Don't Forget About These Guys; Cowboys "Medical Redshirts"

[Gaede]

Hoping for Whaley to do well. Liked his quickness in the draft

 

[Toruk_Makto]

The way some people are counting on Gardner, it was like he was a first rounder or something.

Can you point out where people are counting on Gardner. I'd like to jump in on this ridicule.

Having a hard time though...

 

[Alexander]

Can you point out where people are counting on Gardner. I'd like to jump in on this ridicule.

Having a hard time though...

If you have not seen the consistent mentions of him, you are not looking very hard.

 

[Idgit]

Can you point out where people are counting on Gardner. I'd like to jump in on this ridicule.

Having a hard time though...

Step one: exaggerate what people actually say, don't ever support it.
Step two: mock the exaggeration.
Step three: when called out, deflect or suggest that poster is a homer. Don't support that, either.

Gardener is what he is: a bottom roster guy with injuries who's just a football playing dude. I'm looking forward to seeing him in camp, too.

 

[Sydla]

Okoye is the only one that really intrigues me. I know what we get with Lee. Can he stay healthy? I know what we get with Claiborne. He's a bust.

 

[Silver N Blue]

I put no stock in Morris "Don't Practice" Claiborne....time to move him out or push him down the depth chart.

 

[USMarineVet]

Ben Gardner is gonna suprise a lot of folks.

Grabbed this off a WalterFootball scouting summary. Thought you might find it interesting.

Ever since Jim Harbaugh took over Stanford, the Cardinal has featured a lot of tough physical players who control the line of scrimmage. Harbaugh recruited Gardner to Palo Alto from Mequon, Wisconsin because Gardner is a perfect fit for that style of play. At Stanford, Gardner was a nasty defender who spent the past three seasons as a bully up front.

Gardner was playing really well for Stanford in 2013 before a torn pectoral muscle ended his season after eight games. Gardner going down was a huge loss for the Stanford defense, and he was never truly replaced. Gardner was providing a lot of disruption with some big plays. In his eight games, he recorded 19 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble. The stats don't illustrate it, but Gardner helped teammate Trent Murphy lead the nation in sacks.

Gardner had a strong 2012 season with 49 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, five passes batted and a huge forced fumble - against Notre Dame. He had 35 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks in 2011.

To go along with his physicality, Gardner is very intelligent. He reads plays well and routinely gets in a position to help stuff runs. Gardner has more burst than one would think as a pass-rusher. He has excellent hands to shed linemen and cause disruption. Gardner also gives great effort and doesn't take plays off. He and Murphy formed a fabulous inside-outside tandem in the first half of the 2013 season for the Cardinal. Gardner played defensive end and tackle for Stanford.

At the next level, Gardner would fit best as a five-technique defensive end in a 3-4 defense. He has the length and strength at the point of attack to occupy offensive tackles and free up edge-rushers. Gardner would be a tough run-defender against tackles with the ability to offer some pass rush. In a 4-3 defense, he could move around the line but would probably end up as a left defensive end taking on right tackles.

Read more at http://BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/scoutingreport2014bgardner.php#BgQ6A9425YphxY0S.99

 

[BAT]

I'm exited to see what we have in Gardner and Whaley. Can you imagine if the Cowboys hit on both of these guys and they develop? My oh my.

This is reason why I don't think Cowboys draft any 3 techs in upcoming draft. Between Crawford, Okoye, McClain, Whaley, Gardner, Coleman they are stocked at that position. And both Mincey and Hardy can also play inside as well. It is the 1 tech that is short of talent: Hayden, Brent, Bishop

 

[BAT]

I'd be fine dumping all of them .

LOL. You have to be one of those glass is half smashed to smithereens kind a guy.

 

[BAT]

They can come back and help but expecting really good play from any of them beyond Sean Lee is not advisable.

Okoye had lost a lot of strength and size. He was sure-enough seriously ill. He does have a good work ethic and as long as it has been since he was drafted... he is still youngish.

Claiborne... well, I've just about given up hope on him, although I could be wrong to do so. He wasn't playing that well before he tore up his knee. At this point, I honestly would not take him over Patmon, who has every mental make-up trait that Morris doesn't. Dallas has hit some home runs in the draft the past several years. Claiborne is their one whiff, IMO. Can't be too upset about that.

Gardner is probably the guy I have the highest hopes for besides Lee. The guy goes 100 mph on every play, is smart, and while he isn't physically imposing, he has plenty of athleticism and size to be a contributor in a rotation at end. He could even be better than that because smarts and effort are so important in football.

Whaley sure fits the bill of a developmental 3-tech. I look at him and Gardner as late round picks in this year's draft. Sort of an add on to whoever Dallas takes this April.

I'm glad to have them all coming back and will hope for the best with Claiborne.

Feel the same. I think Gardner will eventually grow into a DT. He doesn't possess long speed so will not be a stud coming off the edge at this level. But his physicality, smarts, motor and attitude scream DT to me.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

Lee needs to stay healthy; It will be a big thing for this years Dallas Cowboys...

Everybody is down on Mo....

From what I saw of Mo. He was immature. Maybe getting benched, then hurt, then all the negative comments.....will make him mature a little.....

If he can step up and be solid, that will go a long way for the Dallas Cowboys. Kid needs to refocus, dedicate himself. Its been done before.