Mark Herzlich

[Jefftones]

This guy is my hero. Seriously. I was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2009, and that fall I saw Boston College All American linebacker Mark Herzlich on tv. Sporting the same bald head as mine, he was yelling and slapping helmets and coaching his teammates; dying to get back on that field, to get back to life. I was laying in bed every day, and I knew exactly how Mark Herzlich felt.

As a prospect Mark is listed at 6'4 238, about 20 pounds lighter than you'd like for his position at his height. He displays great instincts and coverage skills as a linebacker. With his frame and work ethic I believe Mark could add up to 20 extra pounds and still maintain his athleticism.

After a year in remission and back at work I am still at around 20 pounds lighter than I was when I got sick. However it's been a gradual process in getting my strength and athleticism and especially stamina back. I am amazed Mark Herzlich had the stamina to play football games, much less practice and work out. Much less intercept 4 passes. Much less make 2nd team All Big East.

This guy is only gonna get stronger. I will continue to be a fan wherever he ends up. Hopefully not elsewhere in the NFC East. But I think Mark Herzlich could become an All Pro linebacker, and a generational type inspirational leader, and that's a hell of a guy I'd like to have on the Dallas Cowboys.

 

[Hostile]

I hope you got to see the NFL Network segment he did with Mariucci. It was outstanding.

 

[Jefftones]

I did see that. Enjoyed it tremendously. L BEAST!!!!!

 

[tm1119]

I would take him in the 4th or 5th no problem just based on the fact that I would want him around the team in any way possible. I guy with an attitude like his definitely rubs off on a team in a positive way.

 

[acheman]

I agree 100%!!! I would snag him in the 4th and not look back. Hos I saw the piece on NFLN, very good!!!

 

[InmanRoshi]

Aside from an inspirational great guy, I think he would be a steal in the 4th or 5th round. Stash him on the roster, even the PUP, let him rebuild his body for another year and you got a 1st round talent in the 3rd day. 4th rounds and later should be seen as long term investments anyway. I think he would be a phenomenal Tedy Bruschi clone as a Mack 3-4 ILB. He brings the intensity, the passion, the intelligence, the leadership and some natural pass rush instincts on the inside blitz.

 

[supercowboy8]

Every where I see, has him going 5th or later. I can get aplayer that can help me today in the 4th. I would like to get him and play him at nickel.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Every where I see, has him going 5th or later. I can get aplayer that can help me today in the 4th. I would like to get him and play him at nickel.

You "can" find a player a player to help you right away in the 4th round as a rookie, the percentages are just highly, highly against it. Maybe 10% chance. And most of the time those 10% play on terrible teams who are forced to play immediately because of a talent void.

What impact did AOA make last year?

 

[supercowboy8]

You "can" find a player a player to help you right away in the 4th round as a rookie, the percentages are just highly, highly against it. Maybe 10% chance. And most of the time those 10% play on terrible teams who are forced to play immediately because of a talent void.

What impact did AOA make last year?

AOA didn't make an impact for 2 reasons.
1. he was a CB in college and Dallas wants to make him a FS.
2. He was injured for most of the season. Reason why you don't take injury prone players liek AOA and Lee and also Herzlich early. I can get a run stuffing NT like Ian williams that can come in and play on run defense to help stuff the run.

 

[InmanRoshi]

AOA's contribution was right in line with 90% of the players drafted in the 4th round last year for other teams. Last year was pretty typical of the 4th round. 33 players taken. 1 standout like Mike Williams. A few good contributor in Aaron Hernandez and Jacoby Ford (who got a break playing for maybe the most WR deprived roster in the NFL). Then about 28 guys who didn't do much of anything.

Take a guy like Eric Norwood last year. Panthers are talking him up all offseason as a "steal" in the 4th round last year in June. How he's going to be a designated nickel pass rusher. Huge contribution as a rookie, blah blah blah. What was the real result when the offseason hype stoped and the real football season started? He hardly contributed on the worst roster in the NFL. By the end of the season he didn't even play. In fact, they didn't even activate him for game several weeks. They could have gotten as production in that role from a non-descript veteran street free agent. Same exact story with Dennis Pitta and the Ravens.

