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GIMME FIVE MORE
The Cowboys' draft class isn't just one-man deep. The team picked from the top of its board all weekend.
by Nick Eatman
With all eyes perched on No. 88 in white, it was rather easy to overlook everyone else.
In reality, there were five other draft picks on the field for the Cowboys' rookie minicamp, held the weekend after the selections. And while it may not be easy for any rookie to make the Cowboys' 53-man roster come early September, the club obviously has high hopes for its draft picks - even the ones not named Dez.
Here is a closer look at the five selections that completed the Cowboys' 2010 draft class.
Sean Lee, LB, Penn State
(2nd round, 55th overall)
While Cowboys owner Jerry Jones admitted Bryant was rated in the Top 10 on the team's draft board, Lee apparently wasn't far behind. In fact, Jones said the Penn State linebacker was ranked by the team in the top half of the first round, meaning Lee was among the 16 best players on their board. So to get him at No. 55 was quite the steal in the Cowboys' minds.
Obviously, a main reason Lee fell to the Cowboys that late was his history of knee trouble, including an injury that wiped out his entire junior season in 2008. Lee also missed three games as a senior last year with a sprained MCL.
But when healthy, Lee is a player the Cowboys feel can immediately help on special teams, and eventually take over as an inside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme. Considered an instinctive player with a high motor, Lee is an exceptional tackler with great football-awareness skills.
Head coach Wade Phillips said when Lee came to Valley Ranch for a pre-draft visit in early April, he was one of the smartest players in terms of recognizing defenses and coverages that the coach had come across in several years. A quick study, Lee's progress was probably only accelerated in rookie camp by the one-on-one time he got with linebackers coach Reggie Herring and newly-added defensive assistant Bobby King.
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, DB, Indiana (Pa.)
(4th round, 126th overall)
Naturally this draft pick comes with a lot of questions to answer. From wondering if this Division II star can excel at the NFL level, to figuring out if he's better suited at safety or corner. From finding out when, exactly, he'll be ready to play after undergoing shoulder surgery in the spring, to simply pronouncing his full name. There are some uncertainties surrounding Akwasi Owusu-Ansah.
The first answer will certainly come in time. There have been plenty of small-school stars to succeed in the NFL - the Cowboys have two in Tony Romo and Miles Austin. Secondly, the Cowboys will try Owusu-Ansah as a safety initially, but it'll take some time until he gets to contribute. Because of the shoulder surgery, Owusu-Ansah isn't expected to be on the field until training camp in late July.
"It's frustrating to me because I've never been hurt before," he said in between minicamp practices, where he was relegated to the sideline. "All I can really do is be as sharp as possible in the meetings and learn my playbook. When I get my chance to play, I'll be mentally ready."
Sam Young, OT, Notre Dame
(6th round, 179th overall)
While many people thought the Cowboys would address the offensive tackle position much earlier than the sixth round, the club at least picked up one with plenty of collegiate experience. Young started 50 straight games for Notre Dame, mostly at right tackle, although he did have 10 starts at left tackle as a sophomore.
Listed at 6-8, 316, Young definitely brings a presence to the offensive line. While he dons the No. 76 formerly worn for 12 seasons by Flozell Adams, who was cut in March, it's not likely Young will be asked to replace Adams as the starting left tackle. Instead, he'll likely begin his career playing behind tackle Marc Colombo on the right side.
Jamar Wall, CB, Texas Tech
(6th round, 196th overall)
Like Young, Wall comes to the Cowboys with plenty of college experience, playing consistently at Texas Tech for all four seasons. In fact, Wall ended his collegiate career by earning Defensive MVP honors in the Red Raiders' Alamo Bowl win over Michigan State.
But his first weekend as a pro should be proof enough that Wall has jumped to the next level. Rookie minicamp was often a struggle for the Plainview, Texas-native, who regularly faced a difficult matchup in one-on-one drills with Bryant. Wall does have plenty of special teams experience, both as a returner and in kick coverage, which could pay dividends in training camp and the preseason.
Sean Lissemore, DL, William & Mary
(7th round, 234th overall)
The Cowboys' last draft pick, defensive lineman Sean Lissemore, will also have to make the difficult leap from small-school ball to the pro game. Lissemore was a standout at William & Mary, recording 13.5 career sacks from the defensive tackle position. He also had 28 tackles for loss, suggesting his quick motor could keep him in an opponent's backfield.
Time will tell if he can make the transition to the NFL, but in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense, Lissemore looks like a defensive end. Then again, Phillips has compared him to All-Pro nose tackle Jay Ratliff because of his high-energy play.
