Cowboys Draft '13: Slot Receivers and the Safeties Who Cover Them

Part two of Cowboys Nation's weekly chat with our draft expert TD looks at the safety position and how the slot receiver candidates break down. 

Cowboys Nation:   Let's start at the top of the receiver class.  I've seen a lot of fluidity with Tavon Austin's grade.  Some people really like him and others think he's a slot only.  I've seen him in the top 20 and in the top 50. Where does he line up, according to what you're heard?

TD: I still think he's got the ability to go in the 1st round. It only takes one team to make the call on him.  The second thing is he's so dynamic.  Look at what the Patriots paid for Danny Amendola, the Broncos for Wes Welker.  Those guys are starting receivers now. The 3rd receiver is a starting receiver.  It's not like he won't be on the field.

At the same time it's a really deep draft for receivers, where you could look at a guy like Marquise Goodwin or a Ryan Swope or Josh Boyd.  Guys that can play similar role and can develop into good slot players.  I'd say that's the one thing that could work against Tavon Austin.  Do you pay a priority position price for him when you could get a Swope or a Goodwin in the 3rd round, or a guy like Ace Sanders from South Carolina in the 4th or maybe the 5th round?

CN: Given that slot receiver is becoming a regular position, who are the safeties who can best move over the slot and cover him or do a decent job on a slot guy with some help?

TD:  First, I think you have to look at guys who are built lower to the ground.  Guys who can move their feet and chance directions.  Looking at free safety [Kenny] Vaccaro can do that.  He's only 6'0".  Then you look at the rest of the guys... Philip Thomas from Fresno State has some ability, but you're not trusting him consistently to turn and run because he doesn't have elite speed.  You're better off putting him in tigher areas where he can be more physical.

Looking at some of the squattier guys, I think Matt Elam can work well in a tight area.  I think he could be more effective.  I think Jonathan Cyprien could be good.  He's got some man-to-man cover skills . Shamarko Thomas from Syracuse is 5'9", he ran well, he's got a cornerback background.  Those are the top guys.

When you're looking at the taller guys, a Robert Lester or a T.J. McDonald.  Those are guys who you absolutely wouldn't trust, because they're so high they don't have that short-area quickness. They have longer speed, but it takes them a while to build up that speed.

Then you look at some cornerbacks who could make the move inside.  I've heard a lot of teams are looking at Jonathan Banks from Mississippi State as a safety.  The big concern with him is he's only 185.  He's one guy who's intriguing in the 2nd round safety class. He could join that group.  He doesn't have great deep speed.

Next:  TD plays some four player parlays, with different four-round permutations for guards, right tackles, defensive linemen and safeties.  

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Cowboys Draft Chat: The Latest at Running Back

Le'Veon Bell

This week's draft chat with Cowboys Nation's analyst TD looks at big running backs who could factor into Dallas thinking, starting in the 3rd to 4th rounds. 

Cowboys Nation: Let's begin at the running back position.  Names of the Cowboys' 30 invitees for a team visit are starting to leak. They gave a private workout this week to Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell.  He's a big back.

I reviewed our chats from a month ago, when you last discussed running backs and you said there's a big clump of players in that 3rd to 4th round area, and that draft order will depend on the individual player's fit with a team's scheme.  It looks like Dallas wants a big back, in that Marion Barber workhorse mold.

Who are some running backs rated in that 3rd to 4th round area, who are good at all things, if they're not necessarily great at everything? Looking at Tashard Choice and Barber, it seems Dallas will forgive lack to elite speed if you can catch, block and have some wiggle in the hole, and can make tacklers miss.

TD:  Le'Veon Bell... I've talked to a few scouts about him.  They compare him to Anthony Dixon, who's with the 49ers now.  I was a big fan of Dixon coming out and I think he may be a little better than Bell.  But they've got so much talent on their team that he's only getting a couple of carries a game there.

Even when you're a bigger back you still need to have some burst to your game.  My favorite is still Stepfan Taylor and I know he's falling down draft boards now, because people think he's a 4.7 guy, because his stopwatch times were not great.  I don't care. I think if you could get him in the 3rd or especially the 4th round he would be a very good NFL running back.  I think he would be a prime target for the Cowboys in that area.

Christine Michael is another interesting back because he can play like a smaller back but he's 5'10", 220.  If he gets it together, I think he can be one of those players who you look back on and say, "how did this guy last so long?" Because he has the talent to be a starter for a team.

Knile Davis, Spencer Ware, two SEC products.  Both are over 225.  Knile Davis ran really well.  I think he was timed in the sub 4.4s.  They're both a little more linear but they both have nitty-gritty running styles similar to Stevan Ridley, who's now the the Patriots.

CN:  I want to circle back to your opening comment.  If Stepfan Taylor is sliding, he could make a lot of readers happy, based on comments I've read.  The presumption has always been that he'll go somewhere in the 2nd or 3rd rounds.

Why is he dropping?  Is he in fact dropping?

TD:  Yeah.  Well, he didn't run overly well.  Some people timed him in the 4.7 range.  As you know, running back is a stop-watch position.  It doesn't determine how a guy is going to play in the NFL but it has a great effect on where he's selected.  Especially with other backs running good 40 times it's going to cause other backs to jump over Stepfan Taylor.  Guys like Andre Ellington, Joseph Randle, Johnathan Franklin from UCLA, even Montee Ball.  They all ran better, so I'd say right now I'd say with Stepfan Taylor the 3rd round is as high as he goes and I would not be surprised if he lasted until Saturday and goes early in the 4th round.

Next:  Shuffling in the receiver spot, especially at the slot receiver position and safeties who could cover them.

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Cowboys Draft 2013: A T.D. Draft Teaser

Stepfan Taylor: a legit
3rd day option?

On the value of patience:

Just got off the phone with TD and got some intriguing draft crumbs which could affect Dallas' draft strategy. I don't have time for the full remarks right now with Easter plans, but here's a teaser for tomorrow and the early work week:

-- Cowboys RB prospect Le'Veon Bell may be rising. Conversely, Stanford RB prospect Stepfan Taylor is dropping, meaning Dallas may have a good big-back option or two in the 3rd or 4th rounds.

