SDogo, Hostile... Ronnell Lewis?

[Sonny Koufax]

SDogo, Hostile (or anyone else), what are your thoughts on Ronnell Lewis and have the Cowboys shown any interest.
I don't know a lot about him, but I've seen some of his highlights and he looks pretty good. (doesn't everybody look good on their highlight tape).
What do you think?

[revospeed]

I played against him my junior year of high school. He was scary good.

[cowboysooner]

He went to dinner with some Cowboys scouts around his pro day. He is raw as can be. He is would be great against the run, but is not a skilled pass rush guy with counters and spins because he does not have much experience.

[Fredd]

IMO, he is a 2nd to 3rd rounder...he has raw skills and someone will think they can turn him into a beast...

[supercowboy8]

I don't want a 3-4 OLB outside the first. I look at these guys and don't see anyone that isbetter than PSencer in the 2nd or 3rd. I like Lewis but I don't see him ever being a upgrade.

I think Lewis would be a great 4-3 SOLB but not a great 3-4 OLB.

If we can't get a SOLB in the 1st round then I would rather wait till next years draft to find one.

[ABQCOWBOY]

If he were there in the 3rd, I would take him in a heartbeat. He may not be an upgrade to Spencer but he would be much cheaper and younger. He would be an excellent ST guy right away and he could develop. He is not finished growing and he does have very good agility numbers. He has not been as productive as you would like but he has ability. He just needs to stay healthy and continue to develop IMO.

[InmanRoshi]

He has a private workout scheduled in Dallas, and two Cowboys scouts took him (and his former high school coach) out to dinner after the OU Pro Day. I would say there is interest there.

Lewis is scheduled to visit the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots before the draft. On Tuesday night, Lewis and Been had dinner with two Dallas scouts.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/OU/article.aspx?subjectid=92&articleid=20120314_92_0_NORMAN796367

[DBOY3141]

Was he injured any last year or coming off an injury? If so, we will take him in the 2nd.

[ABQCOWBOY]

Was he injured any last year or coming off an injury? If so, we will take him in the 2nd.

Yes, I believe he missed the last three games with injury. I believe it was a knee but an OU fan would probably be more knowledgeable then I on the exact details. I don't know that I would take him in the second, that's going to be an evaluation process question. He has had issues other then injuries and the press I have heard on him is not great. You usually don't see this from a team with regards to a player because the team wants him to be drafted high. He has ability, no question but I wonder what we don't know about him? I would take him in the third, no problem at all.

BTW, I think that he might be an ILB for us. He could be the replacement we are looking for for BJ.

[DBOY3141]

I joke about the injury because of our last two 2nd round picks. Loved them both because they actually had game film to back up a 2nd round pick.

I live in Tar Heel nation and I'm very excited to see Carter this year. He will be a beast.

On Lewis, just haven't seen much of OU football to have an opinion. So I wonder if the Boys will have a 1st round grade on him as they did with Lee and Carter.

[InmanRoshi]

The only thing I've heard negative about Lewis is that he had trouble keeping his classroom grades up because he just wanted to play football full time. I don't believe he had any trouble with the law, and he's known as being a high effort player on the field who loves the game. Whatever the "story behind the story" is with OU player Jerry has a unique inside source between Switzer and Lacewell (just as he had on DeMarco Murray).

[InmanRoshi]

I joke about the injury because of our last two 2nd round picks. Loved them both because they actually had game film to back up a 2nd round pick.

I live in Tar Heel nation and I'm very excited to see Carter this year. He will be a beast.

On Lewis, just haven't seen much of OU football to have an opinion. So I wonder if the Boys will have a 1st round grade on him as they did with Lee and Carter.

Carter and Lewis are similar in that the Cowboys might view them as 1st round talents that could be had in the 2nd round because they came out a year early. He's just 21, a true junior, and bounced around at a lot of different posiitions. IMHO, if he stayed in school another year and develops his game he probably goes Top 15, but as I stated up thread he didn't like the academics of being a college athlete and just wanted to play football fulltime.

