Video: Is Connor McGovern the Cowboys' next OL Star? Film Room

[Hardline]

I happened to have watched a tape on the kid yesterday before even seeing this thread. Great? More like average. Nothing really to get excited about. Even the guy that was breaking down the tape that was a McGovern fan was not overly impressed with his feet.

Look harder. He moves very well.

 

[Typhus]

That could be CJ Henderson with the first round pick and Lloyd Cushenberry III in the second. I’d be OK with that. Cushenberry is a really good, smart player. I don’t live too far from Baton Rouge, and being firmly planted deep inside SEC country afforded me plenty of opportunity to watch LSU this past year. He is an impressive center prospect and is a natural there. Smart, with plenty of anchor, and is a natural leader on the OL.

As much as I know that Dallas needs defensive players, I wouldn’t be upset at all to use a second on Cush.

Another, more controversial move would be to trade back a little from the #17 pick (let’s say #23) and draft Cesar Ruiz, picking up a third round pick in the process. Dallas could then use the 3 second day picks to shore up the defensive side of the ball.

Ruiz is my favorite C prospect in the last few years. He is a complete player and could function in a zone or man blocking scheme. He has some dog in him and likes to bury people... playing to the sound of the whistle. He strong as an ox and will be able to anchor against huge NFL DT’s immediately. He’s smart with the line calls and despite his stocky frame and brute strength, he can really get out in space and clean up at the second level.

I’d love to have him take over Frederick’s spot, even as much as the Cowboys need defense.

If the board falls wrong for Dallas, there might not be anyone they really love available at #17. If the defensive guys they want are gone and the big 3 WR’s are gone (Lamb, Jeudy, Ruggs), I’d rather take the best recent center prospect instead of reaching for someone at a position of need (see Charlton, Taco). Ruiz has almost no bust potential and would be a day 1 starter in the NFL. I really like him a lot.

Even just straight up using pick 17 on Ruiz would be ok with me, if all the other guys are gone and a trade partner isn’t there. He’s going to be very good for a long, long time. Him working with Martin and McGovern would be so much fun to watch. That would be a strong interior OL.

Thank you for always bringing solid context to this forum first and foremost, posters like you introduce options, like Ruiz.
On a side note, I recently had a brief stay at the Myrtles Plantation in a really cool little town outside of Baton Rouge, Saint Francisville.
Some of the best BBQ Ive had in a while, forgot the name, but it was the little place with the line out the door, right next to a Very big restaurant with and amazing deck built around an enormous Oak tree.
You might be familiar with the place.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I’m not concerned with dominant I just want our 5 best linemen and this is McGoverns true rookie year. I don’t expect him to start at center or guard over guys who have been in the league. If starts over Williams we are screwed.

If the line reverts back to 2018 with 56 sacks, then you might as well kiss away any chance of a pushing far into the playoffs.

Last time Williams and Looney anchored the middle of the line, the pass blocking fell apart.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

If the line reverts back to 2018 with 56 sacks, then you might as well kiss away any chance of a pushing far into the playoffs.

Last time Williams and Looney anchored the middle of the line, the pass blocking fell apart.

It shouldn’t for a number of reasons. One of them being McCarthy’s style offense that has the QB making quick reads and getting the ball out early.

 

[CowboyRoy]

But you just said in your own words that "Looney is a little better than a scrub", but now your saying that he is an excellent backup at guard and center.
Sorry, but I find that rather contradicting.

Sure..........backups are pretty much scrubs. Not worthy of starting. But Looney has shown the ability to hold his own at times.

Kinda like Heath is a scrub starter, but a great backup safety.

 

[CowboyRoy]

That could be CJ Henderson with the first round pick and Lloyd Cushenberry III in the second. I’d be OK with that. Cushenberry is a really good, smart player. I don’t live too far from Baton Rouge, and being firmly planted deep inside SEC country afforded me plenty of opportunity to watch LSU this past year. He is an impressive center prospect and is a natural there. Smart, with plenty of anchor, and is a natural leader on the OL.

As much as I know that Dallas needs defensive players, I wouldn’t be upset at all to use a second on Cush.

Another, more controversial move would be to trade back a little from the #17 pick (let’s say #23) and draft Cesar Ruiz, picking up a third round pick in the process. Dallas could then use the 3 second day picks to shore up the defensive side of the ball.

Ruiz is my favorite C prospect in the last few years. He is a complete player and could function in a zone or man blocking scheme. He has some dog in him and likes to bury people... playing to the sound of the whistle. He strong as an ox and will be able to anchor against huge NFL DT’s immediately. He’s smart with the line calls and despite his stocky frame and brute strength, he can really get out in space and clean up at the second level.

I’d love to have him take over Frederick’s spot, even as much as the Cowboys need defense.