-- This draft is, as many draftniks have speculated, about 15 true 1st round players deep, meaning Dallas could get 1st round value by standing pat at 18.  Which 1st round rated players are most likely to drop that far?

-- He's hearing rumors of one player the Cowboys may consider as a trade-up target.  Who is this lineman?

-- If the Cowboys go defense in the 1st round, will the offensive guard or tackle group offer better value in the 2nd or 3rd rounds?  Which players from this position offer value?

-- Which safety is most likely to go after Texas' Kenny Vaccaro?

-- Which lineman with 1st round talent is a possible target for Dallas' second pick at 47?

These questions and many others will be answered in the coming days.

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Romo Re-Upped -- Jerry Wants to Party Like it's 1999

On Romo's big check:

Jerry was dreaming when he wrote it,
so forgive him if things go astray...

Jerry Jones seems caught in his own version of Groundhog Day.  It's 1999 and he wants to give his quarterback Troy Aikman a couple more runs at the title.  That summer, if you'll recall, Jerry opened his wallet, signing receiver Raghib Ismail, center Mark Stepnoski and linebacker Quentin Coryatt to deals.  He wanted to bolster a team which he wrongly assessed to be close to another Super Bowl run.

The following spring he doubled down, flipping two first-round picks to Seattle for Joey Galloway.  His best laid plans quickly turned to ash.  Galloway tore an ACL in the season opener.  In October, Aikman's back gave way in spectacular fashion; he repeatedly underthrew open receivers in a 19-14 loss to the Giants, finishing the day with five interceptions.   The Quincy Carter era was just around the corner.

Today, Jerry took the franchise down the same road.  He re-signed Tony Romo to a six-year extension. That was inevitable  As much as some fans may have wished it otherwise, the main parties were always committed to maintaining the relationship.

The bigger picture is one which brings the Cowboys version of the Y2K bug scarily back into focus.  Just three months ago an angry Jones was grousing that he wanted people at Valley Ranch to feel "uncomfortable."  Apparently, that discomfort was limited to Rob Ryan and John Garrett.

The Jones have done everything possible to make their roster feel as comfortable as possible.  Jay Ratliff was retained after his DUI arrest.  Anthony Spencer was tagged and may still be extended.  Many other veterans extended deals to keep their veteran peers in house.

Jerry is treating this like an 11-5 roster which needs to be sustained at all costs, the same way he treated his '99 bunch..

The foot dragging on the new deals means the Cowboys stayed out of the free agent free for all, though it's not clear they would have been major players with more money.  A right tackle might be nice, but I don't know if Dallas would have pursued a player like Andre Smith with more cash.  Romo's deal has created a decent amount of cap room, so we may find out.

All actions have put pressure solely on the draft and the Cowboys GM, who coincidentally is named Jerry Jones.  And for all the talk of discomfort, Eric Galko make the point last month that Jerry can go for the splash because he has more job security than any of his peers.

He's the most comfortable GM in the game.

Will Jerry's second crack at turning his veteran QB into a late-career winner go better in 2013 than it did in 1999?  The answer to this question will likely tell.

Jerry Jones has just valued Tony Romo like a Ferrari.  Why, then, does he insist on forgoing a garage to protect his shiny sports car?

....they say two thousand, zero zero, party over, ooops, out of time,
so tonight he's gonna party like it's 1999."

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Cowboys Draft '13: Shopping for a New Barber?

 Once you get past the 2nd round guys, there's not a lot of difference.  It all comes down to, what are you looking for?  Are you looking for an every-down back?  Are you looking for a change-of-space speed guy in the Darren Sproles range?  Some of these guys who have similar grades have very different styles, and it will all come down to matching up the teams that are looking for a back to the back's game.  I find it very hard to just stack them up and say they'll go in a certain order.-- TD, "Looking for 2nd Day Value," Cowboys Nation, March 4th

 Looking at our big board right now we have fifteen guys with top four round grades.  There's a lot of depth.  I think as long as the Cowboys have value assessed and are not necessarily looking for one particular guy, they can take their pick of whoever falls to them in that 4th round.-- Eric Galko, "More Readers' Questions," Cowboys Nation, March 18th

We may be getting a read on the type of running back the Cowboys hope to find in that 4th round area.  The Cowboys have just worked out Michigan State's massive running back La'Veon Bell.  While some pre-draft hype puts Bell in the 2nd round. most assessments put him in the 3rd-to-5th round range.  

Bell offers an answer to TD's query, which I quoted at the top of the page.  It seems the Cowboys are sticking to a long-term template, looking for a Marion Barber-type back.  Several years ago, I had the Cowboys running back template defined for me by a team source.  Dallas looks for backs who are good across the board, who can run well, catch well and block well.  A superior skill of one type is desired, but Dallas does not want backs who are deficient in one or two areas, lacking size, or especially blocking ability..

Look again at Barber.  He was a 4th round selection in that bonanza '05 draft.  Barber carried a second-round grade that year.  He was strong, explosive, a willing blocker (he played fullback at Minnesota for tailback Lawrence Maroney, later a Patriots runner) and could catch the football.  Barber's grade suffered a bit because he lacked top end speed.

Bell looks to be in the Barber mold.  He's big (6'2", 230 lbs.) strong and durable.  Pessimists may remember the last injury-diminished years of Barber's Cowboys career, but he was a workhorse in his first three campaigns.  (Fans who wonder why Sean Lee was shut down so quickly when he tore a toe ligament this past year may consider Barber's story.  Barber played through a similar injury to a pinky toe and a torn quadriceps muscle during the '08 stretch drive.  He never regained the burst he possessed prior to those injuries.)

Dallas could use a back with some teflon.  Emmitt Smith spoiled the Cowboys faithful for so many years, but the team has since drafted a string of fragile backs -- Julius Jones, Felix Jones, DeMarco Murray -- in the top three rounds.  Barber, a 4th-round pick, proved to be the best. 

