Upshaw will be the pick

[DBOY3141]

With Garrett's relationship to Saban and now he is attending 'Bama's pro day, I just see it coming.

Saban made the comment that Upshaw is the meanest football player that he has ever been around. That's quite an endorsement.

Not that I would hate the pick, I just see him as a cheaper version of Spencer. Solid player, just not a great pass rusher.

[xwalker]

With Garrett's relationship to Saban and now he is attending 'Bama's pro day, I just see it coming.

Saban made the comment that Upshaw is the meanest football player that he has ever been around. That's quite an endorsement.

Not that I would hate the pick, I just see him as a cheaper version of Spencer. Solid player, just not a great pass rusher.


That will be a decent 2nd round pick. Who is Garrett going to draft in the 1st?

[DBOY3141]

That will be a decent 2nd round pick. Who is Garrett going to draft in the 1st?

:laugh2:

Maybe Luck in the 2nd.:)

[Gaede]

I agree he'll likely be the pick. But he is nothing like Spencer.

And you described why in the OP. He's mean. A leader.

Yeah, he's not going to get Ware's production but few will. We need someone big, strong and nasty that can punish the offense. Someone who can take the heat off Ware--who teams have to account for. Upshaw certainly fits the bill.

Besides, the pass rush needs to improve the most along the DL not LB.

[fortdick]

I agree he'll likely be the pick. But he is nothing like Spencer.

And you described why in the OP. He's mean. A leader.

Yeah, he's not going to get Ware's production but few will. We need someone big, strong and nasty that can punish the offense. Someone who can take the heat off Ware--who teams have to account for. Upshaw certainly fits the bill.

Besides, the pass rush needs to improve the most along the DL not LB.

Will Upshaw replace Spencer this season?

[Gaede]

Will Upshaw replace Spencer this season?

That's a good question.

[Bowdown27]

I can see him or dre in the first. Konz second or trade up for him

[texbumthelife]

Yeah, I am really beginning to believe it will be Hightower or Upshaw and then Barron or the FS from ND.

[CowboyFan74]

Isn't Kirkpatrick the cb from bama? Might be him with the uncertainty of Jenkins...

[Dcowboy84]

my concern with Upshaw is can he cover?

i mainly saw him rushing when i watched bama play so does anyone know about his coverage abilities?

[Doomsday101]

Upshaw along with DeCastro, Kirkpatrick and Ingram have been guys I have liked since the end of the season. That has not changed. Upshaw has shown the ability to work at the OLB spot as well as DE in the 4-3 alignment. He is a very aggressive player with very good talent. Again I do not go by the Combines as the means to grade a player I grade football players based on how they play the game.

[kevinhickey]

He is checking out Kirkpatrick.

[supercowboy8]

He is checking out Kirkpatrick.

Kirkpatrick might not even work out at this pro day because he worked out at the first Alabama pro day. Plus he has a private visit in Dallas in a few weeks

[Doomsday101]

He is checking out Kirkpatrick.

I'm sure the Garrett is checking out quite a few players who will be draft eligible from Alabama and not all would be 1st rd picks. Cowboys will also be inviting players in and not all of them are 1st rd players. We have what 8 picks in 7 rds they are looking at as many players as they can.

[kevinhickey]

Maybe he is talking to him about the weed incident. Alabama has several players with 1st round ability. I would imagine that every team has a coach or scout at Alabama's pro day.

[ddh33]

Someone mentioned Ware production? That's awfully ambitious. I don't know that anyone ever expects Hall of Fame production.

I'll say this though about Upshaw, I think he can give you Greg Ellis production. I'd take that.

[Aven8]

I wouldn't mind Upshaw in the least bit.

However Ben and Skin seem to think we are taking Barron. Archer thinks the same thing.

[Risen Star]

With Garrett's relationship to Saban and now he is attending 'Bama's pro day, I just see it coming.

Saban made the comment that Upshaw is the meanest football player that he has ever been around. That's quite an endorsement.

Not that I would hate the pick, I just see him as a cheaper version of Spencer. Solid player, just not a great pass rusher.

The thing is, Alabama's so talented that our coach attending their pro day doesn't exactly narrow it down that much.

Upshaw would not surprise me in the least though. I think he's more likely than DeCastro.

