My thoughts on the team before the Draft

[LatinMind]

That it seems nobody knows who and what Dallas is pointing to in the draft. Of course we have a vague idea in def and secondary and passrush. But we dont know who. We really have no idea on what happened during the private workouts and dallas day. In recent yrs past we had a general idea on who this team was targeting based on reports and leaks on who they liked and what they saw. Its not a bad thing because if we dont know then other teams dont know either.

Really think Elliot needs to grow up. Just viewing him in videos and such you can tell the guy is really immature. Making better choices is all this kid needs to do. And i think he got the message with Jerry criticizing him publicly. Jerry just doesnt do that, because he is the one of the few Owners who get emotionally involved with his players.

I hope im wrong but i really dont think we will ever see a healthy Jaylon Smith. History and the cards just seem to be against him. He can run, but can he handle a 300lb blockers weight and power on that foot? I dont think so. So IMO i think a ILB should be brought in to be able to give Dallas options.

The Passrush is a big part of this teams need, probably more than even the secondary. But IMO it goes beyond the edge. Dallas needs to consistently get a passrush up the gut. Ive said it this offseason my preference would be seeing Irving at the 3tech and Collins at the 1tech. Where Dallas will be draftin in rd1 there are alot of guys who are rising with 40 times where as with football tape they were graded as RD2 RD3 RD4 guys. Thats where you get alot of busts.

AT 28 there are a couple DEs that are there that were there when this grading process began and thats:
Taco Charlton
Takk McKinley

I think thats why you see media so wrong come draft day. And you get this dramatic dialogue on ESPN and NFLN on this so called "drastic drops" in football players. As right now i see alot of "analysts" having Jonathon Allen falling to the teens. Crazy talk, this guy will be one of the top 3 picks.

So come draft day at 28, i think if one of the 2 guys i mentioned above are there at 28 will be the pick. If Not you have the 2nd wave of guys that have been met with Dallas,guys like Haasan Reddick, Zach Cunningham and Caleb Brantley. All who help the passrush. Then you have the secondary guys Dallas has met with Gareon Conley, Adoree Jackson, Fabian Moreau.

There is one guy who i think throws this all off and that OJ Howard. If he's available i think thats Dallas' pick.

Going back to DL, Crawford and Lawrence are huge diappointments in terms of health. When healthy these guys are very good. But they never are. Some will point to Lee and how he never was healthy, but neither of these guys im willing to bet put in half the work Lee does in the offseason in terms of keeping his body in shape. I'd really be happy if this team started to phase them out and go with the guys who they had playing at the end of the yr, mixed in with the rookies they bring in.

 

[Denim Chicken]

I hope im wrong but i really dont think we will ever see a healthy Jaylon Smith. History and the cards just seem to be against him. He can run, but can he handle a 300lb blockers weight and power on that foot? I dont think so. So IMO i think a ILB should be brought in to be able to give Dallas options.

The Passrush is a big part of this teams need, probably more than even the secondary.

As mentioned in the Draft Zone, this maybe why Bowser could be the pick at 28--could be a hedge against Jaylon not contributing, but also play edge if Jay is healthy.

 

[DallasEast]

That it seems nobody knows who and what Dallas is pointing to in the draft. Of course we have a vague idea in def and secondary and passrush. But we dont know who. We really have no idea on what happened during the private workouts and dallas day. In recent yrs past we had a general idea on who this team was targeting based on reports and leaks on who they liked and what they saw. Its not a bad thing because if we dont know then other teams dont know either.

Really think Elliot needs to grow up. Just viewing him in videos and such you can tell the guy is really immature. Making better choices is all this kid needs to do. And i think he got the message with Jerry criticizing him publicly. Jerry just doesnt do that, because he is the one of the few Owners who get emotionally involved with his players.

I hope im wrong but i really dont think we will ever see a healthy Jaylon Smith. History and the cards just seem to be against him. He can run, but can he handle a 300lb blockers weight and power on that foot? I dont think so. So IMO i think a ILB should be brought in to be able to give Dallas options.

The Passrush is a big part of this teams need, probably more than even the secondary. But IMO it goes beyond the edge. Dallas needs to consistently get a passrush up the gut. Ive said it this offseason my preference would be seeing Irving at the 3tech and Collins at the 1tech. Where Dallas will be draftin in rd1 there are alot of guys who are rising with 40 times where as with football tape they were graded as RD2 RD3 RD4 guys. Thats where you get alot of busts.

AT 28 there are a couple DEs that are there that were there when this grading process began and thats:
Taco Charlton
Takk McKinley

I think thats why you see media so wrong come draft day. And you get this dramatic dialogue on ESPN and NFLN on this so called "drastic drops" in football players. As right now i see alot of "analysts" having Jonathon Allen falling to the teens. Crazy talk, this guy will be one of the top 3 picks.

So come draft day at 28, i think if one of the 2 guys i mentioned above are there at 28 will be the pick. If Not you have the 2nd wave of guys that have been met with Dallas,guys like Haasan Reddick, Zach Cunningham and Caleb Brantley. All who help the passrush. Then you have the secondary guys Dallas has met with Gareon Conley, Adoree Jackson, Fabian Moreau.

There is one guy who i think throws this all off and that OJ Howard. If he's available i think thats Dallas' pick.

Going back to DL, Crawford and Lawrence are huge diappointments in terms of health. When healthy these guys are very good. But they never are. Some will point to Lee and how he never was healthy, but neither of these guys im willing to bet put in half the work Lee does in the offseason in terms of keeping his body in shape. I'd really be happy if this team started to phase them out and go with the guys who they had playing at the end of the yr, mixed in with the rookies they bring in.