I think the team may be looking for Barber lightning to strike twice.  The Cowboys got Barber much lower than he was rated and got Tashard Choice, a 3rd-round rated back, in the '4th in'08.  Bell may have a 2nd or 3rd round grade on this year's board, but with running backs annually devalued, I think the team will look for him, or other backs like him, in the 4th. 

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Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 2013 Schedule

'Boys Training Camp 2012 err 2013

Alarm didn't go off, got up late and found the neighbors dog had chewed up my morning paper. The corner cafe burnt the toast, and my eggs and coffee were cold. Got a flat, and subsequently was late for work. Had a new deadline waiting for me at my desk. My egg salad sandwich was missing when I went to retrieve it from the refrigerator at lunch. My cell phone kept losing reception (going through a tunnel) whenever I would finally get someone useful on the horn. Then a ray of sunshine broke through the clouds (cue the choir music). I found a link to some information I have been waiting for a long time. True Blue Nation released the "tentative" Dallas Cowboys 2013 Oxnard Training Camp dates. What a great day!

• Report Date - Friday, 19th July 2013 
• 1st Practice - Sunday, 21st July 2013

Raf and I are going to be taking it to a whole new level this year. Keep your eyes sharp as we continue to bring exciting new content on all things Cowboys.

Update: ESPN is reporting that Cowboys offseason workouts will begin at Valley Ranch on April 15th. These are the voluntary ones, the organized ones are: May 21-23, May 28-30 and June 3-6. A really great day for schedule info.

Another Left Coast Cowboys Post: on Twitter - Steven Van Over

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Cause & Effects of Recent Moves - Depth Charts Updates

Cowboys Nation Depth Charts Updated!

With the moves that Stephen Jones has been able to accomplish while under the cap constraints, courtesy of our good, good friend John Mara of the N.Y. Giants, it is time to update the Cowboys Nation Depth Charts and see what has shaken out.

We list the changes individually below, the actual depth charts are located on the permanent Cowboys Nation Off Season Depth Charts Page and can be viewed by clicking here or using the menu link in the top right hand corner of the page in the "Off Season Reference" section.

CAUSE

• S Gerald Sensabaugh Cut - removed from S rotation
• LB Ernie Simms - added to LB rotation & ST
• LB Satele Cut - removed from LB rotation & ST
• CB Vincent Agnew Cut - removed from CB3/4 rotation
• OLB Justin Durant - added to SOLB
• OLB K. Wilber - moved to LDE rotation
• WR Armstrong Cut - removed from WR rotation & ST
• S Will Allen - added to FS

EFFECTS

• ROLB competition - Durant/Sims/Albright
• OLB Durant is favorite to win ROLB competition
• LB Sims becomes instant ST contributor
• Wilber gets a shot as Wares backup at Weakside DE
• S Will Allen to start at FS
• S M. Johnson to backup both S spots
• S Moved possible rookie into both backup spots (Johnson not on field yet)
• WR Armstrong is gone, but not forgotten as he may be back after either Romo or Spencer deals get done.

OBSERVATIONS

• Players cut were not contributors to special teams
• Satele was 3-4 OLB, direct result of switch to 4-3
• Wilber has huge upside behind Ware
• Armstrong won't languish long if we are not able to bring him back quickly
• Rookie FS would seem to be a priority target, as both Church and Johnson project to SS, though Johnson has FS skill set as well.

Something to say about the new competition at SOLB, Wilbers move to DE? You know the drill Cowboys Nation. Drop a comment below.

Another Left Coast Cowboys Post: on Twitter - Steven Van Over

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Cowboys Clearing Up FA Logjam - Agreement with Allen, Durant, Cut Armstrong (UPDATED 2X)

Cowboys Front Office Stacking Up Free Agents

This is a breaking story - Last Updated 1:08PM CST - Updates Below

Yesterday we reported about the Cowboys coming to terms (but not actually signing) Free Agent LB Justin Durant. This unusual arrangement was (of course) brought on by the lack of cap space Dallas now enjoys/suffers.

Adam Schefter (of ESPN) broke yesterdays story and is now reporting that Steelers FA Safety Will Allen has also agreed to terms, and will sign as soon as enough cap space has been created. Allen visited Valley Ranch the same time as Durant and Huff (who has since joined Marcus Spears on the Ravens defense).

Finding enough space is contingent on one of three things happening. Extend/Restructure either Tony Romo and/or Spencer, or cut someone. Designating RT Doug Free as a post June 1 cut won't work, as that space would not become available until after June 1 and is probably being earmarked to sign 2013 draftees. This would seem to put players such as Benford, Vickers, Lemon, McSurdy or possibly even McCray (as I don't believe he has signed his tender as of yet) at possible risk, though not likely. The much more likely options are the first two.

As reported yesterday, in conversation with Agent X (another Cowboys Nation resource), we talked about how this maneuver not only gives the individual Free Agents a window to get "surprise offers" they can't refuse, it also gives the camps for both Romo and Spencer more leverage in their talks. It will be highly interesting to see the final shape each of these contracts takes as Agent X pointed out in a follow up conversation today: "something had to be given, in order to receive these promissory deals. Identifying what it was should not to be difficult. Look at the guaranteed monies and compare that with other deals. The additional monies paid are a direct result of the Cap penalty imposed last year, which is giving agents leverage with Dallas in negotiations." One more thing to thank John Mara for!

Will Allen - Safety / 31 yrs old / June 17, 1982 / 4.53 40 yd dash / Ohio State / Allen played 7 years for the Buccaneers after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft. He took his skills to Pittsburgh in 2010, pairing with Polamalu in the Steelers deep half. At the 2004 combine he had a Vertical jump of 36", Broad jump of 9'7" a 3 cone of 7.06 seconds and a 40 of 4.58 seconds. He is fast, smart and has played his entire career in a Tampa 2 defense. As a quick sidebar, if/when this signing occurs, it will kill all interest in Rhonde Barber.

Will Allen is, what Sensabaugh was not, an experienced Tampa 2 veteran presence. As a minimum Allen will provide the all-important "competition" that JG requires at each position. He should also be an excellent mentor to the young players the Cowboys currently have at the position while providing a smooth transition to more playing time, if not later this season, certainly next year. How much he has left in the tank at 31 years old remains to be seen. What do you think Cowboys Nation?

