BTB:Cowboys Mock Draft Roundup: All Aboard The Tyron Smith Bandwagon

[cowboyjoe]

Cowboys Mock Draft Roundup: All Aboard The Tyron Smith Bandwagon
by One.Cool.Customer on Mar 23, 2011 2:00 PM CDT in Trolling the Universe
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2011...-roundup-all-aboard-the-tyron-smith-bandwagon

National Football Post (Wes Bunting), 3/16/2011: Tyron Smith, OT, Southern California
It’s rare to find an offensive tackle with Smith’s dimensions, length and overall movement skills. He still possesses plenty of upside to his game and with some time could end up being one of the better offensive tackles in the league."

ESPN (Todd McShay), 3/16/2011: Tyron Smith, OT, Southern California
"Three of the Cowboys' top four defensive ends from last year -- Marcus Spears, Stephen Bowen, Jason Hatcher -- played the 2010 season on one-year deals, so Dallas could very well look at Wisconsin's J.J. Watt here. However, it's better to be on the front end of a position wave than the back end, and this is the area where the run on the top four offensive tackles (at least four in the first round) could start. Smith has bulked up to 307 pounds after playing the college season at 285, and while he still has some developing to do he also has more upside than any other 2011 tackle prospect. He has the tools to step in at right tackle (where he played at USC) as a rookie and eventually move to the left side."

Drafttek.com (Long Ball), 3/22/2011: Tyron Smith, OT, Southern California
"Dallas needs to replace Columbo at ROT -- Tyron Smith played ROT at USC. Dallas needs value for the #9 pick - Smith can play LOT and Free can play ROT if they decide to switch in the future. Smith showed up at the Combine with a chiseled 307 lb physique, takes the bar in his 11" hands and presses 29 reps with his 36-3/8" arms - I'm sure his Pro Day will be equally impressive! Old Long Ball has it on good authority from 2 different sources that the Cowboys have requested more game film from USC on Smith than any other team. Finally, as deep as the DE class is, I believe a quality DE34 will fall to #40 - I'm not so sure that can be said for OT prospects."

 

[YosemiteSam]

I know there is a little bust factor here, but I think it's pretty slim that he turns out to be a bust. I think this kid is a top 5 talent in this draft. Even if he is coming out a year early for me to be really comfortable. In my opinion, that is a bonus for the Cowboys (like Dez falling last year) as I think if he would have declared next year, he would be a top 5 pick and a pipe dream for the Cowboys.

 

[Doomsday101]

I like him and would not be upset with selecting him but I will say he is not the only guy I feel that way about. I think Dallas will have some very good option out there including Smith but Smith is not the only option.

 

[Duane]

He's my favorite player likely to be available at 9 and plugging him into RT would make him a day one starter with the athletic ability to move to LT later on.

 

[Gaede]

I still don't know about him. I know the guy isn't a bad player, but whenever analysts discuss him, their selling points are that a) he's young b) he's got upside c) he's athletic and moves really well. I'm not hearing a whole lot of 'he's mean', 'shut out top competition,' 'best tackle in college football'

Call me crazy, but in the top 10, I want as close to a sure thing as possible and I just don't see Smith as a sure thing. It just seems to me that he's all potential and not enough production

 

[TheCount]

I think he has the possibility to be an elite pass blocker, but I am far less sure about his run blocking.

You still have to wonder, if he's so good, why was he at RT? Does that mean the current USC LT is even better than he is?

I mean maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about but I've seen a kid that plays with almost no power. He looks awful in the run game and for a guy that people say is so athletic, I sure see him miss a lot of blocks. Even in pass blocking, he seems to always be going backwards.

At this point I've almost convinced myself I'm not seeing what I'm seeing since so few people seem to ever bring up any of these weaknesses.

 

[Gaede]

I mean maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about but I've seen a kid that plays with almost no power. He looks awful in the run game and for a guy that people say is so athletic, I sure see him miss a lot of blocks. Even in pass blocking, he seems to always be going backwards.

.

That's what I see as well. Sure, he's mobile pulling and everything, but he looks lost and appears to flail those ape arms of his all over the place. I don't see any anchor in him either.

 

[TheCount]

That's what I see as well. Sure, he's mobile pulling and everything, but he looks lost and appears to flail those ape arms of his all over the place. I don't see any anchor in him either.

Well happy to know I'm not completely insane on that front.

I mean of all the names that have been brought up as a potential pick for us at #9, from Peterson and Prince to JJ Watt and Cam Jordan, no one scares me more than Tyron Smith.

 

[Gaede]

Well happy to know I'm not completely insane on that front.

I mean of all the names that have been brought up as a potential pick for us at #9, from Peterson and Prince to JJ Watt and Cam Jordan, no one scares me more than Tyron Smith.

Yeah, me too. Especially when you consider the selling points people use and the fact that, as you mentioned, no one mentions his faults. I see more Alex Barron then D'brickashaw in him

 

[YosemiteSam]

I think he has the possibility to be an elite pass blocker, but I am far less sure about his run blocking.

You still have to wonder, if he's so good, why was he at RT? Does that mean the current USC LT is even better than he is?

I mean maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about but I've seen a kid that plays with almost no power. He looks awful in the run game and for a guy that people say is so athletic, I sure see him miss a lot of blocks. Even in pass blocking, he seems to always be going backwards.

