DaRon Bland vs. Jourdan Lewis

[G2]

Joseph however might be our best ST player already

For only a second round pick!

 

[Verdict]

Joseph however might be our best ST player already

I don’t have an opinion on that. He may well be, but a 2nd round pick is very rich for a special teams player. They won’t really use a pick that high, even for a kicker.

 

[Typhus]

Jourdan Lewis was an All-American corner at Michigan, and was hands down a better college CB than DaRin Bland. Lewis has better natural instincts than many NFL Defensive backs. But what Lewis has always lacked is NFL speed. That is why he’s just not a viable NFL corner for outside receivers. It is also why a 6th round pick with less talent, but 4.35 speed has remained ahead of him on the Cowboys depth chart. Yes, I am talking about Anthony Brown.

On the other hand, Bland has better NFL size and speed than Lewis, and may be more naturally skilled than Brown. Bland has a better chance to be an impactful NFL corner than both Lewis and Brown in the long-term.

If the Kelvin Joseph can ever start living up to his draft status, the Cowboys are pretty deep at cornerback. By the end of this season, Jourdan Lewis, who is a good nickel cornerback, might just be the 5th best CB the Cowboys have. That’s a good problem to have.

I dont think Lewis ever gets is role back.
Bland showed early in preseason and camp that he had the quick twitch commodity that can't be coached.
Was just a matter of time, and Lewis still being involved as depth is a very good thing.
Bland has a much higher ceiling that is just beginning to be observed.

 

[blueblood70]

I don’t have an opinion on that. He may well be, but a 2nd round pick is very rich for a special teams player. They won’t really use a pick that high, even for a kicker.

give it time

been more the pay of our 3 starters that's kept him off field outside of injury's etc..Joseph has Byron Jones skillset and even he had issues adjusting to corner regardless of the shy and we had bad Safetys at the time so BJ was moved there first. just not much roster space for him at DB. people wrote off Hil and hes starting to play better.

 

[TheDude]

I don't like this impression you're leaving that we have enough cornerbacks.

We're getting reasy to put 50mm/year into the position...maybe 60mm if they extend wright

 

[Verdict]

You may be right that he turns out to be a bust. I never said he wouldn't. I said "If" he starts living up to his draft status, the Cowboys might have something. I didn't say he would.

I agree that so far he's been disappointing. But there is not a single team in the NFL that gives up on a 2nd round pick after just one season. Not a single team. KJ needs to somehow show his worth to the team, because they could give up on him next year if he doesn't start showing up. I also wonder where Nahshon Wright is in the big picture.

Both Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis are signed through 2022. The Cowboys have to be hoping that the foursome of Diggs, Bland, Joseph and Wright develop so they can replace Brown and Lewis, who will be in their 8th and 7th seasons in 2023 respectively.

Brown and Lewis are both limited - Brown by his poor instincts, and Lewis by his below average size and speed. My most vivid visual impression of Lewis was watching a receiver run away from him, and then Chidobe Awuzie come from about 10 yards behind Lewis, sprint past Lewis, and tackle the ball carrier about 5 yards ahead of Lewis. Lewis may be quick, which helps him cover quick, but slow receivers like Cole Beasley.But a CB needs speed, not just quickness.

And that is why Brown, even with much slower reaction times than Lewis, still sits over Lewis on the depth chart. Brown can RECOVER from his mistakes because of his speed. Lewis has to play perfectly, and even then NFL receivers can just run away from him in the open field. To his own credit, Lewis does play near the top of his capability, which is good enough (most of the time) to play in the slot. That's why the Cowboys gave him a 2nd contract paying him $4.5M per season.

Brown, who signed his contract extension the same year as Lewis, at $5.367M per season makes $866,667 more per season than the more talented, but slower Lewis. Ever wonder why that is true?

The Cowboys are going to need that almost $10M per season to pay Diggs and Parsons. They need the younger corners to play well. So far, of the trio of rookie Bland, and 2nd year players Joseph and Wright, only Bland has been productive in a real NFL game. The other two need to step up.

I think the Raiders bailed on first round pick Leatherwood after his first year so it does happen. By all rights we should have bailed on Hill after year 1 (second round pick) and we should have bailed on Taco after year one. It happens. It’s somewhat rare, but it does happen.

It’s a shame that we don’t have Creed Humphrey in the middle of this OL rather than a special teams player who seems to have some “issues” with that second round pick. It’s a sunk cost, but that doesn’t change the fact that it appears to be a wasted pick, or at least highly overdrafted based on what we have seen so far.

 

[Verdict]

give it time

been more the pay of our 3 starters that's kept him off field outside of injury's etc..Joseph has Byron Jones skillset and even he had issues adjusting to corner regardless of the shy and we had bad Safetys at the time so BJ was moved there first. just not much roster space for him at DB. people wrote off Hil and hes starting to play better.