The Cowboys' draft class isn't just one-man deep. The team picked from the top of its board all weekend.
by Nick Eatman
With all eyes perched on No. 88 in white, it was rather easy to overlook everyone else.
In reality, there were five other draft picks on the field for the Cowboys' rookie minicamp, held the weekend after the selections. And while it may not be easy for any rookie to make the Cowboys' 53-man roster come early September, the club obviously has high hopes for its draft picks - even the ones not named Dez.
Here is a closer look at the five selections that completed the Cowboys' 2010 draft class.
Sean Lee, LB, Penn State
(2nd round, 55th overall)
While Cowboys owner Jerry Jones admitted Bryant was rated in the Top 10 on the team's draft board, Lee apparently wasn't far behind. In fact, Jones said the Penn State linebacker was ranked by the team in the top half of the first round, meaning Lee was among the 16 best players on their board. So to get him at No. 55 was quite the steal in the Cowboys' minds.
Obviously, a main reason Lee fell to the Cowboys that late was his history of knee trouble, including an injury that wiped out his entire junior season in 2008. Lee also missed three games as a senior last year with a sprained MCL.
But when healthy, Lee is a player the Cowboys feel can immediately help on special teams, and eventually take over as an inside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme. Considered an instinctive player with a high motor, Lee is an exceptional tackler with great football-awareness skills.
Head coach Wade Phillips said when Lee came to Valley Ranch for a pre-draft visit in early April, he was one of the smartest players in terms of recognizing defenses and coverages that the coach had come across in several years. A quick study, Lee's progress was probably only accelerated in rookie camp by the one-on-one time he got with linebackers coach Reggie Herring and newly-added defensive assistant Bobby King.
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, DB, Indiana (Pa.)
(4th round, 126th overall)
Naturally this draft pick comes with a lot of questions to answer. From wondering if this Division II star can excel at the NFL level, to figuring out if he's better suited at safety or corner. From finding out when, exactly, he'll be ready to play after undergoing shoulder surgery in the spring, to simply pronouncing his full name. There are some uncertainties surrounding Akwasi Owusu-Ansah.
The first answer will certainly come in time. There have been plenty of small-school stars to succeed in the NFL - the Cowboys have two in Tony Romo and Miles Austin. Secondly, the Cowboys will try Owusu-Ansah as a safety initially, but it'll take some time until he gets to contribute. Because of the shoulder surgery, Owusu-Ansah isn't expected to be on the field until training camp in late July.
"It's frustrating to me because I've never been hurt before," he said in between minicamp practices, where he was relegated to the sideline. "All I can really do is be as sharp as possible in the meetings and learn my playbook. When I get my chance to play, I'll be mentally ready."
Sam Young, OT, Notre Dame
(6th round, 179th overall)
While many people thought the Cowboys would address the offensive tackle position much earlier than the sixth round, the club at least picked up one with plenty of collegiate experience. Young started 50 straight games for Notre Dame, mostly at right tackle, although he did have 10 starts at left tackle as a sophomore.
Listed at 6-8, 316, Young definitely brings a presence to the offensive line. While he dons the No. 76 formerly worn for 12 seasons by Flozell Adams, who was cut in March, it's not likely Young will be asked to replace Adams as the starting left tackle. Instead, he'll likely begin his career playing behind tackle Marc Colombo on the right side.
Jamar Wall, CB, Texas Tech
(6th round, 196th overall)
Like Young, Wall comes to the Cowboys with plenty of college experience, playing consistently at Texas Tech for all four seasons. In fact, Wall ended his collegiate career by earning Defensive MVP honors in the Red Raiders' Alamo Bowl win over Michigan State.
But his first weekend as a pro should be proof enough that Wall has jumped to the next level. Rookie minicamp was often a struggle for the Plainview, Texas-native, who regularly faced a difficult matchup in one-on-one drills with Bryant. Wall does have plenty of special teams experience, both as a returner and in kick coverage, which could pay dividends in training camp and the preseason.
Sean Lissemore, DL, William & Mary
(7th round, 234th overall)
The Cowboys' last draft pick, defensive lineman Sean Lissemore, will also have to make the difficult leap from small-school ball to the pro game. Lissemore was a standout at William & Mary, recording 13.5 career sacks from the defensive tackle position. He also had 28 tackles for loss, suggesting his quick motor could keep him in an opponent's backfield.
Time will tell if he can make the transition to the NFL, but in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense, Lissemore looks like a defensive end. Then again, Phillips has compared him to All-Pro nose tackle Jay Ratliff because of his high-energy play.
