D.Smith Updates

[Doomsday101]

Noone is saying he's a star. He's better than what we got - a good bit better.

I think he is a good player but nothing worth getting upset about either. Davis is not the differance of this team making it to the top or not. He was a decent player on a very good defense in TB

 

[dargonking999]

One playoff appearance in this millennium and no playoff victories have a lot to do with our mistrust. But your right it's not like the Campo years; it's more like the Chan Gailey years except that I think Gailey actually WON a playoff game in his 3 years.

Hmm

Troy Aikman
Emmitt SMith
Michal Irvin

He should have won more than 1

 

[MichaelWinicki]

One playoff appearance in this millennium and no playoff victories have a lot to do with our mistrust. But your right it's not like the Campo years; it's more like the Chan Gailey years except that I think Gailey actually WON a playoff game in his 3 years.

But I think a lot of our problems had to do with taking the short-term view and signing players to "win now" as opposed to building a foundation that makes a team competitive for several years.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I'm not seeing that this year or probably next for anyone on our roster either.

I agree with your argument to a point - If Smith signs with the Vikes or Buc for anything over 3 years with a large SB upfront, I'll say "oh well" and move on.

But if its anything cheaper or shorter then I agree with SP that having him on the roster for 2 years while Watkins fills out and develops would be a very Good Thing.

We'll have to see what he finally signs for.

See I don't think Smith is worth more than a mill and a half a year.

 

[DallasEast]

I wonder if this is an accurate analysis of Watkins (Height: 6-5/Weight: 212) prior to the draft:

POSITIONAL FACTORS
Grade * Category * Comments/Description
5.5 * Read & React * He usually reads and reacts quickly to the play, but he struggles when he has to change directions fast.
6.0 * M/M Coverage * His long legs hinder his ability to cover receivers in man-to-man coverage, but he is athletic enough to cover tight ends.
5.5 * Zone Coverage * Watkins does a good job breaking and closing on passes in front of him, but struggles on outside throws.
5.5 * Break and Close * He can break and close fast up the field, but struggles to burst and get outside to help with over-the-top coverage.
6.0 * Hips/Turn Ability * Despite long legs, he is surprisingly good at flipping his hips to turn and run with a tight end in tight man-to-man coverage.
5.5 * Tackling * He has the ability to be very good, but when he gets out of control, he often dives/lunges and misses tackles.
5.5 * Hitting Ability * When he stays over his feet and under control, he can be a strong and violent tackler/hitter.
5.0 * Hands - Interception * He has adequate hands at best and has not shown the ability to make the tough interception.
5.5 * Hands - Fight Blocker * He does not consistently compete hard and fight through blockers. He often gives up and gets blocked out of the play.
6.0 * Deep Speed * He has the playing speed to stay on a tight end's hip in man-to-man coverage deep down the field.
NA * Return Ability * In the games graded, Watkins did not return punts or kickoffs.
5.0 * Errors * He gets out of control too often and ends up missing way too many tackles than are acceptable.

LINK

He definitely has areas which he has to improve upon, but his weight and height do not appear to be really hindering factors. "Too skinny?" I don't think so.

 

[wileedog]

See I don't think Smith is worth more than a mill and a half a year.

Davis is getting that, isn't he?

He's certainly worth more than the Clay Pigeon.

 

[dargonking999]

I'm not seeing that this year or probably next for anyone on our roster either.

I agree with your argument to a point - If Smith signs with the Vikes or Buc for anything over 3 years with a large SB upfront, I'll say "oh well" and move on.

But if its anything cheaper or shorter then I agree with SP that having him on the roster for 2 years while Watkins fills out and develops would be a very Good Thing.

We'll have to see what he finally signs for.

Fully agree this is again what most people are missing, but some are realzing, could he be good for a year or two yes, but woudl he sign here for a year or two with a cap freindly deal, not when you have three other teams bidding for his services

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Well said.

Two things instantly strike me about all of this.

#2. I think that rookie is going to be damn good in time.

And what if he isn't?

There is a reason that Watkins dropped to the second day. Do you really want to pin all of your hopes for an above average defense on what is currently on the roster?

 

[SouthernStar]

and on top of that this guy wants a multi million dollar deal,

I haven't seen a dollar figure anywhere (not even "suggestions' from his agent).

 

[dargonking999]

And what if he isn't?

There is a reason that Watkins dropped to the second day. Do you really want to pin all of your hopes for an above average defense on what is currently on the roster?

Do you really want to pin all of your hopes for an above average defense on a FA?

 

[wileedog]

Do you really want to pin all of your hopes for an above average defense on a FA?

