CFZ Let's talk Asim Richards

[john van brocklin]

Richards has spent the entire offseason, including OTA's, minicamp, and training camp playing exclusively at Guard. But with Chuma Edoga going down with a hyper-extended knee last Thursday, the Cowboys threw Richards back out to the Left Tackle position for the game against the Jaguars - with zero practice time.

Result: Played 59 total snaps, gave up 2 pressures, and no sacks.

I know, I know, some want to blame him for a sack when Grier didn't step up in the pocket like he should have. That sack is on Grier. Richards did exactly what he was supposed to do against a speed rush - push the rusher up field. Other times, Grier did step up in the pocket, and delivered the ball. Even PFF did not charge that sack to Richards; they charged it to Grier.

On the Jalen Tolbert TD, when playing against the Jaguars #1 defense, Richards completed a perfect switch with Matt Farniok, who played Left Guard, when the Jaguars tried to stunt, giving Grier enough time to complete the TD pass to Tolbert.

• 14 matchup against Travon Walker (pick #1 in the 2022 draft): 0 pressures allowed
• 9 matchups against K'Lavon Chaisson (pick #20 in the 2020 draft): 0 pressures allowed

Along with how other rookie draft picks are playing, such as Smith, Overshown, Scott, Vaughn and Brooks, that is 6 of the 8 draft picks that have shown out in the training camp or the preseason games. Schoonmaker is just now getting healthy, and he's expected to win the TE2 position, which means he'll start about 1/2 the games. That leaves only Fehoko as the draft pick that hasn't popped. And he's only playing behind Parsons, Lawrence, Armstrong, Williams, and Fowler, so maybe expecting him to pop in a group that already last year struck fear into the hearts of offensive coordinators league wide is expecting a bit much.

All in all, this is looking like a very solid draft class. And that doesn't include TE John Stephens, who is making his own case for replacing 2nd year TE Peyton Hendershot as TE3.

Appreciate the detailed analysis.
It's post like these that make this such a great forum.

 

[Whirlwin]

He was just saying he looked good in his debut against legitimate NFL talent after not practicing the position, not that he's a future HOFer.

Don’t waste your time

 

[Rockport]

1 preseason game does not a legitimate gauge of play make.

But it’s a start don’t you think?

 

[CowboyRoy]

I thought he looked the best of the young backups, especially at LG. I think if Tyron goes down, Tyler Smith can move to LT and Richards can move into the LG position and the line will be fine. But, it is only 1 preseason game. I'd like to see him start at LG this week and get some snaps against 1st string DTs.

Based on half a preseason game? If tyron goes down we are in big trouble. Just a week ago people were touting Walenzko as the next great swing tackle here.

 

[McMicah]

He’s was my #1 OL from the game. Interestingly, he didn’t play G later in the game against 3rd team as well as he played T against starters

 

[nalam]

I thought he looked the best of the young backups, especially at LG. I think if Tyron goes down, Tyler Smith can move to LT and Richards can move into the LG position and the line will be fine. But, it is only 1 preseason game. I'd like to see him start at LG this week and get some snaps against 1st string DTs.

He is going to struggle a bit at guard , because it is a position which need higher strength and less movement skills compared to tackle. But can get there in some time

 

[Beaker42]

Richards has spent the entire offseason, including OTA's, minicamp, and training camp playing exclusively at Guard. But with Chuma Edoga going down with a hyper-extended knee last Thursday, the Cowboys threw Richards back out to the Left Tackle position for the game against the Jaguars - with zero practice time.

Result: Played 59 total snaps, gave up 2 pressures, and no sacks.

I know, I know, some want to blame him for a sack when Grier didn't step up in the pocket like he should have. That sack is on Grier. Richards did exactly what he was supposed to do against a speed rush - push the rusher up field. Other times, Grier did step up in the pocket, and delivered the ball. Even PFF did not charge that sack to Richards; they charged it to Grier.

On the Jalen Tolbert TD, when playing against the Jaguars #1 defense, Richards completed a perfect switch with Matt Farniok, who played Left Guard, when the Jaguars tried to stunt, giving Grier enough time to complete the TD pass to Tolbert.

• 14 matchup against Travon Walker (pick #1 in the 2022 draft): 0 pressures allowed
• 9 matchups against K'Lavon Chaisson (pick #20 in the 2020 draft): 0 pressures allowed

Along with how other rookie draft picks are playing, such as Smith, Overshown, Scott, Vaughn and Brooks, that is 6 of the 8 draft picks that have shown out in the training camp or the preseason games. Schoonmaker is just now getting healthy, and he's expected to win the TE2 position, which means he'll start about 1/2 the games. That leaves only Fehoko as the draft pick that hasn't popped. And he's only playing behind Parsons, Lawrence, Armstrong, Williams, and Fowler, so maybe expecting him to pop in a group that already last year struck fear into the hearts of offensive coordinators league wide is expecting a bit much.

All in all, this is looking like a very solid draft class. And that doesn't include TE John Stephens, who is making his own case for replacing 2nd year TE Peyton Hendershot as TE3.

He’s a sleeper and a hidden gem. Only gonna get better.