Cowboys interested in Will Matthews - Dallas Cowboys Forum

InmanRoshi · 02-23-2005

Longhorn FB Will Matthews was on Austin Radio this morning with Wally Lynn (host of the Dallas Radio Network), and Wally Lynn said he's heard around the grapevine that the Cowboys really like him.

SanTexCowboy · 02-23-2005

Matthews would be a good fullback for the Cowboys. He has good size, decent speed, is a devastating blocker, and can catch the ball.

silverbear · 02-23-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by SanTexCowboy

Matthews would be a good fullback for the Cowboys. He has good size, decent speed, is a devastating blocker, and can catch the ball.

Cedric Benson would probably be the first to tell you he wouldn't have gained all those yards without Matthews in front of him... the guy is a 260 pound load as a lead blocker, and as you noted, he can catch the ball a little...

Gotta disagree about the decent speed part, he's on the slow side... but he's fast enough to find somebody to knock on his butt... he'd be a terrific addition in the 6th or 7th round...

InmanRoshi · 02-23-2005

He looked pretty athletic the few times that I saw him carry, but he never had much of an opportunity to display it because Benson got every carry, by and large.

Duane · 02-23-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by InmanRoshi

Longhorn FB Will Matthews was on Austin Radio this morning with Wally Lynn (host of the Dallas Radio Network), and Wally Lynn said he's heard around the grapevine that the Cowboys really like him.

Anything else he talked about Cowboy related this morning?

Roughneck · 02-23-2005

There's a reaon why Will was given the nickname of "Headache" by his teammates and mainly it had to do with what he did to the Texas Defense during practice.

I'd love to have him as a Cowboy.

InmanRoshi · 02-23-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duane

Anything else he talked about Cowboy related this morning?

He just had Matthews on to ask him about the Combine from his perspective (as a draft prospect).

Rack Bauer · 02-23-2005

I wouldn't spend a 6th or 7th round pick on Matthews when I will most likely be able to get him as an undrafted free agent.

joseephuss · 02-23-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rack

I wouldn't spend a 6th or 7th round pick on Matthews when I will most likely be able to get him as an undrafted free agent.

Doesn't Parcell prefer a fullback that can do many things? I like Matthews and have watched many of the Longhorn games. I just don't think he fits what Bill has tried to put on the field the last couple of years. Maybe he will change and if so great. It is possible that Matthews could be brought in as an undrafted free agent. I would also bring in Keith Joseph of Texas A&M. Former tail back, that can run and catch. Seems to fit the mold of Ritchie Anderson.

InmanRoshi · 02-23-2005

I don't think Matthews will go undrafted. He's probably the best FB in the draft, and he reportedly had a very good Senior Bowl week.

Rack Bauer · 02-23-2005

He's a Fullback, and he's nothing special. He'll go undrafted.

InmanRoshi · 02-23-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rack

He's a Fullback, and he's nothing special. He'll go undrafted.

A nothing special fullback?

Sounds like Jamar Martin, who was supposedly a "steal" in the 4th round at the time.

ddh33 · 02-23-2005

Speaking of FBs, how likely is it that Lousaka Polite can make an impact this coming season?

Org1 · 02-23-2005

http://www.nflfans.com/draft/2005/sh...ill%20Matthews

Pros: Tough lead blocker for Cedric Benson. Durable. Special teams capable.
Cons: Little offensive experience other than that as a blocker.
Draft Exchange Analysis:
Will Matthews FB Texas 6'3" 260

Will Matthews is a 23 year old 5th year senior. AT 6'3" and 260 lbs, Matthews has probably the most colorful information I uncovered.

What some people may know Matthews for is being the lead blocker for Cedric Benson.

He describes his playing style as rough and straight ahead, and that possibly is hat earned him the nickname "Headache".

In his time at Texas, he managed 211 yards on 51 carries, for an average of 4.13 per carry. 4 of those carries had him crossing the goal line. He also was on the receiving of 9 tosses for 43 yards. One of those gave his team 6 points.

A sometimes and reserve back and special teamer, he was the recipient of a couple of UT awards. He won "Most Consistent Offensive Player, and possibly more importantly, the Joseph W. Moore Award for Tenacity. After the Oklahoma game, he was the Darrel K. Royal Offensive Player of the Week.

He's considered a humble guy, one that gives everything for the team, accepts whatever role is assigned to him.