UPDATE 1:00PM CST: Thanks to a tip from CowboysNation reader Michael, we have now verified that the Dallas Morning News is now reporting that Orton has restructured his contract and the Cowboys currently have enough room to sign LB Justin Durant. Check back, we will report when that signing actually occurs right here.

UPDATE 1:08PM CST: ESPN is reporting that LB Durant and S Allen have both signed their deals with the Dallas Cowboys. After restructuring the deal with Orton, the Cowboys cut speedy, but raw WR Armstrong to create enough cap room to sign both players. As the moves did not free up a tremendous amount of space, the structure of the deals will be very interesting to review once known. Jerry is also reporting that they are "close" to a new deal with Tony Romo. Keep checking back as we update here as news breaks.

Check back later today as we deliver more news and insight into the Dallas Cowboys

Another Left Coast Cowboys Post: on Twitter - Steven Van Over

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Dallas Cowboys 2013 Free Agency Tracker

Cowboys Nation 2013
Free Agency Tracker
Last Updated 20 April 2013

Cowboys Nation presents the Dallas Cowboys 2013 Free Agency Tracker, as we continue to expand our reference section so you can find all things Cowboys right here at your favorite water cooler. Why search the web to find out if Agnew is still on the team (he's not), we do the work for you. Updates will be made when required and a permanent link now appears in the upper right hand of the site (or will as soon as Google answers my help request) in the off season reference section. Enjoy!

Pos	Player	FA Status	Current Team
C	Phil Costa	Re-signed	Cowboys
CB	Vincent Agnew	UFA (Cut)	Free Agent
CB	Mike Jenkins	Signed	Raiders
CB	Sterling Moore	UFA	Free Agent
DE	Marcus Spears	Signed	Ravens
DL	Kenyon Coleman	Signed	Saints
DL	Ikponmwosa Igbinosun	Re-signed	Cowboys
DL	L.P. Ladouceur	Re-signed	Cowboys
DL	Brian Schaefering	UFA	Free Agent
DL	Monte Taylor	Re-signed	Cowboys
FS	Eric Frampton	UFA	Free Agent
FS	Micah Pellerin	Re-signed	Cowboys
LB	Victor Butler	Signed	Saints
LB	Dan Conner	Signed	Giants
LB	Orie Lemon	ERFA	Free Agent
LB	Brady Poppinga	UFA	Free Agent
LB	Brashton Satele	UFA (Cut)	Free Agent
LB	Ernie Sims	Re-signed	Cowboys
LS	Charley Hughlett	Re-signed	Cowboys
OG	Derrick Dockery	UFA	Free Agent
P	Brian Moorman	UFA	Free Agent
PK	David Buehler	Signed	Giants
PK	Jake Rodgers	Signed	Giants
RB	Felix Jones	UFA	Free Agent
SS	Danny McCray	Re-signed	Cowboys
SS	Charlie Peprah	UFA	Free Agent
SS	Gerald Sensabaugh	UFA (Cut)	Free Agent
TE	Colin Cochart	Re-signed	Cowboys
TE	John Phillips	Signed	Chargers
TE	Andre P. Smith	Re-signed	Cowboys
WR	Anthony Armstrong	Re-signed 2x	Cowboys
WR	Tim Benford	Re-signed	Cowboys
WR	Danny Coale	Re-signed	Cowboys
WR	Kevin Ogletree	Signed	Buccaneers

Another Left Coast Cowboys Post: on Twitter - Steven Van Over

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Fill Up the Cowboys Piggy Bank in 2013?

Cowboys Talent Piggy Bank
AKA Injured Reserve List

It's that time of year again. The Cowboys talent reserves are getting low, with more withdrawals looming in the likes of Danny Coale, Matt Johnson, Barry Church, both Carter and Lee (their second time in the piggy bank) and others all reportedly looking at a full off season of team activities. The annual NFL Draft is the place the Cowboys have most recently been getting a jump on the rest of the league in stocking up the talent piggy bank for the ensuing year. They have excelled at it, arguably bringing it to a high art form by using 2nd round selections in consecutive years to obtain the uber-talented and injured, aforementioned Carter and Lee.

Based on the concept of "Genius in Marketing as a Business Principle", it allows the fan base, if not enamored with any actual draft haul or selection, to still be excited and grow hope through the burgeoning, or returning talents from the IR list. If you have never actually performed at the NFL level yet (Matt Johnson this year) all the better. This allows the hope eternal of unrealized potential, otherwise known as a NFL rookie, to exist for a full two year span. From a marketing perspective, it just doesn't get any better than that. The fact that out of the four possible years of player production your team continually gets three years, compared to the teams you are trying to catch getting four, is just yakity-yak numbers.

As things go in cycles, we, as Cowboys Nation faithful, should prepare for the possibility (not probability) that the piggy bank might actually go low, nay, even empty! What would we do as we watch most, if not all of our talent on the field come game day instead of toiling away on the trainers table? I mean, other than bask in the glow of a couple consecutive NFC East Championships and possibly a playoff victory or two? (ed note: this ain't pie in the sky, what would the Cowboys seasons have been like the last two years if Murray, Lee, etc. had been healthy and on the field the last game of the season, let alone all year?)

Regardless of any chosen coping mechanism  I have compiled a list of players below the Cowboys SHOULD be focusing on acquiring this off season in order to avoid the piggy bank even coming close to half empty in the near future.

