Bunting: Cowboys like Aldon Smith more than Robert Quinn

[JBS]

The Cowboys think Aldon Smith has some Demarcus Ware in him, and that's why they're so intrigued, and I've heard they like him more than Robert Quinn. *I'm not sure Quinn would be there anyway at pick 9.

http://www.cowboyszone.com/2011/04/clearing-away-smoke-wes-bunting-looks.html

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

The Cowboys think Aldon Smith has some Demarcus Ware in him, and that's why they're so intrigued, and I've heard they like him more than Robert Quinn. *I'm not sure Quinn would be there anyway at pick 9.

http://www.cowboyszone.com/2011/04/clearing-away-smoke-wes-bunting-looks.html

I think that had Smith not broken his leg last season, he would be much more talked about. I watched the interview with Mouch and Aldon Smith yesterday and Mouch was amazed that Smith could come back in just 3 games to play. He said he had two players in his past, two very tough players, who had suffered that same injury and it took them 6 to 8 weeks to come back. Was an interesting piece.

 

[TheCount]

So basically we're taking a "Smith", just not sure which?

 

[AsthmaField]

This is what Rafael Vela (a guy I respect and listen to) said regarding the Aldon Smith:

I haven't looked at him much, because I didn't seriously think Dallas would look at OLB in the 1st. That link I put up from late January was the 1st time I heard of him, because he had just declared and Wes was going though his junior stuff. It is interesting that he was described as having a better rush than Bowers, 'cause in late Jan. early Feb. it was all DaQuan Bowers all the time.

Smith looks like an elite edge rusher, [a]long with Robert Quinn. The interesting line is that he played 3-technique when Missouri went to nickel. That's a 3-down guy who can roam up and down a front looking for a mismatch.

I'm thinking this could be serious.

He also said:

Was re-reading Wes' piece on Aldon Smith and laughed at his ''he has pterodactyl-like arms." Look at the photo. It's true.

So Dallas' choice is down to Smith and Smith, the guys with perhaps the longest arms in the draft? Will they take the ''longer'' one? LOL!

If Vela is thinking that the Cowboys interest in Aldon Smith is real, then I'm giving it some serious thought.

If they think he's that good a rusher and if Ryan thinks he'd be great in his system, then I wouldn't be upset by the pick. I have no doubt that Ryan would get all three guys (Ware, A Smith, Spencer) on the field at the same time. I could even see Ryan playing Spencer at ILB some of the time, with Smith and Ware outside. Spencer's strong points certainly would work in some situations at ILB.

On passing downs, it would be nice to have Ware and Smith coming off of the edge with Spencer coming up the middle.

Ryan is the key because he is so creative with his schemes (and personnel). Remember in his first Valley Ranch interview he said, "Linebackers are the key to this system. They make it go."

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Hmm so they must not be happy with Spencer, just like I initially thought...

 

[YosemiteSam]

I like Aldon Smith, but I would hate to neglect or offensive line in the first round.

 

[AsthmaField]

Hmm so they must not be happy with Spencer, just like I initially thought...

Ryan seemed happy with what he saw on film of Spencer. In his interview he said something like (paraphrasing): "If that is a down year for spencer, then I can't wait to see an up year."

Now, he might have just been talking nice about Anthony, but Ryan isn't one to lie just to save someone's feelings. I tend to believe him when he says Spencer is good.

The fact that Dallas loves Smith could simply be a case of 1) Ryan loving LB's for his system, 2) how important pass rushing LB's are in his system, and 3) Aldon Smith being what the Cowboys think is the best player available at their pick.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

This is what Rafael Vela (a guy I respect and listen to) said regarding the Aldon Smith:

He also said:



If Vela is thinking that the Cowboys interest in Aldon Smith is real, then I'm giving it some serious thought.

If they think he's that good a rusher and if Ryan thinks he'd be great in his system, then I wouldn't be upset by the pick. I have no doubt that Ryan would get all three guys (Ware, A Smith, Spencer) on the field at the same time. I could even see Ryan playing Spencer at ILB some of the time, with Smith and Ware outside. Spencer's strong points certainly would work in some situations at ILB.

On passing downs, it would be nice to have Ware and Smith coming off of the edge with Spencer coming up the middle.

Ryan is the key because he is so creative with his schemes (and personnel). Remember in his first Valley Ranch interview he said, "Linebackers are the key to this system. They make it go."

The interesting thing about this is that Ryan uses 46 concepts in his 34. If you understand the 46, then you know that they use a guy that can move up and down the line to create match up problems. Interestingly enough, it might be Smith who is moved and not Spencer. Assuming this were the plan. Green Bay basically does this now with Clay Matthews.

