cowboyszone:Draft Notes: Smith Gives Dallas a Much Bigger ''Problem'' at Pick 9

[KingintheNorth]

He's started every game since his sophomore year....He was named Pac-10 Lineman of the Year . How is he not proven?

 

[Randy White]

" athletic freaks " is concerned, there hasn't been a more " athletic freak " since another " athletic freak " most of you are familiar with, than this guy:

Bruce Campbell.

and he lasted until the 4th round. I don't know if he even started a game this year.


The other " athletic freak " you guys are familiar with, is this guy:

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/********/2009/03/mandarich.jpg

and you know his story..

 

[Randy White]

He's started every game since his sophomore year....He was named Pac-10 Lineman of the Year . How is he not proven?

Very similar story to Jacob Rodgers and Winston Justice.

Jake Long started developing his rep during his junior year. So did Orlando Pace, and Jonathan Ogden. That in itself is not 100% guarantee either mind you ( see Robert Gallery, amongst others ), but it's been a better measuring stick than the underwear olympic numbers.

 

[ghst187]

he doesn't create a problem because we won't be taking him even with a trade down...

 

[RS12]

I can't believe this FORUM is even having this discussion about Tyson Smith. This guy is going to be a monster OT in the NFL for years because he has always been an athletic freak. We pick up Tyson with our 9th pick and then a top tier OG like B. Ijalana (6'4" 320lbs) in the 2nd Rd. For Ryan's defense, we grab a top tier mammoth NT in the 3rd RD and then grab a BIG RB (230-260lbs range) and FS like Teejay Johnson (who started 36 games straight for TCU who led the NCAA in total defense for 3 consecutive years) in the 5th and 6th Rd respectively. In the 4th Rd, we can grab the best available CB like Curtis Marsh (6'0" 194lbs 4.37-4.44 40yd) or Chykie Brown from Texas who has the exact same height/weight and 40yd dash times.

This. Bunting knows his stuff. Loved Saffold last year. He is not a big Amakumura fan. Says he will end up at FS for all of you wanting the Cowboys to draft him.

 

[bbgun]

The thing is, we never draft o-linemen in the first round--even in good years for players at that position. Now people expect us to draft (reach for?) a guy with a lot of questions surrounding him? I don't see it.

 

[SDogo]

The thing is, we never draft o-linemen in the first round--even in good years for players at that position. Now people expect us to draft (reach for?) a guy with a lot of questions surrounding him? I don't see it.

I dont expect us too, matter of fact I would all out bet against us taking a OT at any point in round 1 but I was just commenting in a hypothetical position of power.

 

[realtick]

Question for all the "we don't draft OT in the 1st round, so we won't again" crowd.

Prior to taking Dez last year, when was the last time Dallas took a WR in the 1st round?

 

[bbgun]

Question for all the "we don't draft OT in the 1st round, so we won't again" crowd.

Prior to taking Dez last year, when was the last time Dallas took a WR in the 1st round?

Probably Harper in 1991.

 

[Marktui]

I'm saying he played college ball at 285 and had a hard time keeping on the weight while the season went on. I don't see him being able to stay around 300+ while playing in the NFL. Too light for me sounds like the center we had a while back.

You have to take into account that he is only 20 years old right now. As he grows older and fills out, he could be in the 300's soon after that. He is going to be one of those leaner offensive lineman anyway. As long as he can gain strength, which is more important than being 330lbs he will be fine. His upside is tremendous, more so that Carimi, Solder and Costanzo.

 

[TheCount]

The thing is, we never draft o-linemen in the first round--even in good years for players at that position. Now people expect us to draft (reach for?) a guy with a lot of questions surrounding him? I don't see it.

Now there are a lot of questions surrounding Smith? A lot of the hoopla, on this forum anyway, is about his weight.

Whether the kid can play or not seems to be an afterthought.

 

[bbgun]

Now there are a lot of questions surrounding Smith? A lot of the hoopla, on this forum anyway, is about his weight.