Norwood might turn out to be as good as the Panthers were hyping him to be last year, but at the end of the day he was just like 90% of other players taken in the 4th round .... simply not ready to contribute as rookies.

 

[supercowboy8]

AOA's contribution was right in line with 90% of the players drafted in the 4th round last year for other teams.

Take a guy like Eric Norwood last year. Panthers are talking him up all offseason as a "steal" in the 4th round last year in June. How he's going to be a designated nickel pass rusher. Huge contribution as a rookie, blah blah blah. What was the real result when the offseason hype stoped and the real football season started? He hardly contributed on the worst roster in the NFL. By the end of the season he didn't even play. In fact, they didn't even activate him for game several weeks. They could have gotten more production in that role from a non-descript veteran street free agent.

Norwood might turn out to be as good as the Panthers were hyping him to be last year, but at the end of the day he was just like 90% of other players taken in the 4th round .... simply not ready to contribute as rookies.

But then there are some that are ready and I think this draft has a few players that are ready to contribute as players year one that will be drafted in the 4th. I'll give you most probably not but there are some and I would rather have that few percentage than the one thats not especially since were picking early.

You want to look at last years 4th round, Mardy Gliyard, Alterraun Verner, Aaron Hernandez, Jacoby Ford, and Mike Williams. Thats 5 out of 33 and thats just off the top of my head, Im sure others contributed. Thats 15%.

 

[Woods]

If we drafted Herzlich, couldn't he potentially contribute this coming season as a nickel LB in any case?

Though I would aim to get him in the 5th, if possible.

 

[supercowboy8]

If we drafted Herzlich, couldn't he potentially contribute this coming season as a nickel LB in any case?

Though I would aim to get him in the 5th, if possible.

I agree, I think the 5th round is a perfect spot for him.

Lee and Herzlich in the nickel would be very nice to see.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Put it this way...

You need those 10-15 replacement/backup/special snaps a game so badly that you're willing to sacrifice a player you think could be a real impact starter in his 3rd, 4th or 5th year as a starter?

I think that's paying a pretty high premium longterm for some meager immediate returns.

 

[InmanRoshi]

You want to look at last years 4th round, Mardy Gliyard, Alterraun Verner, Aaron Hernandez, Jacoby Ford, and Mike Williams. Thats 5 out of 33 and thats just off the top of my head, Im sure others contributed. Thats 15%.

You should look up what Mardy Gilyard actually did last year (for a team so desperate for WRs that Danny Amendola was their best starter for most of their season), rather than going off the top of your head. So that's 4 out of 33 ... which again, as I said, about 10%, rather typical.

 

[supercowboy8]

Put it this way...

You need those 10-15 replacement/backup/special snaps a game so badly that you're willing to sacrifice a player you think could be a real impact starter in his 3rd, 4th or 5th year as a starter?

I think that's paying a pretty high premium longterm for some meager immediate returns.

you can pick your guy in the early 4th who will be riding the practice squad for 2 years and may turn out.

I will take my guy in the 4th round who can play now, help out now and still may turn into a starter. Ian Williams can turn into a starting NT. Then I will take your 4th round pick in the 5th.

 

[dogberry]

Chris Canty, a market inefficiency. We should take advantage of.

 

[Galian Beast]

Unfortunately the Cowboys don't draft guys like this.

 

[Mrdude108]

I love this guy, inspirational and a great guy/football player. I wish we would trade up an get, him, give both 7th's and at least attempt it.

Last time I checked he was still there, a long with a couple of other guys we could use. I kind of stopped watching, got the radio on following along.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Unfortunately the Cowboys don't draft guys like this.

Everyone they have drafted so far has good character.

Tyron has crazy work ethic and Thomas won an award for his charity

Im not saying Herzlich isnt tough, but beating cancer doesnt make you a Ray Lewis like leader