If the board falls wrong for Dallas, there might not be anyone they really love available at #17. If the defensive guys they want are gone and the big 3 WR’s are gone (Lamb, Jeudy, Ruggs), I’d rather take the best recent center prospect instead of reaching for someone at a position of need (see Charlton, Taco). Ruiz has almost no bust potential and would be a day 1 starter in the NFL. I really like him a lot.

Even just straight up using pick 17 on Ruiz would be ok with me, if all the other guys are gone and a trade partner isn’t there. He’s going to be very good for a long, long time. Him working with Martin and McGovern would be so much fun to watch. That would be a strong interior OL.

Yah, if they could get Henderson and Ruiz, then that would be a complete home run for me.

AS far as trading back, I just dont like what the Cowboys typically do with anything past the 2nd round. Based on what they are showing is available at 17, there will be studs. Not sure you can pass on one of those WR's if nothing else is left.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

If the line reverts back to 2018 with 56 sacks, then you might as well kiss away any chance of a pushing far into the playoffs.

Last time Williams and Looney anchored the middle of the line, the pass blocking fell apart.

It did. The plan is for Williams to be better at this point. If he's the same player 2 years later than I do agree.

 

[CowboyRoy]

It shouldn’t for a number of reasons. One of them being McCarthy’s style offense that has the QB making quick reads and getting the ball out early.

Well that would definitely help. But I dont see that solving the problem. You simply cannot discount the huge gap between Frederick and Looney. And I dont see how Williams has improved as much especially coming off major surgery.

 

[CowboyRoy]

It did. The plan is for Williams to be better at this point. If he's the same player 2 years later than I do agree.

I am sure he is better, but he is coming off major knee surgery. And strength has been an issue for him already. Now if McGovern can come in and be good, then I think we see a difference. But still going from Fred to McGovern is an issue.

In my opinion, the center position is the most important on the line.

 

[kskboys]

Based on what? Seriously

Scouting reports.

 

[kskboys]

I happened to have watched a tape on the kid yesterday before even seeing this thread. Great? More like average. Nothing really to get excited about. Even the guy that was breaking down the tape that was a McGovern fan was not overly impressed with his feet.

Since he's an OG/OC type, they don't talk much about his feet. However, he is very quick out of his stance which does suggest he should have good feet. Another sign is that he does a great job mirroring pass rushers, which also points toward having good feet.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I am sure he is better, but he is coming off major knee surgery. And strength has been an issue for him already. Now if McGovern can come in and be good, then I think we see a difference. But still going from Fred to McGovern is an issue.

In my opinion, the center position is the most important on the line.

Right. But you don't think McGovern will struggle with strength? He too is coming off a injury.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Right. But you don't think McGovern will struggle with strength? He too is coming off a injury.

He probably will. However, I dont think strength was as much of an issue as it was for Williams.

But this is also why I am not confident.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

He really doesn't. Looney is the fallback plan, not the lock.

McG has very high intelligence. Also a great leader.

And very good mobility. I don't get where the "poor feet" comments are coming from.

 

[Captain43Crash]

Probably right. Gotta hope otherwise though, since realistically the team cant contend until 2021, then McGovern is still essentially a rookie.

Also, not that Looney is awful, but McGovern needs to be able to beat him out.

The team can’t contend until 2001? Let’s just cancel the season then! Of course they can contend. Just dropping Garrett and getting McCarthy means we can contend! Garrett was a 10,000 pound anchor on a raft.

 

[ItzKelz]

Look harder. He moves very well.

He moves ok. More of a power guy. Hope I'm wrong

 

[CF74]

I’m hoping he develops into becoming the starting LG or C, preferably LG. I’d like to see CW become the swing tackle...

 

[ItzKelz]

Since he's an OG/OC type, they don't talk much about his feet. However, he is very quick out of his stance which does suggest he should have good feet. Another sign is that he does a great job mirroring pass rushers, which also points toward having good feet.

He's excellent getting off the ball. Saw quite a few pancakes when that was the case

 

[fivetwos]

The team can’t contend until 2001? Let’s just cancel the season then! Of course they can contend. Just dropping Garrett and getting McCarthy means we can contend! Garrett was a 10,000 pound anchor on a raft.

I know what you mean, but on the other hand, its difficult to see how that defense can be at a championship level by adding a draft to it.

That secondary is terrible any way you slice it. Drafting a guy from UF that refuses to tackle isnt gonna change that.

They are going to need to get seriously lucky, and/or get back to a version of the keep away game they played in 2016.

 

[starfan1]

That would be completely pathetic.

The perfect draft for me would be to take a CB#1 and a center with the 2nd pick getting one of the top 2 centers.

Have him step right in at Center and Williams and McGovern can battle it out at Guard. Looney can go where he belongs to the bench as an excellent backup at guard and center.

This the ONLY shot we have to return to a dominant Oline this year and going forward.

wow what a take! i disagree but hey to each his or her own. I thought looneys performance in 18 was actually a bit better than Travis in 19 and Zeke led the league in rushing in 18. Unless there was a regression of some sort Looney is just fine and Im not interested in center before round 4