Broaddus on Arkin

[jnday]

There is a lot of merit to what you have said and what you are thinking. There clearly has been problems with how they have gone about adding offensive linemen to this team. I talk with the scouts about it everyday and they understand its something they have struggled with as well. I dont believe they have put their heads in the sand and think it will fix itself. They were willing to draft one of those OGs if they had the chance. When Pugh went off the board, they lost another shot there. To their credit they did address the center position despite giving Costa a small extension. In free agency, they liked Calbo but good or bad they thought he was simliar to Free, again good or bad. They didnt like Winston or Moore who I myself have studied on tape and I tended to agree. I will say that I liked Clabo better than Free. What they cant do is just add players that are the same or below talent wise, that does no good.

I agree that adding players just to add them is not the way to go. I think the line should be built through the draft. I wish they would have started five or six years ago instead of waiting to the point that there was little talent to no talent at the positions. Thanks for your reply. You are always good about talking to fans, even when they disagree with you.

 

[xwalker]

They were willing to draft one of those OGs if they had the chance. When Pugh went off the board, they lost another shot there. To their credit they did address the center position despite giving Costa a small extension.

I can't understand why the Cowboys, Giants or any other team thought that Pugh was worth a first round pick. I'm sure that I'm missing something, but the Bear's 6th round pick Cornelius Washington (6-4, 265) repeatedly drove him straight back to the QB at the Senior Bowl. If a 265 lb DE can do that to him, how is he going to block 300+ lb DTs while playing Guard?

Pugh can probably develop, but at the time of the draft, he appeared very similar to a guy like Kevin Kowalski. Quick but undersized/underpowered. Kowalski comes to mind because they both have identical arm length (31.5").

 

[jterrell]

I can't understand why the Cowboys, Giants or any other team thought that Pugh was worth a first round pick. I'm sure that I'm missing something, but the Bear's 6th round pick Cornelius Washington (6-4, 265) repeatedly drove him straight back to the QB at the Senior Bowl. If a 265 lb DE can do that to him, how is he going to block 300+ lb DTs while playing Guard?

Pugh can probably develop, but at the time of the draft, he appeared very similar to a guy like Kevin Kowalski. Quick but undersized/underpowered. Kowalski comes to mind because they both have identical arm length (31.5").

Agreed. Thought Pugh was the classic OG/OT tweener. Good feet but not exceptional size.

But the real shocker to me is Long. I thought he was at best a 5th round prospect. That guy is a recovering addict, old for a rookie and a late to the game tweener with little actual football experience. If his last name was anything other than football royalty he'd probably have been a late pick or UDFA.

 

[xwalker]

Agreed. Thought Pugh was the classic OG/OT tweener. Good feet but not exceptional size.

But the real shocker to me is Long. I thought he was at best a 5th round prospect. That guy is a recovering addict, old for a rookie and a late to the game tweener with little actual football experience. If his last name was anything other than football royalty he'd probably have been a late pick or UDFA.

The Cowboys had Long as a 4th rounder which seems about right.

The OLinemen that were drafted drastically higher or lower than I had them rated were:

Pugh: #19 overall, my rating was mid round pick.
Long: #20 overall, my rating was mid round pick.
Alvin Bailey: UDFA, my rating was mid round pick.
Fluker: #11 overall, my rating was 2nd round pick.

 

[jnday]

The Cowboys had Long as a 4th rounder which seems about right.

The OLinemen that were drafted drastically higher or lower than I had them rated were:

Pugh: #19 overall, my rating was mid round pick.
Long: #20 overall, my rating was mid round pick.
Alvin Bailey: UDFA, my rating was mid round pick.
Fluker: #11 overall, my rating was 2nd round pick.

You undervalued Fluker because he didn't fit the zone system that they don't run.

 

[TheCount]

I can't understand why the Cowboys, Giants or any other team thought that Pugh was worth a first round pick. I'm sure that I'm missing something, but the Bear's 6th round pick Cornelius Washington (6-4, 265) repeatedly drove him straight back to the QB at the Senior Bowl. If a 265 lb DE can do that to him, how is he going to block 300+ lb DTs while playing Guard?

Pugh can probably develop, but at the time of the draft, he appeared very similar to a guy like Kevin Kowalski. Quick but undersized/underpowered. Kowalski comes to mind because they both have identical arm length (31.5").

Pugh is terrible. Ansah literally made millions off him in the senior bowl, of we had spent a 1st on Pugh, I'd have lost it.

