My Saturday Night Film Study

[CowboysLaw87]

Saturday night I had my brother over for some drinks and NFL Draft prospect film study. I've mentioned on this board before, but my brother is not only a huge Cowboy fan (with great knowledge of the team's needs and desired traits from certain position groups), he's also a college football coach. He's got 100% access to all coaches film of every ACC and AAC game played in 2013. Anyway, here are the players we watched and his abbreviated comments to each...

Kony Ealy
- Literally was mortified how terrible his technique is.
- Had to stop watching before his first game (Georgia '13) was over because he laughed at the idea of taking him in the first 3 rounds.
- Of the opinion that he wouldn't contribute in 2014.

Sammy Watkins
- Thinks he's a potential HOF'er.
- Says he's got totally rare ability to separate out of his breaks. The good ones separate when they hit top speed, but he actually gains separation multiple times mid-route.
- Incredible natural running instincts. Great vision and violence.

Anthony Barr
- Thinks he needs to stay at 3-4 OLB.
- He's a good player, and possibly even worth #16 if we were a 3-4 team. It's just that his lack of anchor at the POA, weak hand use and complete lack of any type of counter move (rip, swim, spin) makes him a real project.
- Agrees he has elite athleticism and could turn into a great RDE, but will take time, is no guaranty, and we're better off going in another direction.

Zack Martin
- Thinks he projects best to RT.
- Noticed a couple times when he over-extended, but was overall really impressed.
- Loved his anchor and balance, and was impressed by the way he kind of coils and springs into the defender (i.e., "shoots his hands") a split second before contact. Really takes the fight to the defender instead of just absorbs the hit.
- Says he thinks he's worth #16.

Johnny Manziel
- He's intrigued. Extremely intrigued. Thinks there are translatable qualities that might make him successful in the NFL.
- Points out throws that show off his arm strength. Thinks he's got a significantly better arm than Romo.
- Acknowledges he's totally unrefined.
- Basically thinks that as a player, he could very easily be Tony Romo PLUS a significant amount of overall athleticism and arm strength.
- Doesn't seem to be overly concerned with the off-field stuff. Think it's a bit overplayed, but made an interesting statement... something like "When things are going well you won't have to worry about him. You're not going to have to worry about him the night before games... maybe what he does to celebrate the night after winning a game. But he'll be focused when all is good. If things are going bad though, he may resort to alcohol, wallow in self-pity and self-destruct. But if things are going bad anyway, you've already swung and missed on the pick to some degree."
- He thinks that in a vacuum, Manziel gives the team a better chance to win a Super Bowl than probably any other player who could realistically be on the board. Seems like his pick.

 

[Fredd]

good stuff

 

[AsthmaField]

Interesting. I much appreciate the effort.

Yeah, I haven't liked Ealy from the start.

 

[NeonDeion21]

I like Ealy more than most. He's a more athletic Michael Bennett to me.

 

[Gaede]

Awesome, great post. Appreciate the insight.

I also see nothing in Ealy. I don't understand where the hype has come from

Good points about Barr.

 

[starfrombirth]

Saturday night I had my brother over for some drinks and NFL Draft prospect film study. I've mentioned on this board before, but my brother is not only a huge Cowboy fan (with great knowledge of the team's needs and desired traits from certain position groups), he's also a college football coach. He's got 100% access to all coaches film of every ACC and AAC game played in 2013. Anyway, here are the players we watched and his abbreviated comments to each...

Kony Ealy
- Literally was mortified how terrible his technique is.
- Had to stop watching before his first game (Georgia '13) was over because he laughed at the idea of taking him in the first 3 rounds.
- Of the opinion that he wouldn't contribute in 2014. - Exactly what I said in my analysis of him

Sammy Watkins
- Thinks he's a potential HOF'er.
- Says he's got totally rare ability to separate out of his breaks. The good ones separate when they hit top speed, but he actually gains separation multiple times mid-route.
- Incredible natural running instincts. Great vision and violence.