In high school he put up 1074 yards on 199 caries, which rounds out to a respectable 5.4 yards per average, and this was primarily using him as a blocking back!

The NFL players he most admires are Darryl Johnston, Thurman Thomas and Jerome Bettis. His favorite cartoon character is Wolverine of the X-Men. I guess that explains his tenacity. The players were always leaving their hearts on the field. And Wolverine? He's just plain tough.

A Youth and Communities Studies major, he has mentored at local elementary schools and was active in UT's community service programs. Hoping to make the NFL, he would like to do something in sports medicine after his career.

Sometimes it's not just a player can bring to the field physically, and I think that Will Matthews has not just the physical ability to play, but the innate qualities that make a an above average player excel.

A big, physical fifth-year fullback who is Taxas’ returning starter at that position … a tremendous blocker and powerful runner who has played a key role in Cedric Benson rushing for 1,360 yards and scoring an NCAA-leading 21 rushing TDs last season … also a member of special teams … has played in 36 career games, starting two, and rushed 14 times for 51 yards and three touchdowns … 13 of those rushes came in 2003 for 49 yards and all three TDs, to go along with one reception for five yards … gained experience at fullback and was a valuable member of the Longhorns special teams as a sophomore … posted five special teams tackles in 2002 … saw action at fullback and on special teams in ’01 as well … spent his true freshman season working at fullback while redshirting.

Junior (2003) Appeared in all 13 games and started two at fullback while seeing time on special teams … shared UT’s Most Consistent Offensive Players honors and earned one of UT’s Joseph W. Moore Awards (tenacity) ... a key blocker for a Longhorn offense that ranked eighth nationally in rushing (232.5 ypg) and sixth in scoring (41.0 ppg) ... helped pave the way for Cedric Benson to rush for 1,360 yards (No. 5 on UT’s single-season list) and an NCAA-leading 21 TDs (No. 3 on UT’s single-season list) … UT recorded four 300-yard rushing games and rushed for 3,023 yards in 2003, both were the most since 1977 … UT’s 41 rushing touchdowns were the fourth most nationally … Texas set school records for points (533) and total yards (5,709) on the year ... rushed two times for 14 yards, including a career-long seven-yarder in the opener against New Mexico State … posted one carry for four yards at Rice … registered five yards on two carries against Tulane … carried the ball twice against No. 12 Nebraska for six yards … had career highs of four carries, 18 yards and three touchdowns at No. 21 Oklahoma State … the three touchdowns were the first of his career and included a seven-yarder that tied his career-long rush … was named UT’s Darrel K Royal Offensive Player of the Week against No. 21 Oklahoma State … also saw action on special teams and recorded three tackles.

Sophomore (2002) Appeared in all 12 games as a reserve fullback and on special teams … helped the offense score 33.8 points per game, which ranked fifth in the Big 12 and 16th nationally … helped open holes for UT’s eighth consecutive 1,000-yard rusher in sophomore Cedric Benson (1,293 yards) … shared UT’s Darrell K Royal Offensive Player of the Week honors after helping the offense pile up a season-high 569 total yards at North Carolina … also has recorded five special teams tackles (three solo).

Redshirt Freshman (2001) Saw limited action, primarily on special teams … also played fullback … had one carry for two yards … added one reception for four yards … redshirted in 2000.

High School Coached by Jerry Spradlin at Westwood High … racked up 1,074 rushing yards on 199 carries (5.4 yards per carry) en route to first-team all-district and team MVP honors that year … produced those numbers despite being Westwood’s primary blocking back … scored 11 touchdowns (nine rushing/two receiving) … was a solid receiver out of the backfield who posted more than 100 yards receiving and caught three touchdown passes in 1999.

Personal Born 4/30/81 in Radford, Va. … full name is William Robert Matthews … a youth and community studies major … active in UT’s community service program … mentors at local elementary schools … lists singing, playing acoustic guitar and drawing among his hobbies … has worked at a camp for underprivileged children during summer breaks.

Rack Bauer · 02-23-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by InmanRoshi

A nothing special fullback?

Sounds like Jamar Martin, who was supposedly a "steal" in the 4th round at the time.

And look where he's at now.

And at least Martin did ONE thing exceptionally. Matthews is an all around solid FB, but he's not exceptional at anything.

He'll go undrafted and I'll be sure to bump this up after the draft to rub it in all your faces.