ESPN: Metrics aside, Cowboys realize value of Nick Hayden

[jobberone]

Metrics aside, Cowboys realize value of Nick Hayden

Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer

OXNARD, Calif. -- There’s something about Nick Hayden that Pro Football Focus doesn’t like. In the last two seasons Hayden has been ranked as the worst or second-worst defensive tackle in football.

“Uh, kind of but not really though,” Hayden said when asked if he knew about Pro Football Focus.

According to PFF’s metrics, Hayden should not only not be a starter on theDallas Cowboys' line, he probably shouldn’t even be in the league.

But Hayden is back for his third year with the Cowboys. He is currently slowed by sore ribs but he has started 32 straight games and has been credited by the coaches for 103 tackles, six tackles for loss, 24 quarterbacks pressures, two pass deflections, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli loves him.

The Dallas Cowboys know what they have in defensive tackle Nick Hayden. Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
“I don’t care,” Hayden said. “As long as the coaches like my game and I’m doing my job in helping the team win, that’s all that matters. They can grade me however they want. The real grade counts by Marinelli. He grades us after every game and that’s all that matters.”

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas-cowb...cs-aside-cowboys-realize-value-of-nick-hayden

 

[jobberone]

This is going to be a goodernone!

 

[EMMITTnROY]

He seems like a good dude and a hard worker and a high effort guy. Which you have to respect, but at the end of the day, you need talent too. Which he doesn't have, God bless him.

 

[Ken]

Lipstick on a pig.

 

[Maxmadden]

This is going to be a goodernone!

It shouldn't be, the article said everything there is to say. He is what he is and until somebody takes his job away he will play.

Cracks me up the way some guys just hate the guy.

 

[JohnsKey19]

He hustles. I give him that much.....

 

[BlindFaith]

I'm not a fan of PFF ratings for the most part. There is far too much that goes into each play scheme wise to account for how a guy did on each and every play.

BUT, a guy rated dead last is an indicator that he does nothing special and should be replaced. It does help that he's getting only the vet minimum so at least you're not overpaying for "dead last". My eye balls tell me that he's a weak link on the dline. But I don't watch him every play. I do see him running after the ball 5 yards down field. Or getting blown back 5 yards. Seems to be mobile at least.

 

[tm1119]

It shouldn't be, the article said everything there is to say. He is what he is and until somebody takes his job away he will play.

Cracks me up the way some guys just hate the guy.

How can someone take his job if there has been 0 effort to bring anyone else in? I don't think anyone hates Hayden himself, they (I) hate the fact that he seems to be the de facto starter. Nick Hayden is the starter and we haven't drafted a DT before the 7th round the past 2 years. I'm not sure how anyone wouldn't have a problem with that.

 

[DallasEast]

I obviously can do a better job. Just improve each year, trying to get to the quarterback. I get there a couple of times, but I’ve got to finish the job. I know that. There’s always room to improve. I’ll never put a ceiling on myself. I’m always trying to get better and help this team. It’s team first. That’s how I look at it. If I can make guys better around me, help them, that’s all I’m trying to do.

I can't shake this image of Hayden laying on his back in the endzone at AT&T Stadium, staring up, and muttering, "Man. That's high."

Hayden is an all-out effort guy. Glad he's a member of the team but he's an upgrade waiting to happen.

 

[chris1995]

He seems like a good dude and a hard worker and a high effort guy. Which you have to respect, but at the end of the day, you need talent too. Which he doesn't have, God bless him.

He shows up,does his job, does not cause trouble, and does not miss games. Don't you just hate a guy like that ?

 

[Kevinicus]

He shows up,does his job, does not cause trouble, and does not miss games. Don't you just hate a guy like that ?

Ehhhh....

 

[CowboyRoy]

Metrics aside, Cowboys realize value of Nick Hayden

Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer

OXNARD, Calif. -- There’s something about Nick Hayden that Pro Football Focus doesn’t like. In the last two seasons Hayden has been ranked as the worst or second-worst defensive tackle in football.

“Uh, kind of but not really though,” Hayden said when asked if he knew about Pro Football Focus.

According to PFF’s metrics, Hayden should not only not be a starter on theDallas Cowboys' line, he probably shouldn’t even be in the league.

But Hayden is back for his third year with the Cowboys. He is currently slowed by sore ribs but he has started 32 straight games and has been credited by the coaches for 103 tackles, six tackles for loss, 24 quarterbacks pressures, two pass deflections, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli loves him.

The Dallas Cowboys know what they have in defensive tackle Nick Hayden. Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
“I don’t care,” Hayden said. “As long as the coaches like my game and I’m doing my job in helping the team win, that’s all that matters. They can grade me however they want. The real grade counts by Marinelli. He grades us after every game and that’s all that matters.”

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas-cowb...cs-aside-cowboys-realize-value-of-nick-hayden

Yah, this is one element that I just dont get. Hayden needs to go and I think everyone on the team knows it. They just dont have a choice. And he seems just good enough to hold us over each year. But he needs to be replaced with a difference maker.

 

[Rockport]

If Marinelli likes him, I like him.

 

[Bungarian]

McClain cannot stay healthy.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

How can someone take his job if there has been 0 effort to bring anyone else in? I don't think anyone hates Hayden himself, they (I) hate the fact that he seems to be the de facto starter. Nick Hayden is the starter and we haven't drafted a DT before the 7th round the past 2 years. I'm not sure how anyone wouldn't have a problem with that.

It was surprising to see the team basically stand pat with the interior DL, but given their philosophy on methodically building the team without selling the farm on free agents I can see why they're being conservative. They just had too many needs to fill and the right DTs didn't fall to them in the draft. On a brighter note, this gives the longshots a chance to develop into the hidden gems we hope they are,,, maybe even convert some of those "DEs" to DTs.

Meanwhile, we should cut Hayden some slack, Marinelli knows best.

 

[conner01]

How can someone take his job if there has been 0 effort to bring anyone else in? I don't think anyone hates Hayden himself, they (I) hate the fact that he seems to be the de facto starter. Nick Hayden is the starter and we haven't drafted a DT before the 7th round the past 2 years. I'm not sure how anyone wouldn't have a problem with that.

They are never going to use a high pick on that position and maybe they haven't drafted anyone because there hasn't been anyone better in the middle of the draft
That spot is not a spot to use a pick for in the first 3 rnds to me

 

[reddyuta]

his only virtue is he stays healthy,the bad news is that he has the potential to derail our hope for playoff success again by being the weakest link in the league.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I am confident that if Bishop and Coleman continue to stay healthy and stack good days that this will take care of itself.

There is an assumption in the media that McClain and Hayden are locks. Maybe Marinelli really stands on the table. I don't know but I do know they aren't being paid squat. McClain has another lower leg/upper ankle injury and is missing camp again. Garrett and the coaches aren't ranking DT for them. I believe Garrett has some CIA to him. I know Marinelli is constantly playing motivational mind games. Letting Clutts score and then just flaying the defense was great stuff.

 

[conner01]

Yah, this is one element that I just dont get. Hayden needs to go and I think everyone on the team knows it. They just dont have a choice. And he seems just good enough to hold us over each year. But he needs to be replaced with a difference maker.

If everyone on the team knew he needed to go he would be gone. Sure seems to me the staff, who I trust , likes what they get out of him

 

[5Stars]

This is going to be a goodernone!

What? lol