Couchscouts offseason notes v1.1

[couchscout]

This is gonna be a list of a few rumors I've heard from talking to a few other scouts. I'm not allowed to have any contact whatsoever with any Cowboys personnel, so everything you read here is at least 3rd hand information, so take it for what it's worth. I'll start with the bombshell, please don't shoot the messenger. Anything I put "in quotes" is a direct quote from someone else, not my words.


Bill Cowher, Jeff Fisher, and...Jason Garrett??


I've been told that Jerry has been telling people he "plans, hopes, and fully expects" Jason to have a Bill Cowher/Jeff Fisher type tenure here. He was extremely impressed with Jason's approach to building the team during last offseason, humility, and willingness to see the changes he needs to make, and take steps to affect that change. I'm told Jason went to Jerry soon after the season with a list of things he knew he needed to address, including limiting his game day duties, and becoming better at managing the clock. In that light, it was Jason's idea to give the OC title and a lot of those responsibilities to Bill Callahan. Supposedly Jerry has said that no other coach he's hired was so willing to work on their own weaknesses. Garrett not only is willing to work on them, he actively tries to discover what his weaknesses are.

***Please remember that this information is at least 3rd hand, and I'm only passing it along. Trashing me over this information will land you on ignore***


A few draft notes:

I'd like to echo Sdogo in saying that I keep hearing Janoris Jenkins name...almost to the point that I'm starting to think it's a smokescreen. I don't think the Cowboys have any real idea what they are gonna do just yet, probably still too early.

One source told me the Cowboys don't have Mark Barron ranked in the top 60 prospects overall.

Another echo of Sdogo, but apparently the Cowboys plan to add multiple ILB's this off season, as many as 2 through the draft and a vet FA.


Keeping my skills sharp:

So every weekend my employer sends me an email entitles "Keep your skills sharp this offseason" Where he gives me a Cowboys player I'm to evaluate for a specific period of time. Saturday morning I got my email and the player in question was Bill Nagy, and the time period was from game 1, until the injury.

I don't know if this will set any of your minds to ease or not, but the main theme of the eval I sent back was "improvement". Nagy just kept getting better each game, he started as a decent pass blocker and below average run blocker, and finished as a very good pass blocker and a decent run blocker. The thing is, he kept flashing big time as a run blocker. He'd make one block a game that had me coming out of my seat. It is very clear he has skills. I'm very curious what a full off season of weight training, OTA's, and such will do for him. I said in my last report not to count him out, that was going purely off memory from earlier in the season and occasionally noticing him while doing tape work I've done since the season ended. Pure speculation on my part, but if the Cowboys see the tape the same way I see it, I would say they are already planning on Nagy to start at LG, and not even worried about the position.

Have a great day guys. As usual I'll answer questions for a couple days.

 

[CowboyMike]

I just leaped for joy.

Thanks, CS. Fantastic as usual.

I certainly hope Jason Garrett has that type of tenure!

 

[jnday]

Thanks for your time and efforts . Another great post .

 

[CowboyMike]

A couple questions if you don't mind, good sir...

In your last thread, you mentioned that you'd like the Cowboys to go after a vet NT. As a pro scout, which vet NTs are out there or may be available that you think would fit the Cowboys? And where would Josh Brent fit in?

In regards to Bill Nagy, do you think he has more potential than Arkin? Do you think Arkin and Nagy could possibly be our future guards? Or do you expect the Cowboys to possibly go after a guard in either FA and the draft.

Thanks!

 

[Woods]

Thanks, CS. Much appreciated.

I would love to see J Garrett work out with the Cowboys long-term. That would hopefully mean we are doing well over the long-term as well!

Was wondering out of curiousity, why aren't you allowed to talk with Cowboys personnel (and perhaps other teams' personnel)? Is it just before the Combine/Draft that you are not permitted to chat with them to make sure no information is let out? But otherwise it's o.k. to discuss stuff with them?


Thanks again.

 

[cowboy_ron]

good info couch, thanks

 

[couchscout]

A couple questions if you don't mind, good sir...

In your last thread, you mentioned that you'd like the Cowboys to go after a vet NT. As a pro scout, which vet NTs are out there or may be available that you think would fit the Cowboys? And where would Josh Brent fit in?

In regards to Bill Nagy, do you think he has more potential than Arkin? Do you think Arkin and Nagy could possibly be our future guards? Or do you expect the Cowboys to possibly go after a guard in either FA and the draft.

