB: Well he's not very big and he's not very fast. There's not a dynamic, explosive element to his game to make up for a false step. One adjustment I've made, if I'm going to give a smaller corner a big grade, he's got to have explosiveness, a dynamic element to his game, a plus change of direction or acceleration, and I see that in Janoris Jenkins, but I don't see that in Alfonzo Dennard. He might be a slot corner who can play some outside.

I'm thinking Dennard is closer to Javier Arenas than to Antoine Winfield.

Next: three mid and late-round safeties.

Would Routt Represent Cornerback Value for the Cowboys?

2012-02-13T22:56:00.000-06:00

Stanford Routt

The Cowboys are one of five teams jockeying to sign new free agent cornerback Stanford Routt. How large a contract would he command and what type of value would he represent?

I asked K.C Joyner for updated 2011 YPAs and got a near-complete number today of 6.1. That's very good, despite Routt's much-discussed 2011 penalty totals. Here are Routt's lines from 2010 and 2010, compared to one of last year's big-ticket cornerbacks:

Johnathan Joseph: 2010 - 7.2; 2011 -- 6.1

Stanford Routt: 2010 - 7.3; 2011 -- 6.1

Routt's numbers actually dropped last season, even though he lost cornerback partner Nnandi Asomugha to free agency, and saw his team's sack totals dip from 47 in 2010 to 38 last year. Routt has defended more than 50% of the passes thrown at him the last two season. No Cowboys corner has been close to 50% in either of the last two campaigns.

I did not see the Raiders very much last year, so I don't know what contributed to Routt's laundry pile. Was it the weaker rush? Was he targeted more? Was he injured? Did he show the early signs of aging?

Routt doesn't lack for suitors. The Texans, who signed Joseph to a 5-year, $48.75 million deal last spring, are one of the teams who will meet with Routt this week. Houston isn't swimming in cap space, so Routt may not command a Joseph-sized deal. If that's the case, Dallas should be in the running. If his price tag is smaller than a Brent Grimes or a Brent Carr's, he may fill the left corner spot and give Dallas greater positional flexibility come April.

NFC East Bingo!

2012-02-13T17:56:00.003-06:00

Update: Just made my 11th pick. Four Cowboys, four Eagles and three Giants so far.

And we're off.

This afternoon, four NFC East writers started a draft, which is open to just NFC East talent.

Making the choices:

-- Rich Tandler of Real Redskins
-- Jim Kempski from Blogging the BEast, representing the Eagles
-- Eric Edholm from Pro Football Weekly, representing the Giants
and yours truly.

The order mirrors the current draft:
1. Redskins
2. Cowboys
3. Eagles
4. Giants

with the order reversing in even numbered rounds; the Giants pick first and the Redskins last.

Rich led off by picking Eli Manning. With the 2nd pick, I took...

We'll post the teams when we're done.

It's Fibbing Season's Eve

2012-02-13T13:17:00.001-06:00

Robinson's fate is being
discussed.

Two sources, two similar stories.

A few years ago, ESPN Dallas mainstay Bryan Broaddus told me NFL teams make a couple of draft boards. They assemble a preliminary one, right about now, which uses tape study and All Star game data. They then tweak that board after the Combine, the copious interviews and the pro day workouts. He noted that the preliminary board is the purest one an organization can get, because it's based wholly on on-field performance, and not on the underwear Olympics, as the Combine has come to be known.

Last week, I asked Wes Bunting what he hoped to learn at the Combine. His words echoed Broaddus'. He said this is when teams start blowing smoke, either hinting at players they like, or starting the process of disinformation, to throw rivals off their plans. (Much more on this later.)

Right now, we're in position to build our own confidence board. To lock down what we think and what we know the Cowboys need, and how they're likely to act, before any pre-free agent and pre-draft hucklebucks.

Let's start with the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram blog report today that Anthony Spencer may be franchised by the team. The post draws no conclusions. It cites a team source who says Spencer may be kept on a one-year deal. That makes some sense, if the team is playing conservatively. It does not know if it can sign Mario Williams in free agency. And it does not want to be shoe-horned into spending its top draft pick on a pass rusher, especially when it's not sure what options it may have at pick 14.

The team may throw deep for Williams. It may chase a Melvin Ingram. It may roll the dice on Victor Butler. Or, it may cover itself with one more year of Spencer.

All the story confirms is that team meetings are underway. We've taken our shots at the Cowboys 2012 blueprint. Now, the guys at Valley Ranch are doing the same. The scouts have returned from all the All-Star games. The coaches have concluded from their post-season breaks. The real blueprint is being drafted.

