ESPN Dallas: Top guard Iupati visiting Valley Ranch on Tuesday

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Mar 29
6:56
PM CT

By Calvin Watkins


One of the top offensive linemen in the draft, and probably the best guard, Mike Iupati will visit Valley Ranch on Tuesday.

Iupati will get to Dallas after a visit with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Cowboys' starting left guard, Kyle Kosier, is in the last year of his contract, and a replacement is needed should the Cowboys go in another direction.

Leonard Davis is the starting right guard and seems comfortable at that spot.

However, we asked Jerry Jones last week at the owners meetings if tackle Pat McQuistan can play at guard and he said yes, but the team prefers to leave him at tackle.

Mel Kiper and Todd McShay have Iupati going a little higher than 27 in their mock drafts, where the Cowboys draft, but the team wants to prepare itself should it move up in the draft.

Kentucky fullback visiting Valley Ranch

March, 29, 2010 Mar 29
6:43
PM CT


By Calvin Watkins



Kentucky fullback John Conner is scheduled to visit Valley Ranch on Wednesday. Conner, a 5-11, 246 pounder, could be the replacement for Deon Anderson.

Back in October, ESPN's Mel Kiper ranked Conner as the second-best senior fullback, and after the Cowboys saw him at the Senior Bowl back in February, this planned visit means he's a serious threat to get drafted late.

Anderson has some legal issues that give the Cowboys pause. Jerry Jones said he hasn't made any decisions about Anderson's future with the team, and the league has said it is monitoring Anderson's situation.

The Cowboys like Anderson as a player, but they could get younger with Conner.
 
Woohoo!

tigger_piglet_dance_animated.gif
 
connor is stronger and heavier then Anderson and faster as well.
 
burmafrd;3324990 said:
connor is stronger and heavier then Anderson and faster as well.
Click to expand...

That is all well and good but has Connor ever eaten an insect...on purpose?

That is the real question now isn't it?
 
Iupati would be a another great pick for us along with a few other guys. I'm hoping since he's a guard he could fall to us, but I'm not hopeful.
 
BrAinPaiNt;3324993 said:
That is all well and good but has Connor ever eaten an insect...on purpose?

That is the real question now isn't it?
Click to expand...

And a live one at that.

Advantage: Anderson.
 
Uh oh, John Conner has other issues if becomes a Cowboy though. Better watch his back 24/7. Namely a T-800 (Model 101) Terminator, T-1000 Terminator, and T-X Terminator.
 
BrAinPaiNt;3324993 said:
That is all well and good but has Connor ever eaten an insect...on purpose?

That is the real question now isn't it?
Click to expand...

:)

In all seriousness though the question is can Conner help on Special Teams.

Cricket didn't do all that much at fullback but he played special teams a great deal.
 
AMERICAS_FAN;3325306 said:
How is Conner on blitz pick-up and catching passes out of the backfield?
Click to expand...

Analysis

Inside: Bullish runner who doesn't waste time looking for the big play. Good lower leg drive and forward body lean to get the tough yards. Runs with good pad level and keeps his feet driving to generate as much yardage as possible. Good ball security. Keeps both arms locked around the ball. Has enough wiggle to surprise the unsuspecting defender and can gain yardage in chunks.

Outside: Typical fullback. Lacks the speed to beat linebackers to the edge and has only marginal agility to elude.

Breaking tackles: Tough back to bring down as he keeps his feet moving and runs with good pad level. Doesn't offer much more than the helmet, shoulder and knees pads for the defender to target. A determined runner who will become a coach and fan favorite due to his second- and third-effort runs.

Blocking: Old-school traditional lead blocker willing to sell out to knock the linebacker out of the hole. Good size, explosiveness and accuracy to clear the way. Athletic enough to adjust in the open field to hit the moving target. Keeps his head on a swivel in pass protection and blocks inside-out. Aggressive in pass protection. Will take on the bigger man and holds up surprisingly well due to his accurate hand placement, use of leverage and determination. Accurate, reliable cut-blocker.

Receiving: Soft, reliable hands. Will allow the ball to get into his pads, but is quick to secure the pass. Shows the ability to extend his arms and pluck the ball out of the air. Appears to have enough athleticism to handle more complicated routes, but was typically used only on short to intermediate dump passes and the occasional screen.

Intangibles: A former walk-on who is well respected by coaches, peers and fans for his physicality, toughness and consistency. Played in a school-record 54 games over his career. Team captain. Also plays extensively on special teams. Nicknamed "The Terminator" by his teammates.

-------

Fullbacks aren't exactly known for their blitz-pickup, but I think he's not bad in that department.
 
TheCount;3325311 said:
Keeps his head on a swivel in pass protection and blocks inside-out. Aggressive in pass protection. Will take on the bigger man and holds up surprisingly well due to his accurate hand placement, use of leverage and determination. Accurate, reliable cut-blocker.


Intangibles: A former walk-on who is well respected by coaches, peers and fans for his physicality, toughness and consistency. Played in a school-record 54 games over his career. Team captain. Also plays extensively on special teams. Nicknamed "The Terminator" by his teammates.
Click to expand...

Those things alone make him sound like a good prospect.
 
TheCount;3325311 said:
Analysis

Inside: Bullish runner who doesn't waste time looking for the big play. Good lower leg drive and forward body lean to get the tough yards. Runs with good pad level and keeps his feet driving to generate as much yardage as possible. Good ball security. Keeps both arms locked around the ball. Has enough wiggle to surprise the unsuspecting defender and can gain yardage in chunks.

Outside: Typical fullback. Lacks the speed to beat linebackers to the edge and has only marginal agility to elude.

Breaking tackles: Tough back to bring down as he keeps his feet moving and runs with good pad level. Doesn't offer much more than the helmet, shoulder and knees pads for the defender to target. A determined runner who will become a coach and fan favorite due to his second- and third-effort runs.

Blocking: Old-school traditional lead blocker willing to sell out to knock the linebacker out of the hole. Good size, explosiveness and accuracy to clear the way. Athletic enough to adjust in the open field to hit the moving target. Keeps his head on a swivel in pass protection and blocks inside-out. Aggressive in pass protection. Will take on the bigger man and holds up surprisingly well due to his accurate hand placement, use of leverage and determination. Accurate, reliable cut-blocker.

Receiving: Soft, reliable hands. Will allow the ball to get into his pads, but is quick to secure the pass. Shows the ability to extend his arms and pluck the ball out of the air. Appears to have enough athleticism to handle more complicated routes, but was typically used only on short to intermediate dump passes and the occasional screen.

Intangibles: A former walk-on who is well respected by coaches, peers and fans for his physicality, toughness and consistency. Played in a school-record 54 games over his career. Team captain. Also plays extensively on special teams. Nicknamed "The Terminator" by his teammates.

-------

Fullbacks aren't exactly known for their blitz-pickup, but I think he's not bad in that department.
Click to expand...
The stuff in bold is going to send me to a cold shower to calm down.

Goodbye Cricket.
 
Can't see Iupati getting past the Steelers at #18. They love him.
 
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