• DE - Tank Carradine, Florida State - A classic move by the Cowboys here would secure a player who was rated as a top five talent until (tell me you haven't heard this one before), he tore up his ACL late in the regular season finale. Jerry has his eye on this big fella, and if he drops to round two, he should be getting a call from the 972 area code!
• LB - Khaseem Greene, Rutgers - A short, uber productive LB who, at 24 years of age has already had two significant injuries. This piggy bank gem could be available in round two. Jerry  is rumored to have been seen obtaining a pre-draft rookie card with Khaseem's name on it.
• DE - Jarvis Jones, Georgia - It would take sacrificing the top of the draft in order to trade up and obtain the super-productive prospect out of Georgia, who has a mystery neck injury and a slow 40 time. But think of the splash it would make when he is finally able to get on the field in 2014!
• CB - Johnathan Banks, Mississippi State - The big, skilled CB could be there for the Cowboys at the bottom of the first round if they decide to trade down, and after playing on an injured knee in 2012 he has displayed both toughness and the ability to get injured. Both qualities the Cowboys front office highly regards in the second round, should he fall out of his projected late first round slot into the dangerous area becoming known as Jerry's stalking ground.
• C - Barrett Jones, Alabama - Smart, tough as nails, versatile, talented and injured. Jones could open the season on the Cowboys IR at any one of five position along the line, after playing through a lisfranc foot injury in 2013 that kept him out of the combine and has a very tricky recovery history. This almost assures him a top spot on the Jones radar, as the Alabama All-Star could be available for Jerry to direct-deposit in the third or fourth rounds.

All kidding aside, the above are some talented players that could be icons on the Cowboys for  years to come, if they are able to avoid the injury bug. Unlike Miles Austin hamstrings, the recent issues of Lee and Carter were not related to their previous injures, and bespeak to the random nature of injuries in the NFL, rather than an issue with either player staying on the field. Regardless of intent or actions, the Cowboys are quickly gaining the reputation as a brittle team. What are possible solutions to this state of affairs? Would drafting Barrett Jones in round three bother Cowboys Nation? Comment below.

Another Left Coast Cowboys Post: on Twitter - Steven Van Over

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Cowboys and Durant Come to an Agreement - Kind Of (Updated 2X)

Justin Durant - New Cowboys Starting ROLB?

Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that Justin Durant and the Cowboys have come to an agreement (in principle) on a two year deal. There is just one little catch, a minor thing really, don't even know why I brought it up, should I even go on? Okay, if you insist. Dallas doesn't have the cap room to actually sign the contract right now. They can agree to it, but no ink in the pen. You can go where you want with that analogy.

Regardless, IF this gets done (til a pen with ink hits paper, Durant isn't going to be shopping for a new home in the Dallas area), the Cowboys would be getting a player in line with the Dan Conner signing of last year, a solid, instinctive veteran line backer to provide competition (JG mantra) and perhaps start, with a contract structured in such a manner that Dallas would be able to move on if things don't work out.

What say you Cowboys Nation? Is this deal good, bad or just plain ugly?

UPDATE: Per a comment by truecowboyfan, I have included what I can remember and found upon research, in regards to our potential (he isn't actually signed yet) new LB.

Justin Durant - LB 6'1" / 240 lbs / 27 years old / 4.51 40 yd dash / Hampton College / PFF graded Durant out as the #18 4-3 outside LB in 2012. He totaled 103 tackles for the Lions and should start opposite Bruce Carter, joining Lee to create a very fast LB corps that would be one of the quickest in the the league (Ed Note: recent FA signee Ernie Sims also runs a 4.50, Lee a 4.60 and Carter a blistering 4.47). At 27 years old Justin has plenty left in the tank. Durrant did experience a concussion in 2011 that caused him to miss three games.

Durant was drafted in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He signed as a free agent with the Detroit Lions in 2011. He reportedly ran a 4.51 40 yard dash at the combine and has been clocked as low as 4.48. His combine numbers include 25 reps at 225 lbs on the bench press. Vertical jump of 36 ", Broad jump of 10'1", 20 yard shuttle of 4.09 and a 3 cone drill time of 6.77 seconds while weighing in at 225 lbs. He has gained 15 lbs of muscle since then, and was rated a top ten run defense LB in the 4-3 after signing with the Lions in 2011. He is no slouch against the pass either, as he was a three down player holding down nickle duties in 2012 and is reportedly still quick as a cat at the heavier weight.

UPDATE 2: Just finished a conversation with a Cowboys Nation resource that has knowledge of high level contract negotiations who, as is the case with many highly placed sources, has to remain anonymous for the obvious reasons. Our source (let's call them Agent X), points out that Durant and his team are now in possession of "all the cards" as between now and whenever the Cowboys actually do free up cap room, they have a window with a solid contract offer to shop around the league under the table  in hopes of then receiving a "surprise offer" from a 3rd team in order to supply leverage. Agent X further points out this type of deal "indicates both A:) a solid relationship with the particular agent and the team and B:) an indication that a deal is very close on either the Tony Romo or Spencer extensions, perhaps both, with leverage on the side of the players as the clock ticks on Durant's patience"

....Check back tonight to find out if it's time for Jerry to once again, "direct deposit" into the Cowboys Piggy Bank.....

Another Left Coast Cowboys Post: on Twitter - Steven Van Over

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Cowboys Draft 2013: Board Games

How highly will this man
grade on the Cowboys' board?

Part one of this mini-series looked at Dallas' 2010 board and how the team finessed it's way into players ranked 12th and 14th overall on its draft board in rounds 1 and 2.  Today, we consider reasons why the team may push its board.

The 2010 movement which netted Dez Bryant and Sean Lee was predicated on a goal -- maximize impact and maximize value.  When Bryan Bulaga was taken off the board at pick 23 that year, the Cowboys saw one remaining player at an impact position with a high rating.  They moved up three spots to assure themselves the highest rated player left.

Has Dallas gone against strict numerical value?  Consider 2008, when the Cowboys had a choice of running backs.  When the first of two Dallas 1st rounders came up at pick 22, the board showed these players at the top:

1-12 Rashard Mendenhall
1-13 Felix Jones

As we know, Dallas passed on Mendenhall at took Jones.  The rationale was that Dallas had Marion Barber, a bruiser in the Mendenhall mold.  Since the values on both backs were nearly identical, Dallas felt it was not sacrificing overall value, but instead gaining a missing dimension by picking Jones, whose explosiveness made him a complement to Barber.  The move looked good early in 2008, when Jones was a comet, but lost its luster when Felix suffered a long list of injuries.  Mendenhall also got off to a fast start but saw his career derailed by a knee injury.  Both have to be considered disappointments.