Thanks!

I think any of the guys that have been starters in the league would be fine, Pouha, Solai, Red Bryant. Josh Brent still has a little inconsistency to work out, but when he does, I think he can start. I think he'd be even better in a 4-3 though. Either way, he's a fantastic rotational piece to have.

I would say Nagy has a higher floor, Arkin has a higher ceiling. And yes, I absolutely believe they could end up being the starting guards, as soon as this season. I think you'll see a cheap vet type G signed by the Cowboys, most likely Holland or Dockery, and let them battle it out with the other guys for the starting spot, and hold on to them for insurance if they don't win the job. I fully expect a vet C to be brought in, I don't think this team wants to go through another season having to rely on Costa.

Thanks, CS. Much appreciated.

I would love to see J Garrett work out with the Cowboys long-term. That would hopefully mean we are doing well over the long-term as well!

Was wondering out of curiousity, why aren't you allowed to talk with Cowboys personnel (and perhaps other teams' personnel)? Is it just before the Combine/Draft that you are not permitted to chat with them to make sure no information is let out? But otherwise it's o.k. to discuss stuff with them?


Thanks again.

Technically, I "spy" on the Cowboys for another team. That is my actual job. I am paid to go to home Cowboys games, and any open practices they have and report on them. This isn't against any rules, and every team in the league does it. In fact, a lot of the times, my seat is amongst a bunch of other guys scouting or "spying" on the Cowboys from other teams besides my own. That's when I get to make my contacts, and then sometimes I make better contacts through those contacts, etc. My life has been an absolute whirlwind since taking this job. I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if the Cowboys were well aware of who I am and what I do. But they keep their distance, and I keep mine. So a lot of my info comes from some guy who "spys" for one team, but he knows a guy who is in the front office of another team, and he was told that some OTHER team plans to do such and such. So thats why I say to take my info with a grain of salt.

 

[dantheman41]

Couchscouts, are you a cowboys fan? I am not at surprised about Janoris Jenkins. The team has a connection with him through their new DBs coach Jerome Henderson and DC Rob Ryan. They both coached Jenkins Florida teammate Joe Haden. And he has turned into one of the best corners in football. I know henderson and haden are very close. So it is quite possible that Henderson has a lot of background information on him that makes him quite an intriguing candidate

 

[DallasEast]

It's still early, but:

http://i356.***BLOCKED***/albums/oo4/DallasEast1701/General%20Gifs/7f3bcde7.gif​

As always, thanks for the good read, CS.

 

[couchscout]

Couchscouts, are you a cowboys fan? I am not at surprised about Janoris Jenkins. The team has a connection with him through their new DBs coach Jerome Henderson. Jerome coached Jenkins Florida teammate Joe Haden. And he has turned into one of the best corners in football. So it is quite possible that Henderson has a lot of background information on him that makes him quite an intriguing candidate

Huge huge huge Cowboys fan. I'm such a huge fan, I watch the games sober, and without gambling on them. That's a true fan right there!!

All kidding aside, I've been a Cowboys fan since the Cowboys/49ers playoff game before the 92 Super Bowl. I was 12 at the time, and a guy that lived in our neighborhood who liked to rile up local fans bet all the kids a couple bucks the Cowboys would lose. I watched that game intently hoping to score some monies!! I absolutely fell in love with Irvin and Emmitt. I quickly started to fall in love with the beauty and strategy of the game, I have not missed one second of Cowboys football since then, pre-season, regular season, post season.

 

[Woods]

I think any of the guys that have been starters in the league would be fine, Pouha, Solai, Red Bryant. Josh Brent still has a little inconsistency to work out, but when he does, I think he can start. I think he'd be even better in a 4-3 though. Either way, he's a fantastic rotational piece to have.

I would say Nagy has a higher floor, Arkin has a higher ceiling. And yes, I absolutely believe they could end up being the starting guards, as soon as this season. I think you'll see a cheap vet type G signed by the Cowboys, most likely Holland or Dockery, and let them battle it out with the other guys for the starting spot, and hold on to them for insurance if they don't win the job. I fully expect a vet C to be brought in, I don't think this team wants to go through another season having to rely on Costa.




