Twitter: Cowboys add FB Nikita Whitlock to PS

[WoodysGirl]

 

[Mr Cowboy]

The Cowboys signed fullback Nikita Whitlock to the practice squad. He was an All-ACC nose tackle at Wake Forest but signed with the Bengals as an undrafted rookie free agent in hopes of making the transition to fullback. At 5-10, 251 pounds, he is too small to play defensive tackle.

Whitlock’s signing leaves two openings on the practice squad. Offensive guard John Wetzel, who was released Sunday, could return if he clears waivers.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/09/01/6082694/cowboys-waive-baylor-safety-ahmad.html#storylink=cpy

 

[Stash]

Good news for this fullback fan.

Says to me that they're serious about maintaining the position in some form or fashion.

(Although I'd still sign Greg Jones for vet minimum!)

 

[xwalker]

Whitlock is #50 for Wake Forest. He is playing NT.

 

[gimmesix]

Good news for this fullback fan.

Says to me that they're serious about maintaining the position in some form or fashion.

(Although I'd still sign Greg Jones for vet minimum!)

Be interesting to see if they can develop.

Also, for those who think this means they will cut Clutts, I think you're wishin' and hopin'. They plan to play the fullback so one will be on the game-day roster.

The cuts, like Dixon, will most likely come from the same positions played by those we acquired. Like Hawkins for Wetzel.

 

[Stash]

Be interesting to see if they can develop.

Also, for those who think this means they will cut Clutts, I think you're wishin' and hopin'. They plan to play the fullback so one will be on the game-day roster.

The cuts, like Dixon, will most likely come from the same positions played by those we acquired. Like Hawkins for Wetzel.

I would think so, yeah.

And for all of the grief he gets, I thought Clutts did a nice job last year and Murray's success rate rose after we started using the fullback more so I want to see one kept around.

How about a quick swap of DT for DT? Say Hayden for Kevin Vickerson so maybe we can slow down an opponent's running game?

 

[gimmesix]

I would think so, yeah.

And for all of the grief he gets, I thought Clutts did a nice job last year and Murray's success rate rose after we started using the fullback more so I want to see one kept around.

How about a quick swap of DT for DT? Say Hayden for Kevin Vickerson so maybe we can slow down an opponent's running game?

That is why that brought Clutts in. The backup tight ends were not blocking well, so Dallas went and found a fullback. I don't think the Cowboys want to go back to just relying on the tight ends as blockers out of the backfield.

Similarly to the wishin' and hopin' with Clutts, I think believing Hayden is going anywhere right now is a pipe dream. Until someone proves to be better, he's the starter ... and right now, I don't know if we have anyone who is going to prove to be better. If they brought in another 1-tech, it would likely be at the expense of Bishop or McClain, if Bishop doesn't end up being the one cut for Crawford. (Having trouble figuring out an end we might release out of Mincey, Selvie, T. Crawford, Edwards, Spencer.)

 

[Stash]

That is why that brought Clutts in. The backup tight ends were not blocking well, so Dallas went and found a fullback. I don't think the Cowboys want to go back to just relying on the tight ends as blockers out of the backfield.

I hope not as I've never seen them do it well and Murray and the running seem more effective toe me with the fullback.

Similarly to the wishin' and hopin' with Clutts, I think believing Hayden is going anywhere right now is a pipe dream. Until someone proves to be better, he's the starter ... and right now, I don't know if we have anyone who is going to prove to be better. If they brought in another 1-tech, it would likely be at the expense of Bishop or McClain, if Bishop doesn't end up being the one cut for Crawford. (Having trouble figuring out an end we might release out of Mincey, Selvie, T. Crawford, Edwards, Spencer.)

I think it's apparent to anyone not named Marinelli that Vickerson would be a much better run stuffer than Hayden has ever shown. And I think by Week Two a lot more people will be clamoring for help stopping the run.

 

[Craig]

Today i learned that when a team gets run on, its solely on the dts...even though the cowboys got lit up on the outside last year.

 

[gimmesix]

And I think by Week Two a lot more people will be clamoring for help stopping the run.

I don't doubt this. I just see no reason to hope Hayden will be cut when the two guys behind him haven't proven to be any better than him.

I think the rookie Bishop would go first because we might can get him to the PS, then McClain because he hasn't even been healthy enough to rely on.