Whether the kid can play or not seems to be an afterthought.

Sooner or later, the Cowboys will break their decades-long drought when it comes to o-linemen the 1st. I just don't think Smith will be the guy to break the streak.

 

[realtick]

I wouldn't even consider taking him before the 20th pick of the draft and that's being generous. If there's a position where immidiate red flags should be raised when it comes to " late movers " in the draft, it is the offensive line. Potentially dominant offensive linemen are groomed. They usually begin to establish a name and reputation during their junior years, then blossom and cement them during the senior seasons. Unlike any other position on the field, O-linemen are steady, grounded, and considerably less volatile. They don't evolve quickly and they don't decline quickly ( injuries aside ).

Tyron Smith might eventually develop into a cornerstone player, but right now he isn't. Entering this year's draft, he wasn't. Entering last college football season, he was not considered dominant. Gaining weight, strength, and maybe speed while the pads are off is nice, but not necessarily a reliable barometer when it comes O-linemen. The key is to see how and what they've done over the past 2 seasons and, obviously, Smith's body of work wasn't impressive enough to rated as dominant. If that O-lineman is not rated as potentially being dominant ( ie: which mean he's a long term project ) I wouldn't touch him with a top 10 pick, MIGHT consider it with a 15th-19th pick range, depending on how the draft is going and my roster.

Lol, really?

Point me to the website that ranks linemen in order of "domination."

The reality is that Tyron Smith was rated highly going into this past season. Perhaps, you don't watch a lot of Pac-10 football or choose not to, either way, it's not Tyron Smith's fault.

 

[Zaxor]

I really like the kid...he is 20 years old and has feet like a dancer he has a frame that can put on a lot of weight and he has great film on him already...I see him as the best OT in this class and last years class...I believe you can plug him in and don't have to worry about that position again for 15 or so years...I think it would be very beneficial for the Cowboys to take this guy and it is who I am hoping they get.

 

[RoboQB]

I'm curious. If someone says they wouldn't take him before the 20th pick, who are the 19 guys taken ahead of him?

Also, the history of the draft is filled with positive and negative outcomes. For example, its too easy to talk about a guy taken in 1989 and say this guy's going to be a bust just like so-and-so. No player should be judged by the past that doesn't involve him whatsoever.

But hey, if you throw enough opinions on the board, eventually one sticks and you can call yourself an expert.

 

[Randy White]

Lol, really? Point me to the website that ranks linemen in order of "domination."

It isn't about some website's ranking or anything of the sort. It's about performance, and to a limited extent, recognition of that performance as well.

The reality is that Tyron Smith was rated highly going into this past season. Perhaps, you don't watch a lot of Pac-10 football or choose not to, either way, it's not Tyron Smith's fault.

I'll use your own words to counter your argument: go ahead and point to WHO rated Tyron Smith highly ( as in the same league as the Paces, and Ogdens, and Longs of the NFL when they were at that particular stage ).

and for your information, I do watch Pac 10 football. It's the only thing that's worth anything on TV on Saturday nights.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I'm saying he played college ball at 285 and had a hard time keeping on the weight while the season went on. I don't see him being able to stay around 300+ while playing in the NFL. Too light for me sounds like the center we had a while back.

It's called diet and training. USC isn't exactly known for having the best weights and conditioning program. At the pro level that shouldn't be an issue unless he is a fat lazy bum like Roy William (SS) was.

As for "not taking an offensive linemen in the first round" That is a LAME thing to practice. The game in won in the trenches, maybe I'm wrong, but your offensive linemen plays in the trenches.

If Jones still holds that very, someone needs to whack him with a baseball bat on draft day and drag him out of the draft room.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I'm curious. If someone says they wouldn't take him before the 20th pick, who are the 19 guys taken ahead of him?

Also, the history of the draft is filled with positive and negative outcomes. For example, its too easy to talk about a guy taken in 1989 and say this guy's going to be a bust just like so-and-so. No player should be judged by the past that doesn't involve him whatsoever.