The point here is that Dallas will go away from strict numbers -- but only by a little -- if it sees a benefit.  Which brings us back to the concept of the priority position.  Let's run some hypothetical scenarios.  What if Dallas comes on the clock at pick 18 and the top players are rated this way:

1-10  Chance Warmack
1-18  D.J. Fluker

I think the pick would be Warmack, since he's far higher rated. His value would be too good to pass up. But  what if the numbers broke down like this:

1-10 Warmack
1-12 Fluker

Then, I think Fluker might get some real play.  Tackles are a priority position over guard, and if the two players were seen as roughly equal in value, I think Fluker could hear his name called.

Now, what if the board came up like this:
1 - 12  Warmack
1 - 13  Cooper

Now we're back to the Jones/Mendenhall choice from 2008.  Two players with similar values, but different styles.  Warmack is a sumo-guard, in the Mike Iupati mold.  Cooper is the more active, mobile player.  If Bill Callahan wants a more mobile line, Cooper could be the choice if the numbers were close. If the spread was greater, say 7-10 slots on the board, then Warmack would be the guy, in my opinion.  The Cowboys don't push their board to that extreme.

What if we're talking different positions?  What if the numbers were similar to 2010, when Earl Thomas was the priority position target over Iupati, though the guard ranked one spot higher than the Texas safety on Dallas' board.  What if the numbers look like this:

1-11 Warmack
1-12  Vaccaro

In this case, I also think the Cowboys would go for the safety over the guard.

Hypotheticals are all we have today.  None of us know where the offensive linemen, defensive linemen and safeties rank on Dallas' board.  Of course, we're still more than a month away, which means the Cowboys have yet to assemble their final board.

I don't think the team knows today how it would play these board games.

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Off Season Questions - the Cowboys Water Cooler

Cowboys Water Cooler Questions

What are the "Burning Questions" that are flitting around the blog-o-sphere this off season? What items of note are hanging in the short term memory of the internet? An organic construct with a life of it's own, the Net expresses it's wants and needs via social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest down to the basic corporate group email. The world pays attention, and topics as diverse as the toppling of a government to something really important, such as if the Cowboys will draft an OG with their first pick, spike, trend and otherwise overwhelm the masses without ever actually shedding any new factual information on the subject, or (don't even think it) producing an answer to a specific question. So put down the (just obtained) cup of aqua (or something stronger perhaps) from your friends at the water cooler as we break down the hot topics of the past week and shine some Cowboys Nation light on them. Heck, we might even answer a couple of them.

Could Laurent Robinson be coming back to Dallas? - No, is the short answer. The long answer delves into the intricacies facing a player who is attempting to return to the NFL after four serious concussions in a four month span. According to the Cowboys Nation resident UCLA Sports Psychologist, most people are not aware of how severe concussion symptoms can be. As of this writing Robinson is just getting past sensitivity to light so strong he wouldn't take the trash out or go to the grocery store during day light hours. He couldn't be around his daughter if she was crying because of instant throbbing headaches, not to mention short term memory issues. Surviving the incredible assault on the senses that is a NFL game would be torture. Reportedly, when Robinson does recover, he has capped his NFL career at two more concussions. Or should we say "if" he recovers? Regardless, we wish Robinson the very best for him and his family. He put in a heck of a season wearing the star. Cowboys fans do not forget.

Is (fill in the blank) the best weapon across from Dez Bryant? - The Cowboys need the next Arron Hernandez, we need Gronkowski, we need a disciplined route runner, we need a guy with serious speed, we need .... you get the picture. Who is going to be the flip to Dez's fly, the yin to his yang, the ... ok, that is a bit much, but the questions that are being asked deal with skill sets versus any actual player. Should the Cowboys focus on acquiring a TE who can ball out of the slot, or the H back position (Hernandez) versus a classic #2 field stretcher ala Alvin Harper? There are also mentions of Wes Welker and Cris Carter as types of players we need across from Dez. This is a fun conversation but a very easy one to answer. Yes. Sure. I will take any elite type player and put them across from Dez. Elite players make plays. Some through mis-matches (TE's), others through discipline (Wes Welker) or pure natural ability (Cris Carter). Would a healthy Miles Austin fit the bill? Oh yea. Will a burgeoning Dwayne Harris or Danny Coale fill the slot with Welker like production? I like our odds on that one. To bring it to a close, yes. Any elite player (ie - play maker) is the best weapon across from Dez Bryant. Pick your flavor of the month. Then send your best lucky rabbit foot to the Mistress of Hamstrings in care of Miles Austin, because that is who is lining up across from Dez in 2013.

Are the Cowboys going to trade Anthony Spencer? - Probably not. There are things Spencer is not, an elite pass rushing talent for instance. However there are also things Spencer is. Spencer is an elite run stopper, a hard worker, a known quantity and has experience and productivity in college and the pros with his hand on the ground. They are much more likely to sign him to a long term contract, freeing up cap space to sign the recent round of affordable free agents that have been circulating through Valley Ranch. Love him or hate him, Spencer will probably be a Cowboy for life.

Do you agree, disagree or have more insight on the above? What burning questions do you have, Cowboys Nation?

Another Left Coast Cowboys Post: on Twitter - Steven Van Over

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Cowboys Draft 2013: It's Like 2010 All Over Again

In my guest role on Bob Sturm's blog this past week, I argued that 2013's draft feels a lot like 2010, in targets.  In that draft, as in perhaps this one, a guard and free safety were two of Dallas' primary targets, though the team started in the 27th spot that year, where it begins in the 18th this spring.

Let's take a refresher on 2010.  On draft weekend, images of the team's draft board made their way into the internet food chain, allowing fans to reconstruct the board.  Dallas had 23 players with 1st round grades that year.  The 10th though 16th slots, with eventual draft slot in parenthesis:

1-10  Mike Iupati, G, Idaho  (17)
1-11  Earl Thomas, FS, Texas  (14)
1-12  Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma St. (24)
1-13  Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa  (23)
1-14  Sean Lee, ILB, Penn St.  (55)
1-15  Jared Odrick, DE, Penn St. (28)
1-16  Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, USF, (15)
(Note: the Cowboys use two numbers in a player's grade.  The first indicates the round in which he's graded and the second is his overall number on Dallas' board.  It's possible to see two players in sequence be rated, say, 1-20 and 2-21.  This means that the latter player has the highest second round grade and the first one the lowest first round grade.)