Technically, I "spy" on the Cowboys for another team. That is my actual job. I am paid to go to home Cowboys games, and any open practices they have and report on them. This isn't against any rules, and every team in the league does it. In fact, a lot of the times, my seat is amongst a bunch of other guys scouting or "spying" on the Cowboys from other teams besides my own. That's when I get to make my contacts, and then sometimes I make better contacts through those contacts, etc. My life has been an absolute whirlwind since taking this job. I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if the Cowboys were well aware of who I am and what I do. But they keep their distance, and I keep mine. So a lot of my info comes from some guy who "spys" for one team, but he knows a guy who is in the front office of another team, and he was told that some OTHER team plans to do such and such. So thats why I say to take my info with a grain of salt.

That really sounds like a very interesting job to have. Congrats!

I think almost any football fan would love to have that as a full time career. I really had no idea that teams "spied" on other teams with so many resources. I always thought it was more "nonchalant" if you know what I mean.

(And whoever is the Cowboys spy on the Eagles is doing a terrilbe job by the way! :laugh2: )

Hopefully you'll get promoted to "Chief Spy" for your team soon.

Thanks again.

 

[couchscout]

That really sounds like a very interesting job to have. Congrats!

I think almost any football fan would love to have that as a full time career. I really had no idea that teams "spied" on other teams with so many resources. I always thought it was more "nonchalant" if you know what I mean.

(And whoever is the Cowboys spy on the Eagles is doing a terrilbe job by the way! :laugh2: )

Hopefully you'll get promoted to "Chief Spy" for your team soon.

Thanks again.

Nah, they aren't using much resources at all. I'm paid a whopping $100 per game, a little less if I just attend a practice. The biggest benefits for me, are I get to attend all the home games for free, I get to make contacts in the NFL, and I get the all-22 film emailed to me each week. They also pay me small amounts for doing the "keeping your skills sharp" offseason evals.

Funny thing, my boss sent me an email right after the season telling me how well I'd done, they were particularly impressed with my evals of Murray and Bryant, and that they were planning on me having an expanded role next season. No mention of a pay increase or even title change was mentioned. :laugh2: Pretty nonchalant if you ask me.

 

[cowboy_ron]

Huge huge huge Cowboys fan. I'm such a huge fan, I watch the games sober, and without gambling on them. That's a true fan right there!!

All kidding aside, I've been a Cowboys fan since the Cowboys/49ers playoff game before the 92 Super Bowl. I was 12 at the time, and a guy that lived in our neighborhood who liked to rile up local fans bet all the kids a couple bucks the Cowboys would lose. I watched that game intently hoping to score some monies!! I absolutely fell in love with Irvin and Emmitt. I quickly started to fall in love with the beauty and strategy of the game, I have not missed one second of Cowboys football since then, pre-season, regular season, post season.

So being a Cowboys fan it would seem like that could put you in a vulnerable position at times couch, I mean your job being to report things to your employer that may be negative to the team as a whole. Are you a scout simply reporting your opinion on player personnel or for gameday info?

 

[couchscout]

So being a Cowboys fan it would seem like that could put you in a vulnerable position at times couch, I mean your job being to report things to your employer that may be negative to the team as a whole. Are you a scout simply reporting your opinion on player personnel or for gameday info?

They give me a list of players before each game that I'm supposed to scout. The list is usually 6-8 names long, and is almost always comprised of fringe players. Players likely to be cut, a player rumored to be on the trade block, that type of thing. They basically want to know if, in the situation player X was to get cut or be offered to us in trade, what are his strengths/weaknesses, how does he fit with our team philosophy?

I spent a lot of time this season watching Jesse Holley run down on special teams, Alex Albright, that level of player.

Every few games they would give me a starter to evaluate, which was much more fun. It was also more fun any time they assigned me a defensive player, because they almost certainly were gonna see at least a few snaps defensively.

Now, the reports I did for you guys this season, was be going beyond what I do for my employer. Because I'm a film junkie (a leftover trait from my days as a coach), I would do a list of 2-5 starters each week I would break down on film and report to you guys. Usually, I would pick players that really struggled or really excelled in the previous game, to try and give those of you hungry for knowledge some insight into what was actually going on.

And no, I don't feel I'm put in a precarious situation by reporting back to my team. 1. It's my job. 2. If I wasn't doing it, someone else would have. 3. No matter how small time, it's a job in the NFL, which could eventually lead to a better job in the NFL. So I do my job to the best of my ability and maintain complete impartiality. When I'm doing reports for you guys, I always clarify when something I'm saying is speculation or my own opinion. If I don't clarify or at least say "I think", then it's just what I've seen on tape, which has no bias.

