Eric Walden...

[Boysboy]

This is what the scouts are paid for. They are paid to evaluate talent and to find potential in the most obscure places. Many people, including myself, who I proclaim to be fairly knowledgeable about college prospects, never heard of Walden. So naturally when his name was called, the response was, "What the heck? Who is this loser?"

As it turns out, I am the loser, because I don't know what I am talking about. If it was up to me, I would have selected Adarius Bowman in the 7th round. Not only did this guy not get drafted, but he wasn't even signed to participate as training camp fodder by any NFL team. That right there is saying something.

There is a reason why guys like Bowman and Josh Barrett were passed over so many times by so many teams. It remains to be seen whether teams will regret not signing Bowman, but something tells me that the scouts know more than I do about evaluating talent. Maybe it is because they are getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to do so and I'm not.....

Remember when this entire board was screaming for Jerry to draft DeSean Jackson.

Pt being that I'm GLAD the fans do NOT run the FO.

 

[JonJon]

Remember when this entire board was screaming for Jerry to draft DeSean Jackson.

Pt being that I'm GLAD the fans do NOT run the FO.

I wasn't in that group. I was in the group screaming for Jerry NOT to sign Jackson, especially in the first round. I never was a fan of his and didn't think he would fit in with the Cowboys. I don't consider him a true wide receiver. He is more of a return specialist that happens to get in on offense and catch passes every now and then. I'm sure the Eagles will find some use for him though. I would rather have drafted Sweed or Hardy. Unfortunately, they were gone when our turn came to pick in the 2nd round.

 

[DallasEast]

I believe the better question is how predraft scouting of players affected the Cowboys and other teams' value boards. Pro Football Weekly rated Bo Ruud as it's 38th rated outside linebacker. Ruud remained undrafted until New England grabbed him 30 slots lower than Walden at #197.

The same could be said of Sullivan (drafted #187), Rubin (#190), Barrett (#220) and Hall (#231). While all teams have differing needs, all teams prearrange their draft boards according to who they believe will be the best player available at each pick. Perhaps Jones and Phillips scouting reports did not merit selecting a center, defensive tackle or strong safety at #167. I believe it could be strongly argued that it was a longshot for Alex Hall to be drafted before the seventh round.

 

[Bigdog]

On draft day I would have agreed with you 100%.

Since then, the word started leaking out about his injury last season and how he performed in the recent mini camps, I'm actually pretty excited to see this guy.

He sounds like a pretty good player with lots of upside and has a very legit shot at making the practice squad. We need to be grooming a good OLB to replace Ellis soon and he might actually be the guy.

Hey, you never know. When NE drafted Brady in the 6th round I'm sure some of their fans were scratching their heads wondering why they would waste a pick that late on a QB.

That is understatement. I was in Boston when he was drafted and the Pats got ripped for drafting him saying that he was too skinny with a weak arm. Many thought he would be just a camp fodder and was surprised he made out of camp and on the team. As they say, and the rest his history.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

From the DMN Blog...

And that weight isn't right -- I think that's his junior weight. Pro Day was supposedly 242 and Herring here has him at 245. He was listed in college at 246.

But some people have called this team soft. Who knows if this guy has the talent, but at least he's a tough guy.

Size: 6-foot-2, 238 pounds
Drafted: Sixth round, 167th overall

POSITIVES

He was high-end pass rusher for the Blue Raiders, playing in a conference that's produced them, even if it's not exactly the SEC. Great first step and burst off the edge. Relentless approach in getting after the passer, and is good with his hands. Graduated as the school's all-time leader in sacks. Has the athletic ability to drop into coverage. Unlike most 3-4 outside linebackers converted from playing collegiately as ends, Walden has experience at linebacker. And he has the frame, and long arms to play as a 3-4 OLB. Showed a tremendous amount of toughness in playing through a turf toe injury as a senior, and played up to competition against elite foes like LSU. Walden also can contribute on any special teams unit, which will likely be his key to making the team.

NEGATIVES

While it could be attributed to his injury and increased attention because of his reputation as a rusher, Walden wasn't as productive as a senior, with only two sacks. There have been questions raised as to his ability to grasp a defense and to his on-field awareness with a tendency to get suckered in schematically and left out of position as a result. Struggles against bigger blockers and could be a liability if put in position to defend the run.