I agree with much of your assessment about the necessity in improving the pass rush.

 

[waving monkey]

defensive backfield cupboard is more bare
@ 28 of the two big needs who is BPA that is the 64 cent question

 

[LatinMind]

As mentioned in the Draft Zone, this maybe why Bowser could be the pick at 28--could be a hedge against Jaylon not contributing, but also play edge if Jay is healthy.

Id stay clear of a guy like Bowser. DE the guy is pretty maxed out on his frame. And youre looking for him to go to ILB? Waste of a pick if u ask me at 28. I could see it with guy like Watt as he has actually played ILB at wisconsin too. But i dont see the love for these guys who dont play a posistion Dallas needs.

 

[LatinMind]

defensive backfield cupboard is more bare
@ 28 of the two big needs who is BPA that is the 64 cent question

IDK if the team would believe you about the secondary. Dallas lost a CB who was never healthy and a CB who they seem to have replaced with a FA. I dont think he is a guy who will be long term but he can man it for 2017 and develop Brown or a rookie. Brown is built more for Dallas to use on the left side, so i think a guy suited for RCB is needed. I dont think Dallas thinks too highly of Frazier tho. But Heath is going to be the starter for 2017. Think depth is needed more in the secondary more then starting, if i was trying to figure out the thought process of the team.

 

[SlammedZero]

I get it, about Elliot, but people seem to forget how young these players are. Remember the dumb things you did when you were that age? I couldn't imagine how much worse I could've been with tons of money. He will come around. It just takes some time and the right atmosphere. You live you learn.

 

[Bullflop]

I'm holding my expectations for Jaylon at arm's length until such time as we know more about what to expect once TC is in full swing. I'm 100% sure there's no doubt about us needing an elite pass rusher (or two) and a couple of secondary aces (CB & SS) to help bolster the defensive backfield and pretty doggone sure that'll be the focus during the early stages of the draft.

Here's hoping Will McClay has a heads up on who the answer might be and that Jerry & Co. listens to him if and when he does. If so, there should be help coming for us in 2017 and beyond. Fortunately, there should be enough DEs and CBs for us to fortify those spots. How much and how well we do so is the big question that remains to be seen. God bless our guys (and their brains) in the war room!

 

[MileyDancer]

I hope we draft Tyroil Smoochie-Wallace at # 28. Quisperny G'Dunzoid Sr. would be a good second round pick. Both are great prospects.

 

[Bullflop]

I get it, about Elliot, but people seem to forget how young these players are. Remember the dumb things you did when you were that age? I couldn't imagine how much worse I could've been with tons of money. He will come around. It just takes some time and the right atmosphere. You live you learn.

There's no doubt about youth being a factor in doing dumb things. Hell, I'm about three times Zeke's age now and STILL screw up on a regular basis! The main difference now is that my miscues were infinitely bigger back then and the repercussions were disgustingly more catastrophic.

 

[ShiningStar]

really wont matter what we speculate either. In most regards , our drafts are getting better, sans second pick, BUT who knows who falls. Dallas can do like every team and pick, nit pick, lay down the sciene and needs, and a team might make a trade and take our guy or someone falls.

 

[ghst187]

defensive backfield cupboard is more bare
@ 28 of the two big needs who is BPA that is the 64 cent question

All the more reason we should be trying to steal Sherman from Seattle for a second round pick or less

 

[ShiningStar]

All the more reason we should be trying to steal Sherman from Seattle for a second round pick or less

if they would give it up for that. I dont see that happening.

 

[bayeslife]

Excellent post, LM

Curious about your point about Jaylons foot though, do you think we're going to play him at offensive line? Otherwise I'm not sure what part of a linebackers job is to lift 300 lb linemen

 

[LatinMind]

Excellent post, LM

Curious about your point about Jaylons foot though, do you think we're going to play him at offensive line? Otherwise I'm not sure what part of a linebackers job is to lift 300 lb linemen

What i was saying is i dont think Jaylon can take on a block of a 300lb man and hold it. I dont think he will ever be able to.

 

[CCBoy]

Latin...appreciated your insights. I'm hoping on Smith, although. That's me.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

I myself didn't see he was immature or mature from just watching videos. Living a life to other peoples expectations I'm guessing.

 

[noshame]

Really good stuff especially pressure up the gut that's my number one rule for a great defense
When it comes to stopping the Run not allowing the quarterback to step up and limiting his vision you can't beat pressure in the middle if we build our defensive line like our offensive line you don't need superstars just serviceable people around them.

I'm hopeful that Elliot comes along but I look back at my college days if somebody threw a bunch of cash in my lap I'd make Elliot look like choir boy

 

[LatinMind]

Latin...appreciated your insights. I'm hoping on Smith, although. That's me.

Im hoping too, but i just dont see it. He'll play but i dont see him making an impact. Atleast not this yr. Really hope im wrong

 

[LatinMind]

Really good stuff especially pressure up the gut that's my number one rule for a great defense
When it comes to stopping the Run not allowing the quarterback to step up and limiting his vision you can't beat pressure in the middle if we build our defensive line like our offensive line you don't need superstars just serviceable people around them.

I'm hopeful that Elliot comes along but I look back at my college days if somebody threw a bunch of cash in my lap I'd make Elliot look like choir boy

Dallas went from bottom of the league to middle of the pack in 1 yr in sacks. There are multiple people getting to the QB right now and id rather have that then 1 guy with alot of sacks. They just need to be more consistent. I dont think its the players i think its the coaches affraid to give these players a crack at it. Instead relying on wounded vets like Crawford and Lawrence. This defense was on fire when these two went out and the young guys were cut loose. Add in two more guys to this group in this draft and let them develop with game reps.