BTB | Mark Nzeocha wants to play final 2 pre-season games

[Bluefin]

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Rookie LB Mark Nzeocha is writing a diary for his fans at home in Germany and BTB transcribed it for us.

"Hey Football-Fans,

I am Mark Nzeocha of the Dallas Cowboys. That sounds really nice and I have realized by now that my dream has become reality.

I am proud to be the fifth German to make it to the NFL and I'll use this SPORT1 diary to share my preseason impressions and progress with you. The ultimate goal is to get a spot on the 53-man roster, and I'll do everything I can to achieve that."

"We've been here for about two weeks now and I'm enjoying every second of our camp here in California. We have a great atmosphere out here and I felt at home with the team from day one - which isn't too hard given that I was a Wyoming Cowboy before.

I get along really well with the other rookies, but veteran players like Dez Bryant are also very cool. I can't imagine that this is the norm for all teams. Everybody is very helpful - and not just with football-specific stuff.

There are some big stars here, but everybody is treated the same way and nobody acts like a star. They'll come up to you and greet you with a casual "Hey, what's up?"

The only problem I'm dealing with is that I still can't practice with the team and remain on the "Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List.". As you know, I tore my ACL in October while playing for Wyoming.

The knee feels excellent now, but I also trust the coaches and trainers. The Cowboys are looking after me, and when they say I'm ready, we'll get cracking.

I can feel that they have a plan for me and don't just want another body on the field as fast as possible. But once you're out there, you have to give it 100%, there won't be any excuses anymore."

"Even though I'm not practicing with the team, I can't complain about being bored. Our first meeting starts at eight in the morning and is a 30-minute special teams session. That's followed by 90 minutes of separate Offense/Defense meetings.

We go out onto the practice field for the first time at ten. These walkthroughs are where we go over the plays we discussed in the morning meetings. After lunch we usually have a break until three in the afternoon. Then the first real practice starts. Not practicing with the team, I mostly do strength and conditioning work, but also specific linebacker drills.

After dinner we have another session of meetings which usually last until ten in the evening. That's a pretty tough schedule, and I can tell you that I have no problems falling asleep at night.

I have been assigned the No. 53 jersey, which is super cool because it's a real linebacker number [Nzeocha had previously been assigned the 47]. One of my best friends, Alex Borgs, also wore that number in Wyoming, so that's a good fit for me.

I wasn't able to join the team on their trip to San Diego as I would have lost two days of conditioning and rehab. But I want to play in the last two preseason games in Dallas.

Mark Nzeocha's had an amazing recovery from his ACL tear.

I hope he comes off NFI and is able to play this pre-season, but I have to wonder if the team will keep the 'backer on NFI and re-visit his situation in late October.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Would like to see what he has. Seems to have a good head on his shoulders and believe he will give 100 percent.

Here is to hoping he gets the last 2 preseason games to show out

 

[cowboyschmps3]

Awesome wish him the best and hope to see him out there soon but only at 100%

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

red shirt year

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Practice squad.

 

[Temo]

Practice squad.

I would bet on season long IR actually. Might as well save him there and see what he's got next summer.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Darn Furriners...I bet he wrote that with an accent.

 

[Vinnie2u]

Hopefully the trend of drafting Good LB's continues with him..

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

If he can't go just IR him, seems like he has the right mentality

 

[Bullflop]

You've gotta love his enthusiasm and attitude. He'll at least be a good candidate for the practice squad and should likely show legitimate promise of making the active roster next year. Simply put, he's just too talented not to.

 

[AbeBeta]

If he can't go just IR him, seems like he has the right mentality

I believe he can just stay on NFI. He can be activated from there at some point. I believe it is the same rule as PUP.

But for him, I think he's better served by playing on the PS

 

[John813]

Yea, should be able to sneak him on the PS.

 

[conner01]

Like his attitude but really can't judge the talent
Not likely he could make the team at this point so to me you have to listen to your scouts
If they think he is a player you probably do as Fin suggested, if not then it really doesn't matter
Playing a few snaps in the last pre season game which is about all you could hope for, really isn't going to tell you much

 

[Plankton]

I wish he was a little younger. Being a 25 year old rookie that is pretty raw as a player and is coming off a knee injury is not a great combo for him making this team.

 

[Future]

I wish he was a little younger. Being a 25 year old rookie that is pretty raw as a player and is coming off a knee injury is not a great combo for him making this team.

I don't think he was ever in the plans for this year anyways, other than maybe a STer.

 

[gimmesix]

I get along really well with the other rookies, but veteran players like Dez Bryant are also very cool. I can't imagine that this is the norm for all teams. Everybody is very helpful - and not just with football-specific stuff.

This can't be true. From what I understand, Dez just wants to fight everyone.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

He has to remain on PUP. There is no roster spot for him the way things look now. If he practices he has to be removed from PUP and then will have to earn a spot on the 53 or get cut. Why take the chance of stashing him on the PS when the PUP works fine. Being on PUP allows the team to use him as an insurance policy 6-8 weeks into the season. And PUP allows him to heal more. If the Cowboys need him 6-8 weeks into the system, then they can activate him from the PUP.

 

[xwalker]

I wish he was a little younger. Being a 25 year old rookie that is pretty raw as a player and is coming off a knee injury is not a great combo for him making this team.

Age is not a big issue for a late round pick or udfa.

Consider Leary for example. Let's pretend he was a 7th round pick and was 25 when drafted:
2012 practice squad
2013 starter
2014 starter
2015 starter (most likely)
2016 starter (depending on Collins) restricted free agent could net a 2nd round pick if another team signs him
2017 probably gone in free agency (regardless of age)

They probably have to move on from Leary after 2016 regardless of age (can't pay everybody), but he would have been a highly successful pick and would only have been 29 in his final year with the team. Even if the player was only a quality backup for that time period it would be a highly successful 7th round pick.

Being older might actually give a late round pick a better chance of contributing to the team than the average late round pick because they are probably a little more mature and whatnot. If you get a decent backup for a couple of years then you've exceeded the average contribution for a 7th rounder.

 

[Bluefin]

Bryan Broaddus

7. A name you haven't heard in this camp is rookie linebacker Mark Nzeocha. Been watching him work on the side, and it appears that he is closer to joining the fight. What I liked about his tape at Wyoming was that he had the size and length to line up at the strong side and be a solid point-of-attack player. He was drafted to this defense with a purpose in mind.

 

[Teague31]

Would love to see him take that SLB job next year