Bob McGinn - Scout's Comments on Byron Jones

[tyke1doe]

I think the worst case scenario is he's our new Darren Woodson.

Worst case? What would be our best case? Woodson was pretty good.

 

[Risen Star]

Worst case? What would be our best case? Woodson was pretty good.

I'm trying not to be so negative.

Woodson is my 2nd favorite Cowboy ever, behind only Michael Irvin. Considering Irvin's off field issues, I've always said if I could point to one player as a representative of this team and what being a Dallas Cowboy is all about I would point to Darren Woodson. He had it all.

I'm too young to really know the players pre-1985.

 

[Rockport]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet about this Jones pick, have you listen to him talk? If you are looking to add any nasty to the defense this isn't the guy. He seems like a guy who routinely mails out Just Because cards.

He's very articulate which indicates he's pretty smart. That's a definite plus for him.

 

[chicago JK]

I enjoy reading these things but I don't put much stock in them. It is anonymous for the most part. Usually a few good comments with a few bad ones. Who knows who he gets to comment. Can be a guy trying out a comedy routine, giving false info, or just throwing stuff out there. Using these to pan or applaud a pick is pretty pointless imo.

 

[CATCH17]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet about this Jones pick, have you listen to him talk? If you are looking to add any nasty to the defense this isn't the guy. He seems like a guy who routinely mails out Just Because cards.

I didn't view it as a negative but yeah he is definetely the poster boy for RKG.

Maybe I'd be more worried if he was an average athlete but the guy is an intelligent freak athlete.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet about this Jones pick, have you listen to him talk? If you are looking to add any nasty to the defense this isn't the guy. He seems like a guy who routinely mails out Just Because cards.

This brought a smile to my face and pretty clever, although, I would say listening to Tom Brady he might of sent a few of them cards after each of his Super Bowl wins.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Always good to hear that the corner you drafted can't cover

Maybe we can get a pass rusher who has no moves next. Or a WR who can't catch.

Yes, one anonymous scout said he can't cover, so it must be the truth.

There were scouts that questioned Aaron Rodgers' arm strength as well.

There were scouts that told us that Murray was purely a straight line runner with no wiggle or vision.

Instead, you take the general consensus, give the player a position based on that general consensus.





YR

 

[Doomsday101]

The Cowboys have been wrestling with Orlando Scandrick over his contract, and veteran Brandon Carr was not at all good in 2014. Thus the need for a new cornerback in Big D, and Jones certainly fits Rod Marinelli's preference for fast, rangy athletes. His standing broad jump of 12 feet, three inches at the combine wasn't just a combine record—it was a world record.
Jones scored very high in all athletic tests, and that shows up on the field, where Jones appears to be moving in a higher gear than most of his teammates and opponents. He could stand to be a bit more smooth in his backpedal, but he's a good tackler and a fine overall pass defender for a team in desperate need. This is a great get this late in the draft.
Grade: A
http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/30/2015-nfl-draft-dallas-cowboys-select-byron-jones

 

[dfense]

Looking at McGinn's collection of scout's comments it just looks like the typical mixed bag of positives and negatives you'd expect for any guy drafted at the tail end of the 1st round. He looks like an incredible athlete who's athleticism still doesn't translate 100% on the field. I don't see that has a bad thing.

In terms of scouting reports, who knows. You provided the Richard Sherman example which is a great example of scouts being wrong. Here is another example of that from Bob McGinn's 2012 draft report:

Third-year junior. "Pure cover corner with great ball skills," Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman said. "They're so hard to find." Went to LSU as a WR but moved to CB in 2009, serving as a deep reserve, before teaming with Patrick Peterson in 2010 and then Tyrann Mathieu in '11. "The only thing that would stop him from being great is that he doesn't have a special catch-up gear," one scout said. "In terms of smoothness, athleticism, ball skills, hands, anticipation - he's really good." Started 26 of 33 games, finishing with 11 interceptions and 12 PBUs (passes broken up). Scored just four on the 12-minute, 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test but scouts say he has a reading disability and learns well in other settings. "He can pick it up," another scout said. "Great kid. Can't read very well. He doesn't take timed tests." Peterson, who had a superb rookie season for Arizona, scored nine the year before. Hails from Shreveport, La. "When I think of guys like Deion Sanders and Charles Woodson and Chris McAlister and Champ Bailey, those guys were a league above this guy," a third scout said. "He's not Patrick Peterson, either. He ends up on the ground some, and I've always been afraid of corners that fell out in space for no reason. But he's a solid cornerback in the NFL.​

That's Morris Claiborne.