Looking at our current roster?

Absolutely.

 

[junk]

I for one don't consider Smith to be anything special... certainly not worlds better than Davis (who we have a decent investment in) and I still believe Watkins has far more upside.

Also keep in mind that Smith "made his mark" as a cover-2 safety. Perhaps we aren't looking for a cover-2 safety.

He is young and versatile. That alone makes him somewhat special in my book.

I would say he is worlds better than Davis. Would you feel comfortable with Davis lining up on a receiver in the slot? I would with Smith.

You may have something on the Cover 2. I do agree that he is more ideally suited to a cover 2 scheme (since he could play free or strong and he has experience). However, I keep hearing rumblings of Dallas playing more Cover 2 this year. If the front seven can provide pass rush and stop the run (and I think they have the talent to do that this year), what do you think the primary coverage for the safeties will be? Cover 2.

 

[dargonking999]

Looking at our current roster?

Absolutely.

.


and then when he gets injured, and Watkins steps in and does just as well, or close to the level he was playing at, then what?

and if he comes in is a complete bust then what?

 

[SouthernStar]

His base salary last year was $900,000.......

 

[Chief]

Oh....Bullet Bob, Grandpa Moonshine, and Beanpole.

I feel so much better.:laugh1:

 

[junk]

Excatly, but you really think he's gonna be cheap. If he's as good as every one proclaims he is, you really think he's gonna come for a 1 or 2 year deal thats cap freindly. You guys make less sense than campo

And you guys that don't want to get better because of a love affair with unproven guys on the roster make no sense at all.

FS has been a hole. A solid, young mid level free agent comes available that could fill the need for the foreseeable future and people are totally opposed to the idea.

Fans baffle me sometimes.

 

[wileedog]

.


and then when he gets injured, and Watkins steps in and does just as well, or close to the level he was playing at, then what?

There is no way Watkins is big enough to handle anything other than special teams and spot play this year. You're going to kill him if you try and play him every down.

and if he comes in is a complete bust then what?

And if Davis is Davis, Coleman is every bit the aging alcoholic he's rumored to be, and Watkins still can't play, then what?

 

[InmanRoshi]

Adding Smith makes just as much sense as adding Aaron Glenn did last year.

Go up and down our safeties on the roster, and aside from Roy all of them have huge, huge, huge question marks.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I wonder if this is an accurate analysis of Watkins (Height: 6-5/Weight: 212) prior to the draft:

POSITIONAL FACTORS
Grade * Category * Comments/Description
5.5 * Read & React * He usually reads and reacts quickly to the play, but he struggles when he has to change directions fast.
6.0 * M/M Coverage * His long legs hinder his ability to cover receivers in man-to-man coverage, but he is athletic enough to cover tight ends.
5.5 * Zone Coverage * Watkins does a good job breaking and closing on passes in front of him, but struggles on outside throws.
5.5 * Break and Close * He can break and close fast up the field, but struggles to burst and get outside to help with over-the-top coverage.
6.0 * Hips/Turn Ability * Despite long legs, he is surprisingly good at flipping his hips to turn and run with a tight end in tight man-to-man coverage.
5.5 * Tackling * He has the ability to be very good, but when he gets out of control, he often dives/lunges and misses tackles.
5.5 * Hitting Ability * When he stays over his feet and under control, he can be a strong and violent tackler/hitter.
5.0 * Hands - Interception * He has adequate hands at best and has not shown the ability to make the tough interception.
5.5 * Hands - Fight Blocker * He does not consistently compete hard and fight through blockers. He often gives up and gets blocked out of the play.
6.0 * Deep Speed * He has the playing speed to stay on a tight end's hip in man-to-man coverage deep down the field.
NA * Return Ability * In the games graded, Watkins did not return punts or kickoffs.
5.0 * Errors * He gets out of control too often and ends up missing way too many tackles than are acceptable.

LINK

He definitely has areas which he has to improve upon, but his weight and height do not appear to be really hindering factors. "Too skinny?" I don't think so.

The "too skinny"... I don't think so.

Tight-ends ate our lunch last year... here's a guy that excells at covering tightends and patrolling the center of the field. He has more speed than any safety on the roster.

 

[AbeBeta]

So i guess we didnt go into the season with a 6th round rookie as a starting RT eh?

That wasn't the plan though. We had what we thought was a long-term starter at RT in Rogers and the previous year's starter at RT still on the roster.

You seem to be arguing the point that teams do have to start 2nd day picks as rookies -- that wasn't my argument. My point, again, is that teams simply can't go into the season counting on 2nd day picks to be starters or even to develop at all.