 

[visionary]

always appreciate your info and insight CS

no one should "flame" you for your info on garrett. those of us who are (or have been critical of garrett) are cowboy fans first and foremost and would love for garrett to succeed (much more so than cowher or fisher actually) because if he succeeds, cowboys win

 

[couchscout]

It's still early, but:

http://i356.***BLOCKED***/albums/oo4/DallasEast1701/General Gifs/7f3bcde7.gifhttp://i356.***BLOCKED***/albums/oo4/DallasEast1701/General%20Gifs/7f3bcde7.gif​

As always, thanks for the good read, CS.

You're too quick on the trigger DE!! (thats what she said)

What if I was planning on making a new post around noon detailing the intricacies of route running. Breaking down the anatomy of routes, with visual aids and everything? Now I have to wait till tomorrow since you gave the award away too soon.

 

[burmafrd]

My problem with Nagy is that I doubt he can add much weight or strength.

Wisconsin has the best W/T program in college football and has former NFL strength coaches in its program. Their history with O linemen show they know how to build them up. Nagy was a 5th year player. I question if he can really add enough to keep from being bull rushed which is my primary concern for him.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Garrett is obviously a super intelligent football nerd that is hyper aware of all his shortcomings. The clock management and delegation of a lot of the game-day duties to his new OC really speaks volumes. I think last year really humbled him in the sense that no matter how prepared you are, and how well you know the game - on game day there is a thousand different things in motion and it's impossible to manage all of them. He got caught with his pants down quite a few times and it really hurt the team. Growing pains I guess, but with a savvy veteran football voice around him it would've helped with a lot of those situations last year (think Dan Reeves > Hudson H/Joe D). Bill C is gonna be that guy, I like him as much as Tony Sparano in terms of what he's gonna get from his offensive line and the running game. The passing game is strictly Garrett and that part of the game is fine.

Really is encouraging to know that our coach is basically the anti-thesis of Bill Parcells. Instead of relying on old 'proven' philosophies, he's always trying to improve himself and his craft.

In terms of stockpiling talent, I'm cool with almost any of the top two-three CBs/Gs/ILBs.

Wouldn't mind seeing us trading down and picking up a late first high second and try to move around for a combo of Jenkins/Burfict. Guys that could immiately play IMO, because I don't think Decastro is our guy unless he falls right there and he's the best guy on our board. But I wouldn't mind seeing us try to to get 3 picks out of the first 2 rounds, because some really talented guys are gonna be there, I just hope we don't go BPA each pick and really try to address some holes mainly CB/ILB/G/DE/C because we need new starters at each position.

And if Nagy is the guy at G, I just don't see us taking a center in the top 3 rounds, and I don't see Jerry taking a guard in the first round, back to back OL isn't really his style. I dunno it's interesting because I know we aren't that far from contending, and one good draft can really put a team like ours over the top. need them to be.

It's interesting because Safety and OLB are both positions of need but does this mean Spencer/Sensy/Elam are the guys next season? All are extremely average and we could do worse, so I'm wondering if the organization is prioritizing SS/FS/OLB in there critical positions of need.

Great stuff CS, glad this board has people with your insight. Really validates a lot of opinions/agendas or whatever you wanna call it and really sheds some light in an area what all we can really do is speculate. Keep it up bro.

 

[hra8700]

Another echo of Sdogo, but apparently the Cowboys plan to add multiple ILB's this off season, as many as 2 through the draft and a vet FA.

Hmmm...this is pretty concerning to me. I know we only have 2 signed now...and most years we carry 5 or sometimes more, but do you think this could be an indication of the teams perception of bruce carter?

Do you think Rob Ryan would play more ILB's (rather than Barry Church, another corner, etc) if we had better ILB's, or is that just his scheme? He played only 1 ILB 30% of the time...

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Great info! I hope that's true about Garrett because, if so, that speaks volumes in my opinion. I've managed teams in an office environment and that in and of itself is a surprisingly complex, challenging task. Most people are not going to get it right, right off the bat so having the self-awareness and integrity necessary to figure out what you have to fix and then going about doing it, pride be damned, is a vital quality. It's proactive, rather than reactive and represents a potentially big, much needed change.