Lewis came to OU without a position. He played safety and running back in 8 man football in high school for his little hometown of 800 people. As soon as he stepped foot on the practice field as a true freshman his athletic ability stood out, and the OU coaches just wanted to find a way to get him on the field as soon as possible so they started plugging him in at a lot of different positions. He really started to get a lot of hype around him by Sooner Nation after a few highliight reel hits in against Stanford his first start as a true freshman. His sophomore year they stuck him at DE, where he was behind two long time established starters Jeremy Beal and Frank Alexander, but got some rotation time. This last year, as a junior, was his first season as a full time starter focused on just one position. So you're definitely drafting him based on potential rather than as a finished project.

If he's drafted by the Cowboys, it's probably as Spencer's replacement in 2013 and his rookie year will be spent learning the position and being a beast on special teams and maybe participating in some defensive sub package with very specific responsibilities.

[ABQCOWBOY]

The only thing I've heard negative about Lewis is that he had trouble keeping his classroom grades up because he just wanted to play football full time. I don't believe he had any trouble with the law, and he's known as being a high effort player on the field who loves the game. Whatever the "story behind the story" is with OU player Jerry has a unique inside source between Switzer and Lacewell (just as he had on DeMarco Murray).

He has had a history of trouble in the classroom, that is true Rosh. I think there must be something more though. I have no proof of this so it's just me looking in from 10K ft. above but his coaching staff did not seem to be very supportive of him. That is on what I am accustomed to from OU. They are usually very supportive of their players. You don't hear anything negative said in a public manner. With this player, OU has not, IMO, treated him the same. They have been very public with their opinion of his shortcoming. Not something I am used to from OU. Just not the kind of program that does that historically. I could be wrong, I don't follow OU religiously. As I said earlier, an OU fan would be much more capable of providing detail on this then I.

[cowboysooner]

Carter and Lewis are similar in that the Cowboys might view them as 1st round talents that could be had in the 2nd round because they came out a year early. Lewis came to OU without a position, having played safety and running back in 8 man football in high school. Right away he stood out on the practice field so much that the OU coaches just started plugging him in at a lot of different positions, thinking they just had to find a way to get him on the field as soon as possible. Finally for his sophomore year they stuck him at DE, where he was behind two long time established starters Jeremy Beal and Frank Alexander, but got some rotation time. This last year, as a junior, was his first season as a full time starter focused on just one position. IMHO, if he stayed in school another year and develops his game he probably goes Top 15, but as I stated up thread he didn't like the academics of being a college athlete and just wanted to play football fulltime.

If he's drafted by the Cowboys, it's probably as Spencer's replacement in 2013 and his rookie year will be spent learning the position and being a beast on special teams and maybe participating in some defensive sub package with very specific responsibilities.

He reminds me of James Harrison/Woodley with how he hurts people when he tackles them. Roy Williams and Lewis are the 2 most violent hitters since Stoops has been in Norman. He played a ton of strong side 5 technique in a 50 defense this year. I think that is a misuse of his skills. He carries some risk because he is so raw and does not have advanced pass rush moves or experience. His knee injury was a sprained mcl. 4-5 week injury, no big deal.

[Gaede]

Lewis came to OU without a position. He played safety and running back in 8 man football in high school for his little hometown of 800 people. As soon as he stepped foot on the practice field as a true freshman his athletic ability stood out, and the OU coaches just wanted to find a way to get him on the field as soon as possible so they started plugging him in at a lot of different positions. He really started to get a lot of hype around him by Sooner Nation after a few highliight reel hits in against Stanford his first start as a true freshman. His sophomore year they stuck him at DE, where he was behind two long time established starters Jeremy Beal and Frank Alexander, but got some rotation time. This last year, as a junior, was his first season as a full time starter focused on just one position. So you're definitely drafting him based on potential rather than as a finished project.



Great info IR, thanks a lot. The guy has all the ability in the world, I was wondering why that never translated.

[cowboysooner]

He has had a history of trouble in the classroom, that is true Rosh. I think there must be something more though. I have no proof of this so it's just me looking in from 10K ft. above but his coaching staff did not seem to be very supportive of him. That is on what I am accustomed to from OU. They are usually very supportive of their players. You don't hear anything negative said in a public manner. With this player, OU has not, IMO, treated him the same. They have been very public with their opinion of his shortcoming. Not something I am used to from OU. Just not the kind of program that does that historically. I could be wrong, I don't follow OU religiously. As I said earlier, an OU fan would be much more capable of providing detail on this then I.