Anthony Barr
- Thinks he needs to stay at 3-4 OLB.
- He's a good player, and possibly even worth #16 if we were a 3-4 team. It's just that his lack of anchor at the POA, weak hand use and complete lack of any type of counter move (rip, swim, spin) makes him a real project.
- Agrees he has elite athleticism and could turn into a great RDE, but will take time, is no guaranty, and we're better off going in another direction.
- Exactly what I said in my analysis of him

Zack Martin
- Thinks he projects best to RT.
- Noticed a couple times when he over-extended, but was overall really impressed.
- Loved his anchor and balance, and was impressed by the way he kind of coils and springs into the defender (i.e., "shoots his hands") a split second before contact. Really takes the fight to the defender instead of just absorbs the hit.
- Says he thinks he's worth #16.

Johnny Manziel
- He's intrigued. Extremely intrigued. Thinks there are translatable qualities that might make him successful in the NFL.
- Points out throws that show off his arm strength. Thinks he's got a significantly better arm than Romo.
- Acknowledges he's totally unrefined. - This is the thing that can potentially cause him to drop. Can he be taught?
- Basically thinks that as a player, he could very easily be Tony Romo PLUS a significant amount of overall athleticism and arm strength.
- Doesn't seem to be overly concerned with the off-field stuff. Think it's a bit overplayed, but made an interesting statement... something like "When things are going well you won't have to worry about him. You're not going to have to worry about him the night before games... maybe what he does to celebrate the night after winning a game. But he'll be focused when all is good. If things are going bad though, he may resort to alcohol, wallow in self-pity and self-destruct. But if things are going bad anyway, you've already swung and missed on the pick to some degree."
- He thinks that in a vacuum, Manziel gives the team a better chance to win a Super Bowl than probably any other player who could realistically be on the board. Seems like his pick.

 

[starfrombirth]

I like Ealy more than most. He's a more athletic Michael Bennett to me.

Sorry man.... It's not even close. I've watched and rewatched tape of him because I'm afraid that will be our pick and I reeaaallly want something about him to be worth the 1st rnd pick. . . there isn't. To be fair Sam is the better player and I don't like Sam either.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

I like Ealy more than most. He's a more athletic Michael Bennett to me.

I don't like him at 16 either, but there is some truth in this being his upside. Despite horrid technique, the guy still put together a really impactful season in the SEC and is 6'4 270+ with a sub 7-second 3 cone time. If we have 100% faith in Marinelli, this could be our pick, and we'll all have to get on board with him.

 

[xwalker]

Saturday night I had my brother over for some drinks and NFL Draft prospect film study. I've mentioned on this board before, but my brother is not only a huge Cowboy fan (with great knowledge of the team's needs and desired traits from certain position groups), he's also a college football coach. He's got 100% access to all coaches film of every ACC and AAC game played in 2013. Anyway, here are the players we watched and his abbreviated comments to each...

Kony Ealy
- Literally was mortified how terrible his technique is.
- Had to stop watching before his first game (Georgia '13) was over because he laughed at the idea of taking him in the first 3 rounds.
- Of the opinion that he wouldn't contribute in 2014.

Sammy Watkins
- Thinks he's a potential HOF'er.
- Says he's got totally rare ability to separate out of his breaks. The good ones separate when they hit top speed, but he actually gains separation multiple times mid-route.
- Incredible natural running instincts. Great vision and violence.

Anthony Barr
- Thinks he needs to stay at 3-4 OLB.
- He's a good player, and possibly even worth #16 if we were a 3-4 team. It's just that his lack of anchor at the POA, weak hand use and complete lack of any type of counter move (rip, swim, spin) makes him a real project.
- Agrees he has elite athleticism and could turn into a great RDE, but will take time, is no guaranty, and we're better off going in another direction.

Zack Martin
- Thinks he projects best to RT.
- Noticed a couple times when he over-extended, but was overall really impressed.
- Loved his anchor and balance, and was impressed by the way he kind of coils and springs into the defender (i.e., "shoots his hands") a split second before contact. Really takes the fight to the defender instead of just absorbs the hit.
- Says he thinks he's worth #16.