Hill was a waste of a roster spot. In order to justify his draft status and three wasted years prior to this one, Hill would need to be a dominant player (almost all pro bowl level) to justify his draft slot.

 

[Risen Star]

We're getting reasy to put 50mm/year into the position...maybe 60mm if they extend wright

Or if he plays hardball on the contract, franchise tag him, take the two 1's and draft two more.

 

[rambo2]

I respectfully disagree. I don't feel this team is strong and deep enough to use a 2nd round pick on a special team specialist. No way. I'd much rather have another offensive or defensive lineman than a special team gunner. Purely from a football perspective KJ has been a bust so far.

They didn't use a 2nd round pick on a specialist. The team is so deep that he can't get on the field right now. This team is good period.

 

[TheDude]

Or if he plays hardball on the contract, franchise tag him, take the two 1's and draft two more.

 

[plymkr]

They didn't use a 2nd round pick on a specialist. The team is so deep that he can't get on the field right now. This team is good period.

I'm not saying the team isn't good. What I'm saying is as of right now KJ is not living up to his 2nd round draft status. He's not good enough to get on the field. Brown is a capable CB but he's no superstar or all pro. In fact many on this board complained about Brown being a weak link. Now Bland is in there making plays and he's a rookie. KJ can't beat out the guy he was supposed to replace and is being overshadowed by a 4th round rookie. I agree our defense is awesome but I disagree that the awesomeness of our defense is the reason KJ is only used on STs. As of now KJ is a bust for a 2nd round pick. I'm not giving up hope that he improves the next season or two but this year, so far, he's been a big disappointment. I'm rooting for him to be a player but right now it's not looking so good.

 

[blueblood70]

Hill was a waste of a roster spot. In order to justify his draft status and three wasted years prior to this one, Hill would need to be a dominant player (almost all pro bowl level) to justify his draft slot.

Nah players do not need to justify roster spots or draft slots as it happens all around the league, some guys are simply projects seen top 5 draft picks take forever to see the filed 1st rounders still working on getting better.

that fan thing lets be real, no coach, player, or team needs fan apprvals.be fan stay in tour lane, allow coaches to coach etc..BTW we have already cut many 1st and 2nd rounder with bigger deals then Hill has that is NOT why hes still here. hes been through like 4 DCs, injury, and new schemes. They are giving him time..they arent justifying shizzle..bigger names bigger deals and players with higher draft spots have been cut or traded for peanuts of late. Jerry does NOT care what you think of Hill, hes here for a reason and its not his 2nd round status.

remember the preseason how every one sucked, Jery diditn plan well, we had no depth, Tyler was a reach and project, historically the worst offseason Dallas has ever had and the big one Jerry didnt properly fill those FA departers spots.

yup that what fans said, see stay out of it..Fans do NOT know squat, they make wholesale emotional OPINIONS! google and watching games doesn't make you an expert,..

this is product of SM and so much information out out there fans truly think they know something about the innerworkings of sports teams..they dont, not as much as the actual football people including Jerry. get tried of fans saying jerry not good gm because he should hire someone with experience, 1899-present isnt an experienced resume? playing college football himself, he knows nothing about football according to you jags.. Billionaire businessman doesn't know how to deal, like trades and contracts etc..that precious coming from keyboard heroes without a gold jacket and 3 trophies plus 31years of actual experience...

this happens fans believe what they parrot and those become very false narratives..

this is league wide issues, not a jerry issue and so far fans must be full of eating so much crow, make room for dessert. Yup more crow!

 

[RonWashington]

Nashon Wright drew a lot off attention around the league draft night . As in why was he picked so high . Norm Hitzgez was even stumped .

 

[rambo2]

I'm not saying the team isn't good. What I'm saying is as of right now KJ is not living up to his 2nd round draft status. He's not good enough to get on the field. Brown is a capable CB but he's no superstar or all pro. In fact many on this board complained about Brown being a weak link. Now Bland is in there making plays and he's a rookie. KJ can't beat out the guy he was supposed to replace and is being overshadowed by a 4th round rookie. I agree our defense is awesome but I disagree that the awesomeness of our defense is the reason KJ is only used on STs. As of now KJ is a bust for a 2nd round pick. I'm not giving up hope that he improves the next season or two but this year, so far, he's been a big disappointment. I'm rooting for him to be a player but right now it's not looking so good.

The board will complain no matter what they do. It isn't a disappointment that we have him as depth.

 

[75boyz]

Nashon Wright drew a lot off attention around the league draft night . As in why was he picked so high . Norm Hitzgez was even stumped .

Yep, couple of recent 2nd rounders in Hill and Joseph along with a couple of 3rd rounders in Wright and McGovern...

Not sure how many of these 4 get Cowboy second contract offers based on performance to date. There's still time on a couple though.

The newest 2022 3rd rd kid, Healthy Scratch Tolbert, hopefully improves a great deal by year's end as well.

 

[RonWashington]

Yep, couple of recent 2nd rounders in Hill and Joseph along with a couple of 3rd rounders in Wright and McGovern...

