Signed by Cowboys FB Olawale traded to Cowboys **merged**

[Corso]

♫ Six, sixth picks, the Raiders got a beast,
Hell, the 'Boys, got one who'd be released ♫

NICE!

 

[GORICO]

If we want a fullback only to run block, then yes, Keith Smith is better than Olawale. If we want one who is a good run blocker but also a receiving threat and a running threat, then Olawale is easily better.

Olawale was a 2017 Pro Bowl alternate because of those all-around skills.

mr gimmie---it is possible my amazement at watching Keith Smith transition from linebacker to fullback and perform at high level in only 2 years clouded my judgment...i have no problem being stood corrected....but i dont think you may have calculated the potential arrow for Keith Smith....he is only going to get a lot more better and Rich Bassacia knew this when he got Gruden to trade for him...
Smith is one nasty dude when on field..he takes no prisoners...did you ever see Smith make mistakes in assignments?...nope and he performed high level for never playing position...that is what i heavily take into consideration...Olawale arrow is not pointing up near as much as Smith..in my humble opinion

 

[Jerryrage]

Stephen Jones: In YOUR FACE, HATERS!!!!!!!

LMAO - Are you the Jones payroll system?

 

[OmerV]

mr Jazz--- when i think of fullback his number one priority is to dig out linebackers and chip-block pass rushers...and Smith is a stud in both..i watched him sneakily chip-block a pass rusher who did not see him and knock him on his butt...the dude is smart and has only been learning the postion for 2 years...he is fiercly mean too when he is on the field...just what i want from my full-back...plus he can catch good too and run the ball...remember he used to be a linebacker so what he has learned and accomplished in 2 years is amazing...his arrow is way more up than Olawale

According to the NFL story on this trade, Olawale was the 2nd rated FB in terms of pass protection in the NFL. I suspect you are looking at this with a bias toward a player you like, and a bias against a player you don't really know much about.

 

[xwalker]

Stephen Jones: In YOUR FACE, HATERS!!!!!!!

Maybe he just wants to rack up some outside acquisitions since that is all that matters.

Too bad he can't unfranchise DLaw and sign 17 free agents.

 

[Setackin]

Wait, wait, wait a minute... the raiders just signed KS! Soooo they take our FB, and Dallas trades for their old one that was going to be cut... why not wait til he’s cut? Worried another team would sign him? Dallas use a FB for like 4 plays a game! I’m as annoyed as anyone about the lack of action in FA, but c’mon... idk what pick Dallas gave up but it’s too much for a full back that will get 50 offensive snap for the year... STs player? Draft a freakin LBer with that pick!

 

[Corso]

According to the NFL story on this trade, Olawale was the 2nd rated FB in terms of pass protection in the NFL. I suspect you are looking at this with a bias toward a player you like, and a bias against a player you don't really know much about.

I thought he did when he broke out the "do your homework" thing multiple times, but the more I read, the more I'm certain he needs to do some homework.

 

[OmerV]

I thought he did when he broke out the "do your homework" thing multiple times, but the more I read, the more I'm certain he needs to do some homework.

He never did mention what kind of homework he did.

 

[Idgit]

♫ Six, sixth picks, the Raiders got a beast,
Hell, the 'Boys, got one who'd be released ♫

Groan.

Pretty good, actually.

 

[jrumann59]

sir-- a chip-block only takes a milisecond..then you are open in the flat...

Except that Smith was not exactly known as a ball carrier. he is not considered a threat.

 

[Sydla]

Could it be they just didn't see HB as a fit? What you are assuming is that the fans know more than our FO.

I happen to disagree.

HB was just an example of team friendly deals that are out there. But the front office seems to not only ignore the top of the free agent pool (and note, I am not suggesting they should dive into that pool), that often get overpaid, but they also basically sit out the mid-level guys where you can sometimes find good players on pretty fair deals.

They are just waiting for the chum that's left over to get really cheap, at least what they view as cheap.

And frankly, given the sheer failures of the FO over the last 4-5 years in FA, I think it's not an out of left field assumption to think this team doesn't quite know how to work FA in their favor.

 

[jrumann59]

Wait, wait, wait a minute... the raiders just signed KS! Soooo they take our FB, and Dallas trades for their old one that was going to be cut... why not wait til he’s cut? Worried another team would sign him? Dallas use a FB for like 4 plays a game! I’m as annoyed as anyone about the lack of action in FA, but c’mon... idk what pick Dallas gave up but it’s too much for a full back that will get 50 offensive snap for the year... STs player? Draft a freakin LBer with that pick!

Same reason why a team might draft a guy they really like even though he is slated to be UDFA. So you do not get into a bidding war and paying more for a guy than you wanted to.

