DC.COM: G Leary Confident His Knee Will Hold Up

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by jellis at 5/3/2012 4:10 PM CDT on dallascowboys.com


Just based on his game tape, the Cowboys graded Memphis guard Ron Leary as a third-round talent, and offensive line coach Bill Callahan believes he is one of the most NFL-ready blockers in this class.

However, because of concerns about his knee following surgery to repair a torn meniscus in 2010, the Cowboys dropped him to the sixth round. They had the opportunity to draft him late, but like other teams, passed on Leary in all seven rounds.

After bragging about signing Leary, team owner Jerry Jones explained that his knee has a degenerative condition that could eventually require microfracture surgery and cut short his career.

Read more: http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/josh_ellis.cfm?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&userid=8ad9a5ae-68fd-47d1-a7d7-e4c8fcb84090&plckPostId=Blog%3a8ad9a5ae-68fd-47d1-a7d7-e4c8fcb84090Post%3a3070390d-9f7a-4f8a-9057-f54ae9d1caaf&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

[RS12]

"My doctor at school who did the surgery, I went and saw him right before I left Memphis," Leary said. "He told me if the knee was going to give out, it would've given out during the season. I played the whole season, no problems. I probably missed nine snaps out of the whole season. I did the Combine, played in the all-star game and everything. Everything is fine right now."

The doctor with first hand knowledge feels like it will hold up, that has to be worth something.

[cowboy_ron]

good news

[trickblue]

Leary could be a coup for us...

[Galian Beast]

Bill Callahan is raising my expectations too high. If Leary is one the most nfl ready linemen in the draft, I completely expect for him to start given we have a terrible offensive line.

[Doomsday101]

As was mentioned in another write up he has started in 36 out of 44 games and the 36 games were all in a row. He has not missed much time

2009: Started all 12 games at left tackle...Played in 78.5 percent of the offensive plays, registering a total of 660 plays

2010: Had to adjust to a new offensive scheme in 2010, and saw action in all 12 games at left tackle...One of just six Tigers to start all 12 games in 2010...One of just three offensive players to make 12 consecutive starts during the season

2011: One of just two offensive players for the Tigers who started all 12 games in 2011...Started the first six games of his senior season at left tackle, but was forced inside because of various injuries in the line, and made his final six career starts at right guard...

http://www.gotigersgo.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/leary_ronald00.html

[JonJon]

Posted by jellis at 5/3/2012 4:10 PM CDT on dallascowboys.com


Just based on his game tape, the Cowboys graded Memphis guard Ron Leary as a third-round talent, and offensive line coach Bill Callahan believes he is one of the most NFL-ready blockers in this class.

However, because of concerns about his knee following surgery to repair a torn meniscus in 2010, the Cowboys dropped him to the sixth round. They had the opportunity to draft him late, but like other teams, passed on Leary in all seven rounds.

After bragging about signing Leary, team owner Jerry Jones explained that his knee has a degenerative condition that could eventually require microfracture surgery and cut short his career.

Read more: http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/josh_ellis.cfm?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&userid=8ad9a5ae-68fd-47d1-a7d7-e4c8fcb84090&plckPostId=Blog%3a8ad9a5ae-68fd-47d1-a7d7-e4c8fcb84090Post%3a3070390d-9f7a-4f8a-9057-f54ae9d1caaf&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

Here's another snippet that I found encouraging:
"My doctor at school who did the surgery, I went and saw him right before I left Memphis," Leary said. "He told me if the knee was going to give out, it would've given out during the season. I played the whole season, no problems. I probably missed nine snaps out of the whole season. I did the Combine, played in the all-star game and everything. Everything is fine right now."

[casmith07]

This guy might start at Guard.

[Doomsday101]

This guy might start at Guard.

Be great if he can earn the job as a Guard and also be able to move to tackle in case of injury. At least his versatility leaves that option open if need be

[Seven]

This sucks. I mean, on one hand I want this dude to come in and play well for us. On the other hand, I also want him to be able to walk normally after his career.


Screw it. He can get one of those fancy scooters.........Lace 'em up!! It really IS all about us fans. ;)

[Doomsday101]

This sucks. I mean, on one hand I want this dude to come in and play well for us. On the other hand, I also want him to be able to walk normally after his career.


Screw it. He can get one of those fancy scooters.........Lace 'em up!! It really IS all about us fans. ;)

I want him to do what he wants. Everyone who puts on the uniform knows the risk.

[TheCount]

Just based on his game tape, the Cowboys graded Memphis guard Ron Leary as a third-round talent, and offensive line coach Bill Callahan believes he is one of the most NFL-ready blockers in this class.

