Daron Bland is underappreciated

[Proof]

I didn’t have an opinion on Bland one way or the other after Dallas drafted him. Frankly, I didn’t know much about him.

However, after just one preseason game, it was obvious that Dallas had found a good one. Among all of the mess that is the first preseason game… the guy looked like a seasoned vet out there. He was solid from the get-go. He only improved from there.

He’s good in coverage, he tackles great, has a knack for stealing the ball… I can only speak for myself but he is anything but under-appreciated by me. I love the guy and I think he’s going to be a big part of one of the best defenses in football. I think he’ll earn a good second contract in Dallas.

I remember you saying that at the time, and then keeping an eye on him. What are your thoughts on Joseph?

 

[HungryLion]

Maybe but I apparently don't have as high an opinion on Lewis as you do.

He is clearly a better player than Joseph and Wright who both suck so far.

 

[CWR]

The starting CB are Diggs, Gilmore, and Bland.

From there on there will be a scrum for the last three spots.

If you factor in our safeties as well I can't imagine this being any less than a top 3 secondary

 

[AsthmaField]

I remember you saying that at the time, and then keeping an eye on him. What are your thoughts on Joseph?

I’m pretty much done with Joseph. If he doesn’t show up BIG time in preseason, I’d call that a bad pick and cut my losses.

He had plenty of opportunities last year to at least flash… something. Anything. He did nothing.

I’m done with him. And if you look at my posting history, I almost never say that about a Dallas player.

It has zero to do with off the field stuff. It is 100% about what he has done on the field… or hasn’t done.

Maybe he surprises me in camp this year but I highly doubt it.

That is another reason why I’d like to draft Forbes.

 

[Reid1boys]

What are you talking about? Kid gets all kinds of praise from everywhere.

 

[Havic]

Idk if I would say under appreciated. He stole Lewis’s job in the slot, he was that good and got a ton of praise on this board.

 

[Bullflop]

Whoa -- I'm not sure what's up with anyone who doesn't show Daron Bland respect.
He's been nothing other than an incredible addition to the Cowboys defense.

If there's one on or around this website who hasn't, he hasn't been paying attention.

 

[conner01]

I think he will be starting in Diggs spot next yr after Dallas trades him. My prediction lol

I could see that if we wasn’t losing our other CB next year. But if a good CB prospect fell to 26 that certainly could be in play though I get you were joking, I could see that actually happening if things fell right

 

[conner01]

Bland played lights out. We’ve had good luck getting solid CB outside the top rounds and he’s another. If only one of our others would develop. I like his aggressive play and he’s solid in his technique

 

[Proof]

I’m pretty much done with Joseph. If he doesn’t show up BIG time in preseason, I’d call that a bad pick and cut my losses.

He had plenty of opportunities last year to at least flash… something. Anything. He did nothing.

I’m done with him. And if you look at my posting history, I almost never say that about a Dallas player.

It has zero to do with off the field stuff. It is 100% about what he has done on the field… or hasn’t done.

Maybe he surprises me in camp this year but I highly doubt it.

That is another reason why I’d like to draft Forbes.

shame. I never liked the pick but hoped he’d show something last year. You’re still in on forbes after his weigh in? Projections of where he goes seem all over the map. where would you pull the trigger?

 

[LatinMind]

I could see that if we wasn’t losing our other CB next year. But if a good CB prospect fell to 26 that certainly could be in play though I get you were joking, I could see that actually happening if things fell right

I could see Gilmore signing for another yr. I'm sure theyll draft a cb but as you can see with bland it don't have to always be early round picks. That helps because for every bland there's 10 who are out of the league. Just happens that Dallas just picks these later round gems every year. So they gotta know what they're doing.

And I was half joking, I actually think there's 2 options that are more likely to happen with Diggs next yr. First and what I think will happen, play on the franchise tag and then most likely gone in 2025. Option two they franchise him and work out a trade with somebody.

With deals for dak and lamb most likely next yr, think Diggs might be out. But as we saw this FO knows what it's doing on the money side.

 

[AsthmaField]

shame. I never liked the pick but hoped he’d show something last year. You’re still in on forbes after his weigh in? Projections of where he goes seem all over the map. where would you pull the trigger?

I would in round 1. He has special instincts and ball skills that can’t be taught. He has length, speed, toughness, and quickness. His feet and change of direction are great for a 6-1 guy and he plays smart. And oh yeah… it is hell trying to catch a pass on him.

There are whole drafts that don’t have corners with his natural instincts and ball skills. That isn’t common.

The only thing keeping him out of the top 15 picks is his weight (170 at his pro day). And unlike all those other things… his weight can change.

He is basically Witherspoon on a diet. All the other corners aren’t like Forbes and Spoon in how naturally they play the position.

I love the guy.

 

[Jipper]

the way everyone talked about Bland down the stretch last year i firmly disagree that he was "underappreicated"- i think many on here went out of their way to complement him as he filed in great during injuries last season

 

[conner01]

I could see Gilmore signing for another yr. I'm sure theyll draft a cb but as you can see with bland it don't have to always be early round picks. That helps because for every bland there's 10 who are out of the league. Just happens that Dallas just picks these later round gems every year. So they gotta know what they're doing.

And I was half joking, I actually think there's 2 options that are more likely to happen with Diggs next yr. First and what I think will happen, play on the franchise tag and then most likely gone in 2025. Option two they franchise him and work out a trade with somebody.

With deals for dak and lamb most likely next yr, think Diggs might be out. But as we saw this FO knows what it's doing on the money side.

I tend to agree
In a perfect world we hit on a gem this year and use tag and trade Diggs. Extending Gillmore would be important in that scenario
I love Diggs but if I could a a premium pick or two and still have a really good CB group it is the best move. Because like you say, we have other mouths to feed and they won’t be cheap

 

[Rayman70]

some of the Dallas beat writers and the fan radio guys underestimate this kid. I hear it all the time...they minimize what he did with alot of "yeah buts" Its almost like "I bet he can't do it again" kinda stuff. Its unfair as heck. Yet they give Diggs a free pass after he decided to dodge tackling and whiffed on ints late in the year. The kid had a better year than Diggs did. He didnt even start much of the year either!!! Tell me why we need 2 pay Diggs? If we can start Izzy at cb and draft another Bland on the cheap, why pay him? Is he worth it? I liked what Izzy and Bland did alot.

 

[Rayman70]

the way everyone talked about Bland down the stretch last year i firmly disagree that he was "underappreicated"- i think many on here went out of their way to complement him as he filed in great during injuries last season

not all. Hes being ignored still.

 

[Rayman70]

He's a good one. Definitely CB3

I think Bland is cb 2...easily

 

[Rayman70]

Izzy is my cb 3. The kid shined.

 

[Rayman70]

Bland is the guy who turns the CB group from good to excellent.

and Izzy was starting 2 shine.

 

[Rayman70]

Way I see it Diggs might be expendable if we draft well again.