He had a kid back in his hometown and skipped classes. He was not in any legal trouble or a discipline problem within the team other than the classroom stuff.
It was very touch and go on whether he would be eligible in the fall. I have no doubt that coaches were mad about that.

[InmanRoshi]

He reminds me of James Harrison/Woodley with how he hurts people when he tackles them. Roy Williams and Lewis are the 2 most violent hitters since Stoops has been in Norman. He played a ton of strong side 5 technique in a 50 defense this year. I think that is a misuse of his skills. He carries some risk because he is so raw and does not have advanced pass rush moves or experience. His knee injury was a sprained mcl. 4-5 week injury, no big deal.

He's definitely a violent hitter, that stands out about him. Another thing that stands out for me is the way he can close ground on a ball carrier. He just eats up space.

[InmanRoshi]

He had a kid back in his hometown and skipped classes. He was not in any legal trouble or a discipline problem within the team other than the classroom stuff.
It was very touch and go on whether he would be eligible in the fall. I have no doubt that coaches were mad about that.

I also wouldn't doubt that they're a little upset at him for leaving early after they've put so much TLC into him, especially when he has so much potential left to realize.

[Gaede]

He's definitely a violent hitter, that stands out about him. Another thing that stands out for me is the way he can close ground on a ball carrier. He just eats up space.

Would be nice to have that kind of force on this defense. It's been missing since Roy (the 1st) lost his heart

[cowboysooner]

He's definitely a violent hitter, that stands out about him. Another thing that stands out for me is the way he can close ground on a ball carrier. He just eats up space.

Yes he can take on blocks and set the edge. He is very good against the run.

[ABQCOWBOY]

He had a kid back in his hometown and skipped classes. He was not in any legal trouble or a discipline problem within the team other than the classroom stuff.
It was very touch and go on whether he would be eligible in the fall. I have no doubt that coaches were mad about that.

I figured there had to be more to it. OU just does not typically sound off about players who are coming to the NFL publicly.

[ABQCOWBOY]

Yes he can take on blocks and set the edge. He is very good against the run.

Seriously, I think he's an ILB in a 34. He could be great at it if he continuous to develop.

[cowboysooner]

I also wouldn't doubt that they're a little upset at him for leaving early after they've put so much TLC into him, especially when he has so much potential left to realize.

It would have been very tough for him to be eligible next year. I think they expected this so they were not really upset.

Here is a video posted by NickZepp a poster on this board that has a ton of guys who are in this draft and may be Cowboy prospects. Most of the guys were freshmen and sophomores but you can see DeCastro, Fleener, Broyles, Lewis, Jonathan Martin, Frank Alexander and some others.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-ClwHLncAU&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL895078DC86821F7D[/URL]

[cowboysooner]

Seriously, I think he's an ILB in a 34. He could be great at it if he continuous to develop.

I don't think he would be great at ILB. That requires a ton of diagnosis of plays through trash and making defensive calls. He struggled with all of that coming from 8 man football. It is a much different position than the edge of a defense which is get up field or drop in the flat and cover a short zone.

[RS12]

Did well in position drills on his pro day, particularly pass coverage. Since he played DB in high school now we know why. Cowboys have lacking an LB that could cover for years. Serious second round consideration IMO.

[InmanRoshi]

I don't think he would be great at ILB. That requires a ton of diagnosis of plays through trash and making defensive calls. He struggled with all of that coming from 8 man football. It is a much different position than the edge of a defense which is get up field or drop in the flat and cover a short zone.

Agreed. He's a SOLB. He just needs to stay at the position for an extended amount of time for once and learn the nuances of the position (and develop a pass rush repertoire.) What you're hoping for is an Ahmad Brooks without the knee injuries, or a Shawne Merriman before the steroid problems.