 

[gimmesix]

mr gimmie---it is possible my amazement at watching Keith Smith transition from linebacker to fullback and perform at high level in only 2 years clouded my judgment...i have no problem being stood corrected....but i dont think you may have calculated the potential arrow for Keith Smith....he is only going to get a lot more better and Rich Bassacia knew this when he got Gruden to trade for him...
Smith is one nasty dude when on field..he takes no prisoners...did you ever see Smith make mistakes in assignments?...nope and he performed high level for never playing position...that is what i heavily take into consideration...Olawale arrow is not pointing up near as much as Smith..in my humble opinion

Olawale's arrow doesn't need to go up. He's a complete fullback now.

Smith is a solid player. He's a good run blocker, not bad as a run blocker, might be good for a dive play or two and shows good hands out of the backfield as a short-range outlet. He's also a core special teammer.

Olawale is a pretty good run blocker, good pass blocker, can make plays as a runner and as a receiver and is a core special-teammer.

I don't think we have to like one or the other of these players. Both have their value. I just believe from what Olawale showed while he was here and even more after he left here, he offers more as a runner and receiver than Smith. The rest pretty much equals out.

The only thing we don't know for certain is why Gruden wanted to replace him with Smith. There's a post in this thread about Gruden wanting a better run blocker, which Smith is, but not to the point where that would seem to be a deal maker. My thoughts on it are that Bissacia's familiarity with Smith as a core special-teammer was the primary selling point. Olawale has been a core special-teammer with the Raiders, but Bissacia doesn't know him like he knows Smith. It's also possible that Gruden believes Smith will only get better, which as you said, would be his arrow pointing up.

 

[GORICO]

According to the NFL story on this trade, Olawale was the 2nd rated FB in terms of pass protection in the NFL. I suspect you are looking at this with a bias toward a player you like, and a bias against a player you don't really know much about.

sir--- i promise if Olawale turns out to be obviously better i will be the first to apologize...i dont have a problem being corrected..in fact that is how we learn the best...and yes i do have a bias toward Keith Smith because i have watched with me own eyes his transition from one position to another and play like he has done it his whole life...plus he is 3 years younger...28 verses 25 and obviously his work ethic he is only going to get better...but again if i am wrong i will apologize

 

[jrumann59]

HB was just an example of team friendly deals that are out there. But the front office seems to not only ignore the top of the free agent pool (and note, I am not suggesting they should dive into that pool), that often get overpaid, but they also basically sit out the mid-level guys where you can sometimes find good players on pretty fair deals.

They are just waiting for the chum that's left over to get really cheap, at least what they view as cheap.

And frankly, given the sheer failures of the FO over the last 4-5 years in FA, I think it's not an out of left field assumption to think this team doesn't quite know how to work FA in their favor.

HB is a nickel back for all intents and purposes. He got hurt when is on the field in the base and really was average when he had other duties other than cover a tertiary receiving option.

 

[Corso]

sir--- i promise if Olawale turns out to be obviously better i will be the first to apologize...i dont have a problem being corrected..in fact that is how we learn the best...and yes i do have a bias toward Keith Smith because i have watched with me own eyes his transition from one position to another and play like he has done it his whole life...plus he is 3 years younger...28 verses 25 and obviously his work ethic he is only going to get better...but again if i am wrong i will apologize

So... you didn't do your homework on Olawale?

 

[GORICO]

Except that Smith was not exactly known as a ball carrier. he is not considered a threat.

sir--- he just transitioned from linebacker to fullback and learned first what is most important..( blocking )...but he is a really good receiver and runner..cowboys dont utilize their fullbacks that way very much....and of course...i could be totally wrong and Olawale is far superior...i will apologize if this is the case...but Smith is only 25 and Olawale is 28...huge difference there...lets see how long Olawale can keep it up?

 

[Bullflop]

I honestly can recall being excited and positive about Olawale when we first got him 6 years ago. He was a powerful and speedy runner for his size when he was utilized in that manner. I'm expecting that he'll also be a step up from Smith as a receiver out of the backfield. He's a big, strong FB for sure.

I'm not certain if he's got everything physically that he had back then but he, no doubt, has more experience and that often amounts to something good. Anyway, I'll admit to being optimistic about him. I'm as anxious as curious to see what he's got left now at a later date. As of now, I really like the trade.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

 

[lukin2006]

I hope so, considering they gave up resources to get him. But with this brain trust, I've learned not to get my hopes up.

Or to give them too much credit.

After all, these are the guys that invest first rounders in their entire offensive line and running back and then throw it on first and goal...

That is so true.

With our O-line and this fullback and Zeke it should be run a lot...but it’ll probably be throw a lot...