 

[AsthmaField]

I like Aldon Smith, but I would hate to neglect or offensive line in the first round.

I think the Cowboys could get a good RT that they like by trading back up into the latter part of round 1. They might could come out of the first two rounds with Aldon Smith and Gabe Carimi, for instance.

I'd be ok with that because RT is the only gaping hole on the OL, and Carimi is an ideal choice for RT IMO. Also because a great pass rush makes defenses dominant and Ryan is going to devise different ways to get the best players on the field. Having Ware, Spencer and Smith would be problematic for offenses.

Not to mention that our offense performed last year... it was the defense that let the team down.

 

[YosemiteSam]

The Cowboys think Aldon Smith has some Demarcus Ware in him, and that's why they're so intrigued, and I've heard they like him more than Robert Quinn. *I'm not sure Quinn would be there anyway at pick 9.

http://www.cowboyszone.com/2011/04/clearing-away-smoke-wes-bunting-looks.html

So, the Cowboys believe what Sapp tells them? :laugh2:

...or is it the other way around?

 

[AsthmaField]

The interesting thing about this is that Ryan uses 46 concepts in his 34. If you understand the 46, then you know that they use a guy that can move up and down the line to create match up problems. Interestingly enough, it might be Smith who is moved and not Spencer. Assuming this were the plan. Green Bay basically does this now with Clay Matthews.

I agree and that is the main reason that I'd be more than fine with the selection of Smith.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I think the Cowboys could get a good RT that they like by trading back up into the latter part of round 1. They might could come out of the first two rounds with Aldon Smith and Gabe Carimi, for instance.

I'd be ok with that because RT is the only gaping hole on the OL, and Carimi is an ideal choice for RT IMO. Also because a great pass rush makes defenses dominant and Ryan is going to devise different ways to get the best players on the field. Having Ware, Spencer and Smith would be problematic for offenses.

Not to mention that our offense performed last year... it was the defense that let the team down.

With Bowers, Fairley, and Newton sliding; trading back might not get you either Tyron Smith or Aldon Smith.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I like Aldon Smith, but I would hate to neglect or offensive line in the first round.

If the plan is a trade down, it's conceivable that you could move down, pick up an early 2nd and either address the OL with multiple second round picks or move back up into the late 1st to grab the OL player you want. Honestly, I don't believe that any of the OLs in this years draft would be top 10 picks in other years. There value, IMO, is later in the 1st, in the 2nd and down into the 3rd. Just kinda spit balling here.

 

[AsthmaField]

With Bowers, Fairley, and Newton sliding; trading back might not get you either Tyron Smith or Aldon Smith.

That is possible.

I'll take Fairley.

 

[Gaede]

Very interesting. I've been thinking he's not smooth enough to be a 3-4 linebacker, but it's possible he's one of those athletes that doesn't look smooth while he's doing something but still gets the job done. He's definitely explosive, that's for sure. I can't say I'd be disappointed with him either, after all, we did take a chance on Ware. Even Spencer has been a dominant player at times. Actually, if you think about it, we're much better at picking OLB than we are at getting any OL

If we did pick A. Smith, I sure as hell hope we're trading back up in the 1st though to get a tackle.

 

[DFWJC]

I love Quinn, but I could see how a 3-4 team could favor Smith...he's good.

 

[YosemiteSam]

That is possible.

I'll take Fairley.

I really worry about his motivation. Of course with Garrett being the HC, I would be a bit more comfortable with it than if Wade was still here.

 

[DFWJC]

I really worry about his motivation. Of course with Garrett being the HC, I would be a bit more comfortable with it than if Wade was still here.

I agree....

 

[Gaede]

The interesting thing about this is that Ryan uses 46 concepts in his 34. If you understand the 46, then you know that they use a guy that can move up and down the line to create match up problems. Interestingly enough, it might be Smith who is moved and not Spencer. Assuming this were the plan. Green Bay basically does this now with Clay Matthews.

Interesting. Would that work with JJ Watt as well? Watching clips of both Watt and Smith, I see that they both play DT, DE, and OLB. Everyone's saying the Boys love Watt, and now Smith, so maybe that's the piece Ryan wants most for his defense.

 

[AsthmaField]

I really worry about his motivation. Of course with Garrett being the HC, I would be a bit more comfortable with it than if Wade was still here.

I will be much more comfortable with Garrett here. I would be much, MUCH more comfortable with Ryan at defensive coordinator. All the Ryan's don't put up with any BS from their players and are known motivators.

If the Cowboys take Fairley you can be sure that 1) Ryan thinks he will play for him and 2) Ryan will get the best out of him.