[Risen Star]

Someone mentioned Ware production? That's awfully ambitious. I don't know that anyone ever expects Hall of Fame production.

I'll say this though about Upshaw, I think he can give you Greg Ellis production. I'd take that.

Agreed. I would never expect Ware production from any player. Even Ware. That's what makes the guy special.

[Illini88228]

A coach gets a lot of bang for his buck showing up to the AL pro day. Tough to guess who they are looking at.

[28 Joker]

Melvin Ingram has demonstrated the athletic ability to drop into coverage. This is critical to the SOLB position. Ingram should be able to rush from the edge, drop into coverage, rush from inside at linebacker, or rush from DT in pass rush situations. Ingram has a proven sudden burst to his game, and if used correctly, he could be a good pressure player. Ingram has pass rushing moves in his game, too.

In contrast, Courtney Upshaw has to prove that he is athletic enough to drop into coverage and play in space according to Mike Lombardi. This is important, because Upshaw doesn't possess the sudden burst of quickness that Melvin Ingram demonstrates when he closes in on the ball. Also, Mike Lombardi stated that bigger offensive tackles in the SEC engulfed Upshaw, so he has some concerns about Upshaw's transition into the NFL. Upshaw doesn't look like a player that you can rush constantly, because of his skill set as a pass rusher. Upshaw is a pure power player. If he can't play in space and drop into coverage, 34 teams should be concerned about that. This is a player who really needs to workout good, so teams know where they can play him.

The only strong outside linebacker that the Cowboys should consider drafting in round 1 should be Melvin Ingram, imso. Ingram could be used in a variety of ways and be a real Joker and give you pass rush.

[Future]

Someone mentioned Ware production? That's awfully ambitious. I don't know that anyone ever expects Hall of Fame production.

I'll say this though about Upshaw, I think he can give you Greg Ellis production. I'd take that.
We're already getting that from Spencer. Why use a first round pick to get the same production?

[cbow44]

Dont compare Upshaw to Spencer, compare him to Justin Tuck. Saying that I'm not sure how he would perform in coverage as a OLB in a 34.

[The Realist]

I've gone from hating all the D players in 1st round around 14 to loving Upshaw.

Mean, smart, nasty, leader with production and comes in with very, very easy learning curve vs. most 3-4 OLB's.

Reminds me a little of Woodley.

[Gaede]

I've gone from hating all the D players in 1st round around 14 to loving Upshaw.

Mean, smart, nasty, leader with production and comes in with very, very easy learning curve vs. most 3-4 OLB's.

Reminds me a little of Woodley.

Me too.

Upshaw is the kind of pick that a team like Pittsburgh or New England makes, and when the guy becomes a pro bowler and Nick Perry is out of the league, everyone looks around and wonders how they missed on him.

Strong, leader, produced in college.

Passing on him for someone who has the numbers but not the intangibles is one of those draft blunders that people committ every year.

[woods74]

Izzy Gould‏@IzzyGould

Alabama employee says Bill Belichick is attending today's pro day.

Josh Norris‏@JoshNorrisReply

Courtney Upshaw first unofficial Pro Day forty: 4.81


I see the Woodley/Upshaw comparisons too....but I see them in Melvin Ingram too..

[RS12]

Somebody tell me where this guy plays. At 280 pounds with a 4.8 forty and lousy 3 cone, and stiff in drills, where do you put him in a 3-4? If they played a 4-3 I could see him being very effective as a LDE in a Tony Tolbert role. With the current defensive set up, I dont see where he fits, dont think he can cover either.

[GloryDaysRBack]

Bill Jones says Upshaw will not be the pick

[honyock]

I've gone from hating all the D players in 1st round around 14 to loving Upshaw.

Mean, smart, nasty, leader with production and comes in with very, very easy learning curve vs. most 3-4 OLB's.

Reminds me a little of Woodley.

I agree with this. It's been said here several times that Upshaw won't be a significant upgrade from Spencer. If the two are close in talent, then take Spencer and add mean, smart, good leader, high motor, and that sounds like an upgrade. All the things that Spencer gets criticized for, it sounds like Upshaw has in spades. I'd be happy with him.

[The Realist]

Me too.