 

[speedkilz88]

You undervalued Fluker because he didn't fit the zone system that they don't run.

Someone needs to tell that to Garrett, Pollack, and Callahan.

There was no question that offensive line assistant Frank Pollack hit the ground running when camp opened last Friday and some of his influences were felt early with the line. The majority of his coaching background was spent with the Houston Texans and their ability to run the zone scheme with mastery. Jason Garrett spoke on Friday after the morning practice about the club has run the zone scheme at various times during the season but now with Pollack in the building he can bring a different view point of how to make it really hum. After an individual period of play after play of working on technique with their steps and head placements directed by Pollack and Callahan, the first running play out of the blocks went zone to the right. On the play Ronald Leary, Travis Frederick and D.J. Hall all took hard steps, got into their blocks which allowed Kendial Lawrence to hit the crease getting right into the second level for a nice gain. As the camp progressed, there were signs where the blocking improved and for a team that struggled to successfully run the ball, his addition to the staff will be welcomed.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...aluation/bdf6225b-41af-4bb8-afcc-bf56285b2395

 

[Eskimo]

There is a lot of merit to what you have said and what you are thinking. There clearly has been problems with how they have gone about adding offensive linemen to this team. I talk with the scouts about it everyday and they understand its something they have struggled with as well. I dont believe they have put their heads in the sand and think it will fix itself. They were willing to draft one of those OGs if they had the chance. When Pugh went off the board, they lost another shot there. To their credit they did address the center position despite giving Costa a small extension. In free agency, they liked Calbo but good or bad they thought he was simliar to Free, again good or bad. They didnt like Winston or Moore who I myself have studied on tape and I tended to agree. I will say that I liked Clabo better than Free. What they cant do is just add players that are the same or below talent wise, that does no good.

Proscout, thanks so much for stopping by to answer a couple of questions and thanks for not letting the peanut gallery here get to you. The vast majority of us here really enjoy your contributions.

I figured that they must think that Moore is shot not to offer him a contract since Callahan knows him so well and I assume he would be happy to come here and play for him since there are no obvious suitors. They could afford to waive Livings and sign Moore if they wanted to do so but I guess they think they are better off with Livings out there. Of course, my hope is still that some of the young guys end up beaint out these stopgap vets as that will be good for our future.

It is interesting to hear about them preferring Free over Clabo. I hope they haven't put all their eggs in the "he's back to 2010" form off of a small sample size when he was only playing every other series. I really liked Free as a player in 2009 and 2010 and I'm not sure I ever remember seeing a good OL like him struggle so much in the prime of his career without a major injury so his regression was always so odd to me. I do still hope Parnell can beat him out because of his ceiling is so high with his length, strength, ability to anchor and how far he has come as a football neophyte.

 

[jobberone]

@risen star. Maybe you should call Sturm and ask him who he talks to on a weekly basis. Would you like his number?

:laugh2:

 

[jobberone]

proscout, if you have the time, why did they prefer Free over Clabo and why did you feel otherwise? What is it with Free that makes him so inconsistent? What is he doing technique wise that create problems for him?

It appears not only do the Boys want to do more ZBing but have tried to draft more mobile players on the OL to get to the outside etc. Is there any substance to that idea? I'd love to see more screens as well as improve our RBs averages at the second level and beyond maybe even breaking more long runs that aren't from busted plays.

 

[proscout]

Where Free has been bad is in his technique. He you had seen him on coaches tape as I have you would see it for yourself. When he sets and misses with his hands, they tend to go wide, this allows the rusher to get to his chest. He doesn't have enough power if he misses to sit down and try to reset his hands. He has a better chance to block you if he can carry you wide. Rushers have figured out it is quicker and easier to bull rush him than take wide. He kills Jason Babin because Babin won't rush him down the middle. Bad hands in his punch is his biggest problem.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

What's with the weak upper bodies on our OL?

 

[jobberone]

Where Free has been bad is in his technique. He you had seen him on coaches tape as I have you would see it for yourself. When he sets and misses with his hands, they tend to go wide, this allows the rusher to get to his chest. He doesn't have enough power if he misses to sit down and try to reset his hands. He has a better chance to block you if he can carry you wide. Rushers have figured out it is quicker and easier to bull rush him than take wide. He kills Jason Babin because Babin won't rush him down the middle. Bad hands in his punch is his biggest problem.