Johnny Manziel
- He's intrigued. Extremely intrigued. Thinks there are translatable qualities that might make him successful in the NFL.
- Points out throws that show off his arm strength. Thinks he's got a significantly better arm than Romo.
- Acknowledges he's totally unrefined.
- Basically thinks that as a player, he could very easily be Tony Romo PLUS a significant amount of overall athleticism and arm strength.
- Doesn't seem to be overly concerned with the off-field stuff. Think it's a bit overplayed, but made an interesting statement... something like "When things are going well you won't have to worry about him. You're not going to have to worry about him the night before games... maybe what he does to celebrate the night after winning a game. But he'll be focused when all is good. If things are going bad though, he may resort to alcohol, wallow in self-pity and self-destruct. But if things are going bad anyway, you've already swung and missed on the pick to some degree."
- He thinks that in a vacuum, Manziel gives the team a better chance to win a Super Bowl than probably any other player who could realistically be on the board. Seems like his pick.

Good post.

With regards to Barr, I think Marinelli's scheme is more tolerant of a less powerful player at the Right or Weak Side DE position. He actually required much less run defense from Ware than what RR or Wade required in the 3-4. On most plays Ware was either crashing down inside or rushing wide with no regard for setting the edge against the run. These are called plays by Marinelli/Kiffin and the LBs have to be aware they have the responsibility for setting the edge instead of Ware. When they really wanted the DE to set the edge against the run, they would bring in a guy like Wynn (6-3, 285).

Barr would be a nickel pass rusher as a rookie with somebody else playing the base downs.

 

[Alexander]

Barr would be a nickel pass rusher as a rookie with somebody else playing the base downs.

If that is the case, we might be better passing on him at 16 if available or try to pawn him off in trade.

It is kind of hard to choose a role player with the sixteenth pick and not have a plan for them to contribute on most, if not all, downs. Barr just might be stuck at OLB and best used like he was in college.

The only way he makes sense is if Marinelli were more flexible with the rush concepts. Unfortunately, I think the idea is that we are all in with Marinelli and his older Tampa philosophy.

As much as they talked about it last offseason, I do not think we are going to use joker rushers like Quinn and Bradley have done, which is really a 4-3 scheme with 3-4 personnel. It all comes down to being flexible to move the scheme towards the talent.

 

[reddyuta]

If they are looking for instant impact DEs then I would go with Ford or Attachu.Ford already has moves and is a high motor guy.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

Good post.

With regards to Barr, I think Marinelli's scheme is more tolerant of a less powerful player at the Right or Weak Side DE position. He actually required much less run defense from Ware than what RR or Wade required in the 3-4. On most plays Ware was either crashing down inside or rushing wide with no regard for setting the edge against the run. These are called plays by Marinelli/Kiffin and the LBs have to be aware they have the responsibility for setting the edge instead of Ware. When they really wanted the DE to set the edge against the run, they would bring in a guy like Wynn (6-3, 285).

Barr would be a nickel pass rusher as a rookie with somebody else playing the base downs.

Thank you sir, and this is a good post as well.

I agree that it's explosive up-field rush ability above all else. I see Barr exactly as you do right off the bat. I think it's likely that if we draft Barr, Selvie is the starting base RDE and Barr comes in for nickel rushes. Can we live with 20-25 snaps per game from Barr if it maximizes his best traits, and transition him into more of a full-time starting RDE in 2015 and beyond? I think that would look like the reasonable track. Sort of short-sighted to say that's not good enough, right?

Really, really interesting prospect/fit.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

If they are looking for instant impact DEs then I would go with Ford or Attachu.Ford already has moves and is a high motor guy.

I don't agree with Ford assessment here. I think he's strictly a LB. I don't think he fits at DE. He gets manhandled at DE. At LB, that's a different story IMO.

 

[xwalker]

Thank you sir, and this is a good post as well.

