Michael Sam in St. Louis preseason games

[itsaboat]

Sam played in about nine quarters in four preseason games (3 v NO, 2 v GB, 1 v CLE, and 4 v MIA). I counted 2 sacks and 3 pressures. Here are the sacks:

• SACK 1 (gif)
  
• SACK 2 (gif)

Both sacks came in the 4th quarter when it was 3rd down and forever (19 & 21 respectively). Flynn tried getting away but Sam closed the distance quickly. Manziel was locked in on his receiver and he got blindsided. Two of his pressures were because he was not blocked. The other pressure, Sam got by a block with speed.

Sam would have had 2 TFL's this preseason but he missed both. One was on a shotgun hand off. He got through the line quickly and had the RB dead to rights but he whiffed on the tackle. The other play he split a block and got to the ball carrier about 2 or 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage. He was just behind the RB and goes for the tackle but couldn't wrap up and the ball carrier turns a negative play into a positive one.

Sam played primarily LDE. St. Louis had Sam line up as RDE for one series and he couldn't do anything. Sam doesn't have enough speed or the pass rushing moves to compete on the weak side right now. We need RDE's.

I was a little surprised that Sam can play against the run. He's stronger than I thought. He can handle 2nd team RT's. Sam was able to set the edge by using his long arms and a good base. He would be an even better run defender if he could shed blocks quicker.

Overall, Sam has some ability but he needs work. He isn't quick enough to win with speed only. Especially against better competition because he struggled against backups. Sam isn't going to overtake any of our defensive ends on the roster. He isn't good enough. He does have a nice motor and he doesn't give up on plays. I think the practice squad is where he belongs. He can get more work and in time he could turn into a player.

 

[Frozen700]

I'll pass, thanks.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I'll pass, thanks.

It is not up to you...or I...or anyone else on this forum...unless Jerry or other members of the Dallas Cowboys FO are posting here under different user names.

 

[Floatyworm]

The more I think about this move it's for when Spencer can't make it....and we're just covering our bases. Hopefully Spencer isn't trying to steal Jerry's money.....But I suspect that's what is happening.

 

[LittleD]

Pass!!! Next churn please.
I think this move is a "Jerry Special" all the way.
He's forcing this down Garrett's throat cause the coaches and scouts say no way he fits here...

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Pass!!! Next churn please.
I think this move is a "Jerry Special" all the way.
He's forcing this down Garrett's throat cause the coaches and scouts say no way he fits here...

Its keeping the Cowboys relevant for another few days with the mediots. And the added benefit, it could be entertaining. Win win for Jerrah.

Here we are getting ready to kick off the season against the hated 40 Whiners and we're talking about this stuff. Not about the game. Not about the game. The game that we all love. Not about the game. We talkin bout practice players. We talking bout practice players. Not the game. Not the game.

 

[AKATheRake]

I don't want him and I'm certain our coaching staff doesn't either.

Please pass on him.

 

[Zman5]

I was more impressed with Westbrooks than Sam.

BTW, people keep saying Sam wasn't kept by the Rams because Rams already had a too many good Dlinemen yet Westbrooks made the team as a UDFA. It seems like Sam's main competition was Westbrooks and Westbrooks came out of head. I was hoping they cut Westbrooks instead.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

I was more impressed with Westbrooks than Sam.

BTW, people keep saying Sam wasn't kept by the Rams because Rams already had a too many good Dlinemen yet Westbrooks made the team as a UDFA. It seems like Sam's main competition was Westbrooks and Westbrooks came out of head. I was hoping they cut Westbrooks instead.

If he ends up on our active roster it says way more about our roster than it does about him. Or about our season.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

I've always pictured the practice squad as a place to develop guys who have the physical gifts needed to be good NFL players, they just need to be coached up or beefed up in the weight room. It sounds like Sam lacks that upside, so why bother?

 

[visionary]

It is not up to you...or I...or anyone else on this forum...unless Jerry or other members of the Dallas Cowboys FO are posting here under different user names.

His opinion is just as relevant as yours

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

His opinion is just as relevant as yours

And mine is just as relevant as yours....on this message board.

However none of OUR opinions matter to the FO who is the ones who will decide if Sam plays on this team or not.

Hence the reason I posted what I posted.

 

[xwalker]

Sam played in about nine quarters in four preseason games (3 v NO, 2 v GB, 1 v CLE, and 4 v MIA). I counted 2 sacks and 3 pressures. Here are the sacks:

• SACK 1 (gif)
  
• SACK 2 (gif)

Both sacks came in the 4th quarter when it was 3rd down and forever (19 & 21 respectively). Flynn tried getting away but Sam closed the distance quickly. Manziel was locked in on his receiver and he got blindsided. Two of his pressures were because he was not blocked. The other pressure, Sam got by a block with speed.

