Safe Bets at #11 - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Chuck 54 · 04-01-2005

I'm just not in a gambling mood that a guy like Merriman will become a DE who can play the run and rush...I definitely don't think he can play a standard LB, and if we're going to play some 4-3 and 3-4, our LB's have to be able to do more than go after the QB.

I don't see taking another left tackle...most of the top OT's are considered better pass blockers than run blockers...even the top RT is considered a better pass protector from what I've read...they all need more strength to become good run blockers.

If we hope to turn this thing around in the next couple of years and stay there a while, we have to do a good, solid job with this year's draft.

If I'm stuck at #11 and cannot possibly find a trade partner to move down, and if I'm seriously in the market for Howard, meaning it would be foolish to draft another DE that high and take on 3 large salaries at DE when only 2 can start, then I want to go with the safe players that I feel certain can and will contribute and have nice careers in Dallas, guys who have a shot at being stars, but certainly will at least improve the team and make an impact.

Mark Clayton....WR

Antrel Rolle....CB

DJ Johnson....LB

If we have to make a selection at 11 (frankly I doubt it), right now these are the only three players (besides PACMAN...CB) that I feel super confident in right now...obviously assuming the true cream in the top 5 are gone.

Doomsday101 · 04-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne_motley

I'm just not in a gambling mood that a guy like Merriman will become a DE who can play the run and rush...I definitely don't think he can play a standard LB, and if we're going to play some 4-3 and 3-4, our LB's have to be able to do more than go after the QB.

I don't see taking another left tackle...most of the top OT's are considered better pass blockers than run blockers...even the top RT is considered a better pass protector from what I've read...they all need more strength to become good run blockers.

If we hope to turn this thing around in the next couple of years and stay there a while, we have to do a good, solid job with this year's draft.

[View Full Quote]

Johnson I could see at 11, Clayton no way will Dallas take him at 11 when he is projected to go later in the 1st rd and at least if you to believe what Parcells has said on a couple of occation we are not taking a CB in the 1st rd which is why they went after Henry. As for Merriman I don't think he would be a big gamble and has been rated fairly high at least in the draft publications.

Outlaw Heroes · 04-01-2005

The parameters you've set suggest we shouldn't be looking at DE at #11, but if we're talking about safe picks, to me one of the safest guys at #11 would be Marcus Spears. At worst, you're getting a Greg Ellis type, solid in every area though perhaps never dominant in any one. And at best you're getting a guy like Richard Seymore with the potential to dominate and go to a number of probowls.

Skip · 04-01-2005

I would love DJ at #11 and Clayton at #20, but please God, I hope we don't need another CB!

hockix · 04-01-2005

If MW is not there at 11, I'd like to pick Barron.

There are big questions marks on any defense players this draft.

Doomsday101 · 04-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockix

If MW is not there at 11, I'd like to pick Barron.

There are big questions marks on any defense players this draft.

All these players have question marks just like Barron has them
Negatives: Has narrow shoulders and chest with some thickness in his thighs and hips … Needs guidance and structure and lacks that aggressive nature you want in a quality left tackle … Just a marginal worker who will do what the coaches ask, but is not the one who will push himself or do the little extras (needs mentoring) … Shows tremendously good hand usage, especially on reach blocks, but when he gets high in his stance, he can be pushed back on his heels by the quicker defenders … Has the upper body power and positioning skills to wall off and sustain, but will overextend at times when isolated off the edge (possibly the worst game of his career came against North Carolina State in 2004, as 265-pound DE Mario Williams was credited with two sacks and five stops for losses) … For all of his ability, he seems to go through the motions too much, drawing comparisons to Washington's Chris Samuels, a player that can excite and frustrate you from one play to the next … Needs to dedicate himself in the weight room, as he must improve his lower leg power in order to handle the bull rush at the pro level … Will give good effort, but does not really have that fire in his belly needed to finish … Active with his hands, but needs to generate more force behind his punch (more of a grabber) … Relies a lot on his long arms to keep defenders off his chest, but he fails to drop his hips and lower his stance, causing a few of the quicker defenders to slip off his blocks (see 2004 North Carolina State and Miami games) … If he can add lower body power and develop a more aggressive nature, he will be an established pro before long, but he has yet to develop the dominance and nasty attitude you look for in a player of his awesome athletic ability … Lacks ideal hip explosion needed to move defenders off the line, relying on his upper body strength to wall off and hold open the running lanes … In the running game, he needs to play at a lower pad level to be effective, as his size and lack of explosion limits his ability to drive defenders off the line of scrimmage … Needs to get better leverage and more power in his game … Being so tall he will miss with his punch and shoot his hands too high, as this allows the smaller defensive ends to sometimes get under his pads and push the pocket.