The Combine starts in ten days or so. Dozens of collegians will be interviewed there. A couple dozen agents will also be interviewed, to gauge their clients' opinions on joining the Cowboys.

We're about to enter the fibbing season. Take a deep breath, while you can.

Later today: Stanford Routt's 2010 and 2011 and how he rates in the free agent corner field.

Cowboys Draft 2012: Bunting Rates the Slot Receivers

2012-02-12T16:49:00.000-06:00

T.Y. Hilton

In today's chat with the Nation Football Post's Wes Bunting, he reviews the deep list of slot-receivers/ kick returners. One of these players could be very important to the 2012 Cowboys if Laurent Robinson is not re-signed.

Cowboys Nation: You keep waving the Devon Wylie flag and he's a very intriguing player, in part because he has a lot of company as a quick, slot-receiver/kick returner. Where do you see him going right now?

Wes Bunting: If he runs well, and I expect him to, because he's a quick twitch guy who gets up to speed quickly and can get behind people... If he times well, in that 4.3 range, I think he'll go in the 3rd round. Right now, I'll say he goes in the 4th.

CN: Looking at those guys, and they're so many of them -- Joe Adams, Jarius Wright, Wylie, T.Y. Hilton. These guys can't all go in the 3rd round. Or can they?

WB: If Joe Adams runs well, and I expect him to, I think think he can go in the 2nd round. Jarius Wright is going to run well, but he's real little, so I can see him in that 3rd round range, maybe in the 4th. I'd say the same for Wylie, 3rd to 4th and I'd say Hilton is a 4th rounder.

CN: It seems you have to get one of these guys fairly early then.

WB: Once that first tier of receivers goes, the guys who run well are going to go fast.

CN: Where would Ryan Broyles have gone, had he not torn his ACL?

WB: About where Jordan Shipley went. Late 2nd- 3rd round, in there.

CN: Where does Broyles project now? Doctors and trainers get better at rehabbing ACLs all the time, but he tore his late, and we Cowboys fans know how long it too Bruce Carter to rehab his.

WB: I'd say, if some team falls in love with him, maybe 4th round, but I think 5th is more likely. I won't say 6th-7th because he had a ton of production and he knows what he's doing. You know he's a good slot player. I'd say 4th earliest, but more likely a 5th rounder.

CN: He's got the same skill set as these other guys? He can play slot back and return kicks.

WB: He's not the dynamic athlete these other guys are, but he's got a good feel, he can set up routes. He's a little more savvy than those guys are.

He reminds me a lot of Shipley to be honest.

Shipley was maybe a little bit bigger. I'm just talking about they way they set up routes, the way they pluck the football, their football smarts. I think Broyles might be a little better after the catch than Shipley and a little bit better as a vertical threat, but they're similar players who know how to get open and can make plays up the field once they catch the football. But neither is an overly dynamic player.

CN: He'll be valuable to somebody with that skill set.

WB: Oh yeah, if he heals up. And the risk of that injury gets lower. Wes Welker tore his ACL and he's as quick as ever.

Next: Wes reviews the cornerback class, and gives his best bets, by round, for press coverage candidates.

Cowboys Draft 2012: Hitting the Top Prospects on the Nose

2012-02-11T22:28:00.000-06:00

Dontari Poe

Today's chat with the National Football Post's Wes Bunting grades the top nose tackles in the class.

Cowboys Nation: We discussed Alameda Ta'amu and Brandon Thompson last week, because you watched both of them at the Senior Bowl. The Cowboys may toy with the 4-3 but they're going to need somebody to play the nose, regardless of whether they use a three-man line or a a four-man line the majority of the time. I suspect like most teams now they'll mix their fronts.

I'd like to discuss Ta'amu and Thompson in relation to Dontari Poe and to Josh Chapman, who you just brought up. How do they stack up and where do you think these four guys go?

Wes Bunting: I think Thompson could go late in the 1st or early in the 2nd. I think he gives you more up-the-field ability. I think he's more of a one-gap nose.

Ta'amu is so physical, and so imposing. They're just not many guys like him out there. At best, I could see him sneaking into the late 1st as well, and I wouldn't have any reservations taking him there. He doesn't rush the passer, but he can get you in situations where others can rush the passer. I think that's a valuable trait.

Poe is a talented kid. He's massive. He's a 1st-round talent. He plays like a mid-rounder at times though. I don't see a lot of passion to his game. Still, teams might go after him in the late first, early-to-mid 2nd, where the Giants got Linval Joseph. There are only so many men in the world like that. He's got a body type and stature like Haloti Ngata. Guys like that don't last long. He's got a decent get off. He can bend, he's an athletic kid. You're just trying to figure out what type of athletic player he's going to be? But again, he's not going to last long.

