Pardon the Interruption

[AsthmaField]

Remember all those sacks JJ Watt had at Wisconsin? Yeah, me neither.

The draft is a game of projection. Rate statistics in college is just one piece of the puzzle.

Watt didn't have growth hormone in college.

 

[jday]

If either of those two were ballhawks (e.g. turnover machines) they would still be Cowboys, regardless of what contract they were on. And the same could be said of Church and Wilcox.

 

[Doc50]

I really honestly don't believe there is anything silly about my logic here. The Cowboys have been very vocal about wanting to fix the lack of turnovers. It is the logic they offer behind allowing so many starters to leave via Free Agency and that is logic I can get behind so long as the Cowboys draft accordingly. From what I'm reading, Peppers is a possible improvement over Church. I can see that. But if his numbers don't suggest he can fix the problem the Cowboys have set out to fix, I don't get the move. That's all I'm saying. Especially when there are candidates out there who have the numbers to suggest they could help fix that problem.

I think the secondary exodus is a multifactoral business decision, influenced greatly by this year's draft depth and the relative savings in those rookie contracts. We would have kept at least 2 of the guys that walked, at the right price, but it was their time to cash in.

Of course, we're hoping to upgrade; we'll see how it shakes out.

 

[AsthmaField]

Define "Real Deal."

Real Deal as in good overall football player or Real Deal as in the next Ed Reed? Because I suspect the Cowboys are leaning towards finding their own version of the next Ed Reed. For example, if they had to choose between Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed, I suspect they would choose Ed. Whereas Peppers strikes me as more of a Polamalu type. Fair?

I totally get what you're saying and to a certain extent I agree. However, there is only one DB in this year's draft that has a shot at getting INT's like Reed did and that is Hooker. If you're drafting a safety based on that... well, when Hooker went off the board there wouldn't be a safety the team could draft.

Like I said though: I get what you're saying and I do think that the team is going to be looking for DB's who tend to get their hands on passes. They won't be able to draft two or three guys though if they insist on that criteria. Somewhere they're probably going to take a DB that doesn't have high INT totals in this draft.

As for Peppers, at SS you don't expect a big time ball hawk. You want guys who can cover TE's, can take on blockers and can get to the ballcarrier quickly and efficiently. An enforcer type who can fire up his team mates with TFL's, sacks, etc. Peppers is all of those things. You always want INT's... but if you're going to get a guy who isn't a ball hawk in your secondary... SS would probably be the position to do it at.

I don't love Peppers but I do like him a lot and think he would be a huge upgrade over Church/Wilcox.

Desmond King is a safety prospect who tends to find the ball and I like him a whole lot as well.

In the end, I trust the team to get the right guys, which is what is most important. Not what I, you or any of us fans want them to do.

 

[JPostSam]

peppers won't make it to 28. but if he does, we should sprint to the podium to make him a cowboy.

 

[Manster68]

If Dallas decides to not go for Peppers, D. King would be great compensation at 60.

You think he will be there at 60?

 

[Sydla]

if you like Ramsay,cool.If you like Ramsay better as our selection over Zeek ....well

It's like you guys don't even bother to comprehend what was said. Holy hell.

 

[Sydla]

Your missing half the point. Stephen Jones said they were leery of resigning Claiborne or Carr to a 3rd Contract because that's when people want the most money and when they start to decline. I'm buying his theory.

Claiborne signed a one year, show me contract.

Hardly the 3rd contract that Jones is talking about.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Watt didn't have growth hormone in college.

Doesn't in the NFL either.

 

[haleyrules]

I'm starting to regret bringing those two up. Chances are no one finds the like of those two players. I only used them as an example for the difference in what I believe the Cowboys are looking for. Both Polamalu and Reed were both great players, but for completely different reasons. And I think that the Cowboys are leaning towards a Reed type versus a Polamalu type.

I would settle for a Darren Woodson!

 

[Setackin]

You think he will be there at 60?

I'd say he has a better chance to fall to 60 then Peppers does falling to 28.

 

[AsthmaField]

Doesn't in the NFL either.

Are you sure?

 

[xwalker]

It is absolutely silly to say that because one did not generate enough turnovers in college he likely won't in the NFL and can't be a good defensive back.

And I believe the Cowboys are very interested in Peppers. He might go off the board before 28 though.

I have not seen people say that Peppers or Jalen Ramsey won't be good players. People are saying not to bet on them generating turnovers.

 

[Kaiser]

I think the secondary exodus is a multifactoral business decision, influenced greatly by this year's draft depth and the relative savings in those rookie contracts. We would have kept at least 2 of the guys that walked, at the right price, but it was their time to cash in.