As draft day approached, rumors began swirling that Dallas was working hard with Miami, then owners of the 12th pick, to work out a deal which would let the Cowboys draft Texas safety Earl Thomas.  On draft morning, I spoke with Wes Bunting, then with the National Football Post, who relayed that their people were hearing this story from several sources.

That deal did not come to pass.  Thomas slid past the 12th spot to 14, where the Seahawks picked him up.  In the market's aftermath, Cowboys officials relayed that Iupati, Thomas and Bryant had been targeted as priority players.  The breakdowns pushed them to make a deal with New England, jumping from 27th to 24, where they took Bryant.  Dallas' fear was that Baltimore, picking just ahead of them, and needed a recever, would pick Dez.

The scarcity of top players also dictated the move.  Iupati was picked 17th.  Bulaga, a right tackle prospect, lasted a bit longer but was picked 23rd by the Packers.  His selection may also have forced the Jones' hand. When the Packers came on the board, the Cowboys board looked like this:

1-12  Bryant
1-13  Bulaga
1-14  Lee

Bryant and Bulaga play what are frequently referred to as "priority positions."  They're skill positions, offensive tackles and rush and coverage spots on defense.)   When Bulaga left the board, Dallas had only one priority player with a high first round grade.  It did have other priority positions, most notably cornerback Kyle Wilson, but his grade was 1-18, much lower than Bryant's 1-12.  For Dallas, the choice was making the deal and assuring the top rated player, at a priority position, or risking losing him and settling for Sean Lee.

As things turned out, Dallas got both Bryant and Lee, and both have at times, lived up to the grades.  Dallas' assessment of their peak levels of play has been on the mark.

But that's getting ahead of things.  This short list shows that Dallas would in fact draft a 1st round guard if he reached them, and was rated highly enough.  Iupati's top-ten ranking put squarely him in the 2010 discussion.  I am fairly certain David DeCastro's grade got him into last year's discussion, but the Cowboys, picking 14th, got a shot at a much higher rated player in Morris Claiborne.  If Chance Warmack has a top 10, Iupati-like grade, and he's the highest rated player when the Cowboys go on the clock, that could well put him in Cowboys silver.

The notion that Dallas simply won't pick a 1st round guard is not true.

On the other hand, being a highly-rated guard does not mean Dallas will automatically pick you if you're the highest player left.  It instead raises several questions.  Where do Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper rank on Dallas' board?  Where does Alabama right tackle D.J. Fluker rate on their board? Where does this year's Thomas wannabe, Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro, rate on the board?  And how do they grade relative to each other?  That last question may dictate which player the Cowboys select when the 18th spot rolls around.

Next:  We go back to 2008 and see the Cowboys cross the board.  Will need and relative value, and priority positions factor again in 2013?

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Cowboys Draft 2013: Second Opinion Saturday

Matt Scott

Today, Cowboys Nation serves up a second opinions on several players, starting  with Arizona's Matt Scott, a player lurking behind the top two tiers of quarterbacks, but one who is nonetheless creating buzz, in this copycat NFL world.  NFL.com's Greg Cosell recently said Scott was the QB who most resembled Colin Kaepernick among the 2013 prospects.  TD offered his assessment of Scott's place among the quarterbacks on Wednesday.

Eric Galko:  It's funny because I've said that, and a lot of other people have said that, but when Greg Cosell of the NFL Network says it, then it's gospel.

At the Shrine Game, I wrote that if any quarterback reminds me of Colin Kaepernick, it's Matt Scott, really from all angles.  He's not as productive and didn't do as much in college.  Has sloppy footwork still.  He's a bit stiff in his movements as far as setting up in the pocket and with his mechanics.  He's not that stiff, but he's underdeveloped in his mechanics and fluidity in his release.

He's a guy with a good arm.  Not as good as former pitcher Kaepernick but a good arm.  He has similar release points to work with.  He's run some read option.

Throws a great deep ball.  Has adequate arm strength.  Has great athletic ability.  Can run the read option.  He's a kid who can come in right away.  I don't think he'll get there right away, and I don't think the athletic ability is there, but if you're getting any phase of Colin Kaepernick I think it's a good thing for a lot of NFL teams.  Iwould not rule out him going in that 3rd round, in that Russell Wilson area, where a team is hoping to get a quarterback but not banking on it.

I' think he goes somewhere in that 3rd, I"m not sure where yet.  Maybe the Eagles, if they pass on E.J. Manuel.  Chip Kelly has said he had a hard time preparing for Arizona when he had to play against Rich Rodriguez' offense, and obviously Matt Scott was there too.

The intrigue is there and he's got the tools to be a Colin Kaepernick lite.

Cowboys Nation:  Talk to us about Syracuse's Justin Pugh.  At least one draftnik I read said this past week that he thinks Pugh should be in that group of offensive linemen at the 1st round/2nd round turn.  Is Pugh seen as a guard only, or can he play tackle?

TD:  I think he's a guard only because of his arm length.  He's under 32".  You know,  Joe Thomas is 32''.  Robert Gallery was 32''.  Pugh is 31 and a half, I believe.  That's not ideal for a tackle.  For that reason I think he kicks inside.  He's tough.  He's versatile.  He's a 305 lb. guy who's flexible.  He can get out to the second level.  He's got a lot of athleticism so he's a high-ceiling player.

Athletically, I certainly think he could play tackle, but tackle depends so much on cutting off the edge rush. I think those shorter arms would make teams more comfortable playing him at guard.  He's going to play well inside because he can pass protect.  That's what I think he has going for him.

CN:  A solid 2nd  rounder then?

TD:  I think he's a 2nd/3rd round guy.