Chapman looks more like a 4-3 nose, but he's tough to move off the football. He's never going to have a ton of tackles but he is what he is. He looks like a solid contributor in the NFL. And he's a better pass rusher than Ta'amu, who doesn't rush at all. Chapman has a little quickness. You'll probably want to take him off the field but if you can't he'll give you something as a pass rusher.

Next: Offensive sleepers.

Cowboys Draft 2012: Wes Bunting's Defensive Sleepers

2012-02-11T01:56:00.001-06:00

Josh Chapman

Today's chat with the National Football Post's Wes Bunting looks at defensive sleepers, guys who could miss the first couple of rounds but still give their new teams value.

Cowboys Nation: I want to go through some under-appreciated guys You put up ten defensive and ten offensive players who are maybe better than their hype.

We talked about Cam Johnson last week and you have good things to say about him. I want to start this week with Josh Chapman. You talked about him in the summer, before the season got underway and you were very high on him. Then, the games started and he faded into the background for Alabama's defense, and the Upshaws, Kirkpatricks and the Hightowers came to the fore.

You have Chapman as a sleeper now. What dropped him?

Wes Bunting: He tore something in his shoulder and he should have had surgery, but he didn't. He elected to play through it, which I love. Right now he's having the surgery and getting ready. He missed the Senior Bowl because of it, but the shoulder is going to heal.

I think some team is going to get a heck of a value with Josh Chapman because he's going to fall. He didn't play as well as I thought he would but he had a bum shoulder all year.

CN: Where do you anticipate him to be drafted now?

WB: I have him as a 3rd rounder. Talent wise, I think he's a 2nd rounder. I think he'll start as a rotation guy and you bring him along slowly. I've seen some people have him as a 4th - 5th rounder. I think that's a bit ridiculous to rate him as a 5th because he's got so much talent. I'd say he's a 3rd rounder and maybe he drops to the 4th because of the shoulder.

CN: Tell us more about Boise State's DE Tyron Crawford. The more I read on him, the more I think he could be one of these sneaky guys who lasts until the 3rd and ends up being a bargain for a team.

WB: He's a base defensive end. He's a 4-3 guy only. I think he plays on the strong side and he plays three downs. He's a plus run defender. He's 6'4'', 280. I think he weighed 284 at the East-West Shrine Game. And he's a sneaky pass rusher. He's a power player who has enough of a get off to where he can at least threaten the edge. He goes a great job of putting his foot in the ground and converting that edge speed into power. He drops his pad level, gains leverage and he can overpower tackles.

I think he's a good football player. Not the sexiest, but someone who will go in the 3rd-4th round and can come in and develop into a starter.

CN: Sounds like he's really well coached.

WB: He actually has a lot of developing to do. He's a Canadian kid, I believe and there are some raw parts to his game. But he can bend. He can be physical, and he's a tough kid. There's enough upside to his game that has him even more intrigued.

CN: Any news on Bruce Irvin? We discuss him about once a month. The last you told us he wasn't invited to the Senior Bowl. Is there anything new to add?

WB: Just that he's looking forward to the Combine. I think he's going to have a heck of a Combine workout.

The big question will be his weight. If he comes in at 240-245 and runs in the 4.4s or the 4.5s, I don't care what has happened, he's going to go high. He can rush the passer off the edge and he'll be taught how to stand up.

CN: Has he signed up with some big agency? Has he been paired with a nutritionist, to help him make that big jump in weight like Tyron Smith did last year at this time?

WB: I don't know who represents him but he was a highly ranked kid coming into the year, so I imagine he'll get the proper track training and nutritional advice. They know what his faults are and what he needs to improve to get drafted high.

CN: Why is Coryell Judie dropping?

WB: He's hurt. He's an unknown. Whenever a player is injured you have to see what the extent of his injury is, and how it might affect his career. I still think he's a potential starter in the NFL. We'll see how he checks out at the Combine. It's the same with Judie as with Josh Chapman, as with Levy Adcock from Oklahoma State.

CN: Same story with Tony Dye?

WB: Dye didn't have a very good senior year. He had a very good junior year. He's a smooth guy. A lot of people now have him as a late round guy. I would not be surprised if he fell that far, but I'd take a chance on him. After watching him as a junior and hearing he had neck trouble this year, if his medical checked out I'd roll the dice on him. I think Tony Dye can start in the NFL.

CN: How bad was that neck injury?

WB: He came back and played through it, but if you have say a neck stinger and you can't shake it, it's going to be very tough to drop your shoulders and hit people, especially playing safety in the box.

Next: Mid-round quarterback prospects.