COWBOY FIT

In a lot of ways, Walden represents a lot of what Justin Rogers does - A solid special-teams guy with potential as a pass rusher. So that's probably who he will have to beat out for a roster spot. Like most low-round rookie linebackers, he'll have to distinguish himself on the kick units, something he did his whole college career, by all accounts, until the injury his senior year limited him to play solely on defense. He may evolve into a situational rusher, but there's the question of whether he'll ever be good enough against the run to do more than just that. Because he didn't consistently face elite competition in college, if he sticks, he's likely to be seen as a developmental prospect, though his special teams ability could get him on the 45-man gameday roster.

COWBOYS LINEBACKERS COACH REGGIE HERRING

The number one thing we saw was toughness. We saw a guy who played through his senior year with a bad toe. And he played in games and went through every game and showed he could play with some pain. He had a great junior year. I believe he had 11 sacks. And we knew he had ability, we saw that ability and we saw some burst, some speed on film at 245 and saw that he had potential to be an outside linebacker for us. ... He was down in the 4-3, at defensive, but he's had some history as a linebacker, played linebacker before, and he has a linebacker body. So we thought that with his ability to run and have some burst, and his toughness, we thought he'd be a good prospect for us. ... Right now, it's day to day and it's too early to tell, but we're working. He's learning a new language and new drills. It's all new. We'll have a better evaluation later on. ... You've gotta assume all linebackers have to have special teams ability.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/DEFENSIVE LINE COACH LES HERRIN

We moved him, he was a linebacker for a while, we had him down and up, both situations. He was classified as a defensive end. He's smart, an intelligent foot player. Most player we have won't have chance at next level. So I told him, I've coached a long time, and (getting there is) not what I'm gonna do, it's what you're gonna do. He had a very good two years, since I got here, and did exactly what was asked of him. ... I think he's got real toughness, a lot of toughness. He played injured, and played hard. And he will learn. He understands the game. ... His motor, that's what stands out, he's going to play every down as hard as he can play it. He's very attentive in meetings, he knows what's asked of him, and he's going to do it. He's going to do everything asked. ... (Where he played) was according to who were playing. We dropped him out of a down stance, he's dropped and he's rushed. He's done both of them. I think he's got a great chance. He understands it, and he wants to, and that's what you need. ....Most players would've not played in his (injury situation), they would've protected themselves. He couldn't practice for a while, but there was not a Saturday where he didn't try to play. He could've milked it, he could've said 'This isn't going to help me.' He never said, 'Coach, I can't do it.' I'm an older coach, so you need to tell if you can play or not play. That solidified my feeling about him. To not practice and play like he did was outstanding. In midseason, we had to hold him out. ... I think it's his speed. A lot of times, it's his relentlessness. He's a great pass rusher, he gets off the ball and relentlessly rushes. He's got that drive and the motor to do those things. ... He'll hit you, he'll go after you and not back off, that's what people saw in him. He played upper echelon competition, and he'd run with it. ... He was good against the run. He's a good football player, just a good football player. ...I'm sure he'll have to get better in his drops. In the last two years, he hasn't worked on that consistently. He's done it some, but not over and over again. If they're going to have to use him in coverage, that's the biggest area where he needs to improve. ... When he was there, you didn't worry about his job, he'd do it. That was a given. You'd work on other people. He did what he was told, he learned it. ...Punt coverage, kickoff coverage, he's done it all. We could've used him on every one of our special teams. ... You think he's a quiet, and he is, but he's also a fun-loving guy. If you walk out of the room, he's got the whole room laughing, when you come back. And he's smiling, like he hadn't done anything. Erik asked like doesn't to say much, but interview him and you'll find out. ... The two years I was here, we had no problems. Erik's a special player and a special person.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

It is very possible that Erik Walden could be better as a Pro than 1st round choice, Bobby Carpenter.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

You don't need a massive NT in Wade's scheme because he's playing the 1 gap technique instead of the 2 gap technique. That's a reason why Ratliff (299 pounds) and Tank (290 pounds) played well last year in this scheme. Now, I'd like to see another NT so we could get Tank starting at the nose and Ratliff starting at DE, but it's not a necessity. And truth be told, I though Spears played pretty well at NT against the Skins in week 17. So we could move Spears to backup who can play both DE and NT. Then there's Junior Saivii (sp?) who may work as a backup as well.

Walden intrigues me, although I can only hope that he's nothing more than a special teams ace his first year. Mainly because Walden had an excellent junior year (10 sack) and didn't do much his senior year due to a bad turf toe injury. He then had a good workout despite still having the effects of the toe injury. If there's one guy whom I think they may have a steal, it's with him. And while Wade does talk about stopping the run, he really wants to get after the QB, so for him the more OLB's who can get to the passer, the better. Plus, Ellis may be done after this season and it would be nice to have Spencer take over with some competition and backup from another player.