Not sure how many of these 4 get Cowboy second contract offers based on performance to date. There's still time on a couple.

The newest 2022 3rd rd kid, Healthy Scratch Tolbert, hopefully improves this year as well.

I honestly don’t see anything much in Fehoko so if Tolbert can’t get over that hill on the depth chart then I’m wrong about him .

 

[75boyz]

I honestly don’t see anything much in Fehoko so if Tolbert can’t get over that hill on the depth chart then I’m wrong about him .

Yep, and remember the other guy who stole Tolbert's snaps the first couple of games, forget his name... Released or Practice Squad guy.

That was the initial eye opener for me on Tolbert and the WR depth chart.

But yeah Fehoko is in front of him too.

He's looking at WR6 IF Washington were to ever heal and suit up.

Slightly underachieving in my eyes for a top 100 pick. Just sayin, lol.

 

[Verdict]

Nah players do not need to justify roster spots or draft slots as it happens all around the league, some guys are simply projects seen top 5 draft picks take forever to see the filed 1st rounders still working on getting better.

that fan thing lets be real, no coach, player, or team needs fan apprvals.be fan stay in tour lane, allow coaches to coach etc..BTW we have already cut many 1st and 2nd rounder with bigger deals then Hill has that is NOT why hes still here. hes been through like 4 DCs, injury, and new schemes. They are giving him time..they arent justifying shizzle..bigger names bigger deals and players with higher draft spots have been cut or traded for peanuts of late. Jerry does NOT care what you think of Hill, hes here for a reason and its not his 2nd round status.

remember the preseason how every one sucked, Jery diditn plan well, we had no depth, Tyler was a reach and project, historically the worst offseason Dallas has ever had and the big one Jerry didnt properly fill those FA departers spots.

yup that what fans said, see stay out of it..Fans do NOT know squat, they make wholesale emotional OPINIONS! google and watching games doesn't make you an expert,..

this is product of SM and so much information out out there fans truly think they know something about the innerworkings of sports teams..they dont, not as much as the actual football people including Jerry. get tried of fans saying jerry not good gm because he should hire someone with experience, 1899-present isnt an experienced resume? playing college football himself, he knows nothing about football according to you jags.. Billionaire businessman doesn't know how to deal, like trades and contracts etc..that precious coming from keyboard heroes without a gold jacket and 3 trophies plus 31years of actual experience...

this happens fans believe what they parrot and those become very false narratives..

this is league wide issues, not a jerry issue and so far fans must be full of eating so much crow, make room for dessert. Yup more crow!

You can make all the excuses you want for Hill. He was not worthy of his draft slot. Lol. His return on investment is VERY poor up to this point. If he was not a second round pick he would be long gone by now.

 

[3rdEyewarrior]

Lewis ran a 4.54 at the combine.
Bland ran a 4.46 at the combine.

At almost a tenth of a second faster than Lewis, He and Bland definitely aren’t the same speed.

Bland is over two inches taller and 10 pounds heavier, with longer arms.

Bland is just better physically than Lewis… and I’ve always been a Lewis fan. I think he’s a good player, but…

The thing that I love about Bland is the instincts and reactions that he showed both in the preseason as well as on Sunday Against Washington. The guy is a natural for the position. Some of the things that he does naturally are things that DB coaches want you to learn to do. He didn’t have great coaching in his career… these are mostly things that he just does the right way. He should continue to I,prove by leaps and bounds as he get top notch coaching for the first time in his life.

I was zero surprised when he played great and got an interception in his first real game action. None of what he’s done has been flukey at all. He has just done everything right and played very well, from his coverage and hands to his feet and reaction time. When you hear the term click-and-close, you should think of Bland because he does it instantly and has since day 1.

The only thing I saw that wasn’t amazing from a late round pick was him not turning and looking for the ball on a deep route. The coaches will have him doing that soon if he’s not already.

The whole thing is amazing to me. To see him coming in and playing so well in nearly all aspects is just mind blowing. I played DB my whole football career and when I first saw him in the Denver PS game, he looked more like a 5 year vet than a late round rookie. It is amazing.

Which leads me to one other observation: Al Harris is a really, really good coach. He has all these guys playing like he did in his great career. We need to make sure he stays because he’s doing a phenomenal job.

Pro day. Lewis tone is official. Blends time is at his pro day. Pro day times are way faster. Claiborne ran 4.38 at his to say. He ran 4.50 officially.

 

[3rdEyewarrior]

Yep, and remember the other guy who stole Tolbert's snaps the first couple of games, forget his name... Released or Practice Squad guy.

That was the initial eye opener for me on Tolbert and the WR depth chart.

But yeah Fehoko is in front of him too.

He's looking at WR6 IF Washington were to ever heal and suit up.

Slightly underachieving in my eyes for a top 100 pick. Just sayin, lol.

Sadly Tolbert already 24. I see Terence Williams in him.