ST: Cowboys remaining confident in first-round pick Taco Charlton

[TheHerd]

Problem with Taco so far is not much quickness and not much strength. Strength can be improved upon. Quickness is whatever the man upstairs gave you when you popped out of the chute. I see him getting stronger and bigger and playing inside. Is what it is.

Your chute comment reminds of a pro triathlete answering the question of how to become an elite pro.

He laughed, talked about hard work, but said the first and main thing is to pick the right parents.

 

[JW82]

Ya know, in a weird way, I don't even think about Taco until I come on this board. He's a guy, right now, that just doesn't matter.

When I think about our draft picks this year, I just focus on our CBs and what Switz is doing

Sure. It would be nice to have a pass rusher opposite 90 that we actually did think of. Maybe by years end the light will go on.

 

[xwalker]

No. I dont think anyone would say Jaylon is playing well. But much better than Taco? Hell yes and twice on Sunday.

Taco has been decent against the run which is something rookie pass rushers often struggle with. He has gotten some penetration as a pass rusher but he just hasn't been able to get that last couple of feet.

There is high probability that he will be at least as good as DLaw at some point. They had similar styles in college with Taco being the higher rated player.

 

[xwalker]

The Taco apologists are almost as plentiful as Dez appologists. If this coaching staff will stop screwing around and start benching unproductive players (Dez, Witten-blocking, Taco) the team will be better for it and it will send a message not only to the inderperforming players but the players behind they who are dying to get playing time as well.

The Dallas Cowboy's entitlement culture is a huge reason why we never get over the hump. It is very frustrating to watch that part of this franchise.

Rookies need playing time to get better.

Think about the concept of how hard it is for a rookie to beat out a veteran even with rookies where it is obvious that they're going to be the better player at some point.

Larry Allen, Darren Woodson, etc didn't start as rookies until later in the season when injuries forced them into the starting lineup.

 

[DallasDomination]

It's nothing against taco.. I'm sure he can be a solid player one day. It's just that the pick was kind of a head scratcher. I mean even his highlights were underwhelming. He just always looked; to me anyways, that he was constantly about to fall down.

I hope he does well...

 

[CCBoy]

Yeah. I'm chuckling too. Let's make excuses for Taco. I haven't said he can't be a good player but right now he isn't even close to a good player. He is eating playing time that a more productive player could be getting.

Tapper getting hurt made the playing time issue between Taco and Tapper moot for the time being. But if every player on this defense performed at the level Taco is currently performing every team would score 100 points on us.

I beg to differ with you on Taco's speed. It is nonexistent. He has an ineffective spin move and nothing else right now. He can't currently win with strength against a solid LOT.

He MIGHT have more success with speed against a LEFT OT, since they tend to be strong but slower than a LT. But Right now Taco is sucking big time.

Tapper was often in the picture frame around the QB and you could see his speed was evident. He was getting upfield. The only time Taco really currently gets upfield is when the OT is riding him off into no mans land on the outside where he isn't a factor at all in the play.

You guys defend Taco's play all you want. No one is saying he has to be be Ware reincarnated, but Ware was always getting close early on even if he didn't get there. So far Taco is showing ZILCH.

There is still time for Taco to "make a hand" as a player but to say his is doing fine currently is complete and utter folly so far in this first quarter of the season.

Simple, the above shows little to no perspective as to how talent develops in the NFL...as to speed, Taco had solid testables and a strong production as a pass rusher.

Actually, what was shown above, is an agenda and a strong stereotype of flaws to appear to prove a case. You give next to no backup information but a ring tappers scorn and included personal claim to fame. No thanks guy, and brag on one's own quarter next time.

 

[CCBoy]

Rookies need playing time to get better.

Think about the concept of how hard it is for a rookie to beat out a veteran even with rookies where it is obvious that they're going to be the better player at some point.

Larry Allen, Darren Woodson, etc didn't start as rookies until later in the season when injuries forced them into the starting lineup.

It took Bob Lilly three seasons to prove he belonged on a defensive line...and I would love to hear a person now use similar tendency as failure declarations and not get laughed at...

 

[haleyrules]

Agreed . . . expectations on this website have been highly unrealistic.

Rookie DE's are seldom sufficiently productive until year two or later.

Nevertheless, his production vs. the running games have been okay.