YAKUZA

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Erik Walden played hurt last year and so far he has impressed with his speed and pass rush ability. He is also expected to be a really good STs guy.

 

[dooomsday]

This is what the scouts are paid for. They are paid to evaluate talent and to find potential in the most obscure places. Many people, including myself, who I proclaim to be fairly knowledgeable about college prospects, never heard of Walden. So naturally when his name was called, the response was, "What the heck? Who is this loser?"

As it turns out, I am the loser, because I don't know what I am talking about. If it was up to me, I would have selected Adarius Bowman in the 7th round. Not only did this guy not get drafted, but he wasn't even signed to participate as training camp fodder by any NFL team. That right there is saying something.

There is a reason why guys like Bowman and Josh Barrett were passed over so many times by so many teams. It remains to be seen whether teams will regret not signing Bowman, but something tells me that the scouts know more than I do about evaluating talent. Maybe it is because they are getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to do so and I'm not.....

Well, you can scout a player without over paying for him. Waldens name wasnt known because is a small school player who wasnt considered anything higher than a FA. He had no production as a sr. We have no idea, and neither do scouts, whether or not his game translates. Darrell Robertson who has the same type of game was rated as high as 8th DE (40 slots higher by some), was available. I'd rather draft a diamond in the rough at a position of need than players who have no shot to mature into anything but STs and back ups.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Remember when this entire board was screaming for Jerry to draft DeSean Jackson.

Not exactly.

I remember just as many not wanting him.

 

[theebs]

wow could the guy get a chance in camp and the preseason before we go calling people mistakes or wasted picks.

Holy moly. Camp is 4 days away. Get a grip!

 

[dargonking999]

I still say until we get this guy in camp and see what he can do, that you can't rightfully say any one player should have been drafted over another.

Or were you one of the many pissed that we take Ware over Merriman?

 

[cowboyjoe]

i was high on merriman, i admit, but when i heard that the cowboys checked on merrimans background, and they found out something from his high school coach, so the cowboys backed off of merriman and went with ware

now we do know what happened with merriman with his steroids or whatever he was taking, that got him suspended for 4 games, best i remember

so i was glad when we got ware, now i was wrong on the other first round pick we got, when the cowboys took spears, i wanted matt jones, wr

i was wrong on that one, so i admit that, but i did want ware;

 

[links18]

true, we have to wait and see if walden is a true sleeper,

the cowboys have had success with low round draft picks, leon lett, nick folk, deion anderson, alan ball, courtney brown, mcquistan,

Wow, one guy from the early 90s and 5 from the last several years. Strange list. How about all those 4th round pickes we have thrown away: Bruce Thornton, Skyler Green, Isaiah Stanback, Tashard Choice (just joking on the last two!)

 

[dargonking999]

Wow, one guy from the early 90s and 5 from the last several years. Strange list. How about all those 4th round pickes we have thrown away: Bruce Thornton, Skyler Green, Isaiah Stanback, Tashard Choice (just joking on the last two!)

How about all those 1st round draft choices we threw away ... Nah, i'd rather not drive anyone to suicide.

 

[dbair1967]

I'm sorry, but I can't keep it in any longer. I have been seething since the draft about the 167th pick in the 2008 draft. I figure we're in dead time, so I'd better get it in before TC. Is there anyone out there that can explain why Eric Walden was the player to pick with the FIRST pick in the 6th rd.? Was he the best: Pass rusher, special teams ace, LB, water boy, left after 5 rds.?

I just don't get it. It's not like a low 7th rounder where you just say, "The heck with it, where's the dart board?", is it? PFW had Walden ranked as the 58th best OLB. That's FIFTY EIGHT....meaning there were 57 other OLBs ranked higher....and that's just OLBs!

There were so many other players still available who would have at least stood a chance to make the team. I know SS Josh Barrett, Arizona St. lasted until the 220th pick, but from what I read, he was a monster his Jr. year. He played hurt last season & I think it was insinuated he was dogging it. However, a player who was named the MVP his team's defense & earned the "Hard Hat Player" award for his offseason conditioning is not likely to sluff off. Just the fact that his size/speed ratio, (6-2, 220/4.36), is off the charts, and going by his Jr. stats alone, he would be worth the pick. Plus, with all of the uncertainty surrounding Roy Williams, and the lack of depth at that position, it seems like a no-brainer.

