5 To Know: Broaddus Takes A Look At Top Offensive Linemen

[jnday]

Originally Posted by Rack Bauer

Also, we ran power, smashmouth football fine back in the 90's with a 255 lb center. I know players have gotten bigger since then, but 255 lbs was extremely small even then.

Smaller guys CAN drive back bigger guys is they are good, explosive players and have good technique.

Which we don't have (regardless of size).

Cooper is PLENTY big enough to play in any scheme, and he just so happens to have excellent quickness.




If for some reason Fluker dropped to the 2nd round, I'd draft him in a heartbeat.

Even if we took an OL in the first.

The center that Dallas had in the 90s was flanked by massive guards and he was a one in a million center that could block bigger guys at his weight. There hasn't been a center since him that was able to block as he did.

As to Cooper, I have seen his playing weight as low as 280lbs. If that article is true, it is a wasted draft pick IMO. There are already concerns about Cooper's power. I don't care how good he is pulling on screens or getting to the second level when blocks can't be made at the first level. I figure the combine will answer some questions.

[jnday]

Originally Posted by Rack Bauer

The size of the lineman is irrelevant in regards to ZBS concepts. What most ZBS teams look for are quickness. Something big Fluker type guys don't have, but that doesn't mean that all big burly lineman can't play in a ZBS. They can weight 340 and be perfectly fine in a ZBS if they can move quickly within 10 yards.

I think Warmack would fit fine in a ZBS and he'd still get to roadgrade people.

I do agree though, we don't currently have anyone that fits ideally into a ZBS other than Tyron Smith (and possibly Costa?).

I don't care what scheme we run, but we need upgrades in talent on the OL either way.

There are different zone schemes as you know. The traditional zone blocking like Denver used to run or the Texans currently run, uses small quick linemen. The zone blocking with the big guys usually have some man blocking components. The key is to have the power when it is needed and use it as a strength. If the Cowboys are going with the smaller guys, I think it is a huge mistake. The power is not there if needed in a pure zone with the 290lb guards. This team has been bad in red zone rushing TDs for a while. It has been a while since they had good big guys that could get the push at the LOS.

[Rack Bauer]

Originally Posted by jnday

There are different zone schemes as you know. The traditional zone blocking like Denver used to run or the Texans currently run, uses small quick linemen. The zone blocking with the big guys usually have some man blocking components. The key is to have the power when it is needed and use it as a strength. If the Cowboys are going with the smaller guys, I think it is a huge mistake. The power is not there if needed in a pure zone with the 290lb guards. This team has been bad in red zone rushing TDs for a while. It has been a while since they had good big guys that could get the push at the LOS.

Again, it doesn't matter if they are "Smaller guys" if they have talent and are nasty.

Avoiding a player due to his size would be an even bigger mistake (within reason of course).

If you're trying to suggest the cowboys stay away from Cooper cuz he's "too small" then I'd have to disagree with you completely. That dude has PLENTY of size and is very talented. Not my first choice at guard, but I'd still throw a party if we drafted him.

[jnday]

Originally Posted by Rack Bauer

Again, it doesn't matter if they are "Smaller guys" if they have talent and are nasty.

Avoiding a player due to his size would be an even bigger mistake (within reason of course).

If you're trying to suggest the cowboys stay away from Cooper cuz he's "too small" then I'd have to disagree with you completely. That dude has PLENTY of size and is very talented. Not my first choice at guard, but I'd still throw a party if we drafted him.

If Cooper's playing weight is 280lbs, I want no part of him. A good big man is always better than a good small man, at least that's the way I see it. If Cooper weighs 310-320lbs as other sites have listed, that is much better. The combine should answer his weight and strength issues.

[Rack Bauer]

Originally Posted by jnday

If Cooper's playing weight is 280lbs, I want no part of him. A good big man is always better than a good small man, at least that's the way I see it. If Cooper weighs 310-320lbs as other sites have listed, that is much better. The combine should answer his weight and strength issues.

I agree with that. 280 is definitely a bit too light for my taste.