Agreed. You almost have to close your eyes and not be discouraged by what you see now. Pretty clear he has a ton of work to do before he'll be ready to succeed at this level.

Yeah. I have no real complaints about him. Time is on his side.

 

[haleyrules]

He looks like he is thinking too much.

He errors on the side of run contain at the expense of pass rush. Even on run plays he looks like they've told him to maintain outside contain regardless (i.e. He over-commits to outside run contain at times).

I can live with that. Especially against the Packers..

 

[haleyrules]

A couple of points. First stats don't tell the whole story. You would have to watch the other players actually play to evaluate a true comparison.

Second, does it really matter how other players are doing? If a player who was drafted higher thanTaco sucks that doesn't excuse Tacos poor play.

The knock I have on Taco isn't his stats. He isn't even close to being a factor most of the time! He is totally out of the play. He could be almost as effective sitting in a lawn chair at the end of the defensive line and smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer as he currently playing.

Its only 4 games into his rookie year. Its to be expected.

 

[Floatyworm]

If they leave him @ RDE...he's Kavika Pittman 2.0

When we drafted him...I was thinking LDE. And that's where he's looked the most comfortable in the preseason. I got no problem w/ him playing there...rotating w/ D-Law. Charlton should be soaking up 1st down...and depending on down and distance...maybe even 2nd. Keep Lawerence fresh for 3rd down work....getting to the QB.

 

[bayeslife]

What about Malik McDowell

He’s hurt so 0

 

[Irvin88_4life]

I'm not complaining. I know Watt wasn't gonna be our guy, and I don't like him as much as many on here. Pittsburgh has a totally different d, on so many levels.

I'm just pointing out Taco will forever be tied to Watt. Kinda like Ellis and Moss. Very unfair and kinda silly.

I agree with you on that. Ware and Merriman was tied for a little while and we know how that ended. I feel some jump to conclusions way to quick and i have a feeling Taco will become a fan favorite before it's said and done

 

[perrykemp]

I agree with you on that. Ware and Merriman was tied for a little while and we know how that ended. I feel some jump to conclusions way to quick and i have a feeling Taco will become a fan favorite before it's said and done

It's WAY too early to pass judgements.

 

[Verdict]

Its only 4 games into his rookie year. Its to be expected.

What I think is reasonable to expect is for him to flash potential, but he behind the curve for his position. I would expect him to get owned by all pro OT, lose most of his battles against average OTs (but win a few) and hold his own or dominate poor offensive tackles (like the Giants OT Flowers).

Taco has done none of that. I am not sure an average college DE would be as ineffective as he has been.

 

[Verdict]

If they leave him @ RDE...he's Kavika Pittman 2.0

When we drafted him...I was thinking LDE. And that's where he's looked the most comfortable in the preseason. I got no problem w/ him playing there...rotating w/ D-Law. Charlton should be soaking up 1st down...and depending on down and distance...maybe even 2nd. Keep Lawerence fresh for 3rd down work....getting to the QB.

That's his best option right now. No doubt about it.

 

[zekecowboy]

T.J. Watt #90 OLB

Pittsburgh Steelers
SACKS 2.0

I think I knew this was a different position.

Also, I thought we were comparing sack production.

Different position. Watt is a LB.

I think Jaylon has 34 tackles. Does that mean he is playing great?

 

[bsbellomy]

Derek Barnett: 5 tackles 0 sacks
Charles Harris: 3 tackles 0 sacks
Takk McKinley: 4 tackles 1 sack
Taco Charlton: 3 tackles 0 sacks

I think Bowser and Watt have done some decent things.

 

[xwalker]

T.J. Watt #90 OLB

Pittsburgh Steelers
SACKS 2.0

I think I knew this was a different position.

Also, I thought we were comparing sack production.

Did you see those sacks?

They were luck than skill.

 

[xwalker]

If they leave him @ RDE...he's Kavika Pittman 2.0

When we drafted him...I was thinking LDE. And that's where he's looked the most comfortable in the preseason. I got no problem w/ him playing there...rotating w/ D-Law. Charlton should be soaking up 1st down...and depending on down and distance...maybe even 2nd. Keep Lawerence fresh for 3rd down work....getting to the QB.

Where would you play LB Paul Dawson if they had drafted him in the 1st like you wanted?

I think he's playing the Home Depot position now...