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Dallas Cowboys draft series: TCU LB Jason Phillips
10:52 AM Tue, Apr 14, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer E-mail News tips
Size: 6-1, 236 pounds
40-yard dash time: 4.69
POSITIVES
He is built to be a middle linebacker and he is a tackling machine. He is smart and will not be caught by surprise by what the offense is doing. He would spend hours in the TCU film room between classes getting prepared. He will get bigger as he gets older which should help him shed blockers more. Has had man to man responsibilities in coverage but his vision helps him more in zone looks.
NEGATIVES
He does not possess the best of speed and he is coming off knee surgery that will keep him out for a few more weeks after the draft. He was not asked to blitz much at TCU and when he did he didn't always come in under control. Quickness of the backs out of the backfield might give him some trouble.
COWBOY FIT
The Cowboys have one backup inside linebacker right now and that's Bobby Carpenter. Phillips has the ability to play the Mike spot behind Bradie James as a backup and be a contributor right away on special teams. He looks to be rated anywhere from Rounds 4-6 and the Cowboys need to improve their depth at linebacker. While he was unable to work out, he was at the Cowboys' facility on Monday as part of the "Dallas day" session, meeting with the coaches.
TCU COACH GARY PATTERSON
He started ever since his redshirt freshman year at linebacker against Oklahoma, played 65 plays plus two special teams. He's a coach's son. He's a tough guy. He's a guy that's maybe not the fastest but he always seems to make plays. Plays with great effort. I always hate to compare guys, but he seems very similar to a guy out of Texas Tech a long time ago that everybody says was a couple inches too short and not quite fast enough (Zach Thomas). He's really a smart player and he studies the game. What epitomizes him is two years ago we had to beat San Diego State to go to a bowl game and he needed to get his shoulder operated on and cleaned out but he played and he had 14 tackles, causes a fumble, recovers a fumble and is the defensive player of the week for the Mountain West Conference. Then we play in the bowl game and he plays. He's one of those guys you want to have on your team to be successful. He could've had his knee fixed different ways, but he had them sew it together because in the long run that's the best thing as far as staying healthy longer even though it will keep him out from working out a little longer. He'll be fully recovered. He's doing everything he can rehab-wise to do what he can. He'll never use this as an excuse. He's doing everything he can lifting and other things to make sure he doesn't fall behind. We play so much here and there's so much to learn with what we do that I don't think getting to any system that there will be something he can't do. He doesn't have as much speed as an outside sack guy, but we ask our linebackers to cover wide receivers in certain coverages and he's seen a little bit of everything. Whatever team gets him, they'll get a guy that's all in, that will help them win ballgames.
SCOUTING REPORTS
NFL Draft Scout
Scouts Inc. (ESPN Insider)
Draft countdown
10:52 AM Tue, Apr 14, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer E-mail News tips
Size: 6-1, 236 pounds
40-yard dash time: 4.69
POSITIVES
He is built to be a middle linebacker and he is a tackling machine. He is smart and will not be caught by surprise by what the offense is doing. He would spend hours in the TCU film room between classes getting prepared. He will get bigger as he gets older which should help him shed blockers more. Has had man to man responsibilities in coverage but his vision helps him more in zone looks.
NEGATIVES
He does not possess the best of speed and he is coming off knee surgery that will keep him out for a few more weeks after the draft. He was not asked to blitz much at TCU and when he did he didn't always come in under control. Quickness of the backs out of the backfield might give him some trouble.
COWBOY FIT
The Cowboys have one backup inside linebacker right now and that's Bobby Carpenter. Phillips has the ability to play the Mike spot behind Bradie James as a backup and be a contributor right away on special teams. He looks to be rated anywhere from Rounds 4-6 and the Cowboys need to improve their depth at linebacker. While he was unable to work out, he was at the Cowboys' facility on Monday as part of the "Dallas day" session, meeting with the coaches.
TCU COACH GARY PATTERSON
He started ever since his redshirt freshman year at linebacker against Oklahoma, played 65 plays plus two special teams. He's a coach's son. He's a tough guy. He's a guy that's maybe not the fastest but he always seems to make plays. Plays with great effort. I always hate to compare guys, but he seems very similar to a guy out of Texas Tech a long time ago that everybody says was a couple inches too short and not quite fast enough (Zach Thomas). He's really a smart player and he studies the game. What epitomizes him is two years ago we had to beat San Diego State to go to a bowl game and he needed to get his shoulder operated on and cleaned out but he played and he had 14 tackles, causes a fumble, recovers a fumble and is the defensive player of the week for the Mountain West Conference. Then we play in the bowl game and he plays. He's one of those guys you want to have on your team to be successful. He could've had his knee fixed different ways, but he had them sew it together because in the long run that's the best thing as far as staying healthy longer even though it will keep him out from working out a little longer. He'll be fully recovered. He's doing everything he can rehab-wise to do what he can. He'll never use this as an excuse. He's doing everything he can lifting and other things to make sure he doesn't fall behind. We play so much here and there's so much to learn with what we do that I don't think getting to any system that there will be something he can't do. He doesn't have as much speed as an outside sack guy, but we ask our linebackers to cover wide receivers in certain coverages and he's seen a little bit of everything. Whatever team gets him, they'll get a guy that's all in, that will help them win ballgames.
SCOUTING REPORTS
NFL Draft Scout
Scouts Inc. (ESPN Insider)
Draft countdown