295+ and I'm fine with him though.

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by jnday

As to Cooper, I have seen his playing weight as low as 280lbs. If that article is true, it is a wasted draft pick IMO. There are already concerns about Cooper's power. I don't care how good he is pulling on screens or getting to the second level when blocks can't be made at the first level. I figure the combine will answer some questions.

There were claims that Tyron Smith would weigh in under 290 but his combine weight was actually 307.

NFLDS lists Cooper at 310 lbs

Scouts Inc. lists Cooper at 320 lbs

The UNC roster listed him at 295 in 2011 and 2012. It's common for team rosters to not get updated.

I believe that he will weigh in around 310 lbs.

David Arkin weighed in at 300 lbs. Here are some pics of Cooper and Arkin:

[ABQCOWBOY]

Originally Posted by xwalker

There were claims that Tyron Smith would weigh in under 290 but his combine weight was actually 307.

NFLDS lists Cooper at 310 lbs

Scouts Inc. lists Cooper at 320 lbs

The UNC roster listed him at 295 in 2011 and 2012. It's common for team rosters to not get updated.

I believe that he will weigh in around 310 lbs.

David Arkin weighed in at 300 lbs. Here are some pics of Cooper and Arkin:

The book on Smith was that he did some things, prior to the draft and after the NCAA season that allowed him to put on weight. He gained a lot of weight in a very short period of time. It can be done but only in a certain window.

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by ABQCOWBOY

The book on Smith was that he did some things, prior to the draft and after the NCAA season that allowed him to put on weight. He gained a lot of weight in a very short period of time. It can be done but only in a certain window.

The point of the pics is that Cooper is probably over 300 lbs now.

[ABQCOWBOY]

Originally Posted by xwalker

The point of the pics is that Cooper is probably over 300 lbs now.

Sure looks it doesn't he?

[lwehlers]

i do not see any of these players drafted by the cowboys. jones will continue down the same path he always has. trying to find low round picks and think that they will become starters and then watch tony romos career end without a chance for a playoff run.

[fanfromvirginia]

At this stage, I'd prefer Cooper.

[jterrell]

I really wish Cooper would have played in the Senior Bowl.

I didn't watch any UNC football this year.

The difference between Smith and Cooper is age.

Tyron is so young and had a such wide frame that no one really cared he was light. Getting to 307 placed him as the top OL prospect to never play LT.
But everyone knew he'd grow.

I just need to see Cooper play. I don't see much in the way of DL talent on opposing teams he faced in 2012. An almost absurdly soft OOC combined with a weak collection from the ACC.

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by jterrell

The difference between Smith and Cooper is age.

Cooper just turned 23.

[DBOY3141]

I live in Carolina and watch plenty of UNC football. Cooper is a stud. Perfect player for Callahan's system.

UNC has produced plenty of talent the last few years and Cooper will add to that list.

If we can't trade back a few spots, I would still take him at #18. Immediate starter at LG.

[Macnalty]

Chance Warmack has played exclusively at the left guard position for his college team, for the NFL team that drafts him, I believe he will be an excellent RG because his limits of lateral agility will not allow him at LG. Less valuable position in First Rd
Johnathan Cooper has the ability to play LG and play it at an extremely high level with a nasty temperament. Think Sean Lee payback on Golden Tate with no hesitation.
Barrett Jones has more talent than these two, more mentally into the game(revenge is a dish best served cold) and can play across the board at equal or better levels than the previous two after one year in an NFL weight training environment IMO. You should probably also consider he can also be the best LT on the team. Caveat Emptor this Lisfranc injury will not allow him to strut his stuff at the combine, will have no base to push off with that foot. If he has rehabbed like normal he has had no weight on the foot for over a month so expect an average combine. A recent comparison is Chance and Cooper are similar to Tyron Smith, and Jones is JJ Watts(before we knew his true talent). Hard to go wrong with Smith, and you have to ask yourself is it worth a pick for Watts, either pick is not glamorous for Jerry Jones?