Bob McGinn's NFL Scout's Analysis of Cowboys

[perrykemp]

McGinn has a unique relationship as it relates to NFL executives, scouts, etc so its always interesting to read his stuff on the NFL draft and when the Cowboys play the Packers, the information he gathers on the Cowboys as part of his game scouting report. Here is this week's on the Cowboys:

Notable:

• "Dez Bryant (6-2, 222), the 24th pick in 2010, hasn't had a 100-yard game since Week 7 and disappeared against the Bears. He's an explosive power player with mid-4.5 speed a la Michael Irvin. He's inconsistent in everything that he does, including catching. The mental side of the game holds Bryant back.
• Rookie Gavin Escobar (6-6, 249), a second-round pick, should be playing more than finesse TE James Hanna (6-4, 250). Escobar flashes big-play ability.
  
• When Dallas loses, it's because they just can't keep pace with the score. Can Matt Flynn generate 30, 35 points? If he can, Green Bay's got a shot."
• RDE DeMarcus Ware (6-4, 258), a seven-time Pro Bowl pick, looks almost disinterested and is having his worst season. He's lost some burst, explosiveness and power at the point. At 31, he seems to have hit the wall
• SS Barry Church (6-1½, 218) is an instinctive, hard-hitting, active former free agent who does his best work near the line. His 4.68 speed limits the coverage.
• First-year coordinator Rich Bisaccia has top-flight units. K Dan Bailey might be the Cowboys' No. 1 player overall. He has hit 19 of 21 this season and 90% in three seasons. P Chris Jones, a first-year regular, is 15th in net average (39.8). Dwayne Harris, bothered by a hamstring injury, could be the NFL's best dual returner. The coverage teams, led by Harris and LB Kyle Bosworth, are first-class.

 

[crazytown41]

Welp. At least out specials team is top notch

 

[unionjack8]

The offense itself is holding dez back. It is inconsistent at best. Poorly designed and outdated just doesn't work in today's NFL, see kiffins defense.

 

[Alexander]

This was an interesting note:

Despite a weak D-line, the Cowboys rank 30th in blitz rate at just 19.5%, according to STATs.

Perhaps Jones is onto something. We are being conservative, but the rush simply cannot get the job done with just four players and even average QBs are picking them apart.

The sad part is we really do not have good enough blitzers in the back seven to justify the risk.

Jones is expected to jettison Kiffin, who will turn 74 in February. It wouldn't be surprising if Dallas is back playing the 3-4 in 2014.

I would welcome this completely.

 

[perrykemp]

I didn't love this analysis of Frederick:

"Rookie C Travis Frederick (6-3½, 311), the former Badger selected 31st, already is the second-best starter. He's slow as molasses (5.56-second 40), doesn't bend well and isn't weight-room strong. However, he's tough, smart (34 on the Wonderlic intelligence test), steady and efficient."

It paints a picture of Frederick having a relatively low ceiling, which I hope isn't true.

 

[Seven]

This was an interesting note:



Perhaps Jones is onto something. We are being conservative, but the rush simply cannot get the job done with just four players and even average QBs are picking them apart.

The sad part is we really do not have good enough blitzers in the back seven to justify the risk.

Correct. Which puts the safties in a guessing situation with the whole friggin field to cover. If the QB sits in the pocket and doesn't have to move right or left and just steps up..........he moves his head/eyes and throws. Safties can't possibly cover ground that fast. Especially when he's got 12 seconds to throw. JMO, of course.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

LOL @ Escobar flashing. When was that, the one 20-yard catch last week?

Anyway, here's some hope:

Short week or not, two scouts expect the Cowboys to rebound just as they did in beating Washington (31-16) after the Denver game and the New York Giants (24-21) after the New Orleans game.

"The Cowboys will be thawed out by then," an AFC personnel director said. "Even with Matt Flynn's growing comfort level with the offense, I cannot see the Dallas defense playing that poorly for another week.

"I've got it Dallas, 28-10. Ditto with Aaron Rodgers, but the score will be 28-17."

Another scout also picked the Cowboys even if Rodgers gets the green light.

"If Rodgers plays, he'll be rusty, right?" the scout said. "I don't think he gets right back to firing the ball.

"I'm looking for Dallas to have a bounce-back this week. I'd say 31-24 with Flynn, and I'd say even Aaron Rodgers can't make a difference. Maybe it's 31-28 with Rodgers.

"I'm giving special teams to Dallas and the Dallas offense over the Green Bay defense. That's two out of three.



Read more from Journal Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...boys-b99160801z1-235344911.html#ixzz2nBEwUDVo
Follow us: @JournalSentinel on Twitter

 

[Alexander]

Correct. Which puts the safties in a guessing situation with the whole friggin field to cover. If the QB sits in the pocket and doesn't have to move right or left and just steps up..........he moves his head/eyes and throws. Safties can't possibly cover ground that fast. Especially when he's got 12 seconds to throw. JMO, of course.

It does not help that either safety lacks the type of range needed in this scheme.

 

[Alexander]

LOL @ Escobar flashing. When was that, the one 20-yard catch last week?

Anyway, here's some hope:

The only hope really stems from the fact they seem to play smarter and faster at home than on the road.