There's that quote again. Yeesh. Going off our track record, I dunno...

[Denim Chicken]

No real risk for the Cowboys. Could be a good pick-up. If he starts, just have his replacement ready.

[newnationcb]

There's that quote again. Yeesh. Going off our track record, I dunno...

Yeah that's why I didn't want Decastro in the 1st. The fact we had him ranked in the 1st had me concerned :rolleyes:

[Doomsday101]

There's that quote again. Yeesh. Going off our track record, I dunno...

Did not know Callahan had a track record in Dallas?

[fortdick]

I don't like it. He might die on the field!

[jblaze2004]

Be great if he can earn the job as a Guard and also be able to move to tackle in case of injury. At least his versatility leaves that option open if need be

Can he play center? We would give us beef and strength at center.

[Gaede]

I don't like it. He might die on the field!

You forgot to say, 'with our luck'....

[speedkilz88]

There's that quote again. Yeesh. Going off our track record, I dunno...That's was before the knee problem was discovered and it's been also reported that most nfl teams thought he was a 3rd-4th rounder until they found out about the knee.

[Doomsday101]

Can he play center? We would give us beef and strength at center.

He has played Tackle and Guard, no idea if he can play center.

[RS12]

IRVING, Texas -- Undrafted rookie free agent guard Ronald Leary from Memphis met with Cowboys doctors Thursday to review the results of an MRI on his left knee that revealed he has osteochondritis dissecans (os-tee-o-kohn-DRY-tis DIS-uh-kanz).

Known as OCD, it's a joint condition where a piece of cartilage, along with a thin layer of the bone beneath it, comes loose from the end of a bone.

According the Mayo Clinic, it's caused by reduced blood flow to the end of a bone. OCD occurs most often in young men, particularly after an injury to a joint. The knee is most commonly affected, although OCD occurs in other joints such as the elbow, shoulder, hip and ankle.

read more: http://www.fanfeedr.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys?id=e3ce6de9-abc4-571f-8de7-fe0f214b33c1

[TheCount]

Did not know Callahan had a track record in Dallas?

Is Callahan the scout? I wasn't aware he was the one giving grades on prospects, I thought Jerry said he listened to scouts over coaches.

Yeah that's why I didn't want Decastro in the 1st. The fact we had him ranked in the 1st had me concerned :rolleyes:

Obvious talent is easy to spot, the 1st round isn't where we get into trouble. See Smith, Tyron. Jerry keeps talking about how you can find interior linemen with talent later in the draft. Where? I sure as heck don't see them piling up on our roster. What are we doing spending 30mil on free agents if they're so easy to find?

[Doomsday101]

Is Callahan the scout? I wasn't aware he was the one giving grades on prospects, I thought Jerry said he listened to scouts over coaches.



Obvious talent is easy to spot, the 1st round isn't where we get into trouble. See Smith, Tyron. Jerry keeps talking about how you can find interior linemen with talent later in the draft. Where? I sure as heck don't see them piling up on our roster. What are we doing spending 30mil on free agents if they're so easy to find?

No but Callahan is the one who feels Leary was a guy we should get and a player that can come in and help this OL. He is the guy that Callahan worked out at the pro day "

This spring, Leary performed well at Memphis' pro day and held a private workout for Cowboys offensive line coach Bill Callahan."

I'm sure as in most cases scouts and coaches talk and share info and views

[TheCount]

No but Callahan is the one who feels Leary was a guy we should get and a player that can come in and help this OL. He is the guy that Callahan worked out at the pro day "

This spring, Leary performed well at Memphis' pro day and held a private workout for Cowboys offensive line coach Bill Callahan."

I'm sure as in most cases scouts and coaches talk and share info and views

I'm aware he worked him out, that has nothing to do with my concern over the grade. Considering he was an UDFA signing, I have zero issues with his being brought in.

[RamziD]

IRVING, Texas -- Undrafted rookie free agent guard Ronald Leary from Memphis met with Cowboys doctors Thursday to review the results of an MRI on his left knee that revealed he has osteochondritis dissecans (os-tee-o-kohn-DRY-tis DIS-uh-kanz).

Known as OCD, it's a joint condition where a piece of cartilage, along with a thin layer of the bone beneath it, comes loose from the end of a bone.

