DC.COM: Cowboys' crop of young talent below average?

[WoodysGirl]

Jul 16
10:28
AM CT
By Tim MacMahon (http://search.espn.go.com/macmahon_tim/) | ESPNDallas.com

Football Outsiders isn't too impressed with the Cowboys' collection of young talent. The Cowboys come in at No. 20 in FO's ESPN Insider rankings of 25-and-under talent. (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8164424/nfl-ranking-top-organizations-nfl-based-25-talent)


The comment on the Cowboys: Tyron Smith (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13978/tyron-smith) was an instant hit at right tackle and should be a building block on the offensive line for years to come. Phil Costa (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13552/phil-costa)'s snaps were a source of comedy at times last season, but even if he has to move inside to guard, the Cowboys have to like what they saw of him overall. Like their colleagues in Washington, they should be able to cobble a decent run game together between Felix Jones (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11256/felix-jones) and DeMarco Murray (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14005/demarco-murray), two young backs. Oh, and did we mention WR Dez Bryant (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13215/dez-bryant)? The Cowboys still have a few long-term holes to start digging their way out of, but with CBs Morris Claiborne (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14943/morris-claiborne) and Brandon Carr (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11363/brandon-carr) in tow, the secondary looks much better than it did in February.Wondering why rising star inside linebacker Sean Lee (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13284/sean-lee) isn't mentioned? He turns 26 on Sunday, and only players who will be 25 or younger when the season starts were considered in these rankings.

Read more: http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4693910/cowboys-crop-of-young-talent-below-average

[CCBoy]

I'm really not worrying too much on the collegiate accolades and domed testing environment for a one day show...

The Cowboys got the top defensive player from the collegiate level. The TOP. We'll see how that translates on the Cowboys. All well and good, I loved it.

As to the rest of the team, they bring competitiveness to the team. That's how you end up with top ten players in the league, at ALL positions.

[burmafrd]

Jul 16
10:28
AM CT
By Tim MacMahon (http://search.espn.go.com/macmahon_tim/) | ESPNDallas.com

Football Outsiders isn't too impressed with the Cowboys' collection of young talent. The Cowboys come in at No. 20 in FO's ESPN Insider rankings of 25-and-under talent. (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8164424/nfl-ranking-top-organizations-nfl-based-25-talent)


The comment on the Cowboys: Tyron Smith (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13978/tyron-smith) was an instant hit at right tackle and should be a building block on the offensive line for years to come. Phil Costa (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13552/phil-costa)'s snaps were a source of comedy at times last season, but even if he has to move inside to guard, the Cowboys have to like what they saw of him overall. Like their colleagues in Washington, they should be able to cobble a decent run game together between Felix Jones (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11256/felix-jones) and DeMarco Murray (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14005/demarco-murray), two young backs. Oh, and did we mention WR Dez Bryant (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13215/dez-bryant)? The Cowboys still have a few long-term holes to start digging their way out of, but with CBs Morris Claiborne (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14943/morris-claiborne) and Brandon Carr (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11363/brandon-carr) in tow, the secondary looks much better than it did in February.Wondering why rising star inside linebacker Sean Lee (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13284/sean-lee) isn't mentioned? He turns 26 on Sunday, and only players who will be 25 or younger when the season starts were considered in these rankings.

Read more: http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4693910/cowboys-crop-of-young-talent-below-average


hard to believe anyone could like what they saw of costus a season

[jnday]

hard to believe anyone could like what they saw of costus a season

Costa provided comic entertainment. Everybody loves a comic. His fan club should be here to defend him any second.

[birdwells1]

hard to believe anyone could like what they saw of costus a season

Now that's funny right there.:laugh2:

[cobra]

As is typical, our fans over-rate things. Costa struggled, there is no doubt. And you cannot pencil in that kind of performance for the next 5 years. But there is a concept called "progress".

Costa played solidly the majority of snaps and got experience as a rookie. You expect that players will build on that experience.

Our fans act like the guy fell on his face after every snap. The reality is that he played in like 270 snaps. He probably did perfectly well in the majority of them--I'd guess at least 200 of them. So if this guys builds on his experience and cuts his bad plays in half, we'd have a nice developing young player.

[Risen Star]

As is typical, our fans over-rate things. Costa struggled, there is no doubt. And you cannot pencil in that kind of performance for the next 5 years. But there is a concept called "progress".

Costa played solidly the majority of snaps and got experience as a rookie. You expect that players will build on that experience.

Our fans act like the guy fell on his face after every snap. The reality is that he played in like 270 snaps. He probably did perfectly well in the majority of them--I'd guess at least 200 of them. So if this guys builds on his experience and cuts his bad plays in half, we'd have a nice developing young player.

Call a cab.

[big dog cowboy]

Football Outsiders isn't too impressed with the Cowboys' collection of young talent.

:damn:

[jnday]

As is typical, our fans over-rate things. Costa struggled, there is no doubt. And you cannot pencil in that kind of performance for the next 5 years. But there is a concept called "progress".

Costa played solidly the majority of snaps and got experience as a rookie. You expect that players will build on that experience.

Our fans act like the guy fell on his face after every snap. The reality is that he played in like 270 snaps. He probably did perfectly well in the majority of them--I'd guess at least 200 of them. So if this guys builds on his experience and cuts his bad plays in half, we'd have a nice developing young player.

He was ranked 30th in the league. Is that over-rating him? He was tossed around like a rag doll and pushed back into the pocket early and often during games. I understand the concept of developing players, but there needs to be a certain amount of talent that can be developed. Costa has physical limitations and talent limitations. Having both is too much to overcome. He will really have to work hard to raise his game to the below average level.

[SilverStarCowboy]

He was ranked 30th in the league. Is that over-rating him? He was tossed around like a rag doll and pushed back into the pocket early and often during games. I understand the concept of developing players, but there needs to be a certain amount of talent that can be developed. Costa has physical limitations and talent limitations. Having both is too much to overcome. He will really have to work hard to raise his game to the below average level.


How many detractors will stand up like men and eat their words on Costa if/when he succeeds.