What's going on with Caleb Downs?

[Pessimist_cowboy]

The way the war room was celebrating and the comments on this board when he was drafted would have had most thinking he’s the next Ed Reed. So far he looks small, a tick late, timid. I get he’s a rookie but what’s his best position? I think he was at least noticeable when he was in slot. The last two games he’s been invincible. I think the giants knew something we didn’t (they passed on him twice) ?

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

He’s small

 

[Hawkeye19]

I would look at the scheme first. It doesn’t appear to be an NFL caliber scheme. Players have regressed across the board.

There were always going to be “growing pains” with a first time DC. But this appears to be a case where CP just doesn’t know how to integrate all the parts of a defense into a cohesive unit that works together.

Coaches are supposed to put their players in a place to succeed. I can’t think of one player on D that is shining or succeeding.

To me, that seems like coaching malpractice.

 

[Tabascocat]

It’s hard to diagnose in this defense and coaching philosophy. He is very talented though and I am not sure he is being used properly…….kind of like Q.

He is a rookie, give him the season at least before the critiques come out.

 

[john van brocklin]

It’s hard to diagnose in this defense and coaching philosophy. He is very talented though and I am not sure he is being used properly…….kind of like Q.

He is a rookie, give him the season at least before the critiques come out.

I hope this putrid defense doesn’t destroy his confidence

 

[Gambit]

Nothing.

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

 

[stilltheguru]

He’s small

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

He’s a rookie. The end.

 

[Playmaker3128]

Think I read he’s only given up like 86 yards in coverage. It’s rare I see him getting beat in the secondary.

The problem is everyone talked him up to be this big splash play guy… and I’m not sure (at least right now) he’s that guy. Which is fine to me. He’s just going to be a solid piece who does his job. Again at this point.

One thing I didn’t like in training camp is how they made him play the slot and cover 1 on 1 a ton. Like I get it… and he’s been good at it. But wouldn’t if have made sense to have him play a ton of safety as well?

Hes the least of my worries. Him and porter on the field same time we actually have two guys that can cover

 

[big dog cowboy]

He's been an active, versatile contributor, but he's still adjusting to the pro game. 31 combined tackles through five games, starting every game. He also has one sack and two forced fumbles. Downs has shown promising early signs for a rookie thrown in the deep end getting asked to a lot. Jumping to the NFL is a big step and trying to learn everything and be the QB of this Mickey Mouse defense can't be easy.

 

[AbeBeta]

The way the war room was celebrating and the comments on this board when he was drafted would have had most thinking he’s the next Ed Reed. So far he looks small, a tick late, timid. I get he’s a rookie but what’s his best position? I think he was at least noticeable when he was in slot. The last two games he’s been invincible. I think the giants knew something we didn’t (they passed on him twice) ?

Seriously?

He is flashing something great every game. But with Porter out, he really has to be our #1 corner too.

This isn't Downs. It is half the starting secondary being out.

I am a pessimist always. But, brother, we also need to use our brains and understand context. You can't just be "this guy sucks" reflexively.

 

[America's Cowboy]

The way the war room was celebrating and the comments on this board when he was drafted would have had most thinking he’s the next Ed Reed. So far he looks small, a tick late, timid. I get he’s a rookie but what’s his best position? I think he was at least noticeable when he was in slot. The last two games he’s been invincible. I think the giants knew something we didn’t (they passed on him twice) ?

I called it when we drafted him. Too small and not strong enough to make an impact. So far, that is what we are seeing.

 

[mldardy]

The way the war room was celebrating and the comments on this board when he was drafted would have had most thinking he’s the next Ed Reed. So far he looks small, a tick late, timid. I get he’s a rookie but what’s his best position? I think he was at least noticeable when he was in slot. The last two games he’s been invincible. I think the giants knew something we didn’t (they passed on him twice) ?

It's called he's a rookie playing in only his 5th game on a ****** defense. Judging him off of anything is being disingenuous

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

The way the war room was celebrating and the comments on this board when he was drafted would have had most thinking he’s the next Ed Reed. So far he looks small, a tick late, timid. I get he’s a rookie but what’s his best position? I think he was at least noticeable when he was in slot. The last two games he’s been invincible. I think the giants knew something we didn’t (they passed on him twice) ?

This defense is confused. The secondary sucks. They are never in the right place. Downs is actually the best of them. CBs are atrocious. The other Safties sucķ suck suck.

Outside of braham a rookie the rest of LBs are clueless and always out of place.

The DL sucks. What run defense? When you give 240 yards. There is no run defense.
Pass rush is anemic.

None of it is working.its not downs. Its the other 9 except for braham. Even QW sucks

 

[mldardy]

He’s small

Same size as Ed Reed

 

[DanTanna]

I pray he turns out better than Greg Ellis. Solid player, but overdrafted for his production.

 

[Maverick84]

He’s small

This is a family forum.

 

[Maverick84]

Same size as Ed Reed

This is a family forum.

 

[lukemartin79]

Every Dallas Co

I pray he turns out better than Greg Ellis. Solid player, but overdrafted for his production.

Every Dallas Cowboy seems to be either overdrafted for their production and/or overpaid for their production - across the board. Few exceptions.

 

[Kwyn]

It’s been five games.

I’ve seen enough.

He’s a bust

Did I do that right?