Just a few other players that warranted a pick that high:

Ahtyba Rubin, NT, Iowa St.--Massive NT would have allowed Jay Ratliff to move to his more natural position of DE, with Rubin backing up Tank Johnson.

John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame--With Cory Proctor & Joe Berger the only backups, depth at this position is thin. Sullivan is a big, strong, nasty player who can also play OG, and maybe replace Kosier in a couple of years.

Alex Hall, DE/OLB, St. Augustine's--If you have to take a pass rushing OLB, why not one who had as many sacks & more TFLs than Walden over the past two seasons, and, at 6-5, 240, has room to get much bigger & stronger.

The list goes on, but you get the idea. If you just want to whine about me nit-picking, don't bother. I know it is. I just hate to waste ANY draft picks. If you can help me make any sense from the pick, then by all means, I'd love to hear it.

David

 

[jazzcat22]

Wasn't Walden projected to go higher in the draft, but slipped due to injuries. Can't remember how high, but maybe a 3rd or 4th rounder with potential.

 

[dargonking999]

Wasn't Walden projected to go higher in the draft, but slipped due to injuries. Can't remember how high, but maybe a 3rd or 4th rounder with potential.

I think your thinking about the UDFA we signed who fell because he tore a muscle before the draft.

 

[dbair1967]

Wasn't Walden projected to go higher in the draft, but slipped due to injuries. Can't remember how high, but maybe a 3rd or 4th rounder with potential.

that was Darrell Robertson from Ga Tech...he was expected to be a 3rd-5th rd pick but wasnt

David

 

[jobberone]

I'm sorry, but I can't keep it in any longer. I have been seething since the draft about the 167th pick in the 2008 draft. I figure we're in dead time, so I'd better get it in before TC. Is there anyone out there that can explain why Eric Walden was the player to pick with the FIRST pick in the 6th rd.? Was he the best: Pass rusher, special teams ace, LB, water boy, left after 5 rds.?

I just don't get it. It's not like a low 7th rounder where you just say, "The heck with it, where's the dart board?", is it? PFW had Walden ranked as the 58th best OLB. That's FIFTY EIGHT....meaning there were 57 other OLBs ranked higher....and that's just OLBs!

There were so many other players still available who would have at least stood a chance to make the team. I know SS Josh Barrett, Arizona St. lasted until the 220th pick, but from what I read, he was a monster his Jr. year. He played hurt last season & I think it was insinuated he was dogging it. However, a player who was named the MVP his team's defense & earned the "Hard Hat Player" award for his offseason conditioning is not likely to sluff off. Just the fact that his size/speed ratio, (6-2, 220/4.36), is off the charts, and going by his Jr. stats alone, he would be worth the pick. Plus, with all of the uncertainty surrounding Roy Williams, and the lack of depth at that position, it seems like a no-brainer.

Just a few other players that warranted a pick that high:

Ahtyba Rubin, NT, Iowa St.--Massive NT would have allowed Jay Ratliff to move to his more natural position of DE, with Rubin backing up Tank Johnson.

John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame--With Cory Proctor & Joe Berger the only backups, depth at this position is thin. Sullivan is a big, strong, nasty player who can also play OG, and maybe replace Kosier in a couple of years.

Alex Hall, DE/OLB, St. Augustine's--If you have to take a pass rushing OLB, why not one who had as many sacks & more TFLs than Walden over the past two seasons, and, at 6-5, 240, has room to get much bigger & stronger.

The list goes on, but you get the idea. If you just want to whine about me nit-picking, don't bother. I know it is. I just hate to waste ANY draft picks. If you can help me make any sense from the pick, then by all means, I'd love to hear it.

I like your enthusism and love the fact you believe every draft pick is important. It is. It's gold and I really mean gold with the price of average FAs these days.

But it's always easier to see things in retrospect. And we know nothing of those players you mentioned as far as their deep background. Maybe there were red flags for those players.

And don't forget this team had 13 Pro Bowl players last year. And for everyone who made it who doesn't really belong there, I can mention a couple who played at a high enough level; James and Colombo. The point isn't about James and Colombo or the one(s) who maybe shouldn't but the fact this team is loaded. When you add Thomas and Adams to the team you have a load.

Despite all that I have no idea why they really chose Walden over another. They had to pick someone and I guess he was higher on their list than others at a position they were ready to gamble on. If Walden makes this roster as a STs ace then that is very important despite the low glamour; especially in light of losing our ace to Miami.

Again congrats on the fire.