Not that it matters, but how can a guy go to college and take college level classes if he cannot read?

 

[Doc50]

5. BYRON JONES, Connecticut (6-0 ½, 199. 4.42, 1-2): Started at FS in 2011-'12 before moving to CB in 2013-'14. "Blew up the combine," one scout said. "You see those things on the field. Really good movement skills. He played better in press." Finished with 223 tackles (3 ½ for loss), eight picks and 18 PBUs. His broad jump of 12-3 probably was longer than any player's in NFL annals. Also posted a vertical jump of 44½ and had 33 on the Wonderlic. "Doesn't play as well as he works out," said a second scout. "Doesn't have great instincts. Little stiff at the top. But all those big long guys are in vogue now because all the receivers are 6-8." Underwent shoulder surgery (labrum) near midseason. "No, he can't cover," a third scout said. "I don't think he's got the feel." From New Britain, Conn.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...ts-defensive-backs-b99487251z1-301633761.html

The essence of scouting is being correct in one's evaluation of talent. These guys simply must be right to be any good, and a background in coaching is also mandatory in order to understand a player's potential, including mental and physical and emotional status. Any scout whose recommendations are hit-or-miss should be out of a job.

So, in the clarity of hindsight, it appears that the assessment of Claiborne did not value the Wonderiik high enough; we should not have expected this player to develop in less than 2 years. Therefore, he was questionable first round talent, certainly not worthy of the trade-up.

We can hope that the'Boys learned a lot from this mistake; the RKG must be smart enough to absorb the complexities of the game at the highest level.

Byron Jones should not have that problem.

 

[speedkilz88]

I would've taken Malcolm Brown but I have no problem with the pick.

This guy? He's still out there.

 

[John813]

I enjoy reading all the over-reactions after a draft pick.

Sit back, relax, and lets see how he performs in September.

 

[tyke1doe]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet about this Jones pick, have you listen to him talk? If you are looking to add any nasty to the defense this isn't the guy. He seems like a guy who routinely mails out Just Because cards.

Well, Troy Polamalu didn't sound nasty either.

 

[erod]

Byron Jones was taken before Dallas' pick on every mock draft I saw. Every one.

And he may be a free safety when all is said and done here. He, or maybe Carr.

 

[tyke1doe]

I'm trying not to be so negative.

Woodson is my 2nd favorite Cowboy ever, behind only Michael Irvin. Considering Irvin's off field issues, I've always said if I could point to one player as a representative of this team and what being a Dallas Cowboy is all about I would point to Darren Woodson. He had it all.

I'm too young to really know the players pre-1985.

So you really didn't like this pick? Just curious, who do you think we should have selected with that pick?

 

[SDCowboy]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet about this Jones pick, have you listen to him talk? If you are looking to add any nasty to the defense this isn't the guy. He seems like a guy who routinely mails out Just Because cards.

After listening to him talk, I'm even more comfortable with the pick...

 

[Risen Star]

So you really didn't like this pick? Just curious, who do you think we should have selected with that pick?

I don't hate the pick, no. Malcom Brown would have been my selection.

 

[Oh_Canada]

And if he wasn't made of glass and could actually cover.

He can cover, just don't ask him to play zone.

 

[perrykemp]

Not that it matters, but how can a guy go to college and take college level classes if he cannot read?

Your kidding right?

 

[Galian Beast]

From the little I saw in his videos, he has no presence for the ball or ability to cover. It seemed as though had he played more talented QBs/WRs he would have been toast a lot.