DMN Blog: Lobbying for a local sleeper

[Angus]

Lobbying for a local sleeper



The Cowboys probably won't have a chance to pick Jarvis Moss, but they can still get the most productive pass rusher in Denton Ryan history.
Missouri DE Brian Smith, who outshined Moss on Ryan's 2001 state championship squad, will be available in the late rounds for two reasons. 1) He's undersized at 6-4, 230; and 2) he still hasn't fully recovered from a mid-season hip injury that prevented him from breaking the Big 12 sacks record.
I'm not sure if Smith will ever be a three-down outside linebacker in the NFL. He probably won't be able to hold his ground against 330-pound OTs on running plays. But has a great first step, an arsenal of pass-rushing moves and is relentless. Click that play button if you don't believe me.
I'd be willing to bet that this kid will be able to get to NFL quarterbacks, which would make him a bargain in the sixth or seventh round.
Posted by Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/img/standing/icons/email.gif at 3:41 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (1)
Pass rusher could be Cowboys' priority

Jean-Jacques Taylor took a break from covering boring hockey to crank out another award-worthy Cowboys newsletter.
JJT's got a feeling that the Cowboys could try to snag a pass-rushing partner for Demarcus Ware early in the draft. We all wish Greg Ellis well in his comeback from a ruptured Achilles tendon, but it's pretty scary counting on a 32-year-old to be a dynamic player even if he isn't battling back from a serious injury.
Jacques mentions two names as possibilities: Florida DE Jarvis Moss (right, breaking JJT's heart) and Purdue DE Anthony Spencer, both of whom would be converted to outside linebackers. I'm on the Moss bandwagon, but I don't think he slips to 22.
Goose doesn't have Spencer going in the first round, so ideally the Cowboys could trade down to pick him. Of course, they'd need a team with an early second-round pick willing to make the deal. Maybe Jerry could talk senile Al Davis, whose Raiders have the first pick in the second round, into something.
Posted by Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/img/standing/icons/email.gif at 1:08 PM

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I've liked Smith for awhile now, I'm curious as hell to see how he works out, to give me an idea of the type of athlete he is, because he's a hell of a pass-rusher

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I've liked Smith for awhile now, I'm curious as hell to see how he works out, to give me an idea of the type of athlete he is, because he's a hell of a pass-rusher

Yeah, you and I discussed this player a few weeks ago, as I recall. I too like him. Before the injury, he was a heck of a pass rush specialist. He averages something like a sack a game for his career. This is the kind of guy that I would not mind taking a flyer on. In fact, because we are the kind of team that has few holes to fill and not much expectation of rookies beating out vets, I would actually like to see us use some of our 6th and 7th round picks on players that might be a year away due to injury or something like that. Lots of up side and the chance to be players in a year or so. Better then drafting low round players that will end up getting cut and helping somebody elses team.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Yeah, you and I discussed this player a few weeks ago, as I recall. I too like him. Before the injury, he was a heck of a pass rush specialist. He averages something like a sack a game for his career. This is the kind of guy that I would not mind taking a flyer on. In fact, because we are the kind of team that has few holes to fill and not much expectation of rookies beating out vets, I would actually like to see us use some of our 6th and 7th round picks on players that might be a year away due to injury or something like that. Lots of up side and the chance to be players in a year or so. Better then drafting low round players that will end up getting cut and helping somebody elses team.

I don't know about that, but in the 7 games this year before his hip injury, he averaged a sack a game

and if Brian Smith can't heal all the way in time for the season, we could just stash him on IR, that's a good plan and one I would think the Cowboys are seriously entertaining...not putting him on IR, but getting a very good pass-rusher late, who has questions surrounding him physically, and see what happens

 

[big dog cowboy]

He averages something like a sack a game for his career.

That achievement has to put him into pretty elite company.