I agree that it's explosive up-field rush ability above all else. I see Barr exactly as you do right off the bat. I think it's likely that if we draft Barr, Selvie is the starting base RDE and Barr comes in for nickel rushes. Can we live with 20-25 snaps per game from Barr if it maximizes his best traits, and transition him into more of a full-time starting RDE in 2015 and beyond? I think that would look like the reasonable track. Sort of short-sighted to say that's not good enough, right?

Really, really interesting prospect/fit.

They could also line him up as a SDE which would give him a few opportunities to rush in non-nickel situations. They gave Wilber a few chances to rush from the SDE spot.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

They could also line him up as a SDE which would give him a few opportunities to rush in non-nickel situations. They gave Wilber a few chances to rush from the SDE spot.

True. I realize the temptation is there to choose a guy who will be a Day 1 full-time starter, no creativity required. That's the expectation for a 1st round pick. But I do not want to take a lesser player in order to attain that result. We'd have Barr's rights for a minimum of 5 years... I'd rather take the guy who we project to be the best player for the most time during that contract.

 

[xwalker]

If that is the case, we might be better passing on him at 16 if available or try to pawn him off in trade.

It is kind of hard to choose a role player with the sixteenth pick and not have a plan for them to contribute on most, if not all, downs. Barr just might be stuck at OLB and best used like he was in college.

The only way he makes sense is if Marinelli were more flexible with the rush concepts. Unfortunately, I think the idea is that we are all in with Marinelli and his older Tampa philosophy.

Not if they think he could develop into a D-Ware type player. He has a lot of similarities to Ware physically, but Ware was stronger.

DeMarcus Ware
arm length: 34
Height: 6040
Weight: 251
40 Yrd Dash: 4.56
20 Yrd Dash: 2.71
10 Yrd Dash: 1.62
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 27
Vertical Jump: 38 1/2
Broad Jump: 10'02"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.07
3-Cone Drill: 6.85


Anthony Barr
arm length: 33-1/2
Height: 6047
Weight: 255
40 Yrd Dash: 4.41 (4.66 combine)
20 Yrd Dash: 2.67
10 Yrd Dash: 1.57
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 19
Vertical Jump: 34-1/2
Broad Jump: 10'05"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.19
3-Cone Drill: 6.82

As much as they talked about it last offseason, I do not think we are going to use joker rushers like Quinn and Bradley have done, which is really a 4-3 scheme with 3-4 personnel. It all comes down to being flexible to move the scheme towards the talent.

They did give Wilber some opportunities to rush from the SLB spot. I agree that Marinelli is doubtful to emphasize this as much as Quinn and Bradley, but it would be an option. If they played him at SLB, he could move to DE in the nickel. I wouldn't do it in his rookie year because he should focus on learning 1 position.

 

[xwalker]

True. I realize the temptation is there to choose a guy who will be a Day 1 full-time starter, no creativity required. That's the expectation for a 1st round pick. But I do not want to take a lesser player in order to attain that result. We'd have Barr's rights for a minimum of 5 years... I'd rather take the guy who we project to be the best player for the most time during that contract.

Agree. I think you could still get a lot of value from him as a nickel pass rusher. They play the nickel between 1/3 and as much a 1/2 of the snaps in some games.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

Agree. I think you could still get a lot of value from him as a nickel pass rusher. They play the nickel between 1/3 and as much a 1/2 of the snaps in some games.

Exactly. And for those keeping score, those nickel snaps are the most important snaps of the game. 3rd down is what we call the "money down." If I'm only getting 20 snaps from Barr, but they are 20 bat-out-of-hell, low wear and tear, no thinking required snaps that happen to be 20 of the most important plays of the game... As long as he's effective, his value is very much there and worthy of the pick.

 

[reddyuta]

I don't agree with Ford assessment here. I think he's strictly a LB. I don't think he fits at DE. He gets manhandled at DE. At LB, that's a different story IMO.

I think he can play DE but he may struggle with the running game,his Demarcus Ware like initial quickness and long arms will always keep OTs off balance.

 

[ceerrece]

I don't like Ealy either, at least not at 16th. My only safe picks at that spot would be Bridgewater, Donald, Jernigan, Barr, Martin or Lewan(if he falls).