At this point I've almost convinced myself I'm not seeing what I'm seeing since so few people seem to ever bring up any of these weaknesses.

Anyone know what his Wonderlic test results were? As an offensive lineman, I would prefer they be pretty high and I think that holds quite a bit of value. Although, Ryan Clady's 13 score didn't hurt him one bit.

 

[StoneyBurk]

Didn't the UCLA kid get two sacks on him ?

 

[supercowboy8]

"It’s rare to find an offensive tackle with Smith’s dimensions, length and overall movement skills. He still possesses plenty of upside to his game and with some time could end up being one of the better offensive tackles in the league."

This is whats scares me about Smith. This is what I always hear about him. His size, potential and upside. Nothing about now, nothing about how he can play now and good he is now. This is how you draft a bust, on upside, size, and potential.

I want to hear about his technique, how he can pick up assignment, read a blitz, take on speed rushers which he has never done.

9 overall is way to early for Smith. I wouldn't mind him in a trade back but if we trade back and miss him then I am just as ok with Carimi or Sherrod or Castanzo.

I would rather take a player like Castanzo or Sherrod and extra picks. Both who played LT and has the potential to be LT based off of technique and skill sets with their only weak points are that they need to add strength. I think the NFL weight room can put the strength on them.

 

[supercowboy8]

I still don't know about him. I know the guy isn't a bad player, but whenever analysts discuss him, their selling points are that a) he's young b) he's got upside c) he's athletic and moves really well. I'm not hearing a whole lot of 'he's mean', 'shut out top competition,' 'best tackle in college football'

Call me crazy, but in the top 10, I want as close to a sure thing as possible and I just don't see Smith as a sure thing. It just seems to me that he's all potential and not enough production

yes, you speak the truth

 

[newlander]

I agree with others that trading down and snagging the best available Olinemen (SMith, Carimi, etc....) in the teens makes the most sense. Plus, we'd keep Julio Jones out of the Commanders grimey mitts. (assuming the team that trades with us drafts him: which I think they would)

 

[AKATheRake]

Other than physical tools and potential this is what people say about great OT's:

"Creates a strong pocket, buying the QB time"

"Great instinctive pass blocker"

"Creates holes in the running game and gets to the next level quickly on his blocks"

"Where's down his opponent"

"Nasty/mean streak"

"Great leverage and technique"

"Explosive off the line of scrimmage"

"Great positioning and understanding of the play"

"Mentally tough every play"

"Powerful"

"Imposing"

"Can play both tackle spots"


I hear and see myself that Smith has great feet and I left that out of all the above attributes but where do we hear and see that he has any of the above attributes?

Maybe it's because he's young but I don't see much of the above in his game. Especially on tape.

The guy looks great in pics but we're not drafting in the top 10 looking for a date.

I don't think this is the type of player you grab even in the top 15. Maybe not the 1st round.

It's like people are saying this about him because there is no one in this class that stands out at the tackle position and every year we're used to having someone to talk about at that position.

If you ask me, this guy couldn't clean Doug Free's cleets right now.

I know people are going to disagree and if we do draft him, which I don't think we will, I hope I'm wrong about him.

I don't see him make much of an impact at RT as it is. He's just there with quick feet getting shoved back into the pocket and not very relevant on runs to his side.

Sorry, but this guy is a lot of hype.

 

[Idgit]

I don't think this is the type of player you grab even in the top 15. Maybe not the 1st round.

When's the last time you saw the consensus best OT in a draft not go in the first round?

You may not like the guy, but he's a good player that projects at the very least to be a quality NFL starter. He'd be a really solid pick for us if we don't get a bluebird sliding out of the top 8.

 

[burmafrd]

I watched most of his games from 2010 and saw very little of the garbage spewed by some here. But hey some have pet cats and some have pet hates.

Of all the likely picks, the one that will help us win is Smith as he will plug the biggest hole we have on Offense.

 

[TheCount]

I watched most of his games from 2010 and saw very little of the garbage spewed by some here. But hey some have pet cats and some have pet hates.

Of all the likely picks, the one that will help us win is Smith as he will plug the biggest hole we have on Offense.

Oh the irony is thick.

 

[AKATheRake]

When's the last time you saw the consensus best OT in a draft not go in the first round?

You may not like the guy, but he's a good player that projects at the very least to be a quality NFL starter. He'd be a really solid pick for us if we don't get a bluebird sliding out of the top 8.

Tyron Smith is going to go in the first. I'm not the guy making the pick but if I was I rather have Carimi or Sherrod.

I'm not getting paid for my opinion but he's a high 2nd rounder prospect in my eyes. I know he'll get snagged higher than that.

Don't know if Tyron Smith is the consensus best OT in the draft. Part of it is that people believe we are highly interested in him and we pick top 10. So he gets slotted there.

Part of it is some analysts believe he's the best of the bunch.

There are a lot of people who think Carimi or Costanzo is the best of the bunch.

I think Carimi is.

But the consensus best OT is always drafted in the 1st round.

Just don't know if Tyron Smith is considered the consensus best OT in the draft by everyone.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I think Carimi is.

The fact that Carimi will only be a RT drops his status as the best tackle in the draft. Your best tackle is always your LT.

Besides there is a difference between bring the most NFL ready, and actually being the best prospect. Smith is far and away a better prospect than Carimi without even considering the fact that Smith is without a doubt considered a LT in the NFL and Carimi isn't.