I love Fluker and I'm not afraid to say it...

[TheRomoSexual]

As an Aggie fan, I've watched a ton of SEC ball, and I'm a huge fan of DJ Fluker. I also think the footwork concerns are overblown -- Fluker gave up only 4 sacks in 266 pass attempts. That's an insanely low percentage for someone who has an alleged problem with "speed rushers." And on that point, a speed rusher who has to go AROUND Fluker concerns me far less than a bullrusher who can create interior pressure.

Besides, look at pictures of Fluker and tell me the kid hasn't been hit by gamma rays.

 

[RS12]

I love Fluker and I'm not afraid to say it...

I dont in the first round. Anywhere after that though.

 

[HoosierCowboy]

I'm a Bama fan and have watched Fluker a bit--he's big, strong, athletic enough,mean, and a winner. Not sure I'd take him at 18 but I'd trade down if I could get him a little later.

 

[Dalmations202]

I personally think - jmo- that he gets moved to guard and becomes an all-pro there. If he falls to Dallas' 2nd I think Dallas should look long and hard at him.

 

[newlander]

I'm a Bama fan and have watched Fluker a bit--he's big, strong, athletic enough,mean, and a winner. Not sure I'd take him at 18 but I'd trade down if I could get him a little later.

....there was another thread that suggested we trade down with the Vikes....they'd get our 18th and we'd get their 25th and 83rd I believe: that would be solid and we COULD select Fluker at 25.


........but we all KNOW deep down that won't happen. They have all that money wrapped up in Free and think they think Parnell can solidify RT...and we are set at LT with Smith. (never mind the fact there is NO backup for Smith).........anyway, we aren't drafting Fluker IMO because JJ and his yes men don't see the point....TOny can keep running for his life which is about what JJ said when waxing poetic about not drafting olinemen high: same old same old

 

[KDM256]

I love Flukers game as well. He has been excellent at Alabama during his college career and will transfer over to the NFL. I wouldn't be mad if Fluker was picked up inthe first round by the Cowboys either. I don't know where people are getting this move over to guard talk from because Fluker is what you want in Right Tackle oppose to Doug Free

One of the vocal leaders on that Alabama Offensive Line. If you watch the 2012 SEC Championship game against UGA, DJ lit a fire under the Offensive Line and it was over with from there.. If the Cowboys had Linemen with passion/heart like Fluker, the sky will be the limit with the success of this team

Fluker and Tyron Smith Bookend Tackles = Happy Romo

 

[supercowboy8]

If you watched SEC and Bama games then you will know that he is not a OT in the new NFL. How maby times did Bama throw down fiekld and do 5 step drops, almost none. All passes were quick step passes and slants. Only time they threw down field was a quick pass deep for tbe Wr to go get the ball. Fluker is a great RT for teams that are run first like Seattle or minnesota, but not Dallas where romo is stepping back to pass 40 times a game

Fluker will struggle vs pass rushers in the nfl, he had issues vs Moore in the AM game, Smith in the WKU game, and Jarvis joneae in. the SEC championship. That why Bama had to go back to the ground and pound it behind warmack to win that game.

No thanks to getting more OL that will just get Romo killed.

 

[xwalker]

I personally think - jmo- that he gets moved to guard and becomes an all-pro there. If he falls to Dallas' 2nd I think Dallas should look long and hard at him.

Yep, I don't see why anybody would play him at OT.

At the very best, he would be an average OT; whereas, he could be great at Guard.

 

[9darter]

No thanks to getting more OL that will just get Romo killed.

Correct analysis. He'll be a disaster at RT in Dallas.

 

[jnday]

Yep, I don't see why anybody would play him at OT.

At the very best, he would be an average OT; whereas, he could be great at Guard.

Wasn't this the same nonsense that was said about Glenn and Osemele before last years draft? Not only did Glenn stay at the tackle position, he played left tackle and had a very good rookie year. Osemele played guard for the Ravens but filled in well at the right tackle position. I wish Dallas would have drafted both of these players and I wouldn't mind Fluker this year.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

I've watched quite a bit of Fluker film (3 full games from this year, focused solely on him). I can say with 100% conviction that this guy will be a tremendous asset to whoever picks him. I would probably start him at RT, with the ability to slide him inside to RG in my back pocket.

Go watch the SEC Champ game v. Georgia if you want to see what kind of player he is. It's incredible the way he manhandles Jenkins (350 lb. DT). I've never seen such a huge man get dominated the way Jenkins did v. Fluker.

Fluker isn't a quick-footed player... we know that. But what he lacks in quickness he makes up for in ELITE arm length and ELITE competitiveness. If he's beat initially, he sells out to circle back and cut block the rusher. And as a run blocker, he's probably the most physically imposing/gifted/best I've ever seen in an OT. I'm not at all joking.

His physical presence, leadership/toughness, etc. would be more than welcomed to our 'Boys from where I'm sitting. We'd get a walk-in high end starter at RT and/or an All-Pro caliber OG, IMO.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Wasn't this the same nonsense that was said about Glenn and Osemele before last years draft? Not only did Glenn stay at the tackle position, he played left tackle and had a very good rookie year. Osemele played guard for the Ravens but filled in well at the right tackle position. I wish Dallas would have drafted both of these players and I wouldn't mind Fluker this year.