Nightshade · 04-01-2005

Derrick Johnson, Travis Johnson, Mike Williams, Troy Williamson, Mark Clayton,
Braylon Edwards, Alex Barron, Marcus Spears and maybe Shawne Merriman.

I'd rather take a defensive player at 11, but we now have great depth at guard. Barron would give us the same kind of depth at tackle. Our line would be superb. We would still be guaranteed a great DE at 20.

I'd still like DJ or Merriman at 11 and Spears, Clayton or Williams at 20 but hey, who's zoomin who?

CanadaBoys · 04-01-2005

The Players I've liked the best so far (being "safe" picks) are:

Braylon Edwards
Mike Williams
Derrick Johnson
Antrell Rolle
Troy Williamson
Mark Clayton

I left off the RB's just because I have not paid a ton of attention tot hem.

I ike Merriman... but that's a risky pick. He may be Terrell Suggs... But even Suggs struggled his first year at the new position.

Chuck 54 · 04-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doomsday101

Johnson I could see at 11, Clayton no way will Dallas take him at 11 when he is projected to go later in the 1st rd and at least if you to believe what Parcells has said on a couple of occation we are not taking a CB in the 1st rd which is why they went after Henry. As for Merriman I don't think he would be a big gamble and has been rated fairly high at least in the draft publications.

I call any 272 lb guy who's only played LB and most rushed the QB a gamble to be a 4-3 DE or OLB. Changing positions is always a gamble, especially for a draft pick that high who will get such good money....oh well. I guess I'm just not sold on Merriman...even his highlights don't impress me: the guy has great closing speed, but he seems to get tied up with blockers...i don't really see many skills or moves, just a very fast guy who can close in the open field.

Chuck 54 · 04-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip

I would love DJ at #11 and Clayton at #20, but please God, I hope we don't need another CB!

What's wrong with another CB? Most good defenses have 3 good ones. Last year we clearly had only 1 good one who didn't have a great year. We still have no FS, and while we're happy to have signed Henry, to have signed anyone, are we all truly convinced that Henry is a sure thing???

I'm not saying take a CB over another area of need, like a DE if we don't sign Howard, but I'd have no problem whatsoever drafting a kid like Rolle if he's available.

Chuck 54 · 04-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockix

If MW is not there at 11, I'd like to pick Barron.

There are big questions marks on any defense players this draft.

Where do we play Barron....isn't he one of the left tackles who needs to improve his run-blocking? I don't like the idea of drafting another left tackle type and hoping either he or Adams will be a sure thing on the right side. There are no true RT earthmovers like last year.

Skip · 04-01-2005

We have just wasted so many picks on CB's that don't get the jub done. I would rather not use a 1st round pick on a CB this year with so many other needs and quite a few good choices for other positions.

Like DE, LB WR, FS, plus others.

Portland Fanatic · 04-01-2005

IMHO...the two safest bets in the top 20 are Mike Williams and Marcus Spears...may be stars...maybe not, but at a minimum will be very good players for many years.

**ABQCOWBOY** · 04-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne_motley

What's wrong with another CB? Most good defenses have 3 good ones. Last year we clearly had only 1 good one who didn't have a great year. We still have no FS, and while we're happy to have signed Henry, to have signed anyone, are we all truly convinced that Henry is a sure thing???

I'm not saying take a CB over another area of need, like a DE if we don't sign Howard, but I'd have no problem whatsoever drafting a kid like Rolle if he's available.

I do not see the value of taking a CB at 11. Not because Rolle is not a good player but because there are a good 10 CBs in this draft that could fit the bill, as a third cover corner. I don't think taking a Rolle, at say 11 is in our best interests.

ddh33 · 04-01-2005

I tend to agree that Spears is one of the safest bets in this draft. I think he's going to be a very good pro. The numbers may not make him shine, but I can almost guarantee that other teams aren't going to like going against him every week.