Thanks for taking the time to answer. Maybe he'll be more consistent this year although I suspect Parnell may beat him out of this job.

 

[bayeslife]

Like Tennessee. Signing Levitre and drafting Warmack?

On the other hand, it helps to have all of that cap space and the #10 pick.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

On the other hand, it helps to have all of that cap space and the #10 pick.

I imagine that they would trade both for Tony Romo.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Found this interesting. You can talk about coach fluff and the like but the testing portion I found interesting:

Now that Arkin is back at the right guard spot, where he has been running with the first team in Mackenzy Bernadeau’s absence during organized team activities, Callahan said he’s optimistic Arkin can take the next step in his career.

“I am very hopeful for Dave’s sake,” Callahan said. “He’s put two hard years in of good work and there’s been a lot of progress made in the weight room. His numbers, what he’s done, how he’s tested this off-season, those numbers have been elevated. I am really proud of what he’s accomplished there and now [it’s about] translating more of it to the field.”

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...ly-sees-the-field-in-the-regular-season.html/

The rest of the article is at that link.

When Broaddus says that he gets compressed it sounds to me what I remember from Arkin last preseason. He doesn't use his hands particularly well --especially at center-- and he his entire arm trapped inside next to his body and his torso turned so he just tries to lean on people. A DL the just picks him and takes him for a ride. If he is still doing that then I get the 'compressed' description.

Now if he has the functional strength then its possible that he could stay square and use said strength to extend his arms and stand up DL. That is they key: stand up the D-line. They then have no leverage and be the ones to get pushed around. I hear that all the time, "stay low!"

I have to say that I am jealous cause I don't get to see practice and because I would love to see in person what he is talking about.

 

[xwalker]

Where Free has been bad is in his technique. He you had seen him on coaches tape as I have you would see it for yourself. When he sets and misses with his hands, they tend to go wide, this allows the rusher to get to his chest. He doesn't have enough power if he misses to sit down and try to reset his hands. He has a better chance to block you if he can carry you wide. Rushers have figured out it is quicker and easier to bull rush him than take wide. He kills Jason Babin because Babin won't rush him down the middle. Bad hands in his punch is his biggest problem.

I have the coaches film from nfl.com. Not that my opinion matters, but I completely agree with this assessment.

It appears to me that not only does he miss with his hands, but even when he gets proper hand placement, he has no strength to keep them there and push the defender back. It appears that he has tried keeping his hands lower to compensate; however, this makes it easier for the defender to avoid his hands.

I would be extremely interesting to know how much he lifts in the weight room compared to other players.

It appears that Parnell is already stronger than Free, especially in the hand/arm/shoulder area. I find it shocking that a college basketball player is stronger going into his 4th year in the NFL than Free who is going into his 7th season and had a complete college football career.

I think the real mystery for fans like myself, is when/how this issue started. It has been suggested that this weakness didn't get exposed until the game against the 49ers in 2011. Justin Smith exploited Free's weakness in that game and other defenders have seen that on film and followed suit. The other theory is that he has some type of injury (injuries) to his upper body (probably shoulders) that is not severe enough to require surgery.

The positive in Free's issues is that I believe that Parnell has the physical ability to become a much much better player than Free if given the opportunity. The problem is that he has to play more real NFL games. He can only develop to a certain point in practice and preseason games. It is unfortunate that the rotation with Free didn't start much earlier in the 2012 season.

 

[Vintage]

I learned from a very wise man that if 50% of the people hate you and 50% of the people love you in this business....you are doing alright...thanks for your words...

I don't agree with everything you say... but I do enjoy reading your takes.

In the end, one of was a scout.

And clearly, it wasn't me.


Not that being a scout makes you infallible. Obviously, scouts miss too. Except the 15,000 we have here. They never get anything wrong. Just ask them.

 

[Zordon]

BB, are there any scouts here left over from the early 90s?

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Where Free has been bad is in his technique. He you had seen him on coaches tape as I have you would see it for yourself. When he sets and misses with his hands, they tend to go wide, this allows the rusher to get to his chest. He doesn't have enough power if he misses to sit down and try to reset his hands. He has a better chance to block you if he can carry you wide. Rushers have figured out it is quicker and easier to bull rush him than take wide. He kills Jason Babin because Babin won't rush him down the middle. Bad hands in his punch is his biggest problem.

The fact you can put a hand in his chest and throw him off balance is problematic as well. Jam him in the sternum and he's toast. His hips and his lower back can't handle it.