Upshaw is the kind of pick that a team like Pittsburgh or New England makes, and when the guy becomes a pro bowler and Nick Perry is out of the league, everyone looks around and wonders how they missed on him.

Strong, leader, produced in college.

Passing on him for someone who has the numbers but not the intangibles is one of those draft blunders that people committ every year.

What I also like about taking Upshaw in 1 is you can still get 2 of Jones/Brewtser, and possibly Zeitler or another decent guard prospect later.

1) Upshaw OLB

2) Crick DE

3) Brewster C

4a) Brooks G

or

1) Upshaw OLB

2) Minnifield CB

3) Brewster C

4a) Egnew TE

4b) Brooks G

[Beast_from_East]

Somebody tell me where this guy plays. At 280 pounds with a 4.8 forty and lousy 3 cone, and stiff in drills, where do you put him in a 3-4? If they played a 4-3 I could see him being very effective as a LDE in a Tony Tolbert role. With the current defensive set up, I dont see where he fits, dont think he can cover either.

Yea, the guy just doesnt fit this defense so I think the odds of us taking him at 14 or pretty low.


If we go defense at 14 I am thinking Dre Kirkpatrick.

[Arch Stanton]

Bill Jones says Upshaw will not be the pick

Jerry's brother?

[AmishCowboy]

Somebody tell me where this guy plays. At 280 pounds with a 4.8 forty and lousy 3 cone, and stiff in drills, where do you put him in a 3-4? If they played a 4-3 I could see him being very effective as a LDE in a Tony Tolbert role. With the current defensive set up, I dont see where he fits, dont think he can cover either. Yeah, I agree 100%

[Ren]

With Garrett's relationship to Saban and now he is attending 'Bama's pro day, I just see it coming.

Saban made the comment that Upshaw is the meanest football player that he has ever been around. That's quite an endorsement.

Not that I would hate the pick, I just see him as a cheaper version of Spencer. Solid player, just not a great pass rusher.


If we spend the #14 pick on something we already have just so we can save some money i'm gonna rage.
Why even tag Spencer if you're just gonna blow a 1st on a OLB anyways? that cap money could have been useful in getting us some help in FA before it was picked dry. Not to mention all the other bigger needs we have

This would be a stupid pick

[MichaelWinicki]

If we spend the #14 pick on something we already have just so we can save some money i'm gonna rage.
Why even tag Spencer if you're just gonna blow a 1st on a OLB anyways? that cap money could have been useful in getting us some help in FA before it was picked dry. Not to mention all the other bigger needs we have

This would be a stupid pick

Agreed.

I would rather see a Dlineman or DeCastro.

[StarHead69]

Upshaw reminds me of Brandon Spikes, who went at #62 to the Patriots.

When you consistently have a gazillion picks in the first three rounds, and are a perennial Super Bowl contender.. you can afford to take a swing on an effort guy LATE in the 2nd round.

[BrAinPaiNt]

If we spend the #14 pick on something we already have just so we can save some money i'm gonna rage.
Why even tag Spencer if you're just gonna blow a 1st on a OLB anyways? that cap money could have been useful in getting us some help in FA before it was picked dry. Not to mention all the other bigger needs we have

This would be a stupid pick

I agree.

However that does not mean they think he is the same as Spencer. They might see him in various roles and they could see him as an upgrade to Spencer.

Again I agree with you, but what we think and what they think might be different.

I am with the opinion of the lovable Mr Winicki that i would rather go O-Line or D-Line or a different player or position as I just don't see it with Upshaw.

However If moving down, gaining extra picks, and then taking him and another good player...I think that would lessen the blow for me.

[Manwiththeplan]

I agree that Upshaw is meaner and more of a leader than Spencer, but he's also not as good of an athlete. In fact he's not as good of an athlete as Lamar Woodley either. I just don't see how going from Spencer to Upshaw makes the team that much better, I really hope he's not the pick.

[dstew60105]

With Garrett's relationship to Saban and now he is attending 'Bama's pro day, I just see it coming.

Saban made the comment that Upshaw is the meanest football player that he has ever been around. That's quite an endorsement.

Not that I would hate the pick, I just see him as a cheaper version of Spencer. Solid player, just not a great pass rusher.

Upshaw will not be the pick. Maybe if he falls to late first and we trade up from our # 2 to take him.