Barrett Jones, where to play him? - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Manwiththeplan · 12-23-2012

Okay, just wondering where we would play him? Let's say, we resign Spencer and sign Knighton/Franklin or any other NT in free agency, someone good enough that we don't have to take a guy in round 1 or 2, but likely not a long term answer. Then let's say we draft a RT in round 1 and he's there in round 2, do we play him at C or RG?

Either way we're stuck playing Costa or Bernadeau, but which one. As bad as Bernadeau's been at times, I wonder if he would be the lesser of two evils, and maybe playing in the same spot next to two better players, would make him better.

tm1119 · 12-23-2012

I don't think hes big or strong enough to play OG in the NFL. He's better off at C where he can be used where he is at his best which is on the move in space. He just won't hold up very long if hes doing a lot of 1 on 1 blocking against the bigger DT's in the NFL in my opinion.

Risen Star · 12-23-2012

With Jones I think it depends on which team drafts him. He can be a very good C or G. Where do you need him?

I'd rather him play C here. I want to break up the mediocrity. I don't want Livings playing next to Costa playing next to Bernadeau. You play Jones at RG in this scenario and you'd still have Livings and Bernadeau side by side. I want Jones in the middle of that, capable of helping out either.

xwalker · 12-23-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manwiththeplan

Okay, just wondering where we would play him? Let's say, we resign Spencer and sign Knighton/Franklin or any other NT in free agency, someone good enough that we don't have to take a guy in round 1 or 2, but likely not a long term answer. Then let's say we draft a RT in round 1 and he's there in round 2, do we play him at C or RG?

Either way we're stuck playing Costa or Bernadeau, but which one. As bad as Bernadeau's been at times, I wonder if he would be the lesser of two evils, and maybe playing in the same spot next to two better players, would make him better.

IMO, Costa at OC is better than Bernadeau at OG.

In any scenario, I wouldn't play Rookies or 1st year starters side-by-side. If RT is Parnell or a Rookie, then they need to find a veteran to play at RG in 2013. Maybe Livings could move from LG to RG or they could sign an experienced RG like Brandon Moore from the Jets.

If Costa is healthy, then I would put Barrett Jones at LG.

You didn't mention Barrett Jones at OT, but I've heard that scouts expect his arm length to be too short to project to OT in the NFL. Most also feel that his athleticism is not ideal for OT either.

supercowboy8 · 12-23-2012

No Costa is a free agent he can walk, Jones is a very smart player and person. I want that guy at center.
Also we dont have to have Bern at RG, we can sign a FA like Slauson.

xwalker · 12-23-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by supercowboy8

No Costa is a free agent he can walk, Jones is a very smart player and person. I want that guy at center.
Also we dont have to have Bern at RG, we can sign a FA like Slauson.

Do you think Slauson would have any problems moving from LG to RG?

How would you rate Slauson compared to teammate Brandon Moore? Just their ability in 2013. I'm sure Slauson is better long term being 26 compared to Moore being 32.

supercowboy8 · 12-23-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by xwalker

Do you think Slauson would have any problems moving from LG to RG?

How would you rate Slauson compared to teammate Brandon Moore? Just their ability in 2013. I'm sure Slauson is better long term being 26 compared to Moore being 32.

Slauson is better than Moore and is a better pass protector than Livings. I would be more willing to move Livings to RG and put Slauson at LG.

If we could get Lewman and Jones and sign Slauson then that would be a pretty good OL.
Smith,Slauson,Jones,Living,Lewman

Also in FA add Desmond Bryant and Terrence Knighton and a DE and NT in the 3rd-5th rounds for depth and future.

Leadbelly · 12-24-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by supercowboy8

No Costa is a free agent he can walk, Jones is a very smart player and person. I want that guy at center.
Also we dont have to have Bern at RG, we can sign a FA like Slauson.

Costa is restricted. Team can retain him if they want. He can't walk unless the team lets him.

cowboysooner · 12-24-2012

I'd think about Bernadeau at center. There are less one on one blocks there than guard.

supercowboy8 · 12-24-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leadbelly

Costa is restricted. Team can retain him if they want. He can't walk unless the team lets him.

Like I said, let him walk. He was one of the worse centers in the NFL last year and he played in only one game this year. He's worthless.

Macnalty · 12-24-2012

Most NFL teams will consider him a finesse run blocker which will be their excuse not to draft him early. As you know you do not need to out muscle, drive block and dominate physically on every block to be a success at the next level he gets better like Romo in the 4th qtr. This guy can play every line position from Tackle to Center. Played Tackle(last year), Guard(two years ago) and this year Center all on the best team in the nation Alabama. In the SEC Championship in the fourth quarter they ran right up the middle over the DT Jenkins from Georgia who will go in first RD. This guy is going to be good if you just give him one position. He needs to get stronger no debate, if you do not think Woicek is an advantage pass on this guy. He is also the RKG.

