iceberg
rock music matters
- Messages
- 34,401
- Reaction score
- 7,922
saw this on another board. not sure who wrote it or where it came from, but i thought Hos would like to read about it.
-----
Way back in 1989, Jimmy Johnson spent the 39th overall pick on Syracuse FB Daryl Johnston.
Only four fullbacks — Tommy Vardell, William Floyd, Mike Alstott and Robert Holcomb — have been drafted higher than the Moose in the subsequent seventeen drafts.
The position has gone the way of the Condor. You can still see a good fullback now and again, but they’re nearly extinct, as colleges have gone pass happy.
That’s why it was surprising to hear Jerry Jones claim that he’s instructed his scouts to find a fullback. Bill Parcells became so exasperated with the lack of choices that he converted NC State ILB Oliver Hoyte to fullback at midseason. Hoyte showed promise at blowing up linebackers; one source told me Hoyte created “trainwrecks.”
Hoyte’s train wrecks are fun to watch, but he hit a mental wall in December. Teams began stunting and Hoyte became confused by his blocking assignments. He also showed no pass receiving skills and his presence in the huddle was a strong tell that Dallas was going to run.
I doubt the Cowboys are ready to give up on Hoyte, but Jason Garrett’s offensive sets, which draw heavily from Norv Turner’s and Ernie Zampese’s schemes, call for a fullback who poses a receiving threat.
Right now, the only first day fullback prospect is Rutgers’ Brian Leonard. He’s not the blocker Johnston was, but he has exceptional speed, hands and running ability for a player his size. He ran for over 800 yards as a tailback in 2004 but moved to fullback last season for the good of the team.
He’s described in some scouting reports as a West Coast type fullback/H-back.
He’s rated as a 2nd/3rd rounder. I’ve mentioned that Dallas’ 53rd pick looks to be in no-man’s land. There’s a significant dropoff in sizzle, with regards to Dallas’ needs, about halfway through round two. The top 2nd round safeties, outside linebackers, receivers and guards all project to the round’s top half.
If Dallas stays at 53 and wants good value, Leonard may get some serious consideration. If Dallas does select Leonard he’ll be the highest drafted, and most talented Cowboys’ fullback since that Johnston guy.
-----
Way back in 1989, Jimmy Johnson spent the 39th overall pick on Syracuse FB Daryl Johnston.
Only four fullbacks — Tommy Vardell, William Floyd, Mike Alstott and Robert Holcomb — have been drafted higher than the Moose in the subsequent seventeen drafts.
The position has gone the way of the Condor. You can still see a good fullback now and again, but they’re nearly extinct, as colleges have gone pass happy.
That’s why it was surprising to hear Jerry Jones claim that he’s instructed his scouts to find a fullback. Bill Parcells became so exasperated with the lack of choices that he converted NC State ILB Oliver Hoyte to fullback at midseason. Hoyte showed promise at blowing up linebackers; one source told me Hoyte created “trainwrecks.”
Hoyte’s train wrecks are fun to watch, but he hit a mental wall in December. Teams began stunting and Hoyte became confused by his blocking assignments. He also showed no pass receiving skills and his presence in the huddle was a strong tell that Dallas was going to run.
I doubt the Cowboys are ready to give up on Hoyte, but Jason Garrett’s offensive sets, which draw heavily from Norv Turner’s and Ernie Zampese’s schemes, call for a fullback who poses a receiving threat.
Right now, the only first day fullback prospect is Rutgers’ Brian Leonard. He’s not the blocker Johnston was, but he has exceptional speed, hands and running ability for a player his size. He ran for over 800 yards as a tailback in 2004 but moved to fullback last season for the good of the team.
He’s described in some scouting reports as a West Coast type fullback/H-back.
He’s rated as a 2nd/3rd rounder. I’ve mentioned that Dallas’ 53rd pick looks to be in no-man’s land. There’s a significant dropoff in sizzle, with regards to Dallas’ needs, about halfway through round two. The top 2nd round safeties, outside linebackers, receivers and guards all project to the round’s top half.
If Dallas stays at 53 and wants good value, Leonard may get some serious consideration. If Dallas does select Leonard he’ll be the highest drafted, and most talented Cowboys’ fullback since that Johnston guy.
