How each Free Safety in the draft stacks up - Page 2 - Dallas Cowboys Forum

btcutter · 03-26-2005

People get way too caught up in the 40 time. Sure it's nice to have great speed but there's alot more to playing the FS position. Most importantly is instinct. You know where the ball is going and how to get there quickly to make the play. I don't care if you can run 4.2 40 (note to Randall Williams) if you can't figure out the play and take few wrong step then you aren't in positon to make plays. I like to know how many quality FS in the league have 4.4 times.

There are plenty of 4.4 guys these days but most can't play football worth a lick. Watch film and see who can anticipate play and make them. If they look fast enough on the field, don't get caught up in the 40 time.

Natedawg44 · 03-26-2005

So nobody has a premium profile on B.J. Ward?

Chocolate Lab · 03-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwickdraw

What makes Butler bust potential?
(I haven't seen him play)

I've only seen him a few times, but it looked to me like his attitude was kind of lackadaisical at times... Like he took some plays off.

He does look the part of a free safety, though.

Muhast · 03-26-2005

I think Sensabaugh may be the guy we want the most. Seems like Dallas has interest in him.

If i knew more about B.J Ward i'd help you out NateDawg, but im not an FSU fan.

Sandman52 · 03-26-2005

Here's a little sample of Marlin's ability of sound-tackling:
Marlin stick

**MichaelWinicki** · 03-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by btcutter

People get way too caught up in the 40 time. Sure it's nice to have great speed but there's alot more to playing the FS position. Most importantly is instinct. You know where the ball is going and how to get there quickly to make the play. I don't care if you can run 4.2 40 (note to Randall Williams) if you can't figure out the play and take few wrong step then you aren't in positon to make plays. I like to know how many quality FS in the league have 4.4 times.

There are plenty of 4.4 guys these days but most can't play football worth a lick. Watch film and see who can anticipate play and make them. If they look fast enough on the field, don't get caught up in the 40 time.

I'm thinking we can find a guy that runs less than a 4.5 AND has some instincts too.

HeHateMe · 03-26-2005

For the millionth time.

Brodney Pool with our 2nd rounder.

chicago JK · 03-26-2005

Most of my impressions of the safeties is from the Combine coverage on NFL network. I didn't get to watch a lot of college football this year and even the games you do watch it is tough to get a good gage on safeties because they are off the screen on most plays.

With that being said James Butler has a pretty impressive build. Although he didn't look good in the combine drills at all. Mayock from NFL network also made similar mention.

A sleeper CB/S prospect who I heard mentioned is Dustin Fox from Ohio State. He is probably a late first day or early second day player. Yes he is white but was productive at Ohio state. He looked very smooth in the drills and could be an interesting choice for some team.

Sandman52 · 03-26-2005

Quote:

A sleeper CB/S prospect who I heard mentioned is Dustin Fox from Ohio State. He is probably a late first day or early second day player. Yes he is white but was productive at Ohio state. He looked very smooth in the drills and could be an interesting choice for some team.

Fox is a good player when he doesn't have any responsibilities.

Natedawg44 · 03-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeHateMe

For the millionth time.

Brodney Pool with our 2nd rounder.

For the millionth time HECK NO have you every watched any Sooner games. He has the body of the first rounder and the deep coverage ability of a UDFA.

HeHateMe · 03-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natedawg44

For the millionth time HECK NO have you every watched any Sooner games. He has the body of the first rounder and the deep coverage ability of a UDFA.

I guess all the scouts, experts, and analysts who are paid for thier judgments and opinions have it all wrong.

cowboygolfer · 03-27-2005

Gotta say I like Poole, but I don't know if he has teh cover ability we need, I know he can find the ball... But I'm a homer on this guy as well so take that for what it is worth. All the same with him and Williams back there you can almost see WR's arms getting shorter.

Chuck 54 · 03-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwickdraw

I really like what Ive heard about Butler.
Sounds like a real value in the mid rounds.

I'd take Bullocks and expect him to start on opening day at FS....

Strengths: Was very productive with the Huskers...Has a nose for the ball...Excels in coverage and has excellent range...Has good athletic ability...Is very smart...A ballhawk and a playmaker.

Weaknesses: Only average versus the run and isn't super physical...Will take too many risks in an effort to make the big play...Solid speed, but not special...Did not have a huge junior season.

Notes: Has a twin brother Daniel who also starts in the Cornhusker secondary...The type of safety who will be a staple of the highlight shows because of his knack for making the big play.

Natedawg44 · 03-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeHateMe

I guess all the scouts, experts, and analysts who are paid for thier judgments and opinions have it all wrong.

Yeah they do have it wrong. All they and you have to do is watch these 3 games and see if you and them have the same opinion. Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and USC. The guy cannot cover in a 2 deep zone he NEVER gets there in time. Which would spell disaster for us. If we draft him I have visions of WRs running untouched down the sideline for scores. He has the physical ability I don't discount that as evidenced by him catching Reggie Bush from behind with no angle in the NC game and his size is very good, but he just consistently takes bad angles in deep coverage I don't think its coaching I think it is his instincts. Alot of people have opinions on players in here that are from different schools than they follow or whatever, but think about this I'm a Sooner Fan I've watched probably 15 games in the last two years of Oklahoma football. If a Longhorn fan was saying similar things about Derrick Johnson I would probably pay attention to it.

BigWillie · 03-27-2005

Pool is getting by on what his reputation carried with him -- the next 'Roy Williams' at Oklahoma. All the hype and everything that surrounded him, he simply hasn't lived up to at all.

But about Bullocks, I doubt you can call his junior season a bust. He was playing under his 3rd DC (defensive coordinator) in 3 years, all of whom implented completely different schemes from the other. The one scheme he excelled in was that of Bo Pelini who let him sit back in a cover 2 zone consistently and just read the QB, react and just play centerfield basically.

This past year Kevin Cosgrove implented a style more or less based off of man coverage and thus why Bullocks INT numbers are WAY down. However it wasn't a bad year, just nothing spectacular.

Cosgrove runs the 'bend but dont break' style of defense that Mike Zimmer seems to love. So that is alot of the reason I do not believe Bullocks would thrive in our type of defensive system. Although not inept at man coverage, Bullocks isn't an Ed Reed type of cover man, although who exactly is?

Bullocks could EASILY be one of the best FS' in all the NFL if he is in the right system. If it were a system of say Lovie Smith in Chicago, it would be right in Bullocks' alley. I sincerely believe that as well.

Bullocks would be a FANTASTIC pickup in round 2 if Zimmer allows him to roam and play centerfield like a FS should be doing to begin with, rather than sticking him on a slot receiver or TE.