**jobberone** · 12-24-2012

The draft will depend on FA and resigning our guys. If they can get an OT in FA then they will look at interior OL. That's assuming they resign Spencer. That way they can draft the BPA for the OL.

I think C is OK. It could be upgraded. I think LT and LG are OK. I think RG is submarginal. I don't know what to think of Free. I need to look at the last two games. He's certainly not as bad as many think here. In fact I'm guessing I'll find he's OK. I think we need another OT to compete. I'd prefer a starting LT and move Smith to the right side to compete with Free. That gives us depth and versatility and a quality swing tackle.

We are fine at TE. I'd look for a TE to compete for backup.

We need a starting S to upgrade the position. I'd prefer one in FA to give the draft more options.

We're fine at ILB.

We need a pass rusher.

We need a NT. Again I'd prefer a FA but a draftee to rotate with Rat is fine. I'll take a DE if one jumps in our lap but we're OK here.

You always need CBs. Jenkins is a question mark. I don't know about resigning him.

We need another WR to compete. I'd prefer either a very fast one or a very quick one.

We need a third down RB/PR who has the quicks. Think Darren Sproles here.

Deep_Freeze · 12-25-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by jobberone

The draft will depend on FA and resigning our guys. If they can get an OT in FA then they will look at interior OL. That's assuming they resign Spencer. That way they can draft the BPA for the OL.

I think C is OK. It could be upgraded. I think LT and LG are OK. I think RG is submarginal. I don't know what to think of Free. I need to look at the last two games. He's certainly not as bad as many think here. In fact I'm guessing I'll find he's OK. I think we need another OT to compete. I'd prefer a starting LT and move Smith to the right side to compete with Free. That gives us depth and versatility and a quality swing tackle.

We are fine at TE. I'd look for a TE to compete for backup.

We need a starting S to upgrade the position. I'd prefer one in FA to give the draft more options.

We're fine at ILB.

We need a pass rusher.

[View Full Quote]

Nice breakdown, although you see more activity in free agency than I do. We have alot of needs and it will be interesting to see the reactions to the picks that are made by this team cause they will probably surprised everyone.

There will probably be a RB/CB drafted in the first 4 rounds (maybe both), with a small chance of even a QB. Alot of people will say RB/CB isn't a big need, but this FO has shown how much they value RBs by drafting Felix so early in the first place, and it can be said they value RBs more than the OL to be honest.

As for CB with Jenkins gone, its a premium position and right now our 4th CB would be some guy off the street. That won't and shouldn't happen, and expect one to be taken.

Thread is about Barrett, who would be nice in the 2nd, but the only interior linemen I would consider in the first is Warmack.

Safety needs an upgrade, and probably won't be done in free agency cause it would be expensive. I look for a safety in the first 3 rounds.

As for OL, I don't really care whether its a tackle or guard as of right now, but one will be taken early, at least the first 3 rounds with only one being taken that high cause of other needs. I am hopeful that OL is the one area we do add someone in free agency.

These are thoughts as of right now, and will change as the process gets closer.

xwalker · 12-25-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macnalty

Most NFL teams will consider him a finesse run blocker which will be their excuse not to draft him early. As you know you do not need to out muscle, drive block and dominate physically on every block to be a success at the next level he gets better like Romo in the 4th qtr. This guy can play every line position from Tackle to Center. Played Tackle(last year), Guard(two years ago) and this year Center all on the best team in the nation Alabama. In the SEC Championship in the fourth quarter they ran right up the middle over the DT Jenkins from Georgia who will go in first RD. This guy is going to be good if you just give him one position. He needs to get stronger no debate, if you do not think Woicek is an advantage pass on this guy. He is also the RKG.

Barrett Jones = Kyle Kosier

You can win with Kyle Kosier type players.

Macnalty · 12-25-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by xwalker

Barrett Jones = Kyle Kosier

You can win with Kyle Kosier type players.

I hope he is better but that is a fair statement until he has bulked up and made the ProBowl than Stepnoski would be more appropriate. If we were picking in the top five we would not be discussing Jones as it sits we are at the bottom ten if we keep winning and these are the kind of guys you dissect. Now that I think about it Kyle Kosier(pre foot injuries) on the team this year might of already put us in the playoffs.
Both him and Chase Thomas are my two main guys for the first two rds this year, last year I had Donta Hightower and Fletcher Cox. Things will change you can bet on it. I am glad we got Mo and it turned out better than I thought other than our injury plagued training camp for the rooks.