CN:  I do want to ask, because safety is such an important position for Dallas.  Eric Galko and I discussed John Cyprien and his value.  He seems to think Cyprien goes in the 1st.  If you're Dallas and you pick a guard like a Warmack of a Jonathan Cooper in the 1st, who could be around in the mid-2nd and how do you stack them up there?

Let's start with this: where does Johnathan Cyprien go, in your opinion?

TD: I think he goes solid 2nd round.  I think Eric Reid, we've talked about Reid a lot.  I think he's in that 2nd round range.  He's 6'1", 213 lbs.  He's rangy.  I think he's a solid 2nd round option.  I think Philip Thomas from Fresno State is in that 2nd/3rd round range.  He's 6'2", 208.

I think Bacarri Rambo is instinctive.  Now you're looking at a 3rd round player.   He's a guy who can lay the wood, but he's going to get more looks because of his ability to range in the deep half.   He can get early jumps on the ball which is extremely attractive to teams, obviously.

Sharmarko Thomas from Syracuse looks like a 3rd round type player.   A little undersized at 5'9", but he's compact.  I think he could slide a little next to the rest of these guys because of his height but I think he's a 2nd/3rd round player.  And then Shawn Williams from Georgia.  He's Bacarri Rambo's counterpart.  He's probably a 3rd round type player.

CN:  Where do the Florida guys go?  Matt Elam and Josh Evans?

TD:  I think Elam is a 1st/2nd round turn player.  I think he could go in that 30-45 range.  Evans is more of a mid-round pick.  I'll say 4th to 5th round range?

CN:  Do you any safeties in that 20-35 range if Kenny Vaccaro is picked in the top 20?

TD:  Elam and Reid, I would say they have the best shot.  Elam mainly.  I feel Reid is more of a 2nd round player.  Reid, I think, could be the best of the bunch.  Even if he goes in that 2nd round range I think he could be a really good football player.

CN:  Compare some of this year's safety to the safeties from that really good crop from two years ago, where you had guys like Major Wright in the 3rd.  How does this group compare?

TD:  I think it compares favorably.  I don't think it has an Eric Berry at the top, and I don't think Vaccaro compares overall to Earl Thomas.  But when you get to the top guys, they do compare to Nate Alllen, before he got hurt, with his ability to get in and out of his breaks.  When you look at Eric Reid, he's similar in many ways to Morgan Burnett.

I think in that 2nd and 3rd round range you can find guys who will be solid starters for teams.

A lot depends on the strength of the class.  This one is deeper, so I don't think teams will push them the way they do in slower years.  Look at last year.  Harrison Smith went at the end of the 1st round to the Vikings, and I think Vaccaro is better and I think Eric Reid is a better player than Smith.

CN:  This is a question I get a lot about the guard position as well.  For so many Cowboys fans David DeCastro was the coveted player in 2012.  They want to know how Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper compare to him?

TD:  DeCastro was a rare player at his position.  I think Warmack is more powerful, but I'd give DeCastro the edge in every other category.   I think Warmack is a little better than DeCastro as a power run blocker, but I think DeCastro is a much better pass blocker, and that's huge in the NFL.

CN:  Any hot tips, at any position, or at all the positions?

TD:  Yeah.  Desmond Trufant is rising.  After Xavier Rhodes there's no one else.  I think Trufant could not go in the mid-1st round area.

Cornelius Washington from Georgia is a hot name, because of his ability to rush the passer.  He ran well at the Combine, 4.55.  He's a thicker kid.   Jarvis Jones, Ogletree and Jenkins get all the pub but he's a 2nd-3rd round option.

Ryan Swope from Texas A&M has a lot of people's attention.  Teams are always looking for that next Wes Welker.  He ran really well and he's bigger than he's given credit for.  I think 3rd round is for him.

Da'Rick Rogers is the guy who got kicked off the Tennessee team.  He was there with Cordarrelle Patterson and Justin Hunter.  Rodgers might be the best of that bunch.  He's got the ability, at 6'2", 217 lbs. He runs well, and makes his breaks cleanly.  He won't go in the 1st round but I think he's one of those players who could  a star if he puts it together.  Even if he doesn't, he's still talented enough to make plays.  He could be one of the best receivers in this class?

CN:  Where does he go, 3rd round?

TD:  I think he goes in the 2nd.

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RKOG Needs Updating

Cowboys need to keep RKOGs on the field

From time to time, any good organization assesses what they do well and what they could improve upon. In looking at the Cowboys under the Jason Garret era, we have been blessed with the "RKOG" approach.

As former Cowboys players who "don't try to improve", in the off season (we miss you Mike Jenkins) or are "happy with their production", in another losing effort (enjoy the Ravens Marcus) move on and are replaced with players that were accrued in the Jason Garret era, we will see the effects continue to transform this team in a positive fashion.

RKOG's practice harder, they don't point fingers when times are hard, they don't quit, ever. Many of them were former team captains and the Cowboys roster is becoming littered from top to bottom with these team-mentality beings. So how can you improve this?

We need to add a word to the acronym, "Healthy". We need RKOHG's (Right Kind of Healthy Guys) to don the star on game day. Sean Lee? I love him. Bruce Carter? You should see my new tattoo. Matt Johnson? Doesn't he play bass for the indie band Kink? Oh, the other guy, on film he looks incredible! Kyle Wilber? Thumbs up is all I can say. Miles Austin? Dude is a  consummate professional. DeMarco Murray? As DeMarco goes, so goes the Cowboys. Killer Kowalski? Always makes me think of the Killer Karl character from Slap Shot. Phil Costa? He doesn't back away from any challenge. Jay Ratliff? He finally gets to play his natural position! All RKOG's, but not healthy ones. It's a problem.

Mike Woicik is one of the better Strength and Conditioning coaches in the league, if not the best. He has a proven track record. He is not the issue. Mostly, it is difficult to pinpoint a precise reason a specific player gets injured. But I'm asking you, is continuously drafting players with serious collegiate injury histories the answer? Or is the upside of what Alabama C Barrett Jones was able to accomplish in a fantastic collegiate career worth the risk in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th round?  What say you Cowboys Nation?

Another Left Coast Cowboys Post: on Twitter - Steven Van Over

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