Sam would have had 2 TFL's this preseason but he missed both. One was on a shotgun hand off. He got through the line quickly and had the RB dead to rights but he whiffed on the tackle. The other play he split a block and got to the ball carrier about 2 or 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage. He was just behind the RB and goes for the tackle but couldn't wrap up and the ball carrier turns a negative play into a positive one.

Sam played primarily LDE. St. Louis had Sam line up as RDE for one series and he couldn't do anything. Sam doesn't have enough speed or the pass rushing moves to compete on the weak side right now. We need RDE's.

I was a little surprised that Sam can play against the run. He's stronger than I thought. He can handle 2nd team RT's. Sam was able to set the edge by using his long arms and a good base. He would be an even better run defender if he could shed blocks quicker.

Overall, Sam has some ability but he needs work. He isn't quick enough to win with speed only. Especially against better competition because he struggled against backups. Sam isn't going to overtake any of our defensive ends on the roster. He isn't good enough. He does have a nice motor and he doesn't give up on plays. I think the practice squad is where he belongs. He can get more work and in time he could turn into a player.

Excellent post. Nice touch adding the gifs.

 

[visionary]

And mine is just as relevant as yours....on this message board.

However none of OUR opinions matter to the FO who is the ones who will decide if Sam plays on this team or not.

Hence the reason I posted what I posted.

There isn't one person on this board whose opinion matters to the front office on any issue, so should we shut down the board?
Reality is that you posted that because u don't agree with him, that is the real reason

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

There isn't one person on this board whose opinion matters to the front office on any issue, so should we shut down the board?
Reality is that you posted that because u don't agree with him, that is the real reason

Was the board shut down in this case. No
Reality is no matter our opinion it matters not to the FO...just like I said and you clearly have a problem understanding.

 

[Doomsay]

Sam played in about nine quarters in four preseason games (3 v NO, 2 v GB, 1 v CLE, and 4 v MIA). I counted 2 sacks and 3 pressures. Here are the sacks:

• SACK 1 (gif)
  
• SACK 2 (gif)

Both sacks came in the 4th quarter when it was 3rd down and forever (19 & 21 respectively). Flynn tried getting away but Sam closed the distance quickly. Manziel was locked in on his receiver and he got blindsided. Two of his pressures were because he was not blocked. The other pressure, Sam got by a block with speed.

Sam would have had 2 TFL's this preseason but he missed both. One was on a shotgun hand off. He got through the line quickly and had the RB dead to rights but he whiffed on the tackle. The other play he split a block and got to the ball carrier about 2 or 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage. He was just behind the RB and goes for the tackle but couldn't wrap up and the ball carrier turns a negative play into a positive one.

Sam played primarily LDE. St. Louis had Sam line up as RDE for one series and he couldn't do anything. Sam doesn't have enough speed or the pass rushing moves to compete on the weak side right now. We need RDE's.

I was a little surprised that Sam can play against the run. He's stronger than I thought. He can handle 2nd team RT's. Sam was able to set the edge by using his long arms and a good base. He would be an even better run defender if he could shed blocks quicker.

Overall, Sam has some ability but he needs work. He isn't quick enough to win with speed only. Especially against better competition because he struggled against backups. Sam isn't going to overtake any of our defensive ends on the roster. He isn't good enough. He does have a nice motor and he doesn't give up on plays. I think the practice squad is where he belongs. He can get more work and in time he could turn into a player.

Thanks for the write up - while he might be a legit project, this move seems more sensational than developmental, IMO.

 

[rcaldw]

I've always pictured the practice squad as a place to develop guys who have the physical gifts needed to be good NFL players, they just need to be coached up or beefed up in the weight room. It sounds like Sam lacks that upside, so why bother?

Its the Jerry way.

 

[maxdallasfan]

Not sure why all the negativity. If his name was John Doe, we would be glad the team is looking at other options and ways to improve the team.

geesh. He's gay, so what. It won't mean more jersey sales, ticket sales, or anything else. Will more people watch? Perhaps. But the extra number of viewers won't even register on the ratings.

He's just a kid trying to make a living. The media will move on to the next thing. They always do. Just like what's his name in San Diego.

 

[rcaldw]

Was the board shut down in this case. No
Reality is no matter our opinion it matters not to the FO...just like I said and you clearly have a problem understanding.

His point was not that you were going to shut down the board. His point was why did you make the comment you did? His point was that you simply disagreed with the guy who said, "I'll pass." Because if the real issue was whether or not the Cowboys care about ANY of our comments, then you WOULD shut down the board. They are ALL opinions.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I really have a hard time seeing the downside in this. It's the practice squad. A place where a guy doesn't count against the active roster and gives us a chance to check and see what he can do. Pretty simple, if he doesn't have what it takes he will be gone in a short time.

As far as Westbrooks, a lot of us liked him in the draft....seemed like a no brainer to be honest. However St Louis kept him so he isn't an option. I have looked at almost all of the cut lists and there really isn't much else out there that fits the PS as a pass rusher. So Sam isn't keeping us from bringing someone in.