According the Mayo Clinic, it's caused by reduced blood flow to the end of a bone. OCD occurs most often in young men, particularly after an injury to a joint. The knee is most commonly affected, although OCD occurs in other joints such as the elbow, shoulder, hip and ankle.

read more: http://www.fanfeedr.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys?id=e3ce6de9-abc4-571f-8de7-fe0f214b33c1

That's a chronic problem and explains why he dropped so much. Like JJ was saying (told by team doctors, I assume) it's a matter of how long his knees can hold up playing in the NFL.

[1fisher]

The doctor with first hand knowledge feels like it will hold up, that has to be worth something.

Any idea who his doctor is? I'm pretty sure it's someone from Campbells Clinic in Memphis. There are some really good docs there. I had to go for some injections last year and that's a great group.

[Doomsday101]

I'm aware he worked him out, that has nothing to do with my concern over the grade. Considering he was an UDFA signing, I have zero issues with his being brought in.

He did work him out and evidently like what he saw from Leary. Reports of the knee scared teams off as well as the Cowboys since we did not draft him only graded him as a mid rd pick. All the Cowboys said was they felt he had the skill and talent to excel that is what they graded him on and being that he is an UDFA the risk is a non factor

Other teams were calling on him as well as Dallas, he choose to go to Dallas

Leary said several NFL teams called him during the draft to say they weren't going to select him, but rather offer him a free agent contract.

[TheCount]

He did work him out and evidently like what he saw from Leary. Reports of the knee scared teams off as well as the Cowboys since we did not draft him only graded him as a mid rd pick. All the Cowboys said was they felt he had the skill and talent to excel that is what they graded him on and being that he is an UDFA the risk is a non factor

Other teams were calling on him as well as Dallas, he choose to go to Dallas

Leary said several NFL teams called him during the draft to say they weren't going to select him, but rather offer him a free agent contract.

Again, that's fine but it has nothing to do with my concern about the grade based on past history. I'm happy to have him on the team as an UDFA. You're not really saying anything I didn't already know about the guy.

[Doomsday101]

Again, that's fine but it has nothing to do with my concern about the grade baded on past history. I'm happy to have him on the team as an UDFA. You're not really saying anything I didn't already know about the guy.

But evidently others graded him well also and came calling for him. What scared them off from drafting was the same thing that scared us off but evidently the Cowboys were not alone in their views on Leary

[TheCount]

But evidently others graded him well also and came calling for him. What scared them off from drafting was the same thing that scared us off but evidently the Cowboys were not alone in their views on Leary

The fact that other teams graded him whatever they rated him, again, doesn't really change my point. With 32 teams, you'll probably find a few teams that will agree with every decision you make.

There were probably teams that disagreed with Jacksonville taking Tyson Alualu where they did, but he's turned out to be pretty good and there were probably teams that agreed with the Broncos trading up to take Tebow in the first. It doesn't make either decision right or wrong.

[Doomsday101]

The fact that other teams graded him whatever they rated him, again, doesn't really change my point. With 32 teams, you'll probably find a few teams that will agree with every decision you make.

There were probably teams that disagreed with Jacksonville taking Tyson Alualu where they did, but he's turned out to be pretty good and there were probably teams that agreed with the Broncos trading up to take Tebow in the first. It doesn't make either decision right or wrong.

Fine we don't know how to grade players so Leary proably sucks. Feel better, after all our scouts view do not mean anything. We graded him high and that is a problem? :laugh1: What ever

[TheCount]

Fine we don't know how to grade players so Leary proably sucks. Feel better, after all our scouts view do not mean anything. We graded him high and that is a problem? :laugh1: What ever

You're being way over dramatic about this. My initial comment was literally, "There's that quote again. Yeesh. Going off our track record, I dunno..."

You've turned that into my saying he sucks, we don't know how to grade players, out scouts views don't mean anything.

Just cool the heck out, good grief. We got the guy as an UDFA, that's fantastic. If we had drafted him in the 3rd round, even with a healthy knee, I'd actually have bad things to say.

If we had brought Robert Brewster in as an UDFA, no one would have blinked when he flunked out.

[Doomsday101]

You're being way over dramatic about this. My initial comment was literally, "There's that quote again. Yeesh. Going off our track record, I dunno..."

You've turned that into my saying he sucks, we don't know how to grade players, out scouts views don't mean anything.

Just cool the heck out, good grief. We got the guy as an UDFA, that's fantastic. If we had drafted him in the 3rd round, even with a healthy knee, I'd actually have bad things to say.

If we had brought Robert Brewster in as an UDFA, no one would have blinked when he flunked out.