But hey, if you throw enough opinions on the board, eventually one sticks and you can call yourself an expert.

If the kid is 300lbs+ on draft day, he won't make it to 20.

 

[burmafrd]

It's called diet and training. USC isn't exactly known for having the best weights and conditioning program. At the pro level that shouldn't be an issue unless he is a fat lazy bum like Roy William (SS) was.

As for "not taking an offensive linemen in the first round" That is a LAME thing to practice. The game in won in the trenches, maybe I'm wrong, but your offensive linemen plays in the trenches.

If Jones still holds that very, someone needs to whack him with a baseball bat on draft day and drag him out of the draft room.

Actually USC has a very good program if you are willing to put in the effort. Effort being the key.

 

[Randy White]

Smith's name, this came up. I've never been to this site until right now, but it basically says what I'm thinking:

Final word: Smith is starting to gain a lot of attention as an offensive tackle prospect. He's an easy player to fall in love with. He has a long, lean frame and is athletic. Smith gets out on the move as well as any offensive tackle you'll see and is loaded with potential.

However, Smith is only in his second year as a starter. He's only been a reserve as a left tackle and spent more time on the right side. He's up to about 280 pounds and came out of high school at 265. His power and weight gain has been impressive, but he'll need to add at least 10 more pounds.

As he is right now, Smith would likely find himself in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He'd likely have to start his career backing up unless a zone blocking team picked him. But if he wants to maximize his draft stock, Smith would be wise to return for his senior season. That way he can continue to get stronger, maybe move to the left side and probably get picked in the top ten in 2012.

for the entire evaluation:

http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2010/11/29/1844658/tyron-smith-nfl-draft-scouting-report


Pretty much the same from CBS:

Overview
Among the country's highest-ranked prep offensive linemen, Smith wasted little time making an impact for the Trojans as the primary backup behind left tackle Charles Brown as a true freshman. He started the next two seasons at right tackle before declaring early for the 2011 NFL.

Smith has obvious talent. Blessed with the prototype combination of size, balance and agility, he has the potential to develop into a top-flight left tackle in the NFL. He emerged as a standout in the Pac-10, winning the Morris Trophy as the conference's top offensive lineman as voted by the league's defensive linemen.

The concern, of course, is that he's making a huge jump in competition without having actually operated on the left side. Lacking the bulk and strength teams prefer at right tackle, Smith will be projected to the left tackle position in the NFL. It won't be difficult for scouts to fall in love with Smith's tools and make him an early selection come April.

The team had better be willing to accept growing pains, however, as the 20-year old Smith, while perhaps the most gifted offensive tackle in the 2011 draft, is nowhere near being a finished product.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1631899


and some other draft site I really don't know much about:

Bottom Line on Tyron Smith:

Although he played mostly on the right side at USC, Tyron Smith has the athleticism to play left tackle in the NFL. In fact, his biggest strength lies in his pass protection. He is, however, a little undersized and is going to have to continue bulking up. He does appear to have the frame to do just that without losing too much of his speed and agility. Right now, though, his best bet for success is to land with a team that employs a zone-blocking scheme, which best suits his skill set.

Projection:

Smith appears to be a guy who, with a little time, has the potential to develop into a tackle who can be consistently effective against the league's elite speed rushers. He's a little raw and a bit of a risky pick, and he would probably benefit from another year in school. But his upside may be as high as any tackle in the draft, which could land him in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

http://football.about.com/od/Offensive-Linemen/p/Tyron-Smith.htm


and that's, pretty much, the consensus thinking about Smith. Is it accurate ? I don't know. He might turn out to be the best LT in this draft in the long run for all anybody knows. He, certainly, has the potential, but the one word that's missing in all of those evaluations ( as well as the others who are pretty much saying the same thing ) is " dominant " and that's why you DO NOT spend a top 15 pick on him.