 

[Kaiser]

At 5-10, 251 pounds, he is too small to play defensive tackle.

Too small for defensive tackle, but the perfect size to be a Fullback or a Lexus SUV.

This is exactly what the practice squad is for. Whitlock played DL in college and need some reps to learn FB, and he will get them on the PS. Fingers crossed he turns into something.

 

[Stash]

I don't doubt this. I just see no reason to hope Hayden will be cut when the two guys behind him haven't proven to be any better than him.

I think the rookie Bishop would go first because we might can get him to the PS, then McClain because he hasn't even been healthy enough to rely on.

Not ruling out what you're saying, but I'm also factoring in two things, the vested veteran salary being guaranteed for the season, and Hayden being proven - to be mediocre. The young guys may be proven, but I would take that as opposed to proven mediocre at this point.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Please, someone put a stop to all this FB nonsense. The FB is all but extinct. The days of Emmitt running behind Moose are nothing but Glory Days passed you by. Sorry, but we are NOT, I repeat NOT, going to run the ball on 3rd and short. Ain't happening.

I still cannot believe we cut WR Byrd for some FB who showed absolutely nothing in 4 preseason games either as a FB or on special teams. And it wasn't like any team was champing on the bit to sign Clutts if we cut him. Stupid!

 

[Ashwynn]

Kinda torn on the FB position, is it really needed, does it really make a difference? I dunno. What I do know is that the state of the team right now, FB and TE's are the last two positions I'm looking at as far as upgrading.

 

[gimmesix]

Not ruling out what you're saying, but I'm also factoring in two things, the vested veteran salary being guaranteed for the season, and Hayden being proven - to be mediocre. The young guys may be proven, but I would take that as opposed to proven mediocre at this point.

I don't think Dallas wants to go into the first game without its starting defensive tackle, no matter how many on here feel about him.

I understand people's feelings. I want much better than Hayden starting for the Cowboys, and even backing up for the Cowboys. But we have to have it before we can let Hayden go. That's why Dallas has shown absolutely no interest in getting rid of him, as bad as he is, he is still better right now than anything else we have.

I hope that's not the case after McClain returns to "form" and that Bishop develops quickly, but I don't think it will change this year. Next year, if DeMarcus Lawrence pans out at end, maybe we can spend more than a seventh-round pick or go after more than just another backup to upgrade that position.

 

[BAT]

Good news for this fullback fan.

Says to me that they're serious about maintaining the position in some form or fashion.

(Although I'd still sign Greg Jones for vet minimum!)

I would be surprised if Whitlock does not see reps at 3 tech too. Marinelli-Kiffin prefer short DT and while Whitlock at 5-10 is shorter than the norm even for M-K, 9 sacks and 19 TKL are nothing to sneeze at. And he may be under 260, but he is strong as a bear.

 

[guag]

I would be surprised if Whitlock does not see reps at 3 tech too. Marinelli-Kiffin prefer short DT and while Whitlock at 5-10 is shorter than the norm even for M-K, 9 sacks and 19 TKL are nothing to sneeze at. And he may be under 260, but he is strong as a bear.

I don't know... As cool as that would be to see, I can't imagine him having much success getting past 300+ pound linemen. Perhaps if he put on 10-15 pounds without hindering his speed, but that still might not be enough.

 

[BAT]

I don't know... As cool as that would be to see, I can't imagine him having much success getting past 300+ pound linemen. Perhaps if he put on 10-15 pounds without hindering his speed, but that still might not be enough.

He is a PSer. He will get reps at FB and DT, for scout team. But could open some eyes.

 

[xwalker]

I would be surprised if Whitlock does not see reps at 3 tech too. Marinelli-Kiffin prefer short DT and while Whitlock at 5-10 is shorter than the norm even for M-K, 9 sacks and 19 TKL are nothing to sneeze at. And he may be under 260, but he is strong as a bear.

He held up to double-teams in college and I don't really know how considering that's two 300 pound OL pushing on his 260 pounds. It would be interested to see him take some snaps at DE. I've seen some big 6-6 OTs have issues with shorter DEs. He's not super fast, but he had really good hand/arm usage and is extremely strong.

He seems perfect physically for a FB, but he'll need to learn at lot.

 

[tyke1doe]

Nikita? Isn't that a girl's name?