Cyrus Kouandjio & Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Declare for Draft

[IAmLegend]

NFL on ESPN ‏@ESPNNFL1h
THIS JUST IN: Alabama's OL Cyrus Kouandjio and S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to enter NFL draft. Both are projected as 1st round picks.


-As expected. Clinton-Diz will surely be in the Cowboys top 5 on their big board for the 1st round. Would you rather have a Safety or DL?

 

[IAmLegend]

Should be noted that Texas A&M OT Cedric Ogbuechi says he'll be returning to school. He was projected as another 1st round OT.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

I'd rather DL if all things were equal. But all things may not be equal. I'm not seeing a strong DL draft class, which absolutely sucks. Last year saw more quality and quantity IMO. This year I just get the sense that we'd be reaching somewhat to fill a need.

Clinton-Dix is a versatile stud at a long-time position of need and very well may be graded much higher than any available DL when our pick is up. I think he's on par or slightly better than Kenny Vaccaro as a prospect.

 

[ghst187]

I'd rather DL if all things were equal. But all things may not be equal. I'm not seeing a strong DL draft class, which absolutely sucks. Last year saw more quality and quantity IMO. This year I just get the sense that we'd be reaching somewhat to fill a need.

Clinton-Dix is a versatile stud at a long-time position of need and very well may be graded much higher than any available DL when our pick is up. I think he's on par or slightly better than Kenny Vaccaro as a prospect.

did Dix even play against OU? If he did, I don't remember him....despite looking for him.
I'll admit I haven't watched much Alabama but i know I'll gag if we take a S over a top-rated DL, or even OL for that matter.

 

[Future]

Have to go DL first. Have to.

I honestly think this is another great draft to trade down 8-10 spots and pick up a couple of extra picks again.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

did Dix even play against OU? If he did, I don't remember him....despite looking for him.
I'll admit I haven't watched much Alabama but i know I'll gag if we take a S over a top-rated DL, or even OL for that matter.

He played, although it wasn't one of the games he had his biggest impacts on. The thing about evaluating S's is that the broadcast view we get on TV doesn't capture close to all of what a S does. Most of the time they're doing their job perfectly and staying out of the TV frame. The All-22 coaches film is what the scouts/coaches use and that shows a S's spacing, pursuit angles, reaction time, closing radius, etc.

I'll agree that I'd prefer a top-rated DL over him (like you said). I've just done quite a bit of research, reading, watching and am not sold on the DL in this draft being proper fits at #16/17.

The problem- potentially the top 3 DT's available (Nix, Jernigan, Hageman) are all poor (or at least imperfect) fits in our scheme, which prioritizes explosive up-field burst. I think we'd look elsewhere before using such a high pick on a guy that isn't a good fit, and that's where a guy like Clinton-Dix may come into play.

 

[CaptainCreed]

If HaHa looks like he can make a Earl Thomas or Eric Berry type impact on this defense after looking at the tape and after interviews and the combine, I am not sure how you can pass on him. That is a big "if" but S is never as deep as DL, and DL, outside of Clowney, is actually much worse in comparison to last year's crop of prospects (Richardson, Star, Ansah, Dion Jordan). Do not over emphasize need or we will get a bust. Take someone that can help immediately regardless of position. Trade down ala 2013 Frederick if you want to focus on a certain position and can wait for a certain prospect like Aaron Donald a couple picks down.

 

[tm1119]

He played, although it wasn't one of the games he had his biggest impacts on. The thing about evaluating S's is that the broadcast view we get on TV doesn't capture close to all of what a S does. Most of the time they're doing their job perfectly and staying out of the TV frame. The All-22 coaches film is what the scouts/coaches use and that shows a S's spacing, pursuit angles, reaction time, closing radius, etc.

I'll agree that I'd prefer a top-rated DL over him (like you said). I've just done quite a bit of research, reading, watching and am not sold on the DL in this draft being proper fits at #16/17.

The problem- potentially the top 3 DT's available (Nix, Jernigan, Hageman) are all poor (or at least imperfect) fits in our scheme, which prioritizes explosive up-field burst. I think we'd look elsewhere before using such a high pick on a guy that isn't a good fit, and that's where a guy like Clinton-Dix may come into play.

Hageman definitely has that burst you're talking about. Just a question of how often he decided to use it in college.
Tuitt definitely fits our scheme as well.

And Nix would fit in out system just fine....but as a 1 tech. We gave up 128 rushing yards per game and Hayden is an ok rotational player but can't start again next year.

 

[SportsGuru80]

I prefer this team get the trenches fixed before anything else honestly...

 

[xwalker]

He played, although it wasn't one of the games he had his biggest impacts on. The thing about evaluating S's is that the broadcast view we get on TV doesn't capture close to all of what a S does. Most of the time they're doing their job perfectly and staying out of the TV frame. The All-22 coaches film is what the scouts/coaches use and that shows a S's spacing, pursuit angles, reaction time, closing radius, etc.

I'll agree that I'd prefer a top-rated DL over him (like you said). I've just done quite a bit of research, reading, watching and am not sold on the DL in this draft being proper fits at #16/17.