Of course, we're hoping to upgrade; we'll see how it shakes out.

I agree, I don't think they had a plan to clean house in the secondary. I think they had a very good read on what all four guys were worth and weren't going to exceed it because they had other options - both in FA and in the draft.

All four were paid more than Dallas was willing to pay and I agree with all four decisions. I wouldn't have given Wilcox one quarter of what he signed for with the Bucs.

 

[xwalker]

Gerod Holliman from Louisville tied a NCAA record a couple of years ago with 14 interceptions in a season. He entered the NFL draft afer his junior year and two years later, he's barely a backup in this league.

The point being, that trying to project the ability to take the ball away based on college stats is pointless.

He was the worst tackler that I can remember watching.

 

[AsthmaField]

I have not seen people say that Peppers or Jalen Ramsey won't be good players. People are saying not to bet on them generating turnovers.

Precisely.

 

[Doomsday101]

I would not have an issue if Dallas drafted Peppers. Very physical player and very athletic.

 

[Sydla]

He was the worst tackler that I can remember watching.

Yeah but he generated massive amounts of turnovers in college! That should have translated over into the pros!

Reality is if you put a quality secondary with a good pass rush out there, the turnovers will come. I won't write a prospect off just because he didn't get enough interceptions in college for my liking. Revis was the best CB in the NFL for a period and he averaged under 3 interceptions a year in college. Not exactly ballhawking greatness.

 

[jday]

I totally get what you're saying and to a certain extent I agree. However, there is only one DB in this year's draft that has a shot at getting INT's like Reed did and that is Hooker. If you're drafting a safety based on that... well, when Hooker went off the board there wouldn't be a safety the team could draft.

Like I said though: I get what you're saying and I do think that the team is going to be looking for DB's who tend to get their hands on passes. They won't be able to draft two or three guys though if they insist on that criteria. Somewhere they're probably going to take a DB that doesn't have high INT totals in this draft.

As for Peppers, at SS you don't expect a big time ball hawk. You want guys who can cover TE's, can take on blockers and can get to the ballcarrier quickly and efficiently. An enforcer type who can fire up his team mates with TFL's, sacks, etc. Peppers is all of those things. You always want INT's... but if you're going to get a guy who isn't a ball hawk in your secondary... SS would probably be the position to do it at.

I don't love Peppers but I do like him a lot and think he would be a huge upgrade over Church/Wilcox.

Desmond King is a safety prospect who tends to find the ball and I like him a whole lot as well.

In the end, I trust the team to get the right guys, which is what is most important. Not what I, you or any of us fans want them to do.

I'm not saying the Cowboys will be able to get a ballhawk with every secondary pick, but they should be able to find someone who has exhibited the ability more than Peppers. Peppers had 1 interception in 3 years. At a guess, that is likely less than anyone who is simultaneously slotted to go in the first 3 rounds at safety or corner.

I understand what football has looked for in the past in Strong Safety's; but I think the league at large is moving away from the in-the-box Safety. Now more than ever, Strong Safety's have to be able to cover and make play's on the ball. And I'm not sure if that really is Peppers strong suit. According to the scouting reports I have read he struggles when asked to cover. Fast, instinctive, athletic? Yes. Improvement over Church/Wilcox? Probably Yes. But does he go get the ball? He may have that ability, but he hasn't exactly exhibited it. Even as a linebacker, he should be making at the very least the occasional play on the ball if he actually has the talent to do so. Sean Lee, for instance, as a linebacker has exhibited the ability to make plays on the ball. If he had the height, speed and weight of Peppers, he would have already been moved to Safety for that reason. So while I get that Peppers could improve the Cowboys defense as a whole, I honestly think the Cowboys are looking for a different type of Strong Safety; one that won't be lost in the face of an empty set and 5 potential receivers.

But, admittedly, I've been wrong about what the Cowboys are looking for before. Based on what they have said, I suspect they'll ultimately be looking else where in the first round. And not just because Peppers doesn't fit the mold. It will also be because I suspect in the first round they'll draft a guy from a position group that is not deep like DE, S, and CB. More than likely, they'll draft BPA in the first round because they will feel they can address DE, S, and CB in the latter rounds, unless of course the BPA is one of those positions groups...then I doubt very seriously they pass him up...unless it's Peppers, than I think they may trade out of it, because I suspect there will definitely be a team that will want him. But that is just a guess.

 

[jday]

Claiborne signed a one year, show me contract.

Hardly the 3rd contract that Jones is talking about.

I think the passing on Claiborne was more about his inability to stay healthy than anything.