Reminds me of what people said about Phil Loadholdt, too.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

Reminds me of what people said about Phil Loadholdt, too.

There's a good comparison. Let's take a look...

Loadholt: 6'7 3/4" 332 lbs. 5.49 40 24 reps 36.5" arms
Fluker: 6'5" 339 lbs. 5.31 40 21 reps 36 5/8" arms 10 1/2" hands

Couldn't find Loadholt's hand size, but Fluker's are huge. Physically very similar players. Heavy-footed, huge, long-limbed RT's. Fluker probably a little quicker, and possesses more nastiness/leadership traits IMO.

 

[speedkilz88]

Reminds me of what people said about Phil Loadholdt, too.

And the Cowboys passed on him and traded down because they were afraid of how slow footed he was.

 

[xwalker]

Wasn't this the same nonsense that was said about Glenn and Osemele before last years draft? Not only did Glenn stay at the tackle position, he played left tackle and had a very good rookie year. Osemele played guard for the Ravens but filled in well at the right tackle position. I wish Dallas would have drafted both of these players and I wouldn't mind Fluker this year.

Cordy Glenn was more athletic both in game footage and in terms of measureables:

Cordy Glenn
Height: 6056
Weight: 345
40 Yrd Dash: 5.08
10 Yrd Dash: 1.76
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 31


DJ Fluker
Height: 6045
Weight: 339
40 Yrd Dash: 5.31
10 Yrd Dash: 1.83
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 21

 

[CowboysLaw87]

Cordy Glenn was more athletic both in game footage and in terms of measureables:

Cordy Glenn
Height: 6056
Weight: 345
40 Yrd Dash: 5.08
10 Yrd Dash: 1.76
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 31


DJ Fluker
Height: 6045
Weight: 339
40 Yrd Dash: 5.31
10 Yrd Dash: 1.83
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 21

One thing I just want to point out is the HUGE disparity in these players' "football make up." Cordy Glenn fell into R2 not because he wasn't a talented enough player for R1, but he was evaluated as underwhelming in his on-field effort. Not nasty. Is football important to him?

Fluker is demonstrative on the field in a positive way. He's been described as the emotional leader of that Bama OL. And he shows it on tape... killer instinct, wants to crush you, blocks through the whistle. These traits cannot be undersold when talking about using really high picks on guys.

 

[Woods]

One thing I just want to point out is the HUGE disparity in these players' "football make up." Cordy Glenn fell into R2 not because he wasn't a talented enough player for R1, but he was evaluated as underwhelming in his on-field effort. Not nasty. Is football important to him?

Fluker is demonstrative on the field in a positive way. He's been described as the emotional leader of that Bama OL. And he shows it on tape... killer instinct, wants to crush you, blocks through the whistle. These traits cannot be undersold when talking about using really high picks on guys.

Those traits you mention along with physical abilities are the difference between a very successful 10 year type career and a ho hum/slightly above average career.

Guys like Tuinei, LA, E Williams .... they were nasty. DL didn't enjoy going up against them.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

Those traits you mention along with physical abilities are the difference between a very successful 10 year type career and a ho hum/slightly above average career.

Guys like Tuinei, LA, E Williams .... they were nasty. DL didn't enjoy going up against them.

Exactly. These guys don't fall off trees. If his only knock is that he's a bit slow-footed and will have trouble from time to time with speed rushers, then bump him inside. I see not one reason to believe he wouldn't be among the league's best there.

At RT, I think he more than makes up for his being a step slow with enormous length, strength, and competitiveness. I'll take that guy all day over Free (obviously). Major upgrade at RT if you ask me. He'd also allow us to release Free as a June 1 cut and pay for all the rookies. Either that or carry the 7M in savings over to 2014. Either way, a big perk to drafting an OT high.

 

[Woods]

Exactly. These guys don't fall off trees. If his only knock is that he's a bit slow-footed and will have trouble from time to time with speed rushers, then bump him inside. I see not one reason to believe he wouldn't be among the league's best there.

At RT, I think he more than makes up for his being a step slow with enormous length, strength, and competitiveness. I'll take that guy all day over Free (obviously). Major upgrade at RT if you ask me. He'd also allow us to release Free as a June 1 cut and pay for all the rookies. Either that or carry the 7M in savings over to 2014. Either way, a big perk to drafting an OT high.

I think even if you want to play Fluker inside at OG, he still gives you the versatility to kick him out to OT in case of injury. So, either way, you're getting a good OT who can play OG, and/or you're getting a potentially very good OG who can play OT for you in a pinch.

And if we can then pick up an OC/OG in FA, we've made huge improvements (fingers crossed) along the OL.

 

[speedkilz88]

Those traits you mention along with physical abilities are the difference between a very successful 10 year type career and a ho hum/slightly above average career.

Guys like Tuinei, LA, E Williams .... they were nasty. DL didn't enjoy going up against them.

But those guys were not heavy footed players and you guys are forgetting that Callahan is trying to run more ZBS and that means even the inside guys need to be quick footed.