The problem- potentially the top 3 DT's available (Nix, Jernigan, Hageman) are all poor (or at least imperfect) fits in our scheme, which prioritizes explosive up-field burst. I think we'd look elsewhere before using such a high pick on a guy that isn't a good fit, and that's where a guy like Clinton-Dix may come into play.

How does Hageman not fit the scheme? He is very quick and would be best as a 1-gap type player.

 

[supercowboy8]

NFL on ESPN ‏@ESPNNFL1h
THIS JUST IN: Alabama's OL Cyrus Kouandjio and S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to enter NFL draft. Both are projected as 1st round picks.


-As expected. Clinton-Diz will surely be in the Cowboys top 5 on their big board for the 1st round. Would you rather have a Safety or DL?

No thanks to HaHa the guy is way over rated. Also there is not a good history of secondary playera from bama.

Dix will be a good SS in the NFL but he isn't the answer at FS in Dallas.

 

[supercowboy8]

Hageman definitely has that burst you're talking about. Just a question of how often he decided to use it in college.
Tuitt definitely fits our scheme as well.

And Nix would fit in out system just fine....but as a 1 tech. We gave up 128 rushing yards per game and Hayden is an ok rotational player but can't start again next year.

Must not know what scheme dallas runs now and who the DL coach id. Marinelli likes quick guys that can rush. Not big 350 pounders.

 

[Aliencowboy]

I'd rather DL if all things were equal. But all things may not be equal. I'm not seeing a strong DL draft class, which absolutely sucks. Last year saw more quality and quantity IMO. This year I just get the sense that we'd be reaching somewhat to fill a need.

Clinton-Dix is a versatile stud at a long-time position of need and very well may be graded much higher than any available DL when our pick is up. I think he's on par or slightly better than Kenny Vaccaro as a prospect.

Calvin Pryor SS - is much better than Clinton-Dix and so is Deon Buccanon.

 

[IrishAnto]

If HaHa looks like he can make a Earl Thomas or Eric Berry type impact on this defense after looking at the tape and after interviews and the combine, I am not sure how you can pass on him. That is a big "if" but S is never as deep as DL, and DL, outside of Clowney, is actually much worse in comparison to last year's crop of prospects (Richardson, Star, Ansah, Dion Jordan). Do not over emphasize need or we will get a bust. Take someone that can help immediately regardless of position. Trade down ala 2013 Frederick if you want to focus on a certain position and can wait for a certain prospect like Aaron Donald a couple picks down.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[tm1119]

Must not know what scheme dallas runs now and who the DL coach id. Marinelli likes quick guys that can rush. Not big 350 pounders.

And you must not know anything about a 4-3 defense if you dont know what a 1 technique DT is.....


And I'm tired of that philosophy in general. Can we just daft talented football players? Who cares what our d line coach who may or may not have a job in Dallas next year wants? Passing on a more talented player because he "doesn't fit" the scheme is idiotic. It's a coaches job to make the best of the talent he is given. If Rod can't figure out how to effectively use a player like louis nix he doesn't need a job here.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

How does Hageman not fit the scheme? He is very quick and would be best as a 1-gap type player.

I need to check him out more for sure, but my perception of him is he's in the Michael Brockers mold... more of a long, stout, point-of-attack player whose quickness isn't his strength.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

And you must not know anything about a 4-3 defense if you dont know what a 1 technique DT is.....


And I'm tired of that philosophy in general. Can we just daft talented football players? Who cares what our d line coach who may or may not have a job in Dallas next year wants? Passing on a more talented player because he "doesn't fit" the scheme is idiotic. It's a coaches job to make the best of the talent he is given. If Rod can't figure out how to effectively use a player like louis nix he doesn't need a job here.

I don't disagree with you. For my money's worth, I think a guy like Louis Nix would create a helluva positive ripple effect for this D. I'm just aware of the way we seem to operate though... we had a really highly rated 1-tech prospect on the board last year and passed. Jerry and Stephen showed that they will take the suggestion/request of the coaching staff when deciding who to draft, and if a guy won't be a top of the line 3-tech in our scheme, he's not likely to be viewed as valuable enough to be the pick. I don't agree with it, but it just kind of is what it is apparently.

 

[xwalker]

I need to check him out more for sure, but my perception of him is he's in the Michael Brockers mold... more of a long, stout, point-of-attack player whose quickness isn't his strength.

No, I thought Brockers was overrated due to lack of elite quickness. Hageman definitely has elite quickness and excellent size; although, he does get hung up on blocks at times.

 

[NeonDeion21]

No, I thought Brockers was overrated due to lack of elite quickness. Hageman definitely has elite quickness and excellent size; although, he does get hung up on blocks at times.

I think Brockers was playing out of position at LSU. He seems like a natural NT in St. Louis. He has played very well there.

 

[KDM256]

If Clintox Dix is on board you take him and hope like hell Kelcy Quarles can falls in your lap inthe 2nd round. As much as I want him at Dallas, if Baltimore wins the toss I believe Ozzie will go after Clinton Dix looking for the next Ed Reed or WR.

Dix didn't really have a good year this year like he had in 2012 but he had to sit out a couple of games regarding the NCAA. Still Dix was one of the best players on that Bama defense and always around the ball with great closing speed.