 

[Alexander]

I didn't love this analysis of Frederick:

"Rookie C Travis Frederick (6-3½, 311), the former Badger selected 31st, already is the second-best starter. He's slow as molasses (5.56-second 40), doesn't bend well and isn't weight-room strong. However, he's tough, smart (34 on the Wonderlic intelligence test), steady and efficient."

It paints a picture of Frederick having a relatively low ceiling, which I hope isn't true.

It really is not that bad of a picture. In fact, it fits the profile for most decent centers in the NFL. If he is tough and smart, he can be a 8-10 year starter while you can concentrate on the rest of the line.

 

[CaptainMorgan]

I didn't love this analysis of Frederick:

"Rookie C Travis Frederick (6-3½, 311), the former Badger selected 31st, already is the second-best starter. He's slow as molasses (5.56-second 40), doesn't bend well and isn't weight-room strong. However, he's tough, smart (34 on the Wonderlic intelligence test), steady and efficient."

It paints a picture of Frederick having a relatively low ceiling, which I hope isn't true.

Even if Frederick has peaked he's still a pretty darn good center.

 

[perrykemp]

Even if Frederick has peaked he's still a pretty darn good center.

Agreed.

 

[Stash]

I would welcome this completely.

As would I. I think you would need less pieces to go back than you would need to go forward withe the 4-3. And considering how poor and outdated it is, why would you stay with it? Unless of course your ego won't allow you to admit you've made a terrible mistake?

And I mentioned in another thread, the only players I would be approaching about new contracts until we get the cap straight are Bailey and Harris.

 

[theSHOW]

Good morning Cowboys Fans. I am glad the OP pasted this article for us. Very 1st sentence reads...The Dallas Cowboys, a different team at home than they are on the road. It is very possible that the Cowboys can win the two home games and even get blown out in Washington and "still make the playoffs." I will take that scenario. And if that is the case the Cowboys would open the playoffs "at home" against a decent wild card opponent. So the Boys make the NFC Final Four...not so bad for having this trailer park defense that doesn't measure up to anything better than last place in the NFL. That's how it has been, but we have a few intangibles including the early season turnovers that were being generated. And when you find yourself in a hostile playoff away game and you have a chance in 2013 you all have to say "hey, this team made the most of it"

Yes that would be the ceiling on this season but you never know. I for one am buckling down for this to take place and when we go to Seattle cross your fingers because although the final score may be 45-13 and we go back to Dallas with a season ending loss the team got to the 2nd round. That's a win.

Oh, one more thing, I will always hold out hope that some how some way the Cowboys advance because I always wear my silver coated shades when the Dallas Cowboys play.

 

[TrailBlazer]

"When Dallas loses, it's just because they can't keep pace with the score."


Uh same with every other team that loses. Does this guy get paid to write this stuff?

 

[Stash]

Good morning Cowboys Fans. I am glad the OP pasted this article for us. Very 1st sentence reads...The Dallas Cowboys, a different team at home than they are on the road. It is very possible that the Cowboys can win the two home games and even get blown out in Washington and "still make the playoffs." I will take that scenario. And if that is the case the Cowboys would open the playoffs "at home" against a decent wild card opponent. So the Boys make the NFC Final Four...not so bad for having this trailer park defense that doesn't measure up to anything better than last place in the NFL. That's how it has been, but we have a few intangibles including the early season turnovers that were being generated. And when you find yourself in a hostile playoff away game and you have a chance in 2013 you all have to say "hey, this team made the most of it"

Yes that would be the ceiling on this season but you never know. I for one am buckling down for this to take place and when we go to Seattle cross your fingers because although the final score may be 45-13 and we go back to Dallas with a season ending loss the team got to the 2nd round. That's a win.

Oh, one more thing, I will always hold out hope that some how some way the Cowboys advance because I always wear my silver coated shades when the Cowboys play.

You most certainly do.

Ever the optimist.

And while I certainly admire your commitment, I have to question your logic.

I think you're thinking with your heart and not your head.

 

[Alexander]

You most certainly do.

Ever the optimist.

And while I certainly admire your commitment, I have to question your logic.

I think you're thinking with your heart and not your head.

That is exactly the kind of fan that is enabling Jerry Jones to continue doing what he is doing with this franchise.

 

[Seven]

It does not help that either safety lacks the type of range needed in this scheme.

I really think Heath does, or will, rather. He seems to be in position, just a tad late. So your right in a sense that this year......we don't have that partly due to lack of pressure.

 

[RS12]

I agree, Tyron Smith becoming the best player on the team. Pitching a lot of shut outs lately.

 

[theSHOW]

That is exactly the kind of fan that is enabling Jerry Jones to continue doing what he is doing with this franchise.

oh! lol blame me for it, sure. Although I am watching the game from the comfort of my home and not involved in the locker room, film room or on the field I will take 53 players with my attitude to play the game. If just one has you're outlook then we have a cancer that is growing amongst the team. Enabbling...BS 5-1 at home means that we are a different team, a winning team in Dallas and why would anybody want to be the cancer that says otherwise. Although this team is in dire straights after some crushing losses on the road, it is fans like you who seem to wish for a loss so you can feel vindicated and with you as one of the 53 or even a coach on the team then sure...mark us down for another defeat.