I commented on a back handed remark about the scouts giving a grade and you acting like here we go again. As if they don't know jack and yet many of the OL failures this current group was not running the scouting department Ireland was

[TheCount]

I commented on a back handed remark about the scouts giving a grade and you acting like here we go again. As if they don't know jack and yet many of the OL failures this current group was not running the scouting department Ireland was

Back handed? Please man. :rolleyes:

There was no "here we go again". It would have been "here we go again" if we drafted him in the 3rd round. I don't know how many ways to say "I'm happy he's here, especially as a UDFA but I wouldn't want him in the 3rd round." That's really so out there for you?

[burmafrd]

If O'Leary could come in and give us say 4 years like Colombo did 2006-2009 I would be very happy indeed.

[Risen Star]

Bill Callahan is raising my expectations too high. If Leary is one the most nfl ready linemen in the draft, I completely expect for him to start given we have a terrible offensive line.

Well, that would depend on who starts at C. If they're going to continue this love fest for Phil Costa, then it stands to reason Livings and Bernadeau have the inside track to start at the G spots.

But if Bernadeau is the new C, I agree. The competition Leary faces isn't very imposing.

[Deep_Freeze]

If we had drafted him in the 3rd round, even with a healthy knee, I'd actually have bad things to say.

So what your saying here is that even with a healthy knee, you would've doubted him if we had picked him in the 3rd round......why? Cause of our past history?? So does that mean any OL we draft or rate in the 3rd round or lower, you would have bad things to say about him???

Hopefully I'm not understanding what you are trying to say here.

[TheCount]

So what your saying here is that even with a healthy knee, you would've doubted him if we had picked him in the 3rd round......why? Cause of our past history?? So does that mean any OL we draft or rate in the 3rd round or lower, you would have bad things to say about him???

Hopefully I'm not understanding what you are trying to say here.

Please, do tell. What bad things have I said about Leary, exactly?

[trickblue]

Please, do tell. What bad things have I said about Leary, exactly?

In an earlier thread I think I remember you saying his mom wore army boots...

[Deep_Freeze]

Please, do tell. What bad things have I said about Leary, exactly?

Was just wondering why you said you would have bad things to say about him even if we drafted him in the 3rd round with a healthy knee, do you just assume we can't scout OL so any OL we draft later in the draft you will say bad things about.

[TheCount]

In an earlier thread I think I remember you saying his mom wore army boots...

I would never stoop so low as to insult a woman's shoe sense!

Was just wondering why you said you would have bad things to say about him even if we drafted him in the 3rd round with a healthy knee, do you just assume we can't scout OL so any OL we draft later in the draft you will say bad things about.

I didn't say I'd have bad things to say about him, actually. I might, however, feel a sense of dread based on our track record if we took an offensive lineman rounds earlier than he was projected by the vast majority, especially a guy that seems limited athletically.

[Deep_Freeze]

I didn't say I'd have bad things to say about him, actually. I might, however, feel a sense of dread based on our track record if we took an offensive lineman rounds earlier than he was projected by the vast majority, especially a guy that seems limited athletically.

Well OL is definitely a position we have had trouble drafting and developing ourselves, but I'm not willing to totally give up on the cause.

We have a different staff now, and I guess the hope would be that they can be better developing guys, but again that is just a hope.

[jnday]

Is Callahan the scout? I wasn't aware he was the one giving grades on prospects, I thought Jerry said he listened to scouts over coaches.



Obvious talent is easy to spot, the 1st round isn't where we get into trouble. See Smith, Tyron. Jerry keeps talking about how you can find interior linemen with talent later in the draft. Where? I sure as heck don't see them piling up on our roster. What are we doing spending 30mil on free agents if they're so easy to find?

You are making a very good point here. It is a point that many posters won't accept as truth. This whole draft season I have read post after post saying that quality interior linemen can be drafted in later rounds. That may be true with some teams, but history has shown that this area is a weakness for this organization. Dallas has to go with overpaying free agents instead.

[burmafrd]

You are making a very good point here. It is a point that many posters won't accept as truth. This whole draft season I have read post after post saying that quality interior linemen can be drafted in later rounds. That may be true with some teams, but history has shown that this area is a weakness for this organization. Dallas has to go with overpaying free agents instead.



In the last 15 years the Dallas Cowboys have developed one single quality starter from draft picks 4th and lower: Doug Free, 4th rd pick.

We have developed 0 quality starters from our 3rd rd picks.

LA and the Hotel and Andre Gurode were all 2nd rd picks.

And of course Tyron was a 1st.


One definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results.

Until the Dallas Cowboys PROVE they can develope lower round draft picks on the O line anyone saying we should do that is without evidence to support it.