[InmanRoshi]

FWIW, I'm not a Sooner fan, but I have family who are Sooner fanatics/boosters and they kind of filled me in on him once I read the Cowboys were really interested in him. I emailed one of them today after this thread if he knew anything about Lewis getting into any trouble. Evidently Lewis voiced frustration that he wasn't getting enough playing time in his sophomore season, and it rubbed some coaches the wrong way. The coaches didn't trust that Lewis knew what he was doing with his assignments, but Lewis complained that the coaches bumped him around through so many positions that he never got to settle in and learn a position. Lewis was always on thin ice with his academics and flirting with ineligibility. He missed a lot of time in the spring and summer practices to focus on getting his grades up, so the coaches were kinda like "You have no one to blame but yourself". Leading up to Lewis complaining, they sat him out in a game against Air Force because Air Force ran a really complex option offense and the coaches weren't sure Lewis would was versed enough in the defense or his new position to make all the right assignments.

[ABQCOWBOY]

I don't think he would be great at ILB. That requires a ton of diagnosis of plays through trash and making defensive calls. He struggled with all of that coming from 8 man football. It is a much different position than the edge of a defense which is get up field or drop in the flat and cover a short zone.


Entirely, I agree. That's a real shame because I don't think he's an OLB in a 34. Could be wrong there certainly. He has all of the physical skills to be a great ILB IMO. He has the right temperament. That's a shame.

[SDogo]

Entirely, I agree. That's a real shame because I don't think he's an OLB in a 34.


It's a growing concern of 3-4 teams as well. He does not have great ball skills and awareness. His stock is rising with 4-3 teams but starting to go a little sour with 3-4 teams.

[xwalker]

I don't think he would be great at ILB. That requires a ton of diagnosis of plays through trash and making defensive calls. He struggled with all of that coming from 8 man football. It is a much different position than the edge of a defense which is get up field or drop in the flat and cover a short zone.

That could be an issue; although, Sean Lee will be making the defensive calls. Bradie James was not the brightest bulb in the box either.

[cowboy_ron]

I would love to see this guy knock the dust off of Mesean

[cowboysooner]

FWIW, I'm not a Sooner fan, but I have family who are Sooner fanatics/boosters and they kind of filled me in on him once I read the Cowboys were really interested in him. I emailed one of them today after this thread if he knew anything about Lewis getting into any trouble. Evidently Lewis voiced frustration that he wasn't getting enough playing time in his sophomore season, and it rubbed some coaches the wrong way. The coaches didn't trust that Lewis knew what he was doing with his assignments, but Lewis complained that the coaches bumped him around through so many positions that he never got to settle in and learn a position. Lewis was always on thin ice with his academics and flirting with ineligibility. He missed a lot of time in the spring and summer practices to focus on getting his grades up, so the coaches were kinda like "You have no one to blame but yourself". Leading up to Lewis complaining, they sat him out in a game against Air Force because Air Force ran a really complex option offense and the coaches weren't sure Lewis would was versed enough in the defense or his new position to make all the right assignments.

That is 100% correct. But the thing is he was right he did need to play. The defense got alot better with him on the field. He had only been at d end for a week or 2 when they played AFA.

Iman's Ahmad Brooks comp is dead on. Teams shuffled him from position to position before he found a home at SOLB in a 34. He would be a horrible pick for a team that wants to play him inside or in a 4-3. There is very limited tape of him outside in a 34.

[Gaede]

I like this player, alot. Couple days ago I was unsure, mainly because of his grades-issues. And he is a big risk. But I've been thinking--you take someone who is really good at one thing with the intention of teaching him everything else. And Lewis' one thing is explosion. There's few like him in this draft, in that regard. That's 100% natural. If you can get him to learn the other stuff, you could have one amazing football player.

[Chocolate Lab]

Great thread, guys. Very informative.

I do think Jerry likes repeating his past successes to some degree, so maybe he'd like to take another Sooner. Lewis sounds like he might not be the best fit for Ryan's complex scheme, though.

[InmanRoshi]

He's kinda a classic boom or bust guy. His pros and cons are pretty much right there in the open for everyone to see. You can make a case that he's not a natural/instinctive football player and he'll be out of the league before he sees a second contract. You can also make a case that he's a potential Top 10 talent, and it will come to the surface once he's a full time football player and allowed to focus on one position. Reports are that he does love football and that its important to him. He's tough .. he rides bulls for a hobby.

As far as a 2nd round pick, I'm not going to throw my remote at the screen whether Dallas drafts him or passes on him.

[cowboysooner]

Great thread, guys. Very informative.

I do think Jerry likes repeating his past successes to some degree, so maybe he'd like to take another Sooner. Lewis sounds like he might not be the best fit for Ryan's complex scheme, though.

I don't know where or how but I fully expect him to be a Steeler. Harrison is 33 and he fits their mold of shorter explosive outside linebackers. Woodley will go to the weakside and Lewis and Woirlds will battle it out on the strong side and play special teams like madmen in another year or 2.

[InmanRoshi]

I don't know where or how but I fully expect him to be a Steeler. Harrison is 33 and he fits their mold of shorter explosive outside linebackers. Woodley will go to the weakside and Lewis and Woirlds will battle it out on the strong side and play special teams like madmen in another year or 2.

Makes sense. Lord knows Harrison is no rocket scientist off the field. I question if he's even literate.

[cowboysooner]

He's kinda a classic boom or bust guy. His pros and cons are pretty much right there in the open for everyone to see. You can make a case that he's not a natural/instinctive football player and he'll be out of the league before he sees a second contract. You can also make a case that he's a potential Top 10 talent, and it will come to the surface once he's a full time football player and allowed to focus on one position. Reports are that he does love football and that its important to him. He's tough .. he rides bulls for a hobby.

As far as a 2nd round pick, I'm not going to throw my remote at the screen whether Dallas drafts him or passes on him.

The only difference I would have with that is he will at least see a second (minimum) contract as a special teams player. He really does blow people up on coverage units.

He is very similar to Sergio Kindle except for the injury that has kept Kindle from getting on the field.

[Hostile]

I honestly have not heard anything on him and interest from the Cowboys. I see him as a 2nd round pick, so maybe at 45. But I personally like Vinny Curry of Marshall better. I really want Jared Crick though. I see him as a Justin Smith type player in a few years. Smith was the most destructive 3-4 DE I have seen in years.

[Verdict]

I played against him my junior year of high school. He was scary good.


Where did you play?

[TheDallasDon]

I honestly have not heard anything on him and interest from the Cowboys. I see him as a 2nd round pick, so maybe at 45. But I personally like Vinny Curry of Marshall better. I really want Jared Crick though. I see him as a Justin Smith type player in a few years. Smith was the most destructive 3-4 DE I have seen in years.

The mock I just did I got both Curry and Crick lol

[BAT]

I honestly have not heard anything on him and interest from the Cowboys. I see him as a 2nd round pick, so maybe at 45. But I personally like Vinny Curry of Marshall better. I really want Jared Crick though. I see him as a Justin Smith type player in a few years. Smith was the most destructive 3-4 DE I have seen in years.

Crick, like Smith, is relentless. But they are different players IMO. Justin Smith was considered the best 4-3 DE in his class, so athletic (4.6 40) and explosive that some scouts thought he could also play MLB/ILB.

Crick will never have Smith's explosive first step to be in the same class as a pass rusher. Watt is more comparable to Justin Smith IMO. Except Watt was bigger coming out of school.

[TheDallasDon]

Crick, like Smith, is relentless. But they are different players IMO. Justin Smith was considered the best 4-3 DE in his class, so athletic (4.6 40) and explosive that some scouts thought he could also play MLB/ILB.

Crick will never have Smith's explosive first step to be in the same class as a pass rusher. Watt is more comparable to Justin Smith IMO. Except Watt was bigger coming out of school.

My money is on Watt to be the better player........but no worries T.Smith will be better then both.

[xwalker]

I honestly have not heard anything on him and interest from the Cowboys. I see him as a 2nd round pick, so maybe at 45. But I personally like Vinny Curry of Marshall better. I really want Jared Crick though. I see him as a Justin Smith type player in a few years. Smith was the most destructive 3-4 DE I have seen in years.

Vinny Curry is a better